INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (CODEX)

The following communication, received on 26 May 2025, is being circulated at the request of the Codex secretariat.

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1  INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS

1.1  55^th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA55, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 24-28 March 2025)

1.1.  CCFA55 agreed to forward numerous food additive provisions in the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) (CXS 192-1995) for final adoption by CAC48. These include new, revised, revoked provisions, and amendments due to alignment with commodity standards. The Committee completed the alignment of provisions for food additives in 18 Codex commodity standards developed by regional coordinating committees from Asia (CCASIA) and the Near East (CCNE), and worldwide committees for culinary herbs (CCSCH), fats and oils (CCFO), and cereals, pulses, and legumes (CCCPL), reinforcing the GSFA as the single reference for food additive provisions.

1.2.  CCFA55 recommended redrafting the proposal to develop a standard for baker's yeast in support of harmonizing food standards to minimize technical trade barriers. This work aims to address divergences between multiple national standards in yeast products. The Committee also supported the need to consider establishing Codex guidelines for the safety assessment of components used in cell culture media to produce cell-based foods. This is to ensure consumer protection and facilitate trade in innovative food products derived from emerging technologies. CCFA55 agreed to request a revision of the project document for further consideration at its next session.

1.3.  CCFA55 agreed to continue revising the Class Names and the International Numbering System for Food Additives (CXG 36-1989). The Committee recommended further evaluation of substances proposed by members for inclusion in the JECFA Priority List.

1.2  44^th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS44, Virtual, 5–8 May and 14 May 2025)

1.4.  CCMAS44 finalized an information document to support the implementation of the revised general Guidelines on sampling (CXG 50-2004). This information document will be published on the Codex website. It provides examples for sampling plans and links to apps to design and evaluate these sampling plans. In addition, the Committee also developed methods performance criteria with examples of available methods that meet these criteria for maximum levels for nitrites and nitrates in different food matrices. This work will help support CCFA's discussions on MLs for nitrites and nitrates in food and the possible establishment of food residue levels.

1.5.  Working documents, including the report of the above-mentioned Codex sessions, are available on the respective pages on the Codex webpage: CCFA55 and CCMAS44.

2  FORTHCOMING CODEX MEETINGS OF SPS RELEVANCE

2.1.  The following Codex meetings relevant to the SPS Committee will be held as of May 2025:

-_              34^th Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP34, Lille, France, 2‑6 June 2025)

-_              18^th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF18, Bangkok, Thailand, 23–27 June 2025)

-_              88^th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88, Rome, Italy, 14–18 July 2025)

-_              56^th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR56, Santiago, Chile, 8–13 September 2025)

2.2.  Regular updates on the status of the work of these Committees are published on their dedicated web pages: CCGP34, CCCF18, CCEXEC88, and CCPR56.

2.3.  For specific questions on the status of work in Codex committees of interest to SPS delegates, please check the dedicated webpages or email codex@fao.org.

3  GENERAL

3.1.  In collaboration with Host Country secretariats, the Codex secretariat continues to convene working group meetings and webinars before Codex subsidiary sessions to support delegations' preparations and facilitate discussions and consensus-building. Further information is available on the Committee webpages and the Codex calendar.

3.1  Codex Strategic Plan

3.2.  CAC47 (2024) adopted the Codex Strategic Plan 2026-2031. While continuing to highlight the importance of responding to members' needs, using Codex texts, and using efficient work practices, the new strategic plan also aims to strengthen relationships with relevant international organizations and promote a coordinated approach to addressing global challenges.

3.3.  A monitoring framework will be submitted to CAC48 (2025) for approval.

3.4.  An interim report on implementing the Codex Strategic Plan 2020-2025 was also considered. A final implementation report will be delivered at CAC49 (2026).

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