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Cashew grades
AFI Specs
Equivalent grades
Brazil Nuts
CNSL
(amended 21st April 1992)

The following technical and contractual specifications shall apply to the goods covered by the attached contract:

Sizing/Appearance

Nuts to be of approximately even shape, size and colour and shall count as follows: 

Large 90/110 nuts per lb
Midgets 160/180 nuts per lb
Mediums 110/130 nuts per lb
Smalls 140/160 nuts per lb
Special Smalls 140/150 nuts per lb
Tinies 180/220 nuts per lb
Chipped ungraded
Broken naturally broken kernels

They shall be free from visible mould, damaged or otherwise discoloured or blemished kernels.
The nuts shall not have any part of the shell attached to the kernel.
Odour and flavour Brazils shall have a crisp texture and a clean characteristic flavour and odour.
They shall be free from foreign odours and flavours, taints or staleness.

Breakage

Not more than 2% split or broken Brazils by weight shall be present.

Foreign matter

The Brazils shall be free from foreign matter, e.g. glass, stones, metal etc. The nuts shall be free from all signs of live or dead insect or rodent contamination.

Moisture content

Moisture content calculated by the "loss-in-weight" method shall be not less than 2.5% and not greater than 4.5%

Fat diffusion

Not more than 10% of the nuts shall show fat diffusion.
Nuts shall be considered as fat diffused if an area of greater than 20% of the cross-section show "oil rings" or diffusion.

Brown centres

Not more than 5% of the nuts shall have brown centres.

Acid value

Free fatty acid (FFA) value not to exceed 0.5% maximum expressed as oleic acid.

Heavy metal residues

Levels of heavy metal residues in the nuts shall be at levels that allow conformance with provisional FAQ/WHO intake tolerances

Arsenic < 1 ppm

Lead < 1 ppm

Copper < l0 ppm

Zinc < 25ppm

Pesticide residues

To conform with EEC Directive (76/895/EEC) as amended.

Aflatoxin

The nuts shall contain not more than 4 ppb total aflatoxin Bl +B2+Gl +G2 or in accordance with current statuary regulations or current code of practice of the country of destination. Aflatoxin guaranteed to conform with the above on immediate testing by a recognised independent authority at the time of arrival at port of entry. [Rejection clause (see 15) and Sampling method (see 13) to apply].

Microbiological standards

Goods guaranteed to conform with the following microbiological specifications. Samples are to be drawn as per the sampling plan articulated in (13). [Rejection clause see (15) to apply].

 

Test/Brief Method Resume

ICMSF Nomenclature

n

c

m

M

TOTAL BACTERIAL COUNT

PCA 2 days at 30ºC 5

2

10,000

50,000

YEASTS

OGYE 3 days at 25ºC

5

2

10

100

MOULDS

OGYE 5 days at 25ºC

5

2

50

500

ENTEROBACTERIACEAE
1 - 2 hours Resuscitation, VRBGA 18 -
24 hours at 37ºC

5

2

10

100

E.COLI TYPE 1
Mac conkey broth 48 hrs at 37ºC.
Confirmation - BGBB, Tryptone(Indole) 44ºC

5

1

Absent in
10 grams.

Absent in
0.1 grams

STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Baird Parker 2 Days at 37ºC
Confirmation - Staphaurex

5

1

100

500

SALMONELLA

Pre-enrichment 24 hrs at 37ºC, Selective enrichment (mannitol selenite + Tetrathionate) 18 - 24 hours at 37ºC. BGA + XLD agar. Confirm biochemically + serologically.

10 (50 grams)

0

0 0

 

Key to ICMSF (International Commission on Microbiological Specification for Foods) Nomenclature n = number of Sample Units tested by the specified method. (N.B. the standard sample size should be 40 grams unless otherwise stated. m = the expected target achievable under good manufacturing practices M = the absolute maximum upper limit which should not be exceeded c = the number of n samples examined that are permitted to fall between m and M. < /P >

Sampling

During production, one kernel from each carton prior to vacuum sealing to be removed, such sample to be identified by Seller s in-house identification production numbers. The sample (approximately 6 lbs) to be divided in two parts, one of which to be analysed by Seller s nominated laboratory and the other sample to be sent to Buyers for analysis. On mutual agreement of analysis results between Buyers and Sellers, goods to be shipped. In the event that goods fail to meet the microbiological specifications, Sellers to provide another lot for analysis. Goods shall be analysed by an independent recognised authority within 1 5 days of arrival in the country of final destination, samples to be drawn as per TPI sampling plan, and identified by Sellers production code numbers.

In the event that goods exceed aflatoxin and microbiological limits as per (11) and (12) above, Buyers have the right to reject [Rejection clause (15) to apply].

Package coding

All cartons shall be date coded showing date of production and a production code number.
All cartons shall be Shipper s own cartons, and goods contained within shall be Shipper s own production.

Rejection

In the event that Buyers exercise their right to reject they shall do everything possible to protect Seller's interests. Sellers have the right to an independent analysis by a recognised independent authority. In the event that goods are rejected for reason of microbiological contamination, with Seller's prior agreement Buyers and/or Seller's agent will determine the possibilities of treatment to sterilise the product in order to bring the goods within the microbiological specifications. Should the goods be deemed rejected, title of same shall return to the Sellers, who shall immediately reimburse the Buyers for the invoice value, freight, insurance, landing charges and other reasonable expenses incurred in receiving the goods. Further, Sellers shall provide a replacement parcel in the month following the month of rejection.

Other terms

All other terms and conditions not in contradiction with the above to be in accordance with CENTA terms and conditions.  

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