Kochi to host World Spice Congress from Feb 16

The 12th edition will see participation from over 700 delegates from more than 40 countries

The 12th edition of World Spice Congress (WSC) will be held at Kochi from February 16-19. The biennial event, the largest exclusive business platform for the spice sector, organised jointly by Spices Board of India and All India Spice Exporters Forum (AISEF) will bring together global thought leaders, grower representatives, policy defining bodies as well as leading players from the spice industry and food and beverages companies.

The theme of the event is — Sustainability and Food Safety: Global Initiatives.

These topics are of crucial importanc, which need serious deliberation, proactive action and an active coming-together of all the stakeholders.

It would see participation from over 700 delegates from more than 40 countries. Eminent speakers from across the world will discuss various aspects of the topics like sustainable agriculture programs; engaging research to meet industry challenges; Regulations: Harmonisation and Simplification; crops and markets and value-addition in spices.

Rajeev Kher, secretary, ministry of commerce and industry, will hold a special session on February 17, a release from Spices Board said.

Some of the dignitaries participating in this event are: Daniele Giovannucci, president – Committee of Sustainability Assessment, USA;  Tony Bruggink, The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), Netherlands;  Maragaret A Hamburg, MD, Commissioner to the US Food and Drug Administration;  Parvinder Singh , MD, Common Fund for Commodities, Netherlands; S Dave, chairman,  Codex Alimentarius Commission; RistoHolma, administrator, European Commission; Ikhlas Khan, director, FDA Centre of Excellence, University of Michigan; Cheryl Deem, executive director, American Spice Trade Association and Michio Nozaki—All Nippon Spice Association, Japan.