Description

· Maize (Corn) Is The Shelled Grains Of The Species Defined In The Scope.

ESSENTIAL COMPOSITION AND QUALITY FACTORS

Quality Factors – General :-

· Maize Shall Be Safe And Suitable For Human Consumption.

· Maize Shall Be Free From Abnormal Flavours, Odours And Living Insects.

· Maize Shall Be Free From Filth In Amounts Which May Represent A Hazard To Human Health.

Quality Factors – Specific :-

· Moisture Content :-

o 15.5% M/M Max

o Lower Moisture Limits Should Be Required For Certain Destinations In Relation To The Climate, Duration Of Transport And Storage.

· Extraneous Matter Are All Organic And Inorganic Materials Other Than Maize, Broken Kernels, Other Grains And Filth.

· Filth Are Impurities Of Animal Origin (Including Dead Insects). 0.1% M/M Max

Toxic Or Noxious Seeds :-

· The Products Covered By The Provisions Of This Standard Shall Be Free From The Following Toxic Or Noxious Seeds In Amounts Which May Represent A Hazard To Human Health.

· Crotolaria (Crotalaria Spp.), Corn Cockle (Agrostemma Githago L.), Castor Bean (Ricinus Communis L.), Jimson Weed (Datura Ssp.), And Other Seeds Are Commonly Recognized As Harmful To Health.

· Other Organic Extraneous Matter Which Is Defined As Organic Components Other Than Edible Grams Of Cereals (Foreign Seeds, Stems, Etc.) (1.5% M/M Max).

· Inorganic Extraneous Matter Which Is Defined As Any Inorganic Component (Stones, Dust, Etc.) (0.5% M/M Max).

CONTAMINANTS

· Maize (Corn) Shall Be Free From Heavy Metals In Amounts Which May Represent A Hazard To Human Health.

· Maize (Corn) Shall Comply With Those Maximum Residue Limits Established By The Codex Alimentarius Commission For This Commodity.

· Maize (Corn) Shall Comply With Those Maximum Mycotoxin Limits Established By The Codex Alimentarius Commission For This Commodity.

HYGIENE

· It Is Recommended That The Product Covered By The Provisions Of This Standard Be Prepared And Handled In Accordance With The Appropriate Sections Of The General Principles Of Food Hygiene (CXC 1-1969) And Other Codes Of Practice Recommended By The Codex Alimentarius Commission Which Are Relevant To This Product.

· To The Extent Possible In Good Manufacturing Practice, The Product Shall Be Free From Objectionable Matter.

When Tested By Appropriate Methods Of Sampling And Examination, The Product:

· Shall Be Free From Micro-Organisms In Amounts Which May Represent A Hazard To Health;

· Shall Be Free From Parasites Which May Represent A Hazard To Health;

· Shall Not Contain Any Substance Originating From Micro-Organisms In Amounts Which May Represent A Hazard To Health.

PACKAGING

· Maize (Corn) Shall Be Packaged In Containers Which Will Safeguard The Hygienic, Nutritional, Technological, And Organoleptic Qualities Of The Product.

· The Containers, Including Packaging Material, Shall Be Made Of Substances Which Are Safe And Suitable For Their Intended Use. They Should Not Impart Any Toxic Substance Or Undesirable Odour Or Flavour To The Product.

· When The Product Is Packaged In Sacks, These Must Be Clean, Sturdy And Strongly Sewn Or Sealed.

LABELLING

· In Addition To The Requirements Of The General Standard For The Labelling Of Prepackaged Foods (CXS 1-1985), The Following Specific Provisions Apply:

· The Name Of The Product To Be Shown On The Label Shall Be “Maize (Corn)”.

· Information For Non-Retail Containers Shall Either Be Given On The Container Or In Accompanying Documents, Except That The Name Of The Product, Lot Identification And The Name And Address Of The Manufacturer Or Packer Shall Appear On The Container. However, Lot Identification And The Name And Address Of The Manufacturer Or Packer May Be Replaced By An Identification Mark, Provided That Such A Mark Is Clearly Identifiable With The Accompanying Documents.

METHODS OF ANALYSIS AND SAMPLING

· For Checking The Compliance With This Standard, The Methods Of Analysis And Sampling Contained In The Recommended Methods Of Analysis And Sampling (CXS 234-1999) Relevant To The Provisions In This Standard Shall Be Used.