Dates, dried fruit

Raw material requirements

Dates are the product prepared from sound fruit of the date tree (Phoenix dactylifera) which fruit is harvested at the appropriate stage of maturity, is sorted and cleaned to remove defective fruit and extraneous material, may be pitted and capped, may be dried or hydrated to adjust moisture content, may be washed and/or pasteurized, is packed in suitable containers to assure preservation and protection of the product

Shape and texture

Whole dates

Soft and smooth

Colour

Orange brown color with dark patches

Flavour

Free from off or objectionable flavors

Sour dirty or rotten dates

Nil

Infested dates

Nil

Deformed dates

Nil

Moisture content

20% max.

Water activity

< 0.6

Mineral/Metal impurities

1 gr / kg max.

Weight of a single un-pitted date

7.45 gr min.

Microbiology

• Total Count for aerobic bacteria/germ

• Yeast

• Moulds

• Total Coliforms

• E. coli

• Staphylococcus

• Salmonella

• Total Aflatoxins

• 10 exp 5 cfu/1g max.

• 10 cfu/gr max.

• 10 cfu/gr max.

• 10 cfu/gr max.

• Nil

• Nil

• Nil

• 4 ppb max.

Stabilisation test

To be done by the laboratory according to ISO7218

Pesticide residue & heavy metals

Heavy metals according to EU legislation.

Pesticide residue & heavy metals for raw fruit to be provided by supplier

Preservatives

• Benzoic acid

• Sulphur dioxide

• Lead

• 500 ppm max.

• 50 ppm max.

• 1 ppm max.

Net weight

250 gr x 4 pack, or 500 gr x 2, or 1 kg

Production date

Fresh production

Brand

To be indicated

Origin

To be indicated