AFDC 26 (563) DTZS
  
 
 DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
 
 
Fresh okra — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                        TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS                                    AFDC 26 (563) DTZS  
2    
 
0 Foreword   
 
Okra is an upright, annual, tropical, often much branched, herbaceous to slightly woody plant . It is grown for 
its fruits  (pods)  that are harvested for human  consumption while still tender and immature. The young 
immature fruits are eaten fresh  or cooked as vegetables and the y can be frozen, canned or dried. Depending 
on the variety okra pods may be long or short, ridged or rounded, spined or spineless, curved or straight. 
Colours include green or red, as well as variegated . Young leaves and stem tips are used as cooked green 
vegetables.  Okra is rich in minerals, fibre and vitamins.  
 
  
This Tanzani a Standard was prepared in order to provide guidance to producers and traders of okra as well 
as regulators and to act as a means for ensuring safety and quality  of the product.  
 
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition TZS 1085: 2015.  
 
In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this Tanzania S tandard, if the final value 
observed or calculated is to be rounded off, it shall be d one in accordance with TZS 4  (see clause 2) . 
 
 
1 Scope  
 
This Tanzania S tandard specif ies requirements , method of sampling and test for  fresh okra varieties 
(cultivars) grown from Abelmoschuss esculentus L. Moench of Malvaceae  family  intented for human 
consumption.  
 
 
2 Normative r eferences  
 
The following referenced documents are indispensa ble for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
 
TZS 4, Rounding off numerical values  
 
TZS 109, Code o f hygiene for food processing unit — General   
 
CODEX STAN 193, General standard for contaminants and toxins in food and feed  
TZS 538, Packaging and labelling of foods  
 
TZS 1002 , Fresh fruits and vegetables — Sampling  
 
TZS 1003 , Guide to the pre -packaging o f fresh fruits and vegetables  
 
TZS 1743 , National  standard for Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices  for fresh fruits and 
vegetables  
 
 
 
 
 
          AFDC 26 (562) DTZS     
 3 Terms and definition s 
 
For the purpose of this Tanzania S tandard the following terms and definiti ons shall apply:  
 
 
3.1 damage  
any defect, or any combination of defects, which materially detracts from the appearance, or the edible or 
marketing quality of the individual pod or of the lot as a whole  
 
3.2 mature  
Stages at which pod is ready for harvestin g for intended market  
 
3.3 pod 
okra fruit  
 
 
4 Requirements  
 
4.1 General  requirements  
 
4.1.1 Okra shall be produced as per TZS 1743 . In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each 
class and the tolerances allowed, the okra shall meet the followi ng minimum requirements : 
 
a) whole with peduncle and intact tip;  
 
b) firm; 
 
c)   sound and fresh in appearance; produce shall not be affected by rotting  or deterioration such as to 
make it unfit for consumption ; 
 
d) tender ; 
 
e) clean;  practically free of any visible for eign matter (including parts of the flowers)  ; 
 
f) free from bruising ; 
 
g) free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from cold storage ; 
 
h) free from damage caused by low or high temperature ; 
 
i) free of any foreign smell /or taste ; 
 
j) free of damage caused by pests ; 
 
k) sufficiently developed (should be plucked before fiber formation)  ; 
 
l) free of hard seeds; and  
 
m)  free from harmful chemicals.  
 
4.1.2 The development and condition of okra shall be such as to enable them;  
                                   AFDC 26 (563) DTZS  
4   a) to withstand transp ort and handling ;and  
 
b) to arrive in a satisfactory condition at the place of destination.  
 
4.2 Specific requirements  
 
4.2.1 Classification  
 
Okra shall be classified as defined below:  
 
 
4.2.1.1 Extra Class  
 
Okra shall be of superior quality  meeting the min imum requirements specified in clause 4.1 . They shall be 
characteristic of the variety  and free f rom defects with the exception of very slight superficial defects, provided 
they do not affect the general appearance of the produce, quality , keeping  quality and presentation in the 
package.  
 
 
4.2.1.2 Class I  
 
Okra in this class shall be of good quality  meeting the minimum requirements specified in Clause 4.1 and may 
have the following slight defects, provided they do not affect the general appearance of the pr oduce, quality, 
keeping quality and presentation in the package : 
 
 slight defects in colour;  
 
 slight skin defects (scar, blemishes, scratches, bruises, scraps) not to exceed 2 % of the total surface 
area.  
 
4.2.1.3 Class II  
 
This class  includes okra which do  not qualify for inclusion in the extra class and class I , but satisfy the 
minimum requirements  specified in Clause 4.1 and  may have the following defects, provided they retain their 
essential characteristics as regards to quality, keeping quality and pres entation in the package : 
 
 defects in colour;  
 
 defects in shape and development;  
 
 defects in skin  (scars, blemishes, scratches, bruises, scraps) not to exceed 5 % of the total surface 
area.  
 
4.2.1.4 Unclassified  
 
"Unclassified" consists of pods of okra whic h have not been classified in accordance with the previous 
classes . The term "unclassified" is not a grade within the meaning of this standard but is provided as a 
designation to show that no grade has been applied to the lot.  
 
4.2.2  Size requirements  
 
Size is determined by the length of the pod (in mm. without peduncle) in accordance with Table  1. 
 
Table 1 — Size requirements  
          AFDC 26 (562) DTZS     
 S/No  Size code  Length in mm  
i.  A 40.1 – 65.0  
ii.  B  65.1 – 90.0  
iii.  C 90.1 – 115.0  
iv.  D  115.1 and above  
 
 
5 Tolerances  
 
 
5.1 Qualit y tolerances  
 
In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the following tolerances, by weight and 
size are provided as specified:  
 
5.1.1 Extra class  
 
Five percent  (5 %) by number or weight of Okra not satisfying the requiremen ts of the grade, but meeting 
those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade.  
 
5.1.2 Class I  
 
Ten percent (10  %) by number or weight of Okra not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting 
those of Class II or excep tionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade.  
 
5.1.3 Class II  
 
Ten percent (10  %) by number or weight of okra not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting the 
minimum requirements.  
 
5.2 Size tolerances  
 
Lots containing 10 % by number o r weight of okra not conforming to the size code specified  in Table 1shall be 
accepted.  
 
 
6 Contaminants  
 
6.1 Heavy metals  
 
Okra shall comply with those maximum levels for heavy metals established by the CODEX Stan 193.  
 
6.2 Pesticide residues  
 
Okra shall  comply with those maximum residue limits established by the  CODEX Pesticides Residues in Food 
Online Database .  
 
7 Hygiene  
 
It is recommended that the produce covered by the provisions of this Tanzania Standard shall be prepared 
and handled in accordance with the TZS 109 (see clause 2)  
 
 
8 Sampling and test  
                                   AFDC 26 (563) DTZS  
6   Representative samples of the okra shall be drawn as prescribed in TZS 1002 (see clause 2) and be tested in 
accordance to the methods described in this Tanzania S tandard.  
 
 
9 Packing, marking and labe lling 
 
9.1 Packing  
 
9.1.1  Okra shall be properly packed in such a way as to protect the produce. The materials used inside the 
package shall be clean, and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the 
produce. The use of mate rials, particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed, 
provided the printing or labelling has been done with non -toxic ink or glue.  
 
9.1.2  Okra shall also be packed in containers in accordance wit h TZS 1003  and TZS 538  (see clause  2) 
 
9.2 Description of containers  
 
The containers shall meet the quality, hygiene, ventilation and resistance characteristics to ensure suitable 
handling, shipping and preserving of the okra. Packages shall be free of all foreign matter and odour . 
 
9.3 Marking and labelling  
 
In addition to the requirements of the general Tanzania Standard TZS 538 (see clause 2); the following 
specific provisions apply for each package; legibly and indelibly marked ; 
 
a) name of the produce (Fresh okra);  
b) name and addr ess of th e packer or dispatcher;  
 
c) origin of the produce – Name of the producing country where g rown;  
 
d) comm ercial specification i.e. Class;  
 
e) net weight/mass (kg) ; 
 
f) brand or trade mark, if any  
 
g) identification code /batch number ; and  
 
h) storage condition.  
 
Date of harve st and packing  
9.4 Standards M ark of Quality   
 
Each container may also be marked with TBS Standards Mark of Quality . 
 
NOTE — The TBS Standards Mark of Quality may be used by the manufacturers only under licence 
from TBS. Particulars of conditions under whi ch the licences are granted may be obtained from TBS.  
 
 
 
 AFDC 26 (562) DTZS