Food Safety is Non-negotiable in the Spice Industry: Experts

HYDERABAD: The World Spice Organisation (WSO), a non-profit technical partner of the All-India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF), has concluded the first day of the 2nd Edition of the National Spices Conference 2023, dedicated to the theme "Food Safe Spices - The Way Forward to a Stable & Sustainable Income”. The experts and industry leaders in the conference deliberated on crucial the issues surrounding the safety and sustainability of spices.

Mr. Ramkumar Menon, Chairman, World Spice Organisation extended a warm welcome to participants, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in ensuring the safety and sustainability of the spice industry. He remarked, “Ensuring the safety of our spices is not only a responsibility but a commitment towards building a resilient and sustainable future for our farmers and consumers alike. Industry should also ensure that all stakeholders have access to a better and more sustainable income."

In his inaugural address, Dr. Homey Cherian, Director of the Directorate of Arecanut and Spice Development (DASD), Ministry of Agriculture stated that “Spices are an important driver of economic growth. Government policies are directed to strengthen this sector giving emphasis on sustainable growth and food safety.”

Dr. A B Remashree, Director Research Spices Board, shared insights to promote safe spice cultivation. He stated, " “Food Safety is non- negotiable in the spice industry. Our strategies must reflect our commitment to deliver safe and high quality Spices to consumers worldwide.”

Additionally, Mr. Cherian Xavier, Chairman of the Business Committee for NSC 2023, said that, "The theme 'Food Safe Spices- the way forward to a stable and sustainable income' is not just a conference focus; It is a call to our industry to shape our future responsibly and sustainably.”

The National Spice Conference 2023 promises to be a pivotal event, fostering collaboration and dialogue to ensure the safety and sustainability of the spice sector. Day two of the session will present more insights on the topics such as better input management and improving productivity, Innovative Processes and Market Trends and Innovative packaging of spices: Challenges and opportunities.  The Participants can anticipate engaging discussions, expert insights, and actionable strategies for a future where food-safe practices lead to a stable and sustainable income for spice farmers.

The National Spice Conference 2023 provides a forum for industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to engage in discussions and implement strategies aimed at enhancing the spice sector as a whole. The event was attended by various FPOs and NGOs, collectively representing approximately 25,000 farmers associated with the National Sustainable Spice Programme (NSSP). NSSP is a prominent initiative of the World Spice Organisation, which focuses on enhancing the production of food-safe and sustainable spices in India, while also facilitating market access for these sustainably produced goods.