8th session of Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs in Guwahati finalises standards for large cardamom, vanilla and coriander
The 8th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH8), hosted by India in Guwahati, Assam, finalised three new standards — for large cardamom, vanilla and coriander — for adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (PIB, 17 October 2025).
Summary
The 8th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH8) concluded in Guwahati, Assam, PIB reported on 17 October 2025. It finalised three new standards, for large cardamom, vanilla and coriander, and recommended them for adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The vanilla standard had been discussed over several sessions because of the technical complexity of flavour chemistry. The committee was established in 2013 at India's behest and works under the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a joint body of the FAO and WHO; India, through the Spices Board under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is its Secretariat. About 30 countries and observers took part. India is a leading producer and exporter of large cardamom and coriander, while vanilla is largely imported.
Key facts
- Session
- CCSCH8, Guwahati, Assam
- New standards
- Large cardamom, vanilla, coriander
- Next step
- Recommended for adoption by Codex Alimentarius Commission
- CCSCH set up
- 2013, at India's behest
- Secretariat
- Spices Board (Ministry of Commerce & Industry)
- Parent body
- Codex Alimentarius Commission — joint FAO/WHO
- Participation
- About 30 countries and observers
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The 8th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH8), concluded in October 2025, was held in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Guwahati
PIB: CCSCH8 concluded successfully in Guwahati.
CCSCH8 finalised new Codex standards for which three spices?
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Correct answer: D — Large cardamom, vanilla and coriander
PIB: a key highlight was the finalisation of three new standards for large cardamom, vanilla and coriander, recommended for adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Consider the following statements about the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH): 1. It was established in 2013 at India's behest under the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a joint body of the FAO and WHO. 2. Its Secretariat is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: CCSCH was established in 2013 at India's behest under the Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO/WHO); India, represented by the Spices Board under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, serves as its Secretariat.