Codex Commission Completes 35th Session; Adopts Most Step 8, 5/8 & 5 Standards, Etc.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission concluded its 35th Session on July 5, reported the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Highlights of the Commission’s 35th session include:
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Adopted all proposed Step 8, 5/8, and 5 standards, with exceptions. The Commission adopted all standards that had been proposed at Step 8, 5/8, and 5, with the exception of (i) two additives that were returned to Committee on Food Additives for further review; and (ii) the proposed nutrient reference values for saturated fatty acids and sodium which the Commission approved at Step 5 (rather than 5/8, as recommended by the Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses).
Adopted MRLs for ractopamine; added zilpaterol to JEFCA priority list. The Commission adopted the maximum residues limits (MRLs) for the veterinary drug ractopamine by means of a 69-67 vote. The proposed MRLs had been held at Step 8 since 2008. Also with regard to veterinary drugs, the Commission responded to a request for guidance from the Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods by deciding that zilpaterol should be added to the priority list for evaluation by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JEFCA).
Discontinued work on processed cheese standard. The Commission agreed to discontinue work on a Codex standard for processed cheese, which the Committee on Milk and Milk Products had not been able to conclude after more than 10 years of work. To accommodate countries that felt a standard was needed, the Commission agreed to survey member countries to determine what needs remain to be addressed.
Held rBST standards at Step 8. The Commission continued to hold the draft MRLs for rBST at Step 8, and will ask members to submit new scientific information, if available, in light of the length of time since the last JECFA review.
Delayed decision on spices committee. While the proposal from India to establish a new commodity committee on spices was considered and generally supported by the Commission, it delayed a decision until the 2013 Commission session to provide time to better define the scope.
The Commission’s formal report will be available here.