49. The Committee noted that Specifications for the Identity and Purity of Food Additives arising from the 49th JECFA meeting (FAO FNP 52 - Add. 5) were circulated for comments under CL 1997/29-FAC. Based upon recommendations made by the ad hoc Working Group on Specifications, the Committee forwarded substances in Categories I and II (see Appendix VIII) to the Commission for adoption as Codex Advisory Specifications.
50. The Committee noted the diverse opinions expressed by several delegations concerning the specifications for gum arabic. Some delegations expressed the opinion that gum arabic should only include gums obtained from Acacia senegal and separate specifications should be established for gums derived from A. seyal. Other delegations were of the opinion that the gums from the two Acacia species were related and that the specifications should remain as currently drafted. The Committee nonetheless agreed with the recommendation of the Working Group to include the substance under Category III (Substantive Changes Required). The delegation of Sudan agreed to forward the necessary data for consideration by the 1999 JECFA meeting.
51. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the ad hoc Working Group, which was chaired by P.M. Kuznesof (USA); H. Wallin (Finland) and I. Meyland (Denmark) acted as rapporteur and category monitor, respectively. The Committee agreed that the ad hoc Working Group on Specifications was an important forum for member countries and international organizations for discussing technical issues in a transparent manner unsuited for the plenary session and therefore, it reestablished the ad hoc Working Group under the Chairmanship of the USA, with the task of reviewing specifications arising from the 51st JECFA meeting prior to the 31st CCFAC.
