PROPOSAL TO DEFINE THE BASIS FOR DERIVATION OF ENERGY CONVERSION FACTORS IN THE CODEX GUIDELINES ON NUTRITION LABELLING
REVISION OF THE ADVISORY LIST(S) OF MINERAL SALTS AND VITAMIN COMPOUNDS FOR THE USE IN FOODS FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN (CAC/GL 10-1979)
FUTURE WORK
DATA AND PLACE OF THE NEXT SESSION
118. The Committee expressed its appreciation to Prof Dr Dr h.c Arpad Somogyi who chaired the Committee for a long time for his important contribution to the work of the Committee and wished him all success in his new position.
119. The Delegation of Australia introduced CRD 10 which highlighted the need for a clear definition of the basis on which energy factors were derived. It proposed consideration of a definition of metabolisable energy in the Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling to allow a review of the existing factors in the light of the new definition. This would be especially useful for regulatory authorities when developing provisions for nutrition labelling relating to energy. The Delegation indicated that consideration could also be given to reviewing the energy values currently listed in the Guidelines, taking into account the recommendations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Carbohydrates.
120. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the Delegation of Australia for this interesting study and some delegations indicated that due to the technical nature of the document and the significant changes proposed, they needed to study it further and could not take a position at this stage. It was agreed to circulate the document to member countries, as it had been available only as a CRD at the current session, and to discuss it further at the next session with a view to make a decision whether this matter would be supported as a new work.
121. The Delegation of New Zealand introduced CRD 20, recalling that the latest amendments to the Lists had been made in 1991, and that many nutrient sources permitted for use in at the national level were not included in the lists, which could create barriers to trade. The Delegation proposed that in order to take into account the importance of public health and safety, new scientific and technological developments, and the work of JECFA on specifications, the revision of the Lists should be initiated as new work.
122. The Committee, recalling that the lists had been kept regularly under review in the past, recognized that it was necessary to ensure its consistency with current practice in member countries and agreed to propose the revision of the Lists as new work to the Commission. It was further agreed that subject to the approval of the Commission, a Circular Letter would be issued to ask for comments on the current Lists, for consideration at the next Session.
123. The Committee noted that its future work would include:
123. Some delegations pointed out that in view of the heavy workload of the Committee in considering both specific commodity standards and general nutrition issues, it should meet more frequently, as did most general subject Committees, and especially the Committee on Food Labelling.
124. The Chairman indicated that the host government would consider the feasibility of convening the sessions on an 18 months basis. The Committee noted that the next session would be held in Berlin in 2000, the exact arrangements to be determined by the host government and the Codex Secretariat.
