Ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods (TFPHQFF)

The Ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods (TFPHQFF) was preceded by the Group of Experts on Quick Frozen Foods (GEQFF), which was abolished in 1999. The GEQFF had produced the Code of practice for the processing and handling of quick frozen foods (CXC 8-1976), which, by 2004, needed to be revised. At that time, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) accepted an offer from the United States of America to work by correspondence on revisions to this code. The United States of America was host of both the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) and of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruit and Vegetables (CCPFV) at the time.

Preliminary revisions were drafted and responsibility for finalization of the new text transferred to CCFH. However, one particular issue, on the application of defect action point (DAP) analysis vis-à-vis the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system, proved to be difficult to resolve. Thus, in 2006, CAC29 agreed to form the TFPHQFF to resolve all outstanding issues including quality and safety provisions with a view to the finalization of revisions to CXC 8-1976. Thailand was appointed as host government.

Work was completed by 2008 and CAC31 agreed to dissolve the task force.