This 56-page guide is based on the highly specialized knowledge of members who work with spices. Their skills range from sourcing spices all over the world to importing, trading, purchasing, and analyzing and all facets of processing. For each product, information has been drawn from the ASTA members who are most familiar with the spice being presented. Although this guide would certainly be interesting to anyone who is curious about spices, it is designed primarily to be a reference for food industry and foodservice personnel. Hard copies of this publication can be purchased by contacting ASTA at [email protected].

This session provided an overview of the role of Codex Alimentarius in influencing global regulations and promoting global regulatory harmonization. Nick Gardner explains the foundations of Codex Alimentarius and summarizes recent developments of interest to the spice industry, including discussions on country of harvest labeling and contaminant standards. He also examined the potential ramifications of the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization and how this may influence the U.S.'s role in international food policy.