QA and HACCP systems in herb and spice production 109
producers, wildcrafters, first nations community, American Herbal Products Association,
Herb Research Foundation and World Health Organization. The practices address
one of the biggest issues facing the industry – accurate identity of plant material.
They were developed within a government-recognized HACCP model and were
based on an internationally recognized good agricultural practices model. The program
respects traditional knowledge and skills. The practices help provide information for
certificates of origin and disclosure of origin. They also help with identifying risks of
pollution or contamination at collection sites and help isolate problems. They are a
good basis for ethical methods and practices.
Steps in developing the plant identification practice
Step one – literature search: the first step in the development of the practices was to
do a literature search to look for partially developed practices. No practices, complete
or partial, were found.
Step two – outlining the practice: the practice was developed using a decision tree
process where risk management was based both for the product and the people
involved. This step encompassed the identification of the correct species, the correct
variety or chemotype and the correct plant part.
Step three – including all aspects: it is essential that this practice include observation
and documentation of the establishment, growth and harvest stages both for cultivated
and wild-harvested plants.
Plant identification practice helps producers and collectors decide if they have the
skills to identify their product (and what to do if they do not have the skills or
information), how to identify their product, how to properly keep and take retention
samples and voucher specimens. It also describes testing methods available
(macroscopic/organoleptic, microscopic and chemical analysis).
Documenting the plant identification practice
As with every other GAP, verification through documentation is vital. The plant
identification practice requires voucher labels with the retention samples, Certificate
of Authenticity or Declaration of Identification. A Certificate of Authenticity must be
signed by a recognized authority in botanical identification while a Declaration of
Identification can be signed by a harvester or producer using their knowledge base
and past experience to identify the products. This practice is used in situations where
their qualifications meet the risks. For example a Certificate of Authenticity should
be used and signed by a recognized authority when a plant that is difficult to identify
is being harvested by someone without relevant experience, training and/or education.
If an easy-to-identify product is being harvested by a person with adequate experience,
training and/or education a Declaration of Identity is sufficient.
The plant identification practice is an internationally recognized practice that can
either stand alone or be incorporated into any program that provides a concrete
solution to an overarching problem throughout the industry! It can be found at
http://www.saskherbspice.org. The practice was developed by a project team comprised of
the following:
Connie Kehler, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Herb and Spice Association/Canadian
Herb, Spice and Natural Health Product Coalition.
Dave Buck, Manager, Non-Timber Forest Products, Northern Forest Diversification
Centre (Manitoba).
Rob McCaleb, President, Herb Research Foundation (Colorado).