EU member countries take tough stance on safety regulations for frozen food.Frozen foods shouldn't get off easy when it comes to safety rules, the European Union's member states said in comments on a draft international code of practice. "At many occasions, the provisions are optional ('may be') when the members would have preferred a more prescriptive pre·scrip·tive adj. 1. Sanctioned or authorized by long-standing custom or usage. 2. Making or giving injunctions, directions, laws, or rules. 3. Law Acquired by or based on uninterrupted possession. approach ('should be')," the document released June 7 stated. For example, the member states stressed that that temperature-monitoring records are generally not immediately available and that temperature should therefore be routinely checked when it is only recommended in the document in case of doubts. The comments by the 27 member states were published on a draft Codex Alimentarius Codex Alimentarius a document entitled 'Recommended International Codes of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Meat, for Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Inspection of Slaughter Animals and for Processed Meat Products' published by FAO/WHO in 1976. food safety code for processing and handling frozen products. Codex codex Manuscript book, especially of Scripture, early literature, or ancient mythological or historical annals. The earliest type of manuscript in the form of a modern book (i.e. agreements, once passed, are used as an international reference point for harmonizing national legislation worldwide. One aim of Codex is to prevent countries from using food safety regulations as a barrier to trade. The code would apply to the receiving, processing, handling, storage, transport, distribution, and retailing of quick frozen foods including fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, poultry and their products. The latest draft on the code for quick frozen products was completed by Thailand and the USA. While the European Community's member states commended the two for making the document clearer and more focused, member states also criticized the many optional clauses. "In addition, operators and official services should always have the possibility to carry out a destructive temperature measurement when they judge it appropriate," the commentary document stated. The member states also want the definition of quick frozen foods to be clear that the minus 18[degrees]C or colder temperature should be maintained at all points along the supply chain. Other changes the EU members want include additional measures to ensure that those along the supply chain are made responsible for taking measures for protecting consumer safety. The draft guidance as amended by the US and Thailand now incorporates good hygienic hy·gien·ic adj. 1. Of or relating to hygiene. 2. Tending to promote or preserve health. 3. Sanitary. and good manufacturing practices Good Manufacturing Practice or GMP (also referred to as 'cGMP' or 'current Good Manufacturing Practice') is a term that is recognized worldwide for the control and management of manufacturing and quality control testing of foods and pharmaceutical products. , and the application of Hazard Analysis A hazard analysis is a process used to characterize the elements of risk. The results of a hazard analysis is the identification of unacceptable risks and the selection of means of controlling or eliminating them. and Critical Control Point (HACCP HACCP hazard analysis critical control points. ) principles. |
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