MANUAL ON
STANDARDS OF WHEAT.
1. INTRODUCTION
Promotion
of standardization and grading of agricultural commodities is an important
aspect of agricultural marketing. The agricultural commodities are
heterogeneous and hence it is very essential to grade these commodities as per
standards to command better price either at domestic or international market. Sale of Wheat is offered on the basis of
variety, wholesomeness, appearance, colour, presence
of foreign matter, damaged grains, broken grains, admixture of inferior
variety, moisture, harmful contaminants, etc.
A quality grain is that which meets the end user specifications with
respect to range of pre-determined Quality and Safety standards.
2. OBJECTIVE
The
Manual has been designed with the objectives to
i.
Create awareness about standards prescribed by various
organizations for domestic and international markets so as to raise quality
consciousness among the farmers, entrepreneurs and other market functionaries
with the objective to equip them better to face the global competition in the
post WTO era.
ii.
provide details of various parameters responsible for quality; and
iii.
describe the advantages of grading &
standardization so that farmers may get prices commensurate with the quality
produced by them.
3. IMPORTANT PARAMETERS RESPONSIBLE FOR QUALITY
3.1 Following Parameters are important in determination of
QUALITY of wheat :
·
Wholesomeness, appearance, colour,
·
Foreign matter(organic and inorganic)
·
Damaged grains
·
Broken grains
·
Immature/Shriveled grains
·
Weevilled grains
·
Wheat of other variety
·
Other food grains
·
Moisture content
3.2 Following SAFETY parameters are important
:
·
Pesticides residue
·
Poisonous/Heavy metals
·
Aflatoxin
·
Uric acid
·
Microbial load
3.3 Parameters by
which grades of wheat are differentiated
Important
parameters by which grades can be differentiated in case of wheat are
4. STANDARDS APPLICABLE FOR PURCHASES BY FOOD CORPORATION
OF
4.1 The main
objectives of the
FCI are
a)
Effective price support operations for safeguarding the interests
of the farmers.
b)
Distribution of foodgrains throughout the
country for Public Distribution system and other Govt. of India schemes, and
c)
Maintaining satisfactory level of operational/buffer stocks of foodgrains to ensure national food security.
4.2 The main
objectives of the NAFED are
a)
Providing marketing support to the farmers through its commercial
purchases
b)
Acting as an Agency of Government of
c)
Assisting farmers by supply of agricultural inputs.
4.3 To meet these obligations, the FCI & NAFED make
purchases of wheat and for this purpose following standards for all varieties
of wheat are applicable (Marketing Season 2005-2006).
Wheat shall
a)
be the dried mature grains
of Triticum vulgare, T. compactum T.sphaerococcum,T.durum,T.aestivum
and T.dicoccum.
b)
have natural size, shape, colour
and lusture.
c)
be sweet, clean, wholesome and free from moulds,
obnoxious smell,discolouration, admixture of
deleterious substances including toxic weed seeds and all other impurities
except to the extent indicated in the
schedule below.
d)
be in sound merchantable condition.
e)
not have any admixture of Argemone mexicana and Lathyrus sativus (kesari) in any form,
colouring matter, and any obnoxious, deleterious and
toxic material.
f)
conform to Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955.
Schedule showing the
maximum permissible limits of different Refractions in Fair Average Quality of
Wheat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign Other
Damaged grains Slightly Shrivelled
&
Matter Food damaged broken grains
Grains grains
% %
% % %
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.75 2.0 2.0 6.0 7.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Conditions:-
1)
Moisture in excess of 12% and upto 14%
will be discounted at full value. Stocks containing moisture in excess of 14%
are to be rejected.
2)
Within the overall
limit specified for foreign
matter, the poisonous weed seeds shall not exceed 0.4% of which Dhatura and Akra (Vicia species)
shall not be more than 0.025% and )0.2% by weight respectively.
3)
Kernels with glumes will not be treated as unsound grains. During
physical analysis the glumes will be removed and treated as organic foreign
matter.
4)
Within the overall limit specified for damaged grains, ergot
affected grains shall not exceed 0.05%.
5)
In case of stocks having living infestation, a cut at the rate of
Rupee one per quintal may be charged as fumigation charges.
For weevilled grains determined by
count, following price cut will be imposed,
i.
from the beginning of the season till end of August
the rate of cut will be Rupee one per quintal, for every 1% or part thereof.
ii.
from 1st September till end of October ,no cut will be imposed up
to 1% while for any excess, the cut will be @Rs.1/- per qtl.,for
every 1% or part thereof.
iii.
from 1st November till end of season no cut will be imposed upto 2% while for any excess the cut will be @
Rs.1/- per qtl, for every 1% or part thereof.
iv.
stocks containing weevilled
grains in excess of 3% will be rejected.
DEFINITIONS.
Foreign Matter : Includes inorganic and
organic matter. The inorganic matter
shall include sand, gravel, dirt, pebbles, stones, glass and metallic pieces,
lumps of earth, clay and mud. Organic
matter shall include husk, chaff, straw, weed seed and other inedible
grains. Paddy shall be considered as
foreign matter in commodities other than paddy.
Other Foodgrains : foodgrains
other than the grain under consideration.
Damaged : Kernels or pieces of kernels that are sprouted
or internally damaged as a result of heat, moisture, weather or microbes.
Slightly damaged : Kernels or pieces of
kernels that are damaged or discoloured,
superficially so as not to affect the quality of the material.
Brokens : Pieces of sound kernels that
are less than three-fourths of the size of the full kernels. In case of dals,
pieces that are less than the size of three-fourths of the split pulses shall
be considered as brokens.
Immature : Kernels or pieces of grain kernels that are not
fully developed.
Weeviled Grains : Weeviled grains
are grain kernels that are partially or wholly bored by insects injurious to
grain but do not include germ-eaten grains and egg-spotted grains.
5. STANDARDS APPLICABLE
FOR STORAGE OF WHEAT
5.1 CENTRAL WAREHOUSING CORPORATION (CWC) : The CWC works as an agent
of the government for purchase, sale,
storage and distribution of agricultural and industrial commodities, seeds,
fertilizers and notified commodities for individual, cooperatives and other
institutions in the country. CWC
provides modern efficient warehousing to ensure maximum returns to the growers
with better opportunities. It provides scientific facilities to the farmers for
the stock of agricultural produce at a reasonable cost. CWC issues Warehouse Receipts to a person
depositing goods in the warehouse. The
banking institutions accept the Warehouse Receipts as co-lateral security for
grant of loans to the holder of the Warehouse Receipt on its being endorsed and
delivered to them. Thus, warehousing
plays an active role in marketing and also provides socio-economic gains to the
farmers, who otherwise get exploited by the middlemen and are forced to have
distress sales.
5.1.1 Standards of
Central Warehousing Corporation
Central
Warehousing Corporation follows Standards given in Item 4.3 for accepting wheat
for storage in the warehouses.
In
addition, CWC has following categorization for deciding the period of
storability of wheat
in the warehouses.
Percentage of Weevilled grains :
Upto 1% A
Above 1% and upto 4% B
Above 4% and upto 7% C
Above 7% and upto 15% D
In
order to have better storability of wheat. farmers are advised
to ensure that wheat for storage has Weevilled grains less than 1% (by count).
6. STANDARDS APPLICABLE
FOR DOMESTIC MARKET
6.1 The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (PFA
Standards)
Prevention
of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955 (PFA Rules) have been notified to carry out
the provisions of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. These rules
define the standards of quality and fix the limit of variability permissible in
respect of article of food. These rules also provide guidelines for packing and
labeling of an article of food. Standards framed under the provisions of the Rules
are popularly called PFA standards. PFA standards prescribe minimum limit for
Quality as well as Safety parameters. PFA standards are minimum standards and
are mandatory.
They do not differentiate between Quality.
Food
articles being sold in the market should comply with PFA standards. Standards
of Wheat prescribed in PFA Rules, 1955 are as follows :
6.1.1 QUALITY PARAMETERS
Description: Wheat shall be the dried mature grains of Triticum aestivum Linn.,Triticum vulgare
vill.,Triticum durum Desf,
Triticum sphaerococcum
perc.,Triticum dicoccum schubl, Triticum compactum Host.
It shall be sweet, clean
and wholesome.
It shall also conform to the following
standards, namely:
Moisture: Not more than 14 per cent by weight (obtained by heating
the pulverized grains at 130
oC. – 133 oC. for two hours).
Foreign matter (extraneous matter) : Not more than 1 per cent by weight of
which not more 0.25 percent by weight shall be mineral matter and not more than
0.10 percent weight shall be impurities of animal origin.
Other Edible Grains : Not more than 6 per cent
by weight.
Damaged Grains: Not more than 6 per cent by weight including Karnal bunt affected grains and ergot affected grains. The limit of Karnal
Bunt affected grains, ergot affected grains shall not exceed 3 per cent and
0.05 per cent by weight respectively.
Weevilled Grains : Not more than 10 per
cent by count.
Provided that the total of foreign matter, other edible
grains shall not exceed 12 percent by weight.
6.1.2 SAFETY PARAMETERS
Limits for insecticides and pesticides
Following maximum limits are prescribed for residues of
insecticides and pesticides
|
Sl.No. |
Name of insecticides |
Tolerance Limit mg/kg. (ppm) |
|
1 |
Aldrin, dieldrin, (The
limits apply to aldrin and dialdrin
singly or in any combination and are expressed as dieldrin) |
0.01 |
|
2 |
Bitertanol |
0.05 |
|
3 |
Benomyl |
0.50 |
|
4 |
Carbaryl |
1.5 |
|
5 |
Chlordane (residue to be measured as cis
plus trans chlordane) |
0.02 |
|
6 |
Chlorfenvinphos (residues to be
measured as alpha and beta isomers of chlorfenvinphos) |
0.025 |
|
7 |
Chlorpyrifos |
0.05 |
|
8 |
Cypermethrin (sum of isomers) (fat
soluble residue) |
0.05 |
|
9 |
Carbendazim |
0.50 |
|
10 |
Carbofuran(Sum of carbofuran
and 3-hydroxy carbofuran expressed as carbofuran) |
0.10 |
|
11 |
Diazinon |
0.05 |
|
12 |
Dichlorvos (Content of dichloracetaldehyde
(D.C.A) be reported where possible |
1.0 |
|
13 |
Decamethrin/Delta methrin |
0.50 |
|
14 |
2,4-D |
0.01 |
|
15 |
Dithiocarbamates |
0.20 |
|
16 |
Ethion |
0.025 |
|
17 |
Fenitrothion |
0.02 |
|
18 |
Fenthion |
0.10 |
|
19 |
Heptachlor |
0.01 |
|
20 |
Hexachlorocyclohexane and its isomers(Gamma isomer known as Lindane) |
0.10 |
|
21 |
Hydrogen cyanide |
37.5 |
|
22 |
Inorganic bromide (determined and expressed as total bromide from
all sources) |
25.0 |
|
23 |
Malathion (Malathion to
be determined and expressed as combined residue of malathion
and malaoxon) |
4.0 |
|
24 |
Methyl Choloro phenoxyacetic
Acid (MCPA) |
0.05 |
|
25 |
Monocrotophos |
0.025 |
|
26 |
Oxydemeton methyl |
0.02 |
|
27 |
Paraquat-Dichloride(Determined as paraquat cations) |
0.1 |
|
28 |
Phosphamidon residues (expressed as
the sum of phosphamidon and its desethyl
derivative). |
0.05 |
|
29 |
Phenthoate |
0.05 |
|
30 |
Phorate (sum of phorate,
its oxygen analogue and their sulphoxide and sulphones, expressed as phorate) |
0.05 |
|
31 |
Pirimiphos-methyl |
5.00 |
|
32 |
Trichlorfon |
0.05 |
|
33 |
Thiometon (residuesm
determined as thiometon its sulfoxide
and sulphone expressed as thiometon) |
0.025 |
|
34 |
Tridemorph |
0.1 |
|
35 |
Propicomazole |
0.05 |
|
36 |
Sulfosalfuron |
0.02 |
|
37 |
Trifluralin |
0.05 |
|
38 |
Chlorimuron-ethyl |
0.05 |
|
39 |
Diclofop-methyl |
0.1 |
|
40 |
Pendimethalin |
0.05 |
|
41 |
Metasulfuron-methyl |
0.1 |
|
42 |
Methabenzthiazuron |
0.5 |
|
43 |
Triallate |
0.05 |
|
44 |
Fenoxy-prop-p-ethyl |
0.02 |
|
45 |
Clodinafop-propanyl |
0.1 |
|
46 |
Triademelon |
0.5 |
|
47 |
Isoproturon |
0.1 |
Poisonous Metals
Following limits are
prescribed for poisonous metals
Name of the parts
per million
Poisonous
metal by weight
1 Lead
2.5
2 Copper 30.0
3 Arsenic 1.1
4 Tin 250.0
5 Zinc 50.0
6 Cadmiun 1.5
7 Mercury 1.0
8 Methyl Mercury 0.25
(Calculated as the element)
Uric Acid
: Not more than 100 mg.
per kg.
Aflatoxin : Not more than 30 micrograms per kg.
Deoxynivalenon (DON) : Not more than 1000
micrograms per kg.
7. STANDARDS FOR GRADING
7.1 GRADING - Grading provides description of the quality of the consignment and
assists in the formation of a legally binding agreement. It facilitates proper
marketing of agricultural commodities.
It also ensures that agricultural commodities move through the market
faster and without
obstructions. This also facilitates
transactions without physical verification by the distant buyers.
Advantages of Grading
-
It brings confidence between
the buyer and the seller.
-
It facilitates interstate and
international marketing.
-
Disputes in the market can be
solved amicably.
-
Stability of the price is
ensured.
-
Farmers can take loans easily
from the banks on the basis of grades of produce stored in the godown
-
Arbitrary fixation of price by
middlemen is eliminated.
-
Brings about improvement of the
crop.
-
Reduces risk of producer and
seller in transactions.
-
Future marketing is
facilitated. Grades become a commercial measure of quality.
-
It also helps in implementation
of contract farming.
7.2 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE (GRADING & MARKING) ACT, 1937
(AGMARK STANDARDS).
Standards of various
agricultural commodities prescribed under the provisions of the Agricultural Produce (Grading & Marking)
Act, 1937 are popularly known as AGMARK Standards. AGMARK standards comply with minimum
standards of quality & safety prescribed in Prevention of Food Adulteration
Rules, 1955. In addition AGMARK
standards differentiate between quality by having four
grades for Wheat. The grades are
differentiated on the basis of damaged grains, weeviled/shriveled/immature
grains, other food grains, etc.
7.2.1 AGMARK Standards of Wheat
Grade designation and definition of quality of wheat
Special characteristics
(Maximum limits of tolerance)
|
Grade Designation |
Foreign matter (% by wt.) |
Other food grains (% by wt.) |
Other wheats
(% by wt.) |
Damaged grains (% by wt.) |
Slightly damaged grains (% by wt.) |
Immature shrivelled
and Broken Grains (% by wt.) |
Weevilled Grains (% by wt.) |
|
I |
1.0 |
1.6 |
5.0 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
II |
1.0 |
3.0 |
15.0 |
2.0 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
3.0 |
|
III |
1.0 |
6.0 |
20.0 |
4.0 |
6.0 |
10.0 |
6.0 |
|
IV |
1.0 |
8.0 |
20.0 |
5.0 |
10.0 |
10.0 |
10.0 |
Note :
In foreign matter, not more than 0.25% by wt. shall be mineral matter and not
more than 0.10% by wt. shall be impurities of animal origin.
General characteristics
(a) Wheat shall be the dried grains of Triticum vulgare and Triticum durum Desf,
(b) have uniform size, shape and colour;
(c) Shall be
sweet, hard, clean, wholesome
and free from moulds, weevils,
obnoxious smell, discolouration, admixture of deleterious
substances and all other
impurities except to the extent as indicated
in the Schedule;
(d) be in sound merchantable condition;
(e) not have moisture exceeding 12 per
cent.
Definitions
Foreign
Matter : It includes dust, stones,
lumps of earth, chaff, stem or straw and any other impurity including non
edible seeds.
Other Food Grains : Edible foodgrains other than wheat.
Other
Wheat :
For this purpose wheat would be divided into
two classes (1) Durum or Macaroni
wheat and (2) vulgare or common wheat. Durum again would be sub divided into two colour groups (1) amber and (2) red and vulgare
would be sub divided into three colour groups - (1)
white (2) amber and (3) red.
Damaged Grains : Grains that
are internally damaged
or discoloured, damaged and discolouration materially affecting the quality.
Slightly
Damaged Grains :
Grains that
are superficially damaged or discoloured, damaged
and discolouration
not materially affecting the quality.
Immature, Shriveled and Broken Grains :
Immature and shrivelled grains are those that are not properly developed,
Broken grains are pieces of whole grains.
Weevilled
Grains : Grains that are partially or wholly bored
or eaten by weevils or other grain insects.
N.B.- Grades I and II should be free from
living insect infestation.
Maximum
tolerance limits for various food safety parameters such as poisonous metals,
pesticide residues, aflatoxin, uric acid, etc. are as
prescribed in Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955.
8. STANDARDS APPLICABLE
FOR INTERNTIONAL TRADE.
8.1 CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (CAC)
: Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) implements joint FAO/WHO Food
Standards Programme.
The purpose of the CAC programme is to protect
the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade. The CAC is a collection of internationally
adopted food standards presented in a uniform manner. Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary
Agreement and Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement of World Trade Organisation recognizes standards
framed by CAC with respect to safety and quality aspects of food items. Thus for international trade standards
framed by CAC are recognized.
8.1.1 Codex Standard For Wheat And Durum Wheat :
Description – Wheat is the grain
obtained from varieties of the species Tritticum aestivum L.
Durum Wheat is the grains
obtained from varieties of the species Tritticum
durum Desf.
Quality & Safety factors.
|
Parameter |
Wheat |
Durum Wheat |
|
Moisture
Max. |
14.5% m/m |
14.5% m/m |
|
Organic extraneous matter, Maximum |
1.5% m/m |
1.5% m/m |
|
Inorganic extraneous matter, Maximum |
0.5% m/m |
0.5% m/m |
|
Test weight (wt. of a hundred litre
volume expressed in Kg/hectoliter), Minimum
|
68 |
70 |
|
Shrunken & broken kernels, Maximum |
5.0% m/m |
6.0% m/m |
|
Edible grains other than wheat and durum wheat, Maximum |
2.0% m/m |
3.0% m/m |
|
Damaged kernels, Maximum |
6.0% m/m |
4.0% m/m |
|
Insect bored kernels, Maximum |
1.5% m/m |
2.5% m/m |
|
Filth (impurities of animal origin, including dead insects), Maximum |
0.1% m/m |
0.1% m/m |
|
Ergot (Sclerotium
of the fungus Claviceps purpurea), Maximum |
0.05% m/m |
0.05% m/m |
Toxic or Noxious Seeds
The wheat and Durum wheat
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.
Heavy Metals
Maximum levels for Lead 0.2
mg/kg.
Pesticide
Residues:
Wheat and Durum wheat
shall comply with following maximum pesticide residue limits.
|
Sl.No. |
PESTICIDE |
MRL or EMRL |
(Mg/kg) |
|
1 |
2,4-D |
MRL |
0.5 |
|
2 |
ALDICARB |
MRL |
0.02 |
|
3. |
ANILAZINE |
MRL |
0.1 |
|
4 |
BENTAZONE |
MRL |
0.1 |
|
5. |
BIFENTHRIN |
MRL |
0.5 |
|
6. |
BIORESMETHRIN |
MRL |
1 |
|
7. |
BITERTANOL |
MRL |
0.1* |
|
8. |
CARBARYL |
MRL |
5 |
|
9. |
CARBOFURAN |
MRL |
0.1* |
|
10. |
CHLORDANE |
EMRL |
0.02 |
|
11. |
CHLORMEQUAT |
MRL |
5 |
|
12. |
CHLOROTHALONIL |
MRL |
0.1 |
|
13. |
CHLORPYRIFOS-METHYL |
MRL |
10 |
|
14. |
CYPERMETHRIN |
MRL |
0.2 |
|
15. |
DICHLOFLUANID |
MRL |
0.1 |
|
16. |
DIQUAT |
MRL |
2 |
|
17. |
DITHIOCARBAMATES |
MRL |
1 |
|
18. |
ETHEPHON |
MRL |
1 |
|
19. |
FENBUCONAZOLE |
MRL |
0.1 |
|
20. |
FLUCYTHRINATE |
MRL |
0.2 |
|
21. |
FLUSILAZOLE |
MRL |
0.1 |
|
22. |
GLYPHOSATE |
MRL |
5 |
|
23. |
HEXACONAZOLE |
MRL |
0.1 |
|
24. |
IMAZALIL |
MRL |
0.01 |
|
25. |
METHOMYL |
MRL |
0.5 |
|
26. |
MONOCROTOPHOS |
MRL |
0.02 |
|
27. |
PHORATE |
MRL |
0.05 |
|
28. |
PIPERONYL BUTOXIDE |
MRL |
10 |
|
29. |
PIRIMICARB |
MRL |
0.05 |
|
30. |
PROCHLORAZ |
MRL |
0.5 |
|
31. |
PROPICONAZOLE |
MRL |
0.05 |
|
32. |
PYRAZOPHOS |
MRL |
0.05 |
|
33. |
TEBUCONAZOLE |
MRL |
0.05 |
|
34. |
TERBUFOS |
MRL |
0.01 |
|
35. |
TRIADIMEFON |
MRL |
0.1 |
|
36. |
TRIADIMENOL |
MRL |
0.2 |
HYGIENE
Wheat
and Durum wheat, after cleaning and sorting, and before further processing :
·
Shall be free from microorganisms 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 microorganisms, including fungi, in amounts which may
represent a hazard to health.