G/TBT/GEN/238  
 
20 November 2017  
(17-6333) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
 
ACTIVITIES OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS C OMMISSION  (CODEX)  
RELATED TO THE WORK OF THE WTO TBT COMMI TTEE  
INFORMATION PROVIDED  BY CODEX  
This document contains information provided by Codex  at the TBT Committee meeting of  
8-9 November 2017  under Agenda Item 4  (Updating by Observers ). 
 
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1  CODEX SESSIONS SINCE  LAST SUBMISSION ( JUNE 2017 ) 
 73rd Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commiss ion (Geneva, Switzerland, 
10-13 July 2017)  
 40th Codex Alimentarius Commission (Geneva, Switzerland, 17 –22 July 2017)  
 74th Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome,  Italy, 
27-29 September 2017)  
 20th Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (Kampala, Uganda, 2 –6 October 
2017)  
 44th Codex Committee on Food Labelling ( Asunción , Paraguay,  16–20 October 2017)  
In particular, the TBT Committee may wish to note the following:  
1.  The Codex Alimentarius Commission  adopted 14 new Standards (e.g. Regional Standard 
for Laver products ) and 28 changes to existing standards and related texts  (e.g. Amendment to 
the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits). The Commission also approved 33 proposals for new work 
(e.g. Regional Standard for Kava as a beverage when mixed with cold water ); agreed to adjourn 
sine die  the Committee on Milk and Milk Products ( CCMMP); and elected Mr Guilherme Antonio da 
Costa Jr. (Brazi l) as chairperson, and as vice -chairperson: Mr Purw iyatno Hariyadi (Indonesia), 
Ms Mariam Eid (Lebanon) and Mr Steve Wearne (United Kingdom). Full report  
2.  The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetab les concluded work on the standard for 
aubergines. The Committee agreed to continue its work on the standards for garlic, kiwifruits, 
ware potatoes and fresh dates. The Committee also agreed to propose new work on the 
development of standards for yam, onio ns and shallots and berry fruits. Full report  
3.  The Codex  Committee on Food Labelling concluded the revision on the date marking 
provision in the General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CXS 1 -1985); and 
agreed to: a) continue developing the guidance on the labelling of non -retail containers; b) start 
new work to develop guidelines on the front of pack nutrition labelling (FOPL); and identified 
several areas for potential new work ( i.e. Internet  sales of food (e -commerce); Allergen labelling; 
Innovation (use of technology in food labelling); Alcoh ol labelling; definition of high in nutritional 
descriptors for fats; sugars and sodium; and labelling of foods in multipack format. Full report   
 G/TBT/GEN/238  
 
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  2  FORTHCOMING CODEX ME ETINGS (UNTIL NOVEMBER 2017 ) 
 49th Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (Chicago, United States of America, 
13-17 November 2017)  
 5th Ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance  (Jeju, Republic 
of Korea, 27 November -2 December 2017)  
 39th Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Di etary Uses  (Berlin, Germany, 
4-8 December 2017)  
With regards to the forthcoming meetings, the TBT Committee may wish to note the following:  
4.  The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses  will proceed with 
its work on review of the Standard for Follow -Up Formula  (CODEX STAN 156 -1987) , definition for 
Biofortification, NRV -NCD for EPA and DHA long chain omega -3 fatty acids, NRV -R for Older 
Infants and Young Children  and development of Guideline for Ready -to-use Therapeutic Foods.  The 
Committee will also consider discussion paper on Claim for "free" of Tran s Fatty Acids.  
 
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