JOINT FAO/WHO FOOD STANDARDS PROGRAMME
CODEX ALIMENTRIUS COMMISSION
Twenty-Second Session, Geneva, 23–28 June 1997

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INTRODUCTION

1.   The Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission held its Forty-Third Session at WHO Headquarters, Geneva, from 4 to 7 June 1996. The Session was chaired by the Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Professor Pakdee Pothisiri (Thailand). The list of participants at the Session is given in Appendix 1. The Session was opened by Dr. F. Antezana, Assistant Director-General, WHO, on behalf of the Directors-General of FAO and WHO.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA (Agenda Item 1)¹

2.   The Executive Committee adopted the Provisional Agenda as the Agenda for its Session. It was also agreed to consider, under Item 7 Other Business, current information on the occurrence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) as it may affect the work of Codex.

FINANCIAL AND BUDGETARY MATTERS (Agenda Item 2)²

Report on the Accounts for 1994/95

3.   The Executive Committee noted the satisfactory situation with regard to the budget and the expenditures for the biennium 1994/95. In particular, it noted that the expenditure was within the budgeted amount, taking into account the small surplus carried forward from the previous biennium.

Proposed Budget for 1996/97

4.   The Executive Committee noted that the Proposed Budget represented a substantial increase in the budget in the area of Non-Staff Human Resources (Consultants and Contracts). The largest component was in the non cost-sharing (FAO-only) part of the budget, and this would be used to support Codex activities at the national and regional level, especially with assistance in establishing national Codex Alimentarius Committees and similar activities. Costs for meetings, travel and documents had been reduced to take into account more cost-efficient travel arrangements, shorter meeting times and reduction in the length of documentation. The approved budget for 1996/97 is presented in Appendix 2 to this report.

¹ CX/EXEC 96/43/1; CX/EXEC 96/43/1 - Add. 1

² CX/EXEC 96/43/2 and Corr. 1

5.   The Executive Committee expressed its appreciation of the increased support given to the Codex Programme by FAO and the continued support by WHO in times of financial stringencies. It noted that this represented tangible evidence of the priority accorded to Codex by both parent Organizations.

6.   The Executive Committee also expressed its appreciation of the very generous support provided by Host Governments of Codex Committees, which amounted to approximately US$ 2.1 million to US$ 2.5 million per biennium. It requested the Secretariat to convey this appreciation to the Host Governments concerned. It further requested that estimates of Host Government support for the Codex Programme be reported on a regular basis.

Cost Implications of Providing Documentation and Interpretation in the Arabic Language

7.   The Executive Committee took note of the Secretariat's estimates on this matter. It agreed that the current budgetary situation, with its stress on the reduction of meeting and documentation costs, would not allow for the use of Arabic or any other language not a working language of the Codex Alimentarius Commission unless these costs could be covered by direct financial support from interested countries, as provided for in the Rules of Procedure³.

Cost Reduction in Documentation and Other Areas

8.   The Executive Committee recognized the need for maximum efficiency in the preparation and distribution of Codex working documents and in the organization of Codex meetings. However, noting the complexity of the issues dealt with by Codex, and the need for careful scientific evaluation and public review of many of the proposals being put to Codex Committees for consideration, the Executive Committee called for prudence in applying cost-reductions to these areas. In particular, the Executive Committee was concerned that cost reductions should not endanger the careful decision-making process on which Codex depended, nor on the transparency of this process. In this regard, the importance of timeliness in the preparation and distribution of documents was stressed.

New Mechanisms for the Strengthening of Codex Work

9.   The Commission had requested the Secretariat to report on the implications of establishing innovative mechanisms (such as trust funds) with contributions from external partners for the purpose of strengthening the work of the Commission, at the national level and particularly in support of the participation of developing countries. A proposal had been received from Consumers International in the latter regard⁴.

10.   It was noted that support to developing countries through project activities, exchange of national experts, and national seminars in relation to Codex matters was on-going and was expected to be enhanced (see para. 4, above).

11.   The Executive Committee welcomed the initiative of Consumers International. It also discussed the issue of trust funds which would assist government and other participation from developing countries. The Executive Committee requested that rules for the administration of such trust funds be developed to ensure that disbursement of the money would not be subject to influence by contributors and would be absolutely impartial and open to external scrutiny. The Executive Committee requested that a paper on this matter be prepared for consideration at its next session and the 22nd session of the Commission. On this basis, the Executive Committee recommended that thee proposal of Consumers International be forwarded to potential donors.

³ Rule XII.3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission: Procedural Manual, 9th Edition, 1995.

⁴ CX/EXEC 96/43/2, Annex 2.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S PROGRAMME OF WORK (Agenda Item 3)

Progress in Achieving the Medium-Term Objectives⁵

12.   The Committee noted with satisfaction the progress made towards achieving the Medium-Term Objectives, especially in relation to the targeted Project Plans. It also noted the satisfactory progress made by the Committee on Milk and Milk Products in advancing eight draft standards to Step 8 and the draft revised Code of Principles Concerning Milk and Milk Products to Step 5.

Implementation of Decisions Taken by the 21st Session of the Commission⁶

13.   The Executive Committee welcomed reporting of follow-up to the Commission's decisions and recommended that this should continue to be done. It was noted that a number of the matters requiring follow-up were included on the Executive Committee's present Agenda.

14.   On the matter of the working procedures of expert panels, specifically those for JECFA and JMPR, including procedures for the selection of experts, declaration of interest and assurance of adequate geographical representation (para. 26, ALINORM 95/37), the Commission specifically had asked the Secretariat to draw this matter to the attention of the Directors-General of FAO and WHO in the interest of increased transparency and to strengthen the role of science in the Codex decision making process. The Secretariat reported that it had not as yet been done. (See also para. 23)

15.   In regard to cooperation between UNECE and Codex (para. 32, ALINORM 95/37) in the elaboration of fresh fruit and vegetable standards, the need for close cooperation in order to avoid duplication of effort was reiterated and the suggestion was made that UNECE standards should be used as a starting point for draft Codex standards where appropriate. The Executive Committee requested that relevant UNECE Standards be distributed as working documents for the Codex Committee for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables when like products were being considered.

16.   The Executive Committee noted there had not as yet been follow up on the Commission's request to the Committee on General Principles and the Coordinating Committees to study mechanisms which might facilitate the expression of consensus (para. 33, ALINORM 95/37).

17.   In regard to work on the Standard for Edible Ices and Edible Ice Mixes (para 84, ALINORM 95/37), it was reported that edible ices were not significant items in international trade and the Executive Committee recommended that the Codex Standard be revoked. Further, in the absence of additional work for Codex Committee on Edible Ices, the Executive Committee recommended that the Committee be abolished.

Management of the Programme of Work: Consideration of New Work Items at Step 1 and Proposed Draft Standards and Related Texts at Step 5⁷

⁵ CX/EXEC 96/43/3; CX/EXEC 96/43/3 - Add. 1, (Conference Room Document No. 2) containing the Detailed Programme of Work.

⁶ CX/EXEC 96/43/4 (Conference Room Document).

⁷ CX/EXEC 96/43/5; CX/EXEC 96/43/5 - Add. 1 (Comments of Spain on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods); CX/EXEC 96/43/5 - Add. 3 (Comments of the United Kingdom on Food Hygiene)

18.   The Executive Committee reviewed proposals for new work submitted by various subsidiary Committees of the Commission in light of their relevance to the mandate of the Commission and in the framework of the Medium-Term Objectives. The Executive Committee's decisions are tabulated in Appendix 3. The Executive Committee also agreed to delete one item of work from the programme.

19.   The Executive Committee discussed the initiation of new work by the Committee on Food Hygiene to define better consumer responsibilities in food safety taking into account the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, particularly with respect to consumer education materials. The focus would be on food acquisition; food transport and storage; preparation and handling; food service; and storage of leftover food. The Executive Committee invited the United States to prepare an outline of a paper in collaboration with appropriate representatives of FAO and WHO for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee on Food Hygiene. It suggested that this proposal should be examined by the Committee in light of its present work programmes and priorities.

20.   In reviewing Proposed Draft Standards and related texts at Step 5, the Executive Committee took into account written technical comments received on several items, and asked that these comments also be taken into account by the relevant Committees when considering the Draft Texts at Step 7. The Executive Committee also noted some specific comments which had been raised in regard to the following Proposed Draft Maximum Residue Limits and referred these to the Committee on Pesticide Residues. These comments affected particularly Good Agricultural Practices in relation to the Draft MRLs for (31) Diquat on clover; (111) Iprodium on blackberries; and (189) Tebuconazole in grapes, whether the MRL for (106) Ethephon on cantaloupe was meant to refer to melon; and on the need for a better exposure assessment for (90) Chloropyrifos Methyl in rice.

Matters referred by Codex Committees⁸

Codex Regional Coordinating Committee for Europe

21.   On the issue of the desirability of extending the acceptance procedure for Codex standards to all Codex texts, including Guidelines and recommendations, the Executive Committee recommended that the Committee on General Principles examine the merits of continuing the present acceptance procedure to determine whether it was still relevant or necessary, taking into account the provisions of the WTO Agreements on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and on Technical Barriers to Trade. The Executive Committee recognized that information on the use of Codex Standards, guidelines and other recommendations was an essential element of transparency.

22.   The Executive Committee noted that the WTO Committee on SPS Measures had not yet established a list of Standards, guidelines or other recommendations of importance to international trade. It reiterated the need for Secretariat guidance to be provided to Coordinating Committees in their review of standards which had potential trade impact. It noted that, in part, this review was useful in identifying areas where the development of additional Codex texts was required. It also had the potential to assist in setting priorities for the revision of standards and in identifying problems in the application of standards. Such an exercise should aim at having a set of Codex Standards, guidelines and other recommendations which were relevant, coherent and perfectly up-to-date. The relative status of Codex Standards and advisory texts, especially the question of including quality provisions in Codes of Practice, was raised as a matter of particular concern (See also paras. 51–52 below). The Executive Committee requested to be kept informed of the status of the WTO list of standards, guidelines and other recommendations at the appropriate time.

⁸ CX/EXEC 96/43/5 - Add. 2 (Conference Room Document No 4.).

23.   On the issue of transparency, the Executive Committee noted that the Commission had decided that meetings of the Executive Committee would not be open to the public or to observers other than the Regional Coordinators as Officers of the Commission. The Executive Committee noted the opinions of some Members that the admission of consumers' organizations as observers would assist in enhancing transparency of decision-making. However, the Executive Committee agreed that it would not be appropriate to admit one interest group only, and that the admission of as many observer organizations as were normally present at Commission sessions would not assist the Executive Committee to transact its normal business free from external influences. The Executive Committee agreed therefore to continue the current arrangements. It called for improved procedures to enhance transparency by making available all of the working papers for as much public comment as possible and for early and frank dissemination of the Executive Committee's deliberations. The Executive Committee supported a proposal that an information paper should be prepared outlining the procedures used for the selection of members of FAO and WHO Expert Committees and Consultations, including the provisions relating to declaration of interests.

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses

24.   The Executive Committee was unable to provide additional clarification on the proposal to consider the development of guidance on the sale of potentially harmful herbs and botanical preparations sold as food. It requested the Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses to consider the matter and to report its findings to the next session of the Executive Committee.

Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products

25.   The Executive Committee approved the new work proposed by the Committee (see Appendix 3). In the matter of the Guidelines for Methylmercury in Fish, the Executive Committee recommended that a new risk analysis be undertaken, including an evaluation of newly available safety information, with consideration being given to the establishment of new risk management options as part of the Codex Guideline, particularly any action relevant to the current Guideline. The Executive Committee asked the Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants to initiate the necessary work.

Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific

26.   The Executive Committee noted that most of the matters raised by the Coordinating Committee would be discussed under other Agenda Items. It welcomed information provided by the Secretariat concerning the release of the Codex Alimentarius on CD-ROM and the proposal to initiate a pilot project before the end of 1996 to allow Codex working documents to be available over the Internet.

Codex Committee on Food Labelling

27.   The Executive Committee considered the request of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling for guidance in the interpretation of the Four Statements of Principle Concerning the Role of Science in the Codex Decision-making Process and the Extent to which Other Factors are taken into Account⁹. The Executive Committee stressed that the Statements of Principle were intended for the guidance of all Codex Committees. The underlying principle was that Codex standards, guidelines and other recommendations should be based on science, especially in regard to standards and other recommendations directed towards the protection of consumers' health, but that other factors concerning fair practices in the food trade were legitimately within the scope of the Commission's Statutes and hence its mandate. The Executive Committee did not accept the view that standards directed to ensuring fair practices in the food trade in areas other than the protection of consumers' health were excluded from the Commission's mandate, although all work should be guided by the four Statements of Principle.

28.   On this basis, while some reservations were expressed, the Executive Committee decided not to intervene in the matter of the Draft General Guidelines for the Use of the Term “Halal”, noting that these Guidelines had been developed in the interest of promoting fair practices in the food trade. The Draft Guidelines would therefore be considered at Step 8 by the 22nd Session of the Commission as had been proposed by the Committee on Food Labelling.

⁹ ALINORM 95/37, Appendix 2.

29.   In the matter of the proposal to initiate the preparation of proposed draft guidelines for the labelling of foods prepared with the aid of biotechnology, the Executive Committee stressed that the Four Statements of Principle should be closely adhered to. It noted the opinion claiming that while consumers may claim the right to know whether or not foods had been prepared by such means, it also noted that the claimed right to know was ill-defined and variable and in this respect could not be used by Codex as the primary basis of decision-making on appropriate labelling. The Executive Committee stated that there were certain elements which clearly had to be taken into account when considering the labelling of foods in relation to production processes. Foremost among these was the protection of consumers' health from any risks introduced by the production process, followed by consideration of any nutritional implications which resulted from changes to the composition of the food, by any significant technological changes in the properties of the food itself, and the prevention of deceptive trade practices. To a considerable extent such matters would have to be decided on a case-by-case basis. The Executive Committee noted that there was always the possibility of voluntary labelling.

30.   The Executive Committee agreed that a paper containing proposed draft guidelines or other appropriate advice should be prepared on this basis for the consideration of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, and that the paper should be circulated well in advance of the session in order to allow an adequate period for comments. The Executive Committee recommended that the conclusions of the second FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Food Safety Aspects of Biotechnology (Rome, September 1996) should be taken into account in the preparation of the paper.

Risk Analysis IN Codex Work: Progress Report¹⁰ (Agenda Item 4)

31.   The Executive Committee welcomed progress report and complimented the Secretariat on the quality of the document. It expressed its satisfaction with the progress being made in integrating risk analysis methodology into the work of the relevant Codex Committees.

32.   Consideration was given to the analysis of the government comments received in response to CL 1995/40-CAC relative to Terms and Definitions Used in Risk Analysis. In this regard and related to a suggestion made by a WHO representative that these definitions be subject to additional review and rewording as necessary to harmonize them with existing definitions of other organizations, the Committee noted that any additional delay in advancing these definitions was unwarranted and that sufficient opportunity had been provided for comment.

33.   The Executive Committee agreed ask the Secretariat to forward the Terms and Definitions to Codex Committees and Member governments for interim use, and to forward the comments on Definitions and the Definitions themselves to the Committee on General Principles for final review with the objective of incorporating them into the Procedural Manual as uniform definitions for Codex Purposes. The Committee recognized that definitions in Risk Analysis were evolving and future changes may be required.

Determination, Interpretation and Application OF Residue Limits¹¹ (Agenda Item 5)

34.   The Executive Committee welcomed the opportunity to discuss the issues presented in the paper, recognizing that a number of these issues were crucial to the understanding of the process by which Codex residue limits were established and how they were to be used and applied by member countries. The Executive Committee noted the progress which had been achieved in improving and accelerating the MRL-setting process, especially since 1991.

¹⁰ CX/EXEC 96/43/6.

¹¹ CX/EXEC 96/43/7; CX/EXEC/43/7 - Add. 1 (Conference Room Document)

35.   Several Members expressed concern that the paper seemed to place too great an emphasis on bilateral resolution of problems in this critical area, rather than using the potential of the Codex processes to avoid problems. Furthermore, there was concern that emphasis on dealing with consumer risk as determined on a case-by-case basis in incidents where residues exceeded or otherwise violated established MRLs, could create regulatory or legal difficulties. However, the Executive Committee suggested that such issues should be discussed from the perspective of risk management by the relevant Codex Committees and by the FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Risk Management scheduled for January 1997.

36.   The Executive Committee also stressed the need to continue to improve the Codex process for the elaboration of MRLs, as the development of a comprehensive set of MRLs for all relevant residue/commodity combinations was seen as a major contribution to the prevention of the difficulties outlined in the paper. It recognized that this could require a redistribution of available resources to achieve this goal.

37.   Nevertheless, the Executive Committee recognized that many of the problems outlined in the paper could not be resolved exclusively by improving the MRL-setting process. It discussed in particular the possibility of developing guidance, for example, the adoption of MRLs by reference to other standards or the adoption of temporary MRLs in cases where agricultural or residue data were weak, taking into account the toxicological status of the compounds of concern and Good Agricultural and Veterinary Practice. It also proposed that a paper on appropriate responses to residue incidents, including consideration of the use of risk management principles, could be considered within the Codex framework.

38.   The Executive Committee invited the Secretariat and the Government of Australia to prepare more closely focused papers for the consideration by the relevant Codex Committees in their areas of competence. It asked to be kept informed of progress in the areas touched upon by the paper.

Draft Provisional Agenda FOR THE 22ND Session OF THE Codex Alimentarius Commission¹² (Agenda Item 6)

39.   In considering the Draft Provisional Agenda for the 22nd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Members expressed their support for the cost saving and efficiency measures imposed by the sponsoring Organizations. However, they expressed their concern for assuring sufficient meeting time for appropriate deliberation and meaningful debate of the important issues before the Commission in view of the new responsibilities brought about by the WTO Agreements.

40.   The Executive Committee emphasised the need for Committee Chairperson to report on the technical background to standards and texts being considered for adoption, but stated that the time allowed for presenting such reports would need to be limited. Further, Members supported the continuation of reports from the Regional Coordinating Committees with similar time constraints.

41.   The Executive Committee agreed with the proposals by some members to include an agenda item addressing Codex and parent organizations' activities related to relevant WTO issues; strengthening Agenda Item 6 by including in addition to the reference to consumers, reference to developing countries Members and other interest groups' involvement in Codex work; and, re-ordering agenda items 8, 9, 10, and 11 upwards on the agenda to allow for sufficient time for appropriate consideration and debate of technical standards and texts.

42.   With these proposed changes, the Draft Provisional Agenda for the 22nd Session of the Commission was recommended to FAO and WHO for approval.

¹² CX/EXEC 96/43/8.

Other Business (Agenda Item 7)

Micronutrient Malnutrition in Asia and the Potential Role of the Codex Alimentarius Commission ¹³

43.   The Chairperson outlined the discussion which has been held by the Codex Regional Coordinating Committee for Asia and the decision which had led to this item being included on the Executive Committee's Agenda. The Executive Committee welcomed the opportunity to discuss these matters, especially in regard to the differing needs of the various regions represented on the Executive Committee and the needs of the different population groups within these regions. It recognized the importance and effectiveness of food fortification as a public health intervention where the circumstances merited such interventions. The fortification of salt with iodine was recognized as being particularly effective. It was noted that Codex was developing guidance in this specific area. The Codex General Principles for the Addition of Essential Nutrients to Foods¹⁴ were also seen as a valuable contribution for providing guidance to governments and food processors.

44.   Nevertheless, it was recognized that decisions on fortification rested primarily with national governments and that decisions sometimes needed to be taken at even more local levels. It was suggested that Codex could assist governments by identifying appropriate fortifications and vehicles for fortification, and by expediting the Draft Guidelines on Nutrition Claims which would help to encourage fortification in cases where it was needed. Apart from this, the Executive Committee was of the opinion that Codex had a relatively limited role to play in this area.

45.   A representative of WHO reported on the need for strengthening nutrition activities in developing countries to overcome severe nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition; the significance of food fortification particularly for iodine deficiency; the development of better approaches to nutritional education programmes; and to up-date nutritional requirement guidelines. He pointed out that the most comprehensive WHO monograph on this subject was published in 1974 and an update of this text should be available later this year.

46.   The FAO representative reported on the recent activities of the Organization in the field of Nutrition, reporting on the number of technical assistance projects to developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa in developing National Plans of Action as a follow up to the International Conference on Nutrition (December 1992). A brief report was provided on the outcome of the FAO Technical Consultation on Food Fortification: Technical and Quality Control, held in Rome from 20–23 November 1995¹⁵. The representative also informed the Committee of the planned Calcium and Vitamin D Conference to be held in Rome in late 1996.

47.   The Executive Committee noted and welcomed the efforts of FAO and WHO in providing specialist advice in the area of food fortification.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

48.   The Executive Committee was informed of the current status of actions being taken in Europe and internationally in regard to BSE. The Executive Committee noted that the OIE had amended the Chapter of the OIE Zoösanitary Code to strengthen it, especially in regard to surveillance of the disease, and was providing guidance on products which were considered to be free from the infective agent.

¹³ CX/EXEC 96/43/9.

¹⁴ CAC/GL 9-1987 (Amended 1989, 1991).

¹⁵ CX/EXEC 96/43/9 - Add. 1 (Conference Room Document)

49.   The Executive Committee was also informed of two most recent WHO Expert Consultations (April and May 1996) relative to this issue; one dealing predominantly with public health concerns and the other with the need to strengthen surveillance and other basic studies on BSE and Creuzfeld-Jacob Disease. The report of the first of these Consultations was made available to the Executive Committee¹⁶. It was noted in particular that milk and milk products were considered not to carry the BSE agent. Both Consultations had called for more effective surveillance and research in the respective fields.

50.   It was noted that FAO was considering the development of guidance in relation to the preparation of animal feedingstuffs and a possible code of practice on good animal feeding practices. The Commission would be kept informed of developments, including any potential role which the Commission might be called upon to play in the development of these documents.

Status of Codex Guidelines, Codes of Practice and Other Advisory Texts

51.   The Executive Committee noted that Codex “advisory” texts covered a very wide range of subject matter and varied considerably in their content. Some texts, such as guidelines for contaminants, were very specific in nature and were intended for direct use by governments. Others texts were more instructive or educational (such as the material in some Codes of Hygienic Practice) or else included quality criteria which could be used as standards within the meaning of the term as defined by the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

52.   The Executive Committee requested the Secretariat to undertake an analysis of all so-called “advisory texts” with a view to clarifying the status of these texts and their specific contents, especially within the context of the relevant WTO Trade Agreements.

Submission of Government Comments

53.   The Executive Committee noted that in recent years it had increasingly been the practice that government comments in response to Circular Letters were being submitted to Committees for consideration at the very last moment, sometimes on the opening day of Committee session, regardless of the deadline specified in the Circular Letter. It was of the opinion that this practice was highly unsatisfactory, and was contrary to the overall interests of Members of the Commission and general transparency.

54.   The Executive Committee called upon the Secretariat and all Codex Committees concerned to observe the time periods specified in the Guidelines for Codex Committees for the issuance of working papers. It also called upon all governments and interested international organizations to adhere to the deadlines specified in Codex Circular Letters. It recommended to the secretariats of Codex Committees that comments received in response to Circular Letters be compiled and distributed as soon as possible after the specified deadlines and that late comments not be published.

¹⁶ WHO/EMC/DIS/96.147

Appendix 1

ATTENDANCE AT THE 43RD SESSION OF THE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION
Geneva, 4–7 June 1996

Appendix 2

Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme
Approved Budget 1996/97

Appendix 3

Approval OF Proposals FOR New Work (Step 1)

Deletion OF Items FROM THE Programme OF Work

Consideration OF Proposed Draft Standards AND Related Texts AT Step 5

Mrls Advanced To Step 5 Of The Codex Procedure

Note:(*), at or about the limit of determination;

Po, the MRL accomodates post-harvest treatment ofthe commodity.