G/SPS/GEN/1709  
 
28 June 2019  
(19-4348) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
INFORMATION ON ACTIV ITIES  
COMMUNICATION FROM T HE CODEX ALIMENTARIU S COMMISSION (CODEX)  
The following communication, received on 27 June 2019, is being c irculated at the request of 
the Codex  secretariat.  
 
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1  CODEX SESSIONS BETWEEN OCTOBER 2018 AND FEBRUARY 20 19 
• 26th Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 25 February – 1 March 
2019)  
• 31st Codex Committee on General Principles (Bordeaux, France, 11 –15 March 2019)  
• 51st Codex Committee on Food Additives (Jinan, China, 25 –29 Ma rch 2019)  
• 51st Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (Macao SAR, China, 8 –13 April 2019)  
• 13th Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 29 April – 3 May 
2019)  
• 45th Codex Committee on Food Labelling (Ottawa, Canada, 13 –17 May 2019)  
• 40th Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (Budapest, Hungary, 27 -31 May 
2019)  
In particular, the SPS Committee may wish to note the following:  
1.1.  The Codex Committee on Food Additives  concluded its work on Specifications for the 
Identity and Puri ty of Food Additives  (CXM 6); food -additive provisions of the General Standard for 
Food Additives  (GSFA) (CXS192 -1995); revision of the Class Names and the International 
Numbering System for Food Additives  (CXG 36 -1989). The Committee agreed to forward to CAC42 
for adoption of the revised food additives section of a number of commodity standards related to its 
work on alignment. The Committee also forwarded to CAC42 for adoption of the revised food 
additive s provisions of the GSFA in relation to the replacement Notes to Note 161. The Committee 
agreed to continue its work on food additive provisions of the GSFA; revision of CXG 36 -1989; 
specifications for the Identity and Purity of Food Additives prepared by the 87th meeting of JECFA; 
alignment of the food additive provisions of commodity standards and relevant provisions of the 
GSFA; and proposal for additions and changes to the Priority List of substances proposed for 
evaluation by JECFA.  
Full report:  REP19/ FA (http://www.fao.org/fao -who-codexalimentarius/sh -
proxy/ en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252F
Meetings%252FCX -711-51%252FReport%252FREP19_FAe.pdf ) 
1.2.  The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues  finalized maximum residue limits (MRLs) for 
different combinations of pesticide/commo dity(ies) and continues the revision of the Classification 
of Food and Feed  (CX/M 4 -1989).  
Full report:  REP19/PR  (http://www.fao.org/fao -who-codexalime ntarius/sh -
proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252F
Meetings%252FCX -718-51%252FREPORT%252FFinal%252520Report%252FREP19_PRe.pdf ) 
1.3.  The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods  finalized revision of the maximum levels 
(MLs) for lead in selected commodities in the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food 
and Feed  (CXS 193 -1995); development of MLs for cadmium in certain categories of chocolates; G/SPS/GEN/1709  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Code of practice for the reduction of 3 -3-monochloropropane -1,2-diol or 3 -chloropropane -1,2-diol 
ester(s) (MCPDEs) and Glycidyl ester(s) (GEs) in refined oils and food products made with refined 
oils; and Guidelines for Rapid Risk Analysis Following Instances of Detection of Contaminants in Food 
Where There Is No Regula tory Level. The Committee continues work on the development of MLs for 
cadmium in other chocolates and cocoa -derived products.  
Full report:  REP19/CF  (http://www.fao.org/fao -who-codexalimentarius/sh -
proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252F
Meetings%25 2FCX-735-13%252FREPORT%252FFinal%252520Report%252FREP19_CFe.pdf ) 
1.4.  The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling  finalized the preamble and 
document structure for the General Standard on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CXS 234 -1999) 
and methods o f analysis/performance criteria for provisions in Codex standards. The Committee 
continues work on endorsement of methods of analysis and sampling in Codex standards and other 
matters related to sampling procedures and the review and update of the Standard  on Methods of 
Analysis and Sampling  (CXS 234 -1999)  
Full report:  REP19/MAS  (http://www.fao.org/fao -who-codexalimentarius/sh -
proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252F
Meetings%252FCX -715-40%252FFINAL%252520REPORT%252FREP19_MASe.pdf ) 
2  FORTHCOMING CODEX ME ETINGS  
• 77th Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Geneva, Switzerland, 
1-5 July 2019)  
• 42nd Codex Alimentarius Commission (Geneva, Switzerland, 8 –12 July 2019)  
• 23rd FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa (Nairobi, Kenya, 2 –6 September 2019)  
• 15th FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and South West Pacific (Port Vila, 
Vanuatu, 16 –20 September 2019)  
• 21st FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Asia (Goa, India, 23 –27 September 2019)  
• 31st FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Europe (Almaty, Kazakhstan, 30 September – 
4 October 2019)  
• 21st Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, 
7-11 October 2019)  
• 21st FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean (Santiago, 
Chile, 21–15 October 2019)  
• 51st Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (Cleveland, USA, 4 –8 November 2019)  
• 10th FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Near East (TBA, November 2019 (dates to be 
confirmed)  
• 41st Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (Duesseldorf, 
German y, 24–29 November 2019)  
• 7th Ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (Pyeongchang, 
Republic of Korea, 9 –13 December 2019)  
 
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