. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/W/91
2 November 1998
(98-4262)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
PROCEDURE TO MONITOR THE PROCESS
OF INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION
Submission by the Philippines
In accordance with paragraph 6 of the provisional procedure to monitor the use of international
standards (G/SPS/11), the Philippines proposes th at the Committee consider the attached issue.
_______________G/SPS/W/91
Page 2
PROCEDURE TO MONITOR THE PROCESS
OF INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION
Submission by the Phillipines
Sauces
Commodities affected: Sauces such as oyster sauce, fish sauce and
others
Disease/problem/issue: Use of benzoic acid as a preservative in sauces
Is international trade significantly affected
because of this issue?Yes.  Trade in sauces is significantly affected.
Use of preservatives in other or processed foodscould also be affected.
Does there currently exist an internationalstandard for this disease/problem/issue withthese commodities?There  is no international standard;  only
individual country standards.
If so:
Briefly describe the existing standard: N/A
Is the international standard
inappropriate?N/A
Description of how trade is affected by this issue and how the issue can be resolved through
new or existing international standards:
Benzoic acid is an anti-microbial preservative.  It is used in sauces which require a shelf-life of 6-
12 months and is therefore necessary in products marketed for export.
The lack of an international standard hurts international trade because it allows countries to
discriminate in the use of the additive.
Benzoic acid has an ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight.  This has been used as a reason for restricting its
use, as high levels of consumption of foods containing the additive could create a health risk.However, as there are no internationally agreed methodologies for assessing risk due to dietary
exposure to food additives, the potential for discrimination in usage exists.
The use of benzoic acid in sauces is included in the draft Codex General Standard for Food
Additives (GSFA).  It is importa nt that the GSFA be finalized soon by Codex as the lack of an
international standard not only hurts international trade in sauces but has the potential to hurt trade
in other processed food products where preservatives are used.