The following requirements are extracted from the UNECE Standard DDP-17 concerning the marketing and commercial quality control of Cashew Kernels, which was created by the Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) with the help and recommendations of the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) and the supervision and approval of the main producing countries.
Forms
The following forms and specifications are included in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Standard DDP-17 concerning the marketing and commercial quality control of cashew kernels, edition 2013.
Whole Kernels
Pieces
Diced/Baby Bits
Flour/Meal
Cashew Based Beverage
Standards & Grades
Cashew kernels are graded on the basis of their size, shape, and color. Kernels shall have been obtained through roasting, shelling, and peeling cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.).
Quality
Kernels shall be completely free from infestation or living pests, molds, insect damage, rotting, deterioration, mold rancidity, adhering testa, and objectionable extraneous or foreign matter. Scraped and partially shrivelled kernels also permitted provided such scraping/shriveling does not affect the characteristic shape of the kernel.
Classification
Cashew kernels are classified into the following classes:
- "Extra" Class
- Class I
- Class II
Classification |
||
|---|---|---|
| Class | Comercial designation | Description |
| Extra | "white" | white, pale ivory, pale ash - grey light yellow. |
| Class I | "scorched" or "lightly blemished" | light brown, light ivory, light ashgrey, deep ivory, yellow. |
| Class II | "scorched seconds" or "dessert" | light brown, amber, light blue, deep brown, deep blue discolored, black spotted, immature, lemished and stained kernels are permitted. |
Provisions Concerning Sizing
Sizing is compulsory in "Extra Class", but optional for "Class I" and "Class II". Designation of size is as follows:
| Size code or count | Maximum number of kernels per pound | Maximum number of kernels per kilogram |
|---|---|---|
| 150 | 150 | 325 |
| 180 | 180 | 395 |
| 210 | 210 | 465 |
| 240 | 240 | 530 |
| 320 | 320 | 706 |
| 450 | 450 | 990 |
| 500 | 500 | 1100 |
Large pieces
Not passing through a sieve of aperture 4.75 mm.
Small pieces
Not passing through a sieve of aperture 2.80 mm.
Very small pieces
Not passing through a siave of aperture 2.36 mm.
"Baby bites" or granules
Not passing a siave of aperture 1.70 mm.
Quality tolerances
Tolerances allowed, percentage of defective produce by number or weight:
| Defects allowed | Extra | Class I | Class II | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Tolerance for cashew kernels not satisfying the minimum requirements of which no more than: | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| Not sufficiently developed, shrunken or shrivelled | 1 | 2 | Not applicable | |
| Moldy, rancid, decay | 0,5 | 1 | 1 | |
| Damage by pests | 0,5 | 1 | 1 | |
| Living pests | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Superficial damage (whole kernels only) | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
| B | Size Tolerance, if sized for produce not conforming to the size indicated, in total: | - | - | - |
| Wholes (by number) | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Pieces (by weight) (smaller sizes) | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| C | Tolerance for other defects | - | - | - |
| Broken Kernels (butts, splits, and pieces) in wholes | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Kernels of a color of the next lower class | 5 | 5 | not applicable | |
| Pieces in butts/splits | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Kernels of a color of the next lower class | 5 | 5 | not applicable | |
| Foreign matter, loose shell fragments, loose testa fragments, dust (by weight) | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
If you want to see more detailed standards, grades and forms please download the Global Cashew Council Technical Information Kit.