Methods of Analysis and Sampling

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 from the 35^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission

The 35^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted the Methods of Analysis in Codex Standards at different steps with minor amendments, adopted at Step 5 the Proposed Draft Principles for the Use of Sampling and Testing in International Food Trade (section on Principles) and adopted the Provisions on the Use of Proprietary Methods in Codex Standards for inclusion in the Codex Procedural Manual.

Last Meeting

The 33^rd Session of the Committee met in Budapest, Hungary from 5-9 March 2012.

Matters for Adoption by the 35^th Commission

The 33^rd Session of the Committee agreed to:

Forward to Step 5 the Proposed Draft Principles for the Use of Sampling and Testing in International Food Trade (section on Principles)
Endorse or update the status of several methods of analysis and sampling in Codex standards, including methods of analysis for food grade salt

Other Matters for the Commission

The Committee also agreed to return to Step 2/3 the Proposed Draft Principles for the Use of Sampling and Testing in International Food Trade (except for the section on Principles)

Matters Referred to Other Committees

Committee on General Principles

The Committee agreed on recommendations on the use of proprietary methods in Codex standards for inclusion in the Codex Procedural Manual

Committee on Fats and Oils

The Committee agreed to ask CCFO to review the methods for relative density in several standards and for erythrodiol+uvaol in olive oils and olive pomace oils as the current IUPAC methods were no longer available

Next Meeting

The 34^th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling has been scheduled to be held in Hungary from 4-8 March 2013 subject to final confirmation from the host country and Codex Secretariat.

Download the agenda for this meeting