Document 82q01Y1obvMyGdroOXVKJ9JMK

April 30, 1990 Page 11 FOOD CHEMICAL NEWS piann d proposals listed for the first time in the regulatory agenda included: a proposal to establish criteria for differentiating calves from adult cattle; clear ance of a 30% citric acid solution as a color preservative on the surface of cured meats; and minimum time, temperatures, and brine concentrations for trichinae destruction in prosciutto ham. Newly-listed advance notices of proposed rulemaking included: non-residue labeling claims about animal production practices; and heat processing proce dures, and instructions for cooking, cooling, handling, and storage of uncured comminuted meat and poultry products other than cooked meat patties. NUTRITION IMPORTANT AT ALL STAGES OF AIDS, REPORT CONCLUDES Based on current evidence, nutrition appears to be important at all stages of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection, according to a "tentative" report from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (See FOOD CHEMICAL NEWS, April 23, Page 2). The findings have been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration and will be open for comment until June 1. Among the various nutrition and diet-related problems observed during the course of HIV infection and AIDS were weight loss, protein-energy malnutrition, and altered status with respect to several vitamins (B6, B12, folate) and miner als (zinc, selenium), the report noted. "Dietary intake may sometimes be altered. Possible adverse consequences of mal nutrition during HIV infection include further damage to the immune system, increased morbidity and debilitation, and influence on the timing of death. The causes of malnutrition in AIDS are multifactorial: decreased food intake, malab sorption and altered metabolism of nutrients," it said. The report, based on a comprehensive literature review and materials received in response to a Federal Register request for scientific data on all aspects of nutri tion and AIDS, concluded that despite the availability of "sound" information, "unproven therapies and unconventional diets" were used frequently. A final version of the report, carried out under contract for FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, will be submitted to the agency by the end of September. CALIFORNIA IDENTIFIES 150 PRIORITY REPRODUCTIVE TOXINS The Reproductive and Cancer Hazard Assessment Section (RCHAS) of the Cali fornia Department of Health Services has compiled a list of more than 150 ch micals, including palm oil, benzene, methylene chloride, and more than 100 pesti cides, which should receive priority consideration for listing as reproduc tive/developmental toxicants (RDTs). The March report was apparently prepared in response to queries about the method by which chemicals find their way nto th agenda for the Proposition 65 Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). It reveals that the State identifi s priority SL 104983 Page 12 April 30, 1990 FOOD CHEMICAL NEWS on the basis of a mixture of procedures, including their appearance on published lists in the scientific literature, their identification as RDTs by an appropriate agency, or nomination by an expert in the field of reproductive and developmental toxicology. In order to implement the last of these procedures, the State has identified a panel of 120 experts from government, academia, industry, and the environ mental movement who have been asked to suggest candidate chemicals. The report ultimately recommended that 7 drugs, 32 other chemicals, and more than 100 pesticides be given priority as candidate RDTs. Some of these chemicals, such as benzene, styrene, and formaldehyde, have already been listed as carcin ogens. Other than drugs and pesticides, the recommended chemicals which have not already been listed as carcinogens are: (1) 2-ethoxy ethyl acetate; (2) 2-methoxy ethyl acetate; (3) acrylonitrile; (4) aminoacetonitrile; (5) formamide; (6) N-methylformamide; (7) N-methylacetamide; (8) dimethyl acetamide; (9) benzyl alcohol; (10) ethyl benzene; (11) toluene; (12) boric acid; (131 di-(2-ethvlheyvnp>ithalate^ (14) halogenated aceton itriles; (15) N-methyl- pyrrolidone; (16) palm oil; (17) PCBs; (18) ribavirin; (19) methyl chloride; (20) vigyUdine chloride; and (21) tetrachloroacetone. The pesticide list runs for several pages, with separate, overlapping lists for fetotoxins, teratogens, and reproductive toxins. It is based on EPA's IRIS database. To review these and other chemicals, the report recommended that the Reproduc tive/Developmental Toxicity Subpanel of the SAP should be re-convened for tw -* meetings a year. Each year, the subpanel would be expected to review brief summaries of toxicity and exposure data for 10-15 chemicals and select five of these chemicals for in-depth review by RCHAS and the State's Department of Food and Agriculture. The results of these in-depth reviews would apparently be presented to the subpanel, which would then recommend candidate RDTs for listing by the SAP. The report suggested that low priority may be given to chemicals which have already b***TM listed --' The 128-page report currently exists only in draft form, and is available through the Proposition 65 office in the State's Health and Welfare Agency in Sacramento. There is a $32 copying charge. JECFA FUNDING CONSTRAINTS TO BE DISCUSSED BY CODEX PANEL The Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants will discuss the finan cial constraints of the Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Health Organization in sponsoring additional meetings of the Joint WHO/FAO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) to evaluate the large number of food addi. tives that have been proposed for priority evaluation by JECFA. Meeting in The Netherlands last month (See FOOD CHEMICAL NEWS, April 2, Page 43; April 9, Page 24; April 16, Page 25; and April 23, Page 36), the Com mittee expressed concern about the funding problem, and agreed t discuss the SL 104984