International Standard-Setting Activities, 31950-31960 [E8-12563]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 109 (Thursday, June 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31950-31960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12563]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 109 / Thursday, June 5, 2008 / 
Notices

[[Page 31950]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[FDMS Docket No. FSIS-2008-0004]


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 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, 2007, to May 31, 
2008, and June 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009, seeks comments on standards 
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-2008-0004 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-ROMs, and hand- or 
courier-delivered items: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 2534, South 
Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-3700.
    All submissions must include the Agency name and docket number 
FSIS-2008-0004. 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/
2008_Notices_Index/index.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Hulebak, PhD, Acting Manager, 
U.S. Codex Office, 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.'' The main organizations are Codex, the 
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),

[[Page 31951]]

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 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 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 U.S. Codex Office, 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, 2007, to May 31, 2008, and June 1, 2008, to May 
31, 2009. 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 
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/2008_Notices_Index/. FSIS 
will also 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, and other types of information 
that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free 
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, 
consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals 
who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS 
Web page. Through the Listserv and Web page, FSIS is able to provide 
information to a much broader and 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 
accounts.

    Done at Washington, DC on: May 30, 2008.
Paulo Almeida,
Acting Manager U.S. Codex.

Attachment 1:--Sanitary and Phytosanitary Activities of Codex

Codex Alimentarius Commission and Executive Committee

    The Codex Alimentarius Commission will hold its Thirty-First 
Session June 30-July 4, 2008, in Rome, Italy. At that time, it will 
consider 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, the 
management of the Trust Fund for the Participation of Developing 
Countries and Countries in Transition in the Work of the Codex 
Alimentarius, as well as budgetary and strategic planning issues. At 
this Session, the Commission will elect a Chairperson and three Vice 
Chairpersons.
    Prior to the Commission meeting, the Executive Committee will have 
met at its Sixty-First Session on June 24-27, 2008. It is composed of 
the chairperson, vice-chairpersons, and 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, regional coordinators 
from the six regional committees serve as members of the Executive 
Committee. It will consider the Codex Strategic Plan 2008-2013; 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.
    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. The Committee also develops codes of practice as may 
be required and considers methods of sampling and analysis for the 
determination of veterinary drug residues in food. A veterinary drug is 
defined as any substance applied or administered to a food producing 
animal, such as meat or

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milk producing animals, poultry, fish or bees, whether used for 
therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic purposes or for modification of 
physiological functions or behavior.
    A Codex Maximum Limit for Residues of 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 recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be 
permitted or recognized as acceptable in or on a food. An MRLVD is 
based on the type and amount of residue considered to be without any 
toxicological hazard for human health as expressed by the Acceptable 
Daily Intake (ADI) or on the basis of a temporary ADI that utilizes an 
additional safety factor. The MRLVD also takes into account other 
relative 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.
    An Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is 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).
    The 17th Session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary 
Drugs in Foods met in Breckenridge, Colorado, on September 3-7, 2007.
    The following items will be considered by the Commission at its 
31st Session in June 2008.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft MRLs for Colistin in cattle, sheep, goat, pig, 
chicken, turkey and rabbit tissues, in cattle and sheep's milk and in 
chicken eggs, Ractopamine in cattle and pig tissues
    To be considered at Step 5/8:
     Proposed Draft Maximum Residue Limits for Erythromycin in 
chicken and turkey tissues
    The Committee completed work on the following:
     At the 17th CCRVDF, the Committee completed a Priority of 
Veterinary Drugs Requiring Evaluation or Reevaluation by JECFA. These 
drugs are Dexamethasome, Tylosin, Avilamycin, Malachite Green, 
Tilmicosin, Monensin, Narasin, Triclabendazole, Melengestrol acetate.
    The Committee will continue work on the following:
     Draft Maximum Residue Limits for Erythromycin.
     Draft Maximum Residue Limits for Melengesterol Acetate 
(MGA) in cattle tissue.
     Proposed Draft Maximum Residue Limits for Triclabendazole 
in cattle, sheep and goat tissues.
     Draft Guidelines for the Design and Implementation of 
National Regulatory Food Safety Assurance Programmes Associated with 
the Use of Veterinary Drugs in Foods.
     Proposed Draft Risk Management Recommendation/Guidance for 
Veterinary Drugs for which no ADI and MRL have been recommended by 
JECFA due to specific health concerns.
     Discussion Paper on Consideration of Methods of Analysis 
and Sampling in CCRVDF (Report of the Electronic Working Group on 
Methods of Analysis and Sampling).
     Draft Priority List of Veterinary Drugs Requiring 
Evaluation or Re-evaluation by JECFA and Working Document Listing 
Veterinary Drugs of Potential Interest (Report of the Electronic 
Working Group on Priority).
     Discussion Paper on Current Practices and Needs for 
Further Work by the Committee on the Use of the Estimated Daily Intake 
(EDI) concept; Utilization of full ADI; Starter culture; and Appending 
Risk Management. Recommendation(s) to MRLs (Report of the Electronic 
Working Group on Risk Management Topics and Options for the CCRVDF)
    The following work will be discontinued:
     Draft and Proposed Draft Maximum Residue Limits for 
Flumequine (Black tiger shrimp and shrimps).
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods

    The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) was established 
by the 29th Session of the Commission when it decided to split the 
former Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants into two 
committees. The CCCF establishes or endorses permitted maximum levels 
for contaminants and naturally occurring toxicants in food and feed, 
prepares priority lists of contaminants and naturally occurring 
toxicants for risk assessment by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on 
Food Additives (JECFA), considers methods of analysis and sampling for 
the determination of contaminants and naturally occurring toxicants in 
food and feed, considers and elaborates standards or codes of practice 
for related subject, and considers other matters assigned to it by the 
Commission in relation to contaminants and naturally occurring 
toxicants in food and feed. The Committee held its second session in 
The Hague, Netherlands from March 31st-April 4, 2008. The relevant 
document is ALINORM 08/31/41. The following items are to be considered 
by the 31st Session of the Commission from June 30-July 4, 2008.
    To be considered for adoption:
     Proposed Draft Provisions Applied to Contaminants in the 
``Relations between Commodity Committees and General Committees'' in 
the Procedural Manual.
     Priority List of Contaminants and Naturally Occurring 
Toxicants Proposed for Evaluation by JECFA.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Maximum Level for 3-MCPD in Liquid Condiments 
Containing Acid-Hydrolyzed Vegetable Oriteins (Excluding Naturally 
Fermented Soy Sauce).
     Draft Code of Practice for Reduction of 3-
Monocloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) during the Production of Acid-
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (Acid-HVPs) and Products that Contain 
Acid-HVPs.
     Draft Maximum Level for Ochratoxin A in Raw Wheat, Barley 
and Rye.
     Draft Maximum Levels for Total Aflatoxins in Almonds, 
Hazelnuts, and Pistachios ``For further processing'' and ``Ready to 
eat.''
    To be considered at Step 5/8:
     Proposed Draft Aflatoxin Sampling Plans for Aflatoxin 
Contamination in Ready-to-Eat Treenuts and Treenuts Destined for 
Further Processing: Almonds, Hazelnuts and Pistachios.
     Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Prevention and 
Reduction of Aflatoxin Contamination in Dried Figs.
    To be considered at Step 5:
     Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Reduction of 
Acrylamide in Food.
     Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Reduction of 
Contamination of Food with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) from 
Smoking and Direct Drying Processes.
    New Work:
     Proposed Draft Maximum Levels for Total Aflatoxins in 
Brazil Nuts.
     Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Prevention and 
Reduction of Ochratoxin A Contamination in Coffee.
    The Committee is continuing to work on:
     Proposed Draft Revision of the Preamble of the GSCTF.
     Discussion Paper on Fumonisins.
     Discussion Paper on Benzene in Soft Drinks.

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     Discussion Paper on Cyanogenic Glycosides.
     Discussion Paper on Mycotoxins in Sorghum.
     Discussion Paper on Ethyl Carbamate in Alcoholic 
Beverages.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Additives

    The Codex Committee on Food Additives was re-established by the 
29th Session of the Commission, which split the former Codex Committee 
on Additives and Contaminants into two committees. The Committee is to 
establish or endorse permitted maximum levels for individual food 
additives, prepare a priority list of food additives for risk 
assessment by JECFA, assign functional classes to individual food 
additives, recommend specifications of identity and purity for food 
additives for adoption by the Commission, consider methods of analysis 
for the determination of additives in food, and to consider and 
elaborate standard for codes for related subjects such as the labeling 
of food additives when sold as such. The Committee met in Beijing, 
China, on April 15-25, 2008. The relevant document is ALINORM 8/31/12. 
The following items will be considered by the 31st Session of the 
Commission in June 2008.
    To be considered for adoption:
     Amendment to the Annex to Table 3 of the GFSA.
     Amendment to the provisions for colours of GFSA.
     Priority List of Food Additives Proposed for Evaluation by 
JECFA.
    To be considered at Step 8 and 5/8:
     Draft and proposed draft food additive provisions of the 
General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA).
     Draft and proposed draft Guidelines for the Use of 
Flavourings for adoption at Step 8 (Sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7) and 
Step 5/8 (Section 4).
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft revision of the Codex Class Names and International 
Numbering System for Food Additives--CAC/GL 36-2003.
    To be considered at Step 5/8:
     Proposed draft revision of the Food Category System (FCF) 
of the GSFA.
     Proposed draft amendments to the International Numbering 
System (INS) for Food Additives.
     Proposed and Draft Specifications for the Identity and 
Purity of Food Additives.
    The Committee will continue to work on:
     Draft and proposed draft Food Additive Provisions of the 
GSFA.
     Guidelines and Principles for the Use of Substances used 
as Processing Aids.
     Amendments to the INS List.
     Specifications for the Identity and Purity of Food 
Additives arising from the 69th JECFA meeting.
     Discussion Paper on Scope of Selected Food Categories and 
Use of Colours.
     Report of the Electronic Working Group on the GSFA.
     Discussion Paper on Identification of Problems and 
Recommendations Related to the Inconsistent Presentation of Food 
Additive Provisions in Codex Commodity Standards.
     Inventory of Substances Used as Processing Aids (IPA).
     Discussion Paper on Inconsistencies in the Names of 
Compounds in Codex Specifications and the INS.
     Priority List of Food Additives Proposed for Evaluation by 
JECFA (including proposals for the revision of the Circular Letter).
     Working Document for Information and Support to the 
Discussion on the GSFA.
    Discontinued work:
     Food Additive Provisions of the General Standard for Food 
Additives (GSFA).
     Codex General Requirements for Natural Flavourings
     Codex Specifications for Identity and Purity of Food 
Additives.
     Draft and Proposed Draft Food Additive Provisions of the 
General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA).
    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 
40th Session of the Committee met in Hangzhou, China, on April 14-19, 
2008. The relevant document is ALINORM 08/31/24. The following items 
will be considered by the Commission at its 31st Session in June 2008.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft and Revised Draft Maximum Residue Limits.
    To be considered at Step 5/8:
     Proposed Draft and Revised Draft Maximum Residue Limits.
    To be considered at Step 5:
     Proposed Draft Maximum Residue Limits.
    The committee is continuing work on:
     Proposed Draft and Draft Maximum Residue Limits Retained 
at Steps 7 and 4.
     Draft Maximum Residue Limits returned to Step 6.
     Proposed Draft Revision of the Codex Classification of 
Foods and Animal Feeds.
    New Work:
     Achieving Globally Harmonized Maximum Residue Limits 
through Codex.
     Priority List of Pesticides (New Pesticides and Pesticides 
under Periodic Review).
     The Estimation of Measurement Uncertainty.
     Revision of the CCPR Risk Analysis Principles.
     Establishing a CCPR working group on Minor Uses and 
Specialty Crops.
    Discontinued work:
     Discontinuation of work on the Proposed Draft and Draft 
Maximum Residues Limits for Pesticides.
     Codex Maximum Residue Limits Recommended for Revocation.
    Responsible Agencies: EPA; USDA/AMS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

    The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling:

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    (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;
    (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 29th Session of the Committee met in Budapest, Hungary, on 
March 10-14, 2008. The relevant document is ALINORM 08/31/23. The 
following items will be considered by the 31st Session of the 
Commission in June 2008:
    To be adopted:
     Proposed Amendment to the Working Instructions for the 
Implementation of the Criteria Approach in Codex.
     Endorsement of Methods of Analysis in Draft Standards and 
Existing Standards.
    To be adopted at Step 5:
     Proposed Draft Guidelines on Analytical Terminology.
    The Committee will continue to work on:
     Draft Guidelines for Evaluating Acceptable Methods of 
Analysis.
     Draft Guidelines for Settling of Disputes on Analytical 
(Test) Results.
     Guidance on Uncertainty from Sampling.
     Consideration of Methods of Analysis for Dioxins and 
Dioxin-like PCBs.
     Conformity Assessment in the Presence of Significant 
Measurement Error (Question referred by the Committee on Milk and Milk 
Products).
    New Work:
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for Criteria for Methods for the 
Detection and Identification of Foods Derived from Biotechnology.
     Guidance on measurement uncertainty and uncertainty of 
sampling (Proposed Draft Revision of the Guidelines on Measurement 
Uncertainty).
     Guidelines for establishing methods criteria for 
identification of relevant analytical methods.
    Responsible Agencies: 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, 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 Committee met 
November 26-30, 2007. The reference document is ALINORM 08/31/30. The 
following will be considered for adoption by the Commission at its 31st 
Session in June 2008.
    To be considered at step 5/8:
     Proposed Draft Appendix to the Guidelines on the Judgement 
of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures Associated with Food Inspection and 
Certification (N04-2004).

Certificates

    The committee is continuing work on:
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Conduct of Foreign Audit 
Team Inspections.
     Proposed Draft Generic Template for Health Certificates.
     Discussion Paper on the Need for Guidance for National 
Food Inspection Systems.
     Discussion Paper on the Need for Guidance on Traceability/
Product Tracing.
    Responsible Agencies: 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 25th Session is tentatively scheduled to be held in 
Paris, France, in April 2009. The Committee will continue to work on 
the following items:
     Proposed Draft Working Principles for Risk Analysis for 
Food Safety for Application by Governments.
     Proposed Draft Revised Code of Ethics for International 
Trade in Food.
     Recommendations from CCFICS related to the code of ethics.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Labelling

    The Codex Committee on Food Labelling drafts provisions on labeling 
applicable to all foods; considers, amends, and endorses draft specific 
provisions on labeling prepared by the Codex Committees drafting 
standards, codes of practice and guidelines; and studies specific 
labeling problems assigned by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. This 
Committee also studies problems associated with the advertisement of 
food with particular reference to claims and misleading descriptions. 
The Committee held its 36th Session in Ottawa, Canada, on April 28-May 
2, 2008. The reference document is ALINORM 08/31/22. The following 
items are to be considered by the 31st Session of the Commission from 
June 30-July 4, 2008.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Amendment to the Guidelines for the Production, 
Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods: 
Annex 1 (inclusion of Ethylene for Kiwifruit and Bananas).
     Draft Amendment to the General Standard for the Labelling 
of Prepackaged Foods: Quantitative Declaration of Ingredients.
     Draft Definition of Advertising in Relation to Nutrition 
and Health Claims (Draft Amendment to the Guidelines for Use of 
Nutrition and Health Claims).
    The Committee will continue to work on:
     Draft Amendment to the Guidelines for the Production, 
Processing, Labelling

[[Page 31955]]

and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods: Annex 1 (inclusion of 
Ethylene for Other Products).
     Draft Amendment to the General Standard for the Labelling 
of Prepackaged Foods (Draft Recommendations for the Labelling of Foods 
Obtained through Certain Techniques of GM/GE): Definitions.
     Proposed Draft Recommendations for the Labelling of Foods 
and Food Ingredients Obtained through Certain Techniques of GM/GE.
    The Committee agreed to undertake new work on:
     Amendment to the Guidelines for Production, Processing, 
Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods (rotenone).
     Revision of the Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling 
(Implementation of the Global Strategy for Diet, Physical Activity and 
Health).
    The Committee agreed to discontinue work on:
     Draft Amendment to the Guidelines for the Production, 
Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods: 
Annex 2--Permitted Substances: Table 3.
    Responsible Agencies: 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 and final 
responsibility is to provide such other general guidance to the 
Commission on matters relating to food hygiene as may be necessary. The 
39th Session of the Committee met in New Delhi, India, on October 30-
November 4, 2007. The relevant document is ALNORM 08/31/13.
    The following items related to the activities of the Codex 
Committee on Food Hygiene will be considered by the Commission at its 
31st Session in June 2008.
    To be considered for adoption at Step 5/8:
     Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Powdered 
Formulae for Infants and Young Children.
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Validation of Food 
Safety Control Measures.
     Annex II: Guidance on Microbiological Risk Management 
Metrics (annex to the Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of 
Microbiological Risk Management).
    To be considered for approval as New Work:
     Proposed Draft Annex on Leafy Green Vegetables Including 
Leafy Herbs (annex to the Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits 
and Vegetables).
     Proposed Draft Code of Hygienic Practice for Vibrio spp. 
in Seafood.
    To be considered for discontinuance of work:
     Application of Food Safety Metrics in Risk Management 
Decision Making--Pasteurized Liquid Whole Eggs (Annex to the Code of 
Hygienic Practice for Egg and Egg Products).
    The Committee will continue or begin work on:
     Annex on the Proposed Draft Microbiological Criteria for 
Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-eat Foods (Annex to the Guidelines 
on the Application of General Principles of Food Hygiene to the Control 
of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Foods).
     Annex II: Microbiological Criteria for Powdered Follow-up 
Formula and Formula for Special Medical Purposes for Young Children 
(Annex to the Code of Hygienic Practice for Powdered Formulae for 
Infants and Children).
     Proposed Draft Guidelines for the Control of Campylobacter 
and Salmonella spp. in Chicken Meat.
     Risk Analysis Policy of the Codex Committee on Food 
Hygiene.
    Responsible Agencies: 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 14th Session of the Committee met in Mexico 
City, Mexico on May 12-17, 2008. The relevant document is ALINORM 08/
31/35. The following items will be considered by the Commission at its 
31st Session in June 2008.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Codex Standard for Tomatoes.
     Draft Codex Standard for Bitter Cassava.
    To be considered at Step 5:
     Draft Codex Standard for Apples.
    The Committee will continue working on:
     Layout for Codex Standards on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
     Amendments to the Priority List for the Standardization of 
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
    New Work:
     Revision of the Codex Standard for Avocado.
     Proposed New Codex Standard for Durian.
     Proposed New Codex Standard for Chili Pepper.
     Proposed New Codex Standard for Tree Tomatoes.
    Discontinued Work:
     Draft Codex Guidelines for the Inspection and 
Certification of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Conformity to Quality 
Standards.
    Responsible Agencies: USDA/AMS; HHS/FDA.
    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 
(CCNFSDU) is responsible for studying nutrition issues 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 Committee met November 12-16, 2007, in Bad Neuenahr-
Ahrweiler, Germany. The relevant document is ALINORM 08/31/26. The 
following items will be considered by the 31st Session of the 
Commission in June 2008.
    To be adopted at Step 8:
     Draft Revised Codex Standard for Foods for Special Dietary 
Use for Persons Intolerant to Gluten.
     Draft Advisory Lists of Nutrient Compounds for Use in 
Foods for Special Dietary Uses Intended for Infants and Young Children.
    To be adopted at Step 5:
     Draft Nutritional Risk Analysis Principles and Guidelines 
for Application to the Work of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and 
Foods for Special Dietary Uses.
    The Committee will continue work on:
     Guidelines for Use of Nutrition Claims: Draft Table of 
Conditions for Nutrient Contents (Part B Containing Provisions on 
Dietary Fibre).
     Draft Advisory Lists of Nutrient Compounds for Use in 
Foods for Special

[[Page 31956]]

Dietary Uses Intended for Infants and Young Children: Part D Advisory 
List of Food Additives for Special Nutrient Forms: Provisions on gum 
arabic (gum acacia).
     Proposed Draft Recommendations on the Scientific Basis of 
Health Claims.
     Proposal for New Work to Amend the Codex General 
Principles for the Addition of Essential Nutrients to Foods (CAC/GL 09-
1987).
     Proposal for New Work to Establish a Standard for 
Processed Cereal-based Foods for Underweight Infants and Young 
Children.
    New Work:
     Additional or Revised Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) for 
Labelling Purposes; project document is available in Appendix VII of 
ALINORM 08/31/26.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/ARS.
    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 molluscs. The Committee met on February 18-23, 2008 in 
Trondheim, Norway. The relevant document is ALINORM 08/31/18. The 
following items will be considered by the 31st Session of the 
Commission in June 2008.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products (Live 
and Raw Bivalve Molluscs, Lobsters and Relevant Definitions).
     Draft Standard for Live and Raw Bivalve Molluscs.
    The Committee will continue to work on:
     Draft Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products 
(Crabs and Relevant Definitions).
     Draft Standard for Sturgeon Caviar.
     Proposed Draft List of Methods for the Determination of 
Biotoxins in the Draft Standard for Raw and Live Bivalve Molluscs.
     Proposed Draft Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery 
Products (other sections).
     Proposed Draft Standard for Quick Frozen Scallop Adductor 
Muscle Meat.
     Proposed Draft Code of Practice on the Processing of 
Scallop Meat.
     Proposed Draft Standard for Smoked Fish, Smoke-Flavoured 
Fish and Smoke-Dried Fish.
     Revision of the Procedure for the Inclusion of Additional 
Species in Standards for Fish and Fishery Products.
     Proposed Draft Standard for Fish Sauce.
     Amendment to the Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Sticks 
(Nitrogen Factors).
     Proposed Draft Standard for Fresh/Live and Frozen Abalone.
    Responsible Agencies: 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. The Committee held its 8th Session February 4-8, 2008, in 
Queenstown, New Zealand. The relevant document is ALINORM 08/31/11. The 
following items will be considered by the 31st Session of the 
Commission in June 2008.
    To be considered for adoption:
     Maximum levels for annatto extracts in Codex Standards for 
Milk and Milk Products, including consequential changes to the 
provision for beta carotene (vegetable).
     Food additive listings of the Standard for Fermented 
Milks.
     Methods of Analysis and Sampling for Milk and Milk 
Products Standards.
    At Step 8:
     Draft Model Export Certificate for Milk and Proposed Milk 
Products.
    At Step 5/8:
     Proposed Draft Amendment to the List of Additives of the 
Codex Standard for Creams and Prepared Creams.
    At Step 5:
     Proposed Draft Amendment to the Codex Standard for 
Fermented Milks pertaining to Drinks based on Fermented Milk .
    Other Committee Work:
     Proposed Draft Standard for Processed Cheese.
     Maximum levels for annatto extracts in Codex individual 
cheese standards.
     Methods of Analysis and Sampling for Milk and Milk 
Products Standards, including AOAC standards.
    Responsible Agencies: 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 hold its 21st Session in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on 
February 16-20, 2009. The Committee is working on:
     Proposed Draft List of Acceptable Previous Cargoes.
     Proposed Draft Criteria (Code of Practice for the Storage 
and Transport of Fats and Oils in Bulk).
     Proposed Draft Amendments to the Standard for Named 
Vegetable Oils: Total carotenoids in unbleached palm oil.
     Proposed Draft Amendment to the Standard for Olive Oils 
and Olive Pomace Oils: Linolenic acid.
     Proposed Draft Amendments to the Standard for Named 
Vegetable Oils: Inclusion of palm kernel olein and palm kernel stearin.
    Responsible Agencies: 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. The Committee will hold its 24th Session in Washington, DC, 
on September 15-19, 2008. The Committee is working on:
     Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Jams, Jellies and 
Marmalades.
     Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Certain Canned 
Vegetables.
     Proposed draft annexes specific to the draft Codex 
Standard for certain canned vegetables (proposed draft for Codex 
Standard for Certain Canned Vegetables).
     Project Document on Sampling Plan Including Metrological 
Provisions for Controlling Minimum Drained Weight of Canned Fruits and 
Vegetables.
     Proposed Layout for Codex Standards for Processed Fruits 
and Vegetables.
     Proposals for Amendments to the Priority List for 
Standardization of Processed Fruits and Vegetables.
     Methods of Analysis for Processed Fruits and Vegetables--
Aqueous Coconut Products.
     Food Additives Provisions for Processed Fruits and 
Vegetables.
    Responsible Agencies: USDA/AMS; HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters

    The Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters is responsible for 
elaborating standards for all types of natural mineral water products. 
The Committee was reactivated by the 30th Session of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission to address discrepancies of the health-related 
limits of certain substances between the Codex Standard for Natural 
Mineral Waters (CODEX STAN 108-1981) and the current version of the WHO 
Guidelines for

[[Page 31957]]

Drinking Water Quality. The Committee should complete the task in no 
more than two sessions and should propose a revised Section 3.2, 
``Health-related limits for certain substances,'' of the Codex Standard 
for Natural Mineral Waters for final adoption by the Commission at its 
Session in 2009. The 8th Session of the Committee for Natural Mineral 
Waters was held on February 11-15, 2008, in Lugano, Switzerland. The 
following items will be considered by the Commission at its 31st 
Session in June 2008.
    To be considered at Step 5/8:
     Proposed Draft Amendment to Sections 3.2 and 6.3.2 of the 
Codex Standard for Natural Mineral Waters (CODEX STAN 108-1981).
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Certain Codex Commodity Committees

    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.
 Sugars.
Responsible Agencies: USDA/ARS; HHS/FDA.
U.S. Participation: Yes.
 Vegetable Proteins.
Responsible Agencies: USDA/ARS; HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
 Cereals, Pulses and Legumes.
Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/GIPSA.
U.S. Participation: Yes.

Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance

    The ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance 
was created by the 29th Session of the Commission. The Task Force, 
hosted by the Republic of Korea, has a time frame of four sessions, 
which started with its first meeting in October 2007. Its objective is 
to develop science-based guidance to assess the risks to human health 
associated with the presence in food and feed, including aquaculture, 
of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance 
genes and to develop appropriate risk management advice based on that 
assessment to reduce such risk. The first session of the Committee met 
in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on October 23-26, 2007. The relevant 
document is Alinorm 08/31/42. The following items will be considered by 
the Commission at its 31st Session in June 2008:
    To be considered for approval:
     Proposed Amendments to the Terms of Reference of the Codex 
ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance.
    The Committee will continue to work on:
     Proposed Draft Risk Assessment Guidance Regarding 
Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistant Microorganisms.
     Proposed Draft Risk Management Guidance to Contain 
Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistant Microorganisms.
     Proposed Draft Guidance on Creating Risk Profiles for 
Antimicrobial Resistant Foodborne Microoganisms for Setting Risk 
Assessment and Management Priorities.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    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 Task Force, 
established by the 23rd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission 
for a four-year period of time, completed its work, but was re-
established at the 27th Session of the Commission. The relevant 
document is ALINORM 08/31/34. The Committee held its 7th Session in 
Chiba, Japan, September 24-28, 2007. The following are to be considered 
at Step 5/8 by the Commission at its 31st Session in June 2008.
     Proposed Draft Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety 
Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Animals.
     Proposed Draft Annex: Food Safety Assessment of Foods 
Derived from Recombinant-DNA Plants Modified for Nutritional or Health 
Benefits.
     Proposed Draft Annex: Food Safety Assessment in Situations 
of Low-level Presence of Recombinant-DNA Plant Material in Foods.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/APHIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on the Processing and Handling of 
Quick Frozen Foods

    The Ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on the Processing and 
Handling of Quick Frozen Foods was created by the 29th Session of the 
Codex Alimentarius Commission to resolve all outstanding issues, 
including the quality and safety provisions, of the Code of Practice 
for the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods. The Task Force, 
hosted by Thailand, was given two years to finalize the Code. Thailand 
and the United States prepared a Circular Letter requesting comments on 
a revised Code. The resulting document prepared from these comments 
served as the basis for discussion at the Session of the Task Force 
that took place on February 25-29, 2008. The following item will be 
considered by the 31st Session of the Commission in June 2008:
    To be considered at Step 5/8:
     Proposed draft Recommended International Code of Practice 
for the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods.
    Responsible Agencies: FDA/HHS, USDA/AMS.
    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

[[Page 31958]]

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 (CCNASWP) is responsible for defining 
problems and needs concerning food standards and food control of all 
Codex member countries of the region. The next session of the committee 
is tentatively scheduled for October 27-30, 2008 in Tonga. Items on the 
agenda for the next meeting may include:
     Draft new Strategic Plan for CCNASWP.
     Report of the Electronic Working Group on Objective 6 of 
the Strategic Plan (on promoting the development of standards for food 
products produced in Pacific Island countries).
     Discussion Paper on the Development of a Standard for 
Kava.
     Discussion Paper on the Development of a Standard for Nonu 
(Noni) Products.
     Progress Report: Joint FAO/WHO Evaluation of the Codex 
Alimentarius and other FAO and WHO Work on Food Standards.
     Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Trust Fund for the 
participation of developing countries in Codex.
     Nomination of 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 4861, South Building, Washington, 
DC 20250-3700, Phone: (202) 205-7760, Fax: (202) 720-3157, 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. Bernadette Dunham, Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, 
7519 Standish Place (MPN4), Rockville, MD 20855, Phone: (240) 276-9000, 
Fax: (240) 276-9001, E-mail: Bernadette.dunham@fda.hhs.gov.
Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (adjourned sine die)
Vacant.
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, Steven D. Vaughn, D.V.M., 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, Emilio Esteban, PhD, Laboratory Director, Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, 950 College 
Station Road, Athens, Georgia 30605, Phone: (706) 546-3429, Fax: (706) 
546-3428, Emilio.Esteban@fsis.usda.gov.
Codex Committee on Food Additives
(Host Government--China)
    U.S. Delegate, Dennis M. Keefe, PhD, Office of Premarket Approval, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug 
Administration (HFS-200), Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint 
Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: (202) 418-3113, 
Fax: (202) 418-3131, E-mail: dennis.keefe@fda.hhs.gov.
    Alternate Delegate, Susan E. Carberry, PhD, Supervisory Chemist, 
Division of Petition Review, Office of Food Additive Safety (HFS-265), 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug 
Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, 
Phone: (301) 436-1269, Fax: (301) 436-2972, E-mail: 
Susan.Carberry@fda.hhs.gov.
Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods
(Host Government--the Netherlands)
    U.S. Delegate, Nega Beru, PhD, Director, Office of Plant and Dairy 
Foods (HFS-300), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and 
Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, 
Phone: (301) 436-1700, Fax: (301) 436-2651, E-mail: 
Nega.Beru@fda.hhs.gov.
    Alternate Delegate, Kerry Dearfield, PhD, Scientific Advisor for 
Risk Assessment, Office of Public Health Science, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 380, Aerospace Center, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 
(202) 690-6451, Fax: (202) 690-6337, E-mail: 
Kerry.Dearfield@fsis.usda.gov.
Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues
(Host Government--China)
    U.S. Delegate, 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, Robert Epstein, PhD, 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, Gregory Diachenko, PhD, Director, Division of 
Product Manufacture and Use, Office of Premarket Approval, Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Food and Drug Administration 
(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, Donald C. Kendall, Technical Services Division, 
Grain, Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 10383

[[Page 31959]]

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, Catherine Carnevale, D.V.M, Director, International 
Affairs Staff, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and 
Drug Administration (HFS-550), Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 5100 
Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: (301) 436-
2380, Fax: (301) 436-2612, E-mail: catherine.carnevale@fda.hhs.gov.
    Alternate Delegate, Mary Stanley, Director, Import Inspection 
Division, Office of International Affairs, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 2147-South Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720-0287, 
Fax: (202) 720-6050, E-mail: Mary.Stanley@fsis.usda.gov.
Codex Committee on General Principles
(Host Government--France)
    U.S.Delegate.

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

Codex Committee on Food Labeling
(Host Government--Canada)
    U.S. Delegate, Barbara O. Schneeman, PhD, Director, Office of 
Nutritional Products, Labelling and Dietary Uses, 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, Heejeong Latimer, Risk Analyst, Risk Assessment 
Division, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Rm. 333, Aerospace Center, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 
(202) 690-0823, Fax: (202) 205-3625, E-mail: 
Heejeong.Latimer@fsis.usda.gov.
Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
(Host Government--United States)
    U.S. Delegate, Robert L. Buchanan, PhD, Lead Scientist, Food Safety 
Initiative, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug 
Administration (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, Kerry Dearfield, PhD, Scientific Advisor for 
Risk Assessment, Office of Public Health Science, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Departme