International Standard-Setting Activities, 31142-31152 [06-5012]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31142-31152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5012]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[FDMS Docket No. FSIS-2006-0004]


International Standard-Setting Activities

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the sanitary and 
phytosanitary

[[Page 31143]]

standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius Commission 
(Codex), in accordance with section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 
1979, as amended, and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Public Law 103-
465, 108 Stat. 4809. This notice also provides a list of other 
standard-setting activities of Codex, including commodity standards, 
guidelines, codes of practice, and revised texts. This notice, which 
covers the time periods from June 1, 2005, to May 31, 2006, and June 1, 
2006, to May 31, 2007, seeks comments on standards currently under 
consideration and recommendations for new standards.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. FSIS prefers to 
receive comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search for Open Regulations'' box, 
select ``Food Safety and Inspection Service'' from the agency drop-down 
menu, and then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select 
FDMS Docket Number FSIS-2006-0004 to submit or view public comments and 
to view supporting and related materials available electronically. 
After the close of the comment period, the docket can be viewed using 
the ``Advanced Search'' function in Regulations.gov.
     Mail, including floppy disks or CD-ROM's, and hand-or 
courier-delivered items: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 300 12th Street, SW., 
Room 102 Cotton Annex, Washington, DC 20250.
    All submissions must include the Agency name and docket number 
FSIS-2006-0004. Please state that your comments refer to Codex and, if 
your comments relate to specific Codex committees, please identify 
those committees in your comments and submit a copy of your comments to 
the delegate from that particular committee. All comments submitted in 
response to this proposal will be posted to the regulations.gov Web 
site. The comments also will be available for public inspection in the 
FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday. The comments also will be posted on the 
Agency's Web site at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_
policies/2006_Notices_Index/index.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Edward Scarbrough, Ph.D., United 
States Manager for Codex, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the 
Under Secretary for Food Safety, Room 4861, South Agriculture Building, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700; (202) 205-
7760. For information pertaining to particular committees, the delegate 
of that committee may be contacted. (A complete list of U.S. delegates 
and alternate delegates can be found in Attachment 2 to this notice.) 
Documents pertaining to Codex are accessible via the World Wide Web at 
the following address: https://www.codexalimentarius.net/current.asp. 
The U.S. Codex Office also maintains a Web site at https://www.fsis.usda
.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Codex_Alimentarius/index.asp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established on January 1, 
1995, as the common international institutional framework for the 
conduct of trade relations among its members in matters related to the 
Uruguay Round Trade Agreements. The WTO is the successor organization 
to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). U.S. membership 
in the WTO was approved and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act was signed 
into law by the President on December 8, 1994. The Uruguay Round 
Agreements became effective, with respect to the United States, on 
January 1, 1995. Pursuant to section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 
1979, as amended, the President is required to designate an agency to 
be responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and 
phytosanitary (SPS) standard-setting activities of each international 
standard-setting organization, Codex, World Organisation for Animal 
Health, and the International Plant Protection Convention. The 
President, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23, 1995 (60 FR 
15845), designated the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the agency 
responsible for informing the public of SPS standard-setting activities 
of each international standard-setting organization. The Secretary of 
Agriculture has delegated to the Administrator, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS), the responsibility to inform the public of 
the SPS standard-setting activities of Codex. The FSIS Administrator 
has, in turn, assigned the responsibility for informing the public of 
the SPS standard-setting activities of Codex to the U.S. Codex Office, 
FSIS.
    Codex was created in 1962 by two U.N. organizations, the Food and 
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 
Codex is the principal international organization for encouraging fair 
international trade in food and protecting the health and economic 
interests of consumers. Through adoption of food standards, codes of 
practice, and other guidelines developed by its committees and by 
promoting their adoption and implementation by governments, Codex seeks 
to protect the health of consumers, ensure fair trade practices in the 
food trade, and promote coordination of food standards work undertaken 
by international governmental and non-governmental organizations. In 
the United States, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); 
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS); and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) manage 
and carry out U.S. Codex activities.
    As the agency responsible for informing the public of the SPS 
standard-setting activities of Codex, FSIS publishes this notice in the 
Federal Register annually. Attachment 1 (Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Activities of Codex) sets forth the following information:

    1. The SPS standards under consideration or planned for 
consideration; and
    2. For each SPS standard specified:
    a. A description of the consideration or planned consideration 
of the standard;
    b. Whether the United States is participating or plans to 
participate in the consideration of the standard;
    c. The agenda for United States participation, if any; and
    d. The agency responsible for representing the United States 
with respect to the standard.

    To obtain copies of those standards listed in Attachment 1 that are 
under consideration by Codex, please contact the Codex delegate or the 
U.S. Codex office. This notice also solicits public comment on those 
standards that are currently under consideration or planned for 
consideration and recommendations for new standards. The delegate, in 
conjunction with the responsible agency, will take the comments 
received into account in participating in the consideration of the 
standards and in proposing matters to be considered by Codex.
    The United States' delegate will facilitate public participation in 
the United States Government's activities relating to Codex 
Alimentarius. The United States' delegate will maintain a list of 
individuals, groups, and

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organizations that have expressed an interest in the activities of the 
Codex committees and will disseminate information regarding United 
States' delegation activities to interested parties. This information 
will include the current status of each agenda item; the United States 
Government's position or preliminary position on the agenda items; and 
the time and place of planning meetings and debriefing meetings 
following Codex committee sessions. In addition, the U.S. Codex Office 
makes much of the same information available through its Web page, 
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Codex_
Alimentarius/index.asp. Please visit the Web page or notify the 
appropriate U.S. delegate or the Office of U.S. Codex Alimentarius, 
Room 4861, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-3700, if you would like to access or receive 
information about specific committees.
    The information provided in Attachment 1 describes the status of 
Codex standard-setting activities by the Codex Committees for the time 
periods from June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006, and June 1, 2006 to May 31, 
2007. Attachment 2 provides the list of U.S. Codex Officials (includes 
U.S. delegates and alternate delegates). A list of forthcoming Codex 
sessions may be found at: https://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/current
.jsp?lang=en.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that the 
public and in particular minorities, women, and persons with 
disabilities, are aware of this notice, FSIS will announce it online 
through the FSIS Web page located at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/
regulations_&_policies/2006_Notices_Index/index.asp.
    The Regulations.gov Web site is the central online rulemaking 
portal of the United States government. It is being offered as a public 
service to increase participation in the Federal government's 
regulatory activities. FSIS participates in Regulations.gov and will 
accept comments on documents published on the site. The site allows 
visitors to search by keyword or Department or Agency for rulemakings 
that allow for public comment. Each entry provides a quick link to a 
comment form so that visitors can type in their comments and submit 
them to FSIS. The Web site is located at https://www.regulations.gov.
    FSIS also will make copies of this Federal Register publication 
available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide 
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal 
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, recalls, and other types of 
information that could affect or would be of interest to our 
constituents and stakeholders. The update is communicated via Listserv, 
a free e-mail subscription service consisting of industry, trade, and 
farm groups, consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, 
scientific professionals, and other individuals who have requested to 
be included. The update also is available on the FSIS Web page. Through 
Listserv and the Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a 
much broader, more diverse audience.
    In addition, FSIS offers an e-mail subscription service which 
provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news 
and information. This service is available at https://www.fsis.
usda.gov/news_and_events/email_ subscription/. Options range from 
recalls to export information to regulations, directives, and notices. 
Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the 
option to password protect their account.

    Done at Washington, DC on May 26, 2006.
F. Edward Scarbrough,
United States Manager for Codex.

Attachment 1: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Activities of Codex; Codex 
Alimentarius Commission and Executive Committee

    The Codex Alimentarius Commission will hold its Twenty-Ninth 
Session July 3-8, 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland. At that time, it will 
consider procedural matters and the standards, codes of practice, and 
related matters brought to its attention by the general subject 
committees, commodity committees, ad hoc Task Forces and member 
delegations. It will also consider options to implement recommendations 
from the review of Codex committee structure and mandates of Codex 
committees and task forces, as well as budgetary and strategic planning 
issues. At this Session, the Commission will elect a Chair and three 
Vice Chairs.
    Prior to the Commission meeting, the Executive Committee will have 
met at its Fifty-seventh Session on December 6-9, 2005 and its Fifty-
Eighth Session on June 28-July 1, 2006. It is composed of the 
chairperson, vice-chairpersons, seven members elected from the 
Commission, one from each of the following geographic regions: Africa, 
Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Near East, North 
America, and South-West Pacific. Additionally, pending approval by the 
Directors General of FAO and WHO, regional coordinators from the six 
regional committees will serve as members of the Executive Committee. 
The Executive Committee will consider the Codex Strategic Plan 2008-
1013; review the Codex committee structure and mandate of Codex 
committees and task forces; review matters arising from reports of 
Codex Committees, proposals for new work, and standards management 
issues; and review the Trust Fund for the Participation of Developing 
Countries and Countries in Transition in the Work of the Codex 
Alimentarius.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

    The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods 
determines priorities for the consideration of residues of veterinary 
drugs in foods and recommends Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for 
veterinary drugs. A veterinary drug is defined as any substance applied 
or administered to a food producing animal, such as meat or dairy 
animals, poultry, fish or bees, for therapeutic, prophylactic or 
diagnostic purposes or for modification of physiological functions or 
behavior.
    A Codex Maximum Limit for Veterinary Drugs (MRLVD) is the maximum 
concentration of residue resulting from the use of a veterinary drug 
(expressed in mg/kg or ug/kg on a fresh weight basis) that is adopted 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be permitted or recognized as 
acceptable in or on a food. An MRLVD is based on the Acceptable Daily 
Intake (ADI) and indicates the amount of residue in food that is 
considered to be without appreciable toxicological hazard. An MRLVD 
also takes into account other relevant public health risks as well as 
food technological aspects.
    When establishing an MRLVD, consideration is also given to residues 
that occur in food of plant origin or the environment. Furthermore, the 
MRLVD may be reduced to be consistent with good practices in the use of 
veterinary drugs and to the extent that practical analytical methods 
are available.
    Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI): An estimate by the Joint FAO/WHO 
Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the amount of a 
veterinary drug, expressed on a body weight basis, that can be ingested 
daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk (standard man = 
60 kg).

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    The Committee met in Cancun, Mexico on May 8-12, 2006. The 
reference document is ALINORM 06/29/31. The Committee worked on:
     Draft MRLs for Trichlorfon (metrifonate), Flumequine (in 
black tiger shrimp), Pirlimycin, Cypermethrin and Alpha-cypermethrin, 
and Doramectin (in cow's milk) at step 7
     Proposed Draft MRLs for Ractopamine at step 4
     Proposed Draft Revised Guidelines for the Establishment of 
a Regulatory Program for Control of Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods
     Proposed Draft Revised Part I, II, III of Guidelines for 
the Establishment of a Regulatory Program for the Control of Veterinary 
Drug Residues in Foods
     Discussion Paper on Risk Management Methodologies, 
including Risk Assessment Policies in the CCRVDF
     Priority List of Veterinary Drugs Requiring Evaluation or 
Reevaluation
     List of Methods of Analysis for Veterinary Drug Residues 
and Identification of Routine Methods of Analysis
     Recommendations on Residues of Veterinary Drugs without 
ADI/MRL (Prioritization of work)
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants

    The Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC): (a) 
Establishes or endorses permitted maximum or guideline levels for 
individual food additives, contaminants, and naturally occurring 
toxicants in food and animal feed; (b) prepares priority lists of food 
additives and contaminants for toxicological evaluation by the Joint 
FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA); (c) recommends 
specifications of identity and purity for food additives for adoption 
by the Commission; (d) considers methods of analysis for food additive 
and contaminants; and (e) considers and elaborates standards and codes 
for related subjects such as labeling of food additives when sold as 
such and food irradiation. The following matters are under 
consideration by the Commission at its 29th Session in July 2006. The 
relevant document is ALINORM 6/29/12.

Food Additives

    To be considered at Step 8:
     General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA): Draft Food 
Additive Provisions in Tables 1 and 2
     Draft Revised Preamble to the GSFA
    To be considered at Step 5/8:
     General Standard for Food Additives: Proposed Draft Food 
Additive Provisions in Tables 1, 2 and 3
     Advisory Specifications for the Identity and Purity of 
Food Additives
     Proposed Draft Revisions to the Codex International 
Numbering System for Food Additives
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues

    The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues recommends to the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission establishment of maximum limits for pesticide 
residues for specific food items or in groups of food. A Codex Maximum 
Residue Limit for Pesticide (MRLP) is the maximum concentration of a 
pesticide residue (expressed as mg/kg), recommended by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission to be legally permitted in or on food 
commodities and animal feeds. Foods derived from commodities that 
comply with the respective MRLPs are intended to be toxicologically 
acceptable, that is, consideration of the various dietary residue 
intake estimates and determinations both at the national and 
international level in comparison with the ADI*, should indicate that 
foods complying with Codex MRLPs are safe for human consumption.
    Codex MRLPs are primarily intended to apply in international trade 
and are derived from reviews conducted by the Joint Meeting on 
Pesticide Residues (JMPR).
    (a) Review of residue data from supervised trials and supervised 
uses including those reflecting national good agricultural practices 
(GAP). Data from supervised trials conducted at the highest nationally 
recommended, authorized, or registered uses are included in the review. 
In order to accommodate variations in national pest control 
requirements, Codex MRLPs take into account the higher levels shown to 
arise in such supervised trials, which are considered to represent 
effective pest control practices.
    (b) Toxicological assessments of the pesticide and its residue.
    The following items will be considered by the Commission at its 
29th Session in July 2006. The relevant document is ALINORM 06/29/24.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft and Draft Revised Maximum Residue Limits
     Draft Risk Analysis Principles Applied by the Codex 
Committee on Pesticide Residues
     Proposed Draft Guidelines on Estimation of Uncertainly of 
Results
    To be considered at Step 5/8:
     Proposed Draft Maximum Residue Limits
    To be considered at Step 5:
     Proposed Draft and Proposed Draft Revised Maximum Residue 
Limits
    To be considered for Revocation:
     Codex CLX-Ds
    To be considered for New Work:
     Revision of the Codex Classification of Foods and Animal 
Feeds
     Priority List of Pesticides for review by JMPR
    The committee is continuing work on:
     Draft and Proposed Draft MRLs
     Revision of the List of Recommended Methods on Analysis 
for Pesticide Residues
     Revision of the Codex Priority List of Pesticides for 
review by JMPR
     Discussion paper on how Codex MRLs are used at the 
national level
     Discussion paper on the establishment of MRLs for 
Processed or Ready-to-Eat Foods

*Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of a chemical is the daily intake which, 
during an entire lifetime, appears to be without appreciable risk to 
the health of the consumer on the basis of all the known facts at the 
time of the evaluation of the chemical by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on 
Pesticide Residues. It is expressed in milligrams of the chemical per 
kilogram of body weight.

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

    The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling:
    (a) Defines the criteria appropriate to Codex Methods of Analysis 
and Sampling;
    (b) Serves as a coordinating body for Codex with other 
international groups working in methods of analysis and sampling and 
quality assurance systems for laboratories;
    (c) Specifies, on the basis of final recommendations submitted to 
it by the other bodies referred to in (b) above, Reference Methods of 
Analysis and Sampling appropriate to Codex Standards which are 
generally applicable to a number of foods;
    (d) Considers, amends, if necessary, and endorses, as appropriate, 
methods of analysis and sampling proposed by Codex (Commodity) 
Committees, except that methods of analysis and sampling for residues 
of pesticides or veterinary drugs in food, the assessment of 
microbiological quality and safety in food, and the assessment of 
specifications for food additives do not fall within the terms of 
reference of this Committee;

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    (e) Elaborates sampling plans and procedures, as may be required;
    (f) Considers specific sampling and analysis problems submitted to 
it by the Commission or any of its Committees; and
    (g) Defines procedures, protocols, guidelines or related texts for 
the assessment of food laboratory proficiency, as well as quality 
assurance systems for laboratories.
    The 27th Session of the Committee met in Budapest, Hungary, on May 
15-19, 2006. The relevant document is ALINORM 06/29/23.
    For endorsement of the 29th Commission in 2006:
     Proposed amendments to the Procedural Manual: 
Recommendations on the Use of Analytical Results
    The Committee considered the following items at its 27th Session:
    To be considered at Step 7:
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for Evaluating Acceptable 
Methods of Analysis
    To be considered at Step 4:
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for Settling of Disputes on 
Analytical (test) Results
    The Committee continued to work on:
     Further Review of the Analytical Terminology for Codex Use 
in the Procedural Manual
     Endorsement of Methods of Analysis and Sampling Provisions 
in Codex Standards
     Criteria for Methods of Analysis for the Detection and 
Identification of Foods derived from Biotechnology
     Methods of Analysis for the determination of dioxins and 
PCBs
     Revision of the IUPAC/ISO/AOAC Protocol for Proficiency 
Testing
     Uncertainly of Sampling
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/GIPSA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification 
Systems

    The Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and 
Certification Systems is charged with developing principles and 
guidelines for food import and export inspection and certification 
systems to protect consumers and to facilitate trade. Additionally, the 
Committee develops principles and guidelines for the application of 
measures by competent authorities to provide assurance that foods 
comply with essential requirements, especially statutory health 
requirements. This encompasses work on: Equivalence of food inspection 
systems including equivalence agreements, and processes and procedures 
to ensure that sanitary measures are implemented; guidelines on food 
import control systems; and guidelines on food product certification 
and information exchange. The development of guidelines for the 
appropriate utilization of quality assurance systems to ensure that 
foodstuffs conform to requirements and to facilitate trade also are 
included in the Committee's terms of reference. The reference document 
is ALINORM 06/29/30. The following will be considered for adoption by 
the Commission at its 29th Session in July 2006.
    To be considered at step 5/8:
     Proposed Draft Principles and Guidelines for Imported Food 
Inspection Based on Risk
     Proposed Draft Principles for Traceability/Product Tracing 
as a Tool within a Food Inspection and Certification Program
    The committee is continuing work on:
     Proposed Draft Appendix to the Guidelines on the Judgment 
of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures Associated with Food Inspection and 
Certification
     Proposed Draft Principles and Guidelines for Generic 
Official Certificate Formats and the Production and Issuance of 
Certificates
     Discussion paper on the reply to the question raised by 
the 22nd Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles regarding 
the revision of the Codex Code of Ethics for International Trade of 
Foods
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on General Principles

    The Codex Committee on General Principles deals with procedure and 
general matters as are referred to it by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission. The 23rd Session met on April 10-14, 2006, in Paris, 
France. The relevant document is ALINORM 06/29/33. Matters to be 
considered for adoption by the 28th Commission in July 2005:
     Draft Terms of Reference for the Committee on Food 
Additives and the Committee on Contaminants in Foods;
     Draft Revised Criteria for Prioritisation Process of 
Compounds for Evaluation by JMPR proposed by the Committee on Pesticide 
Residues and the recommendations on The Use of Analytical Results: 
Sampling Plans, Relationship between the Analytical Results, the 
Measurement Uncertainty, Recovery Factors and Provisions in Codex 
Standards proposed by the Committee on Methods of Analysis and 
Sampling;
     Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Procedure: Duration of 
the Term of Office of the Members of the Executive Committee;
     Proposed Amendments to the Procedures for the Elaboration 
of Codex Standards and Related Texts and to the Guidelines on the 
Conduct of Meetings of Codex Committee and Ad hoc Intergovernmental 
Task Forces;
     Proposed Amendments to the General Principles of the Codex 
Alimentarius; and
     Recommendations concerning the adoption of Codex food 
safety standards as related to the use of the term ``interim''
    The Committee continued work on:
     Proposed Draft Working Principles for Risk Analysis for 
Food Safety (Guidance to National Governments)
     Consideration of the structure, content and presentation 
of the Procedural Manual
     Review of the guides to the consideration of Standards at 
Step 8
     Proposed changes in the Elaboration Procedures
     New definition of risk analysis terms related to food 
safety
     Management of the work in the Codex Committee on Food 
Hygiene
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Labelling

    The Codex Committee on Food Labelling is responsible for drafting 
provisions on labelling issues assigned by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission. The reference document is ALINORM 06/29/22. The Committee 
held its 34th Session in Ottawa, Canada, on May 1-5, 2006. It 
considered the following items:
     Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and 
Marketing of Organically Produced Foods, Proposed Revised Sections: 
Annex 2--Table 3, Revision to Table 1 (Natural Sodium Nitrate)
     Draft Amendment to the General Standard for the Labelling 
of Prepackaged Foods--(Draft Recommendations for the Labelling of Foods 
Obtained through Certain Techniques of Genetic Modification/Genetic 
Engineering) Section 2. (Definitions)
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Labelling of Food and 
Food Ingredients obtained through certain Techniques of Genetic 
Modification/Genetic Engineering: Labelling Provisions
     Proposed Draft Amendment to the General Standard for the 
Labelling of Prepackaged Foods: Quantitative Declaration of Ingredients
     Definition of Trans Fatty Acids

[[Page 31147]]

     Discussion paper on Advertising.
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

    The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene has four primary 
responsibilities. The first is to draft basic provisions on food 
hygiene applicable to all food. These provisions normally take the form 
of Codes of Hygienic Practice for a specific commodity (e.g. bottled 
water) or group of commodities (e.g., milk and milk products). The 
second is to suggest and prioritize areas where there is a need for 
microbiological risk assessment at the international level and to 
consider microbiological risk management matters in relation to food 
hygiene and in relation to the risk assessment activities of FAO and 
WHO. The third is to consider, amend if necessary, and endorse food 
hygiene provisions that are incorporated into specific Codex commodity 
standards by the Codex commodity committees. The fourth is to provide 
such other general guidance to the Commission on matters relating to 
food hygiene as may be necessary. The 38th Session of the Committee 
will meet in Houston, TX, December 4-8, 2006. The Committee will 
discuss the following:
    To be considered at Step 7:
     Proposed Draft Guidelines on the Application of the 
General Principles of Food Hygiene to the Control of Listeria 
monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Foods
     Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Eggs and Egg 
Products
     Proposed Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct 
of Microbiological Risk Management
    The committee will continue to work on:
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for Validation of Food Hygienic 
Control Measures
     Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Powdered 
Formulae for Infants and Children
     Endorsement of Hygiene Provisions in Codex Standards and 
Codes of Practice
     Annexes to the step 7 documents
     Proposals/risk profiles:

    --Guidelines for the Application of the General Principles for Food 
Hygiene to the Risk-Based Control of Enterohemorrhagic E. coli in 
Ground Beef and Fermented Sausages
    --Guidelines for the Application of the General Principles of Food 
Hygiene to the Risk-Based Control of Salmonella spp. in Broiler 
Chickens
    --Guidelines for Risk Management Options for Campylobacter in 
Broiler Chickens
    --Vibrio spp. in Seafood
    --Viruses in Food

    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

    The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables is responsible 
for elaborating world-wide standards and codes of practice for fresh 
fruits and vegetables. The Committee will meet in Mexico City, Mexico, 
on September 25-29, 2006. At the session they will discuss the 
following items:
     Draft Standard for Tomatoes: Provisions on Sizing
     Draft Standard for Table Grapes: Maturity Requirements and 
Minimum Bunch Weight
     Proposed Draft Standard for Apples
     Codex Standard for Sweet Cassava, Revision of Section 1 
Definition of Produce, Section 3 Sizing to include other varieties of 
cassavas fit for human consumption
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Quality Control of Fresh 
Fruits and Vegetables
     Standard Layout for Codex Standards for Fresh Fruits and 
Vegetables
     Priority List for the Standardization of Fresh Fruits and 
Vegetables.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/AMS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses

    The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses 
is responsible for studying nutritional problems referred by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission. The Committee also drafts general provisions, 
as appropriate, on nutritional aspects of all foods and develops 
standards, guidelines, or related texts for foods for special dietary 
uses. The relevant document is ALINORM 06/29/26. The following items 
will be considered by the 29th Session of the Commission in July 2006:
    To be adopted at Step 8:
     Draft Standard for Processed Cereal-Based Foods for 
Infants and Young Children
    To be adopted at Step 5:
     Formulas for Special Medical Purposes Intended for Infants 
(Section B)
    The Committee continues work on:
     Draft Revised Standard for Gluten-Free Foods
     Draft Revised Standard for Infant Formula (Section A) and 
Formulas for Special Medical Purposes Intended for Infants (Section B)
     Guidelines for Use of Nutrition Claims--Draft Table of 
Conditions for Nutrient Content Claims (Part B containing Provisions on 
Dietary Fibre)
     Proposed Draft Revision of the Advisory Lists of Nutrient 
Compounds for Use in Foods for Special Dietary Uses Intended for Use by 
Infants and Young Children
     Proposed Draft Recommendations on the Scientific Basis of 
Health Claims
     Discussion Paper on the Application of Risk Analysis to 
the Work of the CCNFSDU
     Discussion Paper on Proposals for Additional or Revised 
Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs)
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/FNS.
    U.S. Participation: YES.

Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products

    The Fish and Fishery Products Committee is responsible for 
elaborating standards for fresh, frozen and otherwise processed fish, 
crustaceans and mollusks. The Committee will meet on September 18-22, 
2006, in Beijing, China. The Committee will discuss the following 
items:
    To be considered at Step 7:
     Draft Standard for Sturgeon Caviar To be considered at 
Step 4:
     Proposed Draft Standard for Live and Non-Viable Bivalve 
Mollusks
     Proposed Draft Standard for Smoked Fish
     Proposed Draft Standard for Quick Frozen Scallop Adductor 
Muscle Meat
     Proposed Draft Code of Practice for fish and fishery 
products (other sections)
    The Committee continues work on the following:
     Proposed Draft Code of Practice on the Processing of 
Scallop Meat
     Review of the Procedure for the Inclusion of Species
     Proposed Draft Amendment of the Standard for Canned 
Sardines and Sardine-Type Products (Clupea bentincki)
     Proposed amendment of the labeling section in the Standard 
for Canned Sardines and Sardine-Type Products
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDC/NOAA/NMFS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products

    The Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products is responsible for 
establishing international codes and standards for milk and milk 
products.

[[Page 31148]]

The Committee held its 7th Session from March 27-April 1, 2006 in 
Queenstown, New Zealand. The relevant document is ALINORM 06/29/11. 
Standards to be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Amendment to the Codex General Standard for Cheese
     Draft Standard for a Blend of Evaporated Skimmed Milk and 
Vegetable Fat
     Draft Standard for a Blend of Skimmed Milk and Vegetable 
Fat in Powdered Form
     Draft Standard for a Blend of Sweetened Condensed Skimmed 
Milk and Vegetable Fat
     Draft Revised Standard for Whey Cheese
     Draft Revised Standards for Cheddar (C-1) and Danbo (C-3)
    Standards to be considered at Step \5/8\:
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Edam (C-4)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Gouda (C-5)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Havarti (C-6)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Samso (C-7)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Emmental (C-9)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Tilsiter (C-11)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Saint-Paulin (C-13)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Provolone (C-15)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Cottage Cheese (C-16)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Coulommiers (C-18)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Cream Cheese (C-31)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Camembert (C-33)
     Proposed draft revised Standard for Brie (C-34)
     Proposed draft Standard for Mozzarella
     Proposed draft Standard for Dairy Fat Spreads
    At Step 5:
     Proposed Draft Model Export Certificate for Milk and Milk 
Products
    Other committee work:
     Proposed Draft Template for Fermented Milk Drinks 
Provision
     Proposed Draft Revised Standard for Processed Cheese
     Amendment to the List of Additives of the Codex Standard 
for Creams and Prepared Creams
     Food Additive Listings for the Codex Standard for 
Fermented Milks (flavoured fermented milks)
     Methods of Analysis and Sampling for Milk and Milk 
Products Standards
     Discussion paper on sampling plans for milk products in 
presence of significant measurement error
    Responsible Agency: USDA/AMS; HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Fats and Oils

    The Codex Committee on Fats and Oils is responsible for elaborating 
standards for fats and oils of animal, vegetable, and marine origin. 
The Committee will meet February 19-23, 2007, in London, U.K. The 
Committee will discuss the following items:
    To be considered at Step 7:
     Proposed Draft Amendments to the Standard for Named 
Vegetable Oils: Rice Bran Oil
     Draft Standard for Fat Spreads and Blended Spreads: Food 
additives
     Draft List of Acceptable Previous Cargoes
    To be considered at Step 4:
     Proposed Draft List of Acceptable Previous Cargoes
    The Committee continues work on:
     Proposed Draft Amendments to the Standard for Named 
Vegetable Oils
     Unbleached palm oil: total carotenoids--Accelerated 
Procedure
     Criteria for the Revision of Named Vegetable Oils
     Consideration of the level of linolenic acid in the 
Standard for Olive Oils and Olive Pomace Oils
     Consideration of International Standards Organization 
proposal to amend the nomenclature of oils
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/ARS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

    The Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables is 
responsible for elaborating standards for Processed Fruits and 
Vegetables. After having been adjourned sine die, the Committee 
reconvened in Washington, DC, in March 1998 to begin work revising the 
standards. The Committee will hold its next session on October 16-21, 
2006. At the session they will discuss the following items:
    To be considered at Step 7:
     Draft Codex Standard for Pickled Fruits and Vegetables
     Draft Codex Standard for Processed Tomato Concentrates
     Draft Codex Standard for Preserved (Canned) Tomatoes
     Draft Codex Standards for Certain Canned Citrus Fruits
    To be considered at Step 4:
     Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Jams, Jellies and 
Marmalades
     Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Certain Canned 
Vegetables (including Packing Media for Canned Vegetables)
    Other work:
     Methods of Analysis for Processed Fruits and Vegetables
     Priority List for the Standardization of Processed Fruits 
and Vegetables
    Responsible Agency: USDA/AMS; HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses, and Legumes

    The 26th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted the 
Proposed Draft Standard for Instant Noodles at Step 5, on the 
recommendation of the Coordinating Committee for Asia, and advanced it 
to Step 6 for consideration by the Committee on Cereals, Pulses and 
Legumes by correspondence. The United States, as host government, 
circulated the Draft Standard for comments and, based on comments 
received, revised the Draft Standard for final adoption at Step 8. The 
33rd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling endorsed the 
labeling provisions of the Draft Standard. However, at its 37th 
Session, the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC) 
did not endorse the food additive provisions of the Draft Standard, so 
it was not sent forward to the Commission for final adoption. In 
addition, the 26th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of 
Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) endorsed all but one of the methods 
listed in the Draft Standard. The additive and methods sections of the 
Draft Standard have been re-circulated and revised, and will be sent to 
the next sessions of CCFAC and CCMAS for endorsement before forwarding 
the Draft Standard to the Commission for adoption at its 29th Session 
in July.
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; USDA/GIPSA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Certain Codex Commodity Committees\1\

    Several Codex Alimentarius Commodity Committees have adjourned sine 
die. The following Committees fall into this category:
     Cocoa Products and Chocolate
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
     Meat Hygiene
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
     Natural Mineral Water
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
     Sugars
    Responsible Agency: USDA/ARS; HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
     Vegetable Proteins
    Responsible Agency: USDA/ARS; HHS/FDA.

[[Page 31149]]

    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived From Biotechnology

    The Commission established this task force to develop standards, 
guidelines, or recommendations, as appropriate, for foods derived from 
biotechnology or traits introduced into foods by biotechnology, on the 
basis of scientific evidence, risk analysis and having regard, where 
appropriate, to other legitimate factors relevant to the health of 
consumers and the promotion of fair trade practices. The original Task 
Force, established by the 23rd Session of the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission for a four year period of time, has completed its work. The 
Task Force was re-established at the 27th Session of the Commission. 
The Committee will hold its 6th Session in Japan on November 27-
December 1, 2006. The Task Force will discuss the following items:
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Conduct of Food Safety 
Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Animals
     Proposed Draft Annex to the Guidelines for the Conduct of 
Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant DNA Plants 
regarding food safety of foods derived from recombinant plants modified 
for nutritional and health benefits
     Discussion paper on Comparative Food Composition Analysis 
of Staple Foods
     Discussion paper on Sanitary Surveillance after Placing on 
the Market of Foods Derived from Biotechnology
     Discussion paper on Safety Assessment of Foods Derived 
from Animals Exposed to Protection against Disease through Gene Therapy 
or Recombinant-DNA Vaccines
    Responsible Agency: USDA; HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees

    The Codex Alimentarius Commission is made up of an Executive 
Committee, as well as approximately 30 subsidiary bodies. Included in 
these subsidiary bodies are coordinating committees for groups of 
countries located in proximity to each other who share common concerns. 
There are currently six Regional Coordinating Committees:
     Coordinating Committee for Africa.
     Coordinating Committee for Asia.
     Coordinating Committee for Europe.
     Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the 
Caribbean.
     Coordinating Committee for the Near East.
     Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-
West Pacific
    The United States participates as an active member of the 
Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West Pacific, 
and is informed of the other coordinating committees through meeting 
documents, final reports, and representation at meetings. Each regional 
committee:
     Defines the problems and needs of the region concerning 
food standards and food control;
     Promotes within the committee contacts for the mutual 
exchange of information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems 
arising from food control and stimulates the strengthening of food 
control infrastructures;
     Recommends to the Commission the development of world-wide 
standards for products of interest to the region, including products 
considered by the committee to have an international market potential 
in the future; and
     Serves a general coordinating role for the region and 
performs such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the 
Commission.

Codex Coordinating Committee for North America and the South-West 
Pacific

    The Coordinating Committee is responsible for defining problems and 
needs concerning food standards and food control of all Codex member 
countries of the region. The next meeting will be held in Apia, Samoa 
on October 10-13, 2006.
    Items on the agenda for the next meeting may include:
     Codex working documents of special interest to regional 
member states.
     Progress Report: Joint FAO/WHO Evaluation of the Codex 
Alimentarius and other FAO and WHO Work on Food Standards.
     Evaluation and revision of the Strategic Plan for the 
Coordinating Committee for North America and the Southwest Pacific.
     Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Trust Fund for the 
participation of developing countries in Codex.
     Election of new regional coordinator.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Attachment 2: U.S. Codex Alimentarius Officials

Codex Committee Chairpersons

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
Dr. Karen Hulebak, Chief Scientist, Office of Public Health Science, 
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 3130, South Building, Washington, 
DC 20250-3700, Phone: (202) 720-5735, Fax: (202) 720-2980, E-mail: 
karen.hulebak@fsis.usda.gov

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

Mr. Terry Bane, Branch Chief, Processed Products Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, AMS, Room 0709, South Building, Stop 9247, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0247, Phone: (202) 720-
4693, Fax: (202) 690-1087, E-mail: terry.bane@usda.gov

Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof, Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food 
and Drug Administration 7500 Standish Place (HFV-1), Rockville, MD 
20855, Phone: (301) 827-2950, Fax: (301) 827-8401, E-mail: 
ssundlof@cvm.fda.gov

Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (Adjourned sine die)

Mr. Steven N. Tanner, Director, Technical Services Division, Grain 
Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 10383 N. Executive Hills Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64153-
1394, Phone: (816) 891-0401, Fax: (816) 891-0478, E-mail: 
Stephen.n.tanner@gipsa.usda.gov

Listing of U.S. Delegates and Alternates Worldwide General Subject 
Codex Committees

Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (Host 
Government--United States)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Steven D. Vaughn, Director, Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation, 
Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA, 7500 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 
20855, Phone: (301) 827-1796, Fax: (301) 594-2297, E-mail: 
SVaughn@cvm.fda.gov
Alternate Delegate
Dr. Alice Thaler, Staff Director, Animal and Egg Production Food Safety 
Staff, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 690-2683, Fax: (202) 
720-8213, E-mail: alice.thaler@fsis.usda.gov

[[Page 31150]]

Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (Host Government--
The Netherlands)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Terry C. Troxell, Director, Office of Plant and Dairy Foods and 
Beverages, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA (HFS-300), 
Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College 
Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: (301) 436-1700, Fax: (301) 436-2632, E-
mail: terry.troxell@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegate
Dr. Dennis M. Keefe, Office of Premarket Approval, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA (HFS-200), Harvey W. Wiley Federal 
Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, 
Phone: (301) 436-1284, Fax: (301) 436-2972, E-mail: 
dennis.keefe@fda.hhs.gov

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (Host Government--The 
Netherlands)

U.S. Delegate
Ms. Lois Rossi, Director of Registration Division, Office of Pesticide 
Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, Phone: (703) 305-
5035, Fax: (703) 305-5147, E-mail: rossi.lois@epa.gov
Alternate Delegate
Dr. Robert Epstein, Associate Deputy Administrator, Science and 
Technology, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96456, Room 
3522S, Mail Stop 0222, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20090, Phone (202) 720-2158, Fax: (202) 720-1484, E-mail: 
robert.epstein@usda.gov

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (Host Government--
Hungary)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Gregory Diachenko, Director, Division of Product Manufacture and 
Use, Office of Premarket Approval, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition (CFSAN), FDA (HFS-300), Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 
5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone (301) 
436-2387, Fax: (301) 436-2364, E-mail: gregory.diachenko@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegate
Mr. Donald C. Kendall, Technical Services Division, Grain Inspection, 
Packers & Stockyards Administration, USDA, 10383 N. Ambassador Drive, 
Kansas City, MO 64153-1394, Phone: (816) 891-0463, Fax: (816) 891-0478, 
E-mail: Donnald.C.Kendall@usda.gov

Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification 
Systems (Host Government--Australia)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Catherine Carnevale, Director, International Activities Staff, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA (HFS-550), Harvey W. 
Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 
20740-3835, Phone: (301) 436-2380, Fax: (301) 436-2618, E-mail: 
catherine.carnevale@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegate
Ms. Karen Stuck, Assistant Administrator, Office of International 
Affairs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, Room 2137, South 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700, 
Phone: (202) 720-3470, Fax: (202) 720-7990, E-mail: 
karen.stuck@fsis.usda.gov

Codex Committee on General Principles (Host Government--France)

U.S. Delegate

    Note: A member of the Policy Steering Committee heads the 
delegation to meetings of the General Principles Committee.

Codex Committee on Food Labelling (Host Government--Canada)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Barbara O. Schneeman, Director, Office of Nutritional Products, 
Labelling and Dietary Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, FDA 5100 Paint Branch Parkway (HFS-800), College Park, MD 
20740, Phone: (301) 436-2373, Fax: (301) 436-2636, E-mail: 
barbara.schneeman@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegate
Ms. Danielle Schor, Chief of Staff, Office of the Administrator, Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, USDA 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1400, Phone: (202) 720-6618, Fax: (202) 720-7771, 
E-mail: danielle.schor@fsis.usda.gov

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (Host Government--United States)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Robert L. Buchanan, Lead Scientist, Food Safety Initiative, Center 
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA (HFS-006), Harvey W. Wiley 
Federal Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-
3835, Phone: (301) 436-2369, Fax: (301) 436-2360, E-mail: 
robert.buchanan@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegates
Dr. Daniel Engeljohn, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Policy, 
Program, and Employee Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 
USDA, Room 3149 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone: (202) 205-0495, Fax: (202) 401-1760, 
E-mail: daniel.engeljohn@fsis.usda.gov
Dr. Rebecca Buckner, Consumer Safety Officer, Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition, FDA, Room 3B-0033 Harvey Wiley Building, 5100 
Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 10740, Phone: (301) 436-1486, 
Fax: (301) 436-2632, E-mail: rebecca.buckner@fda.hhs.gov

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Food for Special Dietary Uses (Host 
Government--Germany)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Barbara O. Schneeman, Director, Office of Nutritional Products, 
Labeling and Dietary Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, FDA, 5100 Paint Branch Highway (HFS-800), College Park, MD 
20740, Tel: (301) 436-2373, Fax: (301) 436-2636, E-mail: 
barbara.schneeman@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegate
Ms. Patricia McKinney, Senior Program Analyst, Office of Analysis, 
Nutrition Service, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302, Tel: (703) 305-2126, Fax: (703) 
305-2576, E-mail: pat.mckinney@fns.usda.gov

Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees; Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits 
and Vegetables (Host Government--Mexico)

U.S. Delegate
Mr. Dorian LaFond, International Standards Coordinator, Fruit and 
Vegetables Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Room 2086, 
South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, 
Phone (202) 690-4944, Fax: (202) 720-4722, E-mail: 
dorian.lafond@usda.gov
Alternate Delegate
    Vacant.

[[Page 31151]]

Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (Host Government--Norway)

U.S. Delegate
Mr. Philip C. Spiller, Director, Office of Seafood, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA (HFS-400), Harvey W. Wiley Federal 
Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, 
Phone: (301) 436-2300, Fax: (301) 436-2599, E-mail: 
philip.spiller@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegate
Mr. Richard V. Cano, Acting Director, National Seafood Inspection 
Program, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: (301) 713-2355, Fax: (301) 713-1081, E-
mail: richard.cano@noaa.gov

Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (Host Government--United 
States)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Henry Kim, Supervisory Chemist, Division of Plant Product Safety, 
Office of Plant and Dairy Foods, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, FDA, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, 
Phone: (301) 436-2023, Fax: (301) 436-2651, E-mail: 
henry.kim@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegate
Mr. David Shipman, Deputy Administrator, Federal Grain Inspection 
Division, Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration, USDA, 
Room 1661, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720-9170, Fax: (202) 205-9237, E-mail: 
dshipman@gipsadc.usda.gov

Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products (Host Government--New 
Zealand)

U.S. Delegate
Mr. Duane Spomer, Food Defense Advisor, Agricultural Marketing Service, 
USDA, Room 2750, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720-1861, Fax: (202) 205-5772, E-
mail: duane.spomer@usda.gov
Alternate Delegate
John F. Sheehan, Director, Division of Dairy and Egg Safety, Office of 
Plant and Dairy Foods and Beverages, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, FDA (HFS-306), Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint 
Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (301) 436-1488, Fax: 
(301) 436-2632, E-mail: john.sheehan@fda.hhs.gov

Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (Host Government--United Kingdom)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Dennis M. Keefe, Office of Food Additive Safety, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA (HFS-200), Harvey W. Wiley Federal 
Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, 
Phone: (301) 436-1284, Fax: (301) 436-2972, E-mail: 
dennis.keefe@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegate
Ms. Kathleen Warner, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 1815 N. 
University Street, Peoria, IL 61604, Phone (309) 681-6584, Fax: (309) 
681-6668, E-mail: warnerk@ncaur.usda.gov

Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate (Host Government--
Switzerland)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Michelle Smith, Food Technologist, Office of Plant and Dairy Foods 
and Beverages, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA (HFS-
306), Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, 
College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: (301) 436-2024, Fax: (301) 436-
2651, E-mail: michelle.smith@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegate
    Vacant.

Codex Committee on Sugars (Host Government--United Kingdom)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Thomas L. Tew, Research Geneticist, Sugarcane Research Unit, 
Agricultural Research, USDA, 5883 USDA Road, Houma, LA 70360, Phone: 
(504) 872-5042, Fax: (504) 868-8369, E-mail: ttew@nola.srrc.usda.gov
Alternate Delegate
Mr. Martin Stutsman, Office of Plant and Dairy Foods and Beverages, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA (HFS-306), Harvey W. 
Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 
20740-3835, Phone: (301) 436-1642, Fax: (301) 436-2651, E-mail: 
martin.stutsman@fda.hhs.gov

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (Host Government--
United States)

U.S. Delegate
Mr. Dorian LaFond, International Standards Coordinator, Fruit and 
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Room 2086, 
South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, 
Phone: (202) 690-4944, Fax: (202) 720-0016, E-mail: 
dorian.lafond@usda.gov
Alternate Delegate
Mr. Paul South, Division of Plant Product Safety, Office of Plant and 
Dairy Foods, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA, 5100 
Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (301) 436-1640, 
Fax: (301) 436-2561, E-mail: paul.south@fda.hhs.gov

Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins (Host Government--Canada)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Wilda H. Martinez, Area Director, ARS North Atlantic Area, 
Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 600 E. Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 
19038, Phone: (215) 233-6593, Fax: (215) 233-6719, E-mail: 
wmartinez@ars.usda.gov
Alternate Delegate
Dr. Jeanne Rader , Director, Division of Research and Applied 
Technology, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary 
Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA, Harvey 
W. Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 
20740-3835, Phone: (301) 436-2377, Fax: (301) 436-2636, E-mail: 
jeanne.rader@fda.hhs.gov

Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene (Host Government--New Zealand)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Perfecto Santiago, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Food 
Security and Emergency Preparedness, Room 3130, South Building, Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 205-0452, Fax: (202) 690-5634, E-
mail: perfecto.santiago@fsis.usda.gov
Alternate Delegate
Dr. William O. James, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of 
International Affairs, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, Room 
3143, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone: (202) 720-5362, 
Fax: (202) 690-3856, E-mail: william.james@fsis.usda.gov

[[Page 31152]]

Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters (Host Government--
Switzerland)

U.S. Delegate
Dr. Terry C. Troxell, Director, Office of Plant and Dairy Foods and 
Beverages, Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, FDA (HFS-305), 
Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College 
Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: (301) 436-1700, Fax: (301) 436-2632, E-
mail: terry.troxell@fda.hhs.gov
Alternate Delegate
Ms. Shellee Anderson, Division of Programs and Enforcement Policy, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA (HFS-306), Harvey W. 
Wiley Federal Building 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 
20740-3835, Phone: (301) 436-1491, Fax: (301) 436-2632, E-mail: 
shellee.anderson@fda.hhs.gov

Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces; Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task 
Force on Foods Derived From Modern Biotechnology (Host Government--
Japan)

U.S. Delegate
    Vacant
Alternate Delegate
Dr. Eric Flamm, Senior Advisor, Office of the Commissioner, Food and 
Drug Administration, Room 1561 Parklawn Building, Rockville, MD 20857, 
Phone: (301) 827-0591, Fax: (301) 827-4774, E-mail: EFLAMM@OC.FDA.GOV

    There are six regional coordinating committees:

Coordinating Committee for Africa
Coordinating Committee for Asia
Coordinating Committee for Europe
Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean
Coordinating Committee for the Near East
Coordinating Committee for North American and the South-West Pacific

    Contact:

Paulo Almeida, Associate Manager for Codex, U.S. Codex Office, Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, Room 4861, South Building 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone (202) 205-
7760, Fax (202) 720-3157, E-mail: paulo.almeida@fsis.usda.gov

[FR Doc. 06-5012 Filed 5-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P