The 45th session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) has concluded in Budapest, Hungary. Following adoption of the meeting report, Chairperson Attila Nagy thanked all those involved in the smooth running of the week-long meeting and, in line with a CCMAS tradition, he provided the recipe for this year’s soup: Shoyu Ramen.

CCMAS45 addressed a typical agenda this week, as well as hearing about and discussing plans for a new online database of the methods included in Codex Recommended methods of analysis and sampling (CXS 234-1999), or “234”. Regarding the Committee’s discussion on 234, CCMAS45 considered the recommendations regarding the three different workable packages under review. Regarding the fruit juices workable package, delegates discussed the report and recommendations of

the expert group convened by the International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association (IFU). Because of the complexity, scope, and volume of the changes to methods proposed by the expert group, the Committee agreed to establish an electronic working group (EWG) to review those changes and report back to CCMAS46. The Committee agreed to re-establish the EWG on the cocoa products and chocolate workable package, since that group’s report was not available in time for delegates to review it. The complexity and variety of issues involved in assessing the methods relevant to the honey and sugars workable packaged led CCMAS45 to also re-establish that EWG to continue reviewing the relevant methods and identify other relevant issues.

The Committee also discussed and agreed upon methods of analysis for precautionary allergen labelling, and reported back to the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) on this issue. The Committee further agreed to publish, as an information document, the document entitled Harmonization of names and format for principles in CXS 234-1999.

Regarding sampling plans, the Committee discussed the appropriate way to include these in the new database to ensure maximum clarity of information. CCMAS45 also agreed to inform all other Codex committees that CXS 234-1999 should be the single reference for methods of analysis and sampling plans going forward and that the Committee will continue work to align 234 with the General guidelines on sampling (CXG 50-2004). CCMAS45 also agreed to work on draft guidance on sample plans for bulk materials / heterogenous lot, including practical examples applicable to mycotoxins in consultation with the Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF)

CCMAS45 addressed and agreed upon methods of analysis, numeric performance criteria and sampling plans referred to it by Codex subsidiary bodies, including the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF), the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA), FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNE), the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) and the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO).

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CCMAS45 webpage