Codex (FAO) Flour
Essential Composition and Quality Factors
Includes general and specific quality factors for wheat flour.
- Moisture content control
- Sensory quality testing
- Supplier approval
- Ingredient amount control
Food Additives
Outlines acceptable food additives and their maximum levels in the final product.
- Additive verification
- Equipment calibration
- Enzyme and flour treatment agents record
- Additive permissible levels
- Supplier audits
- Finished product testing (chemical analysis)
Contaminants
- Heavy metal testing (e.g., lead, cadmium, and mercury)
- Pesticide residue testing
- Mycotoxin monitoring (e.g., aflatoxins, DON)
- Storage monitoring
Hygiene
Wheat flour is prepared in accordance with good hygiene practices and free from microorganisms, parasites, and other objectionable substances.
- Microbiological testing (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria spp.)
- Cleaning and sanitation procedure
- Hygiene inspection
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) inspection
- Training program
Packaging
Flour is packaged in containers that safeguard its hygienic, nutritional, and organoleptic qualities.
- Packaging material inspection
- Sealing and labeling checks
- Visual inspection
Labeling
Flour is labeled according to the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods.
- Label review
- Non-retail packaging review
Methods of Analysis and Sampling
- Sampling Protocols
- Laboratory Testing (e.g., ash content, protein levels, and fat acidity)