Sulphur Dioxide Levels in Draft Revised Standard for Sugars
Draft Standard for Named Vegetable Oils
Other Matters
76. The Delegation of India expressed the view that the reduction of the maximum level for sulphur dioxide in plantation or mill white sugar from 70 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg would not necessarily increase consumer health protection while it would raise the cost of production and the consumer price of the product. The Delegation, therefore, proposed that the maximum level of sulphur dioxide in the Draft Standard for Sugars, currently at Step 6, should be returned to 70 mg/kg and stressed that sulphur dioxide in plantation white sugar at this level would not pose health concerns to consumers.
77. The Committee noted that sulphites were scheduled to be reviewed by the JECFA which was to be held in June 1998 and both toxicological and exposure data were sought from countries and interested organizations.
78. The Committee agreed to the above proposal and decided to recommend it to the Commission at its 23rd Session where the Draft Standard for Sugars would most likely be considered at Step 8. The Delegation of India and other delegations were encouraged to provide their exposure assessment to the JECFA by the end of February for evaluation in June 1998.
79. The Delegation of India stated that no colorants should be used in named vegetable oils and therefore colorants should not be included in the Draft Standard for Named Vegetable Oils[28]. The Committee supported India and concurred with the current draft standard.
80. The Delegation of India proposed that rice-bran oil be included as one of the named vegetable oils as this product was of importance to India as well as to the Region. The Committee supported this proposal and agreed to refer this proposal to the CCFO. The Delegation of India was requested to draft the necessary sections to be sent to that Committee for consideration.
81. The Delegation of USA informed the Committee of the Internet web site of the US Codex Office containing a variety of information and links to the related agencies’ web sites[29].
