Codex Alimentarius Approval: A milestone for Zooca® Calanus Oil and Sustainable Marine Innovation
Ensuring Food Safety and Fair Trade with Codex Alimentarius
In an increasingly interconnected world, ensuring the safety, quality, and fairness of international food trade is essential. That’s where Codex Alimentarius comes in—a global standard developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to promote safe, high-quality, and sustainable practices in food production and trade.
For Zooca®, the Codex Alimentarius approval of Calanus Oil represents a major milestone. It opens new doors to global markets, strengthens consumer trust, and validates our commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality marine ingredients.
A Rigorous Journey to Codex Approval for Calanus® Oil
Achieving Codex Alimentarius recognition is no simple feat. The approval process is extensive, requiring scientific validation, regulatory alignment, and international collaboration across multiple expert committees.
For us, this journey began in 2020, when a formal proposal was submitted to classify Calanus Oil under The Codex Standard for Fish Oils. Over the next four years (2021–2024), the proposal underwent rigorous assessments covering:
- Scientific documentation and safety evaluations
- Analytical methods for composition and quality control
- Labeling and regulatory compliance
- International trade considerations
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority in collaboration with The Norwegian Seafood Federation, led the efforts to ensure compliance with these international standards. A key turning point came in February 2024, during an intensive review session in Malaysia, where the process moved forward.
Finally, in 2024, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) officially approved the inclusion of Calanus® Oil in the Standard for Fish Oils—a groundbreaking moment for Norwegian marine innovation (For details, search for “CXS 329-2017” or "Fish oil" at the Codex Alimentarius Commissions website).
A New Chapter: Codex Approval Unlocks Global Market Access
With Codex approval secured and now published, oil from Calanus finmarchicus is formally recognized at the highest international level. This milestone is far more than a regulatory achievement— it represents a strategic enabler for Zooca®.
The Codex recognition will facilitate market access to countries that base their food regulations on Codex standards, simplifying registration and trade processes for Calanus Oil.
At Zooca®, we see this as the beginning of an exciting new phase. With Codex Alimentarius recognition in place, we will focus on:
- Expanding into new international markets
- Supporting our industry partners in regulatory compliance
- Continuing our work with sustainable marine innovation.
By securing a place in Codex Alimentarius, we are not just unlocking new commercial opportunities—we are reinforcing our commitment to shaping the future of marine-based nutrition and meeting the world's growing demand for high-quality nutrients.
What This Means for the Future of Marine Ingredients
The inclusion of Calanus Oil in the Codex Standard for Fish Oils is a testament to the scientific, regulatory and sustainability efforts driving marine-based nutrition. Looking ahead, this recognition lays the groundwork for further innovation, market expansion and regulatory advancements within the marine ingredients industry.
Stay tuned as Zooca® continues to lead the way in sustainable marine innovation, bringing science-backed, high-quality nutrients to a global audience.
