115. The 31st CCFAC returned the draft maximum levels for lead to step 6 for redrafting by the delegation of Denmark, with the assistance of the United States, on the basis of the CCFAC discussions and comments received, including appropriate references for the levels proposed. The Committee noted that the 23rd Session of the Commission deleted the maximum levels for arsenic and lead in the Codex Standard for Sugars.[63]
116. The Committee discussed the revised draft maximum levels for lead on a commodity by commodity basis as recommended by the WG. On the basis of information provided by Turkey, the Committee decided to create a separate entry for small fruits and berries, including grapes, at a maximum level of 0.2 mg/kg; the general entry for fruit was maintained at 0.1 mg/kg.
117. The Committee agreed to revise the category "cereal products, except bran" to read as "cereal grains" and deleted the phrase "cereals subject to further processing" in the remarks section; the maximum level of 0.2 mg/kg for cereal grains, pulses and legume vegetables was maintained.
118. At the suggestion of the delegation of India, the category "milk fat" was moved to the section under milk. The Committee changed the footnote to the milk category to read "for dairy products, an appropriate concentration factor should apply". The maximum levels for the two categories were maintained. The delegation of India questioned the need for a level in milk, quoting a similar view from document CX/FAC 00/15 concerning methodology and principles for exposure assessment, and stated that they could not support the draft maximum level of 0.02 mg/kg.
119. Several delegations noted that in respect of the proposal for higher maximum levels for "certain species" of fish there was inadequate information on lead contamination between species and therefore, proposed levels should only be established for fish in general. The delegation of the Philippines noted that the existing database for fish and its preliminary findings did not support the maximum levels proposed for fish in general, and offered to provide data on the maximum levels in fish, crustaceans and bivalve molluscs to the next Session of the committee. Pending the consideration of the data, the Committee returned the draft maximum levels for fish, crustaceans and bivalve molluscs to step 6 for further comments and consideration at its next Session.
120. Several delegations and the representative of Consumers International noted that it was important to set maximum limits for fruit juices as low as possible because children were high consumers of these commodities. Therefore, the Committee returned the draft maximum level of 0.05 mg/kg for fruit juices to Step 6 for further comments and consideration at its next meeting.
121. The Committee noted the opinion of the delegation of Denmark that current data justified a lower level for lead in wine. However, the Committee maintained the maximum level of 0.20 mg/kg as it complied with OIV standards. The Committee suggested that the data be drawn to the attention of the OIV.
122. The Committee agreed to forward the draft maximum levels for lead in all foods except fish, crustaceans, bivalve molluscs and fruit juices (see Appendix XI) to the 24th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission for adoption at Step 8, with the understanding that the provisions would subsequently be incorporated into the Codex General Standard on Contaminants and Toxins in Foods. Draft maximum levels for lead in fish, crustaceans, bivalve molluscs and fruit juices returned for comment at Step 6 are contained in Appendix XII.
