As suggested, although the literature is replete with references to the need for plant
identification for the industry, little was found that addressed this process in any detail.
Among the literature located that did address the question of identification (and is
summarized in the comparison table in this section), considerable overlap was found,
likely because of the extensive cross-referencing on the topic. In these materials, a
variety of common themes emerged that are used in the organization of the comparison
tables. Among the key recurring themes are:
Personnel and education
The documents stress the need for growers and collectors to have the education, training and/or experience necessary to properly identify the plant materials they are producing; there is also recognition that there is a shortage of personnel trained in the more technical procedures used for plant identification (i.e., organoleptic techniques) once these products have undergone some initial processing and have moved higher up the value chain.
Propagation material
The sources that discuss propagation material in relation to plant identification state that botanical identity must be verified; the WHO document also calls for the name of the supplier of the material to be recorded.
Harvest/collection/acquisition of material from third party
Material should be verified at harvest/collection/acquisition, being careful to watch
for contamination with non-target species. If more than one identification method
is used, the results should be consistent before assuming accurate identification
has taken place.
Primary processing
The WHO document recommends re-confirmation of identity prior to any processing, given the additional challenges involved in identifying material post-processing. The Europam GAP and GWP documents also stresses that one person should take responsibility for verification as the product moves through the primary processing step. The Health Canada GMP document states that identification numbers must be in place at this stage, and that labels should be carefully stored to avoid any potential for misidentification of material.
Packaging
Controls must be in place to avoid contamination with foreign material; labelling must be clear and contain the scientific name of the plant.
Storage and transport
Care must be taken in storage to prevent the mix-up of material; the lot/batch/shipment should be identified with a unique number.
Documentation
All batches/lots/shipments should have a number assigned to them early in the process that remains with them as they move through the value chain; a sample should be kept of each lot of a finished product, and a voucher specimen created; the name of the person identifying the material should be recorded; photographic images should be taken of the material; good records should be maintained for a sufficient period (up to 5 years).
