25 – 29 October 2010

CODEX - 25th Session of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

The 25th Session of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables reached the following conclusions:

MATTERS FOR ADOPTION/CONSIDERATION BY THE 34TH SESSION OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION

Proposed Draft Standards for Adoption at Step 5/8

The Committee agreed to forward:

• Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Desiccated Coconut (revision of CODEX STAN 177-1991) (para. 45, Appendix III);
• Proposed Draft Annex on Certain Mushrooms (revision of CODEX STAN 55-1981) (For inclusion in the Codex Standard for Certain Canned Vegetables) (para. 84, Appendix IV);
• Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Canned Bamboo Shoots (revision of CODEX STAN 241-2003) (para. 95, Appendix V);

Other Matters for Adoption

The Committee agreed to forward the Proposed Amendment to the Terms of Reference of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (para. 8, Appendix II);

Proposals for New Work

The Committee agreed to submit to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, through the Executive Committee, the proposals for the following new work on:

• Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Certain Quick Frozen Vegetables; and - Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Certain Canned Fruits (paras. 116-117).

Matters of Interest to the Codex Alimentarius Commission

The Committee agreed to:

• return the Proposed Draft Codex Standard for Table Olives (revision of CODEX STAN 66-1981) to Step 2 for redrafting, circulation for comments at Step 3 and further consideration at its next session (paras. 62-64);
• return the Proposed Draft Codex Sampling Plans including Metrological Provisions for controlling Minimum Drained Weight of Canned Fruits and Vegetables in Packing Media to Step 2 for redrafting, circulation for comments at Step 3 and further consideration with the understanding that if no compromise can be reached on a revised text work on this item will be discontinued at its next session (paras. 104-105);
• consider additional provisions for food additives in a number of processed fruits and vegetables at its next session (paras. 40, 63 and 107);
• request comments on provisions for packing media for pickled vegetables for inclusion in the Codex Standard for Pickled Fruits and Vegetables in view of the discontinuation of work on the Guidelines for Packing for Canned Vegetables for consideration at its next session (para. 122);
• include methods of analysis in the Codex Standards for Kimchi and Aqueous Coconut Products as endorsed by the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (para. 124);
• request comments on analytical methods for applesauce for inclusion in the Codex Standard for Canned Applesauce for consideration at its next session (para. 125);
• discontinue the Priority List for the Standardization of Processed Fruits and Vegetables (para. 118);
• consider proposals for new work on the possible extension of territorial application of the Codex  egional Standard for Ginseng Products and the development of a Codex Standard for Chemically Flavoured Water-based Drinks (paras. 120 and 129).

Matters of referred to other Codex committees

Executive Committee

• The Committee reasserted its previous decision not to develop any additional specific criteria for setting work priorities as the Criteria for the Establishment of Work Priorities were sufficient for establishing priorities for future work (para. 18).

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

• The Committee clarified several issues raised by CCMAS in regard to methods of analysis and sampling for processed fruits and vegetables i.e. application of sampling plans (AQL of 6.5) to lot acceptance for jams, jellies and marmalades and certain canned vegetables, determination of mineral impurities (sand) for canned vegetables (palmito) and determination of drained weight for preserved tomatoes (crushed styles) (paras. 10, 13 and 15).

Codex Committee on Food Labelling

• The Committee could not reach agreement on the type of advice to provide as there was a diversity of views on the issue of modified standardized common names (para. 21).

Codex Committee on Food Additives

• The Committee agreed to forward food additive provisions for desiccated coconut, canned mushrooms and canned bamboo shoots for endorsement by the CCFA including some general questions in this regard (paras. 36, 37, 38, 74, 76, 81, 89).