Report of the 33rd Session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and ...

REP 12/NFSDU 9Proposed Draft Nutrient Reference Values for Nutrients Associated with Risk <strong>of</strong> Diet-RelatedNoncommunicable Diseases for General Population (NRVs-NCD) (Agenda Item 4b) 667. The <strong>Committee</strong> recalled that its last session agreed that in conjunction with <strong>the</strong> work on <strong>the</strong> Principles(Agenda Item 4a); <strong>the</strong> working group would also make proposals on NRVs for saturated fatty acid andsodium for consideration at <strong>the</strong> next session.Saturated Fatty Acids68. The Delegation <strong>of</strong> Thailand, as co-chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> eWG, informed <strong>the</strong> <strong>Committee</strong> that <strong>the</strong> eWG hadconcluded that based on <strong>the</strong> draft principles two joint FAO/WHO expert consultation reports were proposedas primary data sources for <strong>the</strong> eWG to consider in proposing NRVs-NCD for <strong>the</strong>se two nutrients: 1) forSFA—<strong>the</strong> report <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2008 joint FAO/WHO expert consultation on fats and fatty acids in human nutrition(FNP 91), and 2) for sodium—<strong>the</strong> report <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2002 joint FAO/WHO expert consultation on diet, nutritionand <strong>the</strong> prevention <strong>of</strong> chronic diseases (TR 916).69. Many delegations agreed with <strong>the</strong> view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> eWG and supported <strong>the</strong> value 20 g as an NRV-NCD forsaturated fatty acids. Some delegations also noted that 20 g was equivalent to 9% energy from saturated fattyacids in a reference daily intake 8370 kJ/ 2000 kcal.70. The delegation <strong>of</strong> Malaysia and <strong>the</strong> observers <strong>of</strong> IDF and NHF did not support to establish an NRV-NCD for saturated fatty acids, because no convincing evidence had been provided to show any relationshipbetween those amounts <strong>of</strong> saturated fatty acids and CVD; <strong>the</strong> ‘convincing’ evidence cited in <strong>the</strong> proposalrelated only to replacing saturated fatty acids with polyunsaturated fatty acids; NRV for SFAs based onreplacement with polyunsaturated fatty acids was difficult for <strong>the</strong> general consumers to comprehend; <strong>the</strong>Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation <strong>Report</strong> on Fats and Fatty Acid recommended that <strong>the</strong> amount <strong>of</strong>polyunsaturated fatty acids should be considered; and saturated fatty acids were diverse groups <strong>of</strong>compounds with different physiological effects, including different effects on blood lipids. The replacement<strong>of</strong> saturated fatty acids could have adverse effects on health.71. One delegation noted that <strong>the</strong>re is convincing evidence relating saturated fat to CVD, and since <strong>the</strong>benefit for decreased CVD risk <strong>of</strong> lowering saturated fatty acid intake is realized when saturated fatty acid isreplaced with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), <strong>the</strong>re may also be a need to include in <strong>the</strong> NRV onlythose saturated fatty acids linked to increased risk <strong>of</strong> CVD.Sodium72. The Delegation <strong>of</strong> Chile, as co-chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> eWG, informed <strong>the</strong> <strong>Committee</strong> that <strong>the</strong> eWG hadconcluded that NRV-NCD on sodium should be established taking into consideration <strong>the</strong> draft principlesconsidered under Agenda Item 4a and had proposed 2000 mg as a basis for a proposed NRV-NCD.73. The <strong>Committee</strong> generally supported <strong>the</strong> outcome <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> eWG and <strong>the</strong> level proposed. The Observer <strong>of</strong>EUSalt expressed <strong>the</strong> view that recent studies questioned <strong>the</strong> relationship between salt intake andcardiovascular diseases.74. Regarding <strong>the</strong> FAO/WHO data sources, <strong>the</strong> Representative <strong>of</strong> WHO clarified that an additionalreference should be made to <strong>the</strong> Prevention <strong>of</strong> cardiovascular disease: Guidelines for assessment andmanagement <strong>of</strong> cardiovascular risk. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2007 which were based onsystematic reviews.75. In reply to a question from one observer as to why <strong>the</strong> value was expressed in milligrams instead <strong>of</strong>grams, <strong>the</strong> Delegation <strong>of</strong> Chile explained that many delegations supported <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> milligrams in <strong>the</strong> eWG,that <strong>the</strong> sodium content was expressed in milligrams in most papers, that milligram was used for o<strong>the</strong>rminerals such as magnesium and iron, and that expressing in milligrams, resulting in higher numbers, waspreferable for consumer information purposes.6CX/NFSDU 11/33/6 (<strong>Report</strong> <strong>of</strong> electronic working group), CX/NFSDU 11/33/6-Add.1 (Comments <strong>of</strong> Brazil, Chile, China,Colombia, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Thailand, United States <strong>of</strong> America, Uruguay, ICBA, IDF and NHF),CX/NFSDU 11/33/6-Add.2 (Comments <strong>of</strong> Canada, European Union, Mexico and Nicaragua), CRD 4 (Comments <strong>of</strong> Mali), CRD6 (Comments <strong>of</strong> Australia, Nicaragua, Turkey and FoodDrinkEurope), CRD 10 (Comments <strong>of</strong> Indonesia), CRD 14 (Comments<strong>of</strong> Jamaica), CRD 17 (Comments <strong>of</strong> Malaysia)