FNSC3180 Food Microbiology, Chinese Univ of Hong Kong, by HS Kwan: Codex News

The U.S. Codex Program is an interagency partnership that engages stakeholders in advancing science-based food standards

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A reminder that the U.S. Codex Program's website is now located at www.usda.gov/codex. The U.S. Codex Office transitioned all materials to this new site address. The former site will only have a few specific redirects. Please make sure to go to www.usda.gov/codex for the most up-to-date information.

Public Meetings

Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF): The U.S. Codex Program is sponsoring a public meeting on April 1, 2019, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. EST to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions to be discussed at the 13^th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, April 29-May 3, 2019. The public meeting will take place in Meeting Room 1A003 at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD, 20740-3835. Documents related to the 13^th Session of the CCCF will be accessible via the internet at the following address: www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-reports/en.

Dr. Lauren Posnick Robin, U.S. Delegate to the 13^th Session of the CCCF invites interested U.S. parties to submit their comments electronically to the following email address: henry.kim@fda.hhs.gov.
Please register to attend by emailing Henry Kim (henry.kim@fda.hhs.gov) by March 25, 2019. Early registration is encouraged because it will expedite entry into the building, for which attendees should bring photo identification and plan for adequate time to pass through federal building security screening systems.
Attendees who are not able to attend in person, but who wish to participate, may do so by phone/conference call; please use the call-in number: 1-877-465-7975, participant code 906 083 160. You may also join by WebEx, using the link: fda1.webex.com/fda1/j.php?MTID=mf6edcb5be95e05520d460b404c5322bc; meeting number/access code: 906 083 160; and meeting password: rTEQAMG4.

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS): The U.S. Codex Program is sponsoring a public meeting on May 6, 2019, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EST to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions to be discussed at the 40^th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, in Budapest, Hungary, May 27-31, 2019. The public meeting will take place in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), South Building, Room 1452B, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. Documents related to the 40^th Session of the CCMAS will be accessible via the internet at the following address: www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-reports/en.

Dr. Gregory O. Noonan, U.S. Delegate to the 40^th Session of the CCMAS, invites U.S. interested parties to submit their comments electronically to the following email address: gregory.noonan@fda.hhs.gov.
Please register to attend by emailing Doreen Chen-Moulec (doreen.chenmoulec@osec.usda.gov) by May 4, 2019. Early registration is encouraged because it will expedite entry into the building, for which attendees should bring photo identification and plan for adequate time to pass through federal building security screening systems.
Attendees who are not able to attend in person, but who wish to participate, may do so by phone/conference call; please use the call-in number: 1-888-844-9904, participant code 512 6092.

Electronic Working Groups (EWG)

Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS)

Food Fraud: CCFICS invites members and observers to join an EWG, chaired by the United States (U.S.) and co-chaired by the European Union (EU) and the Islamic Republic of Iran, working in English, to further consider the role of CCFICS with respect to tackling the challenge of food fraud in the context of food safety and fair practices in the food trade. Individuals interested in working on the U.S. contributions to the EWG should contact Ken Lowery (ken.lowery@osec.usda.gov) by March 18, 2019. Other observers and countries should send their full contact details including participant's name, official title or position, organization or country, and email address via their Codex Contact Point (CCP) to ken.lowery@osec.usda.gov with a copy to uscodex@osec.usda.gov by March 22, 2019. As this EWG will operate on the Codex Online Forum, please note that when there is more than one expert, each country or observer organization shall designate one as their official representative to participate.

Requests for Comments

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

Codex Strategic Plan 2020-2025: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/21/OCS-CAC) requesting comments on revised draft Codex Strategic Plan 2020-2025. The CL is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Mary Frances Lowe (maryfrances.lowe@osec.usda.gov) by April 23, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted through their CCP using the Online Commenting System (OCS) (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by April 30, 2019.

Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF)

Priority List of Contaminants and Naturally Occurring Toxicants: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/11-CF) requesting comments on the Priority List of Contaminants and Naturally Occurring Toxicants for Evaluation by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The CL is available in English, Spanish, and French at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Doreen Chen-Moulec (doreen.chenmoulec@osec.usda.gov) by March 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted through their CCP by email to codex@fao.org by March 31, 2019.

Risk Analysis of Contaminants in Food where there is No Regulatory Level or Risk Management Framework: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/10-CF) requesting comments at Step 6 on the proposed draft Guidelines for Risk Analysis of Contaminants in Food where there is no Regulatory Level of Risk Management Established. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Doreen Chen-Moulec (doreen.chenmoulec@osec.usda.gov) by April 5, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted through their CCP by email to info@codexalimentarius.nl with a copy to codex@fao.org by April 10, 2019.

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH)

Histamine Control Guidance: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2018/92/OCS-FH) requesting comments on the alignment of the Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products with the Histamine Control Guide. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Marie Maratos (marie.maratos@osec.usda.gov) by May 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted through their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by May 31, 2019.

Food Allergen Management: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2018/93/OCS-FH) requesting comments at Step 5 on the proposed draft Code of Practice on Food Allergen Management for Food Business Operators. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Marie Maratos (marie.maratos@osec.usda.gov) by May 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted through their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by May 31, 2019.

Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL)

Labelling of Non-Retail Containers: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/13/OCS-FL) requesting comments at Step 3 on the proposed draft Guidance for the Labelling of Non-Retail Containers of Foods. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Mary Frances Lowe (maryfrances.lowe@osec.usda.gov) by March 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted through their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by March 31, 2019.

Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/14/OCS-FL) requesting comments at Step 3 on the proposed draft Guidelines on Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Mary Frances Lowe (maryfrances.lowe@osec.usda.gov) by March 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted through their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by March 31, 2019.

Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS)

Voluntary Third-Party Assurance (vTPA) Programmes: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2018/96/OCS-CCFICS) requesting comments at Step 5 on the Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Assessment and Use of Voluntary Third-Party Assurance (vTPA) Programmes. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Ken Lowery (ken.lowery@osec.usda.gov) by May 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted through their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by May 31, 2019.

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU)

Follow-up Formula: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2018/94/OCS-FH) requesting comments on the alignment at Step 5 on the Review of the Standard for Follow-up Formula: proposed draft scope, description, and labelling for follow-up formula for older infants. The CL is available in English, Spanish, and French at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Doreen Chen-Moulec (doreen.chenmoulec@osec.usda.gov) by May 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted through their CCP using the Online Commenting System (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by May 31, 2019.

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)

Classification of Food and Feed: The Codex Secretariat issued a series of Circular Letters (CL 2019/01-PR, CL 2019/02-PR, CL 2019/03-PR, CL 2019/04-PR, CL 2019/05-PR, and CL 2019/19-PR) requesting comments at Step 3 on various parts of the Classification of Food and Feed (CXM 4-1989). The CLs are available in English, Spanish, and French at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Marie Maratos (marie.maratos@osec.usda.gov) by March 15, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted via their CCP to ccpr@agri.gov.cn with a copy to codex@fao.org by March 20, 2019.

Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH)

Saffron: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/27/OCS-SCH) requesting comments at Step 5 on proposed draft Standard for Saffron. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Marie Maratos (marie.maratos@osec.usda.gov) by May 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted via their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by May 31, 2019.

Dried Floral Parts—Dried Cloves: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/26/OCS-SCH) requesting comments at Step 5 on proposed draft Standard for Dried Floral Parts—Dried Cloves. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Marie Maratos (marie.maratos@osec.usda.gov) by May 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted via their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by May 31, 2019.

Dried Leaves—Dried Basil: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/25/OCS-SCH) requesting comments at Step 5 on proposed draft Standard for Dried Leaves—Dried Basil. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Marie Maratos (marie.maratos@osec.usda.gov) by May 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted via their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by May 31, 2019.

Dried Roots, Rhizomes, and Bulbs—Dried or Dehydrated Ginger: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/24/OCS-SCH) requesting comments at Step 5 on proposed draft Standard for Dried Roots, Rhizomes, and Bulbs—Dried or Dehydrated Ginger. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Marie Maratos (marie.maratos@osec.usda.gov) by May 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted via their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by May 31, 2019.

Dried Oregano: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/23/OCS-SCH) requesting comments at Step 5 on proposed draft Standard for Dried Oregano. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Marie Maratos (marie.maratos@osec.usda.gov) by May 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted via their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by May 31, 2019.

Dried or Dehydrated Garlic: The Codex Secretariat issued a Circular Letter (CL 2019/22/OCS-SCH) requesting comments at Step 5/8 on proposed draft Standard for Dried or Dehydrated Garlic. The CL is available in English at the following link: www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/resources/circular-letters/en. If you are interested in having your comments considered in the U.S. response, please send them to Marie Maratos (marie.maratos@osec.usda.gov) by May 27, 2019. Comments by other observers and countries should be submitted via their CCP using the OCS (ocs.codexalimentarius.org) by May 31, 2019.

Calls for Data

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA): The 88^th Meeting of the JECFA on Veterinary Drugs invites Codex members and observers to submit data for the meeting that will be held in Rome, Italy, October 22-31, 2019. The call for data is posted on the FAO website at: www.fao.org/food/food-safety-quality/scientific-advice/calls-data-experts/en and the WHO website at: www.who.int/foodsafety/call-data/en. The deadline for data submission is April 15, 2019.

Other

4^th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs: The Delegate Report for the 4^th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) held in January 2019 has published. It is posted on the USDA website at: www.usda.gov/topics/trade/international-food-standards/codex-delegation-reports.