FSIS sponsors public meeting to discuss Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and VegetablesUSDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will sponsor a public meeting to seek comment on agenda items and US draft positions that will be discussed at the 27th session on of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables.

The public meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 12 at the USDA headquarters, Jamie L. Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 107-A, Washington, DC 20250.

According to FSIS, the committee will discuss:

Revision of Codex Standards for Processed Fruits and Vegetables;

Proposed sampling plan, including metrological provisions for controlling the minimum drained weight in canned fruits and vegetables in packing media;

Proposed annexes on pears and pineapples in standard for certain canned fruits;

Proposed annexes on quick frozen vegetables in standard for certain quick frozen vegetables;

Proposal for the extension of the territorial application of the regional standard for ginseng products;

and food additive provisions in the standards for pickled fruits and vegetables, canned bamboo shoots and annex on mushrooms of the standard for certain canned vegetables packing media provisions for pickled vegetables in the standard for pickled fruits and vegetables.

Hosted by the US, the committee is responsible for elaborating worldwide standards and related texts for all types of processed fruits and vegetables.

For more information about the public meeting contact: Dorian LaFond, Agricultural Marketing Service, Fruits and Vegetables Division, Stop 0235-Room 2086, South Building, 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250-0235;  Phone: (202) 690-4944, Fax:(202) 720-0016,; e-mail: dorian.lafond@ams.usda.gov.

The meeting can be joined by conference call by dialing 1 - 888-844-9904. The participant code will be posted at: www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international-affairs/us-codex-alimentarius/public-meetings.