Overview

CXS 180-1991 provides specific labelling guidance for foods for special medical purposes. As defined by this standard, Foods for special medical purposes are a category of foods for special dietary uses which are specially processed or formulated and presented for the dietary management of patients and may be used only under medical supervision. These products have additional labelling requirements over and above what is required in Codex General Standard for the Labelling of and Claims for Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CODEX STAN 146-1985). All details are provided in the document in section 4.

One important detail that must be followed is a prominent statement "USE UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION" shall appear on the label in bold letters in an area separated from other written, printed, or graphic information. Warning labels are required, specific statements on which disease the product is intended to manage, details on date marking, usage instructions are also provided.

Following this document will ensure that the product is labelled correctly for its intended purpose and will reduce the chance of it being used inappropriately.

Link to Document

STANDARD FOR THE LABELLING OF AND CLAIMS FOR FOODS FOR SPECIAL MEDICAL PURPOSES (fao.org)