AFDC 26 ( 1778 ) DTZS  
 
 
DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
 
Pomegranate - specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                  TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARD  
 
 
 0 foreword  
 
Pomegranate is a berry fruit rounded hexagonal  in shape with thick skin varying  
from yellow , red  to purple. The fruit contain numerous  small pink seeds 
surrounded by edible pulp called arils . Pomegranates are rich in fiber, vitamins, 
minerals  and antioxidants .  
 
This Tanzania Standard was prepared in order to provide guidance to 
pomegranate  producers and traders as well as regulators, and to ensure safety 
and quality of the produce.  
In the preparation of this Tanzania Standard considerable assistance was 
derived f rom: Codex Alimentarius CXS 310-2013 Standard for pomegranate.  
 
In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this 
standard, if the final value observed or calculated is to be rounded off, it shall 
be done in accordance with TZS 4 (see clause 2).  
 
1 Scope  
 
This standard specifies quality and safety requirements , methods of sampling 
and test  of pomegran ate fruits  grown from Punica granatum L. of the 
Punicaceae  family, to be supplied fresh to the consumer. Pomegranates for 
industrial processing are excluded.  
 
 
2 Normative  references  
 
The following referenced standards are indispensable for the application of this 
standard. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced standards (including any 
amendments) applies.  
 
a) TZS 4, Rounding off of numerical values  
b) TZS 109, Code of hygiene for food processing unit  
c) TZS 538, Packaging, marking and labeling of foods.  
d) TZS 1002, Fresh fruits and vegetables - Sampling  
e) TZS 1003, Guide to the pre -packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables  
f) TZS 1743, Code of hygienic p ractice for  fresh fruits  
g) Codex Stan 193 , Codex General standard for contaminants and toxins in 
food and feed  
h) Codex pesticide residues in food online data base   
  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply;  
 
3.1 produce  
fresh pomegranate fruit  
 
3.2 sound  
produce not affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it fit for 
consumption  
 
3.3 clean  
practically free of  any visible foreign matter  
 
3.4 pest 
any organism that directly or indirectly affects the quality and safety of the 
produce  
 
3.5 arils 
edible pulp surrounding  seeds of pomegranate fruit  
  
3.6 whole  
uninjured, unbroken and undamaged pomegranate fruits consumed freshly  
 
 
4 Requirements  
 
4.1 General requirements  
 
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class a nd the tolerances 
allowed, the pomegranates shall be:  
 whole;  
 sound;  
 clean;  
 free of pests and damage caused by them ; 
 free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following 
removal from cold storage;  
 free of any foreign smell and/or taste;  
 free of damage caused by frost;  
 free of damage caused by temperatures;  
 free of  sunburns affecting the arils of the fruit.  
 
 
4.1.1  The pomegranates shall have reached an appropriate degree of 
development and ripeness in accordance with criteria proper to the varieties 
and to the area in which they are grown.  
 
The development and condition of the pomegranates shall be such as to enable 
them  to:  
 - withstand transport and handling; and  
- arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.  
 
 
4.2 Classification  
Pomegranates  shall be  classified in three classes as defined below:  
 
4.2.1 “Extra” c lass 
Pomegranates in this class shall be of superior quality. They shall be 
chara cteristic of the variety. They shall be free of defects, with the exception of 
very slight superficial defects, pr ovided these do not affect the general 
appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in 
the package.  
 
4.2.2 Class I  
Pomegranates in this class shall be of good quality. They shall be char acteristic 
of the variety. The following slight defects  may be allowed, provided they do not 
affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality 
and presentation in the package:  
- slight defects in shape;  
- slight defects in colo uring; 
- slight skin defects including cracking.  
 
The defects shall not, in any case, affect the arils of the fruit.  
 
4.2.3 Class II  
This class includes pomegranates which do not qualify for inclusion in t he 
higher classes, but satisfy the general  requirements specified in clause  4.1. The 
following def ects, may be allowed, provided the pomegranates retain their 
essential characteristics with regard  to the qu ality, the keeping quality and 
presentation:  
- defects in shape;  
- defects in colo uring; 
- skin defects including cracking.  
 
The defects shall not, in any case, affect the arils of the fruit.  
 
4.3 Provisions concerning sizing  
Pomegranate may be sized by count, diameter or weight in accor dance with 
existing commercial trading practices. When such is the case, the packag e shall 
be labelled accordingly.  
 
a. When sized by count, size is determined by the number o f individual fruit 
per package.  
b. Pomegranate may be sized by diameter (the maximum di ameter of the 
equatorial section of each fruit)  using  Table A  as a guide.  
 
 
 
  
 Table A – Size by d iameter  
Size code  Diameter (mm)  
1 A ≥81 
2 B 71 – 80 
3 C 61 -70 
4 D 51 – 60 
5 E 40 – 50 
 
 
c. Pomegranate may be sized by weight (the individual weight of each fruit ) 
using Table B as a guide  
 
Table B – Size by w eight  
Size code  Weight (g)  
1 A ≥ 501  
2 B 401 - 500 
3 C 301 - 400 
4 D 201 - 300 
5 E 125 - 200 
 
 
4.4 Provisions concerning tolerances  
Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each pack age for 
produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.  
 
4.4.1 Quality t olerances  
 
4.4.1.1 “Extra” c lass 
Five percent by number or weight of pomegranates not satisfying the 
requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class I  or, exceptionally, coming 
within the tolerances of that class.  
 
4.4.1.2 Class I  
Ten percent by number or weight of pomegranates not satisfying the 
requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, 
coming within the tolerances of that class.  
 
4.4.1.3 Class II  
Ten percent by number or weight of pomegran ates satisfying neither the 
requirements of the class nor the general  requirements, with the exception of 
produce affected by rotting or any other deterioration rend ering it unfit for  
consumption.  
 
4.4.2 Size t olerances  
For all classes, 10% by number or weight of pomegranates corresponding to 
the size immediately above and/or below that specified in section 4.3 . 
 
 
 
  
 4.5 Provisions concerning presentation  
4.5.1 Uniformity  
The contents of each package shall be uniform and contain only pomegranates 
of the same origin, variety, quality and size (if sized). Packages may contain 
mixtures of varieties of different colours and sizes provided they are uniform in 
quality and for eac h variety concerned, its origin.  
 
The visible part of the contents of the package shall be representative of the 
entire contents.  
 
5  
 
 
6 Hygiene  
 
6.1 It is recommended that the produce covered by the provisions of this 
Standard be prepared and handled in accordance with TZS 109 (see clause 2)  
and TZS 1743 . 
 
 
7 Contaminants  
 
7.1 Heavy metal contaminants  
Pomegranate  shall comply with those maximum metal contaminants 
established by the Codex Stan 193.  
 
7.2 Pesticide residues  
Pomegranate shall comply with those maximum residue limits established in 
the Codex pesticide residues in food online data base.  
 
 
8 Sampling and  tests  
 
8.1 Samp ling 
Representative samples of pomegranate  shall be drawn as prescribed in TZS 
1002 (see clause 2).  
 
8.2  Tests  
Tests shall be done in accordance with the methods prescribed in this standard.  
 
 
9. Packing, marking and labelling  
 
9.1 Packing  
Pomegranate  shall be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly. 
The materials used shall be of food grade, clean and of a quality such as to 
avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The use of 
materials, particula rly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications, is 
allowed, provided the printing or labelling has been done with nontoxic ink or 
glue.   
  
9.1.1 The containers shall meet the quality, hygiene, ventilation and resistance 
characteristics that shall ensure suitable handling, shipping and preserving 
pomegranate . Packages shall be free of foreign matter and objectionable smell.  
 
9.1.2 The use of any su bstance tending to modify the natural characteristics of 
the produce, especially form, texture and taste shall be prohibited.  
  
9.1.3 In addition to the provisions covere d by this standard, pomegranate  shall 
also be packed in accordance with TZS 538 and TZ S 1003 (See clause 2).  
 
9.2 Marking and labelling  
 
9.2.1 Each package shall legibly and indelibly bear the following information in 
Swahili or and English on the same side:  
a) Name and address of exporter /importer , packer and/or dispatcher ;  
b) Name of the produce (Pomegranate) and  variety (where appropriate);  
c) Country of origin ; 
d) Class;  
e) Size (if sized) expressed in accordance with any one of the following 
methods:  
 Count,  
 Size code and range,  
 Size range ,  
f) Batch number ; 
g) Net weight ( kg); 
h) Storage condition  
 
 
9.2.2 Certification mark – Each container may also be mar ked with TBS 
certification mark.  
 
NOTE:  The use of TBS certification mark is governed by provisions of the 
Standards Act, 2009.  Details of the conditions under which a license for 
the u se of TBS certification mark may be granted to manufacturers or 
producers, may be obtained from TBS.