COVER
ALINORM 91/40

REPORT OF THE NINETEENTH SESSION
OF THE
JOINT FAO/WHO CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION
Rome, 1 - 10 July 1991

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Issued by the Secretariat of the
Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, FAO, Rome
Ref. No. ALINORM 91/40 1991



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M-83
ISBN 92-5-103089-8


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FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Rome, © FAO 1991


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Adoption of the Agenda and Timetable

Election of Officers of the Commission and Members of the Executive Committee

- Appointment of Regional Coordinators

In Memoriam

Report by the Chairman of the Commission on the 37th and 38th Sessions of the Executive Committee

Membership of the Codex Alimentarius Commission

Progress Report on Acceptances of Codex Standards and Codex Maximum Limits for Pesticide Residues, and on the Implementation of the Code of Ethics for International Trade in Food

Report on the Financial Situation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme for 1990/91 and 1992/93

Report on Activities within FAO and WHO Relevant to the Work of the Commission

- Report of Joint FAO/WHO Activities

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR)
Joint FAO/WHO Food Contamination Monitoring Programme
International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation (ICGFI)
International Conference on Nutrition
Joint FAO/WHO/IAEA Expert Consultation on Trace Elements in Human Nutrition, Geneva, 18–22 June 1990
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Protein Quality Evaluation, Bethesda, Md., USA, 4–8 December 1989

- Report of Selected FAO Activities in Food Control and Consumer Protection

- Report of WHO Activities

WHO Commission on Health and the Environment

Cholera

Report on the Activities of other International Organizations Working on Standardization of Food and Related Matters

Report on the GATT/Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Relation to Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and Barriers

Matters Arising from the Report of the FAO/WHO Conference on Food Standards, Chemicals in Food and Food Trade

- Relations with consumers
- Harmonizing national regulations and the effect on exports
- “Horizontal” approach to food standardization
- Restructuring of standards to remove excessive detail
- Improved participation in Codex work
- Importance of the GATT/Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations
- Modification of the acceptance procedure
- Expediting the elaboration and review of Codex Standards
- Review of Codex Standards
- Review of Codex Procedures
- Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants
- Structure of the Executive Committee and functions of the Regional Representatives
- Good Agricultural Practice and Codex MRLs for pesticides
- Resources for JECFA, JMPR and other expert groups
- Risk Assessment
- New Food Products derived from Biotechnology
- Migrants from packaging material
- Establishment of a Committee to deal with import/export control
- Hygienic production of foods

Implications of Biotechnology on International Food Standards and Codes of Practice

Conversion of Codex Regional Standards to World-wide Standards -Progress Report

Review of the Format of Codex Standards

Status of Codex Advisory Texts and Procedures for their Elaboration

Consideration of “Organically/Biologically Produced Foods”

Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa

- Consideration at Step 8 of the Draft African Regional Standard for Edible Cassava Flour
- Status of the Standard
- Other Matters Arising from the Report of the 9th Session of the Committee

Proposed Draft African Regional Standard for Processed Couscous
Regional and National Programmes on Control of Mycotoxins in Food

- Appointment of Coordinator for Africa

Codex Coordinating Committee for Asia

- Radionuclide Contamination of Food in International Trade
- Code of Practice for Street Foods
- Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Milled Rice
- Appointment of Coordinator for Asia

Codex Coordinating Committee for Europe

- Matters arising from the Report of the 17th Session of the Committee

Draft Amendments to the Codex European Standard for Natural Mineral Waters
Status of the Draft Amendments to the Standard
Methods of Bacteriological Analysis for Natural Mineral Waters and Methods of Chemical Analysis for Natural Mineral Waters
Status of the Draft Methods of Analysis

- Appointment of Coordinator for Europe

Codex Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean

- Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Street-vended Foods at Step 5 of the Procedure
- Food Export/Import Certification Programmes
- Strengthening of Codex Contact Points and National Codex Committees
- Harmonization of Regional and Codex Standards
- Appointment of Coordinator

Codex Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific

- Acceptance of Codex Standards
- Acceptance of Codex Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides
- Codex Code of Ethics for International Trade in Foods
- Labelling and Other Issues in Relation to Organically Produced Foods
- Use of the Term “Natural” in Food Product Labelling
- Health and Nutrition Claims in Food Labelling
- Codex promotion activities
- Appointment of Coordinator

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues

- Draft Maximum Residue Limits at Steps 5, 5/8 and 8 of the Codex Procedure
- Other matters arising from the Reports of the 22nd and 23rd Sessions of the Committee

Draft Method of Sampling for the Determination of Pesticide Residues in Meat and Poultry Products for Control Purposes

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

- Consideration of Draft Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary Drugs at Step 8
- Maximum Residue Limits for Estradiol - 17β, Progesterone, Testosterone and Zeranol
- Status of the Draft Maximum Residue Limits for Estradiol -17β, Progesterone, Testosterone and Zeranol
- Consideration of the Draft Maximum Residue Limit for Chloramphenicol at Step 8
- Status of the Draft Maximum Residue Limit for Chloramphenicol
- Consideration of Proposed Draft Maximum Residue Limits for Albendazole, Sulfadimidine and Trenbolone Acetate at Step 5
- Status of the Proposed Draft Maximum Residue Limits for Albendazole, Sulfadimidine and Trenbolone Acetate
- Consideration of the Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Control of the Use of Veterinary Drugs at Step 5
- Status of the Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Control of the Use of Veterinary Drugs
- Consideration of the Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Establishment of a Regulatory Programme for the Control of Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods at Step 5
- Status of the Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Establishment of a Regulatory Programme for the Control of Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods
- Consideration of the Proposed Draft Glossary of Definitions and Terms at Step 5
- Status of the Proposed Draft Glossary of Definitions and Terms
- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Food Labelling

- Consideration of the Draft Revised General Guidelines on Claims at Step 8
- Status of the Draft Revised Guidelines
- Consideration of Draft Amendments to the General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods at Step 8
- Status of the Draft Amendment
- Consideration of the Revised Proposed Draft List of Class Titles for Food Additives at Step 5
- Status of the Revised Proposed Draft List of Class Titles for Food Additives
- Consideration of Proposed Draft Guidelines for Use of the Term “Natural” in Food Product Labelling
- Consideration of Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Use of Health and Nutrition Claims in Food Product Labelling
- Other matters arising from the Report of the 21st Session of the Committee

Standardization of Date Marking Systems
Consideration of the Implementation of Food Labelling in Asian Countries
Consideration of Proposed Draft Nutrient Reference Values for Food Labelling Purposes
Status of the Proposed Draft Nutrient Reference Values for Food Labelling Purposes
Analytical Methodology for Use in the Codex Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling
Labelling of Potential Allergens in Food
Endorsement of Labelling Provisions in Codex Standards

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants

- Consideration of Draft Guideline Levels for Methylmercury in Fish
- Status of the Guideline Levels for Methylmercury in Fish
- Consideration of Draft Guideline Levels for Acrylonitrile in Food and Vinyl Chloride Monomer in Food and Food Packaging Materials
- Status of the Draft Guideline Levels for Acrylonitrile and Vinyl Chloride Monomer
- Draft Amendments to the International Numbering System for Food Additives
- Status of the Draft Amendments to the International Numbering System for Food Additives
- Consideration of Proposed Draft Guideline Levels for Cadmium and Lead in Food
- Consideration of Draft Guideline Levels for Aflatoxins in Food and Feed
- Consideration of Draft Specifications for the Identity and Purity of Food Additives at Step 3
- Status of the Draft Specifications for the Identity and Purity of Food Additives
- Consideration of the Proposed Draft Codex General Standard for Food Additives
- Methods of Analysis for Aflatoxins
- Sampling Plans for Aflatoxins
- Guideline Levels for Radionuclides in Foods (Dilution Factors and Minor Dietary Components)
- Establishment of Guideline Levels for Radionuclide Levels in Foods Subsequent to the Accident Year
- Procedure for the Establishment of Guideline Levels for Contaminants
- Lead Levels in Sugars
- Sampling Plan for Mercury, Cadmium and Lead
- Status of the Sampling Plan for Mercury, Cadmium and Lead
- Confirmation of Chairmanship

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

- Draft Guidelines for the Salvaging of Canned Foods Exposed to Adverse Conditions at Step 8
- Status of the Guidelines
- Draft Guideline Procedures to Establish Microbiological Causes of Spoilage in Canned Foods at Step 8
- Status of the Guideline Procedures
- Draft Guidelines for the Preservation of Raw Milk by Use of the Lactoperoxidase System at Step 8
- Status of the Guidelines
- Proposed Draft General Provisions Relating to Hygiene in Codex Standards at Step 5
- Status of the Proposed Draft General Provisions
- Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Aseptically Processed and Packaged Foods at Step 5
- Status of the Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice
- Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Refrigerated Packaged Foods with Extended Shelf-Life
- Core Elements for a Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Street Foods
- Future Work and Terms of Reference of the Committee
- Confirmation of Chairmanship

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

- Matters arising from the Report of the 17th Session of the Committee

Sampling for Net Content
Amendment of the Definition of Type I Method
Terms of Reference of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

- Confirmation of Chairmanship

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses

- Draft Guidelines on Formulated Supplementary Foods for Older Infants and Young Children (at Step 8)
- Status of the Draft Guidelines
- Draft Standard for Formula Foods for use in Weight Control Diets
- Status of the Standard
- Draft Standard for the Labelling of and Claims for Foods for Special Medical Purposes
- Status of the Standard
- Proposed Draft Amendments to the General Principles for the Addition of Essential Nutrients to Foods
- Proposed Draft Amendments to the Codex Standard for Processed Cereal-Based Foods for Infants and Children
- Proposed Draft Standard for the Labelling of and Claims for “Low Energy” and “Reduced Energy” Foods
- Proposal for a Draft Standard for Formula Foods for Use in Very Low Energy Diets
- Amendments to the Advisory List of Vitamin Compounds and Mineral Salts
- Salt Iodization
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
- Nutritional Guidelines on Intakes of Fat, Sugars, Sodium and Fibre, and their Implication for Food Standards
- Confirmation of Chairmanship

Joint UN/ECE Codex Alimentarius Group of Experts on Standardization of Fruit Juices

- Draft General Standard for Vegetable Juices at Step 8 of the Procedure
- Status of the General Standard for Vegetable Juices
- Draft Guidelines on Mixed Fruit Juices at Step 8 of the Procedure
- Status of the Guidelines on Mixed Fruit Juices
- Draft Guidelines on Mixed Fruit Nectars at Step 8 of the Procedure
- Status of the Guidelines on Mixed Fruit Nectars
- Methods of Analysis of Fruit Juices
- Adjournment sine die

Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

- Consideration of the General Format for Codex Standards for Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables at Step 5
- Status of the General Format for Codex Standards for Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- Consideration of the proposed Draft Codex Standard for Pineapple at Step 5
- Status of the Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Pineapple
- Consideration of the Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Papaya at Step 5
- Status of the Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Papaya
- Consideration of the Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Mango at Step 5
- Status of the Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Mango
- Other matters arising from the Report of the 2nd Session of the Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Proposed Draft Codex Standards for Nopal, Prickly Pear, Carambola and Litchi
Proposed Draft Codex Codes of Practice for the Packaging, Transport, Control and Inspection of Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products

- Consideration at Step 5 of Proposed Draft Standard for Shark Fins
- Status of the Standard
- Draft Amendments to Codex Standards for Canned Shrimps or Prawns (CODEX STAN 92-1981) and Quick Frozen Shrimps or Prawns (CODEX STAN 34-1981)
- Status of Proposed Draft Amendments
- Other matters arising from the Report of the 19th Session of the Committee

Review of Codex Standards for Fish and Fishery Products with regard to format, suitability and possible revision
Consideration at Step 4 of the proposed draft amendment to the Codex Standard for Canned Shrimps and Prawns
Consideration of amendments to Sections 4.3.2 and 4.5.7 of the Code of Practice for Cephalopods and consequential amendments to related codes
Draft Definition of Frozen Surimi for Codex Purposes
Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products in Controlled and Modified Atmosphere Packaging
Methods of Analysis
Proposed Amendment to the Codex Standard for Canned Crab Meat with respect to food additive provisions

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Processed Meat and Poultry Products

- Draft Revised Standard for Corned Beef
- Status of the Draft Revised Standard for Corned Beef
- Draft Revised Standard for Luncheon Meat
- Status of the Draft Revised Standard for Luncheon Meat
- Draft Revised Standard for Cooked Cured Ham at Step 8
- Status of the Draft Revised Standard for Cooked Cured Ham
- Draft Revised Standard for Pork Shoulder at Step 8
- Status of the Draft Revised Standard for Pork Shoulder
- Draft Revised Standard for Cooked Cured Chopped Meat at Step 8
- Status of the Draft Revised Standard for Cooked Cured Chopped Meat
- Consideration at Step 8 of Annex D - Preservation of Shelf-Stable Cured Meat Products in Consumer Size Hermetically Sealed Containers to the International Code of Hygienic Practice for Processed Meat Products
- Status of Annex D
- Consideration of Draft Guidelines for the Use of Standardized Non-Meat Protein Products in Processed Meat and Poultry Products at Step 8
- Status of the Drafted Guidelines for the Use of Standardized Non-Meat Protein Products in Processed Meat and Poultry Products
- Consideration of the Proposed Draft Guide for the Microbiological Quality of Spices and Herbs Used in Processed Meat and Poultry Products at Steps 5/8
- Status of the Proposed Draft Guide for the Microbiological Quality of Spices and Herbs Used in Processed Meat and Poultry Products
- Other matters arising from the Report of the 15th Session of the Committee
Survey of Trade Problems encountered with Processed Meat and Poultry Products in International Commerce
- Adjournment of the Committee sine die
- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes

- Consideration of the Draft Standard for Durum Wheat Semolina and Durum Wheat Flour
- Status of the Draft Standard for Durum Wheat Semolina and Durum Wheat Flour
- Consideration of the Draft Amendment of the Fat Acidity Provision in the Codex Standard for Wheat Flour at Step 8
- Status of Draft Amendment of the Fat Acidity Provision in the Codex Standard for Wheat Flour
- Consideration of Proposed Draft Guideline Levels for Contaminants in Cereals, Pulses and Legumes at Step 5
- Status of the Proposed Draft Guideline Levels for Contaminants in Cereals, Pulses and Legumes
- Other matters arising from the Report of the 7th Session of the Committee

Proposed draft amendment of the Codex Standard for Wheat Flour to revise the fat acidity provision and related method of analysis
Sampling Plans and Guideline Levels for Aflatoxins
Methods of Analysis and Sampling in the Codex Standard for Durum Wheat Semolina and Durum Wheat Flour
Proposals for the Elaboration of Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Oats, Durum Wheat, Wheat and Peanuts

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Joint FAO/WHO Committee of Government Experts on the Code of Principles Concerning Milk and Milk Products

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

- Consideration of the Draft Standard for Grated Desiccated Coconut at Step 8
- Status of the Standard
- Confirmation of Chairmanship

Codex Committee on Fats and Oils

- Proposed Draft Standards for Palm Olein and Palm Stearin
- Status of the Standard
- Future Work of the Committee
- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Sugars

- Proposed Draft Standard for Raw Cane Sugar at Step 5
- Status of the Standards
- Amendments to Codex Standards for Sugar - Revision of Lead Levels
- Status of the Amendments
- Revision of Methods of Analysis for Sugars
- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Soups and Broths

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Edible Ices

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Codex Committee on General Principles

- Confirmation of Chairmanship of the Committee

Report on the Status of International Standards for Coffee

Future Work

Provisional Timetable of Codex Sessions 1992–93

Other Business

- Statement by the Delegation of Austria

Valediction

APPENDICES

Appendix 1   List of Participants

Appendix 2   Opening Statement by Dr. B.P. Dutia Assistant Director-General Economic and Social Policy Department, FAO

Reply by the Chairman of the Codex Alimentarius Commission to the Opening Statement

Appendix 3   List of Member Countries

Appendix 4   Recommendations and Consensus Statements of the FAO/WHO Conference on Food Standards, Chemical in Food and Food Trade having Implications for the Codex Alimentarius Commission

Appendix 5   Statement by the Delegation of Austria