The 8th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs has concluded with agreements on standards and other outstanding issues.

In his concluding speech, the CCSCH Chairperson thanked all involved for such a successful meeting. “We worked hard and we have achieved results,” he said. He made a point of thanking all working group chairs.The standard for vanilla was agreed to be forwarded for adoption at Step 8, “one of the most discussed recent standards in CCSCH,” according to the Chairperson.In a triumph for Codex capacity-building initiatives, large cardamom has been forwarded for adoption at Step 5/8. This latter work was led by Bhutan, whose Codex capacities were enhanced through a Codex Trust Fund group project. The draft standard for spices in the form of dried seeds – coriander, was also agreed to be forwarded for adoption at Step 5/8. Regarding the draft standard for spices in the form of dried barks – cinnamon, CCSCH8 agreed to return it to Step 2/3 for redrafting, taking into account the discussions at this meeting. The draft standard for the culinary herb sweet marjoram was agreed to be forwarded for adoption at Step 5.

As regard the term “Country of harvest” in the labelling of spices, which has been a sticking point, CCSCH8 agreed to send requests for consideration by CCFL.

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CCSCH8 webpage

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