4. The Committee noted matters arising from the 23rd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and other Codex Committees, including those matters arising from the most recent 47th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC). The Committee was informed that the paper was presented for information only and/or was relevant to other specific agenda items under consideration at the current meeting. In particular, the following matters were highlighted.
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION
5. In considering its Medium-Term Plan for 1998 to 2002, the 23rd Session of the CAC (Rome, Italy, 28 June-3 July 1999) reasserted its decision that existing Codex commodity standards should be revised and simplified as much as possible, and that the elaboration of specific commodity standards should only be undertaken when adequately justified.[3] In this regard, the 47th Session of the CCEXEC made the general observation that justification for new work in terms of the Criteria for the Establishment of Work Priorities[4] should be well documented when making such proposals.[5]
6. It was noted that the 23rd Session of the CAC entrusted the revision of the Codex standards for quick frozen fruits and vegetables to the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV) in view of the abolition of the Joint UNECE/Codex Group of Experts on the Standardization of Quick Frozen Foods. It also decided that any revision of the Recommended International Code of Practice for the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods that might be required should be undertaken by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene.[6] The Commission also agreed to allocate the elaboration of a Codex standard for dried figs to the CCPFV as per the proposal of the Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa.[7]
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION
7. The Committee was informed of a number of decisions taken by the 45th Session of the Executive Committee (Rome, Italy, 3-5 June 1998) as regards the work of the CCPFV, namely:
a) The elaboration of proposed draft Codex Standards for Canned Berry Fruits; Canned Citrus Fruits; Canned Stone Fruits; Canned Vegetables; Jam, Jellies and Marmalades; Soy Sauce; and, Liquid Packing Media for Canned Fruits and Canned Vegetables was approved[8] as new work for the CCPFV;
b) The adoption[9] of proposed draft Codex Standards for Canned Applesauce, Canned Pears, Kimchi and Pickles at Step 5 and further development by the CCPFV;
c) The proposed draft Codex Standard for Chutney would be merged with the existing Codex Standard for Mango Chutney;[10]
d) Allocation of work on the European Regional Standard for Fresh Fungus ‘Chantarelle’ to the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and the European Regional Standard for Vinegar to the Codex Coordinating Committee for Europe;[11]
e) Return of the requirements for minimum fill to the CCPFV for further consideration.[12]
8. In addition, the Committee was informed that the 47th Session of the CCEXEC (Geneva, Switzerland, 28-30 June 2000) adopted[13] the proposed draft Codex Standard for Aqueous Coconut Products at Step 5 for further development by the CCPFV.
