Consideration of Criteria for the
Elaboration or Revocation of Individual Standards for
Cheeses
Consideration of Proposed Draft
stAndards for Individual Cheeses, Cream, Dairy Spreads, Fermented Milk Products
and Processed Cheese
Consideration of Criteria for the
Elaboration or Revocation of Individual Standards for
Cheeses[21]
80. In discussing the withdrawal of individual cheese
standards at its 2nd Session (ALINORM 97/11, paras. 84-85), the Committee noted
a reservation of the Delegation of Germany which called for criteria to be
applied for the revocation of the remaining standards. The Chairperson requested
the IDF to develop a methodology taking account of comments submitted.
81. Based on the method developed, the IDF considered three
criteria for the revocation of individual cheese standards (the volume traded
and number of countries trading and consuming the individual cheeses in the C
series of standards).[22] As a
result of this assessment, the Committee agreed to the following IDF
recommendations:
- The continued
revision of the Individual Cheese Standards for Cheddar (C-1), Danbo (C-3), Edam
(C-4), Gouda (C-5), Havarti (C-6), Samsø (C-7), Emmental (C-9), Tilsiter
(C-11), Saint Paulin (C-13), Provolone (C-15), Cottage Cheese (C-16),
Coulommiers (C-18), Camembert (C-33) and Brie (C-34). The contents of the
Standard for Cream Cheese (C-31) should be incorporated into the Draft Standard
for Unripened Cheese Including Fresh Cheese.
- The revision of the following
Individual Cheese Standards should be discontinued and the existing Standards
should be revoked: Cheshire (C-8), Limburger (C-12), Svecia (C-14),
Butterkäse (C-17), Harzer Käse (C-20), Herrgårdsost (C-21),
Hushållsost (C-22), Maribo (C-24), Fynbo (C-25), Romadur (C-27), Amsterdam
(C-28) Leidse (C-29), Friese (C-30) and Edelpilzkäse (C-32).
- The Proposed Draft Standard
for Mozzarella should be finalized.
82. The Committee thanked the IDF for its efforts, and
agreed to the usefulness of the criteria and methodology in its future
deliberations.
83. The Committee agreed to recommend to the CAC the
revocation of the Standards identified above.
Consideration of Proposed Draft
stAndards for Individual Cheeses, Cream, Dairy Spreads, Fermented Milk Products
and Processed Cheese
84. The Committee agreed to the following proposal of
the Chairperson regarding the future consideration of the Proposed Draft
Standards for Individual Cheeses, Cream, Dairy Spreads, Fermented Milk Products
and Processed Cheese:
85. Two working groups were to be formed to consider: 1)
Individual and Processed Cheeses; and 2) Cream, Dairy Spreads and Fermented
Milks. The Working Groups would be responsible for seeking solutions based on
the Commissions mandate and making recommendations that would assist IDF
to prepare draft standards by providing solutions to the issues listed below.
The Working Groups should report their decisions to the CCMMP;
- The selection of a
Chairperson and Rapporteur for each group. The Chairperson would be responsible
for the elaboration of the working/discussion papers on the basis of technical
inputs and recommendations of the IDF and the overall management of the Group.
The Rapporteur would be responsible for the managing the use of the electronic
mail box, the summary of comments submitted and the distribution of
same;
- The establishment of an
electronic mail box by the Codex Secretariat to facilitate their work via
electronic mail;
- The working groups would not
be expected to meet.
86. The Committee agreed that the Working Groups should
concentrate on the following principal issues and other relevant
matters:
Individual Cheese Standards
- Identification of
absolute minimum values for fat in dry matter;
- The need to have separate
individual cheese standards compared to annexing the provisions to the relevant
provisions in the relevant standards for Cheeses, including the possible
incorporation of specific and/or essential requirements into the relevant
General Standards for Cheeses;
- The consideration of whether
requirements such as colour, rind, holes, shape, and form should be deleted or
transferred to appendices of the General Standards;
- Definitions of
coatings.
Processed Cheeses
- Where the use of
minimum cheese content was adequate to characterize the products covered, and if
so, identification of the relevant minimum contents. If not adequate, guidance
on an alternative approach.
Dairy Spreads
- The need for a
specific Standard;
- Harmonization and alignment
with the relevant provisions of the Draft Standard for Butter and Proposed Draft
Standard for Fat Spreads and Blended Fat Spreads.
Cream
- Determination of
lowest and reference fat levels;
- The consideration of the
elaboration of standards for fermented creams, including their possible
inclusion into the Cream or Fermented Milk Standards;
- The consideration of including
whipped creams in the Standard for Cream.
Fermented Milks
- The consideration
of the potential elaboration of a standard and guidelines for products heat
treated after fermentation, including labelling provisions;
- The consideration of including
mild yoghurt in the Standard;
- The consideration of
guidelines to differentiate between heat treated and other products;
- The consideration of composite
products, including possible provisions or restrictions on the additions of
flavourings.
87. The Committee agreed that the IDF would submit
proposed draft standards elaborated on the basis of the Working Groups
inputs to the New Zealand Secretariat for circulation and comment at Step 3
before the 4th Session of the CCMMP in accordance with a timetable to be
developed by the New Zealand Secretariat. It was stressed that Working Groups
would be open to input from all Codex Member governments, and that any final
decisions on the Proposed Draft Standards would be taken by the full CCMMP
session.
88. The Committee nominated France as Chair and the
United States as Rapporteur of the Working Group on Cheeses; and, Argentina as
Chair and Belgium as Rapporteur for the Working Group on Dairy
Products.
[21] CX/MMP 98/6, CX/MMP 98/6
Corrigendum, CRD 11 and comments from the United States (CRD 12),
Argentina (CRD 18), Uruguay (CRD 19) and Morocco (CRD 20).
[22] The criteria used are
specified in CX/MMP 98/6, CX/MMP 98/6 Corrigendum.