Membership of the Commission 7 Annex 2

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^ ^ ^ ^ ^ W O R L D HEALTH ORGANIZATION

ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

EXECUTIVE BOARD

EB79/33

20 November 1986

Seventy-ninth Session

Provisional agenda item 20.3

COLLABORATION W I T H I N THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM：

CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION Report by the Director-General

In response to a request m a d e by a member of the Executive B o a r d , this report gives information on the nature and activities of the Codex

Alimentarius Commission, an intergovernmental body established in 1962 to implement the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme and whose dual objective is the protection of consumers' health and the facilitation of international trade in f o o d . It is an intersectoral and multidisciplinary p r o g r a m m e , involving m a n y areas besides the health sector. In m a n y c o u n t r i e s , h o w e v e r , the health sector is not as closely involved in the programme as would be desirable. The Board might therefore wish to consider h o w the participation of the health sector could be i n c r e a s e d , and how to take greater advantage of the work of the Commission.

CONTENTS

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Introduction 2 Codex standards, codes and guidelines 3

Acceptance of Codex standards and "maximum residue limits" 3 Health protection aspects of the w o r k of the Commission 4

Benefits derived from the work of the Commission 4 Utilization of Codex standards and recommendations by member countries 4

Future direction of the work of the Commission 5 Annex 1 . Membership of the Commission 7 Annex 2 . Structure of the Commission (chart) 8

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Codex c o m m i t t e e s d e a l i n g w i t h g e n e r a l subject m a t t e r s , such as food h y g i e n e and labelling; and

( 3 ) Coordinating c o m m i t t e e s dealing w i t h r e g i o n a l m a t t e r s : these are four in n u m b e r , and are k n o w n as the R e g i o n a l Coordinating Committees for A f r i c a , A s i a , E u r o p e , and L a t i n A m e r i c a and the C a r i b b e a n .

A list of the subsidiary bodies of C A C , with indication of the host g o v e r n m e n t , can be found in the o r g a n o g r a m attached as A n n e x 2 to this d o c u m e n t .

1 The Codex a l i m e n t a r i u s is a c o l l e c t i o n of internationally adopted food standards presented in a u n i f o r m m a n n e r . It also includes provisions of an advisory nature in the form of codes of p r a c t i c e , g u i d e l i n e s arid other recommended m e a s u r e s to assist in achieving the p u r p o s e s of the C o d e x a l i m e n t a r i u s . The p u b l i c a t i o n of the Codex a l i m e n t a r i u s is intended to guide and promote the e l a b o r a t i o n and establishment of definitions and requirements for f o o d s , to assist in their h a r m o n i z a t i o n a n d , in doing s o , to f a c i l i t a t e international t r a d e . EB79/33

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INTRODUCTION

1 . T h e Codex A l i m e n t a r i u s C o m m i s s i o n (CAC) was established in 1962 to implement the J o i n t F A O / W H O Food Standards P r o g r a m m e . T h i s programme was set up at that time following increased w o r l d w i d e interest in reducing n o n - t a r i f f barriers to i n t e r n a t i o n a l food trade and in

safeguarding the h e a l t h of the c o n s u m e r . This interest resulted in r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s by the e l e v e n t h session of the FAO C o n f e r e n c e and the twenty-ninth s e s s i o n of the E x e c u t i v e Board of W H O to establish the above p r o g r a m m e , the purpose of w h i c h is to protect the health of

c o n s u m e r s and to ensure fair p r a c t i c e s in the food trade; to p r o m o t e coordination of a l l w o r k on food standards u n d e r t a k e n by i n t e r n a t i o n a l g o v e r n m e n t a l and n o n g o v e r n m e n t a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s ; to determine p r i o r i t i e s and initiate and guide the p r e p a r a t i o n of draft standards through and w i t h the aid of a p p r o p r i a t e organizations； to finalize standards a n d , after a d o p t i o n by the C o m m i s s i o n , to p u b l i s h them in the Codex alimentarius^- either as

r e g i o n a l or as w o r l d w i d e s t a n d a r d s .

2 . T h e Commission is served by a joint FAO/WHO secretariat based at FAO in R o m e , w i t h the e x c e p t i o n of the W H O J o i n t Secretary in G e n e v a . T h e w o r k of the s e c r e t a r i a t consists of planning and o r g a n i z i n g , in c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s , the m e e t i n g s of the various Codex c o m m i t t e e s , o r g a n i z i n g the m e e t i n g s of the Executive C o m m i t t e e and the sessions of the C o m m i s s i o n , producing the v o l u m i n o u s d o c u m e n t a t i o n required for the m e e t i n g s , and scientific w o r k in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the process of i n t e r n a t i o n a l food s t a n d a r d i z a t i o n ,

3 . F u n d s initially c a m e from v o l u n t a r y c o n t r i b u t i o n s , particularly from the food and food c h e m i c a l i n d u s t r i e s , but it q u i c k l y became clear that the degree of i n t e r e s t shown by

g o v e r n m e n t s w a r r a n t e d support from the regular budgets of both O r g a n i z a t i o n s . From 1966 o n w a r d s , this support w a s established for the joint s e c r e t a r i a t , w i t h a cost-sharing

a r r a n g e m e n t w h e r e b y FAO and W H O p r o v i d e 75% and 25% respectively of the annual b u d g e t . FAO also p r o v i d e s a d d i t i o n a l substantial support largely in the shape of i n t e r n a l translation and printing of Codex d o c u m e n t s .

4 . I n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r g o v e r n m e n t s host and fund sessions of most Codex committees (see p a r a g r a p h 5 b e l o w ) . M e m b e r g o v e r n m e n t s are responsible for c o s t s incurred in participating in the w o r k of the C o m m i s s i o n . The joint FAO/WHO budget for the w o r k therefore remains l o w , as m o s t of the e x p e n s e s are borne b y its m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s .

5 . T h e Commission has established 27 subsidiary b o d i e s , k n o w n in the m a i n as Codex

c o m m i t t e e s . A l l these bodies a r e i n t e r g o v e r n m e n t a l in c h a r a c t e r , and m o s t of them are hosted and chaired by m e m b e r g o v e r n m e n t s w h i c h h a v e elected to u n d e r t a k e this responsibility at their own e x p e n s e . T h e subsidiary b o d i e s can be divided into three broad groups as f o l l o w s :

(1) Codex c o m m i t t e e s dealing w i t h specific food c o m m o d i t i e s :

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EB79/34 Add.l Page 3

C O D E X S T A N D A R D S , CODES A N D GUIDELINES

6 . A l m o s t 200 i n t e r n a t i o n a l standards have b e e n developed and a d o p t e d for individual food c o m m o d i t i e s . T h e s e are published as volumes of the Codex a l i m e n t a r i u s , and the w o r k is still going o n . A number of g e n e r a l s t a n d a r d s , as distinct from the c o m m o d i t y s t a n d a r d s , have also been d e v e l o p e d , such as those for the labelling of prepackaged f o o d s , and the labelling of food additives w h e n sold as s u c h . T h e s e are also published as v o l u m e s of the

Codex a l i m e n t a r i u s .

7 . M a x i m u m limits for pesticide residues in f o o d s , known as "maximum residue limits"

(MRLs), are being developed for a w i d e range of c h e m i c a l compounds in m a n y food c o m m o d i t i e s . These limits are published as a volume of the Codex a l i m e n t a r i u s . L i k e the s t a n d a r d s , they are submitted to g o v e r n m e n t s for acceptance after adoption by the C o m m i s s i o n .

8 . M a x i m u m levels for contaminants in foods - principally heavy m e t a l s _ have been established in Codex standards for v a r i o u s f o o d s . These levels h a v e n o w been amalgamated into one volume of the Codex a l i m e n t a r i u s for easy r e f e r e n c e . This list is not e x h a u s t i v e , and w i l l be supplemented as further C o d e x standards are adopted and as w o r k on e n v i r o n m e n t a l contaminants c o n t i n u e s .

9 . In the same w a y , m a x i m u m levels for food additives appear in m a n y of the standards and h a v e been published separately as a v o l u m e of the Codex a l i m e n t a r i u s . A g a i n , this list is not exhaustive and w i l l be supplemented in the light of future w o r k . As w e l l as m a x i m u m levels for food a d d i t i v e s , the C o m m i s s i o n has developed other g e n e r a l principles and guidelines in this a r e a , w h i c h form part of the same v o l u m e .

1 0 . Codes of h y g i e n i c / t e c h n o l o g i c a l practice h a v e been developed for a w i d e range of food c o m m o d i t i e s , along w i t h a Code of g e n e r a l principles of food h y g i e n e . Unlike the standards and m a x i m u m limits for p e s t i c i d e r e s i d u e s , these codes of practice are not subject to the acceptance procedure (see paragraph 13 b e l o w ) but are sent to governments as r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s of the C o m m i s s i o n . They are advisory in n a t u r e , and how they are used is the d e c i s i o n of the member c o u n t r i e s . These codes have also been published in the Codex a l i m e n t a r i u s , and a number of further codes are still in the process of being d e v e l o p e d (for e x a m p l e , o n

salvaging of damaged canned p r o d u c t s , on pre-cooked and cooked m e a l s in mass c a t e r i n g , and on production and processing of s p i c e s ) .

1 1 . A Code of practice for the o p e r a t i o n of radiation facilities used for the treatment of foods has also been adopted by the C o m m i s s i o n and p u b l i s h e d , together w i t h the Codex g e n e r a l standard for irradiated f o o d s , in a v o l u m e of the Codex a l i m e n t a r i u s .

1 2 . A Code of ethics for international trade in food has been developed and sent to

governments for i m p l e m e n t a t i o n in c o n s i d e r a t i o n of the fact that m a n y c o u n t r i e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y in the developing w o r l d , do not yet h a v e adequate food control infrastructures to protect consumers against h e a l t h risks in food and a g a i n s t f r a u d . Its o b j e c t i v e is to e s t a b l i s h standards of ethical conduct for the use of a l l those engaged in i n t e r n a t i o n a l trade in food or responsible for regulating i t .

ACCEPTANCE OF CODEX STANDARDS AND "MAXIMUM RESIDUE LIMITS"

1 3 . There are several m e t h o d s by w h i c h governments may accept C o d e x standards and m a x i m u m limits for pesticide residues ( M R L s ) , which h a v e been developed over a period of y e a r s . Under the General P r i n c i p l e s of the C o d e x a l i m e n t a r i u s , g o v e r n m e n t s m a y accept them in one of three ways: full a c c e p t a n c e ; target acceptance; and acceptance w i t h specified d e v i a t i o n s (or limited acceptance in the case of M R L s ) . The meaning of each type of acceptance and the obligations w h i c h g o v e r n m e n t s assume as a consequence of a c c e p t a n c e are too lengthy to go into h e r e , but are explained in the Sixth E d i t i o n of the P r o c e d u r a l M a n u a l of the C o m m i s s i o n . 1 4 . A c c e p t a n c e , or other u t i l i z a t i o n , of Codex standards and M R L s is i m p o r t a n t , as they are the result of a w i d e m e a s u r e of i n t e r n a t i o n a l agreement and c o o p e r a t i o n evolved over a period of y e a r s . They are compatible w i t h the norms considered by FAO and W H O as best g u a r a n t e e i n g the protection of the health of consumers and the facilitation of i n t e r n a t i o n a l trade in f o o d s . The Codex secretariat publishes at intervals "summaries of acceptance" for Codex standards and M R L s .

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H E A L T H P R O T E C T I O N ASPECTS OF THE W O R K OF THE COMMISSION

1 5 . T h e s e aspects are m a i n l y dealt w i t h in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the w o r k on food a d d i t i v e s , p e s t i c i d e r e s i d u e s , v e t e r i n a r y drug r e s i d u e s and other c o n t a m i n a n t s , food h y g i e n e , food i r r a d i a t i o n , n u t r i t i o n a l r e q u i r e m e n t s , l a b e l l i n g , and various r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s concerning foods for special dietary u s e s . Once a t e c h n o l o g i c a l need has b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d , the a p p r o p r i a t e Codex committees ensure that there is no k n o w n h e a l t h r i s k involved before endorsing the use of a substance or p r a c t i c e • In this c o n t e x t , the appropriate Codex c o m m i t t e e s rely to a large degree oil the a d v i c e of FAO/WHO s c i e n t i f i c bodies such as the J o i n t FAO/WHO E x p e r t C o m m i t t e e on Food A d d i t i v e s , the joint FAO/WHO m e e t i n g s on p e s t i c i d e r e s i d u e s , the J o i n t F A O / I A E A / W H O Expert C o m m i t t e e on the W h o l e s o m e n e s s of Irradiated F o o d , and the expert c o n s u l t a t i o n s and w o r k i n g groups on m i c r o b i o l o g i c a l criteria for f o o d s . BENEFITS D E R I V E D F R O M THE W O R K OF THE COMMISSION

1 6 . I n t e r n a t i o n a l l y agreed standards and codes of p r a c t i c e , w h e n i m p l e m e n t e d , contribute p o s i t i v e l y to c o n s u m e r p r o t e c t i o n in the f o l l o w i n g w a y s :

(1) c o m b a t i n g food spoilage through proper h a n d l i n g , s t o r a g e , p r o c e s s i n g , packaging and transport procedures and various m e t h o d s of food p r e s e r v a t i o n . These m e t h o d s i n c l u d e simple processes such as drying and s a l t i n g , as w e l l as m o r e advanced technology such as c a n n i n g , freezing and irradiation;

(2) m i n i m i z i n g foodborne diseases caused by biological and c h e m i c a l contamination;

(3) c o n t r o l l i n g a d u l t e r a t i o n , m i s r e p r e s e n t a t i o n and f r a u d u l e n t practices;

(4) assuring adequate n u t r i e n t c o m p o s i t i o n and availability in foods;

(5) providing important i n f o r m a t i o n to consumers on product i n g r e d i e n t s , s h e l f - l i f e , nutrients and handling p r a c t i c e s .

1 7 . In a d d i t i o n , the Commission and its subsidiary bodies offer an international forum to p r o m o t e m u t u a l u n d e r s t a n d i n g among c o u n t r i e s on matters related to h e a l t h , safety and

e n v i r o n m e n t a l p r o b l e m s , attended by n a t i o n a l representatives and experts of w i d e l y d i f f e r i n g d i s c i p l i n e s and backgrounds such as n u t r i t i o n i s t s and sanitary e n g i n e e r s , toxicologists and l e g a l e x p e r t s , m i c r o b i o l o g i s t s and m a r k e t i n g p e r s o n n e l . M o r e o v e r , the results of expensive and h i g h l y specialized scientific i n v e s t i g a t i o n s are m a d e freely a v a i l a b l e to a l l c o u n t r i e s , w h i c h is of particular benefit to those c o u n t r i e s w h i c h do not have the m e a n s of carrying out such w o r k t h e m s e l v e s .

1 8 . T h e r e are a number of m e a s u r e s that the Commission can take to aid its m e m b e r countries in their food s a f e t y w o r k - also at the l e v e l of primary h e a l t h c a r e . This m a y principally take the form of encouraging m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s , through the Codex r e g i o n a l coordinating c o m m i t t e e s , to e s t a b l i s h adequate food safety/food control p r o g r a m m e s w h i c h include the p a r t i c i p a t i o n of primary h e a l t h care w o r k e r s and the involvement of i n d i v i d u a l s , families and c o m m u n i t i e s . T h e Commission has requested the coordinating c o m m i t t e e s to m o n i t o r progress in this d i r e c t i o n in their respective r e g i o n s . It is anticipated that a formal monitoring process may e n c o u r a g e M e m b e r States to e n h a n c e n a t i o n a l efforts and technical cooperation in food s a f e t y .

1 9 . I n t e r n a t i o n a l s t a n d a r d i z a t i o n can e n s u r e improvement in technical communication and m u t u a l understanding； the f a c i l i t a t i o n of i n t e r n a t i o n a l e x c h a n g e of safe foods; the r e m o v a l of t e c h n i c a l barriers to trade； the transfer of scientific information; the protection of p r o d u c t s and c o n s u m e r c o n f i d e n c e , and the a s s u r a n c e of s a f e , sound and w h o l e s o m e foods in i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m e r c e .

U T I L I Z A T I O N OF C O D E X STANDARDS A N D R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S BY M E M B E R C O U N T R I E S

2 0 . A s indicated in paragraph 14 a b o v e , the Codex secretariat m o n i t o r s the a c c e p t a n c e of C o d e x standards and publishes the results periodically in a "summary of a c c e p t a n c e s " . A l t h o u g h steady progress continues to be m a d e as regards the receipt of a c c e p t a n c e s , some c o u n t r i e s still h a v e d i f f i c u l t i e s in a c c e p t i n g the s t a n d a r d s . The reasons for this are m a n i f o l d and c o m p l e x and are engaging the a t t e n t i o n of the C o m m i s s i o n . Several countries

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w h i c h h a v e d i f f i c u l t y in n o t i f y i n g f o r m a l a c c e p t a n c e of s t a n d a r d s h a v e indicated that they a r e prepared to p e r m i t e n t r y of p r o d u c t s in c o n f o r m i t y with the s t a n d a r d s . This is v e r y u s e f u l b e c a u s e it h e l p s to f a c i l i t a t e i n t e r n a t i o n a l trade and is a r e c o g n i t i o n that p r o d u c t s in c o n f o r m i t y w i t h C o d e x s t a n d a r d s are e s s e n t i a l l y w h o l e s o m e and safe f o o d s . T w o case studies - one in B r a z i l and the o t h e r in USA - h a v e b e e n i n i t i a t e d w i t h a v i e w to a s s e s s i n g the effects and b e n e f i t s of C o d e x s t a n d a r d s for these c o u n t r i e s . A r e p o r t on these two studies w i l l be put b e f o r e the s e v e n t e e n t h s e s s i o n of the C o m m i s s i o n in J u l y 1 9 8 7 .

2 1 . The m a j o r f a c t o r s i n h i b i t i n g some c o u n t r i e s from n o t i f y i n g a c c e p t a n c e and i m p l e m e n t a t i o n of standards i n c l u d e the f o l l o w i n g :

(1) Policy or l e g a l c o n s t r a i n t s : existing food laws m a y be u n s u i t a b l y framed for the i n c o r p o r a t i o n of C o d e x standards； or they m a y not be u p d a t e d w i t h s u f f i c i e n t r e g u l a r i t y to ensure the i n c o r p o r a t i o n of n e w l y a d o p t e d s t a n d a r d s ; or p r o b l e m s m a y be e n c o u n t e r e d w i t h the f o r m a t and c o n t e n t of C o d e x s t a n d a r d s . M a n y c o u n t r i e s t h e r e f o r e , h a v e to

adjust their n a t i o n a l l e g i s l a t i o n b e f o r e they can indicate any form of a c c e p t a n c e . This n e c e s s a r i l y takes t i m e and r e s o u r c e s .

(2) L a c k of f a c i l i t i e s : c o u n t r i e s m a y find t h e m s e l v e s w i t h o u t the n e c e s s a r y f i n a n c i a l or t e c h n i c a l i n f r a s t r u c t u r e to a s s e s s the s i g n i f i c a n c e of C o d e x s t a n d a r d s for the

purpose of i m p l e m e n t a t i o n and i n c o r p o r a t i o n into food l e g i s l a t i o n .

(3) L a c k of a w a r e n e s s of the b e n e f i t s to be d e r i v e d from C o d e x r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s .

2 2 . C o d e x r e c o m m e n d e d i n t e r n a t i o n a l codes of h y g i e n i c / t e c h n o l o g i c a l p r a c t i c e , w h i c h are not subject to any f o r m a l a c c e p t a n c e p r o c e d u r e but a r e offered in the f o r m of a d v i c e to m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s , h a v e b e e n q u i t e u s e f u l to some; f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n on their u t i l i z a t i o n is being d e v e l o p e d . A r e q u e s t to m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s was put out by the C o d e x s e c r e t a r i a t in F e b r u a r y 1985 for i n f o r m a t i o n on h o w the codes of p r a c t i c e w e r e used by n a t i o n a l r e g u l a t o r y

a u t h o r i t i e s and by i n d u s t r y . A l t h o u g h only a s m a l l number of r e s p o n s e s w e r e r e c e i v e d , they w e r e a l l very p o s i t i v e • A t the s i x t e e n t h s e s s i o n of the C o m m i s s i o n in J u l y 1 9 8 5 , a n u m b e r of other c o u n t r i e s s t r e s s e d the i m p o r t a n c e they a t t a c h e d to the c o d e s . T h e C o m m i s s i o n a g r e e d that countries should be e n c o u r a g e d to e m b a r k u p o n case studies of the e f f e c t of the c o d e s in improving c o m m o d i t y d i s t r i b u t i o n s y s t e m s . R e p o r t s on u t i l i z a t i o n of the c o d e s should be reviewed by the C o d e x r e g i o n a l c o o r d i n a t i n g c o m m i t t e e s .

2 3 . There is i n c r e a s i n g e v i d e n c e of the use of C o d e x s t a n d a r d s and c o d e s of p r a c t i c e in trade c o n t r a c t s e v e n in c o u n t r i e s w h i c h h a v e not f o r m a l l y accepted C o d e x s t a n d a r d s . This shows their g r o w i n g s i g n i f i c a n c e as an i m p o r t a n t and a u t h o r i t a t i v e r e f e r e n c e s o u r c e for trading and c o n s u m e r p r o t e c t i o n p u r p o s e s . M o r e o v e r , reports from some m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s to sessions of the C o m m i s s i o n and the r e g i o n a l c o o r d i n a t i n g c o m m i t t e e s m a k e it c l e a r that the C o d e x codes of p r a c t i c e are w i d e l y used for the drafting of n a t i o n a l codes of p r a c t i c e . It should not be a s s u m e d , h o w e v e r , that a l l C o d e x m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s a r e m a k i n g s u f f i c i e n t use of the Codex m a t e r i a l , a l t h o u g h there is c e r t a i n l y evidence that d i f f i c u l t i e s are being

a d d r e s s e d and o v e r c o m e , and that g o v e r n m e n t s are changing their l a w s and p r a c t i c e s to be a b l e to respond p o s i t i v e l y to C o d e x r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s . It w o u l d also not be r e a l i s t i c to m e a s u r e the success of the C o d e x p r o g r a m m e s i m p l y in terms of the n u m b e r s of f u l l a c c e p t a n c e s received by the s e c r e t a r i a t , a l t h o u g h full a c c e p t a n c e w i l l remain the a i m . E n c o u r a g e m e n t from the W H O E x e c u t i v e Board for c o u n t r i e s to m a k e fuller u s e of C o d e x m a t e r i a l could p l a y a c r u c i a l role in f u r t h e r i n g the w o r k of the C o m m i s s i o n .

FUTURE D I R E C T I O N OF THE W O R K OF THE C O M M I S S I O N

2 4 . It is likely that the m a j o r i t y of the C o d e x c o m m o d i t y c o m m i t t e e s w i l l complete their w o r k in the c u r r e n t d e c a d e and be a d j o u r n e d sine d i e . T h e seven C o d e x g e n e r a l subject c o m m i t t e e s , h o w e v e r , h a v e a c t i v i t i e s w h i c h w i l l r e q u i r e their c o n t i n u a t i o n , and the r e g i o n a l coordinating c o m m i t t e e s w i l l c o n t i n u e to m e e t a n n u a l l y or b i e n n i a l l y a c c o r d i n g to p r a c t i c e . 2 5 . A number of p o s s i b l e n e w areas for i n t e r n a t i o n a l s t a n d a r d i z a t i o n include t r o p i c a l fresh fruits and v e g e t a b l e s , c h i l l e d f o o d s and a l c o h o l i c b e v e r a g e s . It w i l l be for the C o m m i s s i o n to d e c i d e w h e t h e r or not to u n d e r t a k e w o r k in these a r e a s . The l a t e s t Codex g e n e r a l subject c o m m i t t e e , on r e s i d u e s of v e t e r i n a r y drugs in f o o d s , e s t a b l i s h e d in 1 9 8 5 , has only just b e g u n its extensive t a s k . W o r k on m e t h o d s of sampling is also still in the early stages and m a y

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r e q u i r e the e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a separate Codex c o m m i t t e e , on s a m p l i n g , to expedite p r o g r e s s . F u r t h e r w o r k is expected oil the n u t r i t i o n a l aspects of the C o m m i s s i o n ' s a c t i v i t i e s , in the f r a m e w o r k of the Codex c o m m i t t e e on foods for special dietary u s e s . Greater emphasis should be laid on food s a f e t y , p a r t i c u l a r l y through the m e a n s of the r e g i o n a l coordinating

c o m m i t t e e s . H i g h p r i o r i t y also has to be g i v e n to the establishment of a new Codex c o m m i t t e e dealing w i t h e n v i r o n m e n t a l c o n t a m i n a n t s (including radionuclides and m y c o t o x i n s ) .

2 6 . L a s t but not l e a s t , the Codex A l i m e n t a r i u s Commission w i l l have to continue and

i n t e n s i f y its e f f o r t s to p r o m o t e g r e a t e r a c c e p t a n c e and i m p l e m e n t a t i o n by countries of Codex s t a n d a r d s , m a x i m u m residue l i m i t s , and other r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s , and in m a k i n g better k n o w n t h r o u g h o u t the United N a t i o n s system and the world in g e n e r a l its aims and o b j e c t i v e s .

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MEMBERSHIP OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION*

AFRICA ASIA EUROPE LATIN AMERICA NORTH AMERICA

5.

6.

7 . 8.

19.

20.

21.

22.

2 3 . 2 4 . 2 5 . 26.

2 7 . 2 8 . 29.

3 0 . 31.

3 2 . 3 3 . 3 4 . 3 5 . 3 6 . 3 7 . 3 8 . 39.

A O .

Algeria Benin Botswana Burkino Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African

Republic Chad Congo Egypt Ethiopia G a b o n Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Côte d'Ivoire Kenya

Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab

Jamahiraya Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Nigeria Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Sudan Swaziland United Republic

of Tanzania Togo

Tunisia Uganda Zaire Zambia Zimbabwe

41. Bahrain 4 2 . Bangladesh 4 3 . Burma 4 4 . China

4 5 . Democratic Kampuchea 4 6 . India

4 7 . Indonesia 48. Iran (Islamic

Republic of) 4 9 . Iraq

5 0 . Japan 51. Jordan

52. Democratic People's Republic of Korea 5 3 . Republic of Korea 5 4 . Kuwait

5 5 . Lebanon 5 6 . Malaysia 5 7 . Nepal 58. Oman 59. Pakistan 6 0 . Philippines 6 1 . Qatar 62. Saudi Arabia 6 3 . Singapore 6 4 . Sri Lanka 6 5 . Syria 6 6 . Thailand

6 7 . United Arab Emirates 68. Viet Nam

69. Democratic Yemen

0 . Austria 1 . Belgium 2 . Bulgaria 3 . Cyprus 4 . Czechoslovakia 5 . Denmark 6 . Finland 7 . France 8 . Germany Federal

Republic of 79. Greece 8 0 . Hungary 8 1 . Iceland 8 2 . Ireland 8 3 . Israel 8 4 . Italy 8 5 . Luxembourg 86. Malta 87. Netherlands 8 8 . Norway 89. Poland 90. Portugal 91. Romania 9 2 . Spain 9 3 . Sweden 9 4 . Switzerland 95. Turkey

96. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 97. Union of Soviet Socialist

Republics 9 8 . Yugoslavia

9 9 . Argentina 1 0 0 . Barbados 1 0 1 . Bolivia 1 0 2 . Brazil 1 0 3 . Chile 1 0 4 . Colombia 1 0 5 . Costa Rica 1 0 6 . Cuba

107 Dominican Republic 1 0 8 . Ecuador

1 0 9 . E l Salvador 1 1 0 . Grenada

1 . Guatemala 2 . Guyana 3 . H a i t i A . Jamaica 5 . Mexico 6 . Nicaragua 7 . Panama 8 . Paraguay 1 1 9 . Peru 1 2 0 . Suriname 121 Trinidad and

Tobago 1 2 2 . Uruguay 1 2 3 . Venezuela

1 2 4 . 1 2 5 .

Canada United of An

States

SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC 126.

1 2 7 . 128.

1 2 9 .

A u s t r a l i a F i j i N e w Zealand

Countries listed according to the regions of the C o m m i s s i o n .

ЕБ79/33

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STRUCTURE OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION

CODEX A L I M E N T A R I U S COMMISSION

S U B S I D I A R Y BOD丨ES OF T H E

F A O / W H O S E C R E T A R I A T

E X E C U T I V E C O M M I T T E E

RULE IX , I.(a) i

JOINT F A O W H O COV.MITTEE O F G O V E R N M E N T E X P E R T S

O N T H E C O D E O F P R I N C I P L E S C O N C E R N I N C

MILK A N D MILK P R O D U C T S

A D V I C E FROM O T H E R B O D I E S

JOINT F A O / W H O E X P E R T

C O M M I T T E E O N F O O P A D D I T I V E S

J O I N T F A O ' I A E A / W H O / E X P E R T _

C O M M I T T E E O N F O O D “ I R R A D I A T I O N

JOINT F A O / W H O

MEET丨NC O N “ P E S T I C I D E R E S I D U E S

R U L E IX l ( b ) . l

I RULE IX I l . ( b ) .2

• WORLD-WIDE G E N E R A L

’ S U B J E C T C O D E X C O M M I T T E E S

WORLD-WIDE C O M M O D I T Y C O D E X

C O M M I T T E E S

R E G I O N A L C O D E X C O M M I T T E E S

R E G I O N A L : 0 - 0 R D I N A T I N C

C O M M I T T E E S

• J O I N T U . N . E . C . E . -CODEXJ I A L I M E N T A R I U S C R O U P S |

T

RESIDUES OF V E T E R I N A R Y D R U C S IN FOOC

( U S A )

A D D I T I V E S (Netherlands)

P E S T I C I D E R E S I D U E S (Netherlands)

A N A L Y S I S A N D S A M P L I N G

(Hungary)

: C O C O A P R O D U C T S A N D C H O C O L A T E

(Switzerland)

S U G A R S (United Kingdom)

C E N E R A L P R I N C I P L E S

(France)

P R O C E S S E D F R U I T S A N D V E G E T A B L E S

( U . S . A . )

L A B E L L I N G

F A T S A N D O I L S (United Kingdcir.)

• E D I B L E ICES (Sweden)

f S O U P S A N D B R O T H S (Switzerland)

F O O D S D I E T

• O R S P E C I A L A R Y USES ( F e d . R sp. Germany) FISH A N D F I S H E R Y

P R O D U C T S (Norway) V E C E T A B L E

P R O T E I N S (Canada)

• N A T U R A L M I N E R A L W A T E R S (Switzerland)

A F R I C A

• N A T U R A L M I N E R A L W A T E R S (Switzerland)

A S I A A S I A

E U R O P E E U R O P E

M E A T HYC丨ENE (New Zealand)

P R O C E S S E D M E A T A N D P O U L T R Y P R O D U C T S

(Denmark )

L A T I N A M E R I C A

t THE C A R I B B E A N

C E R E A L S , P U L S E S A N D L E C U M E S

( U . S . A . )

EB79/33

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