INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES
Communication from the Codex Alimentarius Commission
(codex)
The following communication,
received on 27 February 2022, is being circulated at the
request of the Codex secretariat.
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1 Codex meetings held since the last session of the SPS Committee (3‑5 November
2021)
1.1 44th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC44,
8 November – 14 December 2021)
1.1.1 Final adoption of more than 900 new and revised Codex standards
(including numerical standards), guidelines and codes of practice (of SPS
relevance)
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Guidance on
paperless use of electronic certificates (Revised Guidelines for Design,
Production, Issuance and Use of Generic Official Certificates, CXG 38-2001);
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General standard
for the labelling of non-retail containers of foods;
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Guidelines on
front-of-pack nutrition labelling (Annex to the Guidelines on Nutrition
Labelling, CXG 2-1985);
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Revision to the
Code of practice to minimize and contain foodborne antimicrobial resistance
(CXC 61-2005);
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Guidelines on
integrated monitoring and surveillance of foodborne antimicrobial resistance;
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Maximum levels
for cadmium in chocolates containing or declaring <30% or ≥30% to <50%
total cocoa solid on a dry matter basis;
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Amendment to the maximum
levels for lead in fruit juices and grape juice;
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Revision of the
Code of practice for the prevention and reduction of lead contamination in
foods (CXC 56-2004);
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Revision to the
Guidelines on Measurement Uncertainty (CXG 54-2004);
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New and revised
methods of analysis and performance criteria for essential composition and
quality factors for various commodities or commodity groups including foods for
special dietary uses (i.e., infant formula and follow up formula) (CXS
234-1999);
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Approximately 400
maximum residue limits for 43 different pesticides in various foods and feeds;
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Six maximum residue
limits for three veterinary drugs in foods;
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More than 500
food additive provisions;
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Principles and guidelines for the assessment and use
of voluntary third-party assurance (vTPA) programs
and revised Guidelines for Design,
Production, Issuance and use of Generic Official Certificates, which
include guidance on paperless use of electronic certificates. These texts are
of particular importance in the current situation of the pandemic and its
impact on trade. They can contribute to more resilient inspection and
certification systems in emergency situations, and to new/emerging approaches
to food export/import inspection and certification mechanisms.