Guwahati, October 13, 2025: The 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH8) was inaugurated today in Guwahati, Assam, by Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam. Organised by the Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, 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.
In his inaugural address, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya welcomed the international delegates to Guwahati—“the gateway to Northeast India”—and highlighted the region’s rich biodiversity and proud agricultural heritage. He noted that “the 8th session of Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs will open new avenues to elevate quality standards through ideas and deliberations and will strengthen the foundation of a food system that is safe, sustainable, and beneficial for all”.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Shri Rajit Punhani, IAS, CEO, FSSAI; Smt. P Hemalatha IAS, Secretary, Spices Board; Dr Hilde Kruse, Senior Food Safety Officer from the Codex Alimentarius Commission; and Dr M.R. Sudharshan, Chairperson of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs. Senior officials from the Spices Board, FSSAI and representatives from international Codex member countries also attended the ceremony.
The Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH), established in 2013 and chaired by India, 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). 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 ongoing session in Guwahati aims to further strengthen these efforts, reaffirming India’s leadership in setting global benchmarks for spices and herbs.