India’s Spices Board Hosts Global Codex Session to Standardize Trade and Elevate North-East Export Hub
SDG 2: Zero Hunger | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Institutions: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Government of Assam
The 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH), a body under the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) (a joint FAO/WHO body), was inaugurated today in Guwahati. Hosted by the Government of India, the session has the Spices Board of India serving as the Secretariat. Governor of Assam, underscored the CCSCH’s role in promoting India’s vast spice biodiversity, citing past initiatives like the promotion of turmeric as a superfood and the approval of over 200 spices for export. The CEO of FSSAI, noted that the global spice industry, valued at USD 28.5 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 41.9 billion by 2033. The session, which hosts 140 delegates representing 40 countries, is set to deliberate on draft standards for key spices, including cardamom, coriander, and vanilla.
The focus on enhancing processing, value addition, and aligning domestic standards with global benchmarks is crucial for improving farmers’ income, driving economic development in regions like the North-East, and positioning India as a reliable global leader in the high-value spice export market.
What is the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)? → The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is a joint intergovernmental body of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Its mandate is to promote food safety, quality, and fair practices in international trade by establishing harmonized, science-based global food standards.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: Following the deliberations on new spice standards, what immediate institutional measures will the Spices Board of India implement to ensure small and medium enterprises in the North-East rapidly comply with the updated global quality benchmarks for export?
Follow the full news here: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2178578