General information
The product is husked pearl millet (in French “petit mil” or “millet”)
Raw material/grains must be sourced from responsible farming sources.
To guarantee product size, one can refer to the number of grains per 100 grams.
Impact on local, national, or regional market availability and prices should be reviewed before purchasing large quantities.
Import of food is always subject to acceptance from national authorities, based on national and/or internationally accepted guidelines; supplier must be able to verify if product can be supplied in line with requested specification.
Specifications
For all aspects of the product, unless described otherwise below, the standard of Codex Alimentarius last edition applies, including for the packaging.
Supplier must be able to provide traceability details from the origin/farm. Also be able to provide internal visual and technical quality test results.
Analysis of microbiological, chemical or radiological contaminants, toxins, heavy metals and pesticide residues (see table below) must certify the product is “fit for human consumption”. The supplier shall submit related Lab reports / Declarations.
Here you will find the most commonly used specifications. Please refer to HQ when offered specifications differ from the standard specifications. These will need to be approved by a food specialist prior to purchase.
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Organoleptic |
Clean, bright appearance, natural smell & colour |
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Grain size |
Specify number of grains per 100g. |
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Moisture |
13% max. |
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Broken grains |
3% max. |
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Red grains |
3.5% max. |
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Total damaged grains |
4% max. |
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Unhusked grains |
0.6% max. |
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Chalky grains |
8% max. |
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Foreign matter |
1% max. |
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Edible extraneous grains or parts thereof |
1.5% max. |
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Weed, fungal/mould growth or yeast (visual inspection) |
Nil |
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Presence of Datura seeds and other toxic grains (Crotolaria spp., Agrostemma githago L., Ricinus communis L.) or traces of tropane alkaloids |
Nil |
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Live insects |
Nil |
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Dead insects, including parts, stages and waste |
Nil |
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Microbiology
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|
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Heavy metals
|
|
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Pesticide residues
|
|
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Radionuclide contamination |
- No α (alpha) and β (beta) radiations contamination traces
- Concentration of ϒ (Gamma) rays by artificial gamma emitters (Cs137 and Cs134) must not be more than 30 Bq/kg
|
|
Presence of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) |
Nil |
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Cooking time, after 24-hour soaking |
45 minutes average |
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Shelf life |
At least 24 months, and not less than 80% of total shelf life from the date of delivery |
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Crop year |
To be indicated |
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Origin |
To be indicated |
Packaging
Net weight 50kg per bag / or as requested in the RFT/Contract
All bags must be made of new woven food-grade polypropylene with a minimum weight of 85 grams per square meter, without coating nor lining.
Bags will have a heat cut mouth to prevent fibrillation and have sewn with a double folder bottom.
Bags must be closed by double stitching with suitable thread.
Bags must be clean, sound and free from insect or fungal infestation.
Bags must be new, uniform, strong, fit for export and multiple handling.
Construction of fabric must be solid enough to sustain harsh handling.
The bags of finished product must pass the drop test (after each drop, there shall be no rupture or loss of contents) following the principles set out in the drop test standard (EN 277, ISO 7965-2 or equivalent) with following sequence:
- Butt dropping: Bag is dropped from a height of 1.20m on the bottom and the top of the bag
- Flat dropping: Bag is dropped from a height of 1.60m twice on one flat face and twice on the opposite flat face.
One percent (1%) additional empty spare marked bags (included in the price) must be sent with the lot.
Marking
Each bag shall be marked with non-toxic ink, to remain readable after a minimum of 10 handlings with the following information:
- Organisation logo (if requested)
Proposed marking should be approved by the buyer prior to packing.
Fumigation
The grain must be clean and fumigated by an authorised professional pest control company prior dispatch in individual packing.
Fumigation products must come from licensed manufacturers and the supplier/retailer must be able to provide full certificate of analysis for the batch to be supplied.
Commodities must have been fumigated maximum 15 days prior to departure date. Product to be fumigated inside the container upon loading. Never fumigate if transporting in an open truck.
Storage
Goods to be stored in a clean, well-ventilated warehouse, at normal room temperature. It must be ensured to avoid risk of cross-contamination from other stored grains
Quality Control
The supplier must have trained in-house quality control staff to check above mentioned stipulations and also allow goods to be inspected by ICRC staff or authorised 3rd party inspection companies to verify quality and also provide evidence of relevant documentation.
Minimum documentation required for quality assurance from the supplier
To be established by an official body:
- Certificate of inspection
- Certificate of origin, including crop year
- Health Certificate or Phytosanitary Certificate
- Non-radioactivity Certificate
- Fumigation Certificate indicating name of fumigation product and its batch number
- Non-GMO declaration / Certificate
Further documentation can need to be provided according to the specific purchase agreement.
Latest update: 14/05/2020