FSIS Issues Draft U.S. Positions for July Codex Session

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has released a draft document¹ on U.S. positions for the 33rd session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC or Codex)² in Switzerland in July 2010. The document was discussed during FSIS’ June 8, 2010 public meeting seeking comment on the draft U.S. positions.

According to FSIS, comments are welcome up until the July Codex meeting.

Standards Developed by Codex Committees May Become Int’l Standards

FSIS has previously explained that Codex may finalize standards developed in its Committees and publish them as regional or worldwide standards.

Highlights of Codex Agenda Items, U.S. Positions

The following are highlights of the numerous Codex agenda items and U.S. positions:

Foreign food inspection/certification system assessments. After considering various drafts since 2008, the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems has proposed for adoption (at Step 5/8³) draft principles and guidelines for the conduct of assessments of foreign official inspection and certification systems. The U.S. supports adoption of the proposed guidelines as they will help countries carry out foreign system audits and inspections and help ensure the safety of foods placed into international trade.

Nutrition labeling for salt, trans fats, etc. The Codex Committee on Food Labeling has proposed a draft revision (at Step 5³) of the Guidelines on Nutrition Labeling to address the inclusion of sodium/salt, added sugars, dietary fiber and trans fatty acids on the list of nutrients in section 3.2.1.2 of the Guidelines of Nutrition⁴. This agenda item is not yet at the point of being considered for final adoption.

According to the draft, the U.S.:

• has not yet stated a position on the declaration of added sugars;
• supports including dietary fiber and trans fatty acids in the list of mandatory nutrients, recognizing that there is already flexibility for declaring these nutrients when there is a public health justification;
• supports including sodium in the list of mandatory nutrients since it is the more accurate term for nutrients and existing Codex text gives countries the flexibility to provide supplementary information regarding the ‘salt’ content of foods.

Labeling for draft bitter cassava standard. The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables has proposed for adoption (at Step 8⁵) new text on marking and labeling for a draft Codex standard for bitter cassava. According to the U.S., the adoption of the bitter cassava standard has been held up by labeling language on its safe use. The U.S. supports adoption of the proposed labeling text.

Maximum level for tin in canned fruits & vegetables. The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food has proposed, among other things, to apply the maximum level for tin in canned food (excluding beverages) to the general standards for canned fruits and vegetables. The U.S. supports the Committee’s proposals.

¹The draft lists all of the agenda items for the upcoming Codex meeting, the history of each item (such as who proposed the item and why, who supports it, what the sticking points have been over the years, etc.), and the U.S. position on it.

²Codex was established in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Through adoption of food standards, codes of practice, and other guidelines developed by its committees, and by promoting their implementation by governments, Codex seeks to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in food trade; and promote coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

³At Step 5, the CAC has reviewed the progress made and agreed that a draft should go to finalization. In general, drafts advance to Steps 6 and 7 for further comment by governments and finalization by the relevant Codex committee. However, sometimes the text is considered to be ready for final adoption at this stage - often called Step 5/8.

⁴See FAO document on Codex Nutrition Labeling for information on Section 3.2.1.2

⁵In Step 8, following a final round of comments, the CAC adopts the draft as a formal Codex text. The standard, guideline or other text is then published by the Codex Secretariat.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/19/10 news, 10051926, for BP summary of FSIS’ announcement of the June 8 public meeting.

See ITT’s Online Archives or 06/07/10 news, 10060722, for BP summary of FSIS’ list of Codex international standard-setting activities and changes to be considered at the 33rd Codex meeting.)

FAO information on the Codex process (including “Steps”) available here

Draft document available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com