[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27250-27270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12570]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 95-007N]


International Standard-Setting Activities

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the sanitary and 
phytosanitary standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission (Codex), in accordance with section 491 of the Trade 
Agreements Act of 1979, as amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, 
Public Law 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809 (1994), and seeks comments on 
standards currently under consideration and recommendations for new 
standards. This notice covers the time periods from June 1, 1994, to 
May 31, 1995, and May 31, 1995, to June 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments in triplicate to Diane Moore, Docket 
Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, Room 4352-S, Washington, DC 20250-3700. Please state that your 
comments refer to Codex and, if your comments relate to specific Codex 
committees, please identify those committees in your comments. All 
comments submitted in response to the sanitary and phytosanitary 
standard-setting activities of Codex will be available for public 
inspection in the Docket Clerk's Office between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., 
and 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Marvin A. Norcross, U.S. Coordinator for Codex Alimentarius, Office 
of the U.S. Codex Alimentarius, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, West End Court, Room 311, Washington, DC 
20250; (202) 254-2517. For information pertaining to particular 
committees, the delegate of that committee may be contacted. (A 
complete list of U.S. delegates and alternate delegates can be found in 
Appendix 1 to this notice.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established on January 1, 
1995, as the common international institutional framework for the 
conduct of trade relations among its members in matters related to the 
Uruguay Round Agreements. The WTO is the successor organization to the 
General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). U.S. membership in the 
WTO was approved by Congress when it enacted the Uruguay Round 
Agreements Act, which was signed into law by the President on December 
8, 1994. Pursuant to section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, 
as amended, the President is required to designate an agency to be 
responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary 
(SPS) standard-setting activities of each international standard-
setting organization, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), 
International Office of Epizootics (OIE), and the International Plant 
Protection Convention (IPPC). The President, pursuant to Proclamation 
No. 6780 of March 23, 1995 (60 FR 15845), designated the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture as the agency responsible for informing the 
public of sanitary and phytosanitary standard-setting activities of 
each international standard-setting organization. The Secretary of 
Agriculture is delegating to the Under Secretary for Food Safety the 
responsibility to inform the public of the SPS standard-setting 
activities of Codex. The Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety has, in 
turn, assigned the responsibility for informing the public to the 
Office of U.S. Codex Alimentarius in the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service (FSIS).
    The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), was created in 1962 by 
two U.N. organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and 
the World Health Organization (WHO). Codex is the major international 
organization for encouraging fair international trade in food and 
protecting the health and economic interests of consumers. Through 
adoption of food standards, codes of practice, and other guidelines 
developed by its committees and by [[Page 27251]] promoting their 
adoption and implementation by governments, Codex seeks to ensure that 
the world's food supply is sound, wholesome, free from adulteration, 
and correctly labeled. In the United States, FSIS, USDA; the Food and 
Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) manage and carry 
out U.S. Codex activities. A supplemental Federal Register notice on 
the acceptance procedures for Codex standards will be published at a 
later date.
    As the agency responsible for informing the public of the sanitary 
and phytosanitary standard-setting activities of Codex, FSIS will be 
publishing this notice in the Federal Register annually, setting forth 
the following information:
    1. The sanitary or phytosanitary standards under consideration or 
planned for consideration; and
    2. For each sanitary or phytosanitary standard specified:
    a. A description of the consideration or planned consideration of 
the standard;
    b. Whether the United States is participating or plans to 
participate in the consideration of the standard;
    c. The agenda for United States participation, if any; and
    d. The agency responsible for representing the United States with 
respect to the standard.
    TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THOSE STANDARDS LISTED IN THIS NOTICE THAT ARE 
UNDER CONSIDERAITON BY CODEX, PLEASE CONTACT THE CODEX DELEGATE OR THE 
OFFICE OF U.S. CODEX ALIMENTARIUS. This notice also solicits public 
comment on those standards that are under consideration and on 
recommendations for new standards. All comments received will be 
circulated by FSIS to the U.S. delegate on the relevant Codex 
committee, and, whent he delegate is not from the agency responsible 
for representing the United States with respect to the standard, also 
to the agency that will be responsible for representing the United 
States with respect to the standard. The delegage, in conjuction with 
the responsible agency, will take the comments received into account in 
paritcipating in the consideration of the standards and in proposing 
matters to be considered by Codex.
    The information proved below describes the status of Codex 
standard-setting activities by the Codex Committees for the two year 
period from June 1, 1994 to June 1, 1996. In addition, the following 
information is included with this Federal Register notice:

Appendix 1. List of U.S. Codex Officials (includes U.S. delegates and 
alternate delegates).
Appendix 2. Timetable fo Codex Sessions (June 1994 through June 1996).
Appendix 3. Definitions for Purpose of Codex Alimentarius.
Appendix 4. Uniform Procedure for the Elaboration of Codex Standards 
and Related Texts.
Appendix 5. Nature of Codex Standards.
Appendix 6. Provisional Agenda of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards 
Program, Codex Alimentarius Commission, 21st Session.

    Done at Washington, DC, on May 17, 1995.
Michael R. Taylor,
Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.
Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

    The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods was 
established in 1986. The Committee determines priorities for the 
consideration of residues of veterinary drugs in foods and recommends 
maximum levels of such substances. A Codex Maximum Limit for Residues 
of Veterinary Drugs (MRLVD) is the maximum concentration of residue 
resulting from the use of a veterinary drug (expressed in mg/kg or 
<greek-m>g/kg on a fresh weight basis) that is recommended by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission to be legally permitted or recognized as 
acceptable in or on a food.
    An MRLVD is based on the type and amount of residue considered to 
be without any toxicological hazard for human health as expressed by 
the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)*, or on the basis of a temporary ADI 
that utilizes an additional safety factor. An MRLVD also takes into 
account other relevant public health risks as well as food 
technological aspects.
    When establishing an MRLVD, consideration is also given to residues 
that occur in food of plant origin and/or the environment. Furthermore, 
the MRLVD may be reduced to be consistent with good practices in the 
use of veterinary drugs and to the extent that practical and analytical 
methods are available.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  U.S.                          
     Codex committee              Standard         Status of consideration   participation/   Responsible agency
                                                                                 agenda                         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residues of Veterinary    Sulfadimizine..........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
 Drugs in Foods (to be                              Consideration at Step                                       
 considered at Twenty-                              8.                                                          
 first Session of the                                                                                           
 Codex Alimentarius                                                                                             
 Commission) (CAC) Ref.                                                                                         
 Alinorm 95/31.                                                                                                 
                          Flubendazole...........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    8.                                                          
                          Thiabendazole..........  MRL Under Consideration  Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    at Step 8.                                                  
                          Isometamidium..........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    8.                                                          
                          Bovine Somatotropins...  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    8.                                                          
                          Triclabendazole........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    7.                                                          
                          Levamisole.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4&5.                                                        
                          Diminazene.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    5.                                                          
                          Carazolol..............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Spiramycin.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
[[Page 27252]]
                                                                                                                
                          Febantel...............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Fenbendazole...........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Oxfendazole............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Spectinomycin..........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Dexamethasone..........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI): An estimate by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of  
  the amount of a veterinary drug, expressed on a body weight basis, that can be ingested daily over a lifetime 
  without appreciable health risk (standard man = 60 kg).                                                       

Food Additives and Contaminants

    The Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants establishes 
or endorses permitted maximum or guideline levels for individual food 
additives, contaminants, and naturally occurring toxicants in food and 
animal feed.
    The following matters contained in Alinorm 95/12A will be brought 
to the Twenty-first session of the Codex Alimentarious Commission in 
July, 1995:
    <rt-triang> Proposed Draft General Standard for Food Additives, 
Annex A (Guidelines for the Estimation of Appropriate Levels of Use of 
Food Additives) for adoption at Step 5; (Note: The draft standard is 
being developed in stages according to food additive functional 
classes, beginning with antioxidants and preservatives (at Step 4); see 
attached list.)
    <rt-triang> *Specifications for sulfuric acid, potassium sodium 
L(+)-tartrate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium L(+)-tartrate; 
(*Not in Step Procedure)
    <rt-triang> Proposed Draft Preamble to the General Standard for 
Contaminants and Toxins in Foods for adoption at Step 8; (Note: A 
number of potential contaminants are currently under consideration (at 
Step 4) to determine the need for establishing maximum allowable levels 
in foods; see attached list.)
    <rt-triang> Proposed Draft General Standard for Contaminants and 
Toxicants in Food (excluding preamble), Annex B at Step 5;
    <rt-triang> Position paper on aflatoxin control at Step 1;
    <rt-triang> Draft Maximum Level for Aflatoxin M1 in Milk at Step 7;
    <rt-triang> Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Reduction of 
Aflatoxins in Raw Materials and Supplementary Feeding stuffs for Milk-
Producing Animals at Step 3;
    <rt-triang> Position Paper on Ochratoxins at Step 1;
    <rt-triang> Proposed Draft Code of Practice on Source Directed 
Measures to Reduce Contamination of Food Stuffs at Step 3; and
    <rt-triang> Proposed Draft Standard for Lead at Step 3.

AGENCY RESPONSIBLE: HHS/FDA
U.S. PARTICIPATION: Yes
Food Additives and Contaminants

    For the purposes of Codex, a food additive means any substance not 
normally consumed as a food by itself and not normally used as a 
typical ingredient in the food, whether or not it has nutritive value, 
the intentional addition of which to food for a technological 
(including organoleptic) purpose in the manufacture, processing, 
preparation, treatment, packing, packaging, transport, or holding of 
such food results, or may be reasonably expected to result, (directly 
or indirectly) in it or its by-products becoming a component of or 
otherwise affecting the characteristics of such foods. The food 
additive term does not include ``contaminants'' or substances added to 
food for maintaining or improving nutritional qualities.
    The General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) will set forth 
maximum levels of use of food additives in various foods and food 
categories. The maximum levels will be based on the food additive 
provisions of previously established Codex commodity standards, as well 
as on the use of the additives in non-standardized foods.
    Only those food additives that have been found to be acceptable by 
the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) will be 
included in the general Standard for Food Additives. The draft GSFA, 
which is being developed in stages, currently covers only those JECFA-
reviewed food additives that are used as antioxidants and 
preservatives. These JECFA-reviewed food additives are listed in the 
table below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  U.S.                          
     Codex committee             Substance         Status of consideration   participation/   Responsible agency
                                                                                 agenda                         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Food Additives and       Acetic Acid............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
 Contaminants) Ref.                                 Consideration at Step                                       
 Alinorm 95/12A.                                    4.                                                          
                          Anoxomer...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Ascorbic Acid..........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Ascorbyl Palmitate.....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Ascorbyl Stearate......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Benzoic Acid...........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Benzoyl Peroxide.......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Butylated                Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Hydroxyanisole.          Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
[[Page 27253]]
                                                                                                                
                          Butylated                Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Hydroxytoluene.          Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Calcium Acetate........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Calcium Ascorbate......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Calcium Benzoate.......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Calcium Disodium         Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Ethylenediaminetetraac   Consideration at Step                                       
                           etate.                   4.                                                          
                          Calcium Hydrogen         Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Sulphite.                Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Calcium Propionate.....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Calcium Sorbate........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Calcium Sulphite.......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Carbon Dioxide.........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Citric Acid............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Dilauryl                 Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Thiodipropionate.        Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Dimethyl Decarbonate...  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Diphenyl...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Disodium                 Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Ethylenediaminetetraac   Consideration at Step                                       
                           etate.                   4.                                                          
                          Dodecyl Gallate........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Erythorbic Acid........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Ethyl p-Hydroxybenzoate  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Formic Acid............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Glucose Oxidase from     Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Aspergillus niger.       Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Guaiac Resin...........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Hexamethylene Tetramine  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Isopropyl Citrates.....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Lecithin...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Lysozyme...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Methyl p-                Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Hydroxybenzoate.         Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Nisin..................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Octyl Gallate..........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Ortho-Phenylphenol.....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Oxystearin.............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Pimaricin (Natamycin)..  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Potassium Acetate......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Potassium Ascorbate....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Potassium Benzoate.....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Potassium Hydrogen       Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Sulphite.                Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Potassium Lactate......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
[[Page 27254]]
                                                                                                                
                          Potassium                Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Metabisulphite.          Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Sodium Nitrite.........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Sodium o-Phenylphenol..  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Sodium Propionate......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Sodium Sorbate.........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Sodium Sulphite........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Sodium Thiosulphate....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Sorbic Acid............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Stannous Chloride......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Sulphur dioxide........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          tert-Butylhydroquinone.  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Thiodipropionic Acid...  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Tocopherols              Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Concentrate, Mixed.      Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Tocopherols, d-Alpha...  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Tocopherols, d-Alpha,    Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           Concentrate.             Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Food Additives and Contaminants

    A contaminant means any substance not intentionally added to food, 
which is present in such food as a result of the production (including 
operations carried out in crop husbandry, animal husbandy and 
veterinary medicine), manufacture, processing, preparation, treatment, 
packing, packaging, transport, or holding of such food or as a result 
of environmental contamination. The term contaminant does not include 
insect fragments, rodent hairs, and other extraneous matter.
    The Codex maximum level (ML) for a contaminant or naturally 
occurring toxicant in a food or feed commodity is the maximum 
concentration of that substance recommended by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission to be legally permitted in that commodity. The ML is 
intended to ensure free movement of food in international trade while 
protecting the health of the consumer.
    The General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Foods will 
establish maximum levels for contaminants in foods based on the 
following considerations: toxicological data, human exposure estimates, 
availability of analytical procedures, fair trade and technological 
implications, regional variations, risk assessment, and risk 
management.
    The criteria for inclusion of a maximum level for a contaminant in 
a food are that: (a) Consumption of the contaminated food presents a 
significant risk to consumers; and (b) the existence of actual problems 
in trade of food. The contaminants currently being examined to 
determine whether they meet these criteria are listed below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  U.S.                          
     Codex committee             Substance         Status of consideration   participation/   Responsible agency
                                                                                 agenda                         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Food Additives and       Aluminum...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
 Contaminants) Ref.                                 Consideration at Step                                       
 Alinorm 95/12A.                                    4.                                                          
                          Antimony...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Arsenic................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Barium.................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Beryllium..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Cadmium................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Cobalt.................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Chromium...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Copper.................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
[[Page 27255]]
                                                                                                                
                          Iron...................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Lead...................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Manganese..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Mercury................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Molybdenum.............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Nickel.................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Tin....................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Thallium...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Zinc...................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Fluor (compounds)......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Bromine (compounds)....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Bromide ion............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Iodine (compounds).....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Iodide ion.............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Selenium (compounds)...  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Nitrogen (compounds)...  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Nitrate ion............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Nitrite ion............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Asbestos...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Chlorinated aliphatic    Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           hydrocarbons.            Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Monochloromethane        Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           (methyl chloride).       Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Dichloromethane........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Trichloromethane         Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           (chloroform).            Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Tetrachloromethane.....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Monochloroethene         Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           (vinylchloride).         Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          1,1-Dichloroethane.....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          1,2-Dichloroethane.....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Dichloroethene.........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          1,1,1-trichloroethane..  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Trichloroethene........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Tetrachloroethene......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Halogenated aliphatic    Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           hydrocarbons (other      Consideration at Step                                       
                           than chlorinated).       4.                                                          
                          Aromatic halogenated     Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           hydrocarbons.            Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Pentachlorobenzene.....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Polychlorotbiphenyls     Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           (PCBs).                  Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Polychloroterphenyls     Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           (PCTs).                  Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
[[Page 27256]]
                                                                                                                
                          Polybromobiphenyls       Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           (PBBs).                  Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Tetrachlorobenzyltoluen  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           es (TCBTs).              Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Chlorinated              Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           dibenzodioxins and       Consideration at Step                                       
                           dibenzofurans.           4.                                                          
                          Brominated               Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           dibenzodioxins and       Consideration at Step                                       
                           dibenzofurans.           4.                                                          
                          Chlorinated alcohols     Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           and related compounds.   Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          1,3-dichloro-2-propanol  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          3-chloro-1,2-            Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           propanediol.             Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          3-chloro-1,2-            Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           propanediol.             Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Chlorinated phenols....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Other chlorinated        Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           aromatic compounds.      Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Other brominated         Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           aromatic compounds.      Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Aliphatic hydrocarbons.  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Hexane.................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Aromatic hydrocarbons..  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Benzene................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Toluene................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Styrene................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Polycyclic aromatic      Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           hydrocarbons (PAHs).     Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Heterocyclic compounds.  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Alcohols and ethers....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Aldehydes and ketones..  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Carbonic acids and       Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           esters.                  Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Phthalate esters.......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Amino compounds........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Nitrile compounds......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Acrylonitrile..........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Methacrylonitrile......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Nitrosamines...........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Detergents and           Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           disinfectants.           Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Other organic compounds  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Ethylcarbamate.........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Aflatoxins.............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Aflatoxins, total......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Aflatoxin B<INF>1...........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Aflatoxin M<INF>1...........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Ochtratoxins...........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
[[Page 27257]]
                                                                                                                
                          Trichothecenes.........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          T-2 toxin..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Fusarenon-X............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Monacetoxyscirpenol....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Diacetoxyscirpenol.....  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Neosolaniol............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Verrucarin.............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Nivalenol..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Deoxynivalenol.........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Other fusarium toxins..  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Fumonisin..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Monififormin...........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Zearalenon.............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Ergot alkaloids........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Other mycotoxins.......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Patulin................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Sterigmatocystin.......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Luteoskyrin............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Phycotoxins............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          DSP....................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          PSP....................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Bacterial toxins.......  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Food processing related  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           toxins.                  Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Glycoalkaloids.........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Solanine...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Chaconine..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Tomatine...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Glucosinolates.........  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Cyanogenic glycosides..  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Other food plant         Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           related toxins.          Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Safrole................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Agaritin...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Erucic acid............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Animal inherent food     Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                           toxins.                  Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Americium..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Cesium 134.............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Cesium 137.............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Cobalt.................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Iodine.................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Polonium...............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Plutonium..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Radium.................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Ruthenium..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Strontium..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Tritium................  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
                          Potassium..............  Maximum Levels Under     Yes.............  HHS/FDA.          
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    4.                                                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues

    The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues establishes maximum 
limits for pesticide residues for specific food items or in groups of 
food. A Codex Maximum Limit for Pesticide Residues (MRLP) is the 
maximum concentration of a pesticide residue (expressed as mg/kg), 
recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be legally 
permitted in or on food commodities and animal feeds. MRLs are based on 
toxicological effects and on Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) data and 
foods derived from commodities that comply with the respective MRLPs 
are intended to be toxicologically acceptable.
    Codex MRLPs, which are primarily intended to apply in international 
trade, are derived from reviews conducted by the Joint Meeting on 
Pesticide Residues (JMPR) following:
    (a) Toxicological assessment of the pesticide and its residue; and
    (b) Review of residue data from supervised trials and supervised 
uses including those reflecting national good agricultural practices. 
Data from supervised trials conducted at the highest nationally 
recommended, authorized, or registered uses are included in the review. 
In order to accommodate variations in national pest control 
requirements, Codex MRLPs take into account the higher levels shown to 
arise in such supervised trials, which are considered to represent 
effective pest control practices.
    Consideration of the various dietary residue intake estimates and 
determinations both at the national and international level in 
comparison with the ADI,* should indicate that foods complying with 
Codex MRLPs are safe for human consumption. [[Page 27258]] 

    *Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of a chemical is the daily intake 
which, during an entire lifetime, appears to be without appreciable 
risk to the health of the consumer on the basis of all the known 
facts at the time of the evaluation of the chemical by the Joint 
FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues. It is expressed in milligrams 
of the chemical per kilogram of body weight.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  U.S.                          
     Codex committee              Standard         Status of consideration   participation/   Responsible agency
                                                                                 agenda                         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pesticide Residues (to    Aldicarb...............  MRL Under Consideration  Yes.............  EPA.              
 be considered at the                               at Step 6.                                                  
 27th Session of the                                                                                            
 Codex Committee on                                                                                             
 Pesticide Residues Ref.                                                                                        
 CL 1994/24-PR).                                                                                                
                          Benalaxyl..............  MRL Under Consideration  Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    at Step 3.                                                  
                          Bentazone..............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    6.                                                          
                          Bromopropylate.........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and Withdrawals.                                          
                          Carbofuran.............  MRL Under Consideration  Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    (Withdrawal)\1\.                                            
                          Chlorothalonil.........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and 6 and                                                 
                                                    Withdrawals.                                                
                          Cycloxydim.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3.                                                          
                          Cyfluthrin.............  MRL Under Consideration  Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    at Step 6.                                                  
                          DDT....................  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3.                                                          
                          Diazinon...............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and Withdrawals.                                          
                          Dichlorvos.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and Withdrawals.                                          
[[Page 27259]]
                                                                                                                
                          Dithiocarbamates.......  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and Withdrawals.                                          
                          Endosulfan.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and 6 and                                                 
                                                    Withdrawals.                                                
                          Ethylenethiourea.......  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    8.                                                          
                          Etofenprox.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3.                                                          
                          Fenbutatinoxide........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and Withdrawals.                                          
                          Fenpropathrin..........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3.                                                          
                          Fentin.................  MRL Under Consideration  Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    at Step 6.                                                  
                          Flucythrinate..........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration                                               
                                                    (Withdrawals).                                              
                          Flusilazole............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and 6.                                                    
                          Folpet.................  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and withdrawals.                                          
                          Heptachlor.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration                                               
                                                    (Withdrawals).                                              
                          Hexaconazole...........  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    6.                                                          
                          Methidathion...........  MRL Under Consideration  Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    at Step 3.                                                  
                          Monocrotophos..........  MRL Under Consideration  Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    at Step 3.                                                  
                          Omethoate..............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and 6.                                                    
                          Oxydemetonmethyl.......  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and 6.                                                    
                          Phorate................  MRL Under Consideration  Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    at Step 6.                                                  
                          Procymidone............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3 and 6.                                                    
                          Profenofos.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    6.                                                          
                          Pyrazophos.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3.                                                          
                          Triazophos.............  MRLs Under               Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    Consideration at Step                                       
                                                    3, 6, 8.                                                    
                          Vinclozolin............  MRL Under Consideration  Yes.............  EPA.              
                                                    at Step 6.                                                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Withdrawal--Recommended for withdrawal from Codex (see CL 1994/24-PR).                                      

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

    The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling serves as a 
coordinating body for Codex with other international groups working in 
methods of analysis and sampling and quality assurance systems for 
laboratories.
    The following matters will be brought to the attention of the 21st 
session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July 1995, for 
adoption:
    <bullet> The Proposed Revised Protocol for the Design, Conduct and 
Interpretation of Collaborative Studies*;

    *Not in Step procedure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    <bullet> The Proficiency Testing Harmonized Protocol for Laboratory 
Analysis*; and
    <bullet> Five Codex General Methods of Analysis for Contaminants at 
Step 8.

<rt-triang> Lead and Cadmium in Food
<rt-triang> Copper, Iron, and Nickel in Edible Oils and Fats
<rt-triang> Lead in Edible Oils and Fats
<rt-triang> Tin in Canned Foods
<rt-triang> Multiple Elements in Foodstuffs

    A revised paper on the Impact of Implementation of the Proposed 
Criteria for Evaluating Acceptable Methods of Analysis and Other 
Methods of Analysis is being circulated for comments.
    In addition, the Draft Codex General Guidelines and the Development 
of Objective Criteria For Assessing the Competence of Testing 
Laboratories Involved in the Import and Export Control of Foods were 
circulated for comment.
    The reference documents is Alinorm 95/23.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Certification and Inspection 
Systems

    The Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Certification and 
Inspection Systems is charged with developing principles and guidelines 
for food import and export certification systems. Included in the 
charge are application of measures by competent authorities to provide 
assurance that foods comply with essential requirements. Recognition of 
quality assurance systems through the development of guidelines will 
help ensure that foods conform to the essential requirements.
    The Third Session of the Committee (Alinorm 95/30A) recommended 
that the Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Exchange of Information on 
Rejections [[Page 27260]] be considered by the Twenty-first session of 
the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July, 1995.
    Two documents to be considered for final adoption at Step 8 by the 
Commission are:
<rt-triang> Draft Principles for Food Import and Export Inspection and 
Certification; and
<rt-triang> Draft Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food 
Control Emergency Situations.
    The proposed draft guidelines for the exchange of information on 
rejections will be considered by the Commission at Step 5. Several 
documents are being elaborated for future discussion by the Committee:
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Guidelines on the Principle Elements in an 
Electronic Documentation System at Step 3;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Generic Guidelines for the Design, 
Operation, Assessment and Accreditation of Food Inspection and 
Certification Systems at Step 3;
<rt-triang> Application of the ISO 9000 Series to Food Inspection and 
Certification Systems at Step 2; and
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Development of Agreements 
between Exporting and Importing Countries at Step 1.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on General Principles

    The Codex Committee on General Principles deals with rules and 
procedures referred to it by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. None of 
the following recommendations for changing the rules of procedure for 
Codex are in the Step Procedure. The reference document is Alinorm 95/
33.
    The Eleventh Session recommended that the Rules of Procedure of 
Codex Alimentarius be amended to provide that one-third of the members 
of the Commission would be a quorum to make recommendations for 
amendment of the Statutes and Rules of Procedure. The Committee also 
agreed to revise several sections of the Procedural Manual including 
General Principles of the Codex Alimentarius, Guidelines for Codex 
Committees, and Relations Between Commodity Committees and General 
Committees. These matters will be considered for adoption by the 
Twenty-first session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July 1995.
    The Committee also agreed to continue its work on the integration 
of science and other factors in the Codex decision-making process.

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Food Labelling

    The Codex Committee on Food Labelling is responsible for drafting 
provisions on labelling applicable to all foods and to study specific 
labelling problems assigned by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. All 
of the guidelines and recommendations listed below are in Alinorm 95/
22.
    The Proposed Draft Guidelines on the Use of Health and Nutrition 
Claims will be considered by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 
Twenty-first session in July, 1995, and the Proposed Draft Guidelines 
on the Use of the Term ``Halal'' will also be considered by Commission. 
Both Proposed Draft Guidelines will be considered by the Commission at 
Step 5.
    Two documents are being circulated for comment with a view to 
discussion at the next Committee Session:
<rt-triang> Draft Guidelines for the Labelling, Production, Processing, 
and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods at Step 6; and
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Recommendations for the Labelling of Foods 
and Ingredients that can cause Hypersensitivity at Step 3.
    In addition, the document on the Implications of Biotechnology 
prepared by the United States delegation for the Twenty-third Session 
of the Committee will be circulated for additional comment and 
recommendations on how the Committee should proceed.

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

    The Food Hygiene Committee drafts basic provisions on food hygiene 
for all foods. The term ``hygiene'' also includes, where applicable, 
microbiological specifications for food and associated methodology.
    The Proposed Revised Draft Code of Practice on the General 
Principles of Food Hygiene, including the Annex on the Application of 
HACCP Systems, will be considered at Step 5 by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission at its Twenty-first session in July, 1995.
    In addition, the Commission will consider the Draft Code of 
Practice for Spices and Dried Aromatic Plants for final adoption at 
Step 8.
    Certain documents are to be elaborated prior to the next session of 
the Committee in late 1995. They are:

<rt-triang> Revision of the Principles for the Establishment and 
Application of Microbiological Criteria for Foods at Step 3;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Code of Practice for Refrigerated Packaged 
Foods with Extended Shelf-life at Step 3;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Uncured/
Unripened Cheese and Ripened Soft Cheese at Step 3;
<rt-triang> *Recommendations for the Control of Listeria monocytogenes; 
and
<rt-triang> *Implementation of Risk Assessment--Development of 
Guidelines on the Application of the Principles of Risk Assessment and 
Risk Management to Food Hygiene, Including Strategies for Their 
Application.

    The Committee also agreed to propose that the following items be 
considered in its future work:

<rt-triang> *Implications for the Broader Application of the HACCP 
System:
<rt-triang> *Guidelines for Consumer Education in Food Hygiene
<rt-triang> *Code of Practice for All Foodstuffs Transported in Bulk
<rt-triang> *Code of Hygienic Practice for Bottled Water

    *Not in the Step Procedure
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All documents listed above are contained in Alinorm 95/13.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA, USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

    The Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables was 
established in June 1988. The Committee is responsible for elaborating 
world-wide standards and codes of practice as may be appropriate for 
tropical fresh fruits and vegetables which are grown exclusively in 
tropical zones. Several of the standards listed below are contained in 
ALINORM 95/35.
    The fifth session of the Committee recommended that the following 
standards and Code of Practice be considered by the Twenty-first 
session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July, 1995, at Step 8:

<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Litchi;
<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Avocado; and
<rt-triang> Draft Code of Practice for the Packaging and Transport of 
Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

    The Committee also recommended initiation or continuation of work 
in the following areas:

<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Banana (at Step 6);
<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Mangosteen (at Step 5);
<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Oranges (at Step 3);
<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Limes (at Step 3);
<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Pummelo (at Step 3);
<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Tropical Asparagus (at Step 
3); [[Page 27261]] 
<rt-triang> Code of Practice for the Quality Inspection and 
Certification of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (at Step 3);
<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Guava (at Step 1);
<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Chayote (at Step 1);
<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Fresh Coconut (at Step 1);
<rt-triang> Preparation of a paper on the Objective Indices of Maturity 
in Commercial Transactions of Fruits and Vegetables (at Step 1); and
<rt-triang> Document concerning the Application of Quality Tolerances 
at Import (at Step 1)

Responsible Agency: USDA/AMS
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses

    The Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses is 
responsible for studying nutritional problems referred by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission. The Committee also drafts provisions on 
nutritional aspects for all foods and develops guidelines, general 
principles, and standards for foods for special dietary uses.
    The reference document for the following standards is Alinorm 95/
26. Matters which will be brought before the Twenty-first session in 
July, 1995, are:

<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Formula Foods for Use in Very Low Energy 
Diets for Weight Reduction for adoption at Step 8; and
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Standard for Formulated Supplementary Foods 
and in Particular Processed Cereal Based Foods for Infants and Young 
Children at Step 3.

    The Nineteenth Commission directed the Committee to develop a 
standard combining the Guidelines for Formulated Supplementary Foods 
for Older Infants and Young Children and the Codex Standard Processed 
Cereal-Based Foods for Infants and Young Children. The Committee 
attempted unsuccessfully to combine the guideline and the standard and 
is seeking approval from the Twenty-first Commission to abandon the 
attempt. The Committee recognizes that the Standard for Processed 
Cereal-Based Foods needs revision.

<rt-triang> Other matters to be presented to the Twenty-first 
Commission include:
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Amendment of the Standard for Food Grade 
Salt to include the Iodization of Salt at Step 3;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Guidelines for Dietary Supplements of 
Vitamins and Minerals at Step 3;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Gluten-free Foods at 
Step 3;
<rt-triang> Criteria for Definitions of Nutrient Reference Values and 
need for governments to submit existing data at Step 1;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Amendment to the Standard for Infant Formula 
to revise Vitamin B<INF>12 at Step 3 of accelerated procedure;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Revised Guidelines on the Inclusion of 
Provisions on Nutritional Quality at Step 3; and
<rt-triang> Revision of Standard for Infant Formula at Step 1.

    The Committee obtained general support, at its last meeting, for 
renaming the Committee the Codex Committee on Nutrition.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products

    The Fish and Fishery Products Committee is responsible for 
elaborating standards for fresh and frozen fish, crustaceans, and 
mollusks.
    The following Draft Standards will be considered for adoption by 
the Twenty-first session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July, 
1995, at Step 8:
<rt-triang> Draft General Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Fillets;
<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Quick Frozen Raw Squid;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Quick Frozen Blocks of Fish 
Fillets, Minced Fish Flesh and Mixtures and Fillets and Minced Fish 
Flesh;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Quick Frozen Finfish, 
Eviscerated and Uneviscerated;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Quick Frozen Lobsters;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Sticks (Fish 
Fingers), Fish Portions and Fish Fillets-Breaded and in Batter;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Quick Frozen Shrimps or Prawns;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Canned Crab Meat;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Canned Finfish;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Canned Salmon;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Canned Sardines and Sardine-Type 
Products;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Canned Shrimps and Prawns;
<rt-triang> Draft Revised Standard for Canned Tuna and Bonito; and
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Salted Fish and Dried 
Salted Fish of the Gadidae Family

    The Committee agreed to have the following Codes redrafted, to take 
into account the recommendations of the Commission as well as to 
incorporate the HACCP approach at Step 3;

Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Frozen Fish;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Canned Fish;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Frozen Shrimps and Prawns;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Molluscan Shellfish;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Fresh Fish;
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Smoked Fish; and
Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice for Salted Fish;

    The Committee also agreed to have the following documents 
elaborated at Step 3 for consideration of the next session:

<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Products of 
Aquaculture;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Code of Practice for Frozen Surimi;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Sensory Evaluation of 
Fish and Shellfish; and
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Appendix to the Guideline Levels for 
Methylmercury in Fish.

    The reference document contained the above information is Alinorm 
95/18.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes

    The Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes is responsible 
for the elaboration of world-wide standards and/or codes of practice as 
may be appropriate for cereals, pulses, and legumes and their products.
    The following Draft Standards will be considered for adoption by 
the Twenty-First session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July, 
1995, at Step 8:

<rt-triang> Rice;
<rt-triang> Wheat and Durum Wheat;
<rt-triang> Peanuts;
<rt-triang> Oats; and;
<rt-triang> Processed Couscous.

    In addition, the Commission will consider the following proposed 
draft Codex Standards for adoption at Step 5, with the recommendation 
to omit Steps 6 and 7 for adoption at Step 8:

<rt-triang> Wheat Flour;
<rt-triang> Maize (Corn);
<rt-triang> Whole Maize (Corn) Meal;
<rt-triang> Degermed Maize (Corn) Meal;
<rt-triang> Maize (Corn) Grits;
<rt-triang> Certain Pulses;
<rt-triang> Sorghum Grains;
<rt-triang> Sorghum Flour;
<rt-triang> Durum Wheat Semolina and Durum Wheat Flour; [[Page 27262]] 
<rt-triang> Gari;
<rt-triang> Whole and Decorticated Pearl Millet Grains;
<rt-triang> Pearl Millet Flour; and
<rt-triang> Edible Cassava Flour;

    The Committee also agreed to advance the following document:
    Proposed Draft Guideline Level and Sampling Plan for Total 
Aflatoxins in Peanuts intended for further Processing (at Step 5).
    The reference document containing the above information is ALINORM 
95/29.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA and USDA/GIPSA
U.S. Participation: Yes

Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products

    The Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products was established by 
the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its Twentieth session. The 
Committee was originally established by the Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1958. The 
Committee was integrated into the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards 
Programme in 1962. Until 1993, the Committee was named the Joint FAO/
WHO Committee of Government Experts on the Code of Principles 
Concerning Milk and Milk Products. The Committee is responsible for 
establishing international codes and standards concerning milk and milk 
products. All of the standards listed below are contained in Alinorm 
95/11.
    The First session of the Milk and Milk Products Committee 
recommended that the following standards be considered by the Twenty-
first session of the Commission in July, 1995 at Step 5:

<rt-triang> Butter;
<rt-triang> Milkfat Products;
<rt-triang> Evaporated Milks;
<rt-triang> Sweetened Condensed Milks;
<rt-triang> Milk and Cream Powders;
<rt-triang> Cheese; and
<rt-triang> Whey Cheese.

    The Committee also recommended that the Twenty-first Commission 
adopt the Draft Standards for Whey Powders and Edible Casein Products 
at Step 8.
    The Committee also recommended initiation or continuation of the 
following:

<rt-triang> Fermented Milk Products with Heat Treatment after 
Fermentation; (at Step 1)
<rt-triang> Fermented Milk Products without Heat Treatment; (at Step 1)
<rt-triang> Cheeses in Brine; (at Step 6)
<rt-triang> Unripened Cheeses; (at Step 6)
<rt-triang> Processed Cheese; (at Step 3)
<rt-triang> Cream; (at Step 3)
<rt-triang> Yoghurt; (at Step 3)
<rt-triang> Individual Cheeses; (at Step 3)
<rt-triang> Review of the Code of Principles concerning Milk and Milk 
Products; (at Step 1)
<rt-triang> Nutritional and Quality Descriptors; (at Step 1) and
<rt-triang> Definitions of Heat Treatment (at Step 1)

Agency Responsible: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes
Codex Committee on Fats and Oils

    The Fats and Oils Committee is responsible for elaborating 
standards for fats and oils of animal, vegetable, and marine origin.
    The following Proposed Draft Code and Standards will be considered 
at the Twenty-first session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 
July, 1995, at Step 5:

<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Storage and 
Transport of Fats and Oils in Bulk;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Standard for Edible Fats and Oils not 
Covered by Individual Standards;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Standard for Products Sold as an Alternative 
to Ghee;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Standard for Named Animal Fats;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Standard for Named Vegetable Oils;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Standard for Fat Spreads;
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Standard for Olive Oils and Olive-Pomace 
Oils; and
<rt-triang> Proposed Draft Standard for Mayonnaise.

    The following two standards will be considered for adoption by the 
Commission at its Twenty-first session:

<rt-triang> Draft Standard for Palm Olein at Step 8; and
<rt-triang> Draft Standard Palm Stearin at Step 8

    All of the above documents are contained in Alinorm 95/17.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes

Certain Codex Subject Committees

    Several Codex Alimentarius General Subject Committees have 
adjourned sine die. The following Committees fall into this category:

<rt-triang> Cocoa Products and Chocolate *

    * There has been no activity in these committees over the past 
year and none is expected in the next year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
    U.S. Participation: Yes
<rt-triang> Edible Ices
<rt-triang> Meat Hygiene *
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
    U.S. Participation: Yes
<rt-triang> Natural Mineral Waters *
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
    U.S. Participation: Yes
<rt-triang> Processed Meat and Poultry Products *
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
    U.S. Participation: Yes
<rt-triang> Processed Fruits and Vegetables *
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
    U.S. Participation: Yes
<rt-triang> Sugars
<rt-triang> Soups and Broths
<rt-triang> Vegetable Proteins *
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
    U.S. Participation: Yes

    A brief report on activities of the Codex Committee on Edible Ices, 
the Codex Committee on Sugars, and the Codex Committee on Soups and 
Broths follows:
Edible Ices

    The Committee on Edible Ices is responsible for elaborating 
standards for all types of edible ices, including mixes and powders 
used for their manufacture. The Committee has been adjourned since 
1978. However, as directed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the 
Secretariat of the Host Country (Sweden) has prepared a Revised Codex 
Standard for Edible Ices and Ice Mixes (see CL 1995/7-EI). This Revised 
Standard was circulated to member governments for comments by May 15, 
1995. The objective of the revision is to focus the standard only on 
public health, food safety, and consumer protection. Provisions in the 
existing standard that deal with quality factors and criteria typically 
used in commerce to define or describe the product are of an advisory 
nature and have been removed in the Revised Standard.

Agency Responsible: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes

Sugars

    The Codex Committee on Sugars is responsible for elaborating world-
wide standards for all types of sugars and sugar products. The 
Committee has been adjourned since 1974. At the direction of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission, the Secretariat of the Host Government (the 
United Kingdom) was asked to examine the existing Codex Standards 
relating to sugars and the Codex Standard for Honey. During the 
Nineteenth session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the Commission 
agreed that existing Codex Standards should be reviewed in order to 
simplify them. Those documents were revised and circulated to member 
governments (see CL 1995/5-S) for comments by April 30, 1995. The 
[[Page 27263]] objective of the revision is to focus the standards only 
on public health, food safety, and consumer protection.

Agency Responsible: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes

Soups and Broths

    The Codex Committee on Soups and Broths is responsible for 
elaborating world-wide standards for soups, broths, bouillons, and 
consommes. The committee adjourned since die in 1977.
    In light of the decision made by the 19th session of the Commission 
to simplify and revise Codex standards, a revised version of the 
standard for Bouillons and Consommes will be presented to the Twenty-
first session of the Commission in July, 1995, for adoption. The 
Revised Proposed Draft World-Wide Codex Standard for Bouillons and 
Consommes was circulated to member governments for comments by October 
1, 1994, and can be found in CL 1993/32-SB.

Agency Responsible: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes

Joint U.N.E.C.E. Codex Alimentarius Groups of Experts

    Two groups of experts dealt with specific commodities much as the 
Codex Commodity Committees do. The Joint Groups of Experts have 
completed their main tasks and have adjourned. They could be called to 
meet again if the Codex Alimentarius Commission so decided. These 
Groups are:

<rt-triang> Standardization of Quick Frozen Foods; and
<rt-triang> Standardization of Fruit Juices.

    There are no standards from either group for consideration by the 
Twenty-first session of the Commission in July, 1995, and we are 
unaware of any being considered for the Twenty-second session of the 
Commission in 1997.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA
U.S. Participation: Yes

FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees

    The Codex Alimentarius Commission is made up of an Executive 
Committee, as well as approximately 25 subsidiary bodies. Included in 
these subsidiary bodies are several coordinating committees.
    There are currently five Regional Coordinating Committees:

--Coordinating Committee for Africa
--Coordinating Committee for Asia
--Coordinating Committee for Europe
--Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean
--Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific

    The United States participates as an active member of the 
Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific, 
and is informed of the other coordinating committees through meeting 
documents, final reports, and representation at meetings.
    Each regional committee:

--Defines the problems and needs of the region concerning food 
standards and food control;
--Promotes within the committee contacts for the mutual exchange of 
information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems arising 
from food control and stimulates the strengthening of food control 
infrastructures;
--Recommends to the Commission the development of world-wide standards 
for products of interest to the region, including products considered 
by the committee to have an international market potential in the 
future;
--And, exercises a general coordinating role for the region and such 
other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Commission.

Codex Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West 
Pacific

    The Coordinating Committee is responsible for defining problems and 
needs concerning food standards and food control of all Codex member 
countries of the regions.
    The Committee, at its Third session, recommended that the Executive 
Committee consider proposals concerning the broader application of the 
HACCP system and that the proposals also be considered by the Twenty-
first session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Committee also 
requested that a comprehensive plan for risk assessment methodology and 
decision making criteria be developed by the Commission, and that risk 
analysis be considered as part of the Codex Strategy Plan.
    The Committee expressed the view that the Commission should be the 
focus of international harmonization initiatives with respect to 
genetically engineered foods. In addition, the Committee recommended 
that further work should be carried out on the sale of potentially 
harmful herbs and botanicals as food. Finally, the Committee 
recommended that the work of the Commission should be expedited. (The 
information contained above can be found in ALINORM 95/32).

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS
U.S. Participation: Yes
Appendix 1--U.S. Codex Alimentarius Officials

April 3, 1995

Steering Committee Members

Dr. Marvin A. Norcross, U.S. Coordinator for Codex Alimentarius, 
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
West End Court, Room 311, 1255 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20250, Phone #: (202) 254-2517, Fax #: (202) 254-2530
Mr. Michael Taylor, Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Room 331-E, Administration Building, 14th 
and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 
720-7025, Fax #: (202) 690-4437
Ms. Patricia Jensen, Acting Assistant Secretary, Marketing and 
Regulatory Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 228-W, 
Administration Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-4256, Fax #: (202) 720-5775
Mr. Thomas Billy, Associate Administrator, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 331-E, 
Administration Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-7025, Fax #: (202) 690-4437
Dr. Alex Thiermann, Deputy Administrator, International Services, 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 324-E, Administration Building, 14th and 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-
7593, Fax #: (202) 690-1484
Dr. Lynn R. Goldman, Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, 
Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 401 M Street, SW. (7101), 637 East Tower, Washington, DC 
20460, Phone #: (202) 260-2902, Fax #: (202) 260-1847
Dr. Penelope A. Fenner-Crisp, Deputy Director, Office of Pesticide 
Programs (7501C), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460, Phone #: (703) 305-7092, Fax #: 
(703) 308-4776
Mr. William Schultz, Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Food and Drug 
Administration, HF-22, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone 
#: (301) 443-2854, Fax #: (301) 443-5930
Dr. Fred R. Shank, Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition (HFS-1), Food and Drug Administration, Room 6815, 200 C 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4850, Fax #: 
(202) 205-5025

                                                                                                                
[[Page 27264]]
                                                              Codex Committee Chairpersons                                                              
                                                                    [March 15, 1995]                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
Mr. Steven N. Tanner, Deputy Director, Quality Assurance and Research          Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (adjourned sine die).                        
 Division, Federal Grain Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,                                                                            
 10383 N. Executive Hills Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64153-1394, Phone #: (816)                                                                             
 891-0404, Fax #: (816) 891-8070.                                                                                                                       
Dr. John Kvenberg, Strategic Manager for HACCP Policy, Center for Food Safety  Food Hygiene.                                                            
 and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, Room 3014, HFS-10, 200                                                                            
 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4010, Fax #: (202)                                                                             
 205-4121.                                                                                                                                              
Mr. Gerald R. Parlet, Assistant to the Chief, Processed Products Branch,       Processed Fruits and Vegetables (adjourned sine die).                    
 Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.                                                                                     
 Department of Agriculture, Room 0713, South Building, Washington, DC 20250,                                                                            
 Phone #: (202) 720-9896, Fax #: (202) 690-1527.                                                                                                        
Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof, Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and     Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods.                                   
 Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Place (HFV-1), Rockville, MD 20855, Phone                                                                           
 #: (301) 594-1740, Fax #: (301) 594-1830.                                                                                                              

Listing of U.S. Delegates and Alternate Delegates

Worldwide General Subject Codes Committees

Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drug in Foods

(Host Government--United States)

U.S. Delegate:
    Dr. Marvin A. Norcross, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, West End Court, Room 311, 1255 22nd 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 254-2517, Fax #: 
(202) 254-2530
Alternate Delegate:
    Dr. Robert C. Livingston, Director, Office of New Animal Drug 
Evaluation, Center for Veterinary Medicine (HFV-100), Food and Drug 
Administration, 7500 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855, Phone #: 
(301) 594-1620, Fax #: (301) 594-2297

Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants

(Host Government--The Netherlands)

U.S. Delegate:
    Dr. Fred R. Shank, Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition (HFS-1), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., 
Room 6185, Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4850, Fax #: 
(202) 205-5025
Alternate Delegate:
    (Vacant)

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues

(Host Government--The Netherlands)

U.S. Delegate:
    Dr. Richard Schmitt, Deputy Director, Special Review and 
Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW. (7508W), 
Washington, DC 20460, Phone #: (703) 308-8000, Fax #: (703) 308-8005
Alternate Delegates:
    Mr. John R. Wessel, Director, Contaminants Policy Staff, Food 
and Drug Administration, Room 13-74 (HFC-6), 5600 Fishers Lane, 
Rockville, MD 20857, Phone #: (301) 443-1815, Fax #: (301) 443-7707
    Dr. Richard Parry, Jr., Assistant Administrator, Cooperative 
Interactions, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 358-A, Administration Bldg., Washington, DC 20250, 
Phone #: (202) 720-3973, Fax #: (202) 720-5427
Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

(Host Government--Hungary)

U.S. Delegate:
    Dr. William Horwitz, Scientific Advisor, Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition (HFS-500), Food and Drug Administration, Room 
3832, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-
4346, Fax #: (202) 401-7740
Alternate Delegate:
    Dr. William Franks, Director, Science Division, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 3507, South 
Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, 
Phone #: (202) 720-5231, Fax #: (202) 720-6496

Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Certification and 
Inspection Systems

(Host Government--Australia)

Delegate:
    Dr. Fred R. Shank, Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition (HFS-1), Food and Drug Administration, Room 6815, 200 C 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4850, Fax #: 
(202) 205-5025
Alternate Delegate:
    Dr. John Prucha, Deputy Administrator, International Programs, 
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 341-E, Administration Building, Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: 
(202) 720-3473, Fax #: (202) 690-3856

Codex Committee on General Principles

(Host Government--France)

Delegate:
    Note: A member of the Steering Committee heads the delegation to 
meetings of the General Principles Committee

Codex Committee on Food Labeling

(Host Government--Canada)

Delegate:
    Dr. F. Edward Scarbrough, Director, Office of Food Labeling, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-150), Food and 
Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Room 1832, Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-4561, Fax #: (202) 205-4594
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. John W. McCutcheon, Deputy Administrator, Regulatory 
Programs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 350-E, Administration Building, Washington, DC 
20250, Phone #: (202) 720-2709, Fax #: (202) 720-2025

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

(Host Government--United States)

Delegate:
    Dr. Robert L. Buchanan, Deputy Administrator, Science and 
Technology, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 402, Annex Building, Washington, DC 20250, Phone 
#: (202) 205-0495, Fax #: (202) 401-1760
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. E. Spencer Garrett, Director, National Seafood Inspection 
Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries, 705 Convent Street, 
Pascagoula, MS 39568-1207, Phone #: (601) 762-7403, Fax #: (601) 
769-9200
Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees

Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

(Host Government--Mexico)

Delegate:
    Mr. David Priester, International Standards Coordinator, FPB, 
Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Room 2068, South Building, 14th and 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-
2184, Fax #: (202) 720-0016
Alternate Delegate:
    Ms. Sharon E. Bomer-Lauritsen, Asst. to Director, Fruit and 
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. 
[[Page 27265]] Department of Agriculture, Room 2071, South Building, 
14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: 
(202) 720-2173, Fax #: (202) 720-0016

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses

(Host Government--Germany)

Delegate:
    Dr. Elizabeth Yetley, Acting Director, Office of Special 
Nutritionals, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA, 200 
C Street, SW. (HFS-450), Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-
4168, Fax #: (202) 205-5295
Alternate Delegate:
    Ms. Linda P. Posati, Deputy Director, Product Assessment 
Division, Labels, Standards and Review Program, RP, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, West End Court 
Building, Room 329, 1255 22 Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, Phone 
#: (202) 254-2565, Fax #: (202) 254-2499

Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products

(Host Government--Norway)

Delegate:
    Mr. Thomas Billy, Associate Administrator, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 331-E, 
Administration Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-7025, Fax #: (202) 690-4437
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. Samuel W. McKeen, Director, Office of Trade and Industry 
Services, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 
1335 East-West Highway, Room 6490, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone 
#:(301) 713-2351, Fax #: (301) 713-1081

Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes

(Host Government--United States)

Delegate:
    Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International Activities Staff, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS-585), 
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. David Shipman, Chief, Standards and Procedures Branch, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Room 1661-South Building, 14th and 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-
0228, Fax #: (202) 720-1015

Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products

(Host Government--New Zealand)

Delegate:
    Mr. Duane Spomer, Chief, Dairy Standardization Branch, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Room 
2750-South Building, 14th and Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20250, Phone #: (202) 720-9385, Fax #: (202) 720-2643
Alternate Delegate:
    (Vacant).

Codex Committee on Fats and Oils

(Host Government--United Kingdom)

Delegate:
    Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International Activities Staff, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS-585), 
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. Timothy L. Mounts, Research Leader, Food Quality and Safety 
Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization 
Research, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 1815 North University 
Street, Peoria, IL 61604, Phone #: (309) 681-6555, Fax #: 681-6679

Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees

(Adjourned sine die)

Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate

(Host Government--Switzerland)

Delegate:
    Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director International Activities Staff, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS--585), 
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate:
    Dr. Michelle Smith, Food Technologist, Office of Food Labeling, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-158), 200 C 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5099, Fax #: 
(202) 205-4594

Codex Committee on Sugars

(Host Government--United Kingdom)

Delegate:
    Dr. Thomas J. Army, Area Director, Northern Plains Area, 
Agricultural Research Center, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 150, Ft. 
Collins, CO 80525-5562, Phone #: (303) 229-5557, Fax #: (303) 229-
5531
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. Durward Dodgen, Office of Premarket Approval, Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, (HFS-200), Food and Drug 
Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: 
(202) 418-3100, Fax #: (202) 418-3131

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

(Host Government--United States)

U.S. Delegate:
    Mr. Richard B. Boyd, Senior Marketing Specialist, Fruit and 
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Room 717, South Building, 14th and Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-5021, Fax #: 
(202) 690-1527
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International Activities Staff, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS-585), 
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739

Codex Committee on Edible Ices

(Host Government--Sweden)

Delegate:
    Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International Activities Staff, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS-585), 
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739
Alternate Delegate:
    (Vacant)

Codex Committee on Soups and Broths

(Host Government--Switzerland)

Delegate:
    Mr. Charles Edwards, Director, Product Assessment Division, 
Labels, Standards and Review Program, RP, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, West End Court Building, 
Room 329, 1255 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, Phone #: 
(202) 254-2565, Fax #: (202) 254-2499
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. Robert Post, Branch Chief, Food Standards and Ingredients 
Branch, PAD, Regulatory Programs, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, West End Court Building, 
Room 237, 1255 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, Phone #: 
(202) 254-2588, Fax #: (202) 254-2499
Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins

(Host Government--Canada)

U.S. Delegate:
    Dr. Wilda H. Martinez, Associate Deputy Administrator, Aqua 
Products and Human Nutrition Sciences, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Room 107, B-005, 
Beltsville, MD 20705, Phone #: (301) 504-6275, Fax #: (301) 504-6699
Alternate Delegate:
    Ms. Elizabeth J. Campbell, Director, Division of Programs and 
Enforcement Policy, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition 
(HFS-155), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5229, Fax #: (202) 205-4594

Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene

(Host Government--New Zealand)

Delegate:
    Dr. John Prucha, Deputy Administrator, International Programs, 
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 341-E, Administration Building, Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: 
(202) 720-3473, Fax #: (202) 690-3856
Alternate Delegate: [[Page 27266]] 
    Dr. Richard Mikita, Export Advisor, International Programs, Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 
6916A, Franklin Court, Suite 6900E, Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone 
#: (202) 501-6703, Fax #: (202) 501-6399

Codex Committee on Processed Meat and Poultry Products

(Host Government--Denmark)

U.S. Delegate:
    Mr. Charles Edwards, Director, Product Assessment Division, 
Labels, Standard and Review Program, RP, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, West End Court Building, 
Room 329, 1255 22 Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, Phone #: (202) 
254-2565, Fax #: (202) 254-2499
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. Syed Amjad Ali, Food Technologist, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, West End Court, 
Room 311, 1255 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: 
(202) 254-2517, Fax #: (202) 254-2530

Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters

(Host Government--Switzerland)

U.S. Delegate:
    Dr. Terry C. Troxel, Director, Division of Programs and 
Enforcement Policy, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition 
(HFS-305), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5321, Fax #: (202) 205-4422
Alternate Delegate:
    (Vacant)

Joint U.N.E.C.E. Codex Alimentarius Groups of Experts

Joint ECE/Codex Alimentarius Group of Experts on Standardization of 
Quick Frozen Foods

U.S. Delegate:
    Mr. Richard B. Boyd, Senior Marketing Specialist, Fruit and 
Vegetable Division, Agriculture Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Room 0717, South Building, 14th and Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-5021, Fax #: 
(202) 690-1527
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. Charles W. Cooper, Director, International Activities Staff, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Room 5823 (HFS-585), 
Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20204, Phone #: (202) 205-5042, Fax #: (202) 401-7739

Joint ECE/Codex Alimentarius Group of Experts on Standardization of 
Fruit Juices

U.S. Delegate:
    (Vacant)
Alternate Delegate:
    Mr. Richard B. Boyd, Senior Marketing Specialist, Fruit and 
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Room 0717, South Building, 14th and Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone #: (202) 720-5021, Fax #: 
(202) 690-1527
Subsidiary Bodies of the Codex Alimentarius

    There are five regional coordinating committees:

Coordinating Committee for Africa
Coordinating Committee for Asia
Coordinating Committee for Europe
Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, and
Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific

Contact:
    Ms. Rhonda S. Nally, Executive Officer for Codex Alimentarius, 
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
West End Court, Room 311, 1255 22nd Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20250, Phone #: (202) 254-2517, Fax #: (202) 254-2530

                                    Appendix 2.--Timetable of Codex Sessions                                    
                                          [June 1994 through June 1996]                                         
                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                
        1994                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                
CX 732-3              Codex Coordinating Committee for North     31 May-3 June............  Vancouver.          
                       America and the South-West Pacific (3rd                                                  
                       Session).                                                                                
CX 730-8              Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary  7-10 June................  Washington, DC.     
                       Drugs in Foods (8th Session).                                                            
CX 702-41             Executive Committee of the Codex           28-30 June...............  Rome.               
                       Alimentarius Commission (41st Session).                                                  
CX 731-5              Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits   5-9 Sept.................  Mexico City.        
                       and Vegetables (5th Session).                                                            
CX 712-27             Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (27th      17-21 Oct................  Washington, DC.     
                       Session).                                                                                
CX 714-23             Codex Committee on Food Labeling (23rd     24-28 Oct................  Ottawa.             
                       Session).                                                                                
CX 729-9              Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and     31 Oct.-4 Nov............  Washington, DC.     
                       Legumes (9th Session).                                                                   
CX 703-1              Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products  28 Nov.-2 Dec............  Rome.               
                       (1st Session).                                                                           
                                                                                                                
        1995                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                
CX 733-3              Codex Committee on Food Import and Export  27 Feb.-3 Mar............  Canberra.           
                       Inspection and Certification Systems                                                     
                       (3rd Session).                                                                           
CX 711-27             Codex Committee on Food Additives and      20-24 Mar................  The Hague.          
                       Contaminants (27th Session).                                                             
CX 720-19             Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods     27-31 Mar................  Bonn.               
                       for Special Dietary Uses (19th Session).                                                 
CX 725-9              Codex Coordinating Committee for Latin     3-6 Apr..................  Brasilia.           
                       America and the Caribbean (9th Session).                                                 
CX 718-27             Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues      24-29 Apr................  The Hague.          
                       (27th Session).                                                                          
CX 707-11             Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa    8-11 May.................  Abuja.              
                       (11th Session).                                                                          
CX 702-42             Executive Committee of the Codex           28-30 June...............  Rome.               
                       Alimentarius Commission (42nd Session).                                                  
CX 701-21             Codex Alimentarius Commission (21st        3-8 July.................  Rome.               
                       Session).                                                                                
CX 715-20             Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis     2-6 Oct..................  Budapest.           
                       and Sampling (20th Session).                                                             
CX 712-28             Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (28th      TBA......................  Washington, DC.     
                       Session).                                                                                
CX 730-9              Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary  TBA......................  Washington, DC.     
                       Drugs in Foods (9th Session).                                                            
CX 732-4              Codex Coordinating Committee for North     5-8 Dec..................  [Rotorua] N.Z.      
                       America and the South-West Pacific (4th                                                  
                       Session).                                                                                
                                                                                                                
        1996                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                
CX 731-6              Codex Committee on Tropical Fresh Fruits   29 Jan.-2 Feb............  Mexico City.        
                       and Vegetables (6th Session).                                                            
CX 711-28             Codex Committee on Food Additives and      11-15 Mar................  The Hague.          
                       Contaminants (28th Session).                                                             
CX 727-10             Codex Regional Coordinating Committee for  19-22 Mar................  [Tokyo].            
                       Asia (10th Session).                                                                     
CX 718-28             Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues      15-20 Apr................  The Hague.          
                       (28th Session).                                                                          
CX 706-20             Codex Regional Coordinating Committee for  23-26 Apr................  Stockholm.          
                       Europe (20th Session).                                                                   
CX 722-22             Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery        6-10 May.................  Bergen.             
                       Products (22nd Session).                                                                 
CX 714-24             Codex Committee on Food Labelling (24th    14-17 May................  Ottawa.             
                       Session).                                                                                
[[Page 27267]]
                                                                                                                
CX 703-1              Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products  27-31 May................  Rome.               
                       (2nd Session).                                                                           
CX 702-43             Executive Committee of the Codex           4-7 June.................  Geneva.             
                       Alimentarius Commission (43rd Session).                                                  
CX 708-16             Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and      10-12 June...............  TBA.                
                       Chocolate (16th Session).                                                                
CX 719-5              Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters  13-14 June...............  TBA.                
                       (5th Session).                                                                           
CX 707-12             Codex Regional Coordinating Committee for  TBA......................  TBA.                
                       Africa (12th Session).                                                                   

Appendix 3--Definitions for the Purpose of Codex Alimentarius

    Words and phrases have specific meanings when used by the Codex 
Alimentarius. For the purposes of Codex, the following definitions 
apply:
    1. Food means any substance, whether processed, semi-processed 
or raw, which is intended for human consumption, and includes drink, 
chewing gum, and any substance which has been used in the 
manufacture, preparation or treatment of ``food'' but does not 
include cosmetics or tobacco or substances used only as drugs.
    2. Food Hygiene comprises conditions and measures necessary for 
the production, processing, storage and distribution of food 
designed to ensure a safe, sound, wholesome product fit for human 
consumption.
    3. Food Additive means any substance not normally consumed as a 
food by itself and not normally used as a typical ingredient of the 
food, whether or not it has nutritive value, the intentional 
addition of which to food for a technological (including 
organoleptic) purpose in the manufacture, processing, preparation, 
treatment, packing, packaging, transport, or holding of such food 
results, or may be reasonably expected to result (directly or 
indirectly) in it or its by-products becoming a component of or 
otherwise affecting the characteristics of such foods. The food 
additive term does not include ``contaminants'' or substances added 
to food for maintaining or improving nutritional qualities.
    4. Contaminant means any substance not intentionally added to 
food, which is present in such food as a result of the production 
(including operations carried out in crop husbandry, animal 
husbandry, and veterinary medicine), manufacture, processing, 
preparation, treatment, packing, packaging, transport or holding of 
such food or as a result of environmental contamination. The term 
does not include insect fragments, rodent hairs and other extraneous 
matters.
    5. Pesticide means any substance intended for preventing, 
destroying, attracting, repelling, or controlling any pest including 
unwanted species of plants or animals during the production, 
storage, transport, distribution and processing of food, 
agricultural commodities, or animal feeds or which may be 
administered to animals for the control of ectoparasites. The term 
includes substances intended for use as a plant-growth regulator, 
defoliant, desiccant, fruit thinning agent, or sprouting inhibitor 
and substances applied to crops either before or after harvest to 
protect the commodity from deterioration during storage and 
transport. The term pesticides excludes fertilizers, plant and 
animal nutrients, food additives, and animal drugs.
    6. Pesticide Residue means any specified substance in food, 
agricultural commodities, or animal feed resulting from the use of a 
pesticide. The term includes any derivatives of a pesticide, such as 
conversion products, metabolites, reaction products, and impurities 
considered to be of toxicological significance.
    7. Good Agricultural Practice in the Use of Pesticides (GAP) 
includes the nationally authorized safe uses of pesticides under 
actual conditions necessary for effective and reliable pest control. 
It encompasses a range of levels of pesticide applications up to the 
highest authorized use, applied in a manner which leaves a residue 
which is the smallest amount practicable.
    Authorized safe uses are determined at the national level and 
include nationally registered or recommended uses, which take into 
account public and occupational health and environmental safety 
considerations.
    Actual conditions include any stage in the production, storage, 
transport, distribution and processing of food commodities and 
animal feed.
    8. Codex Maximum Limit for Pesticide Residues (MRLP) is the 
maximum concentration of a pesticide residue (expressed as mg/kg), 
recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be legally 
permitted in or on food commodities and animal feeds. MRLPs are 
based on their toxicological effects and on GAP data and foods 
derived from commodities that comply with the respective MRLPs are 
intended to be toxologically acceptable.
    Codex MRLPs, which are primarily intended to apply in 
international trade, are derived from reviews conducted by the JMPR 
following:
    (a) Toxicological assessment of the pesticide and its residue 
and
    (b) Review of residue data from supervised trials and supervised 
uses including those reflecting national good agricultural 
practices. Data from supervised trials conducted at the highest 
nationally recommended, authorized, or registered uses are included 
in the review. In order to accommodate variations in national pest 
control requirements, Codex MRLPs take into account the higher 
levels shown to arise in such supervised trials, which are 
considered to represent effective pest control practices.
    Consideration of the various dietary residue intake estimates 
and determinations both at the national and international level in 
comparison with the ADI, should indicate that foods complying with 
Codex MRLPs are safe for human consumption.
    9. Veterinary Drug means any substance applied or administered 
to any food-producing animal, such as meat or milk-producing 
animals, poultry, fish or bees, whether used for therapeutic, 
prophylactic or diagnostic purposes or for modification of 
physiological functions or behavior.
    10. Residues of Veterinary Drugs include the parent compounds 
and/or their metabolites in any edible portion of the animal 
product, and include residues of associated impurities of the 
veterinary drug concerned.
    11. Codex Maximum Limit for Residues of Veterinary Drugs (MRLVD) 
is the maximum concentration of residue resulting from the use of a 
veterinary drug (expressed in mg/kg or <greek-m>g/kg on a fresh 
weight basis) that is recommended by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission to be legally permitted or recognized as acceptable in or 
on food.
    An MRLVD is based on the type and amount of residue considered 
to be without any toxicological hazard for human health as expressed 
by the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), or on the basis of a temporary 
ADI that utilizes an additional safety factor. An MRLVD also takes 
into account other relevant public health risks as well as food 
technological aspects.
    When establishing an MRLVD, consideration is also given to 
residues that occur in food of plant origin and/or the environment. 
Furthermore, the MRLVD may be reduced to be consistent with good 
practices in the use of veterinary drugs and to the extent that 
practical and analytical methods are available.
    12. Good Practice in the Use of Veterinary Drugs  (GPVD) is the 
official recommended or authorized usage including withdrawal 
periods approved by national authorities, of veterinary drugs under 
practicable conditions.
    13. Processing Aid means any substance or material, not 
including apparatus or utensils, not consumed as a food ingredient 
by itself, intentionally used in the processing of raw materials, 
foods or its ingredients, to fulfill a certain technological purpose 
during treatment or processing and which may result in the non-
intentional but unavoidable presence of residues or derivatives in 
the final product.
Appendix 4--Uniform Procedure for the Elaboration of Codex Standards 
and Related Texts

Steps 1, 2 and 3

    (1) The Commission decides, taking into account the ``Criteria 
for the Establishment of Work Priorities and for the Establishment 
of Subsidiary Bodies,'' to elaborate a Worldwide 
[[Page 27268]] Codex Standard and also decides which subsidiary body 
or other body should undertake the work. A decision to elaborate a 
Worldwide Codex Standard may also be taken by subsidiary bodies of 
the Commission in accordance with the above-mentioned criteria, 
subject to subsequent approval by the Commission or its Executive 
Committee at the earliest possible opportunity. In the case of Codex 
Regional Standards, the Commission shall base its decision on the 
proposal of the majority of members belonging to a given region or 
group of countries submitted at a session of the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission.
    (2) The Secretariat arranges for the preparation of a proposed 
draft standard. In the case of Maximum Limits for Residues of 
Pesticides or Veterinary Drugs, the Secretariat distributes the 
recommendations for maximum limits, when available from the Joint 
Meetings of the FAO Panel of Experts on Pesticide Residues in Food 
and the Environment and the WHO Panel of Experts on Pesticide 
Residues (JMPR), or the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food 
Additives (JECFA). In the cases of milk and milk products or 
individual standards for cheeses, the Secretariat distributes the 
recommendations of the International Dairy Federation (IDF).
    (3) The proposed draft standard is sent to members of the 
Commission and interested international organizations for comment on 
all aspects including possible implications of the proposed draft 
standard for their economic interests.

Step 4

    The comments received are sent by the Secretariat to the 
subsidiary body or other body concerned which has the power to 
consider such comments and to amend the proposed draft standard.

Step 5 \2\

    The proposed draft standard is submitted through the Secretariat 
to the Commission or to the Executive Committee with a view to its 
adoption as a draft standard. When making any decision at this step, 
the Commission or the Executive Committee will give due 
consideration to any comments that may be submitted by any of its 
members regarding the implications which the proposed draft standard 
or any provisions of the standard may have for their economic 
interests. In the case of Regional Standards, all members of the 
Commission may present their comments, take part in the debate and 
propose amendments, but only the majority of the Members of the 
region or group of countries concerned attending the session can 
decide to amend or adopt the draft. When making any decisions at 
this step, the members of the region or group of countries concerned 
will give due consideration to any comments that may be submitted by 
any of the members of the Commission regarding the implications 
which the proposed draft standard or any provisions of the proposed 
draft standard may have for their economic interests.

    \2\ Without prejudice to any decision that may be taken by the 
Commission at Step 5, the proposed draft standard may be sent by the 
Secretariat for government comment prior to its consideration at 
Step 5, when, in the opinion of the subsidiary body or other body 
concerned, the time between the relevant session of the Commission 
and the subsequent session of the subsidiary or other body concerned 
requires such action in order to advance the work.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 6

    The draft standard is sent by the Secretariat to all members and 
interested international organizations for comment on all aspects, 
including possible implications of the draft standard for their 
economic interests.

Step 7

    The comments received are sent by the Secretariat to the 
subsidiary body or other body concerned, which has the power to 
consider such comments and amend the draft standard.

Step 8

    The draft standard is submitted through the Secretariat to the 
Commission together with any written proposals received from members 
and interested international organizations for amendments at Step 8 
with a view to its adoption as a Codex Standard. In the case of 
Regional standards, all members and interested international 
organizations may present their comments, take part in the debate 
and propose amendments but only the majority of members of the 
region or group of countries concerned attending the session can 
decide to amend and adopt the draft.
Appendix 5--Nature of Codex Standards

    Codex standards contain requirements for food aimed at ensuring 
for the consumer a sound, wholesome food product free from 
adulteration, and correctly labelled. A Codex standard for any food 
or foods should be drawn up in accordance with the Format for Codex 
Commodity Standards and contain, as appropriate, the criteria listed 
therein.

Format for Codex Commodity Standards Including Standards Elaborated 
Under the Code of Principles Concerning Milk and Milk Products

Introduction

    The format is also intended for use as a guide by the subsidiary 
bodies of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in presenting their 
standards, with the object of achieving, as far as possible, a 
uniform presentation of commodity standards. The format also 
indicates the statements which should be included in standards as 
appropriate under the relevant headings of the standard. The 
sections of the format required to be completed for a standard are 
only those provisions that are appropriate to an international 
standard for the food in question.

Name of the Standard
Scope
Description
Essential Composition and Quality Factors
Food Additives
Contaminants
Hygiene
Weights and Measures
Labelling
Methods of Analysis and Sampling

Format for Codex Standards

Name of the Standard

    The name of the standard should be clear and as concise as 
possible. It should usually be the common name by which the food 
covered by the standard is known or, if more than one food is dealt 
with in the standard, by a generic name covering them all. If a 
fully informative title is inordinately long, as subtitle could be 
added.

Scope

    This section should contain a clear, concise statement as to the 
food or foods to which the standard is applicable unless the name of 
the standard clearly and concisely identifies the food or foods. A 
generic standard covering more than one specific product should 
clearly identify the specific products to which the standard 
applies.

Description

    This section should contain a definition of the product or 
products with an indication, where appropriate, of the raw materials 
from which the product or products are derived and any necessary 
references to processes of manufacture. The description may also 
include references to types and styles of product and to type of 
pack. The description may also include additional definitions when 
these additional definitions are required to clarify the meaning of 
the standard.

Essential Composition and Quality Factors

    This section should contain all quantitative and other 
requirements as to composition including, where necessary, identity 
characteristics, provisions on packing media and requirements as to 
compulsory and optional ingredients. It should also include quality 
factors which are essential for the designation, definition, or 
composition of the product concerned. Such factors could include the 
quality of the raw material, with the object of protecting the 
health of the consumer, provisions on taste, odor, color, and 
texture which may be apprehended by the senses, and basic quality 
criteria for the finished products, with the object of preventing 
fraud. This section may refer to tolerances for defects, such as 
blemishes or imperfect material, but this information should be 
contained in appendix to the standard or in another advisory text.

Food Additives

    This section should contain the names of the additives permitted 
and, where appropriate, the maximum amount permitted in the food. It 
should be prepared in accordance with guidance given on pages 93 to 
96 of the Codex Procedural Manual and may take the following form:
    ``The following provisions in respect of food additives and 
their specifications as contained in section . . . of the Codex 
Alimentarius are subject to endorsement [have been endorsed] by the 
Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants.''
    A tabulation should then follow, viz.:
    ``Name of additive, maximum level (in percentage or mg/
kg).'' [[Page 27269]] 

Contaminants

    (a) Pesticide Residues: This section should include, by 
reference, any levels for pesticide residues that have been 
established by the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues for the 
product concerned.
    (b) Other Contaminants: In addition, this section should contain 
the names of other contaminants and where appropriate the maximum 
level permitted in the food, and the text to appear in the standard 
may take the following form:
    ``The following provisions in respect of contaminants, other 
than pesticide residues, are subject to endorsement [have been 
endorsed] by the Codex Committee on Food Additives and 
Contaminants.''
    A tabulation should then follow, viz.:
    ``Name of contaminant, maximum level (in percentage or mg/kg).''

Hygiene

    Any specific mandatory hygiene provisions considered necessary 
should be included in this section. They should be prepared in 
accordance with the guidance given on pages 96 to 98 of the Codex 
Procedural Manual. Reference should also be made to applicable codes 
of hygienic practice. Any parts of such codes, including in 
particular any end-product specifications, should be set out in the 
standard, if it is considered necessary that they should be made 
mandatory. The following statement should also appear:
    ``The following provisions in respect of the food hygiene of the 
product are subject to endorsement [have been endorsed] by the Codex 
Committee on Food Hygiene.''
Weights and Measures

    This section should include all provisions, other than labelling 
provisions, relating to weights and measures, e.g. where 
appropriate, fill of container, weight, measure or count of units 
determined by an appropriate method of sampling and analysis. 
Weights and measures should be expressed in S.I. units. In the case 
of standards which include provisions for the sale of products in 
standardized amounts, e.g. multiples of 100 grams, S.I. units should 
be used, but this would not preclude additional statements in the 
standards of these standardized amounts in approximately similar 
amounts in other systems of weights and measures.

Labelling

    This section should include all the labelling provisions 
contained in the standard and should be prepared in accordance with 
the guidance given on pages 91 to 93 of the Codex Procedural Manual. 
Provisions should be included by reference to the General Standard 
for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods. The section may also contain 
provisions which are exemptions from, additions to, or which are 
necessary for the interpretation of the General Standard in respect 
of the product concerned provided that these can be justified fully. 
The following statement should also appear:
    ``The following provisions in respect of the labelling of this 
product are subject to endorsement [have been endorsed] by the Codex 
Committee on Food Labelling.''

Methods of Analysis and Sampling

    This section should include, either specifically or by 
reference, all methods of analysis and sampling considered necessary 
and should be prepared in accordance with the guidance given on 
pages 99 to 102 of the Codex Procedural Manual. If two or more 
methods have been proved to be equivalent by the Codex Committee on 
Methods of Analysis and Sampling, these could be regarded as 
alternative and included in this section either specifically or by 
reference. The following statement should also appear:
    ``The methods of analysis and sampling described hereunder are 
to be endorsed [have been endorsed] by the Codex Committee on 
Methods of Analysis and Sampling.''
Appendix 6
    Provisional Agenda of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards 
Programme, Codex Alimentarius Commission, Twenty-First Session, 
Plenary Hall, FAO Headquarters, Rome, July 3-8, 1995:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Item and subject matter                                          Document            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Adoption of the Agenda....................................................  ALINORM 95/1.                    
2. Election of Officers of the Commission and Members of the Executive         ALINORM 95/2.                    
 Committee and Appointment of Regional Coordinators.                                                            
3. Report on the financial situation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards       ALINORM 95/5.                    
 Programme for 1994/95 and 1996/97.                                                                             
4. Implementation of the Medium-Term Plan of the Codex Alimentarius            ALINORM 95/6.                    
 Commission:                                                                                                    
    (a) Report on progress in achieving the Medium-Term Plan                                                    
    (b) Strategies for achieving the Medium-Term Plan                                                           
5. Implementation of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations:     ALINORM 95/7.                    
 Working arrangements between the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the World                                   
 Trade Organization.                                                                                            
6. Consideration of proposals to base Codex standards and other                ALINORM 95/8.                    
 recommendations of scientific principles and the extent to which other                                         
 factors need to be taken into account.                                                                         
7. Risk assessment/risk analysis in Codex: Recommendations of a Joint FAO/WHO  ALINORM 95/9.                    
 Expert Consultation.                                                                                           
8. Cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in the   ALINORM 95/10.                   
 elaboration of world-wide standards for fresh fruit and vegetables and                                         
 related products.                                                                                              
9. Consideration of draft amendments to the Procedural Manual of the Codex     ALINORM 95/14.                   
 Alimentarius Commission:                                                                                       
    (a) Rules of Procedure                                                                                      
    (b) Guidelines for Codex Committees                                                                         
    (c) Format of Codex Standards                                                                               
10. Consideration of draft and proposed draft standards and related texts for  ALINORM 95/21 Part I.            
 general application:                                                                                           
    (a) Food Additives                                                                                          
    (b) Contaminants                                                                                            
    (c) Pesticides (Maximum residue limits)                                                                     
    (d) Veterinary drugs (Maximum residue limits)                                                               
    (e) Food labelling (Amendments)                                                                             
    (f) Food Hygiene (Codes of Practice)                                                                        
    (g) Methods of analysis and sampling                                                                        
    (h) Import/export inspection and certification                                                              
11. Consideration of draft and proposed draft standards and related texts for  ALINORM 95/21 Part II.           
 specific commodities:                                                                                          
    (a) Fish and fishery products                                                                               
    (b) Fats and oils                                                                                           
    (c) Milk and milk products                                                                                  
    (d) Tropical fresh fruit and vegetables                                                                     
    (e) Other products                                                                                          
12. Consideration of proposals to elaborate new standards and/or related       ALINORM 95/21 Part III.          
 texts as Step 1.                                                                                               
    (a) Proposals by Codex Committee                                                                            
    (b) Opinion of the Executive Committee                                                                      
    (c) New proposals                                                                                           
13. Matters arising from the reports of Codex Committees.....................  ALINORM 95/21 Part IV.           
14. Confirmation of Chairmanship of Codex Committees.........................  ALINORM 95/16.                   
[[Page 27270]]
                                                                                                                
15. Other business                                                                                              
16. Adoption of Report                                                                                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 95-12570 Filed 5-22-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-M