ALINORM 03/26/1 - codex - BSN

10 REP12/CAC
34. The Delegation of the United States, speaking as Chair of the CCFH, pointed out that while there was
a need for increased communication between Codex Committees, texts developed by general subject
committees are used very broadly and should be easily accessible to all and it might not be convenient for
users to search through various specific texts for general guidance.
35. Noting the above, the Committee adopted the proposed Draft Guidelines with some editorial
amendments as proposed in CX/CAC 12/35/4. The Commission further agreed to forward the Guidelines to
the Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP) for their information and/or comment.
Proposed Amendment to the Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk
Assessment 7
36. The Committee adopted the proposed Amendment with an amendment to better indicate the
conditional applicability of the risk assessment principles to feed and feed ingredients as follows: “These
principles for risk assessment also apply to feed and feed ingredients for food-producing animals in cases
where it could impact food safety.”
Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) 8
Methods of Analysis in Codex Standards at different steps, including methods of analysis for food grade salt
37. The Commission adopted the methods of analysis as proposed with the amendments proposed by
Argentina 9 .
38. With regard to the method of analysis for total nitrogen in fish sauce, the Committee agreed with the
method proposed by CCMAS because another proposed method, AOAC 981.10, is not applicable to the
commodity.
Food Additives (CCFA)
Draft and Proposed Draft Food Additive Provisions of the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) 10
39. A number of delegations proposed to discontinue the provisions for phosphates associated with the
four food categories related to vegetable juices and nectars and their concentrates. These delegations noted
that these provisions were associated with Note 40 “INS 451i (pentasodium triphosphate) only, to enhance
the effectiveness of benzoates and sorbates” and that there were no provisions for benzoates and sorbates in
the four food categories (the 44 th CCFA had decided to discontinue work on the provisions of sorbates in
these food categories). One Observer recalled that at the 40th CCFA they had proposed to associate to the
provisions for phosphates Note 40 and Note 122 “Subject to national legislation of the importing country”
for consistency with the provisions for the four food categories for fruit juices and nectars and their
concentrates (i.e. 14.1.2.1, 14.1.2.3, 14.1.3.1 and 14.1.3.3) and that the use of preservatives in these food
categories was essential to take account of the extreme temperatures in certain countries. It was also noted
that the GSFA included a provision for benzoates in food category 14.1.3.4 “Concentrates for vegetable
nectar”.
40. A number of delegations did not support the adoption of the proposed maximum level of 200 mg/kg
for sorbates in food category 08.4 “Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings)” as the level was not sufficient to
achieve its technological function in collagen casing. It was also noted that this problem could be indicative
of a broader problem related to the use of food additives in edible casing and that it would be appropriate for
the CCFA to review all provisions for food category 08.4 to avoid any inconsistencies.
41. The Commission adopted the draft and proposed draft food additive provisions as proposed by the
CCFA, with the exception of: (i) the provisions for phosphates in food categories 14.1.2.2 “Vegetable juice”;
14.2.2.4 “Concentrates for vegetable juices”; 14.1.3.2 “Vegetable nectars” and 14.1.3.4 “Concentrates for
vegetable nectar” that were returned to the CCFA for a review of the use of phosphates, benzoates and
sorbates for the purpose of ensuring consistency; and (ii) the provisions for sorbates in food category 08.4
“Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings)” for further consideration.
7 REP12/FH, para.118 and Appendix IV.
8 REP 12/MAS, paras 23 - 60, Appendix III).
9 CX/CAC 12/35/4.
10 REP12/FA para.131, Appendix VI.