WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SPS/GEN/1182 
24 July 2012 
 (12-4055) 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES 
 
Communication from the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) 
  
 The following communication, received on 9 July 2012, is being circulated at the request of 
the Codex secretariat. 
 
_______________ 
  
I. CODEX SESSIONS SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE 
(MARCH 2012) 
 Codex  Committee on Contaminants in Food (Maastricht, Netherlands, 26-30 March 2012)  
 Codex Committee on General Principles (Paris, France, 2-6 April 2012)  
 Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (Shanghai, China, 23-28 April 2012)  
 Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Dr ugs in Foods (San Juan, Puerto Rico, 7-
11 May 2012)  
 Codex  Committee on Food Labelling (O ttawa, Canada, 15-18 May 2012)  
 Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, Italy, 26-29 June 2012) 
 Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, Italy, 2-7 July 2012) 
A. C
OMMITTEE ON CONTAMINANTS IN FOODS  
1. The Committee finalized the following:  Risk Analysis Principles Applied by the Codex 
Committee on Contaminants in Foods and the Code  of Practice for Source Directed Measures to 
Reduce Contamination of Food with Chemicals as to their applicability to feed;  Maximum Levels for 
Melamine in Food ( liquid infant formula ); and Maximum Levels for Tota l Aflatoxins in Dried Figs 
including Sampling Plans.  It proceeded with its  work on Maximum Levels for Arsenic in Rice;  
Maximum Levels for Deoxynivalenol  (DON) in Cereals and Cereal-b ased Products and Associated 
Sampling Plans.  The Committee agreed on severa l items of new work which were subsequently 
approved by the Commis sion (see Appendix II). 
B. COMMITTEE ON GENERAL PRINCIPLES  
2. The Committee endorsed several amendments to  the Procedural Manual originating from 
Codex Committees, in particular texts related to risk analysis:  revised Risk Analysis Principles and 
Procedures Applied by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene ;  Risk analysis principles applied by 
the Committee on Food Additives and Committee on Cont aminants in Foods;  and revised Definition 
of contaminants.  It agreed to proceed with its work  on issues related to Standards held at Step 8;  a G/SPS/GEN/1182 
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  mechanism for examining economic impact stat ements; proposed amendment to its terms of 
reference; Codex/OIE cooperation; and agreed on a dditional items of work related to procedures.  
C. C
OMMITTEE ON PESTICIDE RESIDUES  
3. The Committee forwarded to the Commission fo r adoption many new and revised MRLs for 
pesticides; completed the Revision to the Code x Classification of Food and Animal Feed (fruit 
commodity groups) and Principles and Guidance for the Selection of Representative Commodities for 
the Extrapolation of Maximum Residue Limits fo r Pesticides to Commodity Groups.  The Committee 
will continue work in particular on MRLS, on the revision of the Codex Classification of Foods and 
Animal Feeds and on the Risk Analysis Principles applied by the CCPR ; and on a Pilot Project for 
JMPR Recommendation of MRLs before National Governments or Other Regional Registration 
Authorities.   
D. COMMITTEE ON RESIDUES OF VETERINARY DRUGS IN FOODS  
4. The Committee forwarded for adoption to the Commission several Maximum Residues 
Limits (MRLs) for Veterinary Drugs:  narasin (in cattle tissues) amoxicillin in several tissues; monensin (in cattle’s liver); and the Proposed draf t Sampling Plans for Residue Control for Aquatic 
Animal Products and Derived Edib le Products of Aquatic Origin (T able C, Annex B of CAC/GL 71-
2009).  It finalized the revision of the Risk Analysis Principles applied by the CCRVDF and the Risk 
Assessment Policy for Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods .  It proceeded with work on Proposed 
draft Guidelines on Performance Characteristics for Multi-residues Methods (Appendix to CAC/GL 
71-2009), established a Priority List of Veterinary  Drugs Requiring Evaluatio n or Re-evaluation by 
JECFA and proposed new work on Risk Management Recommendations for Residues of Veterinary 
Drugs for which no ADI and/or MRLs has been recommended by JECFA due to Specific Human 
Health Concerns .  
5. The 35
th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission,  among others: 
 adopted 18 new or revised Code x standards or related texts and many new or revised 
provisions for additives and MRLs for pesticid es and veterinary drugs (see Appendix I), and 
approved a number of new work  proposals (see Appendix II); 
 considered the implementation of the Strategi c Plan 2008-2013 of the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission and the draft Strategic Plan 2014-2018,  and agreed on the process to be followed 
for its completion for adoption;  
 considered budgetary issues and in particular the difficulties related to funding for FAO/WHO 
scientific advice;   
 considered the implementation of the Code x Trust Fund Mid-term Review and the new 
Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of the Trust Fund.  
6. The draft report in all languages is available at:  
ftp://ftp.fao.org/codex/meetings/CAC /CAC35/draftreport.  The final report will be available by the 
end of July on the Codex website http://www.codexalimentarius.org . 
 
II. FORTHCOMING CODEX MEETINGS  
 Codex Committee  on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (Mex ico City, Mexico, 3-7 September 2012)  
 FAO/WO Coordinating Committee for North Amer ica and the South West Pacific (Madang, 
Papua New Guinea, 19-22 September 2012)  G/SPS/GEN/1182 
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   FAO/WO Coordinating Committee for Europe (Batumi, Georgia, 25-28 September 2012) 
 Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products  (Bali, Indonesia, 1-5 October 2012)  
 Codex Committee  on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (Montego Bay, Jamaica,  
15-19 October 2012)  
7. The FAO/WHO Coordinating Committees consider C odex matters of interest to the region, 
promote exchange of information within the region on food legislation and food control issues, Codex 
structures and participation, the use of Codex sta ndards, identifying issues related to the use or non-
use of Codex standards and related texts at the nati onal and regional levels.  They define the problems 
and needs of the region concerning food standards and food control, and so me of them develop 
regional standards for products that  may not be traded internationally but for which there is significant 
regional trade.  The Commission also forwarded so me questions on general issues to Coordinating 
Committees, especially as regards the new Strategic Plan.  
8. FAO and WHO generally convene regional workshops on issues of interest to the region in 
conjunction with the Coordinating Committees, and with funding from the Codex Trust Fund.  
A. SCIENTIFIC ADVICE  
9. The document  on the status of requests for scientific advice provided by FAO and WHO is 
available at the following address:  ftp://ftp.fao.org/codex/mee tings/CAC/CAC35/cac35_14e.pdf  
B. TECHNICAL COOPERATION  
10. The document  on relevant activities of FAO and WHO, including specific projects at the 
regional and national level, is av ailable at the following address: 
 ftp://ftp.fao.org/codex/meeti ngs/CAC/CAC35/cac35_14_add1e.pdf 
 
11. The documents on the Codex Trust Fund are available at the following addresses: 
 ftp://ftp.fao.org/codex/m eetings/CAC/CAC35/cac35_13e.pdf  
 ftp://ftp.fao.org/codex/mee tings/CAC/CAC35/cac35_13_add1e.pdf  
 G/SPS/GEN/1182 
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  APPENDIX I 
LISTS OF STANDARDS AND RELATED TEXTS ADOPTED BY THE 34TH SESSION OF 
THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION 
  
Part 1 – Standards and Related Texts Adopted at Step 8 
 
Standards and Related Texts Reference Status 
Food additive provisions of the General 
Standard for Food Additives (GSFA), REP12/FA Appendix VI adopted with 
amendments  
(See Agenda Item 4) 
Revision of the Standard for Food Grade Salt 
(CODEX STAN 150-1985) REP12/FA Appendix XI adopted 
Maximum Level for Melamine in Liquid 
Infant Formula (ready to consume) REP12/CF Appendix V adopted 
Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides REP12/PR Appendix II adopted 
Revision to the Codex Classification of Food 
and Animal Feed (fruit commodity groups)  REP12/PR Appendix VIII adopted 
Principles and Guidance for the Selection of 
Representative Commodities for the 
Extrapolation of Maximum Residue Limits for 
Pesticides to Commodity Groups (including Table 1: Examples of the selection of representative commodities - fruit commodity groups) REP12/PR Appendix XI adopted 
MRLs for narasin (cattle tissues)  REP12/RVDF 
Appendix III  adopted 
MRLs for Ractopamine  ALINORM 08/31/31
Appendix II adopted 
Revision of the Guidelines on Nutrition 
Labelling (CAC/GL 2-1985) concerning a new 
definition of “nutrient reference values” REP12/FL Appendix IV adopted 
Amendment to the Guidelines for the 
Production, Processing, Labelling and 
Marketing of Organically Produced Foods  
(CAC/GL 32-1999): use of ethylene for 
ripening of fruit REP12/FL Appendix VI adopted  G/SPS/GEN/1182 
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Part 2 – Standards and Related Texts Adopted at Step 5/8 (with omission of Step 6 and 7) 
 
Standards and Related Texts Reference Status 
Guidelines on the Application of General 
Principles of Food Hygiene to the Control of Viruses in Food REP12/FH Appendix III adopted with 
amendments 
(See Agenda Item 4) 
Annex on Melons to the Code of Hygienic 
Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables 
(CAC/RCP 53-2003) REP12/FH Appendix IV adopted 
Food additive provisions of the General 
Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) REP12/FA Appendix VI adopted with 
amendments 
(See Agenda Item 4) 
Amendments to the International numbering 
system (INS) for food additives REP12/FA  Appendix XII adopted with 
amendments  
(See Agenda Item 4) 
Specifications for the identity and purity of food additives arising from the 74th JECFA meeting REP12/FA   
Appendix XIII (Part 1) adopted 
Maximum Level for Total Aflatoxins in Dried 
Figs, including Sampling Plan REP12/CF Appendix VI adopted 
Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides REP12/PR Appendix III adopted 
MRLs for amoxicillin (cattle, sheep and pig 
tissues and cattle and sheep milk) and monensin (cattle liver)  REP12/RVDF 
Appendix IV adopted 
Sampling Plans for Residue Control for Aquatic 
Animal Products and De rived Edible Products 
of Aquatic Origin (C, Annex B of CAC/GL 71-2009)  REP12/RVDF 
Appendix VIII adopted 
Revision of the Guidelines for Use of Nutrition 
and Health Claims  (CAC/GL 23-1997) 
concerning a new definition for “non-addition claim”, conditions for free of salt claims, 
amendments to the section on comparative 
claims and conditions fo r non-addition of sugars 
claims REP12/FL Appendix II adopted 
Revision of the Guidelines on Nutrition 
Labelling (CAC/GL 2-1985) concerning 
provisions for mandatory nutrition labelling REP12/FL Appendix V adopted 
 G/SPS/GEN/1182 
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  Part 3 – Standards and Related Texts Adopte d at Step 5 of the Accelerated Procedure 
Standards and Related Texts  Reference Status 
Amendment to the Guidelines for the Production, 
Processing, Labelling and Marketing of 
Organically Produced Foods   (CAC/GL 32-
1999) concerning inclusion of new substances REP12/FL 
Appendix VII adopted 
 
Part 4 – Other Standards and Related Texts Submitted for Adoption 
Standards and Related Texts  Reference Status 
Amendment to the Principles and Guidelines for 
the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Assessment  REP12/FH Appendix II adopted with 
amendments  
(See Agenda Item 
4) 
Methods of Analysis in Codex Standards at different steps, including methods of analysis for food grade salt REP12/MAS Appendix II adopted with 
amendments  
(See Agenda Item 
4) 
Revision of the names and descriptors of food categories 16.0 and 12.6.1 of the GSFA REP12/FA Appendix X adopted 
Revision of the Code of Practice for Source 
Directed Measures to Reduce Contamination of 
Food with Chemicals REP12/CF Appendix III adopted with 
amendments 
(See Agenda Item 
4) 
Regional standard for Fermented Soybean Paste (CODEX STAN 298R-2009) - provision for monopotassium tartrate (INS 336(i)) REP11/ASIA para. 10 adopted 
 
  G/SPS/GEN/1182 
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  APPENDIX  II 
LIST OF DRAFT STANDARDS AND RELATED TEXTS APPROVED AS NEW WORK  
BY THE THIRTY-FIFTH SESSION OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION 
 
Responsible 
Body Standard and Related Texts Reference Job Code 
CCFH Revision of the Code of Hygienic Practice for Spices 
and Dried Aromatic Plants  REP12/FH 
Appendix VII N01-2012 
CCFH Annex on berries to the Code of Hygienic Practice 
for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CAC/RCP 53-2003) REP12/FH 
Appendix VIII N02-2012 
CCCF Code of Practice for Weed Control to Prevent and 
Reduce Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Contamination in Food and Feed  REP12/CF 
Appendix VII  N03-2012 
CCCF Revision of the Maximum Levels for Lead in Fruit 
Juices, Milks and Secondary Milk Products, Infant 
Formula, Canned Fruits an d Vegetables, Fruits and 
Cereal Grains (except buckwheat, ca ňihua and 
quinoa) in the General Standard for Contaminants 
and Toxins in Food and Feed  REP12/CF 
Appendix VIII  N04-2012 
CCCF Annex for Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxins 
and Ochratoxin A in Sorghum to the Code of 
Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of 
Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals (CAC/RCP 51-
2003)  REP12/CF 
Appendix IX  N05-2012 
CCCF Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of 
Ochratoxin A contamination in Cocoa  REP12/CF 
Appendix X  N06-2012 
CCCF Code of Practice to Reduce the Presence of 
Hydrocyanic Acid in Cassava and Cassava Products REP12/CF 
para. 165 N07-2012 
CCCF Maximum Levels for hydrocyanic acid in cassava 
and cassava products  REP12/CF 
 para. 165 N08-2012 
CCCF Levels for Radionuclides in Food  
 REP12/CF 
para. 169 N09-2012 G/SPS/GEN/1182 
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  Responsible 
Body Standard and Related Texts Reference Job Code 
CCPR Priority List for the Establishment of MRLs for 
Pesticides REP12/PR 
Appendix XIII ongoing 
CCRVDF Priority List of Veterinary Drugs Requiring 
Evaluation or Re-evaluation by JECFA REP12/RDVF 
Appendix IX Part A and B ongoing 
CCRVDF Risk Management Recommendations for Residues of 
Veterinary Drugs for which no ADI and/or MRLs has 
been recommended by JECFA due to Specific 
Human Health Concerns  REP12/RDVF 
Appendix X  N10-2012 
CCNEA Regional Standard for Date Paste REP11/NEA 
para. 92 
CX/CAC 
12/35/9-Add.1 Rev. 1 N11-2012 
 
 
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