Description

·       Sorghum Grains Are Whole Or Decorticated Grains Obtained From Species Of Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench. They May Be Suitably Dried If Necessary.

·       These Are Sorghum Grains Obtained As Such After A Complete Threshing Without Any Further Treatment.

·       These Are Sorghum Grains From Which The External Casings And Whole Or Parts Of The Germ Have Been Removed In An Appropriate Manner, Using Mechanical Treatment.

ESSENTIAL COMPOSITION AND QUALITY FACTORS

Quality Factors – General :-

·       Sorghum Grains Shall Be Safe And Suitable For Human Consumption.

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

·       Sorghum Grains Shall Be Free From Filth (Impurities Of Animal Origin, Including Dead Insects) In Amounts Which May Represent A Hazard To Human Health.

Quality Factors – Specific :-

·       Moisture Content 14.5% M/M Max

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

Definition Of Defects :-

·       The Product Shall Have Not More Than 8.0% Total Defects Including Extraneous Matter, Inorganic Extraneous Matter, And Filth As Contained In The Standards And Blemished Grains, Diseased Grains, Broken Kernels, And Other Grains As Contained In The Annex.

·       Extraneous Matter Is All Organic And Inorganic Material Other Than Sorghum, Broken Kernels, Other Grains And Filth. Extraneous Matter Includes Loose Sorghum Seedcoats. Sorghum Grains Shall Have Not More Than 2.0% Extraneous Matter Of Which Not More Than 0.5% Shall Be Extraneous Inorganic Matter.

·       Filth Is 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 Spp.), And Other Seeds That Are Commonly Recognized As Harmful To Health.

Tannin Content :-

·       For Whole Sorghum Grains, The Tannin Content Shall Not Exceed 0.5% On A Dry Matter Basis.

·       For Decorticated Sorghum Grains, The Tannin Content Shall Not Exceed 0.3% On A Dry Matter Basis.

CONTAMINANTS

Heavy Metals :-

·       Sorghum Grains Shall Be Free From Heavy Metals In Amounts Which May Represent A Hazard To Human Health.

Pesticide Residues :-

·       Sorghum Grains Shall Comply With Those Maximum Residue Limits Established By The Codex Alimentarius Commission For This Commodity.

Mycotoxins :-

·       Sorghum Grains 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

·       Sorghum Grains 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:

Name Of The Product :-

·       The Name Of The Product To Be Shown On The Label Shall Be “Sorghum Grains”.

Labelling Of Non-Retail Containers :-

·       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.