The 8th session of  the Codex Committee on Natural Mineral Waters changed the acceptable limits for the presence of some substances and pointed out the need to revise hygienic practice for natural mineral waters. Later, the Codex Commission requested the Committee on Food Hygiene to consider if this was relevant. At its 40th session in Guatemala (Dec. 2008), the CCFH agreed to establish a working group to revise the Recommended International Code of Hygienic Practice for Collecting, Processing and Marketing of Natural Mineral Waters (CAC/RCP 33-1985). The working group will be led by Switzerland and will work only in English. The first documents are expected to be circulated within the next few months. Argentina will take part in this working group.

GUIDE ON CONDUCT OF pLENARY MEETINGS
In view of the events associated with the approval of the standard for Emmenthal cheese at the 30th Session of the Codex Commission (namely, Switzerland’s opposition to the decision of the Chair of the Commission invoking the General Rules of the FAO and managed to have the matter being voted on), Argentina suggested that article XII of the General Rules of the FAO be included in the Procedural Manual of the Commission at the 60th Session of the Executive Committee held in December 2007.
Given this situation, although the proposal was not adopted, the Codex Secretariat has circulated the “Guide on Conduct of Plenary Meetings”, which we make available to all the delegates of the region.