294. The Commission had before it the Reports of the Third and Fourth Sessions of the Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean (ALINORMS 85/36 and 85/36A), which had been held in Havana, Cuba, 27 March to 2 April 1984 and 17 to 22 April 1985 respectively, and ALINORM 85/21 Part II and LIM 15. The Reports were introduced by the Coordinator Ing. Ramon Darias Rodes, who reviewed the salient points of the two Reports. He informed the Commission that, in preparation for the two sessions, which had been held in consecutive years to readjust to the frequency of the Commission's sessions, some 17 countries of the region had been visited to inform them of Codex work and to encourage the establishment of National Codex Committees. The Coordinator had also discussed with ITC, UNCTAD and GATT the question of harmonization of Regional and Codex standards. Prior to both sessions, workshops on Food Standardization and Health had been organized with the help of PAHO which had contributed greatly to the work of, and participation at, the Coordinating Committee.
295. At the Third Session, the main items discussed were:
Broadening the use of Codex Standards in the region.
The possibility of elaborating an Action Plan on a Harmonized System of Regional Standards with Codex Standards.
Itinerant food sales and its repercussions in the region.
Necessity to increase the cooperation of international bodies in national nutritional programmes and food safety.
Continuation of the practice of holding workshops or seminars prior to the Coordinating Committee meetings, which contributed to the success of these events.
Food Control and Urbanization.
Activities regarding Pesticides and their residues in foods.
296. At the Fourth Session, the main topics were:
Recommendations of the Sixth and Seventh meetings of the Working Group of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues concerned with the Problems of Developing Countries.
Action Plan to elaborate a Harmonized System of Regional Food Standards and Codex Standards.
Possible improvements in working mechanisms of the Commission.
Possibility of Establishing a Data Bank or Regional Information Centre on Food Standardization and Certification Problems.
Problems of Food Control in relation to Urbanization.
Use of the Spanish language in Codex Committees.
297. The Commission noted that the Coordinating Committee supported the development of Standards for Tropical Fruits and Vegetables (see paras 97–102) and that some delegations were of the opinion that standards for Sorghum Grains/Sorghum Flour, if developed, should be world-wide and not regional.
298. The Coordinator also informed the Commission that the Committee wished to begin work on the elaboration of regional standards for raw sugar and for shark fins and a Code of Hygienic Practice for Aquaculture.
299. Some delegations at the Commission's session pointed out that this product was traded more as a commodity than as a food product, and that trade was world-wide rather than regional.
300. The delegation of Argentina indicated that raw sugar was an important commodity in international trade and that it was of the utmost importance that the product be standardized.
301. The delegation of Cuba stated that it had no objection to the product being standardized on a world-wide basis. Raw sugar was not covered by existing Codex Sugar standards and was an important trade item in the region.
302. The Commission did not think it opportune to begin work on a Regional Standard for Raw Sugar until more information was available. The Commission requested the Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean to further study production, trade and consumption of the product and prepare a background paper for discussion at the next session of the Coordinating Committee. The Coordinating Committee was requested to report its findings to the 17th Session of the Commission.
303. The Commission was informed that the Coordinating Committee had proposed to begin work on the above subjects, because it was understood that the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products could not undertake new work at the present time. The Commission was informed, however, by the delegation of Norway, that this was the opinion of some delegates, but that it did not represent the view of the Committee itself. The delegation of Norway stated that both of the above items would be included for consideration at the next session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (see also para 424).
304. The Regional Coordinator, in compliance with what was agreed at the Fourth Session of the Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, drew the attention of the Commission to paragraph 221 of ALINORM 85/36A relative to the use of the Spanish language in some Codex Committees which have not as yet provided for translation into Spanish.
305. The delegation of Denmark informed the Commission that it had several times brought to the attention of the Danish authorities the requests made for the provision of Spanish language facilities at sessions of the Codex Committee on Processed Meat and Poultry Products. The authorities had given sympathetic consideration to these requests, but, because of financial constraints, were unable to give an undertaking to provide such facilities at the next session of the above Committee. The delegation noted, moreover, that the Rules of Procedure of the Commission only required Host Governments to provide language facilities in at least two of the languages of the Commission.
306. The Commission noted the statement of the delegation of Denmark and encouraged Host Governments, which did not yet provide language facilities in the three languages of the Commission, English, French and Spanish, to make every effort to do so.
307. The Commission noted that the Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean had unanimously nominated the present Coordinator Ing. Ramon Darias Rodés for a second term of office.
308. The Commission confirmed the nomination and appointed Ing. Ramon Darias Rodés as Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean to serve from the end of the 16th Session to the end of the 17th Session of the Commission.
310. The Commission considered the above draft African Regional Standard (see Appendix VIII to ALINORM 85/28A) and noted that the Coordinating Committee had reached agreement on all essential sections of the standard and that it was ready for adoption. The delegation of Australia expressed its preference for world-wide standards rather than regional ones, which could represent technical trade barriers. The delegation of Togo indicated that eventually the African Regional Standard for Gari, at present traded particularly in West Africa, could be developed into a world-wide standard.
Status of the Draft African Regional Standard for Gari
311. The Commission adopted the Draft African Regional Standard for Gari at Step 8 of the Procedure.
312. The delegation of Kenya introduced these standards (see Appendix II and III to ALINORM 85/28A) indicating that the Coordinating Committee had extensively revised previous draft standards for these products. The delegation expressed the opinion that the standards were ready for adoption at Step 5.
Status of the Proposed Draft African Regional Standards for Pearl Millet and Pearl Millet Flour
313. The Commission decided to advance the above Proposed Draft African Regional Standards to Step 6 of the Procedure.
314. The Coordinator for Africa informed the Commission that the Coordinating Committee had considered the views of the Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes and the views of Argentina and Mexico concerning the need to elaborate this standard as a world-wide standard (see para. 297 above).
315. The delegation of Argentina indicated, in reply to a question posed by the Coordinating Committee for Africa in para 69, ALINORM 85/28A, that there were significant differences between sorghum grown in Africa and Argentina and that the ultimate use of the product (i.e. whether intended for animal or human consumption) was not always known. For this reason, sorghum was usually certified as regards safety and quality prior to marketing. Argentina could not accept the maximum level of 13% moisture content, since 15% would be required to take varieties grown in that country into account. The delegation of France supported the need for the development of a world-wide standard for sorghum, in order also to take into account varieties cultivated in temperate zones.
Status of the Proposed Draft African Regional Standard for Sorghum Grains
317. The Chairman of the Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes undertook to take this matter up in that Committee and to give it high priority.
318. Following discussion, the Commission agreed that the African Regional standards be developed for cassava flour and grated coconut and that these standards be submitted to governments for comments at Step 3 of the Procedure.
320. The Commission noted that the Coordinating Committee, at its 6th Session had endorsed a Resolution calling on governments to develop appropriate food safety programmes, bearing in mind that food could be an important vehicle for diarrhoeal and other diseases and also calling on FAO and WHO to continue to support governments in this field (see Appendix IV, ALINORM 85/28).
321. The Commission, noting that the Resolution had also been adopted by the Coordinating Committee for Asia, endorsed the Resolution as being applicable to most countries not only those in the African Region. The Resolution is included as Appendix VI to this Report.
322. Noting that Dr. J.K. Misoi of Kenya was not eligible for reappointment as Coordinator for Africa having served two consecutive terms, the Commission appointed Dr. Ati Randolph of Togo as Coordinator for Africa to serve from the end of the 16th to the end of the 17th Session of the Commission. The Commission expressed its appreciation to the outgoing Coordinator Dr. Misoi for his efforts in promoting African Regional food standards work.
323. The Commission had before it the Report of the Fourth Session of the Coordinating Committee for Asia (ALINORM 85/15) which had been held in Phetchburi, Thailand from 28 February to 5 March 1984.
325. The Commission noted that following the request of the 17th Session of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables to the Coordinating Committee to identify certain sections of the standards for processed fruits and vegetables which might be made optional, the Coordinating Committee had dealt in general with the subject of the amount of detail in some Codex standards and with the question of whether some parts of the standards should be made optional. The Coordinating Committee had decided that a questionnaire be formulated to seek the views of member countries on this matter.
326. The Commission also noted that there had been a detailed discussion in the Committee of the technical cooperation projects in the region related to strengthening the infrastructure for national food control systems. The Coordinating Committee had recommended that steps be taken to establish a Regional Network for Training of Food Inspectors in Asia, which should also promote the concept of technical cooperation among developing countries.
327. As regards problems relating to the acceptance of the Codex standard for Infant Formula, the Commission noted that it was mainly the techno-economic problems facing the countries in the Asian Region which were standing in the way of their accepting the Codex standard.
328. The Coordinating Committee had also discussed the topic of street vending of food and had expressed the view that, despite the problems arising from street vending of food, this trade provided an essential service to the public. Furthermore, since it was not practicable to prohibit this trade, gradual improvement had to be introduced in order to reduce the health risks. At the request of the Coordinating Committee, FAO had provided the services of a consultant to study these problems in depth.
329. The Commission had before it ALINORM 85/21 - Part III containing a report on other matters, as set forth below, arising from the Report of the Fourth Session of the Committee.
330. The Commission considered and endorsed the Resolution on Food Safety as contained in Appendix V of ALINORM 85/15, which made certain recommendations for follow-up action as a result of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Safety held in Geneva in June 1983.
331. The Commission noted that the Coordinating Committee for Asia had supported a proposal of the delegation of Malaysia for the elaboration of a Code of Practice for the Storage, Handling and Transport of Edible Oils in Bulk. The Commission requested the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO) to undertake the work of developing such a Code. As, at the moment, the Host Government (UK) had agreed to only one more session of the CCFO, following which it would be expected to adjourn sine die, the Commission agreed that the work on the elaboration and adoption of the Code should be accelerated. In this connection the Commission was informed that a first draft of the Code of Practice was already available in Malaysia. The Secretariat was requested to circulate it to governments for comments at Step 3 well in advance of the next session of of the CCFO. The Code with comments could then be considered by the next session of the CCFO.
332. The United Kingdom delegation stated that consideration of the above-mentioned Draft Code would be on the agenda of the next session of the CCFO, and agreed that the Draft Code should be sent out for comments at Step 3.
333. The Commission expressed its appreciation to the Government of Thailand for hosting the Fourth Session of the Coordinating Committee for Asia and also paid tribute to the late Professor Amara Bhumiratana, Coordinator, for his valuable contribution in promoting the work of the Commission in Asia.
334. The Commission was informed that the Coordinating Committee for Asia had unanimously nominated Dr. Roestamsjah (Indonesia) for appointment as Coordinator for Asia by the Commission at its Sixteenth Session, and that this nomination had the support of the Indonesian authorities. The Commission further noted that, owing to unforeseen circumstances, it had not been possible for Dr. Roestamsjah to be present at the current session of the Commission.
335. The Commission agreed without dissent to appoint Dr. Roestamsjah (Indonesia) as Coordinator for Asia, to serve from the end of the Sixteenth to the end of the Seventeenth Session of the Commission.
336. The Commission was informed by the delegation of Indonesia that the Government of Indonesia was prepared to host the Fifth Session of the Coordinating Committee for Asia in Indonesia, in early or late March 1986 (precise date to be agreed between the Indonesian authorities and the Secretariat).
337. The Committee had before it the Report of the 14th Session of the Coordinating Committee for Europe (ALINORM 85/19). Additional information on matters which required action were contained in ALINORM 85/21. Proposals for amendment and comments on the Draft Standard for Vinegar were contained in ALINORM 85/43, Part IV, LIM 6 and LIM 9.
338. The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. P. Rossier, in introducing this item, pointed out that many difficulties had been encountered in defining the scope of the standard. It was now limited to fermentation vinegar and did not include diluted edible acetic acid. He also informed the Commission that full consideration had been given to comments received from countries which were not members of the Region of Europe. While the Committee, at its 14th Session, had decided not to include products derived from synthetic acetic acid, it had agreed to the use of raw materials of silvicultural origin, in addition to those of agricultural origin. The Committee had also agreed to permit distilled alchohols as raw materials.
339. The Chairman of the Committee informed the Commission that, due to the timing of sessions, a few provisions on food additives (caramel colour by ammonia sulphite process and flavour enhancers) still required endorsement by CCFA and three methods of analysis were in the course of being finalized. He also pointed out that the matters raised as Step 8 comments had been fully discussed by the Committee.
340. Several delegations of the Region of Europe reiterated their comments which had already been considered by previous sessions of the Committee. The Commission agreed that an editorial amendment, as reflected in para 59, should be made to Section 8.1.3 of the standard.
341. The delegations of Sweden, France, Norway, Austria and Belgium supported adoption of the standard at Step 8. The delegations of Belgium, France and Portugal reiterated their reservations against the use of raw material of silvicultural origin.
342. The delegation of the United States stated that it had consistently opposed the elaboration of the above standard since it felt that vinegar was not an appropriate subject for a regional standard in that it was not traded exclusively or almost exclusively within the European Region. The delegation pointed out that the standard did not cover all products presently sold as vinegar and could therefore represent a barrier to trade. In the opinion of the United States major difficulties arose from the exclusion from the standard of products obtained through acetic fermentation of foodgrade distilled alcohol of non-agricultural origin and from an excessive requirement for total acidity in section 3.3. The delegation of the United States proposed that the total acidity minimum be lowered to 40 grammes per litre since in many countries the trend was toward vinegar of lower concentrations. The delegation of the United States stated that if the standard remained unchanged, most vinegars in the USA would not be covered by it. The delegation of the USA proposed, therefore, to either discontinue work on the Standard or return it to Step 6 of the Procedure. The delegation of Thailand supported the above view on total acid content. The delegations of Kenya, Australia, Canada and New Zealand supported the proposal made by the United States.
Status of the Standard
343. The Commission recalled that whereas the interpretation of Rule VI.3 earlier in the session (see para 85) confirmed that it was a matter for the Commission as a whole to decide whether a regional standard be elaborated, the adoption of a regional standard was a matter for the countries of the region concerned, according to the procedure for the Elaboration of Regional Codex Standards (see page 36 of the Procedural Manual, 5th Edition).
344. The Commission decided to return the Draft European Regional Standard for Vinegar to Step 6 of the Procedure, in view of the serious misgivings stated by several member countries of the Commission. It requested all member countries of the Commission to submit their comments on the standard for further consideration by the Committee.
345. The Chairman of the Committee expressed his disappointment with the Commission's decision. The delegations of Belgium and the United Kingdom also expressed disappointment and recalled that the 15th Session of the Commission had made a similar decision (see para. 241 of ALINORM 83/43).
Draft Code of Practice for the Collecting, Processing and Marketing of Natural Mineral Waters (Appendix VII to ALINORM 85/13A)
and
Proposed Draft Amendment to the Regional European Standard for Natural Mineral Waters (CODEX STAN 108–1981)
Microbiological Requirements, Section 5.4
(Annex I to Appendix IV to ALINORM 85/19)
346. The Commission recalled that it had agreed earlier in the Session that the above draft code at Step 8, being elaborated by the CCFH, and the proposed draft amendment on microbiological requirements at Step 5, being elaborated by this Committee, be considered together.
347. The Coordinator for Europe indicated that the Coordinating Committee for Europe had advanced the proposed draft amendment on microbiological requirements to Step 5 of the Procedure. He also pointed out that subsequently the 20th Session of the Committee on Food Hygiene had, after extensive consideration within a special working group, been able to endorse the proposed draft amendment. The CCFH had also included identical provisions in the form of microbiological endproduct specifications in the Code of Practice which had been advanced to Step 8 by the CCFH.
348. The Coordinator expressed the view that the action taken by the CCFH on the Code of Practice justified omission of Steps 6 and 7 and advancement to Step 8 of the proposed draft amendment to the regional standard on microbiological requirements and recommended to the Commission to adopt at Step 8 the identical provisions as contained in Section VIII of the Draft Code and Section 5.4 - Microbiological Requirements in the Regional European Standard.
349. The Coordinator for Europe thanked the representatives of GESEM for their consistent support in drawing up the highly technical provisions in the Codex documents concerning natural mineral waters and for providing technological and scientific expertise on this matter.
350. Several delegations drew attention to a footnote in the text of the endproduct specifications which indicated that methods of analysis still needed to be developed. They felt that the numerical values in the specifications were closely linked to the relevant methods and that the microbiological requirements in both texts should not be adopted at Step 8.
351. Attention was drawn to a paragraph in the report of the Working Group on Natural Mineral Waters of the CCFH which confirmed that the methods of analysis for the microbiological requirements would be available in the very near future.
Status of the Amendment
352. The Commission adopted at Step 8 the Amendment to the Regional European Standard for Natural Mineral Waters - Microbiological Requirements (Section 5.4).
Status of the Code of Practice
353. The Commission was informed by the rapporteur of the Committee on Food Hygiene. Dr. R.W. Weik of USA, that Committee had finalized the Code and recommended its adoption at Step 8.
354. The Commission adopted at Step 8 the Code of Practice for the Collecting, Processing and Marketing of Natural Mineral Waters.
Other Matters arising from the 14th Session of the Coordinating Committee for Europe
355. The Commission was informed that the Committee had considered a proposal that the provisions on Ra 226 Activity and on Beta-activity (Sections 3.2.16 and 4.2 respectively) of the above standard should be advisory and should be revised slightly to replace the available criteria for natural mineral waters, having regard also to the WHO Guidelines on Drinking Water.
356. The Commission agreed with the request of the Committee and approved the amendment of the standard: the above amendment was adopted at Step 5 of the Procedure.
357. On the proposal of the Coordinating for Europe, the Commission re-appointed Mr. P. Rossier (Switzerland) as Coordinator for Europe, to serve a second term from the end of the 16th Session to the end of the 17th Session of the Commission.
