Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Codex News Item, 21 January 2019
Delegates from over 20 countries are meeting in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), India from 21 January 2019 to discuss draft Codex standards for selected spices and herbs that will eliminate trade barriers and strengthen food supply chains with safe food.
Addressing the opening ceremony the Chairman of the Spices Board Shri Subhash Vasu said that through the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission progress was being made in “gaining a better understanding of the real hurdles in the spice sector”.
Shri M. Saravana from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry told delegates Codex was “one of the most successful examples of reviving multilateralism in the global trading system”. The committee has already developed worldwide standards for black/white/green pepper, cumin and thyme and the meeting will be an opportunity “to address the concerns of developing countries in production and trade of spices and culinary herbs”, said Saravana.
Topics under discussion at the meeting include standards for oregano, basil, ginger, garlic, chilli pepper and paprika, nutmeg, saffron and cloves.
The committee was founded in 2013 to develop and expand worldwide standards for spices and culinary herbs. India is the host country and the Spices Board of India serves as the Secretariat for organising the sessions of the committee.
