Codex Task Force on Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods

Background of QFF

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, at its 29th (2006) Session, considered the Proposed Draft Recommended International Code of Practice for the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods (Code) at Step 5.
The Commission noted that the extensive work done by correspondence on the quality provisions including DAPs analysis, did not succeed in resolving a few outstanding issues, i.e., whether certain quality provisions could be better identified as hygienic/safety provisions and the inclusion of DAPs Analysis in the Code.
After an exchange of views on how to move forward with the Code, the Commission agreed to establish an Ad-Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods to finalize the Code within a period of two years time with one session of the Task Force. The Commission agreed to the following Terms of Reference for the Task Force: “To resolve all outstanding issues including quality and safety provisions with a view to advancement of the Code to Step 8”. The Commission accepted the invitation of Thailand to host the Task Force subject to the availability of funds. The Commission also noted the willingness of the United States, subject to funding, to assist Thailand in the practical operation of the Task Force.
The Commission returned the Code to Step 3 and agreed that, in order to solve as many outstanding issues as possible before the physical meeting of the Task Force, a Circular Letter be issued requesting comments on the Code. The Delegations of Thailand and the United States would revise the Code based on the comments submitted at the present session of the Commission, and subsequently in response to the CL, in order to prepare a revised document that would serve as a basis for the discussion at the session of the Task Force.
Thailand, with the assistance of the United States, taking note of comments received on the Code, undertook a revision of the Code to address issues of concern brought forward in the comments in order to facilitate the process of the revision of the Code. Circular letter 2007/06-QFF was issued in February, 2007, requesting comments on the Code which had been revised by Thailand, with the assistance of the United States.
Responses to CL 2007/06-QFF were received from 9 Member Countries, one Member Organization, and one international non-governmental organization (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, European Community, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, The United States and CIAA). The proposed Draft Code was revised taking into account all comments received. Circular Letter 2007/35-QFF was issued in September 2007 requesting for the second round of comments.
The Proposed Draft Code together with the comments received will be considered at the “Ad Hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods” which will be held in Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok from 25-29 February 2008.

All Codex members and international organization are invited to this “Ad Hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods” hosted by Thailand with kind support from the United States.