Background Paper
SUMMARY OF CODEX ALIMENTARIUS ISSUES
II. CODEX COMMITTEE ON FOOD ADDITIVES AND CONTAMINANTS (CCFAC)
1. General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA)
At the last CCFAC meeting, a GSFA quality control group was formed
to review the uses and levels of additives in the draft GSFA for
accuracy and to confirm technological need and maximum use levels.
The quality control group was reinstated to continue the quality
check on source data for additives.
The Committee agreed that the following additives would be sent
to the Commission for adoption in the GSFA: chlorine, chlorine dioxide,
beta-cyclodextrin, EDTAs, formates, propyl gallate, hexamethylene
tetramine, isopropyl citrates, microcrystalline wax, pimarisin,
polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol esters of fatty acids, quillaia
extract, and stannous chloride.
At the last CCFAC meeting, JECFA reported that mean intake estimates
for benzoates based on national food consumption data and national
standards did not exceed the ADIs. However, based on maximum uses
in the full range of food categories under the GSFA, there was a
potential to exceed the ADI for benzoates. JECFA suggested that
CCFAC examine whether some reductions in use might be achieved in
some food categories. In view of this report, CCFAC proposed deletion
of some uses. The proposed food additive uses of benzoates will
be circulated for comments.
The Committee discussed whether carriers are processing aids or
food additives, and questioned the relationship between levels of
food additives in commodity standards and the GSFA. Comments will
be requested on these issues.
In other decisions relative to the GSFA, the guidelines for the
development of maximum levels for the use of food additives with
numerical ADIs were advanced to Step 8 to be sent to the Commission
for adoption.
2. Contaminants and Toxins in Foods
The following contaminants and toxins are being considered, or
are scheduled to be considered by CCFAC: aflatoxin M1 in milk, ochratoxin
A in cereals and cereal products, zearalenone, fumonisins, lead,
cadmium, dioxins, and chloropropanols.
A maximum level (ML) of 50 ppb for patulin in apple juice and apple
juice ingredients in other beverages, and MLs for lead in several
products will be forwarded to the Commission for adoption.
3. Other Legitimate Factors
Some countries and Consumers International listed several factors
that they considered to be "other legitimate factors"
in the consideration of risk analysis. CCFAC did not endorse the
list; rather, it decided to ask the Executive Committee to clarify
the current status of other legitimate factors.
At its July meeting, the Executive Committee confirmed that responsibility
for a system-wide approach to the consideration of “other
legitimate factors” rested with CCGP and that no further action
on this matter should be taken by other Committees at the moment.
4. The Use of Colors in Foods
It was decided that there would be no further discussion on this
issue in this Committee.
5. Next Meeting
March 12 - 16, 2001.
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