Codex Seeks Comments On Sanitary and Phytosanitary International Standard-Settin

[2008-12-23 17:06:48]

Congressional and Public Affairs

(202) 720-9113

Bridgette Keefe



WASHINGTON, June 5, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service today announced the publication of a notice of sanitary and phytosanitary standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex).



The notice also provides a list of other standard-setting activities of Codex, including commodity standards, guidelines, codes of practice and revised texts. The notice, which covers the time periods June 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008 and June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009, seeks comments on standards currently under consideration and recommendations for new standards.



Codex carries out activities related to international sanitary and phytosanitary standard-setting aimed at ensuring food products are free from adulteration and are correctly

labeled.



Codex was created in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Codex develops food standards, guidelines and codes of practice in order to protect the health of consumers, ensure fair food trade practices and promote coordination of food standards undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.



Persons wishing to submit comments should go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the "Search for Open Regulations" box, select "Food Safety and Inspection Service" from the agency drop-down menu, then click "submit." In the Docket ID column, select FDMS Docket Number FSIS-2008-0004 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. The comments will be posted on the Agency's Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/2008_Notices_Index/ .



For further information, contact Karen Hulebak, Ph.D., Acting U.S. Manager for Codex, USDA, Room 4861, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250; or by phone at (202) 205-7760.



The U.S. Codex Office also maintains a Web site at: www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations/Codex_Alimentarius/ .
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Last Modified: June 5, 2008
Source: FSIS
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