BACKGROUND

1. The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) had been considering the provisions on dietary fibre within the framework of the Guidelines for the Use of Nutrition Claims since its 18th Session, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany, 28 September – 2 October 1992.

2. At the 27th Session of the CCNFSDU the Representative of FAO informed the Committee that an FAO/WHO expert working group was currently reviewing scientific evidence on the physiology of carbohydrates and relevant definitions, and that its results would be available in mid 2006. This expert group would advise FAO and WHO about the appropriateness of convening an expert consultation in this area. The Committee agreed to consider the results of this expert group when it became available and in the meantime to proceed with the consideration of the conditions for claims (ALINORM 06/29/26, para. 19).

3. At the 28th Session of the CCNFSDU in Thailand, 30 October – 3 November the Committee considered provisions on dietary fibre at Step 7. For details of consideration see ALINORM 07/30/26, paras 10-22. At this Session the Committee agreed to return the Draft Table of Conditions for Nutrient Contents containing provisions on dietary fibre to Step 6 and to issue a Circular Letter asking comments and additional input on the definition and other provisions of dietary fibre. The Committee noted that a Circular Letter should CL 2007/3-CCNFSDU contain the current Appendix III, the content of CRD 19 and also additional clarification provided by the WHO, if any, including information on the publication of the scientific papers.

4. The WHO added clarifications on Process and criteria for selecting experts, Status of the scientific papers being prepared, and Methods for publication and dissemination as well as on relevant references (see Appendices).

5. Member Governments and interested International Organisations are invited to comment and to provide additional input on the definition and other provisions of dietary fibre and should do so in writing to the addresses indicated in the attached document not later than 31 March 2007.

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