Chapter
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12
PACKAGING ASPECTS OF
SPICES & SPICE PRODUCTS
A R Indiramma
Food Packaging Technology Department
Central Food Technological Research Institute
Mysore 570 020 (INDIA)
PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING
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Chapter 12
PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING
PACKAGING ASPECTS OF SPICES & SPICE PRODUCTS
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Chapter 12
PACKAGING ASPECTS OF
SPICES & SPICE PRODUCTS
I
ndia is rightly called as “the home of spices” as it produces and exports almost all the spices except some leaf spices and herbs.
Apart from major spices like pepper, ginger, turmeric, cardamom, cumin, celery seed, chilli, fenugreek and clove, many minor spices are grown in India. Totally about 52 kinds of different spices are grown . Blessed with appropriate soil and climate and a wide knowledge about the use of spices in foods, medicine, perfumes, etc., the country has the potential to develop into a quality market in spices. In terms of production, our country contributes 25-30% of the world production. During 2002-2003, India has exported spices to more than 100 countries and the exports are expected to go up further.
Most of the trade is in bulk packages. Half the world’s production of oils and oleoresins of spices is produced in India for use in flavourings, meat processing, confectionery, liquor, perfumery and cosmetics.
more concerned about biological infestation, pesticide residues and the presence of toxins.
Several consignments failed to reach the destination in good condition, one of the reasons being improper packaging. Hence, proper functional packaging can be expected to play an important role in maintaining quality of spices during storage and transportation. In spite of this large production, much attention has not been paid on their primary processing and packaging aspects. The importing countries are particular about standards relating to safety and hygiene