CHOPPED DATES/DICED DATES
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
Food product prepared from healthy, natural, non-GMO fruits of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), with a uniform color, harvested at the appropriate ripeness stage, sorted, pitted, cut into small round slices, and coated with date powder or rice flour. Clean, virtually free from visible foreign matter, free from live insects or any live parasites, visible signs of insect damage, mites, or other parasites, and free from mold and fermentation. It is used as an ingredient in various food preparations (confectionery, pastry, etc.).
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COMPOSITION, INGREDIENTS and ORIGIN:
Chopped Dates are made solely from natural dates sourced from Tunisia and are coated with date powder or rice flour. No additives or preservatives are 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 |
|---|---|
| Color | yellow to brown |
| Size | 5 to 8 mm or 8 to 10 mm |
| Flavor | Typical fruity flavor with no off flavors |
| Odor | Typical with no off odors |
Microbiological Information
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| APC (aerobic plate count) | ≤ 5000 CFU/g |
| Yeast and Mold | ≤ 100 CFU/g |
| Coliforms | ≤ 10 CFU/g |
| E. coli | ≤ 10 CFU/g |
| Staphyloccocus | Negative/25g |
| Salmonella | Negative/25g |
Physicochemical Information
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Moisture | < 20% |
| Water Activity | < 0.70 |
| Impurities | Absence |
| Foreign material: stones, wood, plastic, hair, etc. | 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) | < 4ppb |
Nutritional Information
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Proteins | 2.45 g/100g |
| Fats | 0.3 g/100g |
| Carbohydrates | 75 g/100g |
| Fiber | 8 g/100g |
| Phosphorus | 70 mg/100g |
| Potassium | 650 mg/100g |
| Calcium | 68 mg/100g |
| Magnesium | 59 mg/100g |
| Iron | 2 mg/100g |
| Zinc | 0.3 mg/100g |
| Vitamin A | 7 µg /100g |
| Folic acid | 21 µg /100g |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.08 µg /100g |
| Riboflavin | 0.4 µg /100g |
| Niacin | 2.9 mg/100g |
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STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE :
This is because dates are both high in natural sugars and low in moisture, Chopped Dates can be stored at room temperature without spoiling for up to 12 months from the packaging date. However, it’s essential to keep them in a dry, cool environment with humidity below 70% to prevent any potential mold growth.
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PRESENTATION
(PACKAGING AND LABELING) :
Chopped Dates are packed in such a way so as to protect the produce properly.
Chopped Dates 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.)).
Chopped Dates 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 / Norme tunisienne NT 45.14 (2006) / CODEX ALIMENTARIUS CXS 193-1998 Ed. 2019 / UNION EUROPÉENNE Reg. (CE) n° 1881/2006 / Pesticides CODEX ALIMENTARIUS LMR / Base de données sur les pesticides / AOAC 2013.06 / NOP / USDA.