Joint ECE/Codex Alimentarius Groups of Experts on Standardization: Quick Frozen Foods (GEQFF)

The Group of Experts on Quick Frozen Foods (GEQFF) was a joint Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) expert group established to elaborate standards for frozen foodstuffs that were “not specifically allotted by the Commission to another Codex committee.” It was also mandated to develop a general standard that commodity committees would reference in developing their own standards on frozen foods.

When CAC was established in 1963, work on standards for frozen fruit and vegetables was already planned by UNECE’s Working Party on Standardization of Perishable Foodstuffs, together with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Institute for Refrigeration (IIF). GEQFF emerged from this preliminary work.

At CAC11 in 1976, the Code of practice for the processing and handling of quick-frozen foods (CXC 8-1976) was adopted with a view to revisit it after five years. However, GEQFF was adjourned sine die at CAC14, in 1981. Outstanding issues were addressed by an ad hoc working group which was established, met and reported during CAC15.

GEQFF was subsequently abolished at CAC23, in 1999.