Guwahati: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated the 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) in Guwahati on Monday (October 12).
Organised by the Spices Board under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the five-day global meet brings together delegates representing 27 countries, including international policymakers, scientists, and trade experts, to deliberate on harmonised Codex standards that ensure the safety, quality, and fair trade of spices and culinary herbs.
Addressing the session, Governor Acharya said Assam and the Northeast have immense potential to meet the growing global demand for high-quality, organic spices and herbs.
He stated that the 8th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs would pave the way for enhancing quality standards through meaningful discussions and ideas, while also strengthening the foundation of a safe, sustainable, and inclusive global food system.
He noted that the northeast region’s pristine environment, traditional farming practices, and diverse agro-climatic conditions make it ideal for cultivating high-quality spices. He highlighted the GI-tagged Karbi Anglong ginger, Lakadong turmeric, and Bhut Jolokia chili as prime examples of produce that have earned global recognition.
Emphasising India’s rich and ancient spice heritage, the Governor said, “For centuries, Indian spices such as black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom have captivated the world with their distinctive aroma and healing properties.”
He further noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian spices have regained their global prominence, with exports reaching 1.8 million tonnes valued at approximately Rs 40,000 crore in FY 2024–25.
The Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH), established in July 2013 at the 36th CAC session in Rome, is an exclusive global body tasked with framing standards for spices and culinary herbs in their dried and dehydrated forms — whether whole, ground, cracked, or crushed. India serves as the host country, with the Spices Board, Kochi, acting as its Secretariat.
The CCSCH has so far developed 14 international standards for 16 spices. This committee is a part of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) which works under the joint auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
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The commission has over 194 member countries. The WTO recognizes the commission as the international reference point for resolving disputes related to food safety and consumer protection.
The session was attended by CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Rajit Punani, Chairperson of CCSCH M.R. Sudarshan, Secretary of the Spices Board of India P. Hemalatha, Senior Food Safety Officer Hilde Kruse of the Codex Secretariat, and representatives from several member nations.
