India hosts 8th session of Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs in Guwahati

The 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) was inaugurated in Guwahati by the Hon’ble Governor of Assam, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, reaffirming India’s growing influence in developing global standards for spices and culinary herbs.

The session is being hosted by the Government of India, with the Spices Board of India serving as the Secretariat under the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) — a joint body of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) that works to ensure food safety, quality, and fair practices in international trade.

India’s Leadership in the Global Spice Sector
In his inaugural address, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya highlighted the pivotal role played by India in promoting and preserving spice biodiversity. He praised initiatives such as the promotion of turmeric as a superfood and the approval of more than 200 spices for export, showcasing India’s strong presence in the global spice economy.

He further emphasized the potential of Assam and the North-Eastern region to emerge as major spice hubs, driven by enhanced processing facilities, value addition, and export promotion measures. These efforts, he said, are not only increasing farmers’ income but also boosting regional economic growth and employment.

The Governor also commended the collaborative work of the Government of India and the Spices Board in strengthening India’s spice value chain, aligning domestic production and safety standards with international benchmarks, and ensuring global recognition for Indian spices.

Focus on Food Safety and Science-Based Standards
Delivering the special address, Shri Rajit Punhani, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), stressed the importance of adopting harmonized, science-based standards to ensure food safety and equitable international trade.

He noted that the global spice industry, valued at USD 28.5 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 41.9 billion by 2033, reflecting immense growth potential. Punhani also highlighted India’s leadership in international capacity-building initiatives under the Codex Trust Fund, and the success of the Global Food Regulators Summit 2025, which reinforced collaboration among global food regulators.

Global Cooperation and Future Outlook
Dr. Hilde Kruse, Senior Food Safety Officer at the Codex Secretariat, extended her gratitude to the Government of India and the Spices Board for hosting the event and acknowledged India’s continuous support in advancing harmonized international standards for spices and culinary herbs.

She lauded the committee’s progress over the past 11 years and commended FSSAI’s leadership in hosting the Global Food Regulators Summit in Delhi, which highlighted the importance of international cooperation on food standards and safety.

The session will include deliberations on draft and proposed standards for major spices such as cardamom, coriander, and vanilla. The final recommendations will be forwarded to the Codex Alimentarius Commission for review and approval.

Global Participation and Shared Commitment
The 8th CCSCH Session brought together 140 delegates from 40 countries, underscoring the strong global commitment to developing uniform standards for spices and strengthening international cooperation in food safety and trade.

Prominent attendees included Dr. Alka Rao (Advisor, FSSAI), Dr. M. R. Sudharsan (Chairperson, CCSCH), and senior representatives from the Spices Board of India, FSSAI, and the Codex Secretariat.

The session concluded with a shared vision of making the global spice sector more safe, sustainable, and equitable, reaffirming India’s position as a key driver in shaping the future of international spice trade and regulation.