International Standard-Setting Activities, 36984-36994 [2012-15002]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36984-36994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15002]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2012-0017]


International Standard-Setting Activities

AGENCY: Office of Food Safety, 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

[[Page 36985]]

covers the time periods from June 1, 2011, to May 31, 2012, and June 1, 
2012, to May 31, 2013, seeks comments on standards under consideration 
and recommendations for new standards.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice. Comments may be submitted by one 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. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
     Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots 
Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8-163A, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700.
     Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots 
Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 8-163A, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2012-0017. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to https://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, go 
to the FSIS Docket Room at Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 8-
164, Washington, DC 20250-3700 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Stuck, United States Manager for 
Codex, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Food Safety, Room 
4861, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-3700; phone: (202) 205-7760; fax: (202) 720-3157; 
email: USCodex@fsis.usda.gov.
    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 of this notice.) 
Documents pertaining to Codex and specific committee agendas are 
accessible via the World Wide Web at https://www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-reports/en/. 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 the 
SPS standard-setting activities of each international standard-setting 
organization. The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated to the Office 
of Food Safety the responsibility to inform the public of the SPS 
standard-setting activities of Codex. The Office of Food Safety has, in 
turn, assigned the responsibility for informing the public of the SPS 
standard-setting activities of Codex to the U.S. Codex Office.
    Codex was created in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the 
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health 
Organization (WHO). Codex is the principal international organization 
for establishing standards for food. 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 practices in the food trade, and promote coordination of food 
standards work undertaken by international governmental and 
nongovernmental organizations. In the United States, U.S. Codex 
activities are managed and carried out by the United States Department 
of Agriculture (USDA); the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC); and 
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    As the agency responsible for informing the public of the SPS 
standard-setting activities of Codex, the Office of Food Safety 
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 the standards listed in attachment 1, please 
contact the Codex delegate or the U.S. Codex Office.
    This notice also solicits public comment on 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

[[Page 36986]]

information available through its Web page, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Codex_Alimentarius/index.asp. If you would 
like to access or receive information about specific committees, 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 (uscodex@fsis.usda.gov).
    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, 2011, to May 31, 2012, and June 1, 2012, to May 
31, 2013. Attachment 2 provides a list of U.S. Codex Officials 
(including U.S. delegates and alternate delegates). A list of 
forthcoming Codex sessions may be found at: https://www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-reports/en/.

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page 
located at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Federal_Register_Notices/index.asp.
    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. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic 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_&_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: June 15, 2012.
Karen Stuck,
U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius.

Attachment 1

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Activities of Codex

Codex Alimentarius Commission and Executive Committee

    The Codex Alimentarius Commission will hold its Thirty Fifth 
Session July 2-7, 2012, in Rome, Italy. At that time, it will consider 
standards, codes of practice, and related matters forwarded to the 
Commission by the general subject committees, commodity committees, and 
ad hoc Task Forces for adoption as Codex standards and guidance. The 
Commission will also consider the implementation status of the Codex 
Strategic Plan, 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 financial and budgetary issues.
    Prior to the Commission meeting, the Executive Committee will meet 
at its Sixty-seventh Session on June 26-29, 2012. It is composed of the 
chairperson; vice-chairpersons; seven members elected from the 
Commission from each of the following geographic regions: Africa, Asia, 
Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Near East, North America, and 
South-West Pacific; and regional coordinators from the six regional 
committees. The United States is the elected representative from North 
America. The Executive Committee will conduct a critical review of the 
elaboration of Codex standards; consider applications from 
international non-governmental organizations for observer status in 
Codex; consider the Codex Strategic Plan and the capacity of the 
Secretariat; review matters arising from reports of Codex Committees 
and proposals for new work; and review the Food and Agriculture 
Organization and the World Health Organisation (FAO/WHO) Trust Fund for 
Enhanced Participation in Codex.
    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 
(CCRVDF) 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 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 Residue Limit (MRL) for Residues of Veterinary 
Drugs 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 MRL 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 MRL also takes into account other 
relative public health risks as well as food technological aspects.
    When establishing an MRL, consideration is also given to residues 
that occur in food of plant origin or the environment. Furthermore, the 
MRL may be reduced to be consistent with good veterinary 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, which can be 
ingested daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.
    The 20th Session of the Committee met in San Juan, Puerto, Rico, on 
May 7-11, 2012. The reference document is REP12/RVDF. The results of 
the 20th session of the CCRVDF will be considered by the Commission at 
the 35th Session in July 2012.
    To be considered for adoption:
     Proposed revision of the Risk Analysis Principles Applied 
by the CCRVDF and the Risk Assessment Policy for Residues of Veterinary 
Drugs in Foods.
    To be considered for final adoption at Step 8 or 5/8:
     Draft MRLs for narasin (cattle tissues) at Step 8.
     Proposed draft MRLs for amoxicillin (cattle, sheep and pig 
tissues and cattle and sheep milk) and monensin (cattle liver) at Step 
5/8.
     Proposed draft Sampling Plans for Residue Control for 
Aquatic Animal Products and Derived Edible Products of Aquatic Origin 
at Step 5/8.

[[Page 36987]]

    The Committee will continue work on the following:
     Proposed draft MRLs for monepantel (sheep tissues).
     Proposed draft Maximum Residue Limits for apramycin 
(cattle and chicken kidney), derquantel (sheep tissues).
     Proposed draft guidelines on Performance Characteristics 
for Multi-residue Methods.
     Priority List of Veterinary Drugs for Evaluation or Re-
evaluation by JECFA.
     Risk Management Recommendations for Residues of Veterinary 
Drugs for which no ADI and/or MRLs has been recommended by JECFA due to 
Specific Human Health Concerns.
     Proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference of the Codex 
Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods.
     Proposed concern form for the CCRVDF (format and policy 
procedure for its use).
     Risk Analysis Policy on the Extrapolation of MRLs of 
Veterinary Drugs to Additional Species and Tissues.
     Draft Priority List of Veterinary Drugs Requiring 
Evaluation or Re-Evaluation by JECFA.
     Database on countries needs for MRLs.
     Discussion paper on Guidelines on the Establishment of 
MRLs or other Limits in Honey.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA/CVM; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods

    The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) establishes or 
endorses permitted maximum levels (ML) and, where necessary, revises 
existing guidelines 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; considers and elaborates 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 subjects; 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 Sixth Session in Maastricht, The 
Netherlands, from March 26-30, 2012. The relevant document is REP12/CF. 
The following items are to be considered for adoption by the 35th 
Session of the Commission in July 2012. To be considered for adoption:
     Risk Analysis Principles Applied by the Codex Committee on 
Contaminants in Foods.
     Revision of the Code of Practice for Source Directed 
Measures to Reduce Contamination of Food with Chemicals.
     Revised definition of Contaminant.
    To be considered at Step 8:
     Draft Maximum Levels for Melamine in Food (Liquid Infant 
Formula).
    To be considered at Step 5/8:
     Proposed draft Maximum Level for Total Aflatoxins in Dried 
Figs, including Sampling Plan.
    The Committee is continuing work on the following:
     Proposed draft Maximum Levels for Arsenic in Rice.
     Proposed draft Maximum Levels for Deoxynivalenol (DON) in 
Cereals and Cereal-based Products and Associated Sampling Plans.
     Editorial amendments to the General Standard for 
Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed.
    The Committee decided to begin new work on the following items 
(Pending CAC approval):
     Proposed draft Code of Practice for Weed Control to 
Prevent and Reduce Pyrolizidine Alkaloid Contamination in Food and 
Feed.
     Proposed draft revision of the Maximum Levels for Lead in 
Fruit Juices, Milks and Secondary Milk Products, Infant Formula, Canned 
Fruits and Vegetables, Fruits and Cereal Grains (except buckwheat, 
canihua).
    The Committee agreed to establish electronic working groups to 
prepare discussion papers on the following items:
     Proposed draft Annex for Prevention and Reduction of 
Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Sorghum to the Code of Practice for the 
Prevention and Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals.
     Proposed draft Code of Practice for the Prevention and 
Reduction of Ochratoxin A contamination in Cocoa.
     Proposed draft Code of Practice to Reduce the Presence of 
Hydrocyanic Acid in Cassava.
     Proposed draft Maximum Levels for cassava and cassava 
products.
     Proposed draft levels for radionuclide's in food.
     The possibility of developing a code of practice for the 
prevention and reduction of arsenic in rice.
     To identify the gaps in the Code of Practice for 
Prevention and Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals and the 
need for a separate code of practice for fumonisins in maize and 
whether there are any other measures to control fumonisins in maize.
     Discussion paper on management practices to reduce 
exposure of animals to pyrrolizidine alkaloids; to reduce exposure of 
food producing animals (livestock and bees) containing plants; and to 
reduce the presence of PA's in commodities (raw and processed).
     The review of the guideline level for methylmecury in fish 
and predatory fish.
     Aflatoxins in cereals.
    The Committee endorsed:
     The Priority List of Contaminants and Naturally Occurring 
Toxicants Proposed for Evaluation by JECFA and agreed to convene an 
inter-session working group immediately prior to its next meeting.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Additives

    The Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) establishes or 
endorses acceptable maximum levels (MLs) for individual food additives; 
prepares a priority list of food additives for risk assessment by the 
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA); assigns 
functional classes to individual food additives; recommends 
specifications of identity and purity for food additives for adoption 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission; considers methods of analysis for 
the determination of additives in food; and considers and elaborates 
standards or codes of practice for related subjects such as the 
labeling of food additives when sold as such. The 44th Session of the 
Committee met in Hangzhou, China, March 12-16, 2012. The relevant 
document is REP12/FA. Immediately prior to the Plenary Session, there 
was a 2-day physical Working Group on the General Standard for Food 
Additives (GSFA) chaired by the United States.
    The following items discussed at the Plenary Session will be 
considered by the 35th Session of the Commission in July 2012. To be 
considered for adoption:
     Principles for Risk Analysis applied by the Codex 
Committee on Food Additives.
    Title and descriptor of food categories 12.6.1 (Emulsified sauces 
and dips (e.g., mayonnaise, salad dressing, onion dip) and 16.0 
(Prepared foods)) of the GSFA.
    To be considered for adoption at Step 8:
     Specific draft food additive provisions of the GSFA.

[[Page 36988]]

     Proposed draft revision of the Standard for Food Grade 
Salt (CODEX STAN 150-1985).
    To be considered for adoption at Step 5/8:
     Specific proposed draft food additive provisions of the 
GSFA.
     Proposed draft amendments to the Codex Guideline on Class 
Names and International Numbering System for Food Additives (CAC/GL 36-
1989).
     Specifications for the identity and purity of food 
additives arising from the 74th JECFA meeting.
    The Committee has recommended work on the following items be 
revoked:
     Specific food additive provisions of the GSFA.
     Information on the Use of Food Additives in Foods (CAC/
MISC 1-1989).
     Listing of Potassium bromate (INS 924a) and Calcium 
bromate (INS 924b) in the Codex Guideline on Class Names and 
International Numbering System for Food Additives (CAC/GL 36-1989).
     Specifications for Potassium bromate (INS 924a).
    The Committee recommended the work on the following items be 
discontinued:
     Specific draft and proposed draft food additive provisions 
of the GSFA.
    The Committee will continue working on (with leads named, where 
appropriate):
     Draft and proposed draft food additives provisions of the 
GSFA.
     Amendments to the International Numbering System (INS) for 
food additives.
     Specifications for the identity and purity of food 
additives arising from the 76th JECFA meeting.
     Information document on the GSFA (Codex Secretariat).
     Information document on food additive provisions in 
commodity standards (Codex Secretariat).
     Information document on Inventory of Substances used as 
Processing Aids (IPA), updated list (New Zealand).
    The Committee agreed to establish electronic Working Groups, with 
the named lead countries, on:
     Revision of the Guidelines for the Evaluation of Food 
Additive Intakes (CAC/GL 3-1989) (Brazil).
     Application of the decision-tree on the alignment of the 
food additive provisions of commodity standards and relevant provisions 
of the GSFA (Australia).
     The GSFA (United States), including:
    [cir] Recommendations for the adoption, discontinuation and 
revocation of aluminum-containing food additives.
    [cir] Recommendations for the implementation of the horizontal 
approach to the provisions in Tables 1 and 2 for food additives listed 
in Table 3 with the technological function ``acidity regulator''.
    [cir] Elaboration of the horizontal approach for provisions in 
Table 1 and 2 for food additives listed in Table 3 with the 
technological function ``emulsifier, stabilizer and thickener''.
     Proposed prioritized list of colors for re-evaluation by 
JECFA (Canada).
     Criteria for entry of substances in the database on 
processing aids (New Zealand & China).
     Proposals for changes and additions to the INS (Iran).
    The Committee also agreed to hold a physical Working Group on the 
GSFA immediately preceding the 45th session of CCFA. The United States 
is preparing the following proposals that will be considered at the 
physical Working Group:
     Application of Note 188 (``Not to exceed the maximum use 
level for acesulfame potassium (INS 960) singly or in combination with 
aspartame-acesulfame salt (INS 962).'' to provisions for acesulfame 
potassium and Note 191 (``Not to exceed the maximum use level for 
aspartame (INS 961) singly or in combination with aspartame-acesulfame 
salt (INS 962).'') to provisions for aspartame.
     Provisions for nisin in the sub-categories of food 
category 08.0 (Meat and meat products, including game).
     New and revised food additive provisions of the GSFA.
     Food additive provisions in food category 16.0 (Prepared 
foods).
     Two provisions for aspartame-acesulfame salt.
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues

    The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) is responsible for 
establishing maximum limits for pesticide residues in specific food 
items or in groups of food; establishing maximum limits for pesticide 
residues in certain animal feeding stuffs moving in international trade 
where this is justified for reasons of protection of human health; 
preparing priority lists of pesticides for evaluation by the Joint FAO/
WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR); considering methods of 
sampling and analysis for the determination of pesticide residues in 
food and feed; considering other matters in relation to the safety of 
food and feed containing pesticide residues and; establishing maximum 
limits for environmental and industrial contaminants showing chemical 
or other similarity to pesticides in specific food items or groups of 
food.
    The 44th Session of the Committee met in Shanghai, China, on April 
23-28, 2012. The relevant document is REP12/PR. The following items 
will be considered by the Commission at its 35th Session in July 2012. 
To be considered for adoption at Step 8:
     Draft Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Pesticides.
     Draft revision of the Classification of Food and Animal 
Feed: Fruit Commodity Groups.
     Draft Principles and Guidance for the Selection of 
Representative Commodities for the Extrapolation of Maximum Residue 
Limits for Pesticides to Commodity Groups (Including Table 1: Examples 
of the Selection of Representative Commodities Fruit Commodity Groups).
    To be considered at Step 5/8:
     Proposed draft MRLs for Pesticides.
    The Committee will continue working on:
     Draft MRLs for Pesticides.
     Draft revision of the Classification of Foods and Animal 
Feeds: Herbs-Edible Flowers.
     Proposed draft revision of the Classification of Food and 
Animal Feed: Selected Vegetable Commodity Groups.
     Proposed draft MRLs for pesticides.
     Proposed draft MRLs for pesticides: Pilot project for JMPR 
recommendation of MRLs before national governments or other regional 
registration authorities for a global joint review chemical.
     JMPR resource issues in the provision of scientific advice 
to CCPR.
     Assessment of MRLs in Tea.
    The Committee Agreed to the following Electronic Working Groups:
     Proposed draft revision of the Classification of Food and 
Animal Feed: Other commodity groups.
     Proposed draft Table 2: Examples of the selection of 
Representative Commodities--Selected Vegetable Groups (Draft Principles 
and Guidance for Selection of Representative Commodities for the 
Extrapolation of Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides to Commodity 
Groups).
     Establishment of Codex Priority Lists of Pesticides 
(Evaluation of New Pesticides and Pesticides under Periodic Re-
evaluation).
     Application of proportionality in selecting data for MRL 
estimation.
     Revision of the Risk Analysis Principles applied by the 
Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues.
     Discussion paper on further development of the criteria to 
facilitate the establishment of maximum residue limits for pesticides 
for minor crops/specialty crops including other related matters.

[[Page 36989]]

     Discussion paper on the development of performance 
criteria for suitability assessment of methods of analysis for 
pesticide residues.
    The following items have been recommended for Revocation:
     Codex Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides.
     Analysis of Pesticide Residues: Recommended Methods.
    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 (CCMAS) 
defines the criteria appropriate to Codex Methods of Analysis and 
Sampling; serves as a coordinating body for Codex with other 
international groups working on methods of analysis and sampling and 
quality assurance systems for laboratories; specifies, on the basis of 
final recommendations submitted to it by the bodies referred to above, 
reference methods of analysis and sampling appropriate to Codex 
standards which are generally applicable to a number of foods; 
considers, amends if necessary, and endorses as appropriate methods of 
analysis and sampling proposed by Codex commodity committees, except 
for 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; elaborates sampling plans and procedures, as may be 
required; considers specific sampling and analysis problems submitted 
to it by the Commission or any of its Committees; and defines 
procedures, protocols, guidelines or related texts for the assessment 
of food laboratory proficiency, as well as quality assurance systems 
for laboratories.
    The 33rd Session of the Committee met in Budapest, Hungary, March 
5-9, 2012. The relevant document is REP12/MAS. The following will be 
sent to the CAC for inclusion in the Procedural Manual:
     The definition of ``proprietary method'' and the criteria 
to be added to the Principles for the Establishment of Codex Methods of 
Analysis.
    To be considered for adoption at Step 5:
     The proposed draft Principles for Use of Sampling and 
Testing in International Food Trade (section on Principles).
    The Committee will continue working on:
     The proposed draft Principles for the Use of Sampling and 
Testing in International Food Trade (except for the section on 
Principles).
    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 responsible for developing principles and 
guidelines for food import and export inspection and certification 
systems, with a view to harmonizing methods and procedures that protect 
the health of consumers, ensure fair trading practices, and facilitate 
international trade in foodstuffs; developing principles and guidelines 
for the application of measures by the competent authorities of 
exporting and importing countries to provide assurance, where 
necessary, that foodstuffs comply with requirements, especially 
statutory health requirements; developing guidelines for the 
utilization, as and when appropriate, of quality assurance systems to 
ensure that foodstuffs conform with requirements and promote the 
recognition of these systems in facilitating trade in food products 
under bilateral/multilateral arrangements by countries; developing 
guidelines and criteria with respect to format, declarations, and 
language of such official certificates as countries may require with a 
view towards international harmonization; making recommendations for 
information exchange in relation to food import/export control; 
consulting as necessary with other international groups working on 
matters related to food inspection and certification systems; and 
considering other matters assigned to it by the Commission in relation 
to food inspection and certification systems.
    The 19th Session of the Committee met in Cairns, Australia, October 
17-21, 2011. The relevant document is REP12/FICS. The following items 
will be considered by the 35th Session of the Commission in July 2012. 
To be considered for adoption at Step 5:
     Proposed draft Principles and Guidelines for National Food 
Control Systems.
    The Committee is continuing work on:
     Proposed draft Principles and Guidelines for National Food 
Control Systems.
     Discussion paper on the burden of documentation required 
by multiple questionnaires directed at exporting countries.
     Discussion paper on monitoring regulatory performance of 
national food control systems.
     Discussion paper on the need for further guidance on food 
safety emergencies and on proposed changes to CCFICS texts on 
emergencies and rejections as they apply to animal feed.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; 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. The 
Committee also studies problems associated with the advertisement of 
food with particular reference to claims and misleading descriptions.
    The Committee held its 40th Session in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on 
May 15-18, 2012. The reference document is REP 12/FL. The following 
items will be considered by the 35th Session of the Commission in July 
2012. Items to be considered at Step 8:
     Draft definition for nutrient reference values for 
inclusion in the Guidelines for Nutrition Labelling (CAC/GL 2-1985).
     Use of ethylene for ripening of fruit for inclusion into 
Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of 
Organically Produced Foods (CAC/GL 32-1999).
    Items to be considered at Step 5:
     New Section 7.2 Non-Addition of Sodium Salts in the 
proposed draft revision of the Guidelines for Use of Nutrition and 
Health Claims (CAC/GL 23-1997).
    Items to be considered at step \5/8\:
     New Section 7.1 Non-Addition of Sugars in the proposed 
draft revision of the Guidelines for Use of Nutrition and Health Claims 
(CAC/GL 23-1997).
     New Section 7.3 Additional Conditions for Nutrient Content 
Claims and Comparative Claims (except for Section 7.2 Non-Addition of 
Sodium Salts at Step 5).
     Amend existing Sections 6.3 and 6.4 of the Guidelines for 
Use of Nutrition and Health Claims (CAC/GL 23-1997).
     New Section 6.5 for ``light'' in the proposed draft 
revision of the Guidelines for Use of Nutrition and Health Claims (CAC/
GL 23-1997).
     Amend existing sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 to mandatory 
nutrition labeling for

[[Page 36990]]

nutrient declaration for all prepackaged foods in the proposed draft 
amendments to the Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling (CAC/GL 2-1985).
     Use of ethylene as flowering agent for pineapples and for 
degreening of citrus for the purpose of fruit fly prevention for 
inclusion into Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and 
Marketing of Organically Produced Foods (CAC/GL 32-1999).
     Spinosad, Copper Octanoate, Potassium Bicarbonate for 
inclusion into Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and 
Marketing of Organically Produced Foods (CAC/GL 32-1999).
    The Committee is continuing work on:
     Use of ethylene as a sprouting inhibitor for onions and 
potatoes for inclusion into Guidelines for the Production, Processing, 
Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods.
     Organic Aquaculture for inclusion into Guidelines for the 
Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced 
Foods.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

    The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH):
     Develops basic provisions on food hygiene applicable to 
all food or to specific food types;
     Considers and amends or endorses provisions on food 
hygiene contained in Codex commodity standards and codes of practice 
developed by other Codex commodity committees;
     Considers specific food hygiene problems assigned to it by 
the Commission;
     Suggests and prioritizes areas where there is a need for 
microbiological risk assessment at the international level and develops 
questions to be addressed by the risk assessors; and
     Considers microbiological risk management matters in 
relation to food hygiene and in relation to FAO/WHO risk assessments.
    The Committee held its 43rd Session in Miami, Florida December 5-9, 
2011. The reference document is REP 12/FH. The following items will be 
considered by the Commission at its 35th Session in July 2012. To be 
considered for adoption:
     Proposed amendment to the Principles and Guidelines for 
the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Assessment.
     Proposed revision to the Risk Analysis Principles and 
Procedures Applied by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene.
    To be considered for adoption at Step 5/8:
     Proposed draft Guidelines on the Application of General 
Principles of Food Hygiene to the Control of Viruses in Food.
     Proposed draft Annex on Melons to the Code of Hygienic 
Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
    The Committee will continue working on:
     Proposed revision of Principles for the Establishment and 
Application of Microbiological Criteria for Foods.
     Proposed draft Guidelines for Control of Specific Zoonotic 
Parasites in Meat: Trichinella spiralis and Cysticercus bovis.
    The Committee agreed to the development of discussion papers on the 
following topics:
     Code of hygienic practice for low moisture food.
     New work and periodic review/revision of codes of hygienic 
practice.
    The Committee agreed to begin new work on the following, pending 
approval by the CAC:
     Revision of the Code of Hygienic Practice for Spices and 
Dried Aromatic Plants.
     Annex on Berries to the Code of Hygienic Practice for 
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
    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 worldwide standards and codes of practice as may be 
appropriate for fresh fruits and vegetables; for consulting with the 
UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards in the 
elaboration of worldwide standards and codes of practice, with 
particular regard to ensuring that there is no duplication of standards 
or codes of practice and that they follow the same broad format; and 
for consulting, as necessary, with other international organizations 
which are active in the area of standardization of fresh fruits and 
vegetables.
    The Committee will hold its 17th Session in Mexico City, Mexico, on 
September 3-7, 2012.
    The Committee will work on the following items:
     Draft Standard for Avocado.
     Proposed draft Standard for Pomegranate.
     Proposed draft Standard for Golden Passion Fruit.
     Proposed layout for Codex Standards for Fresh Fruits and 
Vegetables (including matters relating to point of application and 
quality tolerances at import/export control points).
     Proposals for new work on Codex Standards for Fresh Fruits 
and Vegetables.
    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 to it 
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 in cooperation with other committees where necessary; 
considers, amends if necessary, and endorses provisions on nutritional 
aspects proposed for inclusion in Codex standards, guidelines, and 
related texts.
    The Committee held its 33rd Session in Bad Soden am Taunus, 
Germany, on November 14-18, 2011. The reference document is REP 12/
NSFDU. The following items will be considered by the Commission at its 
35th Session in July 2012. To be considered for final adoption at Step 
5/8:
     Proposed draft Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). To be 
considered for adoption at Step 5:
     Proposed draft revision of the Guidelines on Formulated 
Supplementary Foods for Older Infants and Young Children.
    The Committee will continue working on:
     General Principles for Establishing Nutrient Reference 
Values for Nutrients Associated with Risk of Diet-Related Non-
communicable Diseases for General Population.
     Proposed draft Additional or Revised Nutrient Reference 
Values for Labeling Purposes in the Codex Guidelines on Nutrition 
Labeling.
     Proposed draft revision of the Codex General Principles 
for the Addition of Essential Nutrients to Foods.
     Proposed draft amendment of the Standard for Processed 
Cereal Based Foods for Infants and Young Children to include a New Part 
B for Underweight Children.
     Proposal to review the Codex Standard for Follow-up 
Formula.
     Proposed draft revision of the list of food additives.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/ARS.

[[Page 36991]]

    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Fats and Oils

    The Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO) is responsible for 
elaborating worldwide standards for fats and oils of animal, vegetable, 
and marine origin, including margarine and olive oil.
    The Committee will hold its 23rd Session in Malaysia, on February 
25-March 1, 2013. The Committee is currently working on the following 
items:
     Development of a Standard for Fish Oils.
     Proposed draft amendment to the Standard for Named 
Vegetable Oils: Rice Bran Oil.
    The Committee is also working in electronic Working Groups on the 
following discussion papers to be presented at the next Session in 
2013:
     New work proposal to add High Oleic Acid Palm Oil to the 
Standard for Named Vegetable Oils.
     New work proposal to amend the Standard for Named 
Vegetable Oils: Sunflower Seed Oils.
     New work proposal to include High Oleic Soybean Oil in the 
Standard for Named Vegetable Oils.
     New work to amend the campesterol levels listed in the 
Codex Standard for Olive Oil.
    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 (CCPFV) is 
responsible for elaborating worldwide standards and related text for 
all types of processed fruits and vegetables including but not limited 
to canned, dried and frozen products as well as fruit and vegetable 
juices and nectars.
    The 26th Session of the CCPFV will meet in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on 
October 15-19, 2012. The Committee will work on the following items:
     Matters referred to the Committee by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission and Codex committees.
     Proposed draft Codex Standard for Table Olives.
     Proposed draft Codex Standard for Certain Canned Fruits 
(revision of remaining individual standards for canned fruits) (Step 
4).
     Proposed draft Codex Standard for Certain Quick Frozen 
Vegetables (revision of individual standards for quick frozen 
vegetables) (Step 4).
     Proposed draft Sampling Plans including Metrological 
Provisions for Controlling Minimum Drained Weight of Canned Fruits and 
Vegetables in Packing Media (Step 4).
     Food Additive Provisions for Processed Fruits and 
Vegetables: Additional provisions for inclusion in selected adopted and 
under development standards.
     Matters relating to selected Codex standards for processed 
fruits and vegetables.
     Discussion paper on the possible extension of the 
territorial application of the Codex Regional Standard for Ginseng 
Products.
     Discussion paper on the development of a Codex Standard 
for Chemically Flavored Water-based Drinks.
     Status of work on the revision of Codex standards for 
processed fruits and vegetables.
    Responsible Agencies: USDA/AMS; HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Sugars

    The Codex Committee on Sugars is responsible for elaborating 
worldwide standards for all types of sugar and sugar products. The 
Committee had been adjourned sine die, but became active again 
following the request from Colombia at the 34th Session of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission (2011).
    The Committee has established an electronic Working Group (led by 
Colombia) to work on the following item:
     Standard for Panela
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Certain Codex Commodity Committees

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

Ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Animal Feeding

    The objective of the ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Animal 
Feeding (TFAF) is to ensure the safety and quality of foods of animal 
origin. Therefore, the Task Force develops guidelines or standards, as 
appropriate, on Good Animal Feeding practices. The Task Force was re-
activated in 2011 for the purpose of: (a) Developing guidelines, 
intended for governments, on how to apply the existing Codex risk 
assessment methodologies to the various types of hazards related to 
contaminants/residues in feed ingredients, such as feed additives used 
in feeding stuffs for food producing animals, and using specific 
science-based risk assessment criteria to apply to feed contaminants/
residues; and (b) developing a prioritized list of hazards in feed 
ingredients and feed additives for governmental use.
    The Committee held its 6th session in Berne, Switzerland, on 
February 20-24, 2012. The relevant document is REP 12/AF. The following 
items will be considered at the 35th session of the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission in July 2012. To be considered at Step 5:
     Proposed draft Guidelines on the Application of Risk 
Assessment for Feed.
    The Committee will continue working on:
     Proposed draft Guidance for Use by Governments in 
Prioritizing the National Feed Hazards (former Prioritized List of 
Hazard in Feed)
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees

    The FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees define the problems 
and needs of the regions concerning food standards and food control; 
promote within the Committee contacts for the mutual exchange of 
information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems arising 
from food control and stimulate the strengthening of food control 
infrastructures; recommend to the Commission the development of 
worldwide standards for products of interest to the region, including 
products considered by the Committees to have an international market 
potential in the future; develop regional standards for food products 
moving exclusively or almost exclusively in intra-regional trade; draw 
the attention of the Commission to any aspects of the Commission's work 
of particular significance to the region; promote coordination of all 
regional food standards work undertaken by international governmental 
and non-

[[Page 36992]]

governmental organizations within each region; exercise a general 
coordinating role for the region and such other functions as may be 
entrusted to it by the Commission; and promote the use of Codex 
standards and related texts by members.
    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 America and the Southwest

Coordinating Committee for Africa

    The Committee (CCAfrica) will hold its 20th session in Cameroon, 
from January 29-February 1, 2013.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Coordinating Committee for Asia

    The Committee (CCAsia) will hold its 18th session in Tokyo, Japan, 
from November 5-9, 2012.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Coordinating Committee for Europe

    The Committee (CCEurope) will hold its 28th session in Batumi, 
Georgia, from September 25-28, 2012.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean

    The Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean 
(CCLAC) will hold its 18th session in Costa Rica, from November 19-23, 
2012.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Coordinating Committee for the Near East

    The Committee (CCNEA) will hold its 7th session in Beirut, Lebanon, 
from January 21-25, 2013.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Coordinating Committee for North America and the Southwest Pacific 
(CCNASWP)

    The Committee (CCNASWP) will hold its 12th Session in Madang, Papua 
New Guinea, from September 19-22, 2012.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
    Contact:
Karen Stuck, United States Manager for Codex, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Office of Food Safety, Room 4861, South Agriculture 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700, 
Phone: (202) 205-7760, Fax: (202) 720-3157, Email: 
karen.stuck@osec.usda.gov.

Attachment 2

U.S. Codex Alimentarius Officials

Codex Chairpersons From the United States

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

Emilio Esteban, DVM, MBA, MPVM, Ph.D., Executive Associate for 
Laboratory Services, Office of Public Health Science, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 950 College Station 
Road, Athens, GA 30605, Phone: (706) 546-3429, Fax: (706) 546-3428, 
Email: emilio.esteban@fsis.usda.gov.

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

Richard Boyd, Chief, Defense Contract Inspection Branch, Processed 
Products Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Mail Stop 0247, Room 0726-South Building, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 
(202) 720-5021, Fax: (202) 690-1527, Email: richard.boyd@ams.usda.gov.

Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

    Steven D. Vaughn, DVM, Director, Office of New Animal Drug 
Evaluation, Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration, MPN 1, Room 236, 7520 Standish Place, Rockville, 
Maryland 20855, Phone: (240) 276-8300, Fax: (240) 276-8242, Email: 
Steven.Vaughn@fda.hhs.gov.

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

Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods

    (Host Government--the Netherlands)
U.S. Delegate
Nega Beru, Ph.D., Director, Office of Food Safety (HFS-300), Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 
5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (240) 402-
1700, Fax: (301) 436-2651, Email: Nega.Beru@fda.hhs.gov.
Alternate Delegate
Kerry Dearfield, Ph.D., Scientific Advisor for Risk Assessment, Office 
of Public Health Science, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Room 9-195, PP 3 (Mail Stop 3766), 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 690-6451, 
Fax: (202) 690-6337, Email: Kerry.Dearfield@fsis.usda.gov.

Codex Committee on Food Additives

    (Host Government--China)
U.S. Delegate
Dennis M. Keefe, Ph.D., Office of Premarket Approval, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (HFS-
200), Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, 
College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: (240) 402-1200, Fax: (301) 436-
2972, Email: dennis.keefe@fda.hhs.gov.
Alternate Delegate
Susan E. Carberry, Ph.D., Supervisory Chemist, Division of Petition 
Review, Office of Food Additive Safety (HFS-265), Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5100 
Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (240) 402-1269, 
Fax: (301) 436-2972, Email: Susan.Carberry@fda.hhs.gov.

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

    (Host Government--United States)
U.S. Delegate
Jenny Scott, Senior Advisor, Office of Food Safety, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5100 
Paint Branch Parkway, HFS-300, Room 3B-014, College Park, MD 20740-
3835, Phone: (240) 402-2166, Fax: (202) 436-2632, Email: 
Jenny.Scott@fda.hhs.gov.
Alternate Delegates
Kerry Dearfield, Ph.D., Scientific Advisor for Risk Assessment, Office 
of Public Health Science, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Room 9-195, PP 3 (Mail Stop 3766), 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 690-6451, 
Fax: (202) 690-6337, Email: Kerry.Dearfield@fsis.usda.gov.
Dr. Joyce Saltsman, Interdisciplinary Scientist, Office of Food Safety 
(HFS-317), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and 
Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, 
Phone: (240) 402-1641, Fax: (301) 436-2632, Email: 
Joyce.Saltsman@fda.hhs.gov.

[[Page 36993]]

Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification 
Systems

    (Host Government--Australia)
U.S. Delegate
Mary Stanley, Director, International Policy Division, Office of Policy 
and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Room 2925, South Agriculture Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720-0287, 
Fax: (202) 720-4929, Email: Mary.Stanley@fsis.usda.gov.
Alternate Delegate
H. Michael Wehr, Senior Advisor and Codex Program Coordinator, 
International Affairs Staff, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway 
(HFS-550), College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (240) 402-1724, Fax: (301) 
436-2618, Email: Michael.wehr@fda.hhs.gov.

Codex Committee on Food Labeling

    (Host Government--Canada)
U.S. Delegate
Barbara O. Schneeman, Ph.D., Director, Office of Nutrition, Labeling, 
and Dietary Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway (HFS-800), 
College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (240) 402-2373, Fax: (301) 436-2636, 
Email: barbara.schneeman@fda.hhs.gov.
Alternate Delegate
Jeffrey Canavan, Deputy Director, Labeling and Program Delivery 
Division, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.--Stop 5273, Patriots Plaza 3, 
8th Floor-161A, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (301) 504-0860, Fax: (202) 
245-4792, Email: jeff.canavan@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 Methods of Analysis and Sampling

    (Host Government--Hungary)
U.S. Delegate
    Gregory O. Noonan, Ph.D., Research Chemist, Division of Analytical 
Chemistry, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug 
Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, 
Phone: 240-402-2250, Fax: 301-436-2634, Email: 
Gregory.Noonan@fda.hhs.gov.
Alternate Delegate
David B. Funk, Deputy Director, Chief Scientist, GIPSA, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration, Technology & Science Division, 10383 Ambassador Dr., 
Kansas City, MO 64153, Phone: (816) 891-0473, Fax: (816) 891-8070, 
Email: David.b.funk@usda.gov.

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Food for Special Dietary Uses

    (Host Government--Germany)
U.S. Delegate
Barbara O. Schneeman, Ph.D., Director, Office of Nutrition, Labeling 
and Dietary Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Highway (HFS-800), 
College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (240) 402-2373, Fax: (301) 436-2636, 
Email: barbara.schneeman@fda.hhs.gov.
Alternate Delegate
Allison Yates, Ph.D., Associate Director, Beltsville Human Nutrition 
Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Bldg 307C, Room 117, Beltsville, 
MD 20705, Phone: (301) 504-8157, Fax: (301) 504-9381, Email: 
Allison.Yates@ars.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-
5447, Fax: (703) 305-6920, Email: rossi.lois@epa.gov.
Alternate Delegate
Dr. Pat Basu, Senior Leader, Chemistry, Toxicology & Related Sciences, 
Office of Public Health Science, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Patriots Plaza III, Room 9-205, 1400 
Independence Ave SW., Washington, DC 20250-3766, Phone: (202) 690-6558, 
Fax: (202) 690-2364, Email: Pat.Basu@fsis.usda.gov.

Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

    (Host Government--United States)
U.S. Delegate
Dr. Kevin Greenlees, Senior Advisor for Science & Policy, Office of New 
Animal Drug Evaluation, HFV-100, Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. 
Food and Drug Administration, 7520 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855, 
Phone: (240) 276-8214, Fax: (240) 276-9538, Email: 
Kevin.Greenlees@fda.hhs.gov.
Alternate Delegate
Dr. Charles Pixley, Director, Laboratory Quality Assurance Division, 
Office of Public Health Science, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 950 College Station Road, Athens, GA 
30605, Phone: (706) 546-3559, Fax: (706) 546-3452, Email: 
charles.pixley@fsis.usda.gov.

Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees (Active)

Codex Committee on Fats and Oils

    (Host Government--Malaysia)
U.S. Delegate
Martin J. Stutsman, J.D., Office of Food Safety (HFS-317), Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 
5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: (240) 
402-1642, Fax: (301) 436-2651, Email: Martin.Stutsman@fda.hhs.gov.
Alternate Delegate
Robert A. Moreau, Ph.D., Research Chemist, Eastern Regional Research 
Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, Phone: (215) 233-6428, Fax: 
(215) 233-6406, Email: robert.moreau@ars.usda.gov.

Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products

    (Host Government--Norway)
Delegates
Timothy Hansen, Director, Seafood Inspection Program, National Marine 
Fisheries Services, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
1315 East West Highway SSMC3, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 
(301) 713-2355, Fax: (301) 713-1081, Email: Timothy.Hansen@noaa.gov.

[[Page 36994]]

Dr. William Jones, Director, Division of Seafood Safety, Office of Food 
Safety (HFS-325), U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch 
Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (240) 402-2300, Fax: (301) 436-
2601, Email: William.Jones@fda.hhs.gov.

Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

    (Host Government--Mexico)
U.S. Delegate
Dorian LaFond, International Standards Coordinator, Fruit and 
Vegetables Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Stop 0235-Room 2086, South Agriculture Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0235, Phone: (202) 690-
4944, Fax: (202) 720-0016, Email: dorian.lafond@usda.gov.
Alternate Delegate
Dongmin (Don) Mu, Product Evaluation and Labeling Team, Food Labeling 
and Standards Staff, Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary 
Supplements, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch 
Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (240) 402-1775, Fax: (301) 436-
2636, Email: dongmin.mu@fda.hhs.gov.

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

    (Host Government--United States)
U.S. Delegate
Dorian LaFond, International Standards Coordinator, Fruit and Vegetable 
Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Stop-0235, Room 2086, South Agriculture Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0235, Phone: (202) 690-
4944, Fax: (202) 720-0016, Email: dorian.lafond@usda.gov.
Alternate Delegate
Paul South, Ph.D., Office of Food Safety, Center for Food Safety and 
Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch 
Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (240) 402-1640, Fax: (301) 436-
2561, Email: paul.south@fda.hhs.gov.

Codex Committee on Sugars

    (Host Government--United Kingdom)
U.S. Delegate
Martin J. Stutsman, J.D., Office of Food Safety (HFS-317), Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 
5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: (240) 
402-1642, Fax: (301) 436-2651, Email: Martin.Stutsman@fda.hhs.gov.

Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees (Adjourned)

Codex Committee on Cocoa Products and Chocolate (Adjourned Sine die)

    (Host Government--Switzerland)
U.S. Delegate
Michelle Smith, Ph.D., Food Technologist, Office of Plant and Dairy 
Foods and Beverages, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. 
Food and Drug Administration (HFS-306), Harvey W. Wiley Federal 
Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, 
Phone: (240) 402-2024, Fax: (301) 436-2651, Email: 
michelle.smith@fda.hhs.gov.

Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (Adjourned Sine die)

    (Host Government--United States)
Delegate
Henry Kim, Ph.D., Supervisory Chemist, Division of Plant Product 
Safety, Office of Plant and Dairy Foods, Center for Food Safety and 
Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch 
Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: (240) 402-2023, Fax: (301) 436-
2651, henry.kim@fda.hhs.gov.

Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene (Adjourned Sine die)

    (Host Government--New Zealand)
U.S. Delegate
    VACANT

Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products (Adjourned Sine die)

    (Host Government--New Zealand)
U.S. Delegate
Duane Spomer, Chief, Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness 
Branch, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 2095, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720-1861, Fax: (202) 205-5772, 
Email: duane.spomer@ams.usda.gov.
Alternate Delegate
John F. Sheehan, Director, Division of Plant and Dairy Food Safety, 
Office of Food Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (HFS-3 15), Harvey W. Wiley Federal 
Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: 
(240) 402-1488, Fax: (301) 436-2632, Email: john.sheehan@fda.hhs.gov

Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters

    (Host Government--Switzerland)
U.S. Delegate
Lauren Posnick Robin, Sc.D., Review Chemist, Office of Food Safety, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration, Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint Branch 
Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: (240) 402-1639, Fax: (301) 
301-436-2632, Email: Lauren.Robin@fda.hhs.gov.

Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins (Adjourned Sine die)

    (Host Government--Canada)
U.S. Delegate
    Vacant

AdHoc Intergovernmental Task Forces

Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Animal Feeding

    (Host government--Switzerland)
Delegate
Daniel G. McChesney, Ph.D., Director, Office of Surveillance & 
Compliance, Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration, 7529 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855, Phone: (240) 
453-6830, Fax: (240) 453-6880, Email: Daniel.McChesney@fda.hhs.gov.
Alternate
Dr. Patty Bennett, Branch Chief, Risk Assessment Division, Office of 
Public Health Science, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 901 Aerospace Center, Washington, DC 20250, 
Phone: (202) 690-6189, Email: patty.bennett@fsis.usda.gov.

[FR Doc. 2012-15002 Filed 6-15-12; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P