The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has notified the Spices, Grading and Marking (Amendment) Rules, 2018 (“Amendment Rules”).
The Amendment Rules are effective since 11th January 2019 and supersede the following rules:
(i) Cloves Grading and Marking Rules,1996
(ii) Caraway and Black Caraway Grading and Marking Rules, 2000
(iii) Ajowan Seeds (Whole and Powdered) Grading and Marking Rules,1997
Key Highlights of the Amendment Rules:
- The Amendment Rules has included Cloves (Whole) and (Powder), Caraway and Black Caraway and Ajowan within its scope.
2. The Amendment Rules has inserted the following schedules after Schedule XXXII, specifying the grade designation, quality, special characteristics and general characteristics of the below-mentioned spices:
- Schedule – XXXIII- Cloves(Laung) (Whole)
- Schedule – XXXIV- Cloves (Laung) (Powder)
- Schedule – XXXV- Caraway Seed (Whole) (Siah Jeera)
- Schedule – XXXVI- Caraway Seed (Powder) (Siah Jeera Powder)
- Schedule – XXXVII- Black Caraway Seed (Whole)
- Schedule – XXXVIII- Black Caraway Seed (Powder)
- Schedule – XXXIX- Ajowan Seed (Whole)
- Schedule – XL- Ajowan Seed (Powder)
3. The spices should comply with the following restrictions:
- residual levels of metal contaminants;
- insecticides and pesticides residues;
- microbial requirements;
- crop contaminants;
- naturally occurring toxic substances;
- other food safety requirements as specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 and Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011
- residual limits of heavy metals, pesticides and other food safety requirements as laid down by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, or importing countries requirement for exports.
Source: Department of Agriculture, Co-operation and Family Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Family Welfare
