The world’s spice leaders gathered in Guwahati, Assam, for the Eighth Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH), marking another milestone in global food standards and trade harmonization. The session was inaugurated by Assam’s Governor, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who underscored the state’s deep-rooted tradition of organic and nature-synced farming. “Building on this traditional wisdom,” he said, “modern technology, certification, and consumer awareness are creating new demand for safe, traceable, and high-quality spices.”

Governor Acharya emphasized Codex’s pivotal role as a bridge between farmers and scientists, ensuring that “standards guarantee safety and quality for consumers while helping small producers and developing countries access global markets.”

Joining him on the dais were Rajit Punhani, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI); P. Hemalatha, IAS, Secretary of the Spices Board of India; and A.B. Remashree, Director (Research & Finance), Spices Board. Punhani highlighted the growing importance of the sector, noting that the global spice industry, valued at $ 30 billion, is projected to surpass $ 40 billion within the next decade. “Spices connect humanity through the universal language of flavor and aroma,” he said. “The collective wisdom, scientific expertise, and collaborative spirit demonstrated here will strengthen global frameworks that ensure safe and sustainable trade.”

P. Hemalatha reflected on the “remarkable odyssey of spices” and called on delegates to pursue “harmony and transparency” as CCSCH deliberates standards for large cardamom, sweet marjoram, cinnamon, and dried coriander seeds. She urged participants to build consensus that translates into fair, inclusive, and globally recognized benchmarks for spice quality.

Representing the Codex Secretariat, Hilde Kruse, Senior Food Standards Officer, lauded India’s organization of the event and wished delegates a productive week ahead.

With Guwahati as its vibrant backdrop, the session symbolizes how tradition and technology can coalesce to elevate spices—not just as trade commodities, but as cultural connectors and instruments of sustainable growth in the global food economy.