Methods of Analysis and Sampling

Scientists

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (Host Government - Hungary)

The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) defines criteria for Codex methods of analysis and sampling and coordinates the work of Codex with other international groups working in methods of analysis and sampling and quality assurance systems for laboratories.

CCMAS specifies reference methods of analysis and sampling for Codex Standards and considers and endorses methods of analysis and sampling proposed by Codex Committees, except those related to pesticide residues and veterinary drugs in food, the assessment of microbiological quality and safety in food and food additives. It also considers issues submitted to it by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and defines procedures, protocols and guidelines for quality assurance systems and assessment of proficiency for food laboratories.

Existing Codex Standards

Standards relating to methods of analysis and sampling* that have been endorsed and adopted into the international food code include:

Recommended Methods of Analysis and Sampling
Methods of Analysis and Sampling for Fruit Juices and Related Products
Guidelines on Performance Criteria and Validation of Methods for Detection, Identification and Quantification of Specific DNA Sequences and Specific Proteins in Foods.

Outcomes of the 34^th Codex Alimentarius Commission

The 34^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission:

Adopted at Step 8 the Revised Guidelines on Measurement Uncertainty
Adopted Methods of Analysis in Codex Standards at various steps
Approved new work on Principles for the Use of Sampling and Testing in International Food Trade

Last Meeting

The 32^ndSession of the Committee met in Budapest, Hungary from 7-11 March 2011.

Matters for Adoption by the 34^th Commission

The 32nd Session of the Committee agreed to:

Advanced to Step 8 the Draft Revised Guidelines on Measurement Uncertainty (para. 23, Appendix II)
Endorse or update the status of several methods of analysis in Codex standards, including proposed methods of analysis for natural mineral waters (paras. 25-51, Appendix III)
propose new work on principles for the use of sampling and testing in international food trade (para. 71, Appendix IV); and
propose new work on provisions on proprietary methods in Codex standards to be included in the Codex Procedural Manual (para. 78).

Matters Referred to Other Committees

The Committee

Noted that it would be helpful for the Secretariat of the Committee on Sugars to contact the relevant international organisations to collect information on methods of analysis for honey (para. 42); and
Requested the Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO) to consider the determination of relative and apparent density in relevant standards and the determination of erythrodiol+uvaol in olive oils (paras. 45-46).

Next Meeting

The 33rd Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling has been scheduled to be held in Hungary from 5 – 9 March 2012 with the exact place and dates to be confirmed by the Codex Secretariat and Host government.

Download the agenda for this meeting