CODEX COMMITTEE ON EDIBLE ICES
404. The Commission had before it the Report of the Third Session of the Codex Committee on Edible Ices (ALINORM 78/11). Dr. G. Björkman (Sweden), Chairman of the Committee, acted as Rapporteur.
Consideration of Draft Standard for Edible Ices and Ice Mixes at Step 8
405. In introducing the standard, the Rapporteur pointed out that at the start of the work, the Commission had requested the Committee to consider the question of the need to elaborate one or more world-wide and/or regional standards for edible ices. This question had been solved by grouping all edible ices in six main groups - with a subdivision into 16 sub-groups - on the basis of all possible combinations of ingredients.
406. The Rapporteur reminded the Commission that edible ices as defined in the standard covered a very broad group of completely fabricated commodities. As a consequence, the list of substances in the food additives section - even though not comprehensive - had to be rather lengthy. Furthermore, some difficulties had been encountered with regard to the naming of the various products, but the problem had been solved satisfactorily.
407. The Rapporteur informed the Commission that several section of the standard were still pending endorsement by some of the General Subject Committees. The food additives section had been considered by the Codex Committee on Food Additives. That Committee had accepted the justifications given for the various groups of additives, but had also requested justifications for the individual substances listed. Following this, a circular letter had been sent to Governments asking for the required information.
408. The Swedish Secretariat of the Committee had compiled the replies received and, based on these comments, prepared a substantially shorter list of additives than in the original document. The revised list with the comments would be circulated as part of a working paper for the next session (12th) of the Codex Committee on Food Additives, listing for a number of Codex standards those additive provisions which were pending endorsement.
409. As part of the product standard, the Committee had prepared a draft proposal for microbiological standards. This had been considered by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Microbiological Specifications for Foods, which had proposed instead optional Guidelines for Ice Mixes and Edible Ices. The Committee on Food Hygiene, at its last session, had agreed that for the time being the Guidelines should stand.
410. The Rapporteur also informed the Commission that the labelling section had been endorsed and drew particular attention to the fact that the name of the product had not been specifically laid down in the standard, but was left to the country in which the product was sold.
411. The methods of analysis and sampling listed in the standard had been referred to a Joint IDF/ISO/AOAC Working Group. The delegation of the United States of America provided information on the progress made by the Working Group and stated that it expected the work to be completed by the end of 1978. At the next session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling in 1979, the various methods could be considered for endorsement.
412. The Commission noted that the Committee had decided to adjourn sine die. In view of this, and taking into account that endorsement of a number of provisions was still outstanding, the Commission considered various options on how best to deal with the standard. One option was to adopt the standard at Step 8 at the present session. Following the endorsement of the different provisions mentioned above, the document could then be published as a Recommended International Standard. A similar procedure had been followed for the standard for Jams and Jellies. A number of delegation were not in favour of this procedure. In their opinion, the standard should first be completed before the Commission could make a decision on its status.
413. Several delegation made observations on specific provisions of the standard, in particular on the large number of food additives. In addition to calling in question certain health aspects, this was also considered by some delegation to be a hindrance to the economically important production of edible ices at the small-scale retail level.
414. The delegation of Ireland proposed an amendment to the compositional groups of the standard.
415. It was noted that the hygiene section contained two provisions (5.1 and 5.4) which did not seem to be fully aligned with each other. Moreover, one of the two provisions (5.4) did not appear in other Codex standards, namely the requirement that “all ingredients used in the preparation of the product shall conform with all the hygienic provisions of all applicable Codex Codex of Practice”. Compliance with this requirement seemed difficult.
Status of the Draft Standard for Edible Ices and Ice Mixes
416. The Commission decided to hold the Standard for Edible Ices and Ice Mixes at Step 8 of the Procedure. Following endorsement and, where appropriate, revision of the relevant provision by the Committees on Food Additives, Food Hygiene and Methods of Analysis and Sampling, the Secretariat would re-issue the draft standard in time for consideration by the 13th Session of the Commission. The Swedish Secretariat of the Committee undertook to act as focal point for the revision of the food additives section and report to the 12th and 13th Sessions of the Codex Committee on Food Additives.
Confirmation of Chairmanship
417. The Commission confirmed under Rule IX.10 that the Codex Committee on Edible Ices should continue to be under the chairmanship of the Government of Sweden. The Commission endorsed the decision of the Committee to adjourn sine die.
418. The Commission was informed by Miss G.D. McElnea, who acted as Rapporteur, on behalf of Mr. J. Bamford, Chairman of the Codex Committee on Sugars, that the Committee had not met between the 11th and the 12th sessions of the Commission. However, work had been continued by ICUMSA and ISO on the revision of methods of analysis in Codex standards for sugars. The Rapporteur further stated that a paper on this revision would be prepared by the Secretariat in the United Kingdom in the near future and issued to Governments as soon as the results of the work of ICUMSA and ISO had been published. She reminded the Commission also of its decision taken at its 11th Session that the Secretariat should request comments at Step 6 on the Draft Standard for Fructose for consideration at the 12th Session at Step 7 and Step 8.
Consideration of the Draft Standard for Fructose at Step 7 and 8
419. The Commission had before it ALINORM 78/27 containing in Appendix I Government comments on the Draft Standard for Fructose at Step 6 and additional observations by the United Kingdom, and in Appendix II the Draft Standard for Fructose amended in the light of the aforementioned comments. Comments on ALINORM 78/27 had been received from Switzerland.
420. It was pointed out that some non-substantive changes had been made in the standard and that some problems appeared to exist on the range of values for specific rotation of - 89° to -93.5°. Comments had indicated that this range should be amended to read -91° to -93.5° which would still allow for the presence of a reasonable proportion of glucose, in the view of some Governments.
421. The delegation of Finland was of the opinion that new developments in the technology of producing crystalline fructose resulted in a commercial product of very high quality with a specific rotation of -92° to -93° containing only trace amounts of glucose in the range of 0.1%. The delegation of Finland drew attention to the fact that the wider range proposed in the standard would also permit the presence of other unidentified impurities and proposed to include in the standard an enzymatic method for the determination of glucose.
422. The delegation of Switzerland confirmed the information on the technological advances in the production of fructose and suggested that the standard be held at Step 8, in order to permit the recent work done on fructose to be taken into account. Several delegations supported the view expressed by Switzerland. However, it was noted that the product was intended for use as a food and not as a pharmaceutical product. The point was made that in reaching a decision, the Committee should arrive at a balanced view, taking into account economic considerations and providing for products with a wider range in specific rotation as long as they did not present a health hazard.
423. Several delegations requested that the standard be adopted at Step 8. The delegations of Finland, Switzerland and Austria reaffirmed their view that the range of values for specific rotation should be narrowed.
Status of the Draft Standard for Fructose
424. The Commission adopted, as a Recommended Standard, the Draft Standard for Fructose at Step 8 of the Procedure for the Elaboration of World-Wide Codex Standards. The delegation of Finland reserved its position on this decision.
Confirmation of Chairmanship
425. The Commission confirmed under Rule IX.10 that the Codex Committee on Sugars should continue to be under the chairmanship of the Government of the United Kingdom. The Commission adjourned the Committee sine die.
CODEX COMMITTEE ON COCOA PRODUCTS AND CHOCOLATE
426. The Commission had before it the Report of the 12th Session of the Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate (ALINORM 78/10) and Government comments on the Draft Standard for Cocoa Powders (Cocoas) and Dry Cocoa-Sugar Mixtures at Step 8 as contained in ALINORM 78/36, Part 7 and LIM. 11.
427. In introducing the Report, the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. E. Mattey, reminded the Commission that the Draft Standard for Cocoa (Cacao) Beans, Cocoa (Cacao) Nibs, Cocoa (Cacao) Mass, Cocoa Press Cake and Cocoa Dust (Cocoa Fines) for use in the Manufacture of Cocoa and Chocolate Products, which had been returned by the 10th Session of the Commission to Step 7, was being held in abeyance, until such time as the FAO Study Group on Cocoa could meet and review the Model Ordinance, on which part of the Standard was based. The Commission was informed that there were no plans for a meeting of the Study Group in the immediate future.
428. The Commission noted that the above draft standard had been the subject of much discussion and some controversy at the 12th Session of the Committee. The main point at issue had been whether to allow a lower minimum level of 20% cocoa solids, as shown in the proposed standard at Appendix II of the Report. At a certain point, the discussion on the draft standard had been interrupted to allow a working group representing both producing and manufacturing countries to discuss and redraft the standard.
429. The version of the standard as accepted by the Committee (Appendix III) represented a compromise solution on the basis of which the minimum level of cocoa solids had been increased from 20% to 25%.
430. The delegation of Sweden was of the opinion that, for technical reasons, a lower minimum level of 20% cocoa solids was preferable in certain types of sweetened cocoa powder and in consequence wished to express a reservation on the provision for 25% in Appendix III. The delegation of Sweden also expressed a reservation on the provisions of sub-section 7.1.10 since in its opinion, this was contrary to the established use of the designation “chocolate” for certain traditional products.
431. The Commission noted that the wording in sub-section 7.1.10 represented part of the compromise solution achieved during the session, in that no product containing less than 25% cocoa solids could carry the name “chocolate”. The provision had been added as a result of the concern expressed by the producing countries at the progressive erosion of the cocoa content of some products covered by the standard.
432. The Commission also noted that the observer from the European Economic Community was in favour of the advancement of the Standard, although the observer was of the opinion that the declaration of the country of origin should not be required except where its omission might mislead the consumer.
Status of the Draft Standard for Cocoa Powders (Cocoas) and Dry Cocoa-Sugar Mixtures
433. The Commission recognized that the Draft Standard for Cocoa Powders (Cocoas) and Dry Cocoa-Sugar Mixtures, as it now stood, was an agreed compromise between producing and manufacturing countries and adopted the Standard at Step 8 of the Procedure.
434. The Commission considered the proposed amendment contained in ALINORM 78/29. It noted that, at its 12th session, the Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate had considered and amended the Draft Standard for Composite and Flavoured Chocolate. With regard to the subsection dealing with flavoured chocolate, the Committee noted that there was strong support for inserting this part of the Standard in the Chocolate Standard.
435. It had, therefore, been proposed that the addition of Flavoured Chocolate could be submitted to the Commission as an amendment to the Chocolate Standard at Step 9.
436. Several delegations expressed the opinion that the proposed amendment needed careful examination and, therefore, they were not in favour of its immediate incorporation into the Chocolate Standard. The Commission noted the points of detail raised by various delegations.
437. The Commission agreed that such an amendment should follow the same procedural steps as a separate standard and that the matter should be reconsidered at the Committee level.
438. It was acknowledged that there were several outstanding matters which should come before the Committee at some future date and that at an appropriate time it would be necessary to reconvene the Committee. These matters included consideration of the Draft Standard for Cocoa (Cacao) Beans, Cocoa (Cacao) Nibs, Cocoa (Cacao) Mass, Cocoa Press Cake and Cocoa Dust (Cocoa Fines) for Use in the Manufacture of Cocoa and Chocolate Products; the Amendment for Flavoured Chocolate and the Proposed Draft Standards for Composite and Filled Chocolate, as well as for “White Chocolate” (name still to be decided). The delegations of the producing countries reiterated their disagreement with the designation “White Chocolate”.
439. The Commission decided that written observations should be requested from Governments concerning the provisions in the amendment for flavoured chocolate and that at an appropriate stage the Committee should meet to consider these and the other matters mentioned above.
Confirmation of Chairmanship
440. The Commission confirmed under Rule IX.10 that the Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate should continue to be under the chairmanship of the Government of Switzerland.
CODEX COMMITTEE ON FOODS FOR SPECIAL DIETARY USES
441. The Commission had before it the Report of the 10th Session of the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses (ALINORM 78/26). Dr. E. Hufnagel acted as Rapporteur on behalf of Professor Dr. R. Frank, Chairman of the Committee.
Further Work on Standards for Foods for Infants and Children
442. Dr. Hufnagel recalled that three standards for foods for infants and children had been adopted at Step 8 by the Commission at its 11th Session. She informed the Commission of the progress of work related to methods of analysis and sampling. A Code of Hygienic Practice for Foods for Infants and Children including microbiological specifications was being considered by the Committee on Food Hygiene (see also paras 255–256). Lists of vitamins and minerals for use in infant foods were being revised and would be finalized at the next session of the Committee.
Amendments to Food Additive Provisions in Standards for Foods for Infants and Children
443. A working group on food additives had considered the need for some additional additives, and matters related to levels of nitrates in canned baby foods, maximum levels for metal and metalloid contaminants and the applicability of the carry-over principle to foods for infants and children. The Committee on Food Additives had endorsed two amendments to these standards. The Commission adopted the non-substantive amendment to permit in canned baby foods the use of mono- and diglycerides at a maximum level of 0.15% on a ready-to-eat basis (section 4.2.2). The Commission further adopted the proposed amendment to the Standard for Infant formula to permit the use of sodium, potassium and calcium hydroxides as pH-adjusting agents under the conditions prescribed for sodium and potassium salts.
444. The delegations of Hungary and France agreed to submit their comments on food additives in foods for infants and children in writing to the next session of the Committee.
Application of the Carry-over Principle
445. The Commission noted that the Committee had examined the applicability of the carryover principle to the standards for foods for infants and children. The Commission agreed with the view of the Committee that the carry-over principle should not apply to the Standard for Infant Formula, i.e. that for the products covered by the standard only those additives should be used or be present which were included in the section on food additives in the standard. No amendment of the standard was, therefore, necessary. The Committee had decided that the carry-over principle should apply in the two other standards. However, there appeared to be no guidance as to how to express this provision in the format of the standard. The Commission recognized that this was a problem of a general nature which would also affect other Committees. It was noted that carried-over additives, according to paragraph 4 of the principle adopted by the Commission, should be treated and regarded as an additive to the food. The Codex Committee on Food Labelling had confirmed that these substances should be labelled as additives.
446. The Commission agreed to request advice from the Codex Committee on Food Additives as to how to incorporate into the section on food additives of Codex standards provisions concerning food additives carried over in accordance with sections 3 and 4 of the principle, and to refer questions concerning the consequential labelling provisions to the Codex Committee on Food Labelling.
Proposed Draft Standard for Foods for Older Infants and Children
447. The Commission was informed that the Committee had considered a Proposed Draft Standard for Follow-up Milk and decided that the standard should be revised to take into account Government views on sources and minimum amount of protein and other nutrients and that it had amended the title of the standard to read “Food for Older Infants and Children”. The draft, revised by Switzerland, would be discussed in the light of Government comments at the next session of the Committee. The delegation of Senegal stressed the need for weaning foods to be distributed in developing countries and welcomed the possibility to comment on the above standard. The delegate of Senegal stressed the importance for many developing countries of promoting follow-up foods for infants, inasmuch as such programmes already existed in those countries.
448. It was noted that the Committee would continue its work on a Draft Standard for Glutenfree Foods at Step 7, on a revised draft of a General Standard for the Labelling of and Claims for Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses at Step 4, and on Draft Standards for Low Carbohydrate Foods and for Foods for Use in a Diet for Diabetics. Consideration of the two latter items would be based on the deliberations of a working group coordinated by the Federal Republic of Germany, which would meet in Bonn in May 1978.
Confirmation of Chairmanship
449. The Commission confirmed under Rule IX.10 that the Codex Committee on Foods for Special Dietary Uses should continue to be under the chairmanship of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
CODEX COMMITTEE ON SOUPS AND BROTHS
450. The Report of the Second Session of the Codex Committee on Soups and Broths (ALINORM 78/9) was introduced by Mr. E. Tremp on behalf of Prof. Dr. E. Matthey, Chairman of the Committee. Comments from the Government of Poland were contained in ALINORM 78/36, Part 12.
Proposed Draft Standard for Bouillons and Consommés at Step 5
451. The second session of the Committee on Soups and Broths had discussed the above standard and had made only minor amendments as follows:
452. The section on food additives had been adapted to the scope of the standard in accordance with the following criteria:
they had been proved to be used in the manufacture of bouillons and consommés;
they had been evaluated by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and had been included in the Codex Advisory Lists (with the exception of cysteine);
maximum levels had been set for those substances for which an ADI had been allocated.
453. Technological justification for the use of these additives had been included in Appendix III to ALINORM 78/9. Synthetic colours had been deleted. However, thickening agents needed to be permitted for organoleptic reasons. Maximum levels had been established for lead and tin, as residues of these two heavy metals were likely to be found in the product.
454. Due to timing of the sessions, the Codex Committee on Food Additives had not yet had the opportunity to examine and endorse the additive and contaminant provisions as contained in sections 4 and 5. For the same reason, the Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling had not endorsed the methods of analysis. Sampling had been based on the Codex Sampling Plan and the methods of analysis included in the standard were those established by the International Association of Bouillons and Soup Manufacturers and contained in their Manual “Analytical Methods of Analysis”. It was pointed out that these methods had been collaboratively tested.
455. The Committee had amended the hygiene and labelling provisions to take into account the advice given by the Committees on Food Hygiene and Food Labelling.
456. The Committee had not considered the amendments and changes indicated above to be of a controversial nature. The Committee had therefore recommended to the Commission that Steps 6 and 7 be omitted and the Proposed Draft Standard for Bouillons and Consommés be adopted at Step 8, it being understood that the appropriate General Subject Committees would need to endorse the sections on food additives and contaminants on the one hand, and the labelling provisions on the other.
457. The delegations of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada and Australia supported the omission of Steps 6 and 7 and the adoption of the standard at Step 8. There were other delegations which did not have any objection to this course of action, but which were of the opinion that the list of food additives was excessively large and that the Committee on Food Additives should thoroughly examine these provisions. The proposal of the Chairman of the Codex Committee on Food Additives to delete in sections 4.1.5 – 4.1.8 the word “added” and to change in section 4.5.3 the words “ammonia process” in “ammonia sulphite process” was accepted. The delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany stated that they could not agree with the provisions on the nitrogen content.
Status of the Draft Standard for Bouillons and Consommés
458. The Commission decided to adopt the Standard for Bouillons and Consommés at Step 5, to omit Steps 6 and 7, and to hold the standard at Step 8 until the next session of the Commission in order to give Governments the opportunity to comment on it after the Codex Committee on Food Additives had examined the relevant provisions.
Consideration of the Need for Standards for Soups
459. The Rapporteur reported to the Commission that the Committee had decided not to commence work on standards for soups and had recommended reconsideration of the subject in about five years time (paras 48–51 of ALINORM 78/9).
460. The Rapporteur drew attention to the discussion on hydrolyzed proteins during the second session of the Committee. It had been pointed out that hydrolyzed proteins derived from a great number of sources of plant and animal origin were of importance in bouillons, consommés and soups as a basic ingredient. The Government of Switzerland had expressed its willingness to provide meeting facilities through the Committee on Soups and Broths to consider standards for hydrolyzed proteins from all sources. At the request of the Committee, the delegation of Switzerland had undertaken to prepare a document on work criteria information for the above standards (ALINORM 78/39). Additional information was contained in the document relating to vegetable proteins (pages 25, 26 of ALINORM 78/32).
461. The delegation of France, supported by the delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany, was of the opinion that the Committee on Soups and Broths should commence work on standards for hydrolyzed proteins. The delegation of the United Kingdom was in favour of postponing the elaboration of standards for these products, until such time as the Committee on Soups and Broths would be reconsidering the need for soup standards. The delegations of Canada and India reminded the Commission that, in their opinion, standards for hydrolyzed protein were of very low priority.
462. The delegation of the United States of America proposed that the Secretariat be requested to invite Governments, by circular letter, to comment on the need for standards for hydrolyzed proteins, so that the matter could be rediscussed by the next session of the Commission and to adjourn the Committee sine die.
463. The delegations of Switzerland and Canada supported this proposal. The delegation of Canada suggested that the Commission, in rediscussing the subject of hydrolyzed proteins, might also consider which Committee should embark on the work.
Confirmation of Chairmanship
464. The Commission confirmed under Rule IX. 10 that the Codex Committee on Soups and Broths should continue under the chairmanship of the Government of Switzerland. The Commission decided to adjourn the Committee sine die.
465. The Report of the 18th Session of the above Committee (CX 5/70–18th Session, October 1976) was introduced by the Chairman of that Session of the Committee, Mr. F.S. Anderson (United Kingdom).
466. The Rapporteur stated that there were no specific matters referred to the Commission for consideration. He reviewed the work done by the Committee at its 18th session and also pointed out that the Committee had discussed the acceptance procedure under the Code of Principles in relation to the procedure for the acceptance of Codex Commodity Standards. In connection with acceptances, the Committee had recommended that Governments use the forms for acceptance provided by the Codex Secretariat for recommended Codex standards to transmit notifications of acceptance for standards for milk products.
467. The Chairman drew the Commission's attention to various items it had to consider (ALINORM 78/8, paras 50 and 51):
The Committee's future work and the number of sessions necessary to complete its work;
The question of whether there was a need to develop international standards for imitation milks and which subsidiary body of the Commission should deal with this task in the event of the Commission deciding that this work should be embarked upon;
How best any remaining work of the Committee could be dealt with by other Codex Committees, if the number of future meetings were to be limited.
468. Many delegations expressed their appreciation for the excellent work done by the Committee. The Milk Committee had been the first to demonstrate that it was possible to reach agreement on international food standards; it had developed the procedures for the elaboration of standards and for the acceptance of these. Most delegations held the view, however, that the Committee had now virtually completed its work and that the time was near for the Committee to go into recess as it had never been the intention of the Commission to continue meetings of Committees which had finished their main tasks. A further agrument presented for the adjournement of the Committee was the cost - borne wholly by the Regular Programme - of the meetings of the Committee and the wish of many members of the Commission to embark on work in certain new areas of activity.
469. It was proposed that the Committee in one or two sessions bring to an end work on important matters before it and refer unfinalized matters to other Committees. The Committee could be reactivated when this was found necessary. Some delegations pointed out that the position of the Committee in relation to the Commission differed slightly when compared to other Codex Committees. They suggested that the Committee should be given an opportunity to consider its own position, bearing in mind however, that its decisions were subject to review by the Commission.
470. It was noted that the agenda of the Committee's 19th session to be held in June 1978 had been discussed between the present and outgoing Chairman of the Committee and the Secretariat. There appeared to be a reasonable prospect that the Committee could complete its work, in particular on the General Standards for Cheese and for Processed Cheese, in one or at the very most two sessions, and that the remaining tasks could be handed over to other Codex Committees.
471. With regard to the question of whether there was a need for the development of international standards for imitation milks, several delegations from developing countries stated that, in their opinion, such work should not be undertaken at this stage. They indicated that they considered the elaboration of international standards for cereals and cereal products to be of high priority and the Commission's scarce resources should be allocated to this task.
472. The Commission, noting that the Committee would hold a meeting in June 1978, requested the Committee:
to review the provisional agenda for the 19th Session in the light of the discussions recorded above;
to aim to finalize at that session the work on important items on the agenda, i.e. the general standards for Cheese and Processed Cheese; and
to make recommendations regarding the handing over to other Committees of unfinishedwork.
The Commission further instructed the Committee not to embark on new topics of work e.g. imitation milks. The Commission noted that the Code of Practice for Dried Milk could be further developed by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene. Having completed its work the Committee could then adjourn sine die. In case new product developments made it necessary, the question of reconvening the Committee could be considered.
473. The Commission requested governments which had accepted standards under the Code of Principles to review their acceptance in relation to the Codex acceptance procedure.
CODEX COMMITTEE ON NATURAL MINERAL WATERS
474. The Commission noted that the above Committee had adjourned sine die and endorsed this decision. The Commission also noted that the Coordinating Committee for Europe would, in all probability, be handling the question on analytical and sampling procedures deemed necessary for inclusion in the European Regional Standard for Natural Mineral Waters.
Confirmation of Chairmanship
475. The Commission confirmed under Rule IX. 10 that the Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters should continue to be under the chairmanship of the Government of Switzerland.
476. The Commission confirmed under Rule IX. 10 that the Codex Committee on Meat should continue to be under the chairmanship of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Commission adjourned the Codex Committee on Meat sine die.
QUESTION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CODEX COMMITTEE ON COFFEE AND COFFEE PRODUCTS
477. The Commission had discussed at several sessions the feasibility of or the need to elaborate Codex standards for coffee and coffee products and had decided at its 10th session to adjourn these discussions sine die, as it had not been possible to reach agreement (ALINORM 74/44, para 339).
478. The Coordinating Committee for Africa, however, had requested the 11th Session of the Commission to reconsider the above decision, in the light of the significance of these products for a number of member countries of that Committee. The delegation of Brazil had reiterated at the time its statement, made at previous sessions, expressing their favourable attitude towards standards for coffee and coffee products. The Commission therefore had decided that the Executive Committee should examine the question of whether or not standards for the above products should be elaborated, taking into account the information on the subject so far presented to the Commission (ALINORM 76/44, para. 181).
479. At its 23rd Session, the Executive Committee had considered document CX/EXEC 77/23/8 containing a summary of the data available on coffee and coffee products. Although there had been no attempt to reach consensus or debate the issue in detail in the Executive Committee on the question of the need for standards for coffee and coffee products, there had been agreement that the question of the establishment of a Codex Committee on Coffee and Coffee Products should be put before the Twelfth Session of the Commission as a separate agenda item.
480. The Executive Committee further had recognized that a main obstacle to the establishment of such a Committee was the absence of an offer by any member country to bear the cost of hosting the Committee. The Executive Committee had expressed the opinion that member countries and especially Governments of the producing countries, might wish to consider, in view of the data presented in CX/EXEC 77/23/8, the possibility of hosting a Committee on Coffee and Coffee Products (ALINORM 78/3, paras 33-36). In accordance with the instructions of the Executive Committee, the Secretariat had brought this matter to the attention of member countries by circular letter CL 1977/40, November 1977, to which had been attached as Annex I the document CX/EXEC 77/23/8.
481. The Commission had before it at its present session ALINORM 78/30 containing comments from governments on the question of the establishment and hosting of a Committee on Coffee and Coffee Products. Comments had been received from a number of Governments. Austria had recommended that the outcome of the work of ISO on standardization of coffee and coffee products be awaited before considering the need for Codex standards for these products. This view had been shared by the delegations of Hungary and Finland. The delegation of Yugoslavia had agreed with the establishment of a Committee and also the European Economic Community had stated that they would welcome discussions on the possibility of establishing such a Committee in view of the EEC Directive on Coffee Products.
482. A number of delegations were of the opinion that there was no need at present for standards for coffee and coffee products and that therefore a Committee on these products should not be established.
483. The delegation of Brazil stated that there was no need at present to set up a Committee on Coffee and Coffee Products. The delegation of Colombia supported this statement and drew attention to the work on standardization of coffee by many other bodies such as the International Coffee Agreement and ISO, as well as the reports of the Commission in this matter. The delegation of Colombia also stressed the purity of coffee as a commodity and recalled national legislation in defence of this commodity. The delegation of Ghana, supported by the delegation of Kenya, informed the Commission that the Third Session of the Coordinating Committee for Africa had also briefly discussed the matter, but that priorities had changed since then. The delegation of Kenya supported the views of Brazil and Colombia for similar reasons and further stated that as far as coffee products were concerned member countries should develop their national standards for coffee products as there was little international trade in these products.
484. The Commission decided not to establish a Committee for Coffee and Coffee Products, without prejudice to further consideration of the matter at a later time.
485. The Commission had before it ALINORM 78/32 prepared by a consultant and introduced by the Secretariat on his behalf.
486. The document set out to review the sources - actual and potential - of vegetable proteins, the use of such proteins in the food supply system, and the existing regulatory provisions in countries where vegetable proteins are used in and as human food. Finally the document made proposals to the Commission for its consideration on whether or not to establish a Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins.
487. The Commission expressed its appreciation of an excellent and comprehensive document and recognized the importance of the following points:
Vegetable proteins intended for human food, whether in developed or developing economies had to meet definite nutritional requirements and be safe in use.
Vegetable proteins, to be used as food or food ingredient, had to offer economic incentives to both producer and consumer.
The use of vegetable proteins in improving the diets of populations at nutritional risk was of particular economic and social interest when protective foods such as milk, meat, fish, were in short supply or were beyond the economic reach of such groups.
In most developing countries edible fats and oils were generally in short availability and supply. Encouragement in expanding the production of oil seeds in such countries offered the additional advantage that the proteins of the press cake or the extracted oil seed meal could add to the food supply of the country. To achieve this goal it was necessary that regulatory provisions for the safe use of the vegetable proteins be prepared and promulgated.
488. Many delegations were of the opinion that any new Codex Committee entrusted with standardization of vegetable proteins should cover the entire spectrum of vegetable proteins. These included protein derived from field peas, rapeseed, mustard, sunflower seed, fava beans and proteinaceous sources such as lucerne and others which are generally described as “nonconventional proteins”.
489. Several delegations informed the Commission that research and development work on non-conventional sources of protein and high protein foods was in progress in their countries.
490. It was pointed out that all plants contained protein and that the title of any new Committee should be chosen so as to make it clear that only high protein plant products should be covered. It was suggested that the use of the term “vegetable proteins” was not specific enough; a better term might be “processed high protein plant products” in which case the title of the appropriate committee could be “Committee on Processed Plant Products with High Protein Content”.
491. The question of the terms of reference for the future Committee was discussed. It was pointed out that the document under consideration had proposed an outline for the work of a Codex Committee on Plant (Vegetable) Proteins. The following terms of reference were proposed (ALINORM 78/32, pages 27 and 28): “to elaborate definitions and world-wide standards for vegetable protein products deriving from soya beans, cottonseed, groundnuts, cereals and from other vegetable sources as they come into use for human consumption, and to elaborate guidelines on utilization of such vegetable protein products in the food supply system, on nutritional requirements and safety on labelling and on other aspects as may seem appropriate”.
492. There was general agreement within the Commission on the terms of reference which were worded so as to cover the full spectrum of vegetable proteins for human consumption.
493. After a short discussion the Commission recommended that hydrolyzed proteins from whatever source should not come within the scope of products covered by the proposed Committee: they would be more appropriately discussed by the Codex Committee on Soups and Broths.
494. With regard to the work already undertaken by the Codex Committee on Processed Meat Products on the standardization of meat products containing meat extenders, the Commission agreed that the Committee should continue work in this area, but felt that it would be preferable for the Committee to await the development of guidelines for the use of vegetable proteins by the Committee on Vegetable Proteins before proceeding.
495. The Commission noted that a large number of delegation were in favour of the establishment of a Committee dealing with vegetable proteins for human consumption and then turned to the matter of which country or countries would be in a position to host such a Committee.
496. The Commission noted with appreciation that the delegation of the United States of America had offered to request its Government to give favourable consideration to the hosting of such a new Committee. In this connection, the delegation of the USA informed the Commission that it had authority to offer to host only one new Codex Committee. The delegation of India also offered to host the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products, subject to the approval of the Government of India. Further to the earlier tentative offer of the USA to host a Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products which had been accepted with satisfaction by the Commission (see para. 161), the delegation of the USA informed the Commission that it was now confirming that offer. With a firm offer applicable to a new Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products, the offer of the USA to host a new Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins was, therefore, only tentative. The delegation of the United Kingdom stated that if the offer of the USA was not confirmed, the United Kingdom delegation would be prepared to request the United Kingdom authorities to give sympathetic consideration to the UK hosting a Committee on Vegetable Proteins.
497. The delegation of Nigeria expressed its appreciation to the Government of the USA for its generous offer with regard to vegetable proteins. It noted, however, that, the USA had already confirmed its offer to host a Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products. The delegation of Nigeria indicated that if the USA accepted the responsibility for both new Committees, this would bring the complement of Committees hosted by the USA to four. The delegation of Nigeria thought that this would perhaps be placing an unduly heavy burden on one country. The delegation of Nigeria asked the Commission to consider the following resolution:
“That the Commission
Recognizing the valuable objectives which the Codex Alimentarius Commission sets out to achieve in elaborating international standards and codes of practice for food;
Appreciating the unanimous support of the 12th Session of the Commission to make the work of the Commission more relevant to the developing country members, and
Recognizing that maximum effective use must be made of resources available to the Commission to reach this goal;
Taking note of the excellent and exhaustive work done by the Joint FAO/WHO Committee of Government Experts on the Code of Principles concerning Milk and Milk Products on relevant standards and codes of practice and the fact that no additional work should be taken up by this Committee after June 1978;
Recognizing the general consensus that the Commission should commence work on cereals and cereal products and
Noting the tentative offer of the United States of America to host a Codex Committee in this area;
Recommends the completion of the work of the Joint FAO/WHO Committee of Government Experts on the Code of Principles concerning Milk and Milk Products in its June 1978 Session, followed by its permanent adjournment to enable application of Commission resources to work on commodities of relevance to developing countries such as cereals and cereal products committee;
Urges the creation of a Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products at FAO Headquarters, Rome and recommends commencement of work in this area immediately with meetings to commence not later than the first half of 1979.”
498. While appreciating the budgetary constraints under which the Commission was operating, the delegation of India and a large number of other delegations supported the Resolution of the delegation of Nigeria.
499. Opinions were expressed that fuller representation would be assured if the Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products replaced the Joint FAO/WHO Committee of Government Experts on the Code of Principles concerning Milk and Milk Products and was held in Rome, funded from Regular Programme sources.
500. The Commission noted, however, that the Milk Products Committee had not yet finished its work (see paras 465-473) and that no absolute guarantee could be given that the Milk Committee would be able to adjourn at its next session. The point was made that since the establishment of a Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products was acknowledged to be a matter of some urgency, it would be advisable in the circumstances to accept the offer of a Host Government.
501. One delegation pointed out that the Milk Products Committee had existed before the establishment of the Commission and the funding arrangements for that Committee were, for historical reasons, different from the arrangements governing the other Codex Committees. In its opinion, as a matter of principle, the Commission should adhere to the well-tried principle of locating Committees in host countries, as this system had been successful and had imposed a relatively small burden on the FAO/WHO budget.
502. The Observer from ISO informed the Commission that its Technical Committee 34 SubCommittee 4, the Secretariat of which was in Hungary, collaborated with such organizations as the International Association of Cereal Chemists (ICC) in elaborating specifications for cereals and legumes. Work on specifications for rice had already begun and ISO was willing to consider standardization of other cereal products.
503. The Commission noted the valuable work of ISO in harmonizing work with other international organizations on the standardization of methods of analysis and recognized that, as in the past, collaboration with ISO in the matter of methodology appropriate to Codex Standards was essential. Reference was also made to the agreement reached some years ago concerning the nature of the cooperation between ISO and the Commission.
Establishment of Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products
504. After further discussion the Commission decided to establish under Rule IX.1(b)(1) a Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products to be hosted by the Government of the United States of America.
505. The Commission approved the following terms of reference for the Committee:
“To elaborate world-wide standards and/or codes of practice, as may be appropriate, for cereals and cereal products” it being understood that the Committee would examine its terms of reference at its first session.
506. The Observer from the Commission of the European Communities stated that the EC Commission did not support at the present time the need to elaborate standards for cereals because it was not convinced that adequate technical reasons had been given to the Commission and because an international agreement on cereals was under discussion in another international organization associated with the United Nations.
Establishment of Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins
507. As regards the question of the establishment of a Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins, the Commission accepted that there was a need for such a committee and established it under Rule IX.1(b)(1). The establishment of the Committee was on the understanding that the USA would indicate to the Secretariat in due course whether it was in a position to confirm its tentative offer to host the Committee, failing which the United Kingdom would indicate whether it would be prepared to become host country.
508. The Commission had before it document ALINORM 78/33 which had been prepared by a consultant. The Secretariat introduced the document and indicated that in its preparation the consultant had had discussions with members of the Codex Secretariat, the Legal Offices of FAO and WHO, and all the appropriate officials in Denmark. The Secretariat briefly outlined the nature of the matters covered in the document.
509. The Commission agreed with the recommendation which had been endorsed by the Executive Committee at its 24th session, that, in view of the complexity of some of the matters dealt with in the paper, the Codex Committee on General Principles would be the appropriate body to consider the paper. The Commission agreed that the Secretariat should request Government comments on the paper, in order to facilitate its consideration by the Codex Committee on General Principles at its next session.
PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE OF CODEX MEETINGS FOR 1978/79
510. The Commission took note of the provisional list of Codex sessions in the 1978/79 biennium which had been drawn up by the Secretariat (ALINORM 78/34). The delegation of Canada informed the Commission that, for reasons indicated during the consideration of the Report of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, Canada wished that the next session of the Food Labelling Committee be postponed from October 1978 to June 1979 and suggested that it might follow the 16th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene. The 14th Session of the Food Labelling Committee - which would deal with endorsements only - would be held immediately before the 13th Session of the Commission.
511. The Commission was informed that the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Regional Conference for Latin America would be held in Mexico City from 5 to 11 September 1978.
512. On the proposal presented by the delegation of Brazil in the name of producing countries, the Commission agreed that the Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate could meet in 1979. The delegation of Switzerland agreed to host the Cocoa Products and Chocolate Committee in 1979 in place of a scheduled session of the Codex Committee on Soups and Broths which would not be meeting in 1979.
513. The Commission noted that the 11th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues had been fixed for the period 11–18 June 1979 and that the 25th Session of the Executive Committee had been fixed for the period 10–13 July 1979.
514. The Commission further noted that firm bookings had been made for the 26th Session of the Executive Committee and the 13th Session of the Commission - 29/30 November 1979 and 3/14 December 1979, respectively, which would be held in Rome.
515. The Commission noted that, as indicated during the consideration of the Reports of the Coordinating Committees for Africa and Asia, the next sessions of these two Committees would be held in Dakar and Manila, respectively, the precise dates to be determined between the authorities concerned and the Secretariat. The Coordinator for Asia suggested that the proposed seminar be held just preceding the session of the Coordinating Committee for Asia.
516. The Commission was also informed that the 13th Session of the Fish and Fishery Products Committee would be held from 7 to 12 May 1979.
517. In reply to a question concerning the date of the next session of the Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene, the delegation of New Zealand indicated that the timing of the session would depend on the completion of the necessary preliminary work and that it would be necessary to have discussions on this matter with the Secretariat, but that in any event a meeting was unlikely before mid 1979.
518. The delegation of the United States of America expressed the wish that the First Session of the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products be held in 1979.
519. The Secretariat explained that it was the policy of the Governing Bodies to keep the number of statutory bodies to a minimum and to reduce the number of meetings. Furthermore an unscheduled session could be held only if a corresponding approved session was cancelled. The sessions listed in ALINORM 78/34 were the approved scheduled sessions. One session had been added (Cocoa Products and Chocolate) and compensated for by the deletion of another (Soups and Broths). It would be contrary to the policy laid down to have a session of either the Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene or the Codex Committee on Cereals and Cereal Products in the current 1978/79 biennium, apart from the fact that given existing resources it would be difficult to service the additional sessions.
520. The delegation of the United States of America expressed the view, which it wished to have recorded in the Report, that it was important that delegates to the Commission emphasize to their delegations to sessions of the FAO Conference and Council the necessity to stress the importance of Codex work at those sessions and endeavour to have all necessary Codex sessions approved to enable the Commission to carry out its work properly.
521. None.
