Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants

The Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC) (a) establishes or endorses permitted maximum or guideline levels for individual food additives, contaminants, and naturally occurring toxicants in food and animal feed; (b) prepares priority lists of food additives and contaminants for toxicological evaluation by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA); (c) recommends specifications of identity and purity for food additives for adoption by the Commission; (d) considers methods of analysis for food additives and contaminants; and (e) considers and elaborates standards and codes for related subjects such as labeling of food additives when sold as such and food irradiation. The following matters are under consideration by the Commission at its 24th Session in July 2001. The relevant documents are ALINORMS 01/12 and 01/12A.

Risk Analysis. The Discussion Paper entitled ``Application of Risk Analysis Principles to the Work of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)'' will be revised for circulation and consideration at the next session of the committee.

Food Additives. To be considered at Step 8 by the 24th Session of the Codex Commission (July 2001):

To be considered at Step 5/8 of the Accelerated Procedure by the 24th Session of the Codex Commission (July 2001):

To be considered at Step 5 by the 24th Session of the Codex Commission (July 2001):

The Committee is continuing work on:

Contaminants. To be considered at Step 8 by the 24th Session of the Codex Commission (July 2001):

To be considered at Step 5/8 by the 24th Session of the Codex Commission (July 2001):

To be considered at Step 5 by the 24th Session of the Codex Commission (July 2001):

The Committee is continuing work on:

New work:

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues

The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues recommends to the Codex Alimentarius Commission establishment of maximum limits for pesticide residues for specific food items or in groups of food. A Codex Maximum Residue Limit for Pesticide (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
[[Page 29534]]
and animal feeds. Foods derived from commodities that comply with the respective MRLPs are intended to be toxicologically acceptable, that is, 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.

Codex MRLPs are primarily intended to apply in international trade and are derived from reviews conducted by the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) following:
(a) review of residue data from supervised trials and supervised uses including those reflecting national good agricultural practices (GAP). 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; and
(b) toxicological assessment of the pesticide and its residue. * 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.

The following items will be considered by the Commission at its 24th Session in July 2001. The relevant documents are ALINORM 01/24 and 01/24A.

To be considered at Steps 5/8 and 8:

To be considered at Step 5:

The committee is continuing work on:

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling: (a) Defines the criteria appropriate to Codex Methods of Analysis and Sampling;
(b) Serves as a coordinating body for Codex with other international groups working in methods of analysis and sampling and quality assurance systems for laboratories;
(c) Specifies, on the basis of final recommendations submitted to it by the other bodies referred to in (b) above, Reference Methods of Analysis and Sampling appropriate to Codex Standards which are generally applicable to a number of foods;
(d) Considers, amends, if necessary, and endorses, as appropriate, methods of analysis and sampling proposed by Codex (Commodity) Committees, except that methods of analysis and sampling for residues of pesticides or veterinary drugs in food, the assessment of microbiological quality and safety in food, and the assessment of specifications for food additives do not fall within the terms of reference of this Committee;
(e) Elaborates sampling plans and procedures, as may be required; (f) Considers specific sampling and analysis problems submitted to it by the Commission or any of its Committees; and
(g) Defines procedures, protocols, guidelines or related texts for the assessment of food laboratory proficiency, as well as quality assurance systems for laboratories.

The relevant document is ALINORM 01/23. The following matters will be considered for adoption by the Commission at its 24th Session in July 2001.

Proposed Amendments to the Procedural Manual:

Guidelines for Adoption by Reference for Codex Purposes:

New Work:

The committee will continue work on:

The following matters will be considered by the Codex Alimentarius [[Page 29535]]
Commission at its 24th Session. The relevant documents are ALINORM 01/ 30 and 01/30A.

To be considered at Step 8:

To be considered at Step 5/8:

To be considered at Step 5:

New work:

The Committee is continuing work on:

Codex Committee on General Principles

The Codex Committee on General Principles deals with procedure and general matters as are referred to it by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The following will be considered by the 24th Session of the Commission when it meets in July 2001. The relevant documents are ALINORMS 01/33 and 01/33A.

To be considered by the Commission:

The Committee continues to work on:

Codex Committee on Food Labelling

The Codex Committee on Food Labelling is responsible for drafting provisions on labelling issues assigned by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The following items will be considered by the Commission at its 24th Session in July 2001. The relevant documents are ALINORM 01/22 and 01/22A.

To be considered at Step 8:

The Committee is continuing work on:

Proposed new work:

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene has three primary responsibilities. First, to draft basic provisions on food hygiene applicable to all food. These provisions normally take the form of Codes of Hygienic Practice for a specific commodity (e.g. bottled water) or group of commodities (e.g., milk and milk products). Second, to consider, amend if necessary, and endorse food hygiene provisions that are incorporated into specific Codex commodity standards by the Codex commodity committees. These provisions normally contain generic wording referencing the Recommended Code of Hygienic Practice: General Principles for Food Hygiene (ref: CAC/RCP 11969, Rev. 31997) and the Principles for the Establishment and Application of Microbiological Criteria for Foods (CAC/GL 211997) but may also include other provisions. Third, to provide general guidance to the Commission on matters relating to food hygiene. This often takes the form of providing general guidance documents such as the Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Assessment and Draft Proposed Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Management. The following items will be considered by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 24th Session in July 2001. The relevant documents are ALINORM 01/13 and 01/13A:

To be considered at Step 8:

To be considered at Step 5:

New work:

The committee continues to work on:

Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables is responsible for elaborating worldwide standards and codes of practice for fresh fruits and vegetables. The following will be considered by the Commission at its 24th Session in July 2001. The relevant document is ALINORM 01/35.

To be considered at Step 8:

To be considered at Step 5:

The committee is continuing work on:

The Codex 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 following will be considered by the Commission at its 24th Session in July 2001. The relevant document is ALINORM 01/26.

To be considered at Step 8:

Discontinuation of work:

The committee continues work on:

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 will be considered by the 24th Session of the Commission in July 2001. The relevant document is ALINORM 01/18.

To be considered at Step 8:

To be considered at Step 5 of the Accelerated Procedure:

To be considered at Step 5:

The committee continues or begins work on:

Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products

The Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products is responsible for establishing international codes and standards for milk and milk products. The following will be considered at the 24th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July 2001. The reference document is ALINORM 01/11.

To be considered at Step 8:

The committee is continuing work on:

New work:

Codex Committee on Fats and Oils

The Codex Committee on Fats and Oils is responsible for elaborating standards for fats and oils of animal, vegetable, and marine origin. The Committee held its 17th Session in London in February 2001. The relevant document is ALINORM 01/17. The following matters will be considered by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 24th Session in July 2001:

To be considered at Steps 5/8:

To be considered at Step 5:

To be considered by the Committee at its next session:

Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate

The Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate is responsible for elaborating worldwide standards for cocoa products and chocolate. The 21st Session of the Commission endorsed the recommendation of the fortysecond session of the Executive Committee to initiate the revision of the Cocoa Products and Chocolate Standards. The following standards will be considered by the 24th Session of the Commission in July 2001. The relevant document is ALINORM 01/14.

To be considered at Step 8:

To be considered at Step 5:

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

The Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables is responsible for elaborating standards for Processed Fruits and Vegetables. After having been adjourned sine die, the Committee reconvened in Washington, DC, in March 1998 to begin work revising the standards. The following standards will be considered by the 24th Session of the Commission in July 2001. The relevant document is ALINORM 01/27.

To be considered at step 8:

To be considered at step 5:

The Committee is continuing work on:

Other work:

Codex Committee for Natural Mineral Waters

The Codex Committee for Natural Mineral Waters (CCNMW) is responsible for elaborating standards for natural mineral waters. The Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 22nd meeting approved the development of a standard for bottled/packaged water other than natural mineral waters. The following standards will be considered by the 24th Session of the Commission in July 2001. The relevant document is ALINORM 01/20.

To be considered at Step 5/8:

Other matters for the Commission:

Codex Committee on Sugars

The Codex Committee on Sugars elaborated standards for all types of sugars and sugar products. The Committee was adjourned sine die, but was asked to revise the standards for sugar and honey. The Committee prepared the revised standard for sugar by correspondence. At its 23rd Session, the Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted the Draft Revised Standard for Sugar with the exception of the levels of arsenic and lead that will be reviewed by CCFAC. However, the Committee decided that it could not prepare a Draft Revised Standard for Honey by correspondence. The United Kingdom
[[Page 29538]]
convened a Session of the Committee in London, England, on February 9 11, 2000 to discuss the Draft Revised Standard for Honey. The following standard will be considered by the 24th Session of the Commission in July 2001. The relevant document is ALINORM 01/25.

To be considered at Step 8:

New work:

Certain Codex Commodity Committees \1\

Several Codex Alimentarius Commodity Committees have adjourned sine die. The following Committees fall into this category:

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA, USDA/GIPSA

U.S. Participation: Yes
Meat Hygiene

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS

U.S. Participation: Yes

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS

U.S. Participation: Yes

Responsible Agency: USDA/ARS, HHS/FDA

U.S. Participation: Yes
\1\ Adjourned sine die. The main tasks of these Committees are completed. However, the committees may be called to meet again if required.
* There is no planned activity for this Committee in the next year.

Brief reports on activities of the Codex Committees on Meat Hygiene, Soups and Broths, and Vegetable Proteins follows:

Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene

As a result of several years of work, the Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene elaborated worldwide standards and/or codes of practice as were appropriate for meat hygiene. The Committee adjourned sine die in 1993. The 47th Session of the Executive Committee welcomed a proposal from New Zealand that the Committee be reactivated and recommended that the work and terms of reference of the Committee be expanded to include reference to poultry, as a Codex committee had never addressed poultry hygiene. It was proposed that the next session be held in late 2001 or early 2002. The Commission will consider this recommendation when it meets in July 2001.
Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Soups and Broths

The Codex Committee on Soups and Broths elaborated worldwide standards for soups, broths, bouillons and consommes. The Committee adjourned sine die. The main tasks of the Committee were completed. However, at its June 1997 meeting, the Codex Alimentarius Commission requested that the Committee commence work revising the Standard for Bouillons and Consommes. A Draft Revised Standard for Bouillons and Consommes was approved at Step 5 by the Executive Committee at its 47th Session and was circulated at Step 6 for consideration in advance of the next Commission session. The relevant document is ALINORM 01/29. Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins

The Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins elaborated worldwide standards for vegetable protein products deriving from any member of the plant kingdom. The Committee was adjourned sine die in 1989. The Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 23rd Session requested that the Committee undertake a revision of the Codex Standard for Wheat Gluten. A Proposed Draft Standard for Wheat Protein Products was circulated to member countries and other interested parties for comment at Step 3. It was adopted by the 47th Session of the Executive Committee at Step 5 and was circulated at Step 6 for consideration in advance of the next Commission session.
Responsible Agency: USDA/ARS, HHS/FDA
U.S.Participation: Yes
Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived From Biotechnology

The Commission, at its 23rd Session, established this Task Force to develop standards, guidelines, or recommendations, as appropriate, for foods derived from biotechnology or traits introduced into foods by biotechnology, on the basis of scientific evidence, risk analysis and having regard, where appropriate, to other legitimate factors relevant to the health protection of consumers and the promotion of fair trade practices. The relevant documents are ALINORMS 01/34 and 01/34A. The following items have been forwarded to the Commission for its consideration at its 24th Session in July 2001.

To be considered at Step 5:

New work:

The Task Force will continue work on:

Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Animal Feeding

The Commission at its 23rd Session established the Task Force to develop guidelines or standards as appropriate on Good Animal Feeding practices. The relevant documents are ALINORMS 01/38 and 01/38A. The task force discussed the following items:

The Commission at its 23rd Session established this Task Force to revise and consolidate the existing Codex standards and guidelines for fruit and vegetable juices and related products, giving preference to general standards. These standards were originally developed by the Joint UNECE/Codex Group of Experts on the Standardization
[[Page 29539]]
of Fruit Juices, which had been abolished by its parent organizations. The Task Force held its first session in Brasilia, Brazil, September 1822, 2000. It will hold a second session in Rio de Janeiro, date to be announced. The reference document is ALINORM 01/39.

The committee will be working on:

FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees

The Codex Alimentarius Commission is made up of an Executive Committee, as well as approximately 30 subsidiary bodies. Included in these subsidiary bodies are coordinating committees for groups of countries located in proximity to each other who share common concerns. There are currently six Regional Coordinating Committees:

The United States participates as an active member of the Coordinating Committee for North America and the SouthWest Pacific, and is informed of the other coordinating committees through meeting documents, final reports, and representation at meetings. Each regional committee:

The Coordinating Committee is responsible for defining problems and needs concerning food standards and food control of all Codex member countries of the region. The Sixth Session of the Committee was held in December 2000, in Perth, Australia. The relevant document is ALINORM 01/32. Agenda topics included the following:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

F. Edward Scarbrough, Ph.D., United States Manager for Codex, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Undersecretary for Food Safety, Room 4861, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 202503700; (202) 205 7760. 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 Attachment 2 to this notice.) Documents pertaining to Codex are accessible via the World Wide Web at the following address: http://www.codexalimentarius.net. The U.S. Codex Office also maintains a website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/Codex/ index.htm.