Codex committee to chalk out standards for spices

Experts from more than 36 countries and three international observation organisations will deliberate on setting up common global quality standards for 10 spices at the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) to be held in Goa from September 14 to 18.

The ‘codex standards’ for the spices are being discussed at CCSCH, under the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Rome, with an aim to ensure fair trade practices and better returns to farmers.

While India has submitted proposals for setting up standards for dried chilli, ginger and garlic, Egypt has submitted a proposal for basil and coriander, Indonesia for nutmeg, Nigeria for cloves and ginger, Iran for saffron and Argentina for paprika.

“The initiative of India and Spices Board through CCSCH are aimed at harmonising global standards for spices and culinary herbs,” said A Jayathilak, chairman, Spices Board, and co-coordinator for CCSCH. “Codex standards ensure common quality standards for spices among spices exporting countries, thus helping eliminate potential distortion in exports due to diverse food quality legislation by different countries,” he added.

The official website of the Codex Alimentarius said the terms of reference of the meeting was to elaborate worldwide standards for spices and culinary herbs in their dried and dehydrated state in whole, ground, and cracked or crushed form and to consult with other international organisations in the standard development process to avoid duplication.

Nearly 120 delegates will attend CCSCH, hosted by the Spices Board.