WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/TBT/GEN/90 
8 December 2009 
 (09-6320) 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:   English 
  
 
INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION 
 
  The following information was provided by the Codex Alimentarius Commission
 at the 
TBT Committee meeting of 5-6 November 2009.  
_______________ 
  I. CODEX SESSIONS SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE TBT COMMITTEE  
(25-26 JUNE 2009) 
• The 62
nd Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission  
(Rome, Italy, 23-26 June 2009); 
• The 32nd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, Italy,  
29 June – 4 July 2009); 
• The 30th Session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products  
(Agadir, Morocco, 28 September – 2 October 2009); 
• The Third Session of the ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial 
Resistance (Jeju, Republic of Korea, 12-16 October 2009); 
• The 15th Session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables  
(Mexico City, Mexico). 
  In particular, the TBT Committee may wish to note the following:  1. The 32
nd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, among others: 
• Adopted 28 new or revised Codex standards or related texts (see Appendix I ); 
• Approved a number of new work proposals (see Appendix II ); 
• Noted the status of implementation of th e Strategic Plan 2008-2013 of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission;  
• Considered the Evaluation of the Capacity of the Codex Secretariat and agreed to further 
consider the recommendations included th erein at the next session of the Executive 
Committee and the Commission; 
• Supported continued cooperati on and coordination with inte rnational governmental and 
non-governmental organizations. 
2. The full report of the meeting is available at: http://www.codexalimentarius.net  or at 
ftp://ftp.fao.org/codex/Alinorm09/al32REPe.pdf . 
3. The 30th Session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products  agreed to forward 
to the Commission for final adoption the Draft C ode of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products 
(Lobsters and Crabs and relevant Definitions); the Amendment to Section 2.1 General Definitions of 
the Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products ; and the Draft Standard for Sturgeon Caviar. The 
Committee also agreed to forward to the Commissi on the Proposed Draft Standard for Smoked Fish, G/TBT/GEN/90 
Page 2  
 
  Smoke-Flavoured Fish and Smoke-Dr ied Fish; and the Proposed Draft Standard for Fish Sauce, for 
provisional adoption and further consideration at the next session of the Committee. 
4. The Committee further agreed to continue discussion at its next  session on i) the Proposed Draft 
Amendment to Section 3.4.5.1 Water of the Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products ; ii) the 
Proposed Draft Standard for Quick Frozen Scallo p Adductor Muscle Meat; iii) the Proposed Draft 
Revision for the Inclusion of Additional Species in  Standards for Fish and Fishery Products; iv) the 
Draft List of Methods for the Determination of Bi otoxins in the Standard for Raw and Live Bivalve 
Molluscs; v) the Proposed Draft C ode of Practice for Fish and Fi shery Products (Other Sections 
including Smoked Fish); vi) the Proposed Draft St andard for Fresh/Live and Frozen Abalone ( Haliotis 
spp.); and vii) the Proposed Draft Amendment to the Codex  Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Sticks  
(Nitrogen Factors). 
5. The 15
th Session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables  agreed to 
forward to the Commission for final adoption the Dr aft Standards for Bitter Cassava and Apples. The 
Committee also agreed to forward to the Commission the Proposed Draft Revision to the Standard for 
Avocado and the Proposed Draft Standard for Tree Tomatoes for provisional adoption and further 
consideration at the next session of the Committee.  The Proposed Draft Standard for Chilli Peppers 
would be redrafted for further discussion at the next session of the Committee. Due to time constraints, the Committee agreed to  attach to the report of the session the Proposed Layout for Codex 
Standards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables without change, for further consideration at its next 
Session. 
6. The Committee agreed to initiate new work on the Standard for Pomegranate. In addition, the 
Committee agreed to discontinue the maintenance of th e Priority List for the Standardization of Fresh 
Fruits and Vegetables, noting that the proposals fo r new work would continuously be requested by 
means of a Circular Letter.  
II. FORTHCOMING CODEX MEETINGS  
• The 31
st Session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary 
Uses  (Düsseldorf, Germany, 2-6 November 2009)  
• The 41st Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (San Diego, United States of 
America, 16-20 November 2009) 
• The 63rd Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission 
(Geneva, Switzerland, 8-11 December 2009) 
• The Ninth Session of the Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products (Auckland,  
New Zealand, 1-5 February 2009) 
• The 18th Session of the Codex Committee on Food  Import and Export Inspection Systems 
(Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia, 1-5 March 2009) 
 
7. The 31st Session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses 
will consider the List of Methods for Dietary Fi bre and the Proposed Draft Additional or Revised 
Nutrient Reference Values for Labe lling Purposes for in clusion in the Codex Guidelines on Nutrition 
Labelling . The Committee will also consider the propo sal for new work on the amendment of the 
Codex General Principles for the Add ition of Essential Nutrients to Foods ; on the Establishment of a 
Standard for Processed Cereal-Based Foods for Underweight Infant and Young Children; on the 
revision of the Codex Guidelines on Formulated Supplementary Foods for Older Infants and Young 
Children ; and on the Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs)  for Nutrients Associated with Risk of 
Noncommunicable Diseases. 
8. The Ninth Session of the Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products  will consider the 
draft amendment to the Codex Standard for Fermented Milks pertaining to “Drinks based on  G/TBT/GEN/90 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Fermented Milk”; and the proposed draft Standa rd for Processed Cheese. The Committee will also 
review the food additive provisions and methods of  analysis and sampling in Codex standards for 
milk and milk products; and c onsider the consistency of the Model Export Certificate for Milk and 
Milk Products  with the Generic Model Official Certificate – Annex to the Codex Guidelines for 
Design, Production, Issuance and Use of Generic Official Model Certificates , which was adopted by 
the 32nd Session of the Commission in July 2009. 
9. The 18th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection Systems  
will consider the proposed draft Principles and Gu idelines for the Conduct of Foreign On-site Audit 
and Inspections and the proposed draft Principles a nd Guidelines for National Food Control Systems.  
III. CODEX MEMBERSHIP 
10. After the accession of Somalia earlier this y ear, Codex membership stands at 182 member 
countries and one member organization (the European Community). 
 
_______________ 
  G/TBT/GEN/90 
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  APPENDIX  I 
 
LISTS OF STANDARDS AND RELATED TEXTS ADOPTED BY THE THIRTY-SECOND 
SESSION OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION 
Part 1 – Standards and Related Texts Adopted at Step 8 
Standards and Related Texts Reference Status 
Regional Standard for Gochujang  ALINORM 09/32/15 
Appendix II Adopted with amendment 
(see Agenda Item 5)  
Regional Standard for Ginseng Products  ALINORM 09/32/15 
Appendix  III Adopted with amendment 
(see Agenda Item 5)  
Code of Practice for the Reduction of Acrylamide in Foods ALINORM 09/32/41 
Appendix  IV Adopted 
Code of Practice for the Reduction of 
Contamination of Food with Polycyclic 
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) from 
Smoking and Direct Drying Processes ALINORM 09/32/41 
Appendix V Adopted 
Food Additive Provisions of the General 
Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) ALINORM 09/32/12 
Appendix IV Adopted (except 
erythrosine) 
(see Agenda Item 5)  
Amendment to the Standard for Named 
Vegetable Oil: Inclusion of Rice Bran Oil ALINORM 09/32/17 
Appendix II Adopted 
Guidelines for Settling Disputes on Analytical 
(Test) Results  ALINORM 09/32/23 
Appendix II Adopted 
Guidelines on Analytical Terminology  ALINORM 09/32/23 
Appendix III Adopted 
Table of Conditions for Nutrient Contents 
(Part B: Provisions on Dietary Fibre) to the Guidelines for Use of Nutrition and Health 
Claims  (CAC/GL 23-1997): ALINORM 09/32/26 
Appendix II Adopted 
Provisions on Gum Arabic (Gum acacia) 
(Section D: Advisory List of Food Additives 
for Special Nutrient Forms) to the Advisory 
Lists of Nutrient Compounds for Use in Foods 
for Special Dietary Uses Intended for Infants 
and Young Children  (CAC/GL 10-1997) ALINORM 09/32/26 
Appendix  III Adopted (as a carrier) 
(see Agenda Item 5)  
Nutritional Risk Analysis Principles and 
Guidelines for Application to the Work of the 
Committee on Nutrition and Foods for the 
Special Dietary Uses  ALINORM 09/32/26 
Appendix  IV Adopted 
Standard for Jams, Jellies and Marmalades ALINORM 09/32/27 
Appendix II Adopted with amendment 
(see Agenda Item 5)  
Codex Standard for Certain Canned 
Vegetables (General Provisions) ALINORM 09/32/27 
Appendix  III Adopted  G/TBT/GEN/90 
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  Standards and Related Texts Reference Status 
Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides ALINORM 09/32/24 
Appendix II Adopted 
Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary 
Drugs ALINORM 09/32/31 
Appendices  II  Adopted 
Guidelines for the Design and Implementation 
of National Regulatory Food Safety 
Assurance Programmes Associated with the Use of Veterinary Drugs in Food Producing Animals ALINORM 09/32/31 
Appendix  V Adopted 
Part 2 – Standards and Related Texts Adopted at Step 5/8 (with omission of Step 6 and 7) 
Standards and Related Texts Reference Status 
Regional Standard for Fermented Soybean 
Paste  ALINORM 09/32/15 
Appendix IV Adopted with amendment 
(see Agenda Item 5) 
Revision to the Preamble of the GSCTF ALINORM 09/32/41 
Appendix III Adopted 
Code of Practice for the Prevention and 
Reduction of Ochratoxin A Contamination in 
Coffee ALINORM 09/32/41 Appendix  
VI Adopted 
Food Additive Provisions of the General 
Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) ALINORM 09/32/12 
Appendix IV Adopted (except 
erythrosin) 
(see Agenda Item 5)  
Amendments to the International Numbering 
System for Food Additives ALINORM 09/32/12 Appendix  
VII Adopted 
Specifications for the Identity and Purity of 
Food Additives arising from the 69th JECFA 
meeting ALINORM 09/32/12 Appendix  
VIII Adopted 
Microbiological Criteria for Listeria 
monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Foods 
(Annex II to the Guidelines on the 
Application of General Principles of Food 
Hygiene to the Control of Listeria 
monocytogenes  in Ready-to-Eat Foods 
(CAC/GL 61-2007) ALINORM 09/32/13 
Appendix II Adopted with amendment 
(see Agenda Item 5)  
Microbiological Criteria for Powdered Follow-up Formulae and Formulae for 
Special Medical Purposes for Young 
Children (Annex II to the Code of Hygienic 
Practice for Powdered Formulae for Infants 
and Young Children  (CAC/RCP 66-2008)) ALINORM 09/32/13 
Appendix III Adopted with amendment 
(see Agenda Item 5)  G/TBT/GEN/90 
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  Standards and Related Texts Reference Status 
Generic Model Official Certificate (Annex to 
Guidelines for Design, Production, Issuance 
and Use of Generic Official Certificate  
(CAC/GL 38-2001)  ALINORM 09/32/30 
Appendix II Adopted 
Recommendations on the Scientific Basis of 
Health Claims (Annex to the Guidelines for 
Use of Nutrition and Health Claims  - 
CAC/GL 23-1997) ALINORM 09/32/26 Appendix  
V Adopted 
Provisions for packing media for certain 
canned vegetables: Section 3.1.3 (for inclusion in the Standard for Certain Canned Vegetables) ALINORM 09/32/27 Appendix  
IV Adopted 
Annexes specific to certain canned 
vegetables (for inclusion in the Standard for Certain Canned Vegetables) ALINORM 09/32/27 
Appendix V Adopted 
Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides ALINORM 09/32/24 
Appendix III Adopted with amendment 
(see Agenda Item 5)  
Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary 
Drugs ALINORM 09/32/31 Appendix  
III Adopted 
Part 3 - Standards and Related Texts Adopted 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 : 
Annex 2 (conditions for use of rotenone) ALINORM 09/32/22 
Appendix V Adopted 
Part 4 – Other Standards and Related Texts Submitted for Adoption 
Standards and Related Texts  Reference Status 
Amendments to Paragraph 10, Sample 
Preparation in the Sampling Plans for Aflatoxin 
Contamination in Ready-to-Eat Treenuts and 
Treenuts Destined for Further Processing: Almonds, Hazelnuts and Pistachios ALINORM 09/32/41 
Appendix II Adopted 
Amendment to the Annex to Table 3 of the 
GSFA ALINORM 09/32/12 
para. 9 Adopted 
Amendment to the Name and Descriptors of 
Food Categories 01.2.1.1, 15.1 and 15.2 of the GSFA ALINORM 09/32/12 
Appendix IX Adopted  G/TBT/GEN/90 
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  Standards and Related Texts  Reference Status 
Amendment to the Standard for Named 
Vegetable Oils: replacement of the section on 
contaminants with the standard language in the 
Format for Codex Commodity Standards  ALINORM 09/32/17 Adopted 
Additives Provisions in the Standard for Fat 
Spreads and Blended Spreads  and other 
Standards for Fats and Oils ALINORM 09/32/17 
Appendix VII  
ALINORM 09/32/12 
Appendix III Adopted 
Methods of Analysis in Codex Standards at 
different steps ALINORM 09/32/23 
Appendix IV Adopted 
 G/TBT/GEN/90 
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  APPENDIX  II 
 
LIST OF DRAFT STANDARDS AND RELATED TEXTS APPROVED AS NEW WORK BY 
THE THIRTY-SECOND SESSION OF TH E CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION 
 
Responsible 
Body Standard and Related Texts Reference Job Code 
CCPR Priority List of Chemicals scheduled for 
Evaluation and Re-evaluation by JMPR Priority List of Chemicals 
scheduled for Evaluation and 
Re-evaluation by JMPR Ongoing 
CCRVDF Priority List of Veterinary Drugs for Evaluation 
or Reevaluation by JECFA ALINORM 09/32/31, 
para. 138 and Appendix VI Ongoing 
CCPFV Revision of the Standards for Canned Bamboo 
Shoots  (CODEX STAN 241-2003) and Canned 
Mushrooms  (CODEX STAN 55-1981) for 
inclusion as annexes to the Draft Standard for 
Certain Canned Vegetables ALINORM 09/32/27,  
para. 109 N01-2009 
CCPFV Revision of the Standard for Table Olives 
(CODEX STAN 66-1981) ALINORM 09/32/27, 
para. 109 N02-2009 
CCPFV Revision of the Standard for Grated Desiccated 
Coconut (CODEX STAN 177-1991) ALINORM 09/32/27, 
para. 109 N03-2009 
CCLAC Regional Standard for Culantro Coyote ALINORM 09/32/36, 
para. 72 N04-2009 
CCLAC Regional Standard for Lucuma ALINORM 09/32/36, 
para. 76 N05-2009 
CCFICS Principles and Guidelines for National Food 
Control Systems ALINORM 09/32/30, 
para. 71 and Appendix III N06-2009 
CCFH Code of Hygienic Practice  for Control of Viruses 
in Food ALINORM 09/32/13, 
para. 138 and Appendix V N07-2009 
CCNEA Regional Standard for Harissa (hot pepper 
paste) ALINORM 09/32/40, 
para. 41 N08-2009 
CCNEA Regional Standard for Halwa Tehenia (halwa 
shamia) ALINORM 09/32/40, 
para. 44 N09-2009 
CCCF Maximum Levels for Fumonisins in Maize and 
Maize Products and associated Sampling Plans ALINORM 09/32/41, 
para. 100 and Appendix VII N10-2009 
CCCF Code of Practice for the Reduction of Ethyl 
Carbamate in Stone Fruit Distillates ALINORM 09/32/41, 
para. 114 and Appendix VIII N11-2009 
CCCF Revision of the Code of Practice for the 
Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxins in Tree Nuts (CAC/RCP 59-2005): Additional 
Measures for Brazil Nuts ALINORM 09/32/41, 
para. 122 and Appendix IX N12-2009 
CCCF Maximum Levels for Melamine in Foods and 
Feed ALINORM 09/32/41, 
para. 125 and Appendix X N13-2009 
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