108 Handbook of herbs and spices
- post-harvest processing
- personnel training
- preventative maintenance
- record keeping.
The two practices that are ‘must-do’ are plant/product identification and pest control
products – purchase, storage, handling and application and records. The rest of the
practices are ‘recommended’ and need to be applied appropriately depending on the
risk and scope of the operation.
Each practice includes a written recommendation and a follow-up checklist to
ensure that the practice has been completed. Standard operating procedures and a
listing of other appropriate documents may also be required. It is important to note
that the practices are outcome based. This allows producers to use existing practices,
provided they meet the outcome, and avoids duplication. It is essential that the
records of the existing practice be accessible and current.
6.3 Plant identification practice...........................................................
Identified Plant/Product Identification is a ‘must-do’ practice. This practice was
developed prior to the rest and is also a stand-alone practice. It was developed with
input from experts throughout North America and with guidance from the WHO
(World Health Organization). Proper plant identification is one of the keys to the
development of an industry based on the safe use of high quality natural health
products. Examples of misidentification, adulteration, and contamination of natural
health products have been widely recorded both within Canada and around the world.
Botanical identity is a key feature. Accurate plant identification is the foundation of
the safe use of plant-based natural health products. Without proper botanical
identification as a starting point, the safe use of quality products cannot be guaranteed.
The goals were to:
∑ develop effective, practical tools for people growing and collecting to accurately
identify medicinal herbs
∑ have this voluntary practice available to all to incorporate into good collection
practices
∑ establish a tool both for cottage industries and large manufacturers to assure
correct identification.
Since 1974, the WHO has asserted that the single greatest improvement in botanical
quality would be the implementation of a program for the certification of botanical
identity. The fact that after more than 25 years such a system had not yet been
developed, even though the technical requirements are minimal, is indicative of the
challenges involved. Two questions had to be answered:
- How can a high degree of certainty be created that plant materials will be properly
identified at the production end of the value chain?
- What practices can be recommended that will be workable for producers and
collectors?
The practices were developed by creating a plant identification working group
with representatives from industry, government, and educational institutions including