The 44th session of the Codex Alimentarius Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS44) successfully addressed all topics on its agenda. CCMAS44 endorsed methods of analysis from commodity standards and recommended approval of others e.g., on chocolate, chocolate products and other cocoa-based products, fruits juices and nectars, fish products, follow-up formulas, food grade salt. CCMAS44 held intense discussions on methods of analysis for the protein content in quinoa and on the method for the determination of the moisture content in whey powder. CCMAS44 agreed also to establish an expert group under the auspice of the IFU to inform the work on the methods proposed for fruit juices and nectars. CCMAS44 finally agreed on rounded numeric performance criteria for the determination of nitrate and nitrite ions in food matrices. CCMAS44 decided also to start working on methods for the identity of “sugars and honey”. It also endorsed the method discussed during the last CCNFSDU44 meeting on dietary fiber with a further question back to CCNFSDU with a proposed amendment to a more comprehensive footnote. CCMAS44 adopted a comprehensively amended information document about sampling plans (with an entire new part 3 on Bayesian sampling plans) to inform the implementation of the current guidelines on sampling. CCMAS44 advanced the work on a consolidated list of methods for the presence of allergens that would be subject to another intersessional work. CCMAS44 re-established EWGs (including one to advance the harmonization of names for principles in the general standard of methods of analysis) and agreed to convene a working group in person immediately prior its CCMAS45 session (2026).1
See more information available about CCMAS44 working documents quoted in this article2, as well as in the official report of the CCMAS44 meeting3. Codex standards, guidelines, codes of practices and related miscellaneous texts quoted in this article are readily and freely available.4
ENDORSEMENT OF METHODS OF ANALYSIS AND SAMPLING AND REVIEW OF METHODS INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL STANDARD FOR METHODS OF ANALYSIS (CXS 234, 2024 version)
Methods applicable cocoa products and chocolate; fish and fishery products; foods for special dietary uses; fruit juices and nectars; milk and milk products; and miscellaneous products such as dried meat and food grade salt
CCMAS44 agreed to (i) endorse all the methods and amended methods resulting from the work of pre-session VWG and an in-Session WG (IWG as summarized in CCMAS44’s CRD02 Rev.1 working document); (ii) revoke and retype the methods, as included in Appendix II of CCMAS44 report); (iii) inform the CCNFSDU that the methods of analysis submitted by it to CCMAS were forwarded for adoption by CAC48 and all the relevant methods of analysis be revoked consequentially. CCMAS44 agreed to re-establish its EWG on methods chaired by Canada (and not customarily by Australia), for further consideration on (a) cocoa products and chocolate; (b) foods for special dietary uses; and (c) fruit juices and nectars. CCMAS44 praised the work of Dr Richard Coghlan (Australia), as the outgoing chair of the EWG, VWG and IWG. CCMAS44 also agreed to re-establish a Physical Working Group (PWG) on methods endorsement led by the USA and co-led by Hungary, Japan and Uruguay to meet immediately prior to CCMAS45, to (a) consider all methods of analysis and sampling submitted by Codex Committees for endorsement, (b) the outcomes of the work of the EWGs on methods including retyping of the ISO 1871 method for determining protein in quinoa (see further below); the proposals on the workable packages on chocolate and cocoa-based products as well as on sugars and honey, and any other matters referred by other Codex Committees or submitted by Members and Observers.
CCMAS44 concluded favorably its work on methods applicable to (a) cocoa products and chocolate; (b) fish and fishery products; (c) foods for special dietary uses; (d) fruit juices and nectars; (e) milk and milk products; and (f) miscellaneous products such as dried meat and food grade salt. CCMAS44 did not propose changes to existing methods already included in CXS 234 applicable to (a) cereals, pulses and legumes and derived products; (b) fruit juices and nectars; (c) milk and milk products; and (d) miscellaneous products (e.g., dried meat and food grade salt). CCMAS44 also revoked methods as consequential changes from other adopted for the same standardized food.5
In order to advance the technical discussions on the remaining work package of methods in fruit juices and nectars, CCMAS44 agreed to convene an expert group under the auspices of the International Fruit and Vegetable Juices and Nectars Association (IFU) to (a) determine the ranges of parameters relevant for quality and authenticity; (b) determine the range of measurements or maximum LOD; (c) evaluate the list of endorsed methods included in CXS 234 and those listed in the commodity standard CXS 247 (2024 version) ; (d) determine/consider if the presently endorsed methods are still appropriate and “fit-for-purpose” to control the “quality and authenticity” of fruit juices; (e) determine/consider if any of the presently endorsed methods should be revoked and eliminated from CXS 234 and CXS 247; (f) assess whether any new method(s) could be considered by the CCMAS endorsement working group in the future, for addition to CXS 234 for the general provision of juice “quality and authenticity”; and (g) collate relevant validation data for any new procedures that CCMAS could consider in the future. In particular, the expert group shall identify clearly which methods should be maintained in CXS 234, revoked, or replaced. Codex Members were invited in contributing to this work by contacting directly IFU and nominate nationally relevant fruit juice experts to participate eventually to the work of that IFU-led expert group, in their individual capacity. CCMAS44 praised the coordinating work ensured by Dr David Hammond6 at IFU.
With regards the work package on methods for chocolate and chocolate products and other cocoa-based products, CCMAS44 agreed to re-establish an EWG chaired by Serbia and co-chaired by USA to continue reviewing the relevant methods listed. With regards to the work package of relevant methods for sugars and honey, CCMAS44 agreed to establish an EWG chaired by Uruguay to review these methods applicable to sugars and honey. Both EWGs should submit their report sufficiently in advance to CCMAS45.
As examples of methods endorsed, CCMAS44 agreed to retain the method for determination of amino acid nitrogen in fish sauce, AOAC 920.04 and AOAC 920.03, in CXS 234. CCMAS44 endorsed AOAC 935.47 and AOAC 937.09B as Type III methods. CCMAS44 agreed to transfer the method for the determination of sodium chloride in food grade salt as described in the Standard for food grade salt (CXS 150) with editorial amendments to CXS 234. CCMAS44 also agreed with an update to the hyperlink in the footnote referencing the method for iodine in food grade salt in CXS 234. In addition, CCMAS44 agreed to transfer the related sampling plan to CXS 234. CCMAS44 noted that the sampling plan was currently incompatible with the provision for sodium chloride and would require further review and agreed that such review could be taken up later under the work on the review of sampling plans and inform CCFA accordingly. CCMAS44 also noted the editorial amendment to the principle for the example methods AOAC 2015.06 / ISO 21424 |IDF 243 that meet the numeric performance criteria for copper in milk fat products and agreed to the removal of ISO 5738 | IDF 76 and AOAC 960.40 as example methods. All relevant commodity committees will be informed accordingly.
CCMAS44 further requested CCNFSDU to consider (a) whether it would be appropriate to develop numeric performance criteria (NPC) for methods of analysis for Type II and Type III methods; or (b) develop additional methods for follow-up formula to align with those for infant formula for common provisions (see Part 3.2 of Appendix II of CCMAS44 report). With regard to the recommendation for CCNFSDU to consider developing NPC, the chair of the VWG clarified that CCMAS’s preference was for committees to consider this approach. CCMAS44 noted that this approach would provide flexibility for countries to choose methods that meet these criteria. This approach was in accordance with the Procedural Manual that preference should be given to set NPC. CCMAS44 further agreed that the name and format for principles for the corresponding methods for infant formula included in CXS 234 would not be aligned with those agreed for follow-up formula at this stage pending ongoing discussion on the harmonization of names and format for principles. It was noted that CCNFSDU was also in the process of reviewing all methods for provisions in standards under their purview to assess their fitness-for-purpose and to identify additional/replacement methods, or other corrections.
Dietary fibre reference in Table 6 of CXS 234 “Methods of analysis for dietary fibre: Guidelines for use of nutrition and health claims (CXG 23, 2013 version): Tables of conditions for claims”
CCMAS44 endorsed the methods proposed by the outcome of the EWG and VWG (as presented in CCMAS44 CRD02 Rev.1 working document), together with the footnote proposed by CCNFSDU44 which reads “Isolated, purified, and/or synthetic fibres captured by AOAC 2022.01/ICC Standard 191/AACC 32-61.01 that do not meet the Codex definition of dietary fibre in the Guidelines on nutrition labelling (CXG 2-1985) should be subtracted from the final measurement, where deemed appropriate by competent authorities.” CCMAS44 also agreed to request CCNFSDU to clarify whether the footnote was only applicable to the methods AOAC 2022.01/AACC 32-61.01/ICC Standard No. 191. If not, the footnote should then apply to all methods for dietary fibers included in Table 6 of CXS 234, or a subset of these methods listed in that Table 6. Should CCNFSDU agrees, then CCMAS would delete the footnote applied only to AOAC 2022.01/AACC 32-61.01/ICC Standard No. 191.
CCNFSDU was further asked to consider a proposed amendment to the current footnote 2 included in Table 6 of CXS 234. Such proposed amendment would address the concerns raised that the footnote forwarded by CCNFSDU should be consistently applied to all methods in CXS 234, Table 6. Should CCNFSDU agree to amend footnote two, then the footnote forwarded by CCNFSDU to accompany AOAC 2022.01/AACC 32.61.01/ICC Standard No. 191 could then be deleted. The recommended additional phrase to existing footnote 2 is shown in bold as follows: « Two issues are left for national authorities: to include monomeric units 3-9 and which isolated or synthetic compounds have physiological benefit. (Refer to the Guidelines on nutrition labelling (CXG 2-1985)). Isolated, purified, and/or synthetic fibres captured by the analysis that do not meet the Codex definition of dietary fibre in CXG 2-1985 should be subtracted from the final measurement, where deemed appropriate by competent authorities. »
SPECIFIC DISCUSSIONS ON SOME METHODS
Determination of the protein content in quinoa products (conforming to CXS 333, 2020 version)
This agenda was very much disputed. CCMAS44 however agreed to retain the method for determining protein in quinoa already in CXS 234 as a Type IV method (method ISO 1871), noting the reservation of Peru. CCMAS44 requested the re-established PWG on endorsement to consider retyping of ISO 1871 method for determining protein in quinoa based on the information provided in CCMAS44’s CRD19, referring to a comprehensive comparative analytical work performed by several national metrological institutes based in Latin America in this matter. Brazil also suggested an extension of Extension of the ISO 20483 method to quinoa offered as an alternative method. It was suggested that the necessary validation studies could be performed and discussed again within ISO to determine if this method could be extended from cereals and pulses to a pseudocereal such as quinoa. ISO indicated that a decision to extend ISO 20483 to quinoa should be subject to a formal request according to ISO procedures. In that regard, it was also noted that ISO might even end up validating a dedicated method (to Quinoa) instead of extending the existing ISO 20483 to Quinoa.7
Determination of the moisture content in whey powders (conforming to CXS 289, 2022 version)
CCMAS44 agreed to forward the 102NP method with the footnote as amended in paragraph 41 to CAC48 for adoption as a Type IV method (Appendix II, Part 1.5), for whey powder, on an exceptional basis, in line with Section 3.9 (v) of the information document “Comprehensive guidance for the process of submission, consideration and endorsement of methods for inclusion in CXS 234” and to make the consequential amendments to Appendix XI of CXS 234 (2024 version).
Determination of the particle size of milling products using sieve analysis for use on edible cassava flour and gari
CCMAS44 acknowledged that no amendment to CXS 234 was necessary for the moment, despite some technical elements presented in CCMAS44’s CRD9 document by the International Association for Cereal Science and Technology (ICC) about the revision of ICC Recommendation N. 207, to render it applicable to edible cassava flour and to gari (in particular to include appropriate sieve sizes). CCMAS noted that the ICC revision work was in its final approval stage at ICC level. It was recalled that the current ICC Recommendation N. 207 had already been endorsed by CCMAS43.
SAMPLING PLANS
Information document to the General guidelines on sampling (CXG 50, 2023 version) – e-book with sampling plans applications
CCMAS44 considered the outcome of an inter-sessional EWG chaired by New Zealand and co-chaired by Germany to develop an information document on how implementing the revised Codex Alimenta-rius General guidelines on sampling (CXG 50, 2023 version). Such information document should not be considered as an official Codex text, but simply there to inform countries and food business operators for internal use by CCMAS and other Codex commodity committees. CCMAS44 agreed to publish the revised information document (as presenting in CCMAS44 report’s Appendix IV) and inform Codex committees of the publication of this document. It also agreed to remove the current information document titled “Practical examples of sampling plans” from the Codex website. Finally, it was noted that as other applications (Apps) were being developed, they would be forwarded to the Codex Secretariat for inclusion to the list of applications in the information document and that CCMAS would be informed accordingly. Other supporting resources, such as webinars, would be made available on the CCMAS webpage as well. The agreed information document should also be considered a living document, meaning CCMAS could update it when needed and where warranted.8
Review of sampling plans in the general standard for methods of analysis (CXS 234, 2024 version) and development of sampling plans for lots consisting of bulk material/heterogenous lots, including for mycotoxins
CCMAS44 agreed to continue developing the various discussion papers on (a) the review of sampling plans in CXS 234, particularly the various approaches to placing the sampling plans in the standard(s), the format and content of the presentation of sampling plans, and the responsibility for assessing the parameters that determine the selection of the appropriate sampling plan for a given commodity/provision combination; and (b) the development of sampling plans for bulk materials/heterogenous lots, including mycotoxins, including proposed sampling plans for consideration by CCMAS45, and to inform CCCF of this decision. CCMAS44 also noted that work on sampling plans for bulk materials/heterogenous lots, including for mycotoxins, should be conducted in close collaboration with CCCF; and noted the possible need for CCMAS to provide support to commodity committees in their review of sampling plans. CCMAS44 agreed to re-establish an EWG, chaired by New Zealand and co-chaired by Germany to advance the revisions of these discussion papers and prepare a dedicated discussion paper on sampling plans for bulk materials/heterogenous lots, including for mycotoxins, to be discussed by CCMAS45.
OTHER ASPECTS
Numeric performance criteria for the determination of nitrate and nitrite ions in food matrices
CCMAS44 considered the outcome of an intersessional EWG work led by Australia and co-chaired by the USA, including discussions held by the in session VWG. CCMAS44 agreed with the Numeric Performance Criteria (NPC) elaborated (and rounded up during the session) for nitrate and nitrite in three food matrices (i.e., ripened cheeses; processed comminuted meat, poultry, and game products; and, heat-treated processed meat, poultry, and game products in whole pieces of cuts) and agreed to forward these NPC back to CCFA for information. Initial CCFA request was for CCMAS to establish NPC for methods of analysis in these specified food matrices; provide information on available analytical methods suitable for both the adopted MLs and the lowest proposed residue levels; and clarify whether the methods measured nitrate and nitrite ions separately or in combination.9
Methods of analysis for precautionary allergen labelling
CCMAS44 considered the outcome of an EWG led by the USA and its prior consideration by the IWG. Due to several factors related to the presentation of the list of methods, the need for further consideration, and new method validation guidelines, CCMAS44 agreed to re-establish an EWG chaired by USA and co-chaired by UK to finalize the review of the methods presented at CCMAS 44 against the recently updated CEN and AOAC validation guidelines and performance requirements10 and simplify the presentation of the methods and their validation status. CCMAS44 tasked the new EWG to draft a response to CCFL49 for consideration by CCMAS45. CCMAS44 confirmed that the EWG would not have to address the second question from CCFL regarding sampling plans.
Nitrogen to protein conversion factors for commodities approved by Codex Commodity Committees
CCMAS agreed to forward the list of Nitrogen to Protein conversion factors as amended, for approval by CAC48 and future inclusion as an Annex to the General Standard on Methods of Analysis (CXS 234), while noting some inconsistencies with these conversion factors especially for various soy products, and it suggested that these factors should be reviewed in the future. CCMAS44 noted that these factors would need to be reviewed by the relevant Codex Commodity Committees to ensure further consistency.11
Harmonization of names and format for principles identified in CXS 234, 2024 version
CCMAS44 considered the outcome of an intersessional EWG work led by Brazil and Chile. Purpose of this work was to (i) establish a centralized database consolidating all methods relevant to CCMAS; (ii) harmonize terminology for analytical methods across Codex standards; and (iii) develop a publicly accessible database on methods of analysis and sampling for inclusion on the Codex website. The work of the EWG to develop harmonized terminology for analytical methods, format for principles and provision names was thus to support the development of such a structured database. CCMAS44 significantly updated the document but was unable to address all the issues. CCMAS44 agreed to re-establish the EWG, led by Brazil and co-led by Chile to further revise the “Harmonization of Names for Principles in CXS 234-1999”, including its annexes A, B, and C, using the text included in CCMAS44 report Appendix VI as its working basis, with the aim of ensuring that the principles in CXS 234 are properly included and continue discussions on Annex D, focusing on separating the provisions into three distinct groups (editorial or no-change provisions, provisions linked to active committees, provisions linked to inactive committees) and making corresponding recommendations.12
Endnotes