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WORLD TRADE Be ECONOMICS

Codex fats and oils committee- -an update

Table 1Codex procedure fOT the elaboration of standards (Reference I)

Labelling, have responsibility forgeneric matters that relate to all com-modity standards, so their activitiesaffect the CCFO's work.

This article is based on a presentationat the 1997 AOCS Annual Meeting &Expo by Catriona A. Stewart of theFood Label/ing and Standards Divi-sion of the Ministry of Agriculture,Fisheries and Food in the UnitedKingdom. The article lias been updat-ed 10 indicate action all fats and oilstaken by the Codex AtimentoriusCommission during ;IS June 1997meeting. The next meeting of theCodex Committee on Fats and Oils isscheduled for March 8-12, 1999, inLandon.

Elaboration of Codex standardsCodex standards and related texts aredeveloped by consensus and on thebasis of the best scientific and techni-cal information and advice available.They are elaborated according to aneight-step procedure (Table I) (I).The CAC first determines the need fora standard and assigns the work ofdeveloping that standard to the appro-priate committee. The committee sec-retariat then arranges the preparationof a proposed draft standard. The draftsubsequently is reviewed twice bygovernments and interested parties(which may represent manufacturers,traders, or consumers) at steps 3 and6, and twice by the CAC, at steps 5and 8, before it can be adopted for-mally as a Codex standard. In certaincircumstances, for example where anexisting standard is being updated, itis possible to follow an acceleratedprocedure, in which the CAC consid-ers adoption of a proposed draft stan-dard at step 5 as a standard.

Several standards have been estab-lished and are in force for edible fatsand oils and for products derived fromfats and oils (Table 2). The standardscontain identity and quality character-

This paper is concerned mainlywith the recent activities of theCodex Committee on Fats and

Oils (CCFO) and in particular theprogress made by the committee dur-ing its 15th session held in Londonduring November 1996. To put thework of the committee into context,some background information is need-ed on the Codex organization moregenerally and on the food standardsprogram which it runs.

The Food and Agricultural Organi-zation (FAO) of the United Nations andthe World Health Organization (WHO)set up a joint Food Standards Programsome 35 years ago. Since then, a set ofinternational standards, encompassingall the principal food commodities, hasbeen developed and is known as theCodex.Alimemarius or "food code."

The Food Standards Program isadministered by the Codex Alimentar-ius Commission (CAC). Much of theCAC's work is delegated to varioussubsidiary committees. Part of theCAC subsidiary structure is illustratedin Figure I. The CCFO is one of anumber of worldwide commoditycommittees and has specific responsi-bility for developing standards toensure consumer protection and tofacilitate international trade in ediblefats and oils. The United Kingdom isthe host country for the CCFO, andthe Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheriesand Food provides its secretariat. Theworldwide general committees, forexample the Codex Committee onFood Additives and Contaminants andthe Codex Committee on Food

istics together with provisions relatingto food additives, contaminants,hygiene, and labeling. Methods ofanalysis are also specified. At its 19thsession during 1991, the CAC decidedthat all existing Codex standardsshould be reviewed in order (a) tosimplify them and (b) to ensure thatthey contain only those provisionsessential for public health and safetyand consumer protection as well asother elements needed to ensure fairtrade and prevent fraud (2). The fatsand oils standards are therefore beingreviewed by the CCFO. In carryingout this review, the CCFO is mindfulof the fact that the significance ofCodex commodity standards hasincreased greatly since the establish-ment of the World Trade Organizationfollowing the Uruguay round of multi-lateral trade negotiations. New inter-national trade agreements on sanitaryand phytosanitary measures and ontechnical barriers to trade are now inplace and are such that the Codex Ali-mentarius may be used as a referencein resolving trade disputes.

CCFO's 15th sessionThe previously mentioned review ofthe fats and oils standards is continuingand was the subject of the CCFO's15th session which was held Nov. 4-8,1996, in London. The meeting wasattended by representatives of 26 mem-

Step Activity

Commission decides 10 elaborate a standard and allocates the task to relevantsubsidiary committee.Committee prepares a proposed draft standard.Proposed draft standard is circulated to governments and interested inter-national organizations for comments.Proposed draft standard is amended in light of comments received.Proposed draft standard is submitted to the commission for formal adoptionas a draft standard.Draft standard is circulated to governments and interested internationalorganizations for comments.Draft standard is amended in tight of comments received.Draft standard is submitted to commission for formal adoption as a Codexstandard.

Step I

Step2Step 3

Step 4Step 5

Step6

Step 7Step 8

INFORM. VOl. 8, 00. 9 (September 1997)

959

Worldwidegeneml subject

~ommillees

c....AlimemariusCommission 1------1 =~1Worldwidecommoditycommittees

Re$idlJell of veterinarydrop in food

'-,",poninspection

and oeniflC3DOfI

e.g.. Fatsand oils

Food .sdilivesand cootamilWllS """""principles

Pesticideresidues ""'"labeling

Analysisand samplinll ""'"hygiene

Regionalooon:IillBring

"""""-

Figure 1. Subsidiary structure of the Codex Alimentarlul Commission

ber governments, one observer country,and nine international organizations.The discussions that took place and theprogress that was made in revisingstandards are outlined briefly in the fol-lowing paragraphs. A full report of theCeFO's 15th session (reference: AU-NORM 97/17) is available fromnational Codex contact points.

Named animal fats. The draft stan-dard for named animal fats covers theprovisions of the existing standardsfor lard, rendered pork fat, premierjus, and edible tallow. This was dis-cussed at step 7 of the Codex proce-dure, and a few minor changes weremade. The draft was advanced to step8 but subsequently has been returnedto step 6 by the 22nd session of theCAC (held during June 1997) for afurther round of government com-ments and consideration during thenext session of the CCFO.

Edible fats and oils not covered byindividual standards. The draft stan-dard for edible fats and oils not cov-ered by individual standards. whichincludes provisions for, among otherthings, fish oils and hydrogenated veg-etable fats, also was discussed at step7 by CCFO. It was similarly advancedto step 8 and forwarded to the CACfor formal adoption but also has beenreturned to step 6 by the CAC for fur-ther comments and consideration.

Named vegetable oils. The draftstandard for named vegetable oils,which similarly was discussed at step7, covers the 15 vegetable oils forwhich there are existing standards. Italso contains provisions for the palmoil fractions-palm olein and palmstearin-that were included previouslyin standards adopted at step 8 duringthe CAC's 21st session in 1995 (5). Itdoes nOI include olive oils and olive-

pomace oils for which a separate stan-dard is being retained, as discussedlater in this article.

One of the main issues raised inrelation 10 the draft standard fornamed vegetable oils was how to dealwith oils obtained from new plantvarieties that have been producedeither by traditional plant breedingtechniques or through genetic engi-neering. including, for example, high-oleic acid sunflower oil. It was recog-nized that this is a rapidly developingurea and that thorough considerationof compositional data for these oils,the labeling issues, etc. associatedwith these products is needed beforepossible amendment of the draft stan-dard. In view of this, it was decidedthat the draft should be returned tostep 6 for a further round of com-ments.

Olive oils and olive-pomace oils. A

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Table 2Codex standards for fats and oils currently In force (References 3,4)

Commodity Reference to standard

Fats and oils not covered by individual standardsSoybean oilArachis (peanut) oilCottonseed oilSunflower seed oilRapeseed oilMaize oilSesame seed oilSaffiower seed oilOlive oil. virgin and refined, and refined olive-pomace oilMustardseed oilLow-erucic acid rapeseed oilCoconut oilPalm oilPalm kernel oilGrapeseed oilBabassu oilUmIRendered pork fatPremier jusEdible tallowMargarineMinarineSpecified vegetable fat productsSpecified animal and mixed animal and vegetable fat productsMayonnaise (Regional European Standard)

CODEX STAN 19-1981CODEX STAN 20-1981CODEX STAN21-1981CODEX STAN 22-198 [CODEX STAN 23-1981CODEX STAN 24-1981CODEX STAN 25-1981CODEX STAN 26-1981CODEX STAN 27-1981CODEX STAN 33-1981CODEX STAN 34-1981CODEX STAN 123-1981CODEX STAN 124-1981CODEX STAN 125-1981CODEX STAN 126-1981CODEX STAN 127-1981CODEX STAN 128-1981CODEX STAN 28-1981CODEX STAN 29-1981CODEX STAN 30-1981CODEX STAN 31-1981CODEX STAN 32-1981CODEX STAN 135-1981CODEX STAN 157-1981CODEX STAN 158-1981CODEX STAN 168-1989

separate proposed draft standard forolive oils and olive-pomace oils isbeing retained because of the numberof different grades of olive oil thatmust be covered and the detailed pro-visions needed. The views of theInternational Olive Oil Council(IOOC) have been taken into consid-eration in revising this standard, andthe draft text is based on the IOOC'sown international trade standard (6).This was considered by the CCFO atstep 7 in November 1996. However, itwas brought to the committee's atten-tion that a number of importantamendments to the IOOC standardwere imminent. These amendmentsrelate to the definitions of the variousgrades of olive oil and could thus havea major impact on the Codex standard.Consequently, the standard wasreturned to step 6 for redrafting so thatthe decisions reached by the IOOCcan be taken into account.

Mayonnaise. At present a regionalEuropean standard for mayonnaise isin force (4), but in 1991 the CACdirected the CCFO to convert this to a

worldwide standard. The text of theEuropean standard was redrafted andcirculated at step 3 ahead of theSeptember 1993 CCFO meeting,where it was advanced to step 5.

At the most recent CCFO meeting.the draft standard was considered atstep 7. The need for this standard wasquestioned by some delegations on thebasis that world trade in mayonnaiseis insufficient to warrant adoption of astandard. Further, it was believed thatthere would be great difricuhies inagreeing to a worldwide standardbecause there are completely differentideas as to what "mayonnaise" is inEurope and in other pans of the world,notably, the United States. The mini-mum fat content in the United Statesis 65% and no minimum egg yolkcontent is specified (7). In Europe,however, most manufacturers work 10a minimum fat content of 70% and aminimum egg yolk content of 5%,which is in accordance with the codeof practice for mayonnaise developedby the European Trade Association forMayonnaise and Sauces (8). No con-

sensus could be reached on the needfor the standard, and the mailer wasreferred to the CAC, which advisedCCFO \0 discontinue work on such astandard.

Fat spreads. This draft standardoriginally covered all fat spreads andencompassed existing standards forbutter, margarine, and minarine. It wasbased on guidelines for fat spreadsproduced by the International DairyFederation and the International Fed-eration of Margarine Associations (9).This standard was discussed by theCCFO in 1993 and was advanced tostep 5. However, the Codex Commit-tee on Milk and Milk Products subse-quently has been assigned responsibil-ity for butter and other spreads madeexclusively from milk-derived ingredi-ents. The standard being elaborated byCCFO was thus redrafted to excludethese types of spreads and was circu-lated at step 3 for comment before theNovember 1996 CCFO meeting. Sev-eral responses were received, and tofacilitate discussions at the meeting,the secretariat prepared a new text for

INFORM, Vol. 8, no. 9 (September 1997)

961

a proposed draft standard for fatspreads and blended spreads that lookinto account, as far as was possible.the comments received. Further, aworking party was established to con-sider the provisions regarding addi-tives.

The recommendations of the addi-tives working group were accepted bythe CeFO and have been incorporatedinto the relevant section of the newproposal. However, due to the meet-ing's lengthy agenda. it was possibleto discuss the new draft only briefly. Ittherefore was retumed to step 3 for afurther round of comments and furtherconsideration at the next CeFO ses-sion.

Specified vegetable fat productsand specified animal and mixed ani-mal and vegetable fat products. Theseproducts, which are sold as alterna-tives to ghee (dehydrated butter), arecovered by both the proposed draft

standard for specified vegetable fatproducts and the proposed draft stan-dard for specified animal and mixedanimal and vegetable fat products.Ghee is made exclusively from milkfat and is covered by a standard forwhich the Codex Committee on Milkand Milk Products has responsibility.The "ghee alternatives" (e.g., vanes-pari) are made with vegetable fats,which often are hydrogenated, withanimal fats (including marine fats), ora mixture of these.

The need for these standards hadbeen questioned in written commentsreceived from Pakistan. The commit-tee concluded that there is not suffi-cient international trade in these prod-ucts to justify the elaboration ofCodex standards. It was thus agreedthat a recommendation would bemade to the CAC to discontinue workon these proposed revised draft stan-dards and to revoke the two existing

standards. The CAC accepted this rec-ommendation during its June 1997meeting.

Methods oj analysis. A workinggroup was set up to consider the meth-ods of analysis provisions in Codexstandards for fats and oils. The recom-mendations of the group were accept-ed by the CCFO plenary session.These recommendations wereendorsed (or temporarily endorsed inthe case of the methods specified fordetermining the iodine value) by theCodex Committee on Methods ofAnalysis and Sampling during itsMarch 1997 session.

Code oj practice [or storage andtransportation. As well as revising thefats and oils standards, the CCFO isalso reviewing its code of practice forthe storage and transport of edible fatsand oils in bulk. The current code ofpractice (3) was adopted by the CACduring its 17th session in 1987 (10).

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INFORM, \101. 8, no. 9 (September 1997)

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WORLD TRADE & ECONOMICS

Table 3Status of revised Codex standards for edible fats and oils

Commodity Status Action following 15th session of CCFO and 22nd session of CAe

Named animal fats SIep6

Step 6

Further round of government comments on draft standard,

Edible fats and oils notcovered by individualstandards

Further round of government comments on draft standard.

Named vegetable oils Step 6

Step 6

Further round of government comments on draft standard.

Olive oils and olive-pomace oils

Redraft of text followed by further round of government commentson draft standard.

Fat spreads andblended spreads

Stcp3 Further round of government comments 011proposed draft standard.

Code of practice for thestorage and transportof edible fats and oils in bulk

Step6 Further round of government comments on draft code of practice.

Mayonnaise CAe has advised thai work should be discontinued.

Specified vegetable fatproducts and specifiedanimal and mixed animaland vegetable fat products

CAC has agreed the work on these revised proposed draftstandards should be discontinued and that the Codex standardscurrently in force should be revoked.

when agreed between contracting par-ties and national authorities on thebasis of safety evaluation, risk analy-sis, and inspection procedures.

Another important issue raised inrelation to the code was that of accept-able and banned previous cargoes.The committee agreed to retain refer-ence to the FOSFA International andthe National Institute of Oilseed Prod-ucts (NIOP) lists of acceptable previ-ous cargoes, and banned immediateprevious cargoes, in the bibliographyof the code. It was further agreed thatdetails of the list of acceptable previ-ous cargoes produced by the European

At the time of its adoption, however,the CAC attached considerable impor-tance to the future development of thecode to extend the section on contami-nation. FOSFA International, whichnegotiates many of the contracts onwhich oilseeds and edible oils andfats, are traded internationally, agreedto coordinate work on this aspect andhas been instrumental in preparing thedraft revised code of practice that wasconsidered at step 7 by the CCFO thispast November.

One of the main points of discus-sion was the use of thermal heatingfluids (THF) in oil processing and

storage facilities and in transport ves-sels. Some delegations believed thatcontamination risks are not significantand that provisions for the use of theseheating media should be included.Others, however, favored a ban on thebasis that not enough safety testing ofTHF, especially when in long-termuse, has been carried out. Further,there was concern that robust methodsfor detection of THF and their poten-tial breakdown products are not avail-able. A compromise solution wasagreed on to resolve this problemwhereby the text of the Code specifiesthat THF should not be used except

INFORM, Vol. 8, 00. 9 (September 1997)

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Commission's Scientific Committeefor Food would be included. CCFOnoted that there are some differencesamong the three lists of acceptablecargoes and encouraged the responsi-ble organizations to coordinate andharmonize future work in this area.

The draft code was advanced to step8 and was forwarded 10 the CAe foradoption at its June 1997 meeting.However, some delegations 10 lhe CAebelieved that some substantive issuesremain to be resolved, and the codesubsequently was returned to step 6.

A summary of the current status ofeach standard for which CCFO hasresponsibility is given in Table 3. Asignificant amount of work remains tobe done in order to complete theCCFO's current review of fats and oilsstandards. The committee Will, how-ever, aim to do this when it meetsagain for its 16th session, which hasbeen scheduled for March 1999.

ReferencesI. Codex Alimentarius Commis-

sion: procedural manual, 9thedn., Joint FAOIWHO FoIXIStan-dards Program, Food and Agri-cultural Organization of the Unit-ed Nations and World HealthOrganization, Rome, 1995.

2. Codex Alimemarius Commission:report of the 19th session, Rome,1-10 July 1991, Joint FAO/wHOFood Standards Program, Foodand Agricultural Organization ofthe United Nations and WorldHealth Organization. Rome,1991.

3. Codex Alimentarius: fats, oilsand related products, vel. 8, JointFAO/WHO Food Standards Pro-gram, Food and AgriculturalOrganization of the United

Nations and World Health Orga-nization. Rome, 1993.

4. Codex Afimentarius: sugars,cocoa products and chocolateand miscellaneous products, vol.II, Joint FAOIWHO Food Stan-dards Program. Food and Agri-cultural Organization of the Unit-ed Nations and World HealthOrganization. Rome, 1994.

5. Codex Alimentarius Commission:report of the 21st session, Rome,3-8 July 1995. Joint FAO/WHOFood Standards Program, Foodand Agricultural Organization ofthe United Nations and WorldHealth Organization, Rome,1995.

6. Trade standard applying to oliveoil and olive-pomace oil,COlnl5INC no. 21Rev.4, Inter-national Olive Oil Council.Seville, Spain. June 6,1996.

7. U.S.Code of FederalRegulations,Cn. 1 (4-1-95 Edition), Section169.14, Mayonnaise.

8. Code of practice: mayonnaise,Comite des Industries des May-onnaises et Sauces Condimen-taires de la CommuneuteEconomique Europeenne. Brus-sels, Belgium, 1991.

9. Guidelines for fat spreads, JointIDFIlFMA Working Party, Inter-national Dairy Federation, Inter-national Federation of MargarineAssociations, Brussels, Belgium,1993.

10. Codex Alimentarius Commission:report of the 17th session. Rome,29 June-IO July 1987, JointFAOIWHO Food Standards Pro-gram, Food and AgriculturalOrganization of the UnitedNations and World Health Orga-nization, Rome. 1987.

FDA offers plan toreview Codex standardsThe U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-tration (FDA) is consideringamending its regulations forreviewing and evaluating standardsadopted by the Codex AlimentariusCommission.

In a Federal Register notice pub-lished July 7, 1997, FDA said it isconsidering whether to establish pm-cedures for systematically reviewingstandards and related texts adopted byCodex Alimentarius, an internationalbody that develops food standardsunder the auspices of the UnitedNations World Health Organization(WHO) and Food and AgricultureOrganization (FAO).

FDA is accepting written com-ments on the proposal until Oct. 5,1997. These can be sent to the Dock-ets Management Branch (HFA09305),FDA, 12420 Parklawn Dr., Rm.10923, Rockville, MD 20857. For fur-ther information, contact John W.Jones. Office of Constituent Opera-tions (HFS09550). FDA. 200 C S1.SW, Washington, DC 20203 (phone:1-202-205-4311).

BriefChina's 1997 edible oil importsthrough the end of May were nearlyone million metric tons, according todata posted on the home page of theAmerican Soybean Association'sSouth East Asia office in Singapore.The total included approximately500,000 metric tons of soybean oil,345.000 tons of palm oil, and 132,000tons of rapeseed oil. •

INFORM. VOl. 8, no. 9 (September 199n