The 9th International Spice Conference (ISC 2026), held in Kochi, Kerala, concluded in February 2026 as a major success, bringing together over 1,200 delegates from more than 60 countries. Organized by the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF), the conference served as a critical global platform for policymakers, exporters, and innovators to address the future of the spice trade. CORE CONFERENCE DETAILS THEME : 'Spice 360 - Getting Future Ready', where ancient routes met the digital future...

The SPICED scheme - short for 'Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development' - is a Spices Board initiative by India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry. With a total outlay of Rs.422 crore, it aims to boost spice exports, increase cardamom productivity, enhance post-harvest quality, and support value addition through 2025-26. The SPICED scheme provides financial assistance for various activities: MISSION QUALITY &...

Consuming heavy metals in spices, like lead, cadmium, and arsenic, can severely harm human health, leading to neurological damage (mental retardation, cognitive issues), kidney/ liver failure, cardiovascular problems, immune system suppression, birth defects, and even caner, because these metals accumulate in organs and disrupt normal body functions, with risks increasing with adulterated spice consumption and chronic exposure. SPECIFIC HEALTH IMPACTS BY METAL: LEAD (Pb) : Damages kidneys,...