FSIS Announces 8 Codex Working Groups on Contaminants in Foods

Ochratoxin A in Cocoa: This electronic working group will develop a Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Ochratoxin A in Cocoa. The working group is seeking data on Ochratoxin A contamination of cocoa as well as agricultural and processing practices of small scale and commercial cocoa production. Member countries and observer organizations interested in participating in this electronic working group should provide the name(s), official title, and email address of their representative(s) to codex@gsa.gov.gh with a copy to takramax@yahoo.com by Aug. 10. Parties in the U.S. that are interested in contributing to the U.S. participation in this electronic working group should contact the U.S. Codex Office (USCodex@fsis.usda.gov).

Hydrocyanic Acid in Cassava: The electronic working group, led by Australia and co-chaired by Nigeria, will (1) propose maximum levels for hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in bitter and sweet cassava; (2) develop a code of practice for the reduction of HCN in cassava; and (3) develop methods of analysis for HCN. Member countries and observer organizations interested in participating in this electronic working group should provide the name(s), official title, and email address of their representative(s) to the Australia Codex Contact Point (codex.contact@daff.gov.au) with a copy to the electronic working group chairperson, Leigh Henderson (Leigh.Henderson@foodstandards.gov.au) by Aug. 15. Parties in the U.S. that are interested in contributing to the U.S. participation in this electronic working group should contact the U.S. Codex Office (USCodex@fsis.usda.gov).

Commodity Descriptions in GSCTFF: This group, led by the European Union, will prepare proposals for the description of commodities in the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (GSCTFF) to be considered at the next CCCF session (March 2013). Member countries and observer organizations interested in participating in this electronic working group should provide the name(s), official title, and email address of their representative(s) to Frans Verstraete (frans.verstraete@ec.europa.eu) by Aug. 15. Parties in the U.S. that are interested in contributing to the U.S. participation in this electronic working group should contact the U.S. Codex Office (USCodex@fsis.usda.gov).

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid: This electronic working group, led by the Netherlands, will develop a code of practice for weed control to prevent and reduce pyrrolizidine alkaloid in food and feed. Member countries and observer organizations should ask their Codex Contact Point to register their representatives using the on-line registration system (http://codexmeetingmanager.com/ under the electronic working group name "CCCF EWG PA") by Aug. 15. Parties in the U.S. that are interested in contributing to the U.S. participation in this electronic working group should contact the U.S. Codex Office (USCodex@fsis.usda.gov).

Methylmercury in Fish: The electronic working group, led by Norway and co-chaired by Japan, will develop a discussion paper on the review of the guideline for methylmercury in fish and predatory fish for consideration at the next CCCF session (March 2013). Member countries and observer organizations should ask their Codex Contact Point to register their representatives using the on-line registration system (http://codexmeetingmanager.com/) by Aug. 15, with copies to codex@mattilsynet.no, haruo_tominaga@nm.maff.go.jp, and hirohide_matsushima@nm.maff.go.jp. Parties in the U.S. that are interested in contributing to the U.S. participation in this electronic working group should contact the U.S. Codex Office (USCodex@fsis.usda.gov).

Deoxynivalenol (DON) Maximum Limits: This electronic working group, led by Canada and co-chaired by the European Union, will continue working on the elaboration of maximum limits (MLs) for DON in specified foods destined for human consumption, and develop sampling plans to support the proposed MLs. Member countries and observer organizations interested in participating in this electronic working group should provide the name(s), official title, and email address of their representative(s) to the Bureau of Chemical Safety, Health Canada (bcs-bipc@hc-sc.gc.ca) with a copy to codex_canada@hc-sc.gc.ca by Aug.15. Parties in the U.S. that are interested in contributing to the U.S. participation in this electronic working group should contact the U.S. Codex Office (USCodex@fsis.usda.gov).

Mycotoxins in Cereals: This group, led by Brazil and co-chaired by the U.S., working in English, will prepare a discussion paper to identify the gaps in the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals. It will also address the possible need for a separate Code of Practice for Fumonisins in Maize and whether there are any other measures to control fumonisins in maize for consideration by the next session of the Committee. The electronic working group will also work on the development of a discussion paper on Aflatoxins in Cereals for consideration at its next session. Member countries and observers interested in participating in this electronic working group should provide the name(s), official title, and email address of their representative(s) to Ms. Lígia Lindner Schreiner of the Brazilian Codex Contact Point (ligia.schreiner@anvisa.gov.br) with a copy to codexbrasil@inmetro.gov.br by Aug. 15. Parties in the U.S. that are interested in contributing to the U.S. participation in this electronic working group should contact the U.S. Codex Office (USCodex@fsis.usda.gov).

Arsenic in Rice: This electronic working group, co-chaired by China and Japan, will work on the possibility to develop a Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Arsenic Contamination in Rice. The electronic working group will focus its discussion on the following issues for preventing and reducing arsenic contamination in rice: feasibility of source directed measures (especially, soil pollution and irrigated water contamination); effect of agricultural practices (including selection of cultivars, use of agricultural materials, control of irrigation water etc); and effect of processing and cooking. Member countries and observer organizations interested in participating in this electronic working group should provide the name(s), official title, and email address of their representative(s) to china_cdc@yahoo.cn and JPPSDCCCF@nm.maff.go.jp by Aug. 31. Parties in the U.S. that are interested in contributing to the U.S. participation in this electronic working group should contact the U.S. Codex Office (USCodex@fsis.usda.gov).