PITTED DATES GRADE B
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
Food product prepared from healthy, non-GMO natural fruits of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), uniform in color, harvested at the appropriate stage of maturity, sorted, washed, hydrated, dried and pitted, clean, practically free from visible foreign matter, free from live insects or any living parasite, visible traces of insect damage, mites or other parasites, free from mold and fermentation. It is used as an ingredient in several food preparations (confectionery, pastries, etc.).
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COMPOSITION AND INGREDIENTS AND ORIGIN:
Pitted Dates Grade B are made solely from natural dates sourced from Tunisia, with no additives or preservatives added. It is a purely Tunisian product, both in terms of raw materials and processing location.
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SPECIFICATIONS AND ANALYSES:
Sensory Information
Parameter | Specification |
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Color | Yellow to brown |
Count per Kg | < 70 | < 150 / Kg |
Flavor | Typical with no off flavors |
Odor | Typical with no off odors |
Microbiological Information
Parameter | Specification |
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APC (aerobic plate count) | ≤ 5000 CFU/g |
Yeast and Mold | ≤ 100 CFU/g |
Coliforms | ≤ 10 CFU/g |
E. coli | ≤ 10 CFU/g |
Staphylococcus | Negative/25g |
Salmonella | Negative/25g |
Physicochemical Information
Parameter | Specification |
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Moisture | < 20% |
Water Activity | < 0.70 |
Impurities | Absence |
Foreign material | 0% |
Metal | Absence |
Pits or pit fragments | 0% |
Infestation | 0% |
Fermentation | 0% |
Moldy or rotten dates | 0% |
Allergen | Absence |
Gluten | < 10 ppm |
Pesticide | < 0.010 mg/Kg |
Heavy metals | Cd < 0.0050 mg/Kg; Hg < 0.0050 mg/Kg; Pb < 0.020 mg/Kg |
Total Aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2) | < 4 ppb |
Nutritional Information (per 100g)
Parameter | Specification |
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Proteins | 2.45 g |
Fats | 0.3 g |
Carbohydrates | 75 g |
Fiber | 8 g |
Phosphorus | 70 mg |
Potassium | 650 mg |
Calcium | 68 mg |
Magnesium | 59 mg |
Iron | 2 mg |
Zinc | 0.3 mg |
Vitamin A | 7 µg |
Folic Acid | 21 µg |
Thiamin (B1) | 0.08 µg |
Riboflavin | 0.4 µg |
Niacin | 2.9 mg |
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STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE:
This is because the date is both rich in sugars and and low hydrated; Pitted Dates Grade B can be kept at a temperature between 0 – 4°C without deterioration for 12 months from the date of packaging.
Must still make sure to keep it dry and in a cool environment, protected from moisture (less than 70 %), in order to preserve a possible mold growth.
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PRESENTATION (PACKAGING AND LABELING):
Pitted Dates Grade B are packed in such a way so as to protect the produce properly.
Pitted Dates Grade B are packed in carton boxes of 9 Kg. Small packages (from 250 gr to 1 Kg) can be used upon orders (depending on client’s requirements).
The material used inside the package is new, clean and of an alimentary quality (food grade) such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce.
Packages used are free of all foreign matter with the exception of that used to complete the presentation.
Each package or compartmented package must bear the labeling information required by the standards, and notably: Product Name; Net Weight; Manufacturer Name; Lot Identification; Date of production and Expiration date.
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IDENTIFICATION OF THE INTENDED USE:
According to the nutritional composition of the product, it is not advised for the diabetics, all the population can consume it (For direct human consumption and for industrial use in the preparation of other foods (confectionery, etc.)).
Pitted Dates Grade B are perfectly suitable for individuals following a vegan / vegetarian diet. They are simply made exclusively from natural pitted dates, with no addition of ingredients of animal origin.
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REFERENCES:
CODEX STAN 143-1985 / Tunisian standard NT 45.14 (2006) / CODEX ALIMENTARIUS CXS 193-1998 Ed. 2019 / EUROPEAN UNION Reg. (CE) No. 1881/2006 / CODEX ALIMENTARIUS LMR Pesticides / Pesticide Database / AOAC 2013.06 / NOP USDA / U.S. DATES GRADE STANDARDS