[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27250-27270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12570]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 95-007N]
International Standard-Setting Activities
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the sanitary and
phytosanitary standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius
Commission (Codex), in accordance with section 491 of the Trade
Agreements Act of 1979, as amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act,
Public Law 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809 (1994), and seeks comments on
standards currently under consideration and recommendations for new
standards. This notice covers the time periods from June 1, 1994, to
May 31, 1995, and May 31, 1995, to June 1, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments in triplicate to Diane Moore, Docket
Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection
Service, Room 4352-S, Washington, DC 20250-3700. Please state that your
comments refer to Codex and, if your comments relate to specific Codex
committees, please identify those committees in your comments. All
comments submitted in response to the sanitary and phytosanitary
standard-setting activities of Codex will be available for public
inspection in the Docket Clerk's Office between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.,
and 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Marvin A. Norcross, U.S. Coordinator for Codex Alimentarius, Office
of the U.S. Codex Alimentarius, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food
Safety and Inspection Service, West End Court, Room 311, Washington, DC
20250; (202) 254-2517. For information pertaining to particular
committees, the delegate of that committee may be contacted. (A
complete list of U.S. delegates and alternate delegates can be found in
Appendix 1 to this notice.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established on January 1,
1995, as the common international institutional framework for the
conduct of trade relations among its members in matters related to the
Uruguay Round Agreements. The WTO is the successor organization to the
General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). U.S. membership in the
WTO was approved by Congress when it enacted the Uruguay Round
Agreements Act, which was signed into law by the President on December
8, 1994. Pursuant to section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979,
as amended, the President is required to designate an agency to be
responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary
(SPS) standard-setting activities of each international standard-
setting organization, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex),
International Office of Epizootics (OIE), and the International Plant
Protection Convention (IPPC). The President, pursuant to Proclamation
No. 6780 of March 23, 1995 (60 FR 15845), designated the U.S.
Department of Agriculture as the agency responsible for informing the
public of sanitary and phytosanitary standard-setting activities of
each international standard-setting organization. The Secretary of
Agriculture is delegating to the Under Secretary for Food Safety the
responsibility to inform the public of the SPS standard-setting
activities of Codex. The Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety has, in
turn, assigned the responsibility for informing the public to the
Office of U.S. Codex Alimentarius in the Food Safety and Inspection
Service (FSIS).
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), was created in 1962 by
two U.N. organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and
the World Health Organization (WHO). Codex is the major international
organization for encouraging fair international trade in food and
protecting the health and economic interests of consumers. Through
adoption of food standards, codes of practice, and other guidelines
developed by its committees and by [[Page 27251]] promoting their
adoption and implementation by governments, Codex seeks to ensure that
the world's food supply is sound, wholesome, free from adulteration,
and correctly labeled. In the United States, FSIS, USDA; the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) manage and carry
out U.S. Codex activities. A supplemental Federal Register notice on
the acceptance procedures for Codex standards will be published at a
later date.
As the agency responsible for informing the public of the sanitary
and phytosanitary standard-setting activities of Codex, FSIS will be
publishing this notice in the Federal Register annually, setting forth
the following information:
1. The sanitary or phytosanitary standards under consideration or
planned for consideration; and
2. For each sanitary or phytosanitary standard specified:
a. A description of the consideration or planned consideration of
the standard;
b. Whether the United States is participating or plans to
participate in the consideration of the standard;
c. The agenda for United States participation, if any; and
d. The agency responsible for representing the United States with
respect to the standard.
TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THOSE STANDARDS LISTED IN THIS NOTICE THAT ARE
UNDER CONSIDERAITON BY CODEX, PLEASE CONTACT THE CODEX DELEGATE OR THE
OFFICE OF U.S. CODEX ALIMENTARIUS. This notice also solicits public
comment on those standards that are under consideration and on
recommendations for new standards. All comments received will be
circulated by FSIS to the U.S. delegate on the relevant Codex
committee, and, whent he delegate is not from the agency responsible
for representing the United States with respect to the standard, also
to the agency that will be responsible for representing the United
States with respect to the standard. The delegage, in conjuction with
the responsible agency, will take the comments received into account in
paritcipating in the consideration of the standards and in proposing
matters to be considered by Codex.
The information proved below describes the status of Codex
standard-setting activities by the Codex Committees for the two year
period from June 1, 1994 to June 1, 1996. In addition, the following
information is included with this Federal Register notice:
Appendix 1. List of U.S. Codex Officials (includes U.S. delegates and
alternate delegates).
Appendix 2. Timetable fo Codex Sessions (June 1994 through June 1996).
Appendix 3. Definitions for Purpose of Codex Alimentarius.
Appendix 4. Uniform Procedure for the Elaboration of Codex Standards
and Related Texts.
Appendix 5. Nature of Codex Standards.
Appendix 6. Provisional Agenda of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards
Program, Codex Alimentarius Commission, 21st Session.
Done at Washington, DC, on May 17, 1995.
Michael R. Taylor,
Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.
Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods
The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods was
established in 1986. The Committee determines priorities for the
consideration of residues of veterinary drugs in foods and recommends
maximum levels of such substances. A Codex Maximum Limit for Residues
of Veterinary Drugs (MRLVD) is the maximum concentration of residue
resulting from the use of a veterinary drug (expressed in mg/kg or
g/kg on a fresh weight basis) that is recommended by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission to be legally permitted or recognized as
acceptable in or on a food.
An MRLVD is based on the type and amount of residue considered to
be without any toxicological hazard for human health as expressed by
the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)*, or on the basis of a temporary ADI
that utilizes an additional safety factor. An MRLVD also takes into
account other relevant public health risks as well as food
technological aspects.
When establishing an MRLVD, consideration is also given to residues
that occur in food of plant origin and/or the environment. Furthermore,
the MRLVD may be reduced to be consistent with good practices in the
use of veterinary drugs and to the extent that practical and analytical
methods are available.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.
Codex committee Standard Status of consideration participation/ Responsible agency
agenda
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residues of Veterinary Sulfadimizine.......... MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Drugs in Foods (to be Consideration at Step
considered at Twenty- 8.
first Session of the
Codex Alimentarius
Commission) (CAC) Ref.
Alinorm 95/31.
Flubendazole........... MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
8.
Thiabendazole.......... MRL Under Consideration Yes............. HHS/FDA.
at Step 8.
Isometamidium.......... MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
8.
Bovine Somatotropins... MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
8.
Triclabendazole........ MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
7.
Levamisole............. MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4&5.
Diminazene............. MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
5.
Carazolol.............. MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Spiramycin............. MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
[[Page 27252]]
Febantel............... MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Fenbendazole........... MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Oxfendazole............ MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Spectinomycin.......... MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Dexamethasone.......... MRLs Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
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*Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI): An estimate by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of
the amount of a veterinary drug, expressed on a body weight basis, that can be ingested daily over a lifetime
without appreciable health risk (standard man = 60 kg).
Food Additives and Contaminants
The Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants establishes
or endorses permitted maximum or guideline levels for individual food
additives, contaminants, and naturally occurring toxicants in food and
animal feed.
The following matters contained in Alinorm 95/12A will be brought
to the Twenty-first session of the Codex Alimentarious Commission in
July, 1995:
Proposed Draft General Standard for Food Additives,
Annex A (Guidelines for the Estimation of Appropriate Levels of Use of
Food Additives) for adoption at Step 5; (Note: The draft standard is
being developed in stages according to food additive functional
classes, beginning with antioxidants and preservatives (at Step 4); see
attached list.)
*Specifications for sulfuric acid, potassium sodium
L(+)-tartrate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium L(+)-tartrate;
(*Not in Step Procedure)
Proposed Draft Preamble to the General Standard for
Contaminants and Toxins in Foods for adoption at Step 8; (Note: A
number of potential contaminants are currently under consideration (at
Step 4) to determine the need for establishing maximum allowable levels
in foods; see attached list.)
Proposed Draft General Standard for Contaminants and
Toxicants in Food (excluding preamble), Annex B at Step 5;
Position paper on aflatoxin control at Step 1;
Draft Maximum Level for Aflatoxin M1 in Milk at Step 7;
Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Reduction of
Aflatoxins in Raw Materials and Supplementary Feeding stuffs for Milk-
Producing Animals at Step 3;
Position Paper on Ochratoxins at Step 1;
Proposed Draft Code of Practice on Source Directed
Measures to Reduce Contamination of Food Stuffs at Step 3; and
Proposed Draft Standard for Lead at Step 3.
AGENCY RESPONSIBLE: HHS/FDA
U.S. PARTICIPATION: Yes
Food Additives and Contaminants
For the purposes of Codex, a food additive means any substance not
normally consumed as a food by itself and not normally used as a
typical ingredient in the food, whether or not it has nutritive value,
the intentional addition of which to food for a technological
(including organoleptic) purpose in the manufacture, processing,
preparation, treatment, packing, packaging, transport, or holding of
such food results, or may be reasonably expected to result, (directly
or indirectly) in it or its by-products becoming a component of or
otherwise affecting the characteristics of such foods. The food
additive term does not include ``contaminants'' or substances added to
food for maintaining or improving nutritional qualities.
The General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) will set forth
maximum levels of use of food additives in various foods and food
categories. The maximum levels will be based on the food additive
provisions of previously established Codex commodity standards, as well
as on the use of the additives in non-standardized foods.
Only those food additives that have been found to be acceptable by
the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) will be
included in the general Standard for Food Additives. The draft GSFA,
which is being developed in stages, currently covers only those JECFA-
reviewed food additives that are used as antioxidants and
preservatives. These JECFA-reviewed food additives are listed in the
table below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.
Codex committee Substance Status of consideration participation/ Responsible agency
agenda
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Food Additives and Acetic Acid............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Contaminants) Ref. Consideration at Step
Alinorm 95/12A. 4.
Anoxomer............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Ascorbic Acid.......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Ascorbyl Palmitate..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Ascorbyl Stearate...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Benzoic Acid........... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Benzoyl Peroxide....... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Butylated Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Hydroxyanisole. Consideration at Step
4.
[[Page 27253]]
Butylated Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Hydroxytoluene. Consideration at Step
4.
Calcium Acetate........ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Calcium Ascorbate...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Calcium Benzoate....... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Calcium Disodium Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Ethylenediaminetetraac Consideration at Step
etate. 4.
Calcium Hydrogen Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Sulphite. Consideration at Step
4.
Calcium Propionate..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Calcium Sorbate........ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Calcium Sulphite....... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Carbon Dioxide......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Citric Acid............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Dilauryl Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Thiodipropionate. Consideration at Step
4.
Dimethyl Decarbonate... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Diphenyl............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Disodium Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Ethylenediaminetetraac Consideration at Step
etate. 4.
Dodecyl Gallate........ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Erythorbic Acid........ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Ethyl p-Hydroxybenzoate Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Formic Acid............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Glucose Oxidase from Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Aspergillus niger. Consideration at Step
4.
Guaiac Resin........... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Hexamethylene Tetramine Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Isopropyl Citrates..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Lecithin............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Lysozyme............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Methyl p- Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Hydroxybenzoate. Consideration at Step
4.
Nisin.................. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Octyl Gallate.......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Ortho-Phenylphenol..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Oxystearin............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Pimaricin (Natamycin).. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Potassium Acetate...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Potassium Ascorbate.... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Potassium Benzoate..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Potassium Hydrogen Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Sulphite. Consideration at Step
4.
Potassium Lactate...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
[[Page 27254]]
Potassium Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Metabisulphite. Consideration at Step
4.
Sodium Nitrite......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Sodium o-Phenylphenol.. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Sodium Propionate...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Sodium Sorbate......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Sodium Sulphite........ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Sodium Thiosulphate.... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Sorbic Acid............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Stannous Chloride...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Sulphur dioxide........ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
tert-Butylhydroquinone. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Thiodipropionic Acid... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Tocopherols Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Concentrate, Mixed. Consideration at Step
4.
Tocopherols, d-Alpha... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Tocopherols, d-Alpha, Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Concentrate. Consideration at Step
4.
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Food Additives and Contaminants
A contaminant means any substance not intentionally added to food,
which is present in such food as a result of the production (including
operations carried out in crop husbandry, animal husbandy and
veterinary medicine), manufacture, processing, preparation, treatment,
packing, packaging, transport, or holding of such food or as a result
of environmental contamination. The term contaminant does not include
insect fragments, rodent hairs, and other extraneous matter.
The Codex maximum level (ML) for a contaminant or naturally
occurring toxicant in a food or feed commodity is the maximum
concentration of that substance recommended by the Codex Alimentarius
Commission to be legally permitted in that commodity. The ML is
intended to ensure free movement of food in international trade while
protecting the health of the consumer.
The General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Foods will
establish maximum levels for contaminants in foods based on the
following considerations: toxicological data, human exposure estimates,
availability of analytical procedures, fair trade and technological
implications, regional variations, risk assessment, and risk
management.
The criteria for inclusion of a maximum level for a contaminant in
a food are that: (a) Consumption of the contaminated food presents a
significant risk to consumers; and (b) the existence of actual problems
in trade of food. The contaminants currently being examined to
determine whether they meet these criteria are listed below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.
Codex committee Substance Status of consideration participation/ Responsible agency
agenda
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Food Additives and Aluminum............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Contaminants) Ref. Consideration at Step
Alinorm 95/12A. 4.
Antimony............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Arsenic................ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Barium................. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Beryllium.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Cadmium................ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Cobalt................. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Chromium............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Copper................. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
[[Page 27255]]
Iron................... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Lead................... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Manganese.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Mercury................ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Molybdenum............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Nickel................. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Tin.................... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Thallium............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Zinc................... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Fluor (compounds)...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Bromine (compounds).... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Bromide ion............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Iodine (compounds)..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Iodide ion............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Selenium (compounds)... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Nitrogen (compounds)... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Nitrate ion............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Nitrite ion............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Asbestos............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Chlorinated aliphatic Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
hydrocarbons. Consideration at Step
4.
Monochloromethane Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
(methyl chloride). Consideration at Step
4.
Dichloromethane........ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Trichloromethane Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
(chloroform). Consideration at Step
4.
Tetrachloromethane..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Monochloroethene Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
(vinylchloride). Consideration at Step
4.
1,1-Dichloroethane..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
1,2-Dichloroethane..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Dichloroethene......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
1,1,1-trichloroethane.. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Trichloroethene........ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Tetrachloroethene...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Halogenated aliphatic Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
hydrocarbons (other Consideration at Step
than chlorinated). 4.
Aromatic halogenated Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
hydrocarbons. Consideration at Step
4.
Pentachlorobenzene..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Polychlorotbiphenyls Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
(PCBs). Consideration at Step
4.
Polychloroterphenyls Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
(PCTs). Consideration at Step
4.
[[Page 27256]]
Polybromobiphenyls Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
(PBBs). Consideration at Step
4.
Tetrachlorobenzyltoluen Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
es (TCBTs). Consideration at Step
4.
Chlorinated Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
dibenzodioxins and Consideration at Step
dibenzofurans. 4.
Brominated Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
dibenzodioxins and Consideration at Step
dibenzofurans. 4.
Chlorinated alcohols Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
and related compounds. Consideration at Step
4.
1,3-dichloro-2-propanol Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
3-chloro-1,2- Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
propanediol. Consideration at Step
4.
3-chloro-1,2- Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
propanediol. Consideration at Step
4.
Chlorinated phenols.... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Other chlorinated Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
aromatic compounds. Consideration at Step
4.
Other brominated Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
aromatic compounds. Consideration at Step
4.
Aliphatic hydrocarbons. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Hexane................. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Aromatic hydrocarbons.. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Benzene................ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Toluene................ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Styrene................ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Polycyclic aromatic Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
hydrocarbons (PAHs). Consideration at Step
4.
Heterocyclic compounds. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Alcohols and ethers.... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Aldehydes and ketones.. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Carbonic acids and Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
esters. Consideration at Step
4.
Phthalate esters....... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Amino compounds........ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Nitrile compounds...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Acrylonitrile.......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Methacrylonitrile...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Nitrosamines........... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Detergents and Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
disinfectants. Consideration at Step
4.
Other organic compounds Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Ethylcarbamate......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Aflatoxins............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Aflatoxins, total...... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Aflatoxin B1........... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Aflatoxin M1........... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Ochtratoxins........... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
[[Page 27257]]
Trichothecenes......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
T-2 toxin.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Fusarenon-X............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Monacetoxyscirpenol.... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Diacetoxyscirpenol..... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Neosolaniol............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Verrucarin............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Nivalenol.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Deoxynivalenol......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Other fusarium toxins.. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Fumonisin.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Monififormin........... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Zearalenon............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Ergot alkaloids........ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Other mycotoxins....... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Patulin................ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Sterigmatocystin....... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Luteoskyrin............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Phycotoxins............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
DSP.................... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
PSP.................... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Bacterial toxins....... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Food processing related Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
toxins. Consideration at Step
4.
Glycoalkaloids......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Solanine............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Chaconine.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Tomatine............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Glucosinolates......... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Cyanogenic glycosides.. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Other food plant Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
related toxins. Consideration at Step
4.
Safrole................ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Agaritin............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Erucic acid............ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Animal inherent food Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
toxins. Consideration at Step
4.
Americium.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Cesium 134............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Cesium 137............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Cobalt................. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Iodine................. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Polonium............... Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Plutonium.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Radium................. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Ruthenium.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Strontium.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Tritium................ Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
Potassium.............. Maximum Levels Under Yes............. HHS/FDA.
Consideration at Step
4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues
The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues establishes maximum
limits for pesticide residues for specific food items or in groups of
food. A Codex Maximum Limit for Pesticide Residues (MRLP) is the
maximum concentration of a pesticide residue (expressed as mg/kg),
recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be legally
permitted in or on food commodities and animal feeds. MRLs are based on
toxicological effects and on Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) data and
foods derived from commodities that comply with the respective MRLPs
are intended to be toxicologically acceptable.
Codex MRLPs, which are primarily intended to apply in international
trade, are derived from reviews conducted by the Joint Meeting on
Pesticide Residues (JMPR) following:
(a) Toxicological assessment of the pesticide and its residue; and
(b) Review of residue data from supervised trials and supervised
uses including those reflecting national good agricultural practices.
Data from supervised trials conducted at the highest nationally
recommended, authorized, or registered uses are included in the review.
In order to accommodate variations in national pest control
requirements, Codex MRLPs take into account the higher levels shown to
arise in such supervised trials, which are considered to represent
effective pest control practices.
Consideration of the various dietary residue intake estimates and
determinations both at the national and international level in
comparison with the ADI,* should indicate that foods complying with
Codex MRLPs are safe for human consumption. [[Page 27258]]
*Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of a chemical is the daily intake
which, during an entire lifetime, appears to be without appreciable
risk to the health of the consumer on the basis of all the known
facts at the time of the evaluation of the chemical by the Joint
FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues. It is expressed in milligrams
of the chemical per kilogram of body weight.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.
Codex committee Standard Status of consideration participation/ Responsible agency
agenda
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pesticide Residues (to Aldicarb............... MRL Under Consideration Yes............. EPA.
be considered at the at Step 6.
27th Session of the
Codex Committee on
Pesticide Residues Ref.
CL 1994/24-PR).
Benalaxyl.............. MRL Under Consideration Yes............. EPA.
at Step 3.
Bentazone.............. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
6.
Bromopropylate......... MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and Withdrawals.
Carbofuran............. MRL Under Consideration Yes............. EPA.
(Withdrawal)\1\.
Chlorothalonil......... MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and 6 and
Withdrawals.
Cycloxydim............. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3.
Cyfluthrin............. MRL Under Consideration Yes............. EPA.
at Step 6.
DDT.................... MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3.
Diazinon............... MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and Withdrawals.
Dichlorvos............. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and Withdrawals.
[[Page 27259]]
Dithiocarbamates....... MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and Withdrawals.
Endosulfan............. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and 6 and
Withdrawals.
Ethylenethiourea....... MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
8.
Etofenprox............. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3.
Fenbutatinoxide........ MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and Withdrawals.
Fenpropathrin.......... MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3.
Fentin................. MRL Under Consideration Yes............. EPA.
at Step 6.
Flucythrinate.......... MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration
(Withdrawals).
Flusilazole............ MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and 6.
Folpet................. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and withdrawals.
Heptachlor............. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration
(Withdrawals).
Hexaconazole........... MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
6.
Methidathion........... MRL Under Consideration Yes............. EPA.
at Step 3.
Monocrotophos.......... MRL Under Consideration Yes............. EPA.
at Step 3.
Omethoate.............. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and 6.
Oxydemetonmethyl....... MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and 6.
Phorate................ MRL Under Consideration Yes............. EPA.
at Step 6.
Procymidone............ MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3 and 6.
Profenofos............. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
6.
Pyrazophos............. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3.
Triazophos............. MRLs Under Yes............. EPA.
Consideration at Step
3, 6, 8.
Vinclozolin............ MRL Under Consideration Yes............. EPA.
at Step 6.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Withdrawal--Recommended for withdrawal from Codex (see CL 1994/24-PR).
Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling
The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling serves as a
coordinating body for Codex with other international groups working in
methods of analysis and sampling and quality assurance systems for
laboratories.
The following matters will be brought to the attention of the 21st
session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July 1995, for
adoption:
The Proposed Revised Protocol for the Design, Conduct and
Interpretation of Collaborative Studies*;
*Not in Step procedure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Proficiency Testing Harmonized Protocol for Laboratory
Analysis*; and
Five Codex General Methods of Analysis for Contaminants at
Step 8.
Lead and Cadmium in Food
Copper, Iron, and Nickel in Edible Oils and Fats
Lead in Edible Oils and Fats
Tin in Canned Foods
Multiple Elements in Foodstuffs
A revised paper on the Impact of Implementation of the Proposed
Criteria for Evaluating Acceptable Methods of Analysis and Other
Methods of Analysis is being circulated for comments.
In addition, the Draft Codex General Guidelines and the Development
of Objective Criteria For Assessing the Competence of Testing
Laboratories Involved in the Import and Export Control of Foods were
circulated for comment.
The reference documents is Alinorm 95/23.
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Certification and Inspection
Systems
The Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Certification and
Inspection Systems is charged with developing principles and guidelines
for food import and export certification systems. Included in the
charge are application of measures by competent authorities to provide
assurance that foods comply with essential requirements. Recognition of
quality assurance systems through the development of guidelines will
help ensure that foods conform to the essential requirements.
The Third Session of the Committee (Alinorm 95/30A) recommended
that the Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Exchange of Information on
Rejections [[Page 27260]] be considered by the Twenty-first session of
the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July, 1995.
Two documents to be considered for final adoption at Step 8 by the
Commission are:
Draft Principles for Food Import and Export Inspection and
Certification; and
Draft Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food
Control Emergency Situations.
The proposed draft guidelines for the exchange of information on
rejections will be considered by the Commission at Step 5. Several
documents are being elaborated for future discussion by the Committee:
Proposed Draft Guidelines on the Principle Elements in an
Electronic Documentation System at Step 3;
Proposed Draft Generic Guidelines for the Design,
Operation, Assessment and Accreditation of Food Inspection and
Certification Systems at Step 3;
Application of the ISO 9000 Series to Food Inspection and
Certification Systems at Step 2; and
Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Development of Agreements
between Exporting and Importing Countries at Step 1.
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on General Principles
The Codex Committee on General Principles deals with rules and
procedures referred to it by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. None of
the following recommendations for changing the rules of procedure for
Codex are in the Step Procedure. The reference document is Alinorm 95/
33.
The Eleventh Session recommended that the Rules of Procedure of
Codex Alimentarius be amended to provide that one-third of the members
of the Commission would be a quorum to make recommendations for
amendment of the Statutes and Rules of Procedure. The Committee also
agreed to revise several sections of the Procedural Manual including
General Principles of the Codex Alimentarius, Guidelines for Codex
Committees, and Relations Between Commodity Committees and General
Committees. These matters will be considered for adoption by the
Twenty-first session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July 1995.
The Committee also agreed to continue its work on the integration
of science and other factors in the Codex decision-making process.
Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Food Labelling
The Codex Committee on Food Labelling is responsible for drafting
provisions on labelling applicable to all foods and to study specific
labelling problems assigned by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. All
of the guidelines and recommendations listed below are in Alinorm 95/
22.
The Proposed Draft Guidelines on the Use of Health and Nutrition
Claims will be considered by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its
Twenty-first session in July, 1995, and the Proposed Draft Guidelines
on the Use of the Term ``Halal'' will also be considered by Commission.
Both Proposed Draft Guidelines will be considered by the Commission at
Step 5.
Two documents are being circulated for comment with a view to
discussion at the next Committee Session:
Draft Guidelines for the Labelling, Production, Processing,
and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods at Step 6; and
Proposed Draft Recommendations for the Labelling of Foods
and Ingredients that can cause Hypersensitivity at Step 3.
In addition, the document on the Implications of Biotechnology
prepared by the United States delegation for the Twenty-third Session
of the Committee will be circulated for additional comment and
recommendations on how the Committee should proceed.
Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
The Food Hygiene Committee drafts basic provisions on food hygiene
for all foods. The term ``hygiene'' also includes, where applicable,
microbiological specifications for food and associated methodology.
The Proposed Revised Draft Code of Practice on the General
Principles of Food Hygiene, including the Annex on the Application of
HACCP Systems, will be considered at Step 5 by the Codex Alimentarius
Commission at its Twenty-first session in July, 1995.
In addition, the Commission will consider the Draft Code of
Practice for Spices and Dried Aromatic Plants for final adoption at
Step 8.
Certain documents are to be elaborated prior to the next session of
the Committee in late 1995. They are:
Revision of the Principles for the Establishment and
Application of Microbiological Criteria for Foods at Step 3;
Proposed Draft Code of Practice for Refrigerated Packaged
Foods with Extended Shelf-life at Step 3;
Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Uncured/
Unripened Cheese and Ripened Soft Cheese at Step 3;
*Recommendations for the Control of Listeria monocytogenes;
and
*Implementation of Risk Assessment--Development of
Guidelines on the Application of the Principles of Risk Assessment and
Risk Management to Food Hygiene, Including Strategies for Their
Application.
The Committee also agreed to propose that the following items be
considered in its future work:
*Implications for the Broader Application of the HACCP
System:
*Guidelines for Consumer Education in Food Hygiene
*Code of Practice for All Foodstuffs Transported in Bulk
*Code of Hygienic Practice for Bottled Water
*Not in the Step Procedure
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
All documents listed above are contained in Alinorm 95/13.
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA, USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
The Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables was
established in June 1988. The Committee is responsible for elaborating
world-wide standards and codes of practice as may be appropriate for
tropical fresh fruits and vegetables which are grown exclusively in
tropical zones. Several of the standards listed below are contained in
ALINORM 95/35.
The fifth session of the Committee recommended that the following
standards and Code of Practice be considered by the Twenty-first
session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July, 1995, at Step 8:
Draft Standard for Litchi;
Draft Standard for Avocado; and
Draft Code of Practice for the Packaging and Transport of
Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
The Committee also recommended initiation or continuation of work
in the following areas:
Draft Standard for Banana (at Step 6);
Draft Standard for Mangosteen (at Step 5);
Draft Standard for Oranges (at Step 3);
Draft Standard for Limes (at Step 3);
Draft Standard for Pummelo (at Step 3);
Draft Standard for Tropical Asparagus (at Step
3); [[Page 27261]]
Code of Practice for the Quality Inspection and
Certification of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (at Step 3);
Draft Standard for Guava (at Step 1);
Draft Standard for Chayote (at Step 1);
Draft Standard for Fresh Coconut (at Step 1);
Preparation of a paper on the Objective Indices of Maturity
in Commercial Transactions of Fruits and Vegetables (at Step 1); and
Document concerning the Application of Quality Tolerances
at Import (at Step 1)
Responsible Agency: USDA/AMS
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
The Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses is
responsible for studying nutritional problems referred by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission. The Committee also drafts provisions on
nutritional aspects for all foods and develops guidelines, general
principles, and standards for foods for special dietary uses.
The reference document for the following standards is Alinorm 95/
26. Matters which will be brought before the Twenty-first session in
July, 1995, are:
Draft Standard for Formula Foods for Use in Very Low Energy
Diets for Weight Reduction for adoption at Step 8; and
Proposed Draft Standard for Formulated Supplementary Foods
and in Particular Processed Cereal Based Foods for Infants and Young
Children at Step 3.
The Nineteenth Commission directed the Committee to develop a
standard combining the Guidelines for Formulated Supplementary Foods
for Older Infants and Young Children and the Codex Standard Processed
Cereal-Based Foods for Infants and Young Children. The Committee
attempted unsuccessfully to combine the guideline and the standard and
is seeking approval from the Twenty-first Commission to abandon the
attempt. The Committee recognizes that the Standard for Processed
Cereal-Based Foods needs revision.
Other matters to be presented to the Twenty-first
Commission include:
Proposed Draft Amendment of the Standard for Food Grade
Salt to include the Iodization of Salt at Step 3;
Proposed Draft Guidelines for Dietary Supplements of
Vitamins and Minerals at Step 3;
Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Gluten-free Foods at
Step 3;
Criteria for Definitions of Nutrient Reference Values and
need for governments to submit existing data at Step 1;
Proposed Draft Amendment to the Standard for Infant Formula
to revise Vitamin B12 at Step 3 of accelerated procedure;
Proposed Draft Revised Guidelines on the Inclusion of
Provisions on Nutritional Quality at Step 3; and
Revision of Standard for Infant Formula at Step 1.
The Committee obtained general support, at its last meeting, for
renaming the Committee the Codex Committee on Nutrition.
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products
The Fish and Fishery Products Committee is responsible for
elaborating standards for fresh and frozen fish, crustaceans, and
mollusks.
The following Draft Standards will be considered for adoption by
the Twenty-first session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July,
1995, at Step 8:
Draft General Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Fillets;
Draft Standard for Quick Frozen Raw Squid;
Draft Revised Standard for Quick Frozen Blocks of Fish
Fillets, Minced Fish Flesh and Mixtures and Fillets and Minced Fish
Flesh;
Draft Revised Standard for Quick Frozen Finfish,
Eviscerated and Uneviscerated;
Draft Revised Standard for Quick Frozen Lobsters;
Draft Revised Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Sticks (Fish
Fingers), Fish Portions and Fish Fillets-Breaded and in Batter;
Draft Revised Standard for Quick Frozen Shrimps or Prawns;
Draft Revised Standard for Canned Crab Meat;
Draft Revised Standard for Canned Finfish;
Draft Revised Standard for Canned Salmon;
Draft Revised Standard for Canned Sardines and Sardine-Type
Products;
Draft Revised Standard for Canned Shrimps and Prawns;
Draft Revised Standard for Canned Tuna and Bonito; and
Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Salted Fish and Dried
Salted Fish of the Gadidae Family
The Committee agreed to have the following Codes redrafted, to take
into account the recommendations of the Commission as well as to
incorporate the HACCP approach at Step 3;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Frozen Fish;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Canned Fish;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Frozen Shrimps and Prawns;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Molluscan Shellfish;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Fresh Fish;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Smoked Fish; and
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Salted Fish;
The Committee also agreed to have the following documents
elaborated at Step 3 for consideration of the next session:
Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Products of
Aquaculture;
Proposed Draft Code of Practice for Frozen Surimi;
Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Sensory Evaluation of
Fish and Shellfish; and
Proposed Draft Appendix to the Guideline Levels for
Methylmercury in Fish.
The reference document contained the above information is Alinorm
95/18.
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes
The Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes is responsible
for the elaboration of world-wide standards and/or codes of practice as
may be appropriate for cereals, pulses, and legumes and their products.
The following Draft Standards will be considered for adoption by
the Twenty-First session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July,
1995, at Step 8:
Rice;
Wheat and Durum Wheat;
Peanuts;
Oats; and;
Processed Couscous.
In addition, the Commission will consider the following proposed
draft Codex Standards for adoption at Step 5, with the recommendation
to omit Steps 6 and 7 for adoption at Step 8:
Wheat Flour;
Maize (Corn);
Whole Maize (Corn) Meal;
Degermed Maize (Corn) Meal;
Maize (Corn) Grits;
Certain Pulses;
Sorghum Grains;
Sorghum Flour;
Durum Wheat Semolina and Durum Wheat Flour; [[Page 27262]]
Gari;
Whole and Decorticated Pearl Millet Grains;
Pearl Millet Flour; and
Edible Cassava Flour;
The Committee also agreed to advance the following document:
Proposed Draft Guideline Level and Sampling Plan for Total
Aflatoxins in Peanuts intended for further Processing (at Step 5).
The reference document containing the above information is ALINORM
95/29.
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA and USDA/GIPSA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products
The Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products was established by
the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its Twentieth session. The
Committee was originally established by the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1958. The
Committee was integrated into the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards
Programme in 1962. Until 1993, the Committee was named the Joint FAO/
WHO Committee of Government Experts on the Code of Principles
Concerning Milk and Milk Products. The Committee is responsible for
establishing international codes and standards concerning milk and milk
products. All of the standards listed below are contained in Alinorm
95/11.
The First session of the Milk and Milk Products Committee
recommended that the following standards be considered by the Twenty-
first session of the Commission in July, 1995 at Step 5:
Butter;
Milkfat Products;
Evaporated Milks;
Sweetened Condensed Milks;
Milk and Cream Powders;
Cheese; and
Whey Cheese.
The Committee also recommended that the Twenty-first Commission
adopt the Draft Standards for Whey Powders and Edible Casein Products
at Step 8.
The Committee also recommended initiation or continuation of the
following:
Fermented Milk Products with Heat Treatment after
Fermentation; (at Step 1)
Fermented Milk Products without Heat Treatment; (at Step 1)
Cheeses in Brine; (at Step 6)
Unripened Cheeses; (at Step 6)
Processed Cheese; (at Step 3)
Cream; (at Step 3)
Yoghurt; (at Step 3)
Individual Cheeses; (at Step 3)
Review of the Code of Principles concerning Milk and Milk
Products; (at Step 1)
Nutritional and Quality Descriptors; (at Step 1) and
Definitions of Heat Treatment (at Step 1)
Agency Responsible: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Fats and Oils
The Fats and Oils Committee is responsible for elaborating
standards for fats and oils of animal, vegetable, and marine origin.
The following Proposed Draft Code and Standards will be considered
at the Twenty-first session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in
July, 1995, at Step 5:
Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Storage and
Transport of Fats and Oils in Bulk;
Proposed Draft Standard for Edible Fats and Oils not
Covered by Individual Standards;
Proposed Draft Standard for Products Sold as an Alternative
to Ghee;
Proposed Draft Standard for Named Animal Fats;
Proposed Draft Standard for Named Vegetable Oils;
Proposed Draft Standard for Fat Spreads;
Proposed Draft Standard for Olive Oils and Olive-Pomace
Oils; and
Proposed Draft Standard for Mayonnaise.
The following two standards will be considered for adoption by the
Commission at its Twenty-first session:
Draft Standard for Palm Olein at Step 8; and
Draft Standard Palm Stearin at Step 8
All of the above documents are contained in Alinorm 95/17.
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Certain Codex Subject Committees
Several Codex Alimentarius General Subject Committees have
adjourned sine die. The following Committees fall into this category:
Cocoa Products and Chocolate *
* There has been no activity in these committees over the past
year and none is expected in the next year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Edible Ices
Meat Hygiene *
Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes
Natural Mineral Waters *
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Processed Meat and Poultry Products *
Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes
Processed Fruits and Vegetables *
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Sugars
Soups and Broths
Vegetable Proteins *
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
A brief report on activities of the Codex Committee on Edible Ices,
the Codex Committee on Sugars, and the Codex Committee on Soups and
Broths follows:
Edible Ices
The Committee on Edible Ices is responsible for elaborating
standards for all types of edible ices, including mixes and powders
used for their manufacture. The Committee has been adjourned since
1978. However, as directed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the
Secretariat of the Host Country (Sweden) has prepared a Revised Codex
Standard for Edible Ices and Ice Mixes (see CL 1995/7-EI). This Revised
Standard was circulated to member governments for comments by May 15,
1995. The objective of the revision is to focus the standard only on
public health, food safety, and consumer protection. Provisions in the
existing standard that deal with quality factors and criteria typically
used in commerce to define or describe the product are of an advisory
nature and have been removed in the Revised Standard.
Agency Responsible: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Sugars
The Codex Committee on Sugars is responsible for elaborating world-
wide standards for all types of sugars and sugar products. The
Committee has been adjourned since 1974. At the direction of the Codex
Alimentarius Commission, the Secretariat of the Host Government (the
United Kingdom) was asked to examine the existing Codex Standards
relating to sugars and the Codex Standard for Honey. During the
Nineteenth session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the Commission
agreed that existing Codex Standards should be reviewed in order to
simplify them. Those documents were revised and circulated to member
governments (see CL 1995/5-S) for comments by April 30, 1995. The
[[Page 27263]] objective of the revision is to focus the standards only
on public health, food safety, and consumer protection.
Agency Responsible: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Soups and Broths
The Codex Committee on Soups and Broths is responsible for
elaborating world-wide standards for soups, broths, bouillons, and
consommes. The committee adjourned since die in 1977.
In light of the decision made by the 19th session of the Commission
to simplify and revise Codex standards, a revised version of the
standard for Bouillons and Consommes will be presented to the Twenty-
first session of the Commission in July, 1995, for adoption. The
Revised Proposed Draft World-Wide Codex Standard for Bouillons and
Consommes was circulated to member governments for comments by October
1, 1994, and can be found in CL 1993/32-SB.
Agency Responsible: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes
Joint U.N.E.C.E. Codex Alimentarius Groups of Experts
Two groups of experts dealt with specific commodities much as the
Codex Commodity Committees do. The Joint Groups of Experts have
completed their main tasks and have adjourned. They could be called to
meet again if the Codex Alimentarius Commission so decided. These
Groups are:
Standardization of Quick Frozen Foods; and
Standardization of Fruit Juices.
There are no standards from either group for consideration by the
Twenty-first session of the Commission in July, 1995, and we are
unaware of any being considered for the Twenty-second session of the
Commission in 1997.
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees
The Codex Alimentarius Commission is made up of an Executive
Committee, as well as approximately 25 subsidiary bodies. Included in
these subsidiary bodies are several coordinating committees.
There are currently five Regional Coordinating Committees:
--Coordinating Committee for Africa
--Coordinating Committee for Asia
--Coordinating Committee for Europe
--Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean
--Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific
The United States participates as an active member of the
Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific,
and is informed of the other coordinating committees through meeting
documents, final reports, and representation at meetings.
Each regional committee:
--Defines the problems and needs of the region concerning food
standards and food control;
--Promotes within the committee contacts for the mutual exchange of
information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems arising
from food control and stimulates the strengthening of food control
infrastructures;
--Recommends to the Commission the development of world-wide standards
for products of interest to the region, including products considered
by the committee to have an international market potential in the
future;
--And, exercises a general coordinating role for the region and such
other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Commission.
Codex Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West
Pacific
The Coordinating Committee is responsible for defining problems and
needs concerning food standards and food control of all Codex member
countries of the regions.
The Committee, at its Third session, recommended that the Executive
Committee consider proposals concerning the broader application of the
HACCP system and that the proposals also be considered by the Twenty-
first session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Committee also
requested that a comprehensive plan for risk assessment methodology and
decision making criteria be developed by the Commission, and that risk
analysis be considered as part of the Codex Strategy Plan.
The Committee expressed the view that the Commission should be the
focus of international harmonization initiatives with respect to
genetically engineered foods. In addition, the Committee recommended
that further work should be carried out on the sale of potentially
harmful herbs and botanicals as food. Finally, the Committee
recommended that the work of the Commission should be expedited. (The
information contained above can be found in ALINORM 95/32).
Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes
Appendix 1--U.S. Codex Alimentarius Officials
April 3, 1995
Steering Committee Members
Dr. Marvin A. Norcross, U.S. Coordinator for Codex Alimentarius,
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
West End Court, Room 311, 1255 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC
20250, Phone #: (202) 254-2517, Fax #: (202) 254-2530
Mr. Michael Taylor, Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Room 331-E, Administration Building, 14th
and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202)
720-7025, Fax #: (202) 690-4437
Ms. Patricia Jensen, Acting Assistant Secretary, Marketing and
Regulatory Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 228-W,
Administration Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-4256, Fax #: (202) 720-5775
Mr. Thomas Billy, Associate Administrator, Food Safety and
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 331-E,
Administration Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-7025, Fax #: (202) 690-4437
Dr. Alex Thiermann, Deputy Administrator, International Services,
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Room 324-E, Administration Building, 14th and
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-
7593, Fax #: (202) 690-1484
Dr. Lynn R. Goldman, Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention,
Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 401 M Street, SW. (7101), 637 East Tower, Washington, DC
20460, Phone #: (202) 260-2902, Fax #: (202) 260-1847
Dr. Penelope A. Fenner-Crisp, Deputy Director, Office of Pesticide
Programs (7501C), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460, Phone #: (703) 305-7092, Fax #:
(703) 308-4776
Mr. William Schultz, Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Food and Drug
Administration, HF-22, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone
#: (301) 443-2854, Fax #: (301) 443-5930
Dr. Fred R. Shank, Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition (HFS-1), Food and Drug Administration, Room 6815, 200 C
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4850, Fax #:
(202) 205-5025
[[Page 27264]]
Codex Committee Chairpersons
[March 15, 1995]
Mr. Steven N. Tanner, Deputy Director, Quality Assurance and Research Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (adjourned sine die).
Division, Federal Grain Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
10383 N. Executive Hills Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64153-1394, Phone #: (816)
891-0404, Fax #: (816) 891-8070.
Dr. John Kvenberg, Strategic Manager for HACCP Policy, Center for Food Safety Food Hygiene.
and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, Room 3014, HFS-10, 200
C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4010, Fax #: (202)
205-4121.
Mr. Gerald R. Parlet, Assistant to the Chief, Processed Products Branch, Processed Fruits and Vegetables (adjourned sine die).
Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Room 0713, South Building, Washington, DC 20250,
Phone #: (202) 720-9896, Fax #: (202) 690-1527.
Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof, Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods.
Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Place (HFV-1), Rockville, MD 20855, Phone
#: (301) 594-1740, Fax #: (301) 594-1830.
Listing of U.S. Delegates and Alternate Delegates
Worldwide General Subject Codes Committees
Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drug in Foods
(Host Government--United States)
U.S. Delegate:
Dr. Marvin A. Norcross, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, West End Court, Room 311, 1255 22nd
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 254-2517, Fax #:
(202) 254-2530
Alternate Delegate:
Dr. Robert C. Livingston, Director, Office of New Animal Drug
Evaluation, Center for Veterinary Medicine (HFV-100), Food and Drug
Administration, 7500 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855, Phone #:
(301) 594-1620, Fax #: (301) 594-2297
Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants
(Host Government--The Netherlands)
U.S. Delegate:
Dr. Fred R. Shank, Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition (HFS-1), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW.,
Room 6185, Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4850, Fax #:
(202) 205-5025
Alternate Delegate:
(Vacant)
Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues
(Host Government--The Netherlands)
U.S. Delegate:
Dr. Richard Schmitt, Deputy Director, Special Review and
Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW. (7508W),
Washington, DC 20460, Phone #: (703) 308-8000, Fax #: (703) 308-8005
Alternate Delegates:
Mr. John R. Wessel, Director, Contaminants Policy Staff, Food
and Drug Administration, Room 13-74 (HFC-6), 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, MD 20857, Phone #: (301) 443-1815, Fax #: (301) 443-7707
Dr. Richard Parry, Jr., Assistant Administrator, Cooperative
Interactions, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Room 358-A, Administration Bldg., Washington, DC 20250,
Phone #: (202) 720-3973, Fax #: (202) 720-5427
Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling
(Host Government--Hungary)
U.S. Delegate:
Dr. William Horwitz, Scientific Advisor, Center for Food Safety
and Applied Nutrition (HFS-500), Food and Drug Administration, Room
3832, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-
4346, Fax #: (202) 401-7740
Alternate Delegate:
Dr. William Franks, Director, Science Division, Agricultural
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 3507, South
Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250,
Phone #: (202) 720-5231, Fax #: (202) 720-6496
Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Certification and
Inspection Systems
(Host Government--Australia)
Delegate:
Dr. Fred R. Shank, Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition (HFS-1), Food and Drug Administration, Room 6815, 200 C
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4850, Fax #:
(202) 205-5025
Alternate Delegate:
Dr. John Prucha, Deputy Administrator, International Programs,
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Room 341-E, Administration Building, Washington, DC 20250, Phone #:
(202) 720-3473, Fax #: (202) 690-3856
Codex Committee on General Principles
(Host Government--France)
Delegate:
Note: A member of the Steering Committee heads the delegation to
meetings of the General Principles Committee
Codex Committee on Food Labeling
(Host Government--Canada)
Delegate:
Dr. F. Edward Scarbrough, Director, Office of Food Labeling,
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-150), Food and
Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Room 1832, Washington, DC
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4561, Fax #: (202) 205-4594
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. John W. McCutcheon, Deputy Administrator, Regulatory
Programs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Room 350-E, Administration Building, Washington, DC
20250, Phone #: (202) 720-2709, Fax #: (202) 720-2025
Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
(Host Government--United States)
Delegate:
Dr. Robert L. Buchanan, Deputy Administrator, Science and
Technology, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Room 402, Annex Building, Washington, DC 20250, Phone
#: (202) 205-0495, Fax #: (202) 401-1760
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. E. Spencer Garrett, Director, National Seafood Inspection
Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries, 705 Convent Street,
Pascagoula, MS 39568-1207, Phone #: (601) 762-7403, Fax #: (601)
769-9200
Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees
Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
(Host Government--Mexico)
Delegate:
Mr. David Priester, International Standards Coordinator, FPB,
Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Room 2068, South Building, 14th and
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-
2184, Fax #: (202) 720-0016
Alternate Delegate:
Ms. Sharon E. Bomer-Lauritsen, Asst. to Director, Fruit and
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.
[[Page 27265]] Department of Agriculture, Room 2071, South Building,
14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #:
(202) 720-2173, Fax #: (202) 720-0016
Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
(Host Government--Germany)
Delegate:
Dr. Elizabeth Yetley, Acting Director, Office of Special
Nutritionals, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA, 200
C Street, SW. (HFS-450), Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-
4168, Fax #: (202) 205-5295
Alternate Delegate:
Ms. Linda P. Posati, Deputy Director, Product Assessment
Division, Labels, Standards and Review Program, RP, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, West End Court
Building, Room 329, 1255 22 Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, Phone
#: (202) 254-2565, Fax #: (202) 254-2499
Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products
(Host Government--Norway)
Delegate:
Mr. Thomas Billy, Associate Administrator, Food Safety and
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 331-E,
Administration Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-7025, Fax #: (202) 690-4437
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. Samuel W. McKeen, Director, Office of Trade and Industry
Services, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS,
1335 East-West Highway, Room 6490, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone
#:(301) 713-2351, Fax #: (301) 713-1081
Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes
(Host Government--United States)
Delegate:
Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International Activities Staff,
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS-585),
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. David Shipman, Chief, Standards and Procedures Branch, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Room 1661-South Building, 14th and
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-
0228, Fax #: (202) 720-1015
Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products
(Host Government--New Zealand)
Delegate:
Mr. Duane Spomer, Chief, Dairy Standardization Branch, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Room
2750-South Building, 14th and Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC
20250, Phone #: (202) 720-9385, Fax #: (202) 720-2643
Alternate Delegate:
(Vacant).
Codex Committee on Fats and Oils
(Host Government--United Kingdom)
Delegate:
Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International Activities Staff,
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS-585),
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. Timothy L. Mounts, Research Leader, Food Quality and Safety
Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization
Research, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 1815 North University
Street, Peoria, IL 61604, Phone #: (309) 681-6555, Fax #: 681-6679
Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees
(Adjourned sine die)
Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate
(Host Government--Switzerland)
Delegate:
Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director International Activities Staff,
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS--585),
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate:
Dr. Michelle Smith, Food Technologist, Office of Food Labeling,
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-158), 200 C
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5099, Fax #:
(202) 205-4594
Codex Committee on Sugars
(Host Government--United Kingdom)
Delegate:
Dr. Thomas J. Army, Area Director, Northern Plains Area,
Agricultural Research Center, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 150, Ft.
Collins, CO 80525-5562, Phone #: (303) 229-5557, Fax #: (303) 229-
5531
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. Durward Dodgen, Office of Premarket Approval, Center for
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, (HFS-200), Food and Drug
Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #:
(202) 418-3100, Fax #: (202) 418-3131
Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables
(Host Government--United States)
U.S. Delegate:
Mr. Richard B. Boyd, Senior Marketing Specialist, Fruit and
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Room 717, South Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-5021, Fax #:
(202) 690-1527
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International Activities Staff,
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS-585),
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Codex Committee on Edible Ices
(Host Government--Sweden)
Delegate:
Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International Activities Staff,
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS-585),
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate:
(Vacant)
Codex Committee on Soups and Broths
(Host Government--Switzerland)
Delegate:
Mr. Charles Edwards, Director, Product Assessment Division,
Labels, Standards and Review Program, RP, Food Safety and Inspection
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, West End Court Building,
Room 329, 1255 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, Phone #:
(202) 254-2565, Fax #: (202) 254-2499
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. Robert Post, Branch Chief, Food Standards and Ingredients
Branch, PAD, Regulatory Programs, Food Safety and Inspection
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, West End Court Building,
Room 237, 1255 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, Phone #:
(202) 254-2588, Fax #: (202) 254-2499
Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins
(Host Government--Canada)
U.S. Delegate:
Dr. Wilda H. Martinez, Associate Deputy Administrator, Aqua
Products and Human Nutrition Sciences, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Room 107, B-005,
Beltsville, MD 20705, Phone #: (301) 504-6275, Fax #: (301) 504-6699
Alternate Delegate:
Ms. Elizabeth J. Campbell, Director, Division of Programs and
Enforcement Policy, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
(HFS-155), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5229, Fax #: (202) 205-4594
Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene
(Host Government--New Zealand)
Delegate:
Dr. John Prucha, Deputy Administrator, International Programs,
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Room 341-E, Administration Building, Washington, DC 20250, Phone #:
(202) 720-3473, Fax #: (202) 690-3856
Alternate Delegate: [[Page 27266]]
Dr. Richard Mikita, Export Advisor, International Programs, Food
Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room
6916A, Franklin Court, Suite 6900E, Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone
#: (202) 501-6703, Fax #: (202) 501-6399
Codex Committee on Processed Meat and Poultry Products
(Host Government--Denmark)
U.S. Delegate:
Mr. Charles Edwards, Director, Product Assessment Division,
Labels, Standard and Review Program, RP, Food Safety and Inspection
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, West End Court Building,
Room 329, 1255 22 Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, Phone #: (202)
254-2565, Fax #: (202) 254-2499
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. Syed Amjad Ali, Food Technologist, Food Safety and
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, West End Court,
Room 311, 1255 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #:
(202) 254-2517, Fax #: (202) 254-2530
Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters
(Host Government--Switzerland)
U.S. Delegate:
Dr. Terry C. Troxel, Director, Division of Programs and
Enforcement Policy, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
(HFS-305), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5321, Fax #: (202) 205-4422
Alternate Delegate:
(Vacant)
Joint U.N.E.C.E. Codex Alimentarius Groups of Experts
Joint ECE/Codex Alimentarius Group of Experts on Standardization of
Quick Frozen Foods
U.S. Delegate:
Mr. Richard B. Boyd, Senior Marketing Specialist, Fruit and
Vegetable Division, Agriculture Marketing Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Room 0717, South Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-5021, Fax #:
(202) 690-1527
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International Activities Staff,
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS-585),
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Joint ECE/Codex Alimentarius Group of Experts on Standardization of
Fruit Juices
U.S. Delegate:
(Vacant)
Alternate Delegate:
Mr. Richard B. Boyd, Senior Marketing Specialist, Fruit and
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Room 0717, South Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-5021, Fax #:
(202) 690-1527
Subsidiary Bodies of the Codex Alimentarius
There are five regional coordinating committees:
Coordinating Committee for Africa
Coordinating Committee for Asia
Coordinating Committee for Europe
Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, and
Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific
Contact:
Ms. Rhonda S. Nally, Executive Officer for Codex Alimentarius,
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
West End Court, Room 311, 1255 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC
20250, Phone #: (202) 254-2517, Fax #: (202) 254-2530
Appendix 2.--Timetable of Codex Sessions
[June 1994 through June 1996]
1994
CX 732-3 Codex Coordinating Committee for North 31 May-3 June............ Vancouver.
America and the South-West Pacific (3rd
Session).
CX 730-8 Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary 7-10 June................ Washington, DC.
Drugs in Foods (8th Session).
CX 702-41 Executive Committee of the Codex 28-30 June............... Rome.
Alimentarius Commission (41st Session).
CX 731-5 Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits 5-9 Sept................. Mexico City.
and Vegetables (5th Session).
CX 712-27 Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (27th 17-21 Oct................ Washington, DC.
Session).
CX 714-23 Codex Committee on Food Labeling (23rd 24-28 Oct................ Ottawa.
Session).
CX 729-9 Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and 31 Oct.-4 Nov............ Washington, DC.
Legumes (9th Session).
CX 703-1 Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products 28 Nov.-2 Dec............ Rome.
(1st Session).
1995
CX 733-3 Codex Committee on Food Import and Export 27 Feb.-3 Mar............ Canberra.
Inspection and Certification Systems
(3rd Session).
CX 711-27 Codex Committee on Food Additives and 20-24 Mar................ The Hague.
Contaminants (27th Session).
CX 720-19 Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods 27-31 Mar................ Bonn.
for Special Dietary Uses (19th Session).
CX 725-9 Codex Coordinating Committee for Latin 3-6 Apr.................. Brasilia.
America and the Caribbean (9th Session).
CX 718-27 Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues 24-29 Apr................ The Hague.
(27th Session).
CX 707-11 Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa 8-11 May................. Abuja.
(11th Session).
CX 702-42 Executive Committee of the Codex 28-30 June............... Rome.
Alimentarius Commission (42nd Session).
CX 701-21 Codex Alimentarius Commission (21st 3-8 July................. Rome.
Session).
CX 715-20 Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis 2-6 Oct.................. Budapest.
and Sampling (20th Session).
CX 712-28 Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (28th TBA...................... Washington, DC.
Session).
CX 730-9 Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary TBA...................... Washington, DC.
Drugs in Foods (9th Session).
CX 732-4 Codex Coordinating Committee for North 5-8 Dec.................. [Rotorua] N.Z.
America and the South-West Pacific (4th
Session).
1996
CX 731-6 Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits 29 Jan.-2 Feb............ Mexico City.
and Vegetables (6th Session).
CX 711-28 Codex Committee on Food Additives and 11-15 Mar................ The Hague.
Contaminants (28th Session).
CX 727-10 Codex Regional Coordinating Committee for 19-22 Mar................ [Tokyo].
Asia (10th Session).
CX 718-28 Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues 15-20 Apr................ The Hague.
(28th Session).
CX 706-20 Codex Regional Coordinating Committee for 23-26 Apr................ Stockholm.
Europe (20th Session).
CX 722-22 Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery 6-10 May................. Bergen.
Products (22nd Session).
CX 714-24 Codex Committee on Food Labelling (24th 14-17 May................ Ottawa.
Session).
[[Page 27267]]
CX 703-1 Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products 27-31 May................ Rome.
(2nd Session).
CX 702-43 Executive Committee of the Codex 4-7 June................. Geneva.
Alimentarius Commission (43rd Session).
CX 708-16 Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and 10-12 June............... TBA.
Chocolate (16th Session).
CX 719-5 Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters 13-14 June............... TBA.
(5th Session).
CX 707-12 Codex Regional Coordinating Committee for TBA...................... TBA.
Africa (12th Session).
Appendix 3--Definitions for the Purpose of Codex Alimentarius
Words and phrases have specific meanings when used by the Codex
Alimentarius. For the purposes of Codex, the following definitions
apply:
1. Food means any substance, whether processed, semi-processed
or raw, which is intended for human consumption, and includes drink,
chewing gum, and any substance which has been used in the
manufacture, preparation or treatment of ``food'' but does not
include cosmetics or tobacco or substances used only as drugs.
2. Food Hygiene comprises conditions and measures necessary for
the production, processing, storage and distribution of food
designed to ensure a safe, sound, wholesome product fit for human
consumption.
3. Food Additive means any substance not normally consumed as a
food by itself and not normally used as a typical ingredient of the
food, whether or not it has nutritive value, the intentional
addition of which to food for a technological (including
organoleptic) purpose in the manufacture, processing, preparation,
treatment, packing, packaging, transport, or holding of such food
results, or may be reasonably expected to result (directly or
indirectly) in it or its by-products becoming a component of or
otherwise affecting the characteristics of such foods. The food
additive term does not include ``contaminants'' or substances added
to food for maintaining or improving nutritional qualities.
4. Contaminant means any substance not intentionally added to
food, which is present in such food as a result of the production
(including operations carried out in crop husbandry, animal
husbandry, and veterinary medicine), manufacture, processing,
preparation, treatment, packing, packaging, transport or holding of
such food or as a result of environmental contamination. The term
does not include insect fragments, rodent hairs and other extraneous
matters.
5. Pesticide means any substance intended for preventing,
destroying, attracting, repelling, or controlling any pest including
unwanted species of plants or animals during the production,
storage, transport, distribution and processing of food,
agricultural commodities, or animal feeds or which may be
administered to animals for the control of ectoparasites. The term
includes substances intended for use as a plant-growth regulator,
defoliant, desiccant, fruit thinning agent, or sprouting inhibitor
and substances applied to crops either before or after harvest to
protect the commodity from deterioration during storage and
transport. The term pesticides excludes fertilizers, plant and
animal nutrients, food additives, and animal drugs.
6. Pesticide Residue means any specified substance in food,
agricultural commodities, or animal feed resulting from the use of a
pesticide. The term includes any derivatives of a pesticide, such as
conversion products, metabolites, reaction products, and impurities
considered to be of toxicological significance.
7. Good Agricultural Practice in the Use of Pesticides (GAP)
includes the nationally authorized safe uses of pesticides under
actual conditions necessary for effective and reliable pest control.
It encompasses a range of levels of pesticide applications up to the
highest authorized use, applied in a manner which leaves a residue
which is the smallest amount practicable.
Authorized safe uses are determined at the national level and
include nationally registered or recommended uses, which take into
account public and occupational health and environmental safety
considerations.
Actual conditions include any stage in the production, storage,
transport, distribution and processing of food commodities and
animal feed.
8. Codex Maximum Limit for Pesticide Residues (MRLP) is the
maximum concentration of a pesticide residue (expressed as mg/kg),
recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be legally
permitted in or on food commodities and animal feeds. MRLPs are
based on their toxicological effects and on GAP data and foods
derived from commodities that comply with the respective MRLPs are
intended to be toxologically acceptable.
Codex MRLPs, which are primarily intended to apply in
international trade, are derived from reviews conducted by the JMPR
following:
(a) Toxicological assessment of the pesticide and its residue
and
(b) Review of residue data from supervised trials and supervised
uses including those reflecting national good agricultural
practices. Data from supervised trials conducted at the highest
nationally recommended, authorized, or registered uses are included
in the review. In order to accommodate variations in national pest
control requirements, Codex MRLPs take into account the higher
levels shown to arise in such supervised trials, which are
considered to represent effective pest control practices.
Consideration of the various dietary residue intake estimates
and determinations both at the national and international level in
comparison with the ADI, should indicate that foods complying with
Codex MRLPs are safe for human consumption.
9. Veterinary Drug means any substance applied or administered
to any food-producing animal, such as meat or milk-producing
animals, poultry, fish or bees, whether used for therapeutic,
prophylactic or diagnostic purposes or for modification of
physiological functions or behavior.
10. Residues of Veterinary Drugs include the parent compounds
and/or their metabolites in any edible portion of the animal
product, and include residues of associated impurities of the
veterinary drug concerned.
11. Codex Maximum Limit for Residues of Veterinary Drugs (MRLVD)
is the maximum concentration of residue resulting from the use of a
veterinary drug (expressed in mg/kg or g/kg on a fresh
weight basis) that is recommended by the Codex Alimentarius
Commission to be legally permitted or recognized as acceptable in or
on food.
An MRLVD is based on the type and amount of residue considered
to be without any toxicological hazard for human health as expressed
by the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), or on the basis of a temporary
ADI that utilizes an additional safety factor. An MRLVD also takes
into account other relevant public health risks as well as food
technological aspects.
When establishing an MRLVD, consideration is also given to
residues that occur in food of plant origin and/or the environment.
Furthermore, the MRLVD may be reduced to be consistent with good
practices in the use of veterinary drugs and to the extent that
practical and analytical methods are available.
12. Good Practice in the Use of Veterinary Drugs (GPVD) is the
official recommended or authorized usage including withdrawal
periods approved by national authorities, of veterinary drugs under
practicable conditions.
13. Processing Aid means any substance or material, not
including apparatus or utensils, not consumed as a food ingredient
by itself, intentionally used in the processing of raw materials,
foods or its ingredients, to fulfill a certain technological purpose
during treatment or processing and which may result in the non-
intentional but unavoidable presence of residues or derivatives in
the final product.
Appendix 4--Uniform Procedure for the Elaboration of Codex Standards
and Related Texts
Steps 1, 2 and 3
(1) The Commission decides, taking into account the ``Criteria
for the Establishment of Work Priorities and for the Establishment
of Subsidiary Bodies,'' to elaborate a Worldwide
[[Page 27268]] Codex Standard and also decides which subsidiary body
or other body should undertake the work. A decision to elaborate a
Worldwide Codex Standard may also be taken by subsidiary bodies of
the Commission in accordance with the above-mentioned criteria,
subject to subsequent approval by the Commission or its Executive
Committee at the earliest possible opportunity. In the case of Codex
Regional Standards, the Commission shall base its decision on the
proposal of the majority of members belonging to a given region or
group of countries submitted at a session of the Codex Alimentarius
Commission.
(2) The Secretariat arranges for the preparation of a proposed
draft standard. In the case of Maximum Limits for Residues of
Pesticides or Veterinary Drugs, the Secretariat distributes the
recommendations for maximum limits, when available from the Joint
Meetings of the FAO Panel of Experts on Pesticide Residues in Food
and the Environment and the WHO Panel of Experts on Pesticide
Residues (JMPR), or the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food
Additives (JECFA). In the cases of milk and milk products or
individual standards for cheeses, the Secretariat distributes the
recommendations of the International Dairy Federation (IDF).
(3) The proposed draft standard is sent to members of the
Commission and interested international organizations for comment on
all aspects including possible implications of the proposed draft
standard for their economic interests.
Step 4
The comments received are sent by the Secretariat to the
subsidiary body or other body concerned which has the power to
consider such comments and to amend the proposed draft standard.
Step 5 \2\
The proposed draft standard is submitted through the Secretariat
to the Commission or to the Executive Committee with a view to its
adoption as a draft standard. When making any decision at this step,
the Commission or the Executive Committee will give due
consideration to any comments that may be submitted by any of its
members regarding the implications which the proposed draft standard
or any provisions of the standard may have for their economic
interests. In the case of Regional Standards, all members of the
Commission may present their comments, take part in the debate and
propose amendments, but only the majority of the Members of the
region or group of countries concerned attending the session can
decide to amend or adopt the draft. When making any decisions at
this step, the members of the region or group of countries concerned
will give due consideration to any comments that may be submitted by
any of the members of the Commission regarding the implications
which the proposed draft standard or any provisions of the proposed
draft standard may have for their economic interests.
\2\ Without prejudice to any decision that may be taken by the
Commission at Step 5, the proposed draft standard may be sent by the
Secretariat for government comment prior to its consideration at
Step 5, when, in the opinion of the subsidiary body or other body
concerned, the time between the relevant session of the Commission
and the subsequent session of the subsidiary or other body concerned
requires such action in order to advance the work.
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Step 6
The draft standard is sent by the Secretariat to all members and
interested international organizations for comment on all aspects,
including possible implications of the draft standard for their
economic interests.
Step 7
The comments received are sent by the Secretariat to the
subsidiary body or other body concerned, which has the power to
consider such comments and amend the draft standard.
Step 8
The draft standard is submitted through the Secretariat to the
Commission together with any written proposals received from members
and interested international organizations for amendments at Step 8
with a view to its adoption as a Codex Standard. In the case of
Regional standards, all members and interested international
organizations may present their comments, take part in the debate
and propose amendments but only the majority of members of the
region or group of countries concerned attending the session can
decide to amend and adopt the draft.
Appendix 5--Nature of Codex Standards
Codex standards contain requirements for food aimed at ensuring
for the consumer a sound, wholesome food product free from
adulteration, and correctly labelled. A Codex standard for any food
or foods should be drawn up in accordance with the Format for Codex
Commodity Standards and contain, as appropriate, the criteria listed
therein.
Format for Codex Commodity Standards Including Standards Elaborated
Under the Code of Principles Concerning Milk and Milk Products
Introduction
The format is also intended for use as a guide by the subsidiary
bodies of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in presenting their
standards, with the object of achieving, as far as possible, a
uniform presentation of commodity standards. The format also
indicates the statements which should be included in standards as
appropriate under the relevant headings of the standard. The
sections of the format required to be completed for a standard are
only those provisions that are appropriate to an international
standard for the food in question.
Name of the Standard
Scope
Description
Essential Composition and Quality Factors
Food Additives
Contaminants
Hygiene
Weights and Measures
Labelling
Methods of Analysis and Sampling
Format for Codex Standards
Name of the Standard
The name of the standard should be clear and as concise as
possible. It should usually be the common name by which the food
covered by the standard is known or, if more than one food is dealt
with in the standard, by a generic name covering them all. If a
fully informative title is inordinately long, as subtitle could be
added.
Scope
This section should contain a clear, concise statement as to the
food or foods to which the standard is applicable unless the name of
the standard clearly and concisely identifies the food or foods. A
generic standard covering more than one specific product should
clearly identify the specific products to which the standard
applies.
Description
This section should contain a definition of the product or
products with an indication, where appropriate, of the raw materials
from which the product or products are derived and any necessary
references to processes of manufacture. The description may also
include references to types and styles of product and to type of
pack. The description may also include additional definitions when
these additional definitions are required to clarify the meaning of
the standard.
Essential Composition and Quality Factors
This section should contain all quantitative and other
requirements as to composition including, where necessary, identity
characteristics, provisions on packing media and requirements as to
compulsory and optional ingredients. It should also include quality
factors which are essential for the designation, definition, or
composition of the product concerned. Such factors could include the
quality of the raw material, with the object of protecting the
health of the consumer, provisions on taste, odor, color, and
texture which may be apprehended by the senses, and basic quality
criteria for the finished products, with the object of preventing
fraud. This section may refer to tolerances for defects, such as
blemishes or imperfect material, but this information should be
contained in appendix to the standard or in another advisory text.
Food Additives
This section should contain the names of the additives permitted
and, where appropriate, the maximum amount permitted in the food. It
should be prepared in accordance with guidance given on pages 93 to
96 of the Codex Procedural Manual and may take the following form:
``The following provisions in respect of food additives and
their specifications as contained in section . . . of the Codex
Alimentarius are subject to endorsement [have been endorsed] by the
Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants.''
A tabulation should then follow, viz.:
``Name of additive, maximum level (in percentage or mg/
kg).'' [[Page 27269]]
Contaminants
(a) Pesticide Residues: This section should include, by
reference, any levels for pesticide residues that have been
established by the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues for the
product concerned.
(b) Other Contaminants: In addition, this section should contain
the names of other contaminants and where appropriate the maximum
level permitted in the food, and the text to appear in the standard
may take the following form:
``The following provisions in respect of contaminants, other
than pesticide residues, are subject to endorsement [have been
endorsed] by the Codex Committee on Food Additives and
Contaminants.''
A tabulation should then follow, viz.:
``Name of contaminant, maximum level (in percentage or mg/kg).''
Hygiene
Any specific mandatory hygiene provisions considered necessary
should be included in this section. They should be prepared in
accordance with the guidance given on pages 96 to 98 of the Codex
Procedural Manual. Reference should also be made to applicable codes
of hygienic practice. Any parts of such codes, including in
particular any end-product specifications, should be set out in the
standard, if it is considered necessary that they should be made
mandatory. The following statement should also appear:
``The following provisions in respect of the food hygiene of the
product are subject to endorsement [have been endorsed] by the Codex
Committee on Food Hygiene.''
Weights and Measures
This section should include all provisions, other than labelling
provisions, relating to weights and measures, e.g. where
appropriate, fill of container, weight, measure or count of units
determined by an appropriate method of sampling and analysis.
Weights and measures should be expressed in S.I. units. In the case
of standards which include provisions for the sale of products in
standardized amounts, e.g. multiples of 100 grams, S.I. units should
be used, but this would not preclude additional statements in the
standards of these standardized amounts in approximately similar
amounts in other systems of weights and measures.
Labelling
This section should include all the labelling provisions
contained in the standard and should be prepared in accordance with
the guidance given on pages 91 to 93 of the Codex Procedural Manual.
Provisions should be included by reference to the General Standard
for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods. The section may also contain
provisions which are exemptions from, additions to, or which are
necessary for the interpretation of the General Standard in respect
of the product concerned provided that these can be justified fully.
The following statement should also appear:
``The following provisions in respect of the labelling of this
product are subject to endorsement [have been endorsed] by the Codex
Committee on Food Labelling.''
Methods of Analysis and Sampling
This section should include, either specifically or by
reference, all methods of analysis and sampling considered necessary
and should be prepared in accordance with the guidance given on
pages 99 to 102 of the Codex Procedural Manual. If two or more
methods have been proved to be equivalent by the Codex Committee on
Methods of Analysis and Sampling, these could be regarded as
alternative and included in this section either specifically or by
reference. The following statement should also appear:
``The methods of analysis and sampling described hereunder are
to be endorsed [have been endorsed] by the Codex Committee on
Methods of Analysis and Sampling.''
Appendix 6
Provisional Agenda of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards
Programme, Codex Alimentarius Commission, Twenty-First Session,
Plenary Hall, FAO Headquarters, Rome, July 3-8, 1995:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item and subject matter Document
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Adoption of the Agenda.................................................... ALINORM 95/1.
2. Election of Officers of the Commission and Members of the Executive ALINORM 95/2.
Committee and Appointment of Regional Coordinators.
3. Report on the financial situation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards ALINORM 95/5.
Programme for 1994/95 and 1996/97.
4. Implementation of the Medium-Term Plan of the Codex Alimentarius ALINORM 95/6.
Commission:
(a) Report on progress in achieving the Medium-Term Plan
(b) Strategies for achieving the Medium-Term Plan
5. Implementation of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations: ALINORM 95/7.
Working arrangements between the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the World
Trade Organization.
6. Consideration of proposals to base Codex standards and other ALINORM 95/8.
recommendations of scientific principles and the extent to which other
factors need to be taken into account.
7. Risk assessment/risk analysis in Codex: Recommendations of a Joint FAO/WHO ALINORM 95/9.
Expert Consultation.
8. Cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in the ALINORM 95/10.
elaboration of world-wide standards for fresh fruit and vegetables and
related products.
9. Consideration of draft amendments to the Procedural Manual of the Codex ALINORM 95/14.
Alimentarius Commission:
(a) Rules of Procedure
(b) Guidelines for Codex Committees
(c) Format of Codex Standards
10. Consideration of draft and proposed draft standards and related texts for ALINORM 95/21 Part I.
general application:
(a) Food Additives
(b) Contaminants
(c) Pesticides (Maximum residue limits)
(d) Veterinary drugs (Maximum residue limits)
(e) Food labelling (Amendments)
(f) Food Hygiene (Codes of Practice)
(g) Methods of analysis and sampling
(h) Import/export inspection and certification
11. Consideration of draft and proposed draft standards and related texts for ALINORM 95/21 Part II.
specific commodities:
(a) Fish and fishery products
(b) Fats and oils
(c) Milk and milk products
(d) Tropical fresh fruit and vegetables
(e) Other products
12. Consideration of proposals to elaborate new standards and/or related ALINORM 95/21 Part III.
texts as Step 1.
(a) Proposals by Codex Committee
(b) Opinion of the Executive Committee
(c) New proposals
13. Matters arising from the reports of Codex Committees..................... ALINORM 95/21 Part IV.
14. Confirmation of Chairmanship of Codex Committees......................... ALINORM 95/16.
[[Page 27270]]
15. Other business
16. Adoption of Report
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[FR Doc. 95-12570 Filed 5-22-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-M
