Gujarat's first spices quality evaluation lab to be operational by March

Facility will be functional by March end, will trace pesticides, illegal dilution and fungi, using advanced equipment

The Spices Board is setting up Gujarat's first quality evaluation laboratory at the Kandla, The facility, which will be operational by end of March this year, wil provide analytical services to the Indian spice industry, monitor the quality of spices produced and processed in the country and analyse all the samples collected by the Board.

According to industry sources, Gujarat is an important centre for cumin (jeera), coriander, fennel production and exports. This lab will be helpful to improve quality products in the state.

"We are setting up laboratory for quality evaluation at the Kandla in Gujarat. This is the first lab of the state and sixth by The Spices Board. It will start in a month," said A Jayathilak, chairman of Spices Board India.

The Spices Board has set up similar laboratories at Mumbai, Kochi, Guntur, Chennai, New Delhi and Tuticorin.

The laboratory can test samples for various parameters like total plate count, yeast and mould count, coliforms, aflatoxin, moisture, colour value and volatile oil.

Jayathilak said, "The lab will help identify pesticides, illegal dilution and life-threatening fungi seen in spices, using advanced equipment."

The Spices Board is organising the 13th World Spice Congress at Ahmedabad in Gujarat starting February 27. Over 1,000 delegates from India and abroad will participate in the three-day event.

Bhaskar Shah, chairman of Indian Spice and Foodstuff Exporters Association said, "The three-day meet will be a global platform for discussion and interaction between importers, exporters, regulators and other stakeholders of the spice industry. It will hammer out a credible and actionable roadmap that would give a further impetus to the growth of spice industry and address its challenges across the globe."

Spice exports from India stood at 894,000 tonnes valued at Rs 15,000 crore in 2014-15. Outbound shipments touched 491,000 tonnes during April-October 2015.