1 Codex Standard 152-1985
CODEX STANDARD FOR WHEAT FLOUR
CODEX STAN 152-1985
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard applies to wheat flour for direct human consumption prepared from common wheat, Triticum
aestivum L., or club wheat, Triticum compactum Host., or mixtures thereof, which is prepackaged ready for
sale to the consumer or destined for use in other food products.
1.2 It does not apply:
– to any product prepared from durum wheat, Triticum durum Desf., singly or in combination other wheat;
– to whole meal, whole-wheat flour or semolina, farina milled from common wheat, Triticum aestivum L., or
club wheat, Triticum compactum Host., or mixtures thereof;
– to wheat flour destined for use as a brewing adjunct or for the manufacture of starch and/or gluten;
– to wheat flour for non-food industrial use;
– flours whose protein content have been reduced or which have been submitted after the milling process to
a special treatment other than drying or bleaching and/or to which have been added other ingredients
than those mentioned under Sections 3.2.2 and 4.
2. DESCRIPTION
2.1 Product definition
Wheat flour is the product prepared from grain of common wheat, Triticum aestivum L., or club wheat, Triticum
compactum Host., or mixtures thereof, by grinding or milling processes in which the bran and germ are partly
removed and the remainder is comminuted to a suitable degree of fineness.
3. ESSENTIAL COMPOSITION AND QUALITY FACTORS
3.1 Quality factors – general
3.1.1 Wheat flour and any added ingredients shall be safe and suitable for human consumption.
3.1.2 Wheat flour shall be free from abnormal flavours, odours, and living insects.
3.1.3 Wheat flour shall be free from filth (impurities of animal origin, including dead insects) in amounts which may
represent a hazard to human health.
3.2 Quality factors – specific
3.2.1 Moisture content 15.5% m/m max
Lower moisture limits should be required for certain destinations in relation to the climate, duration of transport
and storage. Governments accepting the Standard are requested to indicate and justify the requirements in
force in their country.
3.2.2 Optional ingredients
The following ingredients may be added to wheat flour in amounts necessary for technological purposes:
– malted products with enzymatic activity made from wheat, rye or barley;
– vital wheat gluten;
– soybean flour and legume flour.
4. FOOD ADDITIVES
4.1 Enzymes Maximum level in finished product
4.1.1 Fungal amylase from Aspergillus niger GMP
4.1.2 Fungal amylase from Aspergillus oryzae GMP
4.1.3 Proteolytic enzyme from Bacillus subtilis GMP
4.1.4 Proteolytic enzyme from Aspergillus oryzae GMP
Adopted 1985. Revision 1995.
2 Codex Standard 152-1985
4.2 Flour treatment agents Maximum level in finished product
4.2.1 L-ascorbic acid and its sodium
and potassium salts 300 mg/kg
4.2.2 L-cysteine hydrochloride 90 mg/kg
4.2.3 Sulphur dioxide (in flours for biscuit and pastry
manufacture only) 200 mg/kg
4.2.4 Mono-calcium phosphate 2 500 mg/kg
4.2.5 Lecithin 2 000 mg/kg
4.2.6 Chlorine in high ratio cakes 2 500 mg/kg
4.2.7 Chlorine dioxide for yeast raised bakery products 30 mg/kg
4.2.8 Benzoyl peroxide 60 mg/kg
4.2.9 Azodicarbonamide for leavened bread 45 mg/kg
5. CONTAMINANTS
5.1 Heavy metals
Wheat flour shall be free from heavy metals in amounts which may represent a hazard to human health.
5.2 Pesticide residues
Wheat flour shall comply with those maximum residue limits established by the Codex Alimentarius
Commission for this commodity.
5.3 Mycotoxins
Wheat flour shall comply with those maximum mycotoxin limits established by the Codex Alimentarius
Commission for this commodity.
6. HYGIENE
6.1 It is recommended that the product covered by the provisions of this standard be prepared and handled in
accordance with the appropriate sections of the Recommended International Code of Practice – General
Principles of Food Hygiene (CAC/RCP 1-1969) and other Codes of Practice recommended by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission which are relevant to this product.
6.2 To the extent possible in good manufacturing practice, the product shall be free from objectionable matter.
6.3 When tested by appropriate methods of sampling and examination, the product:
– shall be free from micro-organisms in amounts which may represent a hazard to health;
– shall be free from parasites which may represent a hazard to health; and
– shall not contain any substance originating from micro-organisms in amounts which may represent a
hazard to health.
7. PACKAGING
7.1 Wheat flour shall be packaged in containers which will safeguard the hygienic, nutritional, technological, and
organoleptic qualities of the product.
7.2 The containers, including packaging material, shall be made of substances which are safe and suitable for
their intended use. They should not impart any toxic substance or undesirable odour or flavour to the product.
7.3 When the product is packaged in sacks, these must be clean, sturdy and strongly sewn or sealed.
3 Codex Standard 152-1985
8. LABELLING
In addition to the requirements of the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods
(CODEX STAN 1-1985) the following specific provisions apply:
8.1 Name of the product
8.1.1 The name of the product to be shown on the label shall be “wheat flour.”
8.2 Labelling of non-retail containers
Information for non-retail containers shall either be given on the container or in accompanying documents,
except that the name of the product, lot identification and the name and address of the manufacturer or packer
shall appear on the container. However, lot identification and the name and address of the manufacturer or
packer may be replaced by an identification mark, provided that such a mark is clearly identifiable with the
accompanying documents.
9. METHODS OF ANALYSIS AND SAMPLING
See relevant Codex texts on methods of analysis and sampling.
ANNEX
ANNEX
In those instances where more than one factor limit and/or method of analysis is given we strongly
recommend that users specify the appropriate limit and method of analysis.
Factor/Description Method of analysis
Limit
ASH Buyer Preference AOAC 923.03
ISO 2171:1980
ICC Method No. 104/1 (1990)
FAT ACIDITY MAX: 70 mg per 100 g flour on a dry matter basis ISO 7305:1986
expressed as sulphuric acid – or –
– or – AOAC 939.05
Not more than 50 mg of potassium hydroxide shall
be required to neutralize the free fatty acids in 100
grammes flour on a dry matter basis
PROTEIN (N 5.7) MIN: 7.0% on a dry weight basis ICC 105/l Method for the Determination of Crude
Protein in Cereals and Cereal Products for Food and
for Feed (Type I Method) Selenium/Copper catalyst.
– or –
ISO 1871:1975
NUTRIENTS Conform With Legislation of the Country in Which None Defined
vitamins the Product is Sold
minerals
amino acids
PARTICLE SIZE 98% or more of flour shall pass through a 212 AOAC 965.22
(GRANULARITY) micron (No. 70 sieve)
