ALINORM 03/26/1 - codex - BSN

REP12/CAC 37
radionuclides designed to deal with the contamination in the long term, have been implemented based on the
intervention exemption level used as the basis for the Codex standards.
255. The Delegation emphasized that the percentage figure shown in CAC/35 INF/7, paragraph 6 did not
represent the average rate of marketed food sample exceeding regulatory limits, and that the actual excess
rate was much lower, as focus for inspection had been placed on the regions and foods that needed intense
management and that monitored food included food before shipment and protective measures, such as
restriction of distribution are taken on foods and food producing areas for which higher than standard limits
value had been observed. The Delegation noted that the estimated annual effective dose of radioactive
cesium from food purchased in Fukushima prefecture was less than 0.02 mSv/man/year.
256. The Delegation also reported that monitoring of radioactive Cesium in agricultural soil and mapping
of distribution and level of radioactive Cesium had been conducted and remedial actions were being planned.
Tolerances for radioactive Cesium in feeds had also been established and grass and fodders as well as organic
fertilizers are monitored.
257. The Delegation of Egypt requested information on collaborative work on nanometric compounds,
noting the difficulties for developing countries to control such compounds which were currently on the
market.
258. The Representative of the IAEA indicated that food control programmes in the Joint FAO/IAEA
Division were restricted to the field of contaminants, pesticide and veterinary drug residues including the
application of nuclear technology for traceability systems, and that work on nanotechnology in relation to
food additives and other food processing technologies might be carried out in future.
259. The Representative of FAO highlighted the work of FAO and WHO on the application of
nanotechnologies to the food and agriculture sectors. In particular, reference was made to the development of
tiered approaches for risk assessment of nanomaterials and the very recently published review of the state of
the art of initiatives and activities relevant to risk assessment and risk management of nanotechnologies in
food and agriculture. FAO together with WHO continued to monitor the needs of their members in this area
in order to determine the direction of future work.
260. The Chair of the Committee on Veterinary Drugs thanked the Joint FAO/IAEA Division for its
assistance with the web-based repository for methods of analysis for residues of veterinary drugs and its
relevance for the veterinary residue monitoring programmes.
261. The Delegation of Chile highlighted the importance of the development of isotopic nuclear techniques
in agriculture in particular in the area of pesticide residues.
International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV)
262. The Observer from the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) recalled that OIV was an
intergovernmental organization of a scientific and technical nature with recognized expertise in the field of
vines, wine and wine-based beverages, table grapes and raisins and other vine-based products and that the
cooperation between OIV and Codex had produced positive results in several areas of Codex work such as
food additives and contaminants, methods of analysis, labelling, etc. of interest to producers and consumers.
263. The Observer noted that the OIV contributed actively to the work of the Committee on Contaminants
in Foods for instance the development of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of
Ochratoxin A Contamination in Wine and intended to participate in the revision of certain maximum levels,
in particular lead, being undertaken by this Committee. The OIV was also actively involved in the review of
provisions for food additives in the General Standard for Food Additives. As regards methods of analysis, the
OIV had developed methods of analysis, definition of standards for sampling and quality control in
laboratories for wine and wine products and some of these methods had already been referenced by the
Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling in the relevant Codex standards. In the Committee on
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, the OIV had also participated in the development of quality provisions in the
Codex Standard for Table Grapes and could provide technical support for the revision of the Codex Standard
for Raisins in the Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables.
264. The Observer further noted that the OIV also cooperated with FAO in the development of global
statistics of the wine sector.
265. The Observer stressed the need to continue to coordinate and cooperate on activities of common
interest to both OIV and Codex as also indicated in the current and new Strategic Plan.