Experts to fix global quality standards for 10 spices

A total of 120 experts from 36 countries and three international observation organisations will deliberate on setting up common global quality standards for 10 spices, including dried chilli, ginger and saffron at a meet in Goa, an official said here on Saturday.

The Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs meeting will be held from September 14-18.

Spices Board of India chairman A. Jayathilak said the initiative of India and Spices Board through CCSCH was aimed at harmonising global standards for spices and culinary herbs.

"Codex standards ensure common quality standards for spices among spices exporting countries, thus helping to eliminate potential distortion in exports due to diverse food quality legislations by different countries," said Jayathilak, the co-coordinator for the CCSCH.

The 'Codex Standards' for the spices is being discussed at the second session of CCSCH under Codex Alimentraius Commission, Rome with the aim to ensure fair trade practices and better returns to farmers.

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