Market
Chive powder is a dried aromatic herb ingredient produced by dehydrating and grinding chives (Allium schoenoprasum) for use as a seasoning in foods such as soups, stews, egg dishes, and dairy-based preparations. Chives are primarily cultivated in temperate climates (and at higher elevations in the tropics), and commercial powder supply depends on dehydration and milling capacity rather than fresh-market logistics. International buyer and regulator expectations are shaped by recognized specifications (e.g., ISO 5671 for dried chive) and Codex hygiene guidance for spices and dried aromatic herbs, with microbial hazards (notably Salmonella) a key compliance driver. Trade and customs reporting can be challenging to isolate at the chive-powder level because dried herbs/vegetable powders may be grouped under broader HS headings (e.g., HS 0712).
Major Importing Countries- 일본HS 0712 (dried vegetables in whole/cut/powder forms) is a broad proxy category that can include dried herb/vegetable powders; chive powder-specific flows are not separable from this table.
- 미국HS 0712 broad proxy category; not chive-specific.
- 독일HS 0712 broad proxy category; not chive-specific.
- 캐나다HS 0712 broad proxy category; not chive-specific.
- 프랑스HS 0712 broad proxy category; not chive-specific.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Produced from chive plant tops that are dehydrated and sold in cut or ground (powder) form; international specification coverage exists for dried chive in cut and ground forms (ISO 5671:2023).
- As a dried aromatic herb, it is commonly traded as a dehydrated, ground product within the broader herbs/spices category referenced by Codex hygiene guidance.
Grades- ISO 5671:2023 — Spices and condiments: Dried chive (Allium schoenoprasum L.), cut and ground — Specification (recognized reference point for buyer specifications).
Packaging- Packaging and marking requirements are addressed in ISO 5671:2023 (details depend on contract and standard access).
- Moisture control in packaging/storage is critical because Codex hygiene guidance flags mould growth and associated mycotoxin risk in spices and dried aromatic herbs.
ProcessingCodex hygiene guidance for spices and dried aromatic herbs explicitly includes microbial reduction treatments and highlights testing where necessary for hazards such as Salmonella; chive powder buyers may require validated pathogen reduction (method depends on market and customer specification).Codex GSFA provisions for herbs and spices (food category 12.2.1) indicate that certain anticaking agents and related additives may be permitted at GMP where used; actual formulation must follow destination-market rules and customer specs.
Risks
Food Safety HighDried aromatic herbs and spices (a category that includes dried chives) have documented pathogen hazards in global commerce, with Salmonella frequently identified and outbreaks reported; contamination can occur at multiple points in complex, multi-stage supply chains.Use preventive controls across drying/handling, validate any microbial reduction treatment used, and apply fit-for-purpose sampling/testing programs aligned with Codex hygiene guidance and buyer requirements.
Mycotoxins And Mould MediumCodex hygiene guidance warns that spices and dried aromatic herbs showing mould growth or pest damage may contain mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxins/ochratoxin A risk in the category), making moisture control and incoming lot rejection important for trade compliance.Tighten moisture control during drying and storage; reject mould-damaged lots; use supplier approval and periodic contaminant screening consistent with destination-market requirements.
Chemical Contaminants MediumCodex hygiene guidance identifies chemical hazards (including pesticides and heavy metals) as potential risks in spices and dried aromatic herbs, which can drive border rejections when exceeding importing-market limits.Implement residue-management programs (GAP/GMP), supplier COAs where appropriate, and risk-based monitoring targeted to origin and agronomic practice.
Authenticity And Adulteration MediumHerb and spice supply chains are exposed to authenticity/purity issues (substitution, dilution, or mislabeling) that can be investigated through coordinated control actions and ISO-referenced purity approaches; powdered forms can be more vulnerable than whole/cut forms.Specify identity and purity requirements (including extraneous matter/ash-type parameters where relevant), qualify suppliers, and use targeted authenticity testing for higher-risk channels.
Physical Contaminants LowCodex hygiene guidance notes physical contaminants (e.g., stones, glass, wire, extraneous matter) as potential hazards in spices and dried aromatic herbs, particularly when drying/handling is decentralized.Use cleaning/sieving, magnets/metal detection where appropriate, and good handling practices to minimize foreign matter.
Sustainability- Chemical hazard control (e.g., pesticides and heavy metals) is explicitly recognized in Codex hygiene guidance for spices and dried aromatic herbs, requiring supply-chain controls from primary production through processing.
FAQ
What international references exist for chive powder quality and hygiene expectations?ISO publishes a dedicated specification for dried chive in cut and ground forms (ISO 5671:2023). For hygiene and safety controls across the supply chain (including drying, cleaning, grinding, and microbial reduction treatments), Codex provides the Code of Hygienic Practice for Spices and Dried Aromatic Herbs (CAC/RCP 42-1995, Rev. 2014), which explicitly includes dried chives within its scope.
What is the biggest global trade-disrupting risk for chive powder?Microbiological contamination is the key disruptor: FAO/WHO’s 2022 JEMRA meeting report on spices and dried aromatic herbs highlights pathogens found in these commodities, especially Salmonella, and notes that outbreaks have been associated with spices and dried aromatic herbs. This risk can trigger import refusals, recalls, and buyer delistings.
Are anticaking agents or similar additives relevant to chive powder trade?They can be, depending on the product specification and destination market. Codex’s GSFA Online food category for “Herbs and spices (12.2.1)” lists food additive provisions that may be acceptable for products in this category (including certain anticaking agents at GMP), but actual use must follow applicable regulations in the importing market and the buyer’s agreed specification.