International Standard-Setting Activities

Federal RegisterMay 23, 1995

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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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 95-12570 Filed 5-22-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-DM-M

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