General information
Pasta will be made from durum wheat meal mixed with water only. Pasta made with other type of flours or with additives are not described here.
Different types of pasta are distributed in our food supply operations: long pasta, short pasta, noodles, etc.…
Type of pasta has to be determined considering beneficiaries’ food habits (i.e. in some countries spaghetti is not well accepted because it is unsuitable to local cooking habits).
Importation of food is always subject to acceptance from the national authorities, based on their national specifications; check these before purchasing.
Impact on the local, national, or regional market availability and prices should be carefully looked at before purchasing large quantities.
Specifications
For all aspects of the product, unless described otherwise below, the standard of Codex Alimentarius last edition applies, including for the packaging.
The product must not contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and be free from radioactive residues/elements. It cannot contain any substances originating from micro-organisms or any other poisonous or deleterious substances such as anti-nutritional factors, heavy metals, pesticide residues or toxins in amounts which may represent a hazard to health. Analysis of microbiological, chemical contaminant, toxins, heavy metals and pesticide residues must certify the product is “fit for human consumption”. The supplier shall submit related Lab reports / Declarations.
Specifications vary with national regulations. Below are the most commonly used specifications.
Refer to HQ when offered specifications differing from our standard specifications. These will need to be approved by a food specialist.
PASTA
|
Type |
Pasta will be made from durum wheat mixed with water only |
|
Moisture |
12.5% max. |
|
Protein |
12% min. by weight |
|
Ash |
0.9% max. (dry matter)
See below “Additional country specific specifications” |
|
Broken |
3% max. of total weight |
|
Cellulose content |
0.4% max. as a percentage of dry matter |
|
Organoleptic |
The product must be free from unpleasant odour and taste |
|
Presence of Datura seeds and other toxic seeds or traces of tropane alkaloids |
Nil |
|
Microbiology
|
|
|
Pesticide residues
- Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) 300 Active substances
|
|
|
Heavy metals
|
Test results to be provided by supplier based on ingredients used
|
|
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) |
Nil |
|
Radioactive residues/elements |
Nil |
|
Cooking test |
The product holds its shape and texture after boiling for 10 minutes |
|
Best before date |
24 months at time of delivery |
|
Brand |
To be indicated |
|
Origin |
To be indicated |
|
Net weight |
1 kg or 2 x 500 g |
Additional country-specific specifications
Syria
|
Acid value (mg of potassium hydroxide (KOH) per 100g dry matter) |
4.0 max. The acid value is expressed by the number of cm3 of normal alkaline solution required to neutralize 100 g of dry matter |
|
% of soluble matter in water |
8% max. |
|
Ash |
0.9% max. (dry matter) |
|
Microbiology
- Total count of aerobic bacteria
- Total Aflatoxins (B1+ B2+G1+G2)
|
- 2 ppb max. (to be tested if Total Aflatoxins > 4 ppb)
|
Lybia
|
Acid value (mg of potassium hydroxide (KOH) per 100g dry matter) |
0.1% max. The acid value is expressed by the number of cm3 of normal alkaline solution required to neutralize 100 g of dry matter |
|
Acid insoluble content |
0.02% max. as a percentage of dry matter |
|
Ash |
0.65% min – 0.9 % max |
|
Microbiology
|
|
Latest update: 14/05/2020