Thirty-fourth Session
Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 11-15 March 2002

The Thirty-fourth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants and its Ad Hoc Working Groups will be held in the Congres Centre ENGELS, Stationsplein 45, Rotterdam, as follows:

Delegates are kindly requested to bring with them to the meeting all documents which have been distributed, as the number of additional copies which can be made available at the session is limited.

Notes on the Provisional Agenda

Agenda Item 1 – Adoption of the Agenda (CX/FAC 02/1): The Committee will be invited to adopt the Provisional Agenda as the Agenda for the Session.

Agenda Item 2 – Appointment of Rapporteur: The Committee will be invited to appoint a Rapporteur to the Session.

Agenda Item 3 – Matters Referred from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and other Codex Committees (CX/FAC 02/2): The document is an information paper prepared by the Codex Secretariat concerning matters referred and/or of interest from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and other Codex Committees.

Agenda Item 4a – Summary Report of the 57^th Meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA): The FAO and WHO Joint Secretaries to JECFA will present a summary of the results of the 57^th JECFA Meeting (Rome, 5 – 14 June 2001).

Agenda Item 4b – Action Required as a Result of Changes in ADI Status and other Toxicological Recommendations (CX/FAC 02/3): Document prepared by the Codex Secretariat in regard to action required by other Codex Committees as a result of recommendations arising from the 57^th Session of JECFA.

Agenda Item 5 – Discussion Paper on the Application of Risk Analysis Principles for Food Additives and Contaminants (CX/FAC 02/4): The 33^rd CCFAC agreed that the Discussion Paper on the Application of Risk Analysis Principles for Food Additives and Contaminants should be revised by a drafting group lead by the United States on the basis of written comments submitted and the Committee’s discussions for circulation, comment and further consideration at its next Session (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 29). Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/4 are contained in document CX/FAC 02/4-Add. 1.

Agenda Item 6 – Endorsement and/or Revision of Maximum Levels for Food Additives in Codex Standards (CX/FAC 02/5): As per the Codex Alimentarius Procedural Manual, the Codex Secretariat will make a report to the Committee concerning the endorsement of provisions for food additives in Codex Standards on the basis of proposals arising from other Codex Committees and in the context of the Codex General Standard for Food Additives.

Agenda Item 7: Consideration of the Codex General Standard for Food Additives

Agenda Item 7a – Report of the ad hoc Working Group on the Codex General Standard for Food Additives (CRD 1): The 33^rd CCFAC decided to reconvene the ad hoc Working Group on the Codex General Standard for Food Additives prior to its 34^th Session under the Chairmanship of the United States (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 55). The report of the ad hoc Working Group on the Codex General Standard for Food Additives will be present to the Committee under Conference Room Document 1.

Agenda Item 7b – Discussion Paper on the Relationship Between Codex Commodity Standards and the Codex General Standard for Food Additives, including Consideration of the Food Category System (CX/FAC 02/6): The 33rd CCFAC accepted the offer of the United States, assisted by a drafting group, to prepare a discussion paper on the relationship between Codex commodity standards and the Codex General Standard for Food Additives, including consideration of the Food Category System, for circulation, comment and consideration at its 34^th Session. The Committee also agreed that the document should contain a full analysis of the difference between pastas and noodles (ALINORM 01/12A, paras. 57 and 62). Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/6 are contained in document CX/FAC 02/6-Add. 1.

Agenda Item 7c – Comments on Table 1 of the Draft Codex General Standard for Food Additives Submitted in Response to CL 2001/13-FAC and CL 2001/34-FAC (ALINORM 01/12A, Appendices IV and III, respectively) (CX/FAC 02/7): The 33^rd CCFAC forwarded all proposed draft food additive provisions at Step 3 (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 64 and Appendix III) to the 24^th Session of the Commission for adoption at Step 5. The 49^th Session of the Executive Committee adopted the proposed draft food additive provisions at Step 5 (ALINORM 03/3, para. 18 and Appendix II). The Committee also agreed that several draft maximum levels for food additives in specific food categories be held at Step 6 for additional comment and consideration at the 34^th CCFAC (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 65 and Appendix IV). Comments submitted on the draft food additive provisions in response to CL 2001/13-FAC and CL 2001/34-FAC are contained in document CX/FAC 02/7.

Agenda Item 7d – Comments on the Draft Revised Annex to Table 3 of the Codex General Standard for Food Additives Submitted in Response to CL 2001/34-FAC (CX/FAC 02/8): The 33^rd CCFAC forwarded amendments to the Annex to Table 3 (Food Categories or Individual Food Items Excluded from the General Conditions of Table 3) of the Codex General Standard for Food Additives to the 24^th Session of the Commission for adoption at Step 5/8 (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 50 and Appendix VI). The Commission adopted all proposed revisions to the Annex to Table 3 at Step 5 only (ALINORM 01/41, paras. 135-136 and Appendix IV). Comments submitted in response to CL 2001/34-FAC are contained in CX/FAC 02/8.

Agenda Item 8 – Discussion Paper on Processing Aids and Carriers (CX/FAC 02/9): The 33^rd CCFAC agreed that a drafting group lead by New Zealand would prepare a discussion paper on the consideration of processing aids and carriers in the context of the Codex General Standard on Food Additives for circulation, comment and further consideration at its next meeting. The Committee also agreed that comments would be requested on document CX/FAC 01/10 by Circular Letter (see CL 2001/13-FAC) to the 33^rd CCFAC report for consideration by the drafting group (ALINORM 01/12A, paras. 67 and 71). Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/9 are contained in CX/FAC 02/9 – Add. 1.

Agenda Item 9 – Discussion Paper on the Use of Active Chlorine (CX/FAC 02/10): The 33^rd CCFAC agreed that a drafting group led by Denmark would prepare a Discussion Paper on the Use of Active Chlorine for consideration at the 34^th CCFAC (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 204).

Agenda Item 10a – Comments on the Draft Revised Codex General Standard for Irradiated Foods Submitted in Response to CL 2001/34-FAC (CX/FAC 02/11): The 33^rd CCFAC forwarded the proposed draft revised Codex General Standard for Irradiated Foods to the 24^th Session of the Commission for adoption at Step 5 (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 85 and Appendix VII). The 49^th Session of the Executive Committee adopted the proposed draft revised Standard at Step 5 (ALINORM 03/3, para. 19 and Appendix II). Comments submitted in response to CL 2001/34-FAC are contained in CX/FAC 02/11.

Agenda Item 10b – Proposed Draft Revised Recommended International Code of Practice for Radiation Processing of Food (CX/FAC 02/12): The 33^rd CCFAC decided that the Recommended International Code of Practice for Radiation Processing of Food would be revised by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture based on the Committee’s discussions and written comments submitted for circulation, comment and further consideration at its next Session (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 89). The 49^th Session of the Executive Committee approved the elaboration of the proposed draft revised Code of Practice as new work (ALINORM 03/3, Appendix III). Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/12 are contained in CX/FAC 02/12-Add. 1.

Agenda Item 11a – Report of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Specifications (CRD 2): The 33^rd CCFAC reestablished the ad hoc Working Group on Specifications to meet prior to the 34^th CCFAC under the Chairmanship of the United States (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 94). The report of the ad hoc Working Group on Specifications will be presented to the Committee under Conference Room Document 2.

Agenda Item 11b – Specifications for the Identity and Purity of Food Additives Arising from the 57^th JECFA Meeting (CX/FAC 02/13): Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/13, which includes specifications arising from the 57th JECFA Meeting (FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 52 – Add. 9), are contained in document CX/FAC 02/13-Add. 1.

Agenda Item 12 – Proposed Amendments to the International Numbering System Submitted in Response to CL 2001/13-FAC (CX/FAC 02/14): The 33^rd CCFAC agreed to request comments for additional revisions to the INS System on a standing basis. The Committee also agreed to circulate INS Number 452 (vi) for Sodium Potassium Tripolyphosphate as an emulsifier, stabilizer, acidity regulator, raising agent, sequesterant and water retention agent at Step 3 of the Accelerated Procedure for comments, subject to the approval of the Commission (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 96-99 and Appendix IX). The 49^th Session of the Executive Committee approved the use of the Accelerated Procedure in regard to Sodium Potassium Tripolyphosphate (ALINORM 03/3, Appendix III). Comments submitted in response to CL 2001/13-FAC are contained in document CX/FAC 02/14.

Agenda Item 13 – Endorsement and/or Revision of Maximum Levels for Contaminants in Codex Standards (CX/FAC 02/15): As per the Codex Alimentarius Procedural Manual, the Codex Secretariat will make a report to the Committee concerning the endorsement of provisions for contaminants in Codex Standards on the basis of proposals arising from other Codex Committees and in the context of the Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Foods.

Agenda Item 14 – Consideration of the Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Foods

Agenda Item 14a – Report of the ad hoc Working Group on Contaminants and Toxins (CRD 3): The 33rd CCFAC decided to reconvene the ad hoc Working Group on Contaminants and Toxins prior to its 34th Session under the Chairmanship of Denmark (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 113). The report of the ad hoc Working Group on Contaminants and Toxins will be presented to the Committee under Conference Room Document 3.

Agenda Item 14b – Schedule 1 of the Proposed Draft Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Foods (CX/FAC 02/16): The 33rd CCFAC reiterated its recommendation that the Netherlands should elaborate Schedule 1 to the Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Foods for consideration at its current meeting (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 118).

Agenda Item 14c – Proposed Draft Principles for Exposure Assessment of Contaminants and Toxins in Foods (CX/FAC 02/17): The 33rd CCFAC decided that a drafting group led by Australia and France would elaborate proposed draft Principles for Exposure Assessment of Contaminants and Toxins in Foods for circulation, comment and further consideration at its 34th Session, with the understanding that the proposal would need to be approved as new work by the Commission (ALINORM 01/12A, paras. 122 and 126). The 49th Session of the Executive Committee approved the elaboration of the proposed draft Principles as new work (ALINORM 03/3, Appendix III). Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/17 are contained in CX/FAC 02/17-Add. 1.

Agenda Item 15: Mycotoxins in Food and Feed

Agenda Item 15a – Comments on the Draft Maximum Level for Ochratoxin A in Wheat, Barley and Rye and Derived Products Submitted in Response to CL 2001/34-FAC (CX/FAC 02/18): The 33rd CCFAC forwarded the proposed draft maximum level of 5 ìg/kg Ochratoxin A in Wheat, Barley and Rye and Derived Products to the Commission for adoption at Step 5 (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 145 and Appendix XII). The 49th Session of the Executive Committee adopted the proposed draft maximum level at Step 5 (ALINORM 03/3, Appendix II). Comments submitted in response to CL 2001/34-FAC are contained in document CX/FAC 02/18.

Agenda Item 15b – Comments on the Draft Maximum Level for Patulin in Apple Juice and Apple Juice Ingredients in Other Beverages Submitted in Response to CL 2001/42-FAC (CX/FAC 02/19): The 32nd CCFAC forwarded the draft maximum level of 50µg/kg for Patulin in Apple Juice and Apple Juice Ingredients in Other Beverages to the Commission for adoption at Step 8 (ALINORM 01/12, para. 104 and Appendix X). As consensus could not be reached, the 24th Session of the Commission returned the draft maximum level to Step 6 for further consideration by the CCFAC (ALINORM 01/41, para. 118). Comments submitted in response to CL 2001/42-FAC are contained in document CX/FAC 02/19.

Agenda Item 15c – Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Prevention of Patulin Contamination in Apple Juice and Apple Juice Ingredients in Other Beverages (CX/FAC 02/20): The 33rd CCFAC agreed that the delegation of the United Kingdom would revise the proposed draft Code of Practice for the Prevention of Patulin Contamination in Apple Juice and Apple Juice Ingredients in Other Beverages for circulation, comment and consideration at the 34th CCFAC (ALINORM 01/12A, para 147). Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/20 are contained in CX/FAC 02/20-Add. 1.

Agenda Item 15d – Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Prevention of Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals, Including Annexes on Ochratoxin A, Zearalenone, Fumonisin and Tricothecenes (CX/FAC 02/21): The 33rd CCFAC agreed to return the proposed draft Code of Practice for the Prevention of Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals, including Annexes on Ochratoxin A, Zearalenone, Fumonisin and Tricothecenes, for redrafting by a drafting group under the direction of the United States for circulation, comment and consideration at the 34th CCFAC (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 151). Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/21 are contained in CX/FAC 02/21-Add. 1.

Agenda Item 15e – Discussion Paper on Aflatoxins in Pistachios (CX/FAC 02/22): The 33rd CCFAC agreed that a drafting group under the direction of Iran would prepare a discussion paper on aflatoxins in pistachios for consideration at the 34th CCFAC (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 198).

Agenda Item 16: Industrial and Environmental Contaminants in Foods

Agenda Item 16a – Comments on the Draft Maximum Levels for Lead in Fish, Crustaceans and Bivalve Molluscs Submitted in Response to CL 2001/13-FAC (CX/FAC 02/23): The 33rd CCFAC agreed to return the draft maximum levels for lead in fish, crustaceans and bivalve molluscs to Step 6 for additional comment and further consideration at its 34th Session (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 162 and Appendix XIV). Comments submitted in response to CL 2001/13-FAC are contained in document CX/FAC 02/23.

Agenda Item 16b – Comments on the Proposed Draft and Draft Maximum Levels for Cadmium Submitted in Response to CL 2001/13-FAC (CX/FAC 02/24): The 33rd CCFAC forwarded proposed draft maximum levels for cadmium in various commodities to the Commission for adoption at Step 5 (ALINORM 01/12A, paras. 168-169 and Appendix XV). The 49th Session of the Executive Committee decided to return all of the above (in paras. 168-169) proposed draft maximum levels to Step 4 in view of the need to consider overall dietary intake data, in particular from staple foodstuffs (ALINORM 03/3, para. 20 and Appendix II). The 33rd CCFAC also returned proposed draft maximum levels for various commodities (in para.170) to Step 3 for circulation, comments and further consideration at its 34th Session (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 170). Comments submitted in response to CL 2003/13-FAC are contained in document CX/FAC 02/24.

Agenda Item 16c – Proposed Draft Maximum Levels for Tin (CX/FAC 02/25): The 33rd CCFAC agreed to reexamine the proposed draft levels for tin at its 34th Session (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 112).

Agenda Item 16d – Position Paper on Dioxins and Dioxin Like PCBs, including Methods of Analysis for Dioxins and Dioxin Like PCBs (CX/FAC 02/26): The 33rd CCFAC agreed that the Netherlands would revise the Position Paper on Dioxins and Dioxin Like PCBs for circulation, comment and consideration at the 34th CCFAC (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 177). The Committee also requested governments to submit all available information on methods of analysis for dioxins and dioxin like PCBs in foods and feedingstuffs to the delegation of the Netherlands (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 176). Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/26 are contained in document CX/FAC 02/26-Add.1.

Agenda Item 16e – Proposed Draft Code of Practice for Source Directed Measures to Reduce Dioxin and Dioxin Like PCB Contamination of Food (CX/FAC 02/27): The 33rd CCFAC agreed to return the proposed draft Code of Practice for Source Directed Measures to Reduce Dioxin and Dioxin Like PCB Contamination of Foods to Step 2 for revision under a drafting group led by Germany for circulation, comment and consideration at the 34th CCFAC (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 180). Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/27 are contained in document CX/FAC 02/27-Add. 1.

Agenda Item 16f - Position Paper on Chloropropanols (CX/FAC 02/28): The 33rd CCFAC requested the drafting group lead by the United Kingdom to revise the Position Paper on Chloropropanols for circulation, comment and consideration at the 34th CCFAC (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 182). Comments submitted in response to CX/FAC 02/28 are contained in CX/FAC 02/28-Add. 1.

Agenda Item 16g – Discussion Paper on Deoxynivlaenol (CX/FAC 02/29): The 33rd CCFAC agreed that a drafting group under the direction of Belgium would elaborate a Discussion Paper on Deoxynivlaenol for consideration at its 34th meeting (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 197).

Agenda Item 17 – Comments on the Priority List of Food Additives, Contaminants and Natural Occurring Toxicants Proposed for Evaluation by JECFA Submitted in Response to CL 2001/13-FAC and CL 2001/41-FAC (CX/FAC 02/30): The 33rd CCFAC agreed to request additional comments for additions or amendments to its Priority List for consideration at the 34th CCFAC (ALINORM 01/12, para. 187 and Appendix XVI). Comments submitted in response to CL 2001/13-FAC and CL 2001/41-FAC are contained in document CX/FAC 02/30.

Agenda Item 18 – Other Business and Future Work: Other business and proposals for future work will be considered. In addition, this item will include the following outstanding issue from the 33rd CCFAC:

Agenda Item 18a – Comments on Methods of Analysis and Sampling for the Determination of Food Additives and Contaminants in Foods Submitted in Response to CL 2001/13-FAC (CX/FAC 02/31): The 33rd CCFAC invited member countries to provide relevant information on sampling (ALINORM 01/12A, para. 194). Comments submitted in response to CL 2001/13-FAC are contained in document CX/FAC 02/31.

Agenda Item 19 – Date and Place of Next Session: The Chairperson will inform the Committee that the 35th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants is tentatively scheduled to be held in the Netherlands in March 2003, subject to discussions by the Codex and Dutch Secretariats.

Agenda Item 20 – Adoption of the Report: The Committee shall adopt a report of its 34th Session based on a draft provided by the Secretariat.

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