Key Update

India’s spice industry, a global leader with nearly 40% of the international market, faces regulatory gaps as around 30 commonly used spices lack notified food safety standards, according to a new report.

The report, titled ‘Streamlining the Indian Spice Market for Foods: Issues and Way Forward’, was prepared by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). It called for stronger regulation, better traceability and improved quality control across the spice supply chain.

FSSAI Standards Cover Only 45 Spices

India produces nearly 75 varieties of spices, but the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has established safety standards for only 45 spices. The report identified several widely used spices, including kokum and vanilla, that currently lack notified standards. This gap creates challenges in ensuring consistent quality and protecting consumers from adulteration and contamination risks.

Report Calls for Farm-to-Retail Traceability

ICRIER highlighted the absence of a domestic traceability framework for spices and recommended creating a single nodal agency to monitor the entire supply chain. A unified system could help track spices from cultivation and processing to retail shelves, improve accountability and strengthen consumer confidence.

Export Challenges Highlight Need for Stronger Controls

The report comes amid growing scrutiny of Indian spice exports. It noted recent challenges, including Singapore’s restrictions on certain Indian spice products and the European Union’s plans to introduce a digital product passport requiring detailed traceability. Among Indian spices, cumin has faced the highest rejection rates in international markets, highlighting the need for stronger quality checks and compliance systems.

Overlapping Regulations Create Compliance Challenges

The report pointed out that multiple agencies, including FSSAI and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), prescribe spice-related standards. Overlapping requirements can create confusion and increase compliance challenges for businesses. ICRIER’s Dr Arpita Mukherjee stressed the need to align Indian spice standards with international Codex standards to improve food safety and global competitiveness.

Poor Practices Increase Contamination Risks

The report identified poor agricultural and post-harvest practices as key factors contributing to contamination and adulteration. Excessive pesticide and fertiliser use, improper storage and inadequate processing methods can affect spice quality and safety. It also noted that inconsistent testing procedures across laboratories increase compliance costs, with testing expenses ranging between ₹25,000 and ₹30,000 per sample.

Report Recommends Stronger Spice Safety Measures

ICRIER recommended uniform enforcement of food safety standards, stronger laboratory infrastructure, improved quality control in the informal spice sector and greater support for smallholder farmers. Strengthening these areas could help India protect consumers, improve export confidence and maintain its position as a leading global spice producer.

Source: The New Indian Express