Outcome of 34th Codex Fish Committee meeting

The Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP) was established in 1966 to elaborate worldwide standards for fresh, frozen or otherwise processed fish, crustaceans and molluscs. The committee held its 34th session in Ålesund, Norway, 19–24 October 2015. Technical experts, senior administrators and researchers from 49 member countries, one member organization (EU) and one international organization attended.

The meeting advanced the sections in the Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products (CAC/RCP 52-2003) on processing of fish sauce, fresh and quick frozen raw scallop products and sturgeon caviar, for adoption by the 39th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and discontinued work on the optional requirements and guidance on modified atmosphere packaging (MAP).

The meeting also forwarded amendments to the food additive provisions in standards for fish and fishery products for adoption by the Commission as well as the amendment to section 7.4 of the Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Sticks (Fish Fingers), Fish Portions and Fish Fillets – Breaded or in Batter (CODEX STAN 166-1989).

New work on histamine

The Committee agreed to start new work on guidance for the control of histamine in the Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products and sampling plans for histamine in standards for fish and fishery products.

The Committee has successfully finalized its work on all items requiring ordinary physical sessions and will continue to work by correspondence on the one remaining item – histamine.

Good work on seafood issues must continue in Codex

Norway, as chair of the Committee, thanked all delegations for their valuable contributions and work on finding consensus on important issues. Norway underlined the need for delegations to continue good work on seafood issues, to coordinate their work in the national arena and to use the Codex general subject committees for future seafood matters.

Links

The full final report will be published on the Codex website here in English French and Spanish.

For further details on this committee, and for a comprehensive list of all the standards that the committee has developed since its inception in 1966 click here.

Photos from Ålesund

 Photo credit

©Berthold Schmitt, Vigdis S. Veum Møllersen