8th Session of Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH), Guwahati – 2025
Context
Event: 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH)
Venue: Guwahati, Assam
Date: 13 October 2025
Hosted by: Government of India
Secretariat: Spices Board of India
Under: Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) – a joint FAO–WHO body promoting food safety and fair trade practices.
Participation: 140 delegates from 40 nations.
Key Highlights
Inauguration
Inaugurated by Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam.
Reaffirmed India’s leadership in global food standards and spice trade.
Emphasized turmeric promotion, spice biodiversity, and export approvals for 200+ spices.
Regional Growth Focus
Highlighted Assam and North-East India as emerging spice hubs.
Stressed the role of processing, value addition, and export promotion in enhancing farmers’ income and regional development.
Institutional Collaboration
India’s Spices Board and FSSAI are working together to:
Strengthen the spice value chain.
Align domestic standards with Codex global benchmarks.
Ensure food safety and quality for consumers worldwide.
FSSAI’s Address
Highlighted:
Global spice industry value: USD 28.5 billion (2024) → projected USD 41.9 billion (by 2033).
Importance of harmonized, science-based standards for consumer safety and equitable global trade.
India’s leadership in Codex Trust Fund capacity-building initiatives.
Reference to the Global Food Regulators Summit (September 2025) held in New Delhi, promoting global regulatory convergence.
Significance for India
Reinforces India’s role as a global spice standard-setter.
Promotes science-based and harmonized food regulations supporting export growth.
Strengthens Assam and North-East’s integration into India’s spice economy.
Supports “Vocal for Local to Global” and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals by enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian spices.
About CCSCH
Established: 2013 under the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Hosted by: India (Spices Board serves as Secretariat).
Mandate:
Formulate global quality and safety standards for spices and culinary herbs.
Facilitate international trade and ensure consumer protection.
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (CAC)
1. Introduction:
Established in May 1963 jointly by FAO and WHO.
Objective:
Protect consumer health.
Ensure fair practices in international food trade.
Codex develops international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice.
2. Importance under WTO:
Recognized by the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures under WTO.
Codex standards serve as reference points for resolving international food trade disputes.
3. Membership:
Total: 189 Members
188 countries + 1 Member Organization (EU)
India became a member in 1964.
4. Organizational Structure:
Plenary Commission – Main decision-making body.
Executive Committee – Coordinates and advises the Commission.
Subsidiary Bodies:
General Subject (Horizontal) Committees – Deal with cross-cutting issues (e.g., labelling, hygiene, contaminants).
Commodity (Vertical) Committees – Develop standards for specific products or food groups.
Coordinating Committees – Develop regional standards and coordinate regional activities.
Ad hoc Task Forces – Time-bound expert groups for emerging food issues.
5. Nature of Codex Standards:
Voluntary in nature, but recognized under WTO agreements.
Serve as benchmark standards for food safety and quality in trade.
6. Types of Codex Standards:
(a) General Standards, Guidelines & Codes of Practice:
Apply horizontally to products/product categories.
Cover:
Food hygiene and labelling
Contaminants and additives
Inspection & certification
Nutrition and health claims
Veterinary drug and pesticide residues
(b) Commodity Standards:
Product-specific or for food groups (e.g., milk, fish, cereals).
(c) Regional Standards:
Developed by Regional Coordinating Committees.
Applicable within respective regions (e.g., Asia, Europe, Africa).