[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28428-28447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13353]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 99-013N]


International Standard-Setting Activities

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the sanitary and 
phytosanitary standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission (Codex), in accordance with section 491 of the Trade 
Agreements Act of 1979, as amended, and the Uruguay Round Agreements 
Act, Pub. L. 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809. It also provides a list of other 
standard-setting activities of Codex, including commodity standards, 
guidelines, codes of practice, and revised texts. This notice, which 
covers the time periods from June 1, 1998, to May 31, 1999, and June 1, 
1999, to May 31, 2000, seeks comments on standards currently under 
consideration and recommendations for new standards.

ADDRESSES: Submit any written comments to: FSIS Docket Clerk, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 
102, Cotton Annex, 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 and 
submit a copy of your comments to the delegate from that particular 
committee. All comments submitted will be available for public 
inspection in the Docket Clerk's Office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Edward Scarbrough, Ph.D., United 
States Manager for Codex Alimentarius, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Office of the Undersecretary for Food Safety, Room 4861, South 
Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 
20250-3700; (202) 205-7760. For information pertaining to particular 
committees, the delegate of that committee may be contacted. (A 
complete list of U.S. delegates and alternate delegates can be found in 
Attachment 2 to this notice.)

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 Trade Agreements. The WTO is the successor organization 
to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). U.S. membership 
in the WTO was approved and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act was signed 
into law by the President on December 8, 1994. The Uruguay Round 
Agreements became effective, with respect to the United States, on 
January 1, 1995. 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, Codex, International Office of 
Epizootics, and the International Plant Protection Convention. 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 has delegated to the 
Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the 
responsibility to inform the public of the SPS standard-setting 
activities of Codex. The FSIS Administrator has, in turn, assigned the 
responsibility for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting 
activities of Codex to

[[Page 28429]]

the Office of U.S. Codex Alimentarius, FSIS.
    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 principal 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 
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, the United 
States Department of Agriculture (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.
    As the agency responsible for informing the public of the sanitary 
and phytosanitary standard-setting activities of Codex, FSIS publishes 
this notice in the Federal Register annually. Attachment 1 (Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary Activities of Codex) sets 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 Attachment 1 that are 
Under Consideration 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. The 
delegate, in conjunction with the responsible agency, will take the 
comments received into account in participating in the consideration of 
the standards and in proposing matters to be considered by Codex.
    The United States' delegate will facilitate public participation in 
the United States Government's activities relating to Codex 
Alimentarius. The United States' delegate will maintain a list of 
individuals, groups, and organizations that have expressed an interest 
in the activities of the Codex committees and will disseminate 
information regarding United States' delegation activities to 
interested parties. This information will include the current status of 
each agenda item; the United States Government's position or 
preliminary position on the agenda items; and the time and place of 
planning meetings and debriefing meetings following Codex committee 
sessions. Please notify the appropriate U.S. delegate or the Office of 
U.S. Codex Alimentarius, Room 4861, South Agriculture Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700, if you would like 
to receive information about specific committees.
    The information provided in Attachment 1 describes the status of 
Codex standard-setting activities by the Codex Committees for the time 
periods from June 1, 1998 to May 31, 1999, and June 1, 1999 to May 31, 
2000. In addition, the following attachments are included:

Attachment 2  List of U.S. Codex Officials (includes U.S. delegates and 
alternate delegates).
Attachment 3  Timetable of Codex Sessions (June 1998 through May 2000)
Attachment 4  Definitions for the Purpose of Codex Alimentarius
Attachment 5  Part 1-Uniform Procedure for the Elaboration of Codex 
Standards and Related Texts Part 2-Uniform Accelerated Procedure for 
the Elaboration of Codex Standards and Related Texts
Attachment 6  Nature of Codex Standards

    Done at Washington, DC on: May 20, 1999.
F. Edward Scarbrough,
United States Manager for Codex Alimentarius.

Attachment 1: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Activities of Codex

Codex Alimentarius Commission and Executive Committee

    The Codex Alimentarius Commission will hold its Twenty-third 
Session June 28-July 3, 1999 in Rome, Italy. At that time it will 
consider the standards, codes of practice, and related matters brought 
to its attention by the general subject committees, commodity 
committees, and member delegations.
    Prior to the Commission meeting, the Executive Committee met in 
June 1998 and will meet June 24-25, 1999. It is composed of the 
chairperson, vice-chairpersons and six members elected from the 
Commission, one from each of the following geographic regions: Africa, 
Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and 
South-West Pacific. At its session in June 1999, it will consider the 
following items:
     Report of the financial situation of the Joint FAO/WHO 
Food Standards Programme for 1998/99 and 2000/01;
     Principles of Risk Analysis;
     Matters Arising from Reports of Codex Committees;
     Designation of Host Governments for Codex Committees and 
ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces;
     Review of Criteria for New Work and Guidelines for the 
Establishment of ``Inclusive'' Standards; and
     Provision of Documentation, Translation and Interpretation 
Services for Codex Committees.

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

    The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs determines 
priorities for the consideration of residues of veterinary drugs in 
foods and recommends Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for veterinary 
drugs. 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 ug/kg on a fresh weight basis) 
that is recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be 
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 analytical 
methods are available.
     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).

[[Page 28430]]

    The following matters, contained in ALINORM 99/31, will be 
considered by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 23rd Session:
    To be considered at Step 8:

Alpha-Cypermethrin/Cypermethrin
Azaperone
Bovine Somatatropins
Cetiofur
Diclazuril
Dihydrostreptomycin/Streptomycin
Febantel/Febendazole/Oxyfendazole
Neomycin
Spectinomycin
Tilmicosin

    To be considered at Step 5/8:

Febantel/Febendazole/Oxyfendazole
Fluazuron
Nicarbazin
Benzylpenicillin/Procaine Benzylpenicillin
Spectinomicin
Moxidectin

    To be considered at Step 5:

Chlorotetracyline/Oxytetracycline/Tetracycline
Cyfluthrin
Danofloxacin
Eprinomectin
Flumequine
Imidocarb
Sarafloxicin

Priority List of Veterinary Drugs Requiring Evaluation or Reevaluation
     Replacement of Codex MRLs for Benzylpenicillin with MRLs 
for Benzylpenicillin/Procaine Benzylpenicillin
    The Committee is continuing work on:
     Draft Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary Drugs;
     Risk Analysis in the Codex Committee on Residues of 
Veterinary Drugs in Foods;
     Guidelines on Residues at Injection Sites;
     Guidelines on the Control of Veterinary Drug Residues in 
Milk and Milk Products;
     Draft Code of Practice for Good Animal Feeding; and
     Methods of Analysis and Sampling Issues.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Food Additives and Contaminants

Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants

    The Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC) (a) 
establishes or endorses permitted maximum or guideline levels for 
individual food additives, contaminants, and naturally occurring 
toxicants in food and animal feed; (b) prepares priority lists of food 
additives and contaminants for toxicological evaluation by the Joint 
FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA); (c) recommends 
specifications of identity and purity for food additives for adoption 
by the Commission; (d) considers methods of analysis for food additives 
and contaminants; and (e) considers and elaborates standards and codes 
for related subjects such as labeling of food additives when sold as 
such and food irradiation. The 31st Session of the CCFAC met March 22-
26, 1999, in The Hague, The Netherlands. The plenary of the 32nd 
Session of the CCFAC is tentatively scheduled for March 20-24, 2000, in 
Beijing, the People's Republic of China. The following matters 
contained in ALINORMs 99/12 and 99/12A are under consideration by the 
CCFAC.

Risk Analysis

    The Discussion Paper entitled ``Application of Risk Analysis 
Principles to the Work of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and 
Contaminants (CCFAC) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food 
Additives (JECFA)'' will be forwarded to the 53rd JECFA for comment. In 
response to the discussion by the 31st CCFAC and the recommendations of 
the JECFA, the Discussion Paper will be revised by the U.S. and 
circulated for comment and further discussion by the 32nd CCFAC (2000).

Food Additives

     Annex A (Guidelines for the Estimation of Appropriate 
Levels of Use of Food Additives) to the Preamble of the General 
Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) was forwarded to the CAC for 
adoption at Step 5. Table 1 of the GSFA (Additives Permitted for Use 
Under Specified Conditions in Certain Food Categories or Individual 
Food Items) was forwarded to CAC with recommendation for adoption of 
specific provisions at Step 8 or maintaining specific provisions at 
Step 6; (see Table 1, below). The 31st CCFAC also proposed draft 
revisions to the Preamble of the GSFA at Step 3 of Codex's uniform 
accelerated procedure.
     The 31st CCFAC agreed to reestablish the ad hoc working 
group on the GSFA for its 32nd Session under the chairmanship of the 
U.S. This ad hoc working group is expected to meet prior to the plenary 
session of the 32nd CCFAC.
     A discussion paper on the use of colors in foods will be 
revised for further discussion by the 32nd CCFAC.
Food Additive Specifications
     Specifications for the following food additives are 
recommended by the CCFAC for adoption by the Twenty-third Session of 
the Codex Commission: acetone, agar, alginic acid, aluminium powder, 
ammonium alginate, calcium alginate, calcium gluconate, calcium 
propionate, calcium sorbate, canthaxanthin, carbon dioxide, carnauba 
wax, carthamus red, carthamus yellow, diacetyltartaric and fatty acid 
esters of glycerol, dichloromethane, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, 
ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, gellan gum, glucono delta-lactone, hexanes, 4-
hexylresorcinol, hydrogenated poly-1-decene, isoamyl acetate, 
isobutanol, maltitol syrup, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, microcrystalline 
wax, mineral oil (medium and low viscosity), mixed carotenoids, 
modified starches, petroleum jelly, polydextrose, polyglycitol syrup, 
potassium alginate, potassium gluconate, potassium propionate, 
potassium sorbate, propane-2-ol, propionic acid, propyl p-
hydroxybenzoate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol alginate, propylene 
glycol esters of fatty acids, salatrim, sodium alginate, sodium 
carboxymethyl cellulose enzymatically hydrolyzed, sodium gluconate, 
sucroglycerides, sulfur dioxide, and tertiary-butylhydroquinone.
     Specifications for the following flavoring agents are 
recommended by the CCFAC for adoption by the Twenty-third Session of 
the Codex Commission, numbers in parentheses are the Joint FAO/WHO 
Expert Committee on Food Additives' (JECFA) flavor identification 
numbers: allyl cyclohexane propionate (13), ethyl octanoate (33), ethyl 
nonanoate (34), isoamyl acetate (43), isoamyl butyrate (45), isoamyl 
isobutyrate (49), isoamyl isovalerate (50), citronellyl formate (53), 
geranyl formate (54), neryl formate (55), rhodinyl formate (56), 
citronellyl acetate (57), neryl acetate (59), rhodinyl acetate (60), 
citronellyl propionate (61), geranyl propionate (62), cis-3,7-dimethyl-
2,6-octadien-1-yl propanoate (63), citronellyl butyrate (65), geranyl 
butyrate (66), neryl butyrate (67), rhodinyl butyrate (68), citronellyl 
isobutyrate (71), neryl isobutyrate (73), neryl isovalerate (76), 
formic acid (79), acetaldehyde (80), acetic acid (81), propyl alcohol 
(82), propionaldehyde (83), propionic acid (84), butyl alcohol (85), 
butyraldehyde (86), butyric acid (87), amyl alcohol (88), valeraldehyde 
(89), valeric acid (90), hexyl alcohol (91), hexanal (92), hexanoic 
acid (93), heptyl alcohol (94), heptanal (95),

[[Page 28431]]

heptanoic acid (96), 1-octanol (97), octanal (98), octanoic acid (99), 
nonyl alcohol (100), nonanal (101), nonanoic acid (102), 1-decanol 
(103), decanal (104), decanoic acid (105), undecyl alcohol (106), 
undecanal (107), undecanoic acid (108), lauryl alcohol (109), lauric 
aldehyde (110), lauric acid (111), myristaldehyde (112), myristic acid 
(113), 1-hexadecanol (114), palmitic acid (115), stearic acid (116), 
propyl formate (117), butyl formate (118), n-amyl formate (119), hexyl 
formate (120), octyl formate (122), cis-3-hexenyl formate (123), methyl 
acetate (125), propyl acetate (126), butyl acetate (127), hexyl acetate 
(128), heptyl acetate (129), octyl acetate (130), nonyl acetate (131), 
decyl acetate (132), lauryl acetate (133), cis-3-hexenyl acetate (134), 
trans-3-heptenyl acetate (135), 10-undecen-1-yl acetate (136), isobutyl 
acetate (137), 2-methylbutyl acetate (138), acetone (139), methyl 
propionate (141), propyl propionate (142), butyl propionate (143), 
hexyl propionate (144), octyl propionate (145), decyl propionate (146), 
cis-3 and trans-2-hexenyl propionate (147), isobutyl propionate (148), 
methyl butyrate (149), propyl butyrate (150), butyl butyrate (151), n-
amyl butyrate (152), hexyl butyrate (153), cis-3-hexenyl butyrate 
(157), isobutyl butyrate (158), methyl valerate (159), butyl valerate 
(160), propyl hexanoate (161), butyl hexanoate (162), n-amyl hexanoate 
(163), hexyl hexanoate (164), isobutyl hexanoate (166), methyl 
heptanoate (167), n-amyl heptanoate (170), methyl octanoate (173), n-
amyl octanoate (174), hexyl octanoate (175), methyl nonanoate (179), 
methyl laurate (180), butyl laurate (181), methyl myristate (183), 
methyl isobutyrate (185), ethyl isobutyrate (186), propyl isobutyrate 
(187), butyl isobutyrate (188), hexyl isobutyrate (189), heptyl 
isobutyrate (190), trans-3-heptenyl 2-methyl propanoate (191), octyl 
isobutyrate (192), dodecyl isobutyrate (193), isobutyl isobutyrate 
(194), methyl isovalerate (195), ethyl isovalerate (196), propyl 
isovalerate (197), butyl isovalerate (198), hexyl 3-methylbutanoate 
(199), octyl isovalerate (200), nonyl isovalerate (201), 3-hexenyl 3-
methylbutanoate (202), 2-methylpropyl 3-methylbutyrate (203), methyl 2-
methylbutyrate (205), ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (206), n-butyl 2-
methylbuytyrate (207), hexyl 2-methylbutanoate (208), octyl 2-
methylbutyrate (209), 2-methylbutyl 2-methylbutyrate (212), ethyl 2-
methyl pentanoate (214), methyl 4-methylvalerate (216), trans-anethole 
(217), citric acid (218), 4-hydroxybutyric acid lactone (gamma-
butyrolactone) (219), 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid (220), 4-hydroxy-3-
pentenoic acid lactone (221), 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone 
(222), gamma-hexalactone (223), delta-hexalactone (224), gamma-
heptalactone (225), gamma-octalactone (226), 4,4-dibutyl-gamma-
butyrolactone (227), delta-octalactone (228), gamma-nonalactone (229), 
hydroxynonanoic acid, delta-lactone (230), gamma-decalactone (231), 
delta-decalactone (232), gamma-undecalactone (233), 5-hydroxyundecanoic 
acid lactone (234), gamma-dodecalactone (235), delta-Dodecalactone 
(236), 6-hydroxy-3,7-dimethylpctanoic acid lactone (237), delta-
tetradecalactone (238), omega-6-hexadecenlactone (240), epsilon-
dodecalactone (242), 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one 
(243), 5-hydroxy-2,4-decadienoic acid delta-lactone (245), 5-hydroxy-2-
decenoic acid delta-lactone (246), gamma-methyldecalactone (250), 
isobutyl alcohol (251), isobutyraldehyde (252), isobutyric acid (253), 
2-methylbutyraldehyde (254), 2-methylbutyric acid (255), 2-
ethylbutyraldehyde (256), 2-ethylbutyric acid (257), 3-
methylbutyraldehyde (258), isovaleric acid (259), 2-methylvaleric acid 
(261), 3-methylpentanoic acid (262), 3-methyl-1-pentanol (263), 4-
methylpentanoic acid (264), 2-methylhexanoic acid (265), 5-
methylhexanoic acid (266), 2-ethyl-1-hexanoic acid (267), 3,5,5-
trimethyl-1-hexanol (268), 3,5,5-trimethylhexanal (269), 3,7-dimethyl-
1-octanol (272), 4-methylnonanoic acid (274), 2-methylundecanal (275), 
isopropyl alcohol (277), 2-butanone (278), 2-pentanone (279), 2-
pentanol (280), 3-hexanone (281), 3-hexanol (282), 2-heptanone (283), 
2-heptanol (284), 3-heptanone (285), 3-heptanol (286), 4-heptanone 
(287), 2-octanone (288), 2-octanol (289), 3-octanone (290), 3-octanol 
(291), 2-nonanone (292), 2-nonanol (293), 3-nonanone (294), 3-decanol 
(295), 2-undecanone (296), 2-undecanol (297), 2-tridecanone (298), 4-
methyl-2-pentanone (301) 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanone (302), 2,6-dimethyl-
4-heptanol (303), isopropyl acetate (305), isopropyl butyrate (307), 
isopropyl isobutyrate (309), isopropyl isovalerate (310), isopropyl 
myristate (311), isopropyl tiglate (312), 3-octyl acetate (313), 4-
pentenoic acid (314), cis-3-hexen-1-ol (315), 4-hexen-1-ol (318), 4-
heptenal (320), cis-3-octen-1-ol (321), cis-5-octen-1-ol (322), cis-5-
otenal (323), cis-6-nonen-1-ol (324), cis-6-nonenal (325), 4-decenal 
(326), 9-decenoic acid (328), 10-undecenal (330), 10-undecenoic acid 
(331), linoleic acid (332), ethyl 3-hexenoate (335), cis-3-hexenyl cis-
3-hexenoate (336), ethyl 10-undecenoate (343), ethyl oleate (345), 
methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate (mix) (346), 2,6-dimethyl-5-
heptenal (349), ethyl 2-methyl-4-pentenoate (351), methyl 3, 7-
dimethyl-6-octenoate (354), linalool (356), tetrahydrolinalool (357), 
linalyl formate (358), linalyl acetate (359), linalyl propionate (360), 
linalyl butyrate (361), linalyl isobutyrate (362), linalyl isovalerate 
(363), linalyl hexanoate (364), alpha-terpineol (366), terpinyl acetate 
(368), terpinyl propionate (369), p-menthan-2-one (375), dihydrocarveol 
(378), dihydrocarvyl acetate (379), (+)carvone (380a), (-)carvone 
(380b), carveol (381), carvyl acetate (382), beta-damascone (384), 
alpha-damascone (385), delta-damascone (386), damascenone (387), alpha-
ionone (388), beta-ionone (389), alpha-ionol (391), dihydro-alpha-
ionone (393), dihydro-beta-ionol (395), dehydrodihydroionone (396), 
dehydrodihydroinol (397), methyl alpha-ionone (398), methyl beta-ionone 
(399), allyl alpha-ionone, (401), alpha-irone (403), alpha-iso-
methylionone (404), acetoin (405), 2,3-pentanedione (410), 2,3-
hexanedione (412), 3,4-hexanedione (413), 2,3-heptanedione (415), 
ethylcyclopentenolone (419), 3,4-dimethyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione (420), 
3-ethyl-2-hydroxy-4-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one (422), 5-ethyl-2-
hydroxy-3-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one (423), 1-metyl-2,3-cyclohexadione 
(425), 2-hydrox-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (426), menthol 
(427), menthone (429), ()isomenthone (430), menthyl acetate 
(431), menthyl isovalerate (432), (-)menthyl lactate (433), piperitone 
(435), gamma-lactone (437), 4-carvomenthenol (439), (-)menthol ethylene 
glycol carbonate (443), 
(-)menthol 1-and 2-propylene glycol carbonate (444), (-)menthone 1, 2-
glycerol ketal (445), ()menthone 1,2-glycerol ketal 446), 
mono-menthyl succinate (447), 1-ethylhexyl tiglate 
(3-octyl tiglate) (448)
     Specifications for the following food additives are 
recommended by the CCFAC for adoption by the Twenty-third Session of 
the CAC after changes considered editorial have been made: gum arabic 
and sodium propionate.
     Specifications for the following flavoring agents are 
recommended by the CCFAC for adoption by the Twenty-third Session of 
the CAC after changes considered editorial have been made: geranyl 
acetate (58), and isobutyl formate (124).
     The 31st CCFAC agreed to reestablish the ad hoc working 
group for food additive specifications for its 32nd Session under the 
chairmanship of the

[[Page 28432]]

U.S. This ad hoc working group is expected to meet prior to the plenary 
session of the 32nd CCFAC.

Contaminants

     Methodology and Principles for Exposure Assessment in the 
Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food (paper to be 
revised for consideration by the 32nd CCFAC).
     Maximum Levels and Sampling Plan for Aflatoxins in Raw 
Peanuts for further processing (forwarded to CAC for adoption at Step 
8). Maximum Level for aflatoxin M1 in Milk (forwarded to CAC 
for adoption at Step 8).
     Position Paper on Ochratoxin A (paper to be revised for 
consideration by the 32nd CCFAC). Draft Maximum Levels for Ochratoxin A 
in Cereals and Cereal Products to be circulated for comment and further 
consideration by the 32nd CCFAC at Step 3.
     Position Paper on Patulin (paper to be revised for 
consideration by the 32nd CCFAC). Draft Maximum Level for Patulin in 
Apple Juice and the Apple Juice Ingredient in other Beverages was 
forwarded to the CAC for adoption at Step 5.
     Position Paper on Zearalenone (Paper will be finalized and 
circulated for comment and consideration by the 32nd CCFAC.)
     Draft Code of Practice for Source Directed Measures to 
Reduce Contamination of Foodstuffs (paper to be revised for 
consideration at Step 3 by the 32nd CCFAC).
     Draft Maximum Levels for Lead (Revised levels to be 
circulated for comment and consideration at Step 6 by the 32nd CCFAC).
     Discussion Paper on Cadmium (Paper to be revised and 
circulated for comment and consideration by the 32nd CCFAC). Draft 
Maximum Levels for Cadmium for Cereals, Pulses and Legumes to be 
circulated for comment at Step 6. (Proposed draft maximum levels for 
Cadmium in other foods to be circulated at Step 3).
     Position Paper on Arsenic (Paper to be finalized and will 
form the basis of future work when routine methodology becomes 
available to determine toxic arsenic in food).
     Maximum Levels for Tin in Canned Foods (Draft maximum 
levels for canned foods were forwarded to the CAC for adoption at Step 
5).
     Discussion Paper on Dioxins (Paper to be revised for 
circulation and comment by the 32nd CCFAC).
     Section 3.2 (Health Related Limits for Certain Substances) 
of the Codex Standard for Natural Mineral Waters. The 32nd CCFAC agreed 
that Section 3.2 of this Codex Standard should be aligned with the WHO 
Guideline levels for Drinking Water Quality and forwarded this 
recommendation to the CAC.
     The 31st CCFAC agreed to reestablish the ad hoc working 
group for contaminants for its 32nd Session under the chairmanship of 
Denmark. This ad hoc working group is expected to meet prior to the 
plenary session of the 32nd CCFAC.

Future Work

    The CCFAC agreed to propose the following as future work for the 
Committee: (1) Revision of the Codex General Standard for Irradiated 
Foods (pending agreement by CAC); (2) discussion paper on processing 
aids; (3) discussion paper on fumonisins; (4) Code of Practice for the 
Prevention of Contamination by Zearalenone (pending agreement by CAC).

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes

General Standard for Food Additives

    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 term food 
additive 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 for which an acceptable daily intake 
(ADI) has been established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on 
Food Additives (JECFA) are included in the General Standard for Food 
Additives (GSFA) at this time. All of the additives that have been 
adopted by the CAC at Step 8 or are currently under consideration in 
the draft GFSA are listed below. (See ALINORM 99/12A and CX/FAC 99/6.)

Table 1

Acesulfame Potassium (Step 6)
Acetic Acid (Adopted at Step 8)
Acetic and Fatty Acid Esters of Glycerol (Adopted at Step 8)
Acetylated Distarch Adipate (Adopted at Step 8)
Acetylated Distarch Phosphate (Adopted at Step 8)
Acid Treated Starch (Adopted at Step 8)
Adipic Acid (Step 6)
Agar (Adopted at Step 8)
Alginic Acid (Adopted at Step 8)
Alitame (Step 6)
Alkaline Treated Starch (Adopted at Step 8)
Allura Red AC (Step 6)
Alpha-Amylase (Aspergillus oryzae, var.) (Forwarded for adoption at 
Step 8)
Alpha-Amylase (Bacillus megaterium expressed in Bacillus subtilis) 
(Adopted at Step 8)
Alpha-Amylase (Bacillus stearothermophilus expressed in Bacillus 
subtilis) (Adopted at Step 8)
Alpha-Amylase (Bacillus stearothermophilus) (Adopted at Step 8)
Alpha-Amylase (Bacillus subtilis) (Adopted at Step 8)
Alpha-Tocopherol (Step 6)
Aluminium Ammonium Sulfate (Step 6)
Aluminium Silicate (Adopted at Step 8)
Amaranth (Step 6)
Ammonium Acetate (Adopted at Step 8)
Ammonium Adipate (Step 6)
Ammonium Alginate (Adopted at Step 8)
Ammonium Carbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Ammonium Chloride (Adopted at Step 8)
Ammonium Citrate (Adopted at Step 8)
Ammonium Hydrogen Carbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Ammonium Hydroxide (Adopted at Step 8)
Ammonium Lactate (Adopted at Step 8)
Ammonium Polyphosphate (Step 6)
Annatto Extracts (Includes Bixin and Norbixin) (Step 6)
Ascorbic Acid (Adopted at Step 8)
Ascorbyl Palmitate (Step 6)
Ascorbyl Stearate (Step 6)
Aspartame (Step 6)
Azodicarbonamide (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Azorubine (Step 6)
Beeswax, White and Yellow (Step 6)
Beet Red (Adopted at Step 8)
Benzoic Acid (Step 6)
Benzoyl Peroxide (Step 6)
Bleached Starch (Adopted at Step 8)
Bone Phosphate (Step 6)
Brilliant Black PN (Step 6)
Brilliant Blue FCF (Step 6)
Bromelain (Adopted at Step 8)

[[Page 28433]]

Brown HT (Step 6)
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) (Step 6)
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) (Step 6)
Calcium Acetate (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Alginate (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Aluminum Silicate (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Benzoate (Step 6)
Calcium Carbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Chloride (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Citrate (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Disodium Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate (Step 6)
Calcium Ferrocyanide (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Calcium Gluconate (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Glutamate, Dl -L-, (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Guanylate, 5--(Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Hydrogen Sulfite (Step 6)
Calcium Hydroxide (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Inosinate, 5--(Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Lactate (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Malate, D,L--(Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Oxide (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Polyphosphate (Step 6)
Calcium Propionate (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Ribonucleotides, 5--(Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Silicate (Adopted at Step 8)
Calcium Sorbate (Step 6)
Calcium Stearoyl Lactylate (Step 6)
Calcium Sulfate (Adopted at Step 8)
Candelilla Wax (Step 6)
Canthaxanthin (Step 6)
Caramel Color, Class I (Adopted at Step 8)
Caramel Color, Class II (Adopted at Step 8)
Caramel Color, Class III--Ammonia Process (Forwarded for adoption at 
Step 8)
Caramel Color, Class IV--Ammonia Sulfite Process (Forwarded for 
adoption at Step 8)
Carbon Dioxide (Adopted at Step 8)
Carmines (Including aluminum & calcium lakes of carminic acid) (Step 6)
Carnauba Wax (Step 6)
Carob Bean Gum (Adopted at Step 8)
Beta-Apo-8'-Carotenoic Acid, Methyl or Ethyl Ester (Step 6)
Beta-Apo-8'-Carotenal (Step 6)
Beta-Carotene (Synthetic) (Step 6)
Carrageenan (Adopted at Step 8)
Carotenes, Natural Extracts, (Vegetable) (Step 6)
Castor Oil (Step 6)
Chlorine (Step 6)
Chlorine Dioxide (Step 6)
Chlorophyllin Copper Complex, Sodium and Potassium Salts (Step 6)
Chlorophylls (Adopted at Step 8)
Chlorophylls, Copper Complex (Step 6)
Choline Salts (Adopted at Step 8)
Citric Acid (Adopted at Step 8)
Citric and Fatty Acid Esters of Glycerol (Adopted at Step 8)
Curcumin (Step 6)
Cyclamic Acid (and Sodium, Potassium, Calcium Salts) (Step 6)
Beta-Cyclodextrin (Step 6)
Dextrins, White and Yellow, Roasted Starch (Adopted at Step 8)
Diacetyltartaric and Fatty Acid Esters of Glycerol (Step 6)
Diammonium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Dicalcium Diphosphate (Step 6)
Dicalcium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Dilauryl Thiodipropionate (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Dimagnesium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Dimethyl Dicarbonate (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate (Step 6)
Diphenyl (Step 6)
Dipotassium Guanylate, 5' (Adopted at Step 8)
Dipotassium Inosinate, 5' (Adopted at Step 8)
Dipotassium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Dipotassium Tartrate (Step 6)
Disodium Diphosphate (Step 6)
Disodium Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate (Step 6)
Disodium Guanylate, 5' (Adopted at Step 8)
Disodium Inosinate, 5' (Adopted at Step 8)
Disodium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Disodium Ribonucleotides, 5' (Step 6)
Disodium Tartrate (Step 6)
Distarch Phosphate (Adopted at Step 8)
Enzyme Treated Starch (Adopted at Step 8)
Erythorbic Acid (Adopted at Step 8)
Erythrosine (Step 6)
Ethyl Cellulose (Adopted at Step 8)
Ethyl p-Hydroxybenzoates (Step 6)
Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (Adopted at Step 8)
Ethyl Maltol (Step 6)
Fast Green FCF (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Ferric Ammonium Citrate (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Ferrous Gluconate (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Ferrous Lactate (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Formic Acid (Step 6)
Fumaric Acid (Adopted at Step 8)
Gellan Gum (Adopted at Step 8)
Glucono Delta-Lactone (Adopted at Step 8)
Glucose Oxidase (Aspergillus niger, var.) (Adopted at Step 8)
Glutamic Acid, L- (Adopted at Step 8)
Glycerol (Adopted at Step 8)
Glycerol Ester of Wood Rosin (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Grape Skin Extract (Step 6)
Guaiac Resin (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Guanylic Acid, 5'- (Adopted at Step 8)
Guar Gum (Adopted at Step 8)
Gum Arabic (Adopted at Step 8)
Hexamethylene Tetramine (Step 6)
Hydrochloric Acid (Adopted at Step 8)
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (Adopted at Step 8)
Hydroxypropyl Distarch Phosphate (Adopted at Step 8)
Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (Adopted at Step 8)
Hydroxypropyl Starch (Adopted at Step 8)
Indigotine (Step 6)
Inosinic Acid, 5'- (Adopted at Step 8)
Insoluble Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Adopted at Step 8)
Iron Oxide, Black (Step 6)
Iron Oxide, Red (Step 6)
Iron Oxide, Yellow (Step 6)
Isomalt (Adopted at Step 8)
Isopropyl Citrate (Step 6)
Karaya Gum (Adopted at Step 8)
Konjac Flour (Adopted at Step 8)
Lactic Acid (Adopted at Step 8)
Lactic and Fatty Acid Esters of Glycerol (Adopted at Step 8)
Lactitol (Adopted at Step 8)
Lecithin (Adopted at Step 8)
Lipase (Animal Sources) (Adopted at Step 8)
Lipase (Aspergillus oryzae, var.) (Adopted at Step 8)
Lysozyme Hydrochloride (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Magnesium Carbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Magnesium Chloride (Adopted at Step 8)
Magnesium Gluconate (Adopted at Step 8)
Magnesium Glutamate, Dl-L-, (Adopted at Step 8)
Magnesium Hydrogen Carbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Magnesium Hydroxide (Adopted at Step 8)
Magnesium Lactate (Adopted at Step 8)
Magnesium Oxide (Adopted at Step 8)
Magnesium Silicate (Synthetic) (Adopted at Step 8)
Magnesium Chloride (Adopted at Step 8)
Malic Acid (Adopted at Step 8)
Maltitol (including maltitol syrup) (Adopted at Step 8)
Maltol (Step 6)
Mannitol (Adopted at Step 8)
Methyl Cellulose (Adopted at Step 8)
Methyl Ethyl Cellulose (Adopted at Step 8)
Methyl p-Hydroxybenzoate (Step 6)
Microcrystalline Cellulose (Adopted at Step 8)
Microcrystalline Wax (Step 6)
Mineral Oil (Step 6)
Mineral Oil (High Viscosity) (Step 6)
Mineral Oil (Medium & Low Viscosity, Class I) (Step 6)

[[Page 28434]]

Mineral Oil (Medium & Low Viscosity, Classes II & III) (Step 6)
Mixed Tocopherols Concentrate (Step 6)
Mono-and Diglycerides (Adopted at Step 8)
Monoammonium Glutamate, L- (Adopted at Step 8)
Monoammonium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Monocalcium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Monopotassium Glutamate, L- (Adopted at Step 8)
Monopotassium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Monopotassium Tartrate (Step 6)
Monosodium Glutamate, L- (Adopted at Step 8)
Monosodium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Monosodium Tartrate (Step 6)
Monostarch Phosphate, L- (Adopted at Step 8)
Nisin (Step 6)
Nitrogen (Adopted at Step 8)
Nitrous Oxide (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Ortho-Phenylphenol (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Orthophosphoric Acid (Step 6)
Oxidized Starch (Adopted at Step 8)
Oxystearin (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Papain (Adopted at Step 8)
Pectins (Amidated and Non-amidated) (Adopted at Step 8)
Pentapotassium Triphosphate (Step 6)
Pentasodium Triphosphate (Step 6)
Phosphated Distarch Phosphate (Adopted at Step 8)
Phosphatidic Acid, Ammonium Salt (Step 6)
Pimaricin (Natamycin) (Step 6)
Polydextroses (Adopted at Step 8)
Polydimethylsiloxane (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Polyethylene Glycol (Step 6)
Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids (Step 6)
Polyglycerol Esters of Interesterified Ricinoleic Acid (Step 6)
Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monolaurate (Step 6)
Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monooleate (Step 6)
Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monopalmitate (Step 6)
Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monostearate (Step 6)
Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Tristearate (Step 6)
Polyoxyethylene (40) Stearate (Step 6)
Polyoxyethylene (8) Stearate (Step 6)
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Ponceau 4R (Step 6)
Potassium Acetate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Adipate (Step 6)
Potassium Alginate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Ascorbate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Benzoate (Step 6)
Potassium Bisulfite (Step 6)
Potassium Carbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Dihydrogen Carbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Ferrocyanide (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Potassium Gluconate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Hydrogen Carbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Hydrogen Malate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Hydroxide (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Lactate (Solution) (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Malate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Metabisulfite (Step 6)
Potassium Nitrate (Step 6)
Potassium Nitrite (Step 6)
Potassium Polyphosphate (Step 6)
Potassium Propionate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Sodium Tartrate (Step 6)
Potassium Sorbate (Step 6)
Potassium Sulfate (Adopted at Step 8)
Potassium Sulfite (Step 6)
Powdered Cellulose (Adopted at Step 8)
Processed Eucheuma Seaweed (Step 6)
Propane (Adopted at Step 8)
Propionic Acid (Adopted at Step 8)
Propyl Gallate (Step 6)
Propyl p-Hydroxybenzoate (Step 6)
Propylene Glycol (Step 6)
Propylene Glycol Alginate (Step 6)
Propylene Glycol Esters of Fatty Acids (Step 6)
Protease (Aspergillus oryzae var.) (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Quillaia Extract (Step 6)
Quinoline Yellow (Step 6)
Red 2G (Step 6)
Riboflavin (Step 6)
Riboflavin 5'-Phosphate (Step 6)
Saccharin (Step 6)
Salts of Myristic, Palmitic and Stearic Acid (Ammonium, Calcium, 
Potassium and Sodium) (Adopted at Step 8)
Shellac (Step 6)
Silicon Dioxide (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Acetate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Adipate (Step 6)
Sodium Alginate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Aluminum Phosphate-Acidic (Step 6)
Sodium Aluminum Phosphate-Basic (Step 6)
Sodium Aluminosilicate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Ascorbate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Benzoate (Step 6)
Sodium Carbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Diacetate (Step 6)
Sodium Dihydrogen Citrate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Erythorbate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Ferrocyanide (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Sodium Fumarate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Gluconate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Hydrogen Malate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Hydrogen Sulfite (Step 6)
Sodium Hydroxide (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Lactate (Solution) (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Malate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Metabisulfite (Step 6)
Sodium Nitrate (Step 6)
Sodium Nitrite (Step 6)
Sodium ortho-Phenylphenol (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Sodium Polyphosphate (Step 6)
Sodium Propionate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Sesquicarbonate (Adopted at Step 8)
Sodium Sorbate (Step 6)
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate (Step 6)
Sodium Sulfite (Step 6)
Sodium Thiosulfate (Step 6)
Sorbic Acid (Step 6)
Sorbitol (Including Sorbitol Syrup) (Adopted at Step 8)
Sorbitan Monolaurate (Step 6)
Sorbitan Monooleate (Step 6)
Sorbitan Monopalmitate (Step 6)
Sorbitan Monostearate (Step 6)
Sorbitan Tristearate (Step 6)
Stannous Chloride (Step 6)
Starch Acetate (Adopted at Step 8)
Starch Sodium Octenylsuccinate (Adopted at Step 8)
Stearyl Citrate (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Stearyl Tartrate (Step 6)
Sucralose (Step 6)
Sucroglycerides (Step 6)
Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Sucrose Esters of Fatty Acids (Step 6)
Sulphur Dioxide (Step 6)
Sunset Yellow FCF (Step 6)
Talc (Adopted at Step 8)
Tannic Acid (Tannins, Food Grade) (Step 6)
Tara Gum (Adopted at Step 8)
Tartaric, Acetic and Fatty Acid Esters of Glycerol (mixed) (Adopted at 
Step 8)
Tartaric Acid (L(+)-) (Step 6)
Tartrazine (Step 6)
Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) (Step 6)
Tetrapotassium Diphosphate (Step 6)
Tetrasodium Diphosphate (Step 6)
Thaumatin (Adopted at Step 8)
Thermally Oxidized Soya Bean Oil with Mono- and Di-Glycerides of Fatty 
Acids (TOSOM) (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Thiodipropionic Acid (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Titanium Dioxide (Adopted at Step 8)

[[Page 28435]]

Tragacanth Gum (Adopted at Step 8)
Triacetin (Adopted at Step 8)
Triammonium Citrate (Adopted at Step 8)
Tricalcium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Triethyl Citrate (Forwarded for adoption at Step 8)
Trimagnesium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Tripotassium Citrate (Adopted at Step 8)
Tripotassium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Trisodium Citrate (Adopted at Step 8)
Trisodium Diphosphate (Step 6)
Trisodium Orthophosphate (Step 6)
Xanthan Gum (Adopted at Step 8)
Xylitol (Adopted at Step 8)

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues

    The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues recommends to the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission establishment of maximum limits for pesticide 
residues for specific food items or in groups of food. A Codex Maximum 
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. Foods derived from commodities that 
comply with the respective MRLPs are intended to be toxicologically 
acceptable, that is, consideration of the various dietary residue 
intake estimates and determinations both at the national and 
international level in comparison with the ADI*, should indicate that 
foods complying with Codex MRLPs are safe for human consumption.
    Codex MRLPs are primarily intended to apply in international trade 
and are derived from reviews conducted by the Joint Meeting on 
Pesticide Residues (JMPR) following:
    (a) Review of residue data from supervised trials and supervised 
uses including those reflecting national good agricultural practices 
(GAP). Data from supervised trials conducted at the highest nationally 
recommended, authorized, or registered uses are included in the review. 
In order to accommodate variations in national pest control 
requirements, Codex MRLPs take into account the higher levels shown to 
arise in such supervised trials, which are considered to represent 
effective pest control practices, and
    (b) Toxicological assessment of the pesticide and its residue.
    The following items will be considered by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission at its 23rd session in June 1999. The referenced documents 
are ALINORMs 99/24 and 99/24A:
     Draft Revised Recommended Methods of Sampling for 
Determination of Pesticide Residues for Compliance with MRLs at Step 8.
    *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. participation/
         Codex committee                     Standard                    Status of consideration                 agenda            Responsible  agency
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pesticide residues (Considered    Abamectin.....................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5..  YES....................  EPA/ARS
 at the 30th and 31st CCPR)
 Annex II to Alinorms 99/24 and
 99/24A.
                                  Acephate......................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5/8  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Aldicarb......................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletions.
                                  Aminomethyl-Phosphon (AMPA)...  MRLs under consideration at Step 5..  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Bifenthrin....................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5/8  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and 8.
                                  Captan........................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5..  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Carbofuran....................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and 5/8 and CXL deletions.
                                  Carbosulfan...................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5..  YES....................  ARS/EPA
                                  Clethodim.....................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5..  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Chlorfenvin-phos..............  CXL deletions.......................  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Chlormequat...................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5..  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Chloro-Thalonil...............  MRLs under consideration at Step 5/8  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletions.
                                  Chlorpyrifos..................  MRLs under consideration at Step 8    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletions.
                                  Chlorpyrifos-Methyl...........  CXL deletions.......................  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  DDT...........................  EMRL under consideration at Step 5..  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Diazinon......................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and 5/8.
                                  Dicofol.......................  MRLs under consideration at Step 8    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletions.
                                  Diquat........................  MRLs under consideration at Step 8    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletions.

[[Page 28436]]

 
                                  Disulfoton....................  MRLs under consideration at Step 6..  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Ethephon......................  MRLs under consideration at Step 7B.  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Dithio-Carbamates.............  MRLs under consideration at Steps 5,  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   5/8, 8 and CXL deletions.
                                  Fenarimol.....................  MRLs under consideration at Steps 5/  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   8 and 8.
                                  Fenbuconazole.................  MRLs under consideration at Steps 5/  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   8 and 8.
                                  Fenthion......................  MRLs under consideration at Step 7B.  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Flumethrin....................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5/8  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Guazatine.....................  CXL deletions and guideline levels..  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Glyphosphate..................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5/8  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletions.
                                  Haloxyfop.....................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5..  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Methamidophos.................  MRLs under consideration at Steps 5   YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and 5/8.
                                  Methidathion..................  MRLs under consideration at Step 8    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletions.
                                  Mevinphos.....................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletion.
                                  Myclobutanil..................  MRLs under consideration at Steps 5   YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and 5/8.
                                  Parathion.....................  MRL at Step 8.......................  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Parathion-Methyl..............  MRLs under consideration at Step 8    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletion.
                                  2-Phenyl-phenol...............  CXL deletion........................  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Phenothrin....................  CXL deletion........................  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Phenthoate....................  CXL deletion........................  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Phorate.......................  MRLs under consideration at Step 8    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletion.
                                  Phosalone.....................  CXL deletions.......................  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Phosmet.......................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5    YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletions.
                                  Phoxim........................  CXL deletion........................  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Proxpoxur.....................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5/8  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletions.
                                  Tebuconazole..................  MRLs under consideration at Steps 5   YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and 8.
                                  Tebufenozide..................  MRLs under consideration at Steps 5   YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and 8.
                                  Teflubenzuron.................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5/8  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                  Thiabendazole.................  MRLs under consideration at Step 5/8  YES....................  EPA/ARS
                                                                   and CXL deletions.
                                  Thiometon.....................  CXL deletions.......................  YES....................  EPA/ARS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

    The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling:
    (a) Defines the criteria appropriate to Codex Methods of Analysis 
and Sampling;
    (b) Serves as a coordinating body for Codex with other 
international groups working in methods of analysis and sampling and 
quality assurance systems for laboratories;
    (c) Specifies, on the basis of final recommendations submitted to 
it by the other bodies referred to in (b) above, Reference Methods of 
Analysis and Sampling appropriate to Codex Standards which are 
generally applicable to a number of foods;
    (d) Considers, amends, if necessary, and endorses, as appropriate, 
methods of analysis and sampling proposed by Codex (Commodity) 
Committees, except

[[Page 28437]]

that methods of analysis and sampling for residues of pesticides or 
veterinary drugs in food, the assessment of microbiological quality and 
safety in food, and the assessment of specifications for food additives 
do not fall within the terms of reference of this Committee;
    (e) Elaborates sampling plans and procedures, as may be required;
    (f) Considers specific sampling and analysis problems submitted to 
it by the Commission or any of its Committees; and
    (g) Defines procedures, protocols, guidelines or related texts for 
the assessment of food laboratory proficiency, as well as quality 
assurance systems for laboratories.
    The following matters, found in ALINORM 99/23, will be considered 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 23rd Session in June:
    Proposed as new work:

Amendments to the Codex Alimentarius Commission Procedural Manual:
    --Principles for the Establishment of Codex Methods of Analysis and 
Sampling
    --Relations between Commodity Committees and General Committees

    The Committee is continuing work on:
     Proposed Draft General Guidelines on Sampling Criteria for 
Evaluating Acceptable Methods of Analysis for Codex Purposes;
     Harmonization of Analytical Terminology ``Measurement 
Limits'';
     Harmonization of Reporting of Test Results Corrected for 
Recovery Factors;
     Measurement Uncertainty;
     In-House Method Validation; and
     Endorsement of Methods of Analysis and Sampling Provisions 
in Codex Standards.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/AMS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification 
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 inspection and certification systems to 
protect consumers and to facilitate trade. Additionally, the Committee 
develops principles and guidelines for the application of measures by 
competent authorities to provide assurance that foods comply with 
essential requirements. This encompasses work on: equivalence of food 
inspection systems including equivalence agreements, processes and 
procedures to ensure that sanitary measures are implemented, and the 
determination of the judgement of equivalence; guidelines on food 
import control systems; and guidelines on food product certification 
and information exchange. The development of guidelines for the 
appropriate utilization of quality assurance systems to ensure that 
foodstuffs conform to requirements and to facilitate trade are also 
included in the Committee's terms of reference. The following draft 
guidelines, found in ALINORM 99/30A, will be considered by the 
Commission at its 23rd Session in June 1999:
     Draft Guidelines for the Development of Equivalence 
Agreements
    Codex texts to be considered by the Committee at its 8th Session, 
to be held 21-25 February 2000, in Adelaide, Australia, are the 
following:
    To be considered at Step 4:
     Guidelines/Recommendations for Import Control Systems;
     Guidelines and Criteria for Official Certificate Formats 
and Rules Relating to the Production and Issue of Certificates; and
     Guidelines for the Judgement of Equivalence of Sanitary 
Measures Associated with Food Inspection and Certification Systems.
    To be considered at Steps 1/2:
     Guidelines for the Utilization and Promotion of Quality 
Assurance Systems.
    Depending upon decisions taken by the Codex Executive Committee and 
the Commission, the Committee may undertake work on the following 
items:
     Guidelines for the Format and Contents of Databases on 
Importing Country Legislation; and
     Guidelines for the Judgement of Equivalence of Technical 
Regulations other than Sanitary Measures.
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS
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 following items, contained in 
ALINORM 99/33 and ALINORM 99/33A, will be considered by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission at its 23rd Session in June:
     Amendment of the Criteria for the Establishment of Work 
Priorities and the Criteria for the Establishment of Subsidiary Bodies 
of the Codex Alimentarius Commission;
     Endorsement of the Amendment to the Food Hygiene 
Provisions in the Relations between Commodity Committees and General 
Subject Committees proposed by the Committee on Food Hygiene;
     Amendment to the Terms of Reference of the Committee on 
Milk and Milk Products;
     Definitions for Risk Communication and Risk Management;
     Addition of Draft Revised Principles Concerning the 
Participation of International Non-Governmental Organizations in the 
Work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission; and
     Additional of Proposed Core Functions of Codex Contact 
Points.
    The Committee is continuing work on:
     Revision of the Code of Ethics for International Trade in 
Foods, including consideration of special and differential treatment 
for developing countries;
     Working Principles for Risk Analysis and Definition of 
Risk Assessment Policy;
     Measures Intended to Facilitate Consensus; and
     Consideration of Legitimate Factors Other than Science in 
Codex Decision-Making.

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 problems assigned by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission. The following items will be considered by the Committee at 
its 23rd Session in June 1999. The reference documents are ALINORMs 99/
22 and 99/22A.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling 
and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods;
     Draft Guidelines for Labelling Foods that can cause 
Hypersensitivity (Draft Amendment to the General Standard for the 
Labelling of Prepackaged Foods); and
     Proposed Draft Amendment to the Labelling Section of the 
Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Sticks (Fish Fingers) and Fish Portions 
and Fish Fillets, Breaded or in Batter.
    To be considered at Step 5:
     Proposed Draft Amendment to the General Standard for the 
Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CLASS NAMES); and
     Proposed Draft Amendment to the Guidelines on Nutrition 
Labelling.
    The Committee is continuing to work on:

[[Page 28438]]

     Proposed Draft Recommendations for the Use of Health 
Claims;
     Draft Guidelines for Organically Produced Foods (Animal 
Products);
     Proposed Draft Recommendations on Labelling/Biotechnology 
(Mandatory Labelling);
     Proposed Draft Amendment to the General Labelling Standard 
(Class Names);
     Proposed Draft Recommendations to the Guidelines on 
Nutrition Labelling;
     Proposed Draft Recommendations for the Use of the term 
``Vegetarian''; and
     Discussion paper on misleading claims.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

    The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene has three primary 
responsibilities. The first is to draft basic provisions on food 
hygiene applicable to all foods. These provisions normally take the 
form of Codes of Hygienic Practice for a specific commodity (e.g., 
bottled water). Second, the Committee considers, amends, if necessary, 
and endorses food hygiene provisions that are incorporated into 
specific Codex commodity standards by the Codex commodity committees. 
These provisions normally contain generic wording referencing the 
Recommended Code of Hygienic Practice: General Principles for Food 
Hygiene (ref: CAC/RCP 1-1969, Rev. 3-1997), but may also include other 
provisions. Finally, the Committee provides general guidance to the 
Commission on matters relating to Food Hygiene. This often takes the 
form of providing general guidance documents such as the Draft 
Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk 
Assessment and Draft Proposed Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct 
of Microbiological Risk Management. The following items, found in 
ALINORMS 99/13 and 99/13A, will be considered by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission at its 23rd Session in June 1999:
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Refrigerated Packaged 
Foods with Extended Shelf-Life; and
     Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of 
Microbiological Risk Assessment.
    To be considered at Step 5 of the Accelerated Procedure:
     Draft Amendment to the International Recommended Code of 
Practice--General Principles of Food Hygiene.
    To be considered at Step 5:
     Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for the Transport 
of Foodstuffs in Bulk and Semi-Packaged Foodstuffs.
    To be adopted:
     Amendment to the Procedural Manual: Food Hygiene 
Provisions in ``Relations between Commodity Committees and General 
Committees.''
    The Codex texts to be considered by the Committee at its 32nd 
Session to be held 29 Nov.-3 Dec. 1999 in Washington, DC, are the 
following:
    To be considered at Step 7:
     Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Packaged (Bottled) 
Drinking Waters (Other Than Natural Mineral Waters); and
     Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for the Transport of 
Foodstuffs in Bulk and Semi-Packaged Foodstuffs.
    To be considered at Step 4:
     Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Milk and Milk 
Products;
     Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for the Primary 
Production, Harvesting and Packaging of Fresh Product/Fruits and 
Vegetables;
     Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Pre-cut Raw 
Fruits and Vegetables;
     HACCP in Less Developed Businesses; and
     Proposed Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct 
of Microbiological Risk Management.
    Other committee work:
     Discussion Paper on the Proposed Draft Recommendations for 
the control of Listeria monocytogenes in Foods in International Trade;
     Proposed Guidelines for the Hygienic Reuse of Processing 
Water in Food Plants;
     Prioritization of the Revision of the Codes of Hygienic 
Practice;
     Discussion Paper on Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria in 
Food; and
     Discussion Paper on Consideration of Viruses in Food.
    At its 31st Session, the Committee postponed work on the 
Implications for the Broader Application of the HACCP System and 
discontinued work on the Broader Issues on the Application of 
Microbiological Risk Evaluation in International Foods and Feed Trade.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

    The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables is responsible 
for elaborating world-wide standards and codes of practice for fresh 
fruits and vegetables. The following draft standards will be considered 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 23rd Session in June 1999. 
The draft standards listed below are contained in ALINORMs 99/35 and 
99/35A.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Standard for Chayote;
     Draft Standard for Guava;
     Draft Standard for Pineapples;
     Draft Standard for Grapefruit (except for sizing 
provisions); and
     Draft Standard for Longans.
    To be considered for adoption at Step 5/8, with the omission of 
steps 6 and 7:
     Draft Standard for Mexican Limes;
     Draft Standard for Ginger;
     Draft Standard for Tisquisque (White and Lilac);
     Draft Standard for Yellow Pitahayas; and
     Draft Standard for Papaya.
    To be considered at Step 5:
     Proposed Draft Standard for Asparagus;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Oranges; and
     Proposed Draft Standard for Uchuva.
    Proposed new work to be endorsed by the committee:
     Proposed Draft Standard for Apples;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Tomatoes; and
     Proposed Draft Standard for Grapes.
    The Committee is continuing work on:
     Discussion Paper on Size Tolerances, including sizing 
provisions of the Draft Standards for Grapefruit, Limes, Pummelos, and 
Oranges at Step 7;
     Draft Code of Practice for the Quality Inspection and 
Certification of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables at Step 7;
     Inspection Site Requisites at Step 3;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Yucca at Step 3; and
     Discussion Paper on Definition of Terms.

Responsible Agency: USDA/AMS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses

    The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses 
is responsible for studying nutritional problems referred by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission. The Committee also drafts provisions on 
nutritional aspects for all foods and develops guidelines, general 
principles, and standards for foods for special dietary uses. The 
following items, found in ALINORM 99/26, will be considered by the 
Codex Alimentarius Commission in June 1999.
    To be considered at Step 8:

[[Page 28439]]

     Draft Table of Conditions for Nutrient Contents (Part B), 
Guidelines for Nutrient Claims.
    To be considered at Step 5:
     Proposed Draft Revised Standards for Processed Cereal-
Based Foods for Infants and Young Children.
    Proposal for new work:
     A review of the Advisory List of Mineral Salts and Vitamin 
Compounds.
    Proposal to discontinue work to be considered by the Executive 
Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 46th Session:
     Consideration of Dietary Modelling
    The committee is continuing work on:
     Draft Table of Conditions for Nutrient Contents Part B, 
containing provisions on Fibre), Guidelines for Use of Nutrition 
Claims;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standards for Gluten-Free Foods;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standards for Infant Formula;
     Discussion paper to facilitate discussion on: Proposed 
Draft Guidelines for Vitamin and Mineral Supplements;
     Nutrient Reference Values for Labelling Purposes;
     Discussion paper on Vitamins and Minerals in Foods for 
Special Medical Purposes;
     Discussion paper on Criteria for Scientific Evidence 
Relative to Health Claims;
     Discussion paper on Provisions of Fortification on Iodine, 
Iron and Vitamin A in the Guidelines of Nutrition Claims; and
     Discussion paper on Proposal to Design the Basis for 
Derivation of Energy Conversion Factors in the Codex Guidelines on 
Nutrition Labelling.

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 items below, found in ALINORM 99/18, will be considered 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 23rd Session in June 1999.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Guidelines for the Sensory Evaluation of Fish and 
Shellfish in Laboratories.
    To be considered at Step 5 of the Accelerated Procedure:
     Proposed Draft Amendment to the Standard for Canned 
Sardines and Sardine-Type Products (inclusion of additional species).
    The Committee is continuing work on:
     Draft Standard for Dried Salted Anchovies;
     Draft Standard for Crackers from Marine and Freshwater 
Fish, Crustacean and Molluscan Shellfish;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Salted Atlantic Herring and 
Salted Sprats;
     Proposed Draft Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery 
Products;
     Model Certificate for Fish and Fishery Products;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Smoked Fish; and
     Proposed Draft Standard for Molluscan Shellfish.
Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDC/NOAA/NMFS
    U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products

    The Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products is responsible for 
establishing international codes and standards for milk and milk 
products. The following revised standards and draft revised codes of 
principles will be considered at the Session of the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission in June 1999. In addition, the Commission will consider the 
revocation of 14 individual Cheese Standards and the initiation of 
proposed new work to revise two existing standards. The reference 
document is ALINORM 99/11.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Revised Standard for Butter;
     Draft Revised Standard for Milkfat Products;
     Draft Revised Standard for Evaporated Milks;
     Draft Revised Standard for Sweetened Condensed Milk;
     Draft Revised Standard for Milk and Cream Powders;
     Draft Revised Standard for Cheese;
     Draft Revised Standard for Whey Cheese;
     Draft Revised Standard for Cheeses in Brine; and
     Draft General Standard for the Use of Dairy Terms.
    Revocation of Codex Standards for:

 Cheshire
 Limburger
 Svecia
 Butterkase
 Harzer Kase
 Herrgardsost
 Hushallsost
 Maribo
 Fynbo
 Romadur
 Amsterdam
 Leidse
 Friese
 Edelpilzkase

    Proposed new work:
     Revision of Codex Standard for Whey Powders; and
     Revision of Codex Standard for Edible Casein Products.
    In addition, the Committee is continuing work on:
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Processed Cheese;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Cream;
     Proposed Draft Revised Individual Standards for Cheese 
(including a new standard for Mozzarella);
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Fermented Milk 
Products;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Dairy Spread;
     Draft Standard for Unripened Cheese including Fresh 
Cheese;
     Model Export Certificates for Milk Products; and
     Heat Treatment Definitions.

Responsible Agency: USDA/AMS; HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Fats and Oils

    The Codex Committee on Fats and Oils is responsible for elaborating 
standards for fats and oils of animal, vegetable, and marine origin. 
The reference document is ALINORM 99/17. The Sixteenth Session of the 
Committee recommended the following be adopted by the Commission in 
June 1999:
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Standard for Named Animal Fats;
     Draft Standard for Edible Fats and Oils Not Covered by 
Individual Standards;
     Draft Revised Code of Practice for the Storage and 
Transport of Fats; and
     Draft Standard for Named Vegetable Oils.
    The Committee is continuing work on:
     Draft Standard for Fat Spreads and Blended Fat Spreads; 
and
     Draft Standard for Olive Oils and Olive-Pomace Oils.

Responsible Agency HHS/FDA; USDA/ARS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate

    The Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate is responsible 
for elaborating world-wide standards for cocoa products and chocolate. 
The 21st Session of the Commission endorsed the recommendation of the 
Forty-Second Session of the Executive Committee to initiate the 
revision of the Cocoa Products and Chocolate Standards. The following 
draft standards, found in ALINORM 99/14, will be considered by

[[Page 28440]]

the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 23rd Session in June 1999.
    To be considered at Step 5:
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Cocoa Butter;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Cocoa Mass (Cocoa/
Chocolate Liquor) and Cocoa Cake for Use in the Manufacture of Cocoa 
and Chocolate Products; and
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Cocoa Powders (Cocoas) 
and Dry Cocoa-Sugar Mixture.
    The Committee is continuing to work on:
     Proposed Draft Standard for Chocolate and Chocolate 
Products.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

    The Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV) is 
responsible for elaborating standards for processed fruits and 
vegetables. After having been adjourned sine die, the Committee 
reconvened in Washington, DC, in March 1998 to begin work revising the 
standards. The reference ALINORM is 99/27.
    The Committee is continuing work on the following at Step 7:
     Draft Standard for Canned Bamboo Shoots;
     Draft Standard for Pickles;
     Draft Standard for Kimchee;
     Draft Revised Standard for Canned Applesauce; and
     Draft Revised Standard for Canned Pears.
    To be considered by the Committee at Step 3:
     Proposed Draft Standard for Canned Stone Fruits;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Canned Citrus Fruits;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Canned Berry Fruits;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Canned Mangoes;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Canned Pineapple;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Canned Fruit Cocktail;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Canned Tropical Fruit Salad;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Canned Chestnuts and Chestnut 
Puree;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Canned Vegetables;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Canned Tomatoes;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Canned Mushrooms;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Jams, Jellies and Marmalades;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Chutney;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Pickled Cucumbers 
(Cucumber Pickles);
     Proposed Draft Standard for Table Olives;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Processed Tomato 
Concentrates;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Dried Apricots;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Dates;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Raisins;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Grated Desiccated 
Coconut;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Unshelled Pistachio 
Nuts;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Dried Edible Fungi;
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Edible Fungi and 
Fungus Products;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Soy Sauce;
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for Packing Media in Canned 
Fruits; and
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for Packing Media in Canned 
Vegetables.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA USDA/AMS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Certain Codex Commodity Committees

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

 Cereals, Pulses and Legumes*
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA, USDA/GIPSA
    U.S. Participation: Yes
 Meat Hygiene*
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
    U.S. Participation: Yes
 Processed Meat and Poultry Products*
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
    U.S. Participation: Yes
 Sugars
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA USDA/ARS
    U.S. Participation: Yes
 Soups and Broths
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
     Participation: Yes
 Vegetable Proteins*
    onsible Agency: HHS/FDA, USDA/ARS
     Participation: Yes

    * There is no planned activity for these Committees in the next 
year.

    A brief report on activities of the Codex Committees on Soups and 
Broths, and Sugars follows:

Codex Committee on Soups and Broths

    The Codex Committee on Soups and Broths elaborated worldwide 
standards for soups, broths, bouillons and consommes. The committee 
adjourned sine die. The main tasks of the Committee were completed. 
However, at its June 1997 meeting, the Codex Alimentarius Commission 
requested that the Committee commence work revising the Standard for 
Bouillons and Consommes. A Proposed Draft Revised Standard for 
Bouillons and Consommes was prepared by the Secretariat and has been 
circulated to member countries for comment at Step 3.

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Sugars

    The Codex Committee on Sugars elaborated standards for all types of 
sugars and sugar products. The Committee was adjourned sine die, but 
was asked to revise the standards for sugar and honey. The Codex 
Alimentarius Commission at its 22nd Session did not adopt the revised 
standards for sugar and honey but returned them to Step 6 for a new 
round of comments. Following the current round of comments, the Draft 
Revised Standard for Sugar will be submitted to the 23rd Session of the 
Commission for consideration at Step 8. The Draft Standard for Honey 
will remain at Step 6 for further consideration.

Responsible Agency: USDA/ARS; AHHS/FDA
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 completed 
their main tasks and were adjourned. These Groups were:
     Standardization of Quick Frozen Foods; and
     Standardization of Fruit Juices.
    The Executive Committee, at its 45th Session, noting that the 
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe had abolished the work 
programme for the Joint Codex/UNECE Groups of Experts, agreed to 
abolish these committees. Subject to confirmation by the Commission, it 
assigned the work of revising the Codex Standards for Quick Frozen 
Fruits and Vegetables to the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and 
Vegetables and any revision of the Codex Recommended International Code 
of Practice for the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods to 
the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene. In regards to the Codex Standards 
for Fruit Juices, the Executive Committee agreed that these standards 
require updating and referred the matter to the Commission to decide 
whether to

[[Page 28441]]

establish an intergovernmental task force or new committee to undertake 
this work.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/AMS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee for Natural Mineral Waters

    The Codex Committee for Natural Mineral Waters is responsible for 
elaborating standards for natural mineral waters. The Codex 
Alimentarius Commission at its 22nd meeting approved the development of 
a standard for bottled/packaged water other than natural mineral 
waters. The Sixth Session of the Committee discussed the Proposed Draft 
General Standard for Bottled/Packaged Drinking Waters (Other Than 
Natural Mineral Waters) and agreed to return the draft to Step 3 for 
further comments. A request for comments and information on the need 
for inclusion and a wording of a definition for ``mineral water'' has 
been circulated. The reference document is ALINORM 99/20.

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 Fifth Session of the Committee was held 
October 6-9, 1998, in Seattle, WA. The following matters for 
consideration by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 23rd Session 
in June can be found in ALINORM 99/32:
     Report on the Review of the Status and Objectives of Codex 
Texts Under the WTO Agreements;
     Report on Activities Related to Risk Analysis in Codex and 
Other Bodies;
     Review and Promotion of Acceptances of Codex Standards and 
Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides by Countries in the Region;
     Activities of Codex Contact Points and National Codex 
Committees in the Region;
     Consumer Participation in Codex Work and Related Matters; 
and
     General Standard on Foods Produced through Biotechnology.

Agency Responsible: USDA/FSIS
U.S. PARTICIPATION: Yes

Attachment 2--U.S. Codex Alimentarius Officials, Codex Committee 
Chairpersons

Mr. Steven N. Tanner, Director, Technical Services Division, Grain 
Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 10383 N. Executive Hills Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64153-
1394, Phone #: (816) 891-0401, Fax #: (816) 891-0478--Cereals, Pulses 
and Legumes (adjourned sine die)
Dr. I. Kaye Wachsmuth, Deputy Administrator, Office of Public Health 
and Science, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 341-E, Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone #: (202) 720-
2644, Fax # (202) 690-2980--Food Hygiene
Mr. David L. Priester, International Standards Coordinator, Fresh 
Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2069, 
South Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 20090-6456, Phone #: (202) 
720-2184, Fax #: (202) 720-0016--Processed Fruits and Vegetables
Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof, Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food 
and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Place (HFV-1), Rockville, MD 
20855, Phone #: (301) 594-1740, Fax #: (301) 594-1830--Residues of 
Veterinary Drugs in Foods

Listing of U.S. Delegates and Alternate Delegates

[Worldwide General Subject Codex Committees]

CODEX COMMITTEE ON RESIDUES OF VETERINARY DRUGS IN FOODS

(Host Government--United States)

U.S. Delegate: Dr. Robert C. Livingston, Center for Veterinary 
Medicine (HFV-1), Food and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Place, 
Rockville, MD 20855, Phone #: (301) 594-5903, Fax #: (301) 594-1830
Alternate Delegate: Dr. Pat Basu, Director, Chemistry and Toxicology 
Division, Office of Public Health and Science, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 6912 Franklin 
Court, 1099 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone #: 
(202) 501-7319, Fax: (202) 501-7639

CODEX COMMITTEE ON FOOD ADDITIVES AND CONTAMINANTS

(Host Government--The Netherlands)

U.S. Delegate: Dr. Alan Rulis, Director, Office of Premarket 
Approval, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and 
Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW, (HFS-200), Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 418-3100, Fax #: (202) 418-3131
Alternate Delegate: Dr. Terry C. Troxell, Director, Division of 
Programs and Enforcement Policy, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW, (HFS-
456), Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5321, Fax #: (202) 
205-4422

CODEX COMMITTEE ON PESTICIDE RESIDUES

(Host Government--The Netherlands)

U.S. Delegate: Mr. Fred Ives, Health Effects Division (7509C), 
Office of Pesticide Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460, Phone #: (703) 305-6378, Fax 
#: (703) 305-5147
Alternate Delegate: Dr. Richard Parry, Jr., Assistant Administrator, 
Cooperative Interactions, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Room 358-A, Jamie L. Whitten Federal 
Bldg., Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone #: (202) 720-3973, Fax #: 
(202) 720-5427

[[Page 28442]]

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: Mr. William Franks, Deputy Administrator, 
Science and Technology, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Room 3507, South Agriculture Building, 
1400 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: Mr. L. Robert Lake, Director, Office of Regulations and 
Policy, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4160, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate: Mr. Mark Manis, Director, International Policy 
Development Division, Office of Policy, Program Development, and 
Evaluation, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 4434, South Agriculture Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone #: (202) 
720-6415, Fax #: (202) 720-7990

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 LABELLING

(Host Government--Canada)

Delegate: Mr. L. Robert Lake, Director, Office of Regulations and 
Policy, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4160, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate: Dr. Robert Post, Director, Labeling and Additive 
Policy Division, Office of Policy, Program Development and 
Evaluation, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Cotton Annex, Room 602, Washington, DC 20250-3700, 
Phone #: (202) 205-0279, Fax #: (202) 205-3625

CODEX COMMITTEE ON FOOD HYGIENE

(Host Government--United States)

Delegate: Dr. Robert Buchanan, Senior Science Advisor, Food and Drug 
Administration, 200 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: 
(202) 205-5053, Fax #: (202) 205-4970
    Alternate Delegate: Vacant

CODEX COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION AND FOODS FOR SPECIAL DIETARY USES

(Host Government--Germany)

Delegate: Dr. Elizabeth Yetley, Director, Office of Special 
Nutritionals, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and 
Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW (HFS-450), Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4168, Fax #: (202) 205-5295
Alternate Delegate: Dr. Robert J. Moore, Senior Regulatory 
Scientist, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and 
Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW (HFS-456), Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4605, Fax #: (202) 260-8957

CODEX COMMITTEE ON FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

(Host Government--Mexico)

Delegate: Mr. David L. Priester, International Standards 
Coordinator, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. 
Box 96456, Room 2069, South Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 
20090-6456, Phone #: (202) 720-2184, Fax #: (202) 720-0016
Alternate Delegate: Mr. Larry B. Lace, Branch Chief, Fresh Products 
Branch, Fruits and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 2049, South 
Agriculture Building 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 
20090-6456, Phone #: (202) 720-5870, Fax #: (202) 720-0393

CODEX COMMITTEE ON FISH AND FISHERY PRODUCTS

(Host Government--Norway)

Delegate: Mr. Philip C. Spiller, Director, Office of Seafood (HFS-
400) VERB, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and 
Drug Administration 200 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: 
(202) 418-3133, Fax #: (202) 418-3198
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 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 Agriculture Building 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-0230, Phone #: (202) 720-9382, Fax #: (202) 
720-2643
Alternate Delegate: Mr. John C. Mowbray, Division of Programs and 
Enforcement Policy, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW (HFS-306), 
Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-1731, Fax #: (202) 205-4422

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, Food and Drug 
Administration, 200 C Street, SW, Room 5823 (HFS-585), Washington, 
DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate: Dr. Dwayne Buxton, National Program Leader for 
Oilseeds and Bioscience, Agricultural Research Service, Room 212, 
Building 005, Barc West, Beltsville, MD 20705, Phone #: (301) 504-
5321, Fax #: (301) 504-5467

CODEX COMMITTEE ON PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

(Host Government--United States)

Delegate: Mr. James Rodeheaver, Chief, Processed Products Branch, 
Fruits and Vegetables Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96456, Room 0709, South 
Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 20090-6456, Phone: (202) 720-
4693, Fax: (202) 690-1527
Alternate Delegate: Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International 
Activities Staff Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food 
and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW, Room 5823 (HFS-585), 
Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739

CODEX COMMITTEE ON COCOA PRODUCTS AND CHOCOLATE

(Host Government--Switzerland)

U.S. Delegate: Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International 
Activities Staff, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food 
and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW, Room 5823 (HFS-585), 
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 NATURAL MINERAL WATERS

(Host Government--Switzerland)

Delegate: Dr. Terry C. Troxell, Director, Office of Plant and Dairy 
Foods and Beverages, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW (HFS-305), 
Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5321, Fax #: (202) 205-4422
Alternate Delegate: Ms. Shellee Davis, Division of Programs and 
Enforcement Policy, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW (HFS-306), 
Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4681, Fax #: (202) 205-4422

CODEX COMMITTEE ON SUGARS

(Host Government--United Kingdom)

Delegate: Dr. Benjamin Legendre, USDA/ARS, SRRC, Sugarcane Research 
Unit, 800 Little Bayou Black Drive, P.O. Box 470, Houma, LA 70361-
0470, Phone #: (504) 872-5042, Fax #: (504) 868-8369
Alternate Delegate: Dr. Dennis M. Keefe, Office of Premarket 
Approval, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and 
Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW (HFS-206), Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 418-3113 Fax #: (202) 418-3131

[[Page 28443]]

CODEX COMMITTEE ON CEREALS, PULSES AND LEGUMES \1\

(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, Deputy Administrator, Grain 
Inspection Packers and Stockyards, Administration, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Room 1092, South Agriculture Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3601, Phone #: (202) 
720-9170, Fax #: (202) 720-1015

CODEX COMMITTEE ON SOUPS AND BROTHS \1\

(Host Government--Switzerland)

Delegate: Mr. Charles Edwards, Director, Labeling, Products and 
Technology Standards Division, Office of Policy, Program Development 
and Evaluation, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Room 405, Cotton Annex, 300 12th Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone #: (202) 205-0675, Fax #: (202) 
205-0080
Alternate Delegate: Dr. Robert Post, Director, Labeling and 
Compounds Review Division, Office of Policy, Program Development and 
Evaluation, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 602, Cotton Annex, 300 12th Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone #: (202) 205-0279, Fax #: (202) 
205-3625

CODEX COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLE PROTEINS \1\

(Host Government--Canada)

U.S. Delegate: Dr. Wilda H. Martinez, Associate Deputy 
Administrator, Aqua Products and Human Nutrition Sciences, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Room 107, 
B-005, Beltsville, MD 20705, Phone #: (301) 504-6275, Fax #: (301) 
504-6699
Alternate Delegate: Vacant

CODEX COMMITTEE ON MEAT HYGIENE \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Adjourned sine die. The main tasks of these Committees are 
completed. However, the committees may be called to meet again if 
required.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Host Government--New Zealand)

Delegate: Dr. John Prucha, Assistant Deputy Administrator, 
International and Domestic Policy, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 4866, South 
Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone #: (202) 720-
3473, Fax #: (202) 690-3856
Alternate Delegate: Vacant

CODEX COMMITTEE ON PROCESSED MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS \1\

(Host Government--Denmark)

U.S. Delegate: Dr. Daniel Engeljohn, Director, Regulations 
Development and Analysis Division, Office of Policy, Program 
Development and Evaluation, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Room 112, Cotton Annex, 300 12th Street, 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone #: (202) 720-5627, Fax #: (202) 
690-0486
Alternate Delegate: Mr. Charles Edwards, Director, Labeling, 
Products and Technology, Standards Division, Office of Policy, 
Program Development and Evaluation, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 405, Cotton Annex, 300 
12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone #: (202) 205-0675, 
Fax #: (202) 205-0080

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: Mr. Patrick Clerkin, Director, U.S. Codex Office, Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 
4861, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone #: (202) 205-7760, Fax #: (202) 
720-3157.

Attachment 3

                                           Timetable of Codex Sessions
                                          [June 1998 through June 2000]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998:
    CX 702-45..............  Executive Committee of the   3-5 June..................  Rome.
                              Codex Alimentarius
                              Commission (45th Session).
    CX 722-23..............  Codex Committee on Fish and  8-12 June.................  Bergen.
                              Fishery Products (23rd
                              Session).
    CX 716-13..............  Codex Committee on General   7-11 September............  Paris.
                              Principles (13th Session).
    CX 730-11..............  Codex Committee on Residues  14-17 September...........  Washington, DC.
                              of Veterinary Drugs in
                              Foods (11th Session).
    CX 720-21..............  Codex Commission on          21-25 September...........  Berlin.
                              Nutrition and Foods for
                              Special Dietary Uses (21st
                              Session).
    CX 732-5...............  Codex Regional Coordinating  6-9 October...............  Seattle, WA.
                              Committee for North
                              America and the South West
                              Pacific (5th Session).
    CX 712-31..............  Codex Committee on Food      26-30 October.............  Washington, DC.
                              Hygiene (31st Session).
    CX 707-13..............  Codex Regional Coordinating  3-6 November..............  Harare.
                              Committee for Africa (13th
                              Session).
    CX 708-17..............  Codex Committee on Cocoa     16-18 November............  Switzerland.
                              Products and Chocolate
                              (17th Session).
    CX 719-6...............  Codex Committee on Natural   19-21 November............  Switzerland.
                              Mineral Waters (6th
                              Session).
    CX 715-22..............  Codex Committee on Methods   23-27 November............  Budapest.
                              of Analysis and Sampling
                              (22nd Session).
    CX 725-11..............  Codex Regional Committee     8-11 December.............  Montevideo.
                              for Latin American and the
                              Caribbean (11th Session).
1999:
    CX 733-7...............  Codex Committee on Food      22-26 February............  Melbourne.
                              Import and Export
                              Certification and
                              Inspection (7th Session).
    CX 731-8...............  Codex Committee on Fresh     1-5 March.................  Mexico City.
                              Fruits and Vegetables (8th
                              Session).
    CX 709-16..............  Codex Committee on Fats and  8-12 March................  London.
                              Oils (16th Session).
    CX 711-31..............  Codex Committee on Food      22-26 March...............  The Hague.
                              Additives and Contaminants
                              (31st Session).
    CX 718-31..............  Codex Committee on           12-17 April...............  The Hague.
                              Pesticide Residues (31st
                              Session).
    CX 714-27..............  Codex Committee on Food      19-23 April...............  Ottawa.
                              Labelling (27th Session).
    CX 716-13..............  Codex Committee on General   26-30 April...............  Paris.
                              Principles (14th Session).
    CX 702-46..............  Executive Committee of the   24-25 June................  Rome.
                              Codex Alimentarius
                              Commission (46th Session).
    CX 701-23..............  Codex Alimentarius           28 June-3 July............  Rome.
                              Commission (23rd Session).

[[Page 28444]]

 
    CX 727-12..............  Codex Regional Coordinating  23-26 November............  Pukhet.
                              Committee for Asia (12th
                              Session).
    CX 712-32..............  Codex Committee of Food      29 November-December......  Washington, DC.
                              Hygiene (32nd Session).
2000:
    CX 733-08..............  Codex Committee on Food      21-25 February............  TBA.
                              Import and Export
                              Certification and
                              Inspection (8th Session).
    CX 703-04..............  Codex Committee on Milk and  28 February-March.........  New Zealand.
                              Milk Products (4th
                              Session).
    CX 711-32..............  Codex Committee on Food      20-24 March...............  The Hague.
                              Additives and Contaminants
                              (32nd Session).
    CX 730-12..............  Codex Committee on Residues  28-31 March...............  TBA.
                              of Veterinary Drugs in
                              Foods (12th Session).
    CX 716-15..............  Codex Committee on General   10-14 April...............  Paris.
                              Principles (15th Session).
    CX 718-32..............  Codex Committee on           1-6 May...................  The Hague.
                              Pesticide Residues (32nd
                              Session).
    CX 714-28..............  Codex Committee on Food      8-12 May..................  Ottawa.
                              Labelling (28th Session).
    CX 722-24..............  Codex Committee on Fish and  5-9 June..................  Bergen.
                              Fishery Products (24th
                              Session).
    CX 720-22..............  Codex Committee on           19-23 June................  Berlin.
                              Nutrition and Foods for
                              Special Dietary Uses (22nd
                              Session).
    CX 702-47..............  Executive Committee of the   28-30 June................  Geneva.
                              Codex Alimentarius
                              Commission (47th Session).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attachment 4--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 of 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 toxological 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 that 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 toxological 
affects 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) Toxological 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,

[[Page 28445]]

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 mg/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 toxological 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.

Definitions of Risk Analysis Terms Related to Food Safety

    Hazard: A biological, chemical or physical agent in, or condition 
of, food with the potential to cause an adverse health effect.
    Risk: A function of the probability of an adverse health effect and 
the severity of that effect, consequential to a hazard(s) in food.
    Risk analysis: A process consisting of three components: risk 
assessment, risk management and risk communication.
    Risk assessment: A scientifically based process consisting of the 
following steps: (i) hazard identification, (ii) hazard 
characterization, (iii) exposure assessment, and (iv) risk 
characterization.
    Hazard identification: The identification of biological, chemical, 
and physical agents capable of causing adverse health effects and which 
may be present in a particular food or group of foods.
    Hazard characterization: The qualitative and/or quantitative 
evaluation of the nature of the adverse health effects associated with 
biological, chemical and physical agents that may be present in food. 
For chemical agents, a dose-response assessment should be performed. 
For biological or physical agents, a dose-response assessment should be 
performed if the data are obtainable.
    Dose-response assessment: The determination of the relationship 
between the magnitude of exposure (dose) to a chemical, biological or 
physical agent and the severity and/or frequency of associated adverse 
health effects (response).
    Exposure assessment: The qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation 
of the likely intake of biological, chemical, and physical agents via 
food as well as exposures from other sources if relevant.
    Risk characterization: The qualitative and/or quantitative 
estimation, including attendant uncertainties, of the probability of 
occurrence and severity of known or potential adverse health effects in 
a given population based on hazard identification, hazard 
characterization and exposure assessment.
    Risk management: The process of weighing policy alternatives in the 
light of the results of risk assessment and, if required, selecting and 
implementing appropriate control options, including regulatory 
measures.
    Risk communication: The interactive exchange of information and 
opinions concerning risk among risk assessors, risk managers, consumers 
and other interested parties.

Attachment 5--Part 1

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 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 \1\

    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

[[Page 28446]]

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.
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    \1\ 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 he 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 actions in order to advance the work.
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Step 6

    The draft standard is sent by the Secretariat to all members and 
interested international organizations for comment on all aspects, 
including possible implications of the draft standard for their 
economic interests.

Step 7

    The comments received are sent by the Secretariat to the subsidiary 
body or other body concerned, which has the power to consider such 
comments and amend the draft standard.

Step 8

    The draft standard is submitted through the Secretariat to the 
Commission together with any written proposals received from members 
and interested international organizations for amendments at Step 8 
with a view to its adoption as a Codex Standard. In the case of 
Regional standards, all members and interested international 
organizations may present their comments, take part in the debate and 
propose amendments but only the majority of members of the region or 
group of countries concerned attending the session can decide to amend 
and adopt the draft.

Part 2

Uniform Accelerated Procedure for the Elaboration of Codex Standards 
and Related Texts

Steps 1, 2 and 3

    (1) The Commission or the Executive Committee between Commission 
sessions, on the basis of a two-thirds majority of votes cast, taking 
into account the ``Criteria for the Establishment of Work Priorities 
and for the Establishment of Subsidiary Bodies'', shall identify those 
standards which shall be the subject of an accelerated elaboration 
process. The identification of such standards may also be made by 
subsidiary bodies of the Commission, on the basis of a two-thirds 
majority of votes cast, subject to confirmation at the earliest 
opportunity by the Commission or its Executive Committee by a two-
thirds majority of votes cast.
    (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. When standards are subject to an 
accelerated procedure, this fact shall be notified to the Members of 
the Commission and the interested international organizations.

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

    In the case of standards identified as being subject to an 
accelerated elaboration procedure, 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 with a view to its adoption as a Codex 
standard. In taking any decision at this step, the Commission 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 thereof may have for their economic interests.

Attachment 6

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, a 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.

[[Page 28447]]

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 that 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 page 76 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).''

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 page 78 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 page 75 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 page 79 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.''

[FR Doc. 99-13353 Filed 5-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P