DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE , FORESTRY AND FISHERIES  
 
No. R.            
 
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT STANDARDS ACT, 1990  
(ACT No. 119 OF 1990)  
 
REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE GRADING, PACKING AND MARKING OF PULSES  
INTENDED FOR SALE IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA  
 
The Minister of Agriculture has under section 15 of the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act 
No. 119 of 1990) – 
 
(a) made the regulations set out in the Schedule ; and  
 
(b) determined that the said regulations shall come into operation twelve months after 
publication   
 
SCHEDULE  
 
 
Definition  
 
1. In these regulations, unless the context indicates otherwise, any word or expression to which 
a meaning has been assigned in th e Act shall have that meaning and – 
 
"address " means a physical address in the Republic of South Africa and includes the street or road  
number or name,   and the name of the town, village or suburb and, in the case of a farm, the 
name or number of the farm  and of the magisterial district in which it is situated;    
 
"animal filth" means any part of an animal which may contaminate the product such as dead rodents, 
dead birds , dung , droppings, pellets hair and/or feathers of any animal ; 
 
"Ascochyta" means the  fungal disease that attacks lentils , peas and chickpeas  plant and seeds, and 
which causes dark -coloured lesions on the seed coa t which result the product being  
considered a damaged  pulses ; 
 
"black gram " threshed seeds of the black gram  plant of (Vigna  mungo (L.) Hepper)  
 
"bleached peas " means green peas which one -eight or more of the surface of the cotyledon is 
bleached to a distinct yellow colour which is in marked contrast to its natural colour;  
 
"broken pulses " in whole pulse  means pulses in which the cotyledons are sep arated or one 
cotyledon has been  broken. In split pulses  means pulses in which the cotyledon has been 
broken.  
    
"bulk quantity " means a quantity of more than 10 kg of pulses , whether sold in containers or in loose 
quantities;  
 
"chick peas"  means dried, peeled and split seeds of Cicer arientinum ; 
 
"chips" means pieces or fragments rel evant to the class of split pea;  
 
"consignment " means –  
 
 (a) a quantity of pulses  of the same class , which belongs to the same  producer, 
importer, packer or owner and which is delivered at a particular time under cover of 
the same consignment note, delivery note  or receipt, or is delivered by the same - 2 – 
 
vehicle or bulk container;  or  
 
 (b) in the case where such quantity  referred  to in paragraph (a),  is subdivided into 
different types of packaging, or classes , each quantity of such different types of 
packaging  or classes ; 
 
"container"  means a bag or other suitable packing unit in which pulses in retail or bulk quantities are 
packed;  
 
"cracked seed coat " in peas  and chickpeas   means:  
  
a. Peas with cracked seed coats —if the peas are otherwise damaged, they are included in 
the tolerance for damage, not cracked seed coats  
b. Peas with all or part of the seed coat removed  
c. Broken peas with less than one -fourth of the pea broken off —broken peas with more than 
one-fourth of the pea broken off are considered damaged  
 
"damaged pulses " means pulses that are distinctly  damaged  by weather,  Ascochyta  , disease d/fungi 
infected, shrivelled, cracked seed coat, split  pulses, stained, soiled or discoloured to such an 
extent that the damage materially affects the quality of the pulses;  
 
a. Damaged lentils  include  peeled, split, broken, sprouted, distinctly green, frost  damaged, 
distinctly deteriorated or discoloured by weather or disease, insect damaged, heat damaged 
or otherwise damaged in a way which materially affects quality.  
 
b. Damaged peas  include  Split or broken peas where more than one -fourth of the pea is broken 
off, Whole peas that are sprouted, heated, shrivelled, damaged by insects, badly deteriorated 
or discoloured by weather or by disease, or that are otherwise damaged in a way that 
seriously affects their appearance or quality . 
 
c. Damaged chickpeas  include  whole or broken chickpeas that are sprouted, frost damaged, 
heated, damaged by insects, distinctly deteriorated or discoloured by weather or by disease, 
or that are otherwise damaged in a way that seriously affects their quality.  
 
"defective pulses " means pulses of which the quality or colour are adversely affected by the extent 
to which they are  damaged, heat damaged,  insect  damaged,  or have sprouted ; 
 
"discoloured pulses " means pulses that are distinctly blemished and/or off colour from the  
 characteristic  colour of the predominating class.  
 
"foreign matter " means any matter other than fragments  of pulse kernels, animal filth , glass, metal, 
stones , coal,  and poisonous seeds that does not naturally form part of pulses ; 
 
"good coloured pulses " means pulses t hat are practically free from discolouration and have the 
uniform natural colour and appearance characteristics of the predominating  colour of the 
pulse;  
 
"green " means chickpea that when cut in half, is a distinct green throughout ;  
 
"heat damaged pulses " means whole and fragments  of pulses which have been materially and 
internally discoloured as a result of heat;  
 
"insect " means an insect of a kind that is detrimental to pulses , irrespective of the stage of  
 development thereof and whether it is alive or dead;  
 
"Insect  damaged pulses"  means whole and pieces of pulses which are damaged by weevil or other 
insects;  
 
 
"lentils " threshed seeds of the lentil plant of ( Lens culinaris Medic, Lens esculenta Moench ) and - 3 – 
 
which varieties may have a wide range of seed coat colours from green, red, speckled green, 
black and tan. The cotyledon co lor may be red, yellow or green ;  
 
"main panel " means that part of the label or container bearing the trade mark, trade name or brand 
name in greatest prominence and any other part of the label or container bearing the trade 
mark, trade name or brand name in equal pro minence;  
 
"mixed lentils"  means lentils that consist of a mixture of different colour or classes of lentils;  
 
"mixed peas"  means peas and chickpeas that consist of a mixture of different colour or class of peas;  
 
"mixed pulses " means mixture of pulses  with or without additional grains an d/or seeds in any 
proportion  that are sound  and may be marketed as mixed pulses or soup mix or any other 
suitable or appropriate name ;  
 
"mouldy pulses " means  pulse kernels or fragments of pulse kernels that – 
 
a. may or not have a typical mouldy odour and/or;  
b. are infected by fungi and are characterised by black, blue, green, yellow or white fungi growth 
and/or fungi spores and/or;  
c. are infected by diplodia -co rot and are characterised by light brown to greyish fungi growth or 
a dull black discolouration of the pulse kernel; and  
d. are infected by fusarium -cob rot and are characterised b y a dull pink to red and light brown to 
dark brown or black stain of the pulse kernel;  
 
"mung beans " threshed seeds of the  mung or green gram plant of Vigna radiata;   
 
"other  classes or not true type"  means pulses  that do not have the normal characteristic  shape,  
 size, colour or other properties of a particular class;  
 
"poisonous  seeds " means the seeds or bits of seeds of plant species that may present a hazard to 
human or animal health when consumed, including seeds of Argemone mexicana L ., 
Convolvulus spp ., Crotalaria spp ., Canavalia ensiformus, Datura spp ., Ipomoea purpurea , 
Lolium te mulentum , Ricinus communis  or Xanthium spp .; 
 
"packer " means a person  or company  packing pulses for  sale, a person /company  on whose behalf 
pulses are packed for sale and a person /company  importing pulses  for sale;  
 
"peas " means dried, peeled and split seeds  of Pisum sativum ; 
 
"peeled  and broken pulses " means  pulses and pieces of  pulses which are otherwise sound but 
which are less than three -quarters of whole seeds or where less than one -half of the seed 
coat is intact;  Lentils with cracked or clipped seed coats are considered sound when the 
cotyledons are firmly held together.  
 
"pulses " means dry leguminous seeds of Lentils ( Lens culinaris Medic, Lens esculenta Moe nch); 
Peas of pisum sativum L; C hickpeas of cicer arientinum L; Black gram of  Vinga mungo; Mung 
beans of  Vigna radiata;  Cowpeas of  Vigna unguiculata; Pigeon peas of   Cajanus cajan;  
 
"retail quantity " means a quantity of 10 kg or less of pulses , irrespective whether sold in containers 
or in loose quantities;  
 
"sclerotia " means hard masses of fungal tissue produced by fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The  
sclerotia vary in size and form and consist of a dark black exterior, a white interior and a rough  
surface texture;  
 
"screenings" means all matters other than pulses that can be removed from the original sample by  
 use of an approved device and procedure;  
 
"shrivelled pulses " means pulses which are distinctly shrivelled in contrast to the natural shape and- 4 – 
 
    appearance of a normally developed seed  and shows  three or more intense pleats ; 
 
"sound"  means free from all internal and external defects which detrimentally affect the quality of the  
 pulses;  
 
"split pulses"  means pulses without their seedcoat, with the two cotyledons separated from the other  
 which are sound ; 
 
"spro uted  pulses " means pulses that are considered sprouted when the seed coat splits and the 
primary root emerges from between the cotyledons. Sprouted is considered in the total 
tolerance for damage;  
 
"stained  pulses " means  -- 
 
(i) Seeds with a significant number  of distinct spot on the seed coat . 
(ii) Seeds with distinct brown discolouration  on the seed coat . 
(iii) Seed with Ascochyta , seeds  with dark -coloured lesions on the seed coat, seeds  with 
fungal growth are considered damaged . 
(iv) Seeds of green lentils with significant blue-black discolouration of the seed coat . 
 
"stones and sand " means hard shales, coal, hard earth pellets and any other non -toxic materials of 
similar consistency. Fertilizer pellets are assessed as stones when constituting 1.0% or less of 
the net sample weight;  
 
"the Act " means the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990);  
 
"unscreened pulses " means the uncleaned sample  of pulses ; 
 
"white caps"  means split peas with seedcoats attached;  
  
"whole pulses " means pulses  with one -fourth or less of the cotyledons removed and with the 
remainder of the cotyledons firmly held together ; and  
 
Scope of Regulations  
 
2. These regulations are the minimum standard applicable to pulses that are destined for sale in the 
Republic of South Africa but does not include ready -to -eat pulses.  
 
 
Restrictions on the sale of pulses  
 
3. (1)  A person  may not  sell pulses  in the Republ ic of South Africa – 
 
(a) unless the pulse concerned are sold according to the classes  prescribed in 
regulation 3;  
 
(b) unless the pulse concerned comply with the standards for classes  prescribed 
in regulation 4;  
 
(c) unless the pulse concerned are packed in type of containers and in the 
manner prescribed in regulations 5 and 6 ; 
 
(d) unless the pulse concerned are marked with the particulars and in the manner 
prescribed in regulations 7, 8 and 9;  
 
(e) if the pulse concerned contain a substance that has thus been p rescribed as 
a substance which it may  not contain;  
 - 5 – 
 
(f) if the pulse concerned are packed in a container or in such a manner that has 
thus been prescribed as a container or a manner in which it may not  be 
packed;  and  
 
(g) if the pulse concerned are marked with particulars or in such a manner that 
has thus been prescribed as particulars or manner in which  it may not be 
marked.  
 
(2) The Executive Officer may grant written exemption, entirely or partially, to any person  
 on suc h conditions as he or she deems necessary, from the provisions of subregulation (1).  
 
 
 
 
 
PART I  
 
QUALITY STANDARDS  
 
 
4. Type groups for Pulses   
 
(a) Lentils  shall be classified as   either split or whole : 
 
(i) Brown  lentils  
(ii) Red lentils  
(iii) Green lentils  
(iv) Black lentils  
(v) yellow lentils  
(vi) French or Le Puy lentils  
(vii) mixed lentils  
 
(b) Peas shall be classified as  either split or whole : 
 
(i) Green peas  
(ii) Yellow peas  
(iii) Pigeon peas  
(iv) Cowpeas  
(v) chickpeas  
(vi) Mixed peas  
  
(c) Beans shall be classified as:  
 
(i) Mung beans  
(ii) Black gram  
 
(d) Mixture of different pulses shall be classified as:  
 
(i) Mixed pulses  
 
 
5. Standards for classes  of pulses  
  (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub -regulations (2) and (3)  the consignment of Pulses  
shall – 
 
(a)  consist of matured dried  seeds  of pulses ;  
(b) be free from any toxin, chemical or any other substance that renders it unsuitable  for - 6 – 
 
human consumption or for processing into or utilisation thereof as food or  feed;  
(c)  not contain more poisonous seeds or ergot scleroti nia than permitted in terms of  
the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act ,1975 (Act No.  54 of 1972 ); 
(d)  be free from any mould y odours   abnormal flavours  odour, taste or colour not typical 
of undamaged and sound pulses;  
(e) be free from animal filth, glass, metal, coal or  insects ; 
(f) have a moisture content not exceeding the following limits per pulse class:  
 
  
Type of pulse   
Moisture Content  
i.   
Lentils   
14% 
ii.   
Peas   
16% 
iii.   
Chickpeas   
14% 
iv.   
Beans   
16% 
               Mixed pulses use the moisture of the predominant pulse  type 
 
 
6. Grades  standards  for Pulses     
 
(1) Whole and split p ulses shall for the purpose of the application of these regulations be  graded 
as -- 
 
(a) Grade 1 , Grade 2  or Grade 3  in the case of pulses in retail quantities: provided that 
pulses in retail quantities of 5 kg and more may also be graded as Undergrade; and  
 
(b) Canning Grade, Grade 1, Grade 2 , or Grade 3 in the case of pulses in bulk quantities.  
 
     (2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of sub -regulations (2), (3) and (4 ), the consignment of whole  
and splits p ulses graded as Canning Grade, Grade 1, Grade 2  and Grade 3 , shall comply with 
the permissible  deviation s as set out in Table 1 , 2, 3 and 4  of the Annexure  A. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 7 – 
 
 
PART II  
PACKING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS  
 
 
Requirements for containers  
 
7. The containers in which pulses are  packed shall – 
 
(a) be manufactured from a material that – 
 
  (i) will protect the contents thereof against contamination; and  
 
(ii) will not impart any undesirable flavour or odour to the contents thereof . 
  
 
(b) be so strong that they will not tear or break during normal storage, handling and 
transport practices;  
 
(c) be whole, with the exception of grain probe marks: Provided that grain probe marks 
will not be permissible in the case of  pulses  in retail quantities, notwithstanding the 
presence of micro -perforations which allow for air release in retail form -fill and se al 
packaging;  
 
 (d) be clean;  
 
 (e) be closed  or sealed  properly in a manner perm itted by the nature thereof ; and  
 
(f) in the case of pulses  in retail quantities, be previously unused for any purpose.  
 
 
Packing requirements  
 
8. (1) each package shall contain pulses of the same type and the class designation , except 
in the case of the class  with m ixed pulses .  
 
 
Marking requirements  
 
Marking of containers in which pulses in  retail quantities are packed  
 
9. (1) (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (b) , each  container in which pulses  
in retail quantities are sold shall, either on the main panel or in another conspicuous place 
thereon, be marked with –  
 
(i) the name  or registered trade mark  and address of the packer /importer  
 
(ii) Class of  the pulses , 
 
(iii) Grade of the pulses  (optional)  
 
(iv)  net weight  of the pulses packed therein, as required in terms of the 
Legal Metrology  Act, 2014  (Act No. 9 of 2014 ).  
 
(v) the expression "Product of" followed by the name o f the country of 
origin thereof or the country of origin declared as required by 
regulations published in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and 
Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972) . 
 
(b) Any illustration on the container shall be an accurate representation of the - 8 – 
 
contents , especially as far as colour and type of pulses is concerned.  
 
(2) When pulses destined for sale in the retail trade are kept for sale in loose quantities – 
 
(a) pulses of different form class and grades shall, except in the case of the type 
group known as Mixed pulses, be kept separate; and  
 
(b) the particulars referred to in subregulation (1)(a) shall be indicated in clearly 
legible letters and figures with a vertical h eight of at least 10,0 mm on a notice 
board displayed at those pulses .   
 
 
Marking of containers in which pulses are packed in bulk quantities  
 
10. (1) Subject to the provisions of subregulation (2), each container containing pulses  in 
bulk, shall be mark ed clearly and legibly with block letters on the container itself, or on a label affixed 
to the container, with the following particulars:  
 
  (a) the name of the product /class /grade ; 
 
(b) the country of origin; and  
 
  (c) a lot identification;  
 
(d) net weight of the pulses packed therein, as required in terms of the Legal 
Metrology Act, 2014 (Act No. 9 of 2014);  
 
(e) the name and address of the packer of those pulses as required by regulation 
9: Provided that the lot identification and the name and address of the packer 
may be replaced by an identification mark, if such identification mark is clearly 
identifiable with the accompanying sales documents.  
 
(2) The country of origin may in the case of pulses destined for further processing or 
packing be o mitted, if the country of origin is indicated on the accompanying sales documents.  
 
 
 
Indications of packer   
 
11. (1) The name of the packer of pulses that  is marked on the container shall – 
 
(a) consist of the initials and surname or trade name of the pac ker or, in the case 
of imported pulses in retail quantities, the importer concerned;  and 
 
(b) be preceded by the expression "Packed by"  or, in the case of pulses impor -
ted into the Republic in the containers in which they are to be sold in the retail 
trade, be preceded by the expression "Imported by".  
 
   (2) The address as contemplated in  regulation 1 of  the schedule of the pa cker of pulses  
and be marked on such container immediately after the particulars referred to in subregulation 
(1) 
 
 
 (3) If pulses are packed on behalf of a person – 
 
(a) the particulars referred to in subregulation (1) (a) shall be replaced by the 
initials and surname or trade name of the person on whose behalf those 
pulses  have been packed;  
 
(b) such initials and surname or trade n ame shall be preceded by the expression - 9 – 
 
"packed for";  
 
(c) the address of such person shall be indicated in the place of the address 
referred to in subregulation (2 ); 
 
(d) such address shall be marked on a container immediately after the particulars 
referr ed to in paragraph (a); and  
 
(e) the particulars referred to in subregulations (1) and (2) may in addition thereto 
be marked on a container.  
 
 
 
Restricted particulars  
 
12. (1) No word, mark, illustration, depiction or any other method of expression that 
constitutes a misrepresentation, directly or by implication creates or may create a misleading 
impression regarding the quality, nature or  class  of pulses  shall appear on a container in which pulses 
are packed, or on a label attached to such container.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 10 – 
 
 
PART III 
SAMPLING  
 
General  
 
13. (1) A sample of a consignment shall for the purpose of the application of these 
regulations be obtained by -- 
 
 (a) in the case of pulses in retail quantities packed in containers,  
 
(i) randomly taking from the number of containers concerned, at least 
the applicable number of containers mentioned in column 2 of Table 
below ; and  
 
 
 
SAMPLING P LAN  
 
1 
Number of container of containing 
pulses  
 2 
Minimum number of containers to  be selected at 
random  
 
 
 
Less than 10   
 
2 
 
 
11 to 50   
 
4 
 
 
More than 50   
 
6 
 
(ii) sampling each such container by hand in the manner set out in 
regula tion 1 4:  Provided that if the contents per container is 1 kg or 
less, the total contents of all the chosen containers will be taken as 
sample;  
 
 
 
(b) in the case of pulses  in bulk quantities – 
 
(i) sampling each bag in that consignment with a grain probe as contem -
plated in regulation 1 5 or by hand as contemplated in regulation 1 2 if 
it consists of 100 bags or less;  or  
 
(ii) by otherwise sampling at least 10 per cent of the bags in that 
consignment chosen at random, but with a minimum of 100 bags, 
with a grain probe as contemplated in regulation 1 5 or by hand as 
contem plated in regulation 1 4. Provided that at least 25 bags in a 
consignment shall be sampled and where a consignment consist of 
less than 25 bags, all bags in that consignment shall be sampled.  
 
(2) A sample taken in terms of this regulation  is considered to be represe ntative of the 
consignment from which it was obtained.  
 
 
 
 
 - 11 – 
 
Sampling by hand  
 
14. The sampling of a consignment by hand shall be done as follows:  
 
 (a) Open the containers in the consignment that have to be sampled.  
 
(b) Insert the open hand into such cont ainer or the loose quantity concerned, close the 
hand into a fist and thereafter withdraw it evenly.  
 
 (c) Place the material enclasped by the hand in a suitable collecting tray.  
 
(d) Repeat the procedure described in paragraph (b) alternately at various d epths in the 
containers or loose quantities concerned, and place the material thus removed in the 
collecting tray referred to in paragraph (c).  
 
(e) Take more or less equal quantities or material from each container that is sampled.  
 
(f) Thoroughly mixes the material thus obtained and divide  it by means of a sample 
divider to obtain a sample of at least 1 kg of material.  
 
 
Sampling by means of a bag probe  
 
15. (1) The sampling of a consignment with a bag probe shall be done as follows:  
 
(a) Insert the tape red end of the bag probe upwards at an angle of approximately 
30 degrees with the horizontal line and with the aperture thereof downwards, 
into each bag chosen from that consignment, until the end of the probe is 
approxi mately in the centre of such bag.  
 
(b) Turn the bag probe through approximately 180 degrees on the longitudinal 
axis thereof so that the aperture thereof is at the top.  
 
(c) Extract the bag probe with a slight shaking movement and diminishing speed 
from the bag concerned to ensure that a re latively even and increasing flow of 
pulses  is maintained through the aperture thereof closer to the side of the 
bag. 
 
(d) Place the material contained in the bag probe in a suitable container.  
 
(e) Repeat the procedure described in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) alternately 
at various depths of alternate bags and place the material thus removed in the 
container referred to in subparagraph (d).  
 
(f) Take approximately equal quantities of material from each bag that is 
sampled.  
 
(g) Thoroughly mixes the mat erial thus obtained and divide  it by means of a 
sample divider to obtain a sample of at least 1 kg.  
 
 
 (2) A bag probe referred to in subregulation (1) shall – 
 
(a) be long enough so that the end thereof will reach the center  of a bag being 
sampled;   
 
(b) consist of a cylindrical tube with a tapered end and an aperture close to the 
end; and  
 
(c) have a diameter not exceeding  22mm . - 12 – 
 
 
 
Sampling if contents differ  
 
16. If it appears from an examination of the pulses  in bulk quantities taken in accordance with 
regulation 1 5(b) from different bags in a consignment, that the contents of those bags differ 
conspicuously – 
 
 (a) the respective bags shall be separated from each other;  
 
(b) all the bags in the consignment concerned shall be sampled in order to make suc h 
classification and separation; and  
 
(c) each group of bags of a particular grade in the consignment concerned shall for the 
purposes of these regulations be deemed to be a separate consignment.  
 
 
Obtaining of a working sample  
 
17.  (1) A  working sample is obtained by dividing the representative sample of the consignment  
according to the (International Association for Cereal Science and Technology) ICC.101/1  
method.  
 
 
 
 
PART IV 
 
INSPECTION METHODS  AND DETERMINATION OF DEVIATIONS  
 
 
Determin ation of undesirable odours and harmful substances, poisonous  seeds mites and 
insect content  
 
18. A consignment of pulses  shall be sensorial assessed and sorted by hand in order to 
determine whether the sample has a undesirables odours , contains poisonous seeds, insects and  
mites.   
 
Determination of foreign matter content , other classes, stones and sand content  
 
19. The percentages of foreign matter , other classes , stones and sand in a consignment of pulses  
shall be determined as follows : 
 
(a) Prepare a working sample by measuring off 1 kg of material from the sample of the 
consignment.  
 
(b) Remove all the foreign matter , other classes , all the stones and sand separately from 
the working sample and determine the respective masses thereof.  
 
(c) Express the masses thus determined, as percentages of 1 kg.  
 
(d) Such percentages shall respectively represent the percentage of foreign matter , other 
classes , the percentage of stones and sand in the consignment concerned.  
 
 
Determination of defecti ve pulses  
 
20. The percentages of defective pulses  in a consignment shall  be determined as follows:  
 
(a)       Prepare a working sample by measuring off from the quantity of the sample from  - 13 – 
 
which the stones, sand and foreign matter have been removed as contemplated  in 
regulation 19 – 
 
(b)       Obtain a working sample of at least 500 g of  pulses  
 
(c)       Remove all defective  pulses separately from the working sample and determine the  
      respective masses thereof.  
  
(d) Express the respective masses thus determined, as percentages of the mass of the 
applicable working sample.  
 
(e) Such percentages shall respectively represent the percentage of defective pulses  in 
the con signment concerned.   
 
 
Determination of the percentage damaged pulses  
 
21.  The percentage damaged pulses in a consignment  shall be determined as follows:  
 
(a) Obtain a working sample of at least 250 g of un -screened pulses.  
 
(b) Remove all damaged pulses by hand and determines  the mass thereof.  
 
(c)  Express the mass thus determined as a percentage of the mass of the working  
sample.  
 
(d)  Such percentage represents the percentage damaged pulses in the consignment.  
 
 
  
Determination of the amount of sprouted pulses  
 
22. The amount of sprouted pulses  in a consignment shall be determined as follows:  
 
(a) Obtain a working sample of 1000 g of  un-screened pulses . 
 
(b) Remove all sprouted kernels by hand and determine the amount thereof.  
 
(c) Such amount represents the amount of sprouted pulses  in the consignment.  
 
 
 
Determination of bleached peas  
 
23.  The amount of bleached peas in a consignment shall be determined as follows:  
 
(a) Obtain a working sample of 200 g of screened pulses.  
 
(b) Remove all suspected bleached  kernels by hand . 
 
(c) Remove the seed coat from suspect kernels  to determine the size of the bleached area on the 
cotyledons  and determine the amount thereof.  
 
(d) Such amount represents the amount of sprouted pulses in the consignment.  
 
 
 
 
 
 - 14 – 
 
PART V  
MOISTURE CONTENT  
 
Determination of moisture content  
 
24. (1) The moisture content of a consignment of pulses  shall be determined with an 
instrument that is suitable for the purpose, has been calibrated for pulses and according to the 
directions for use of the instrument concerned:  Provided that the results thus obt ained are in 
accordance (±0,3 per cent) with the results obtained by the 72 hour oven dried method. [(American 
Association of Cereal Chemists) AACC Method  44/15A/1981].  
 
 
 
 
PART VI 
 
Offences and penalties  
 
25. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of these regulations shall be 
guilty of an offence and upon conviction be liable to a fine or imprisonment in accordance with section  
11 of the Act.  - 15 – 
 
 
 
ANNEXURE A.  
 
 
MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE(%) P ERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS FOR LENTILS  
 
TABLE 1  
 
 
 
NATURE OF 
DEFECTS  
  
STANDARDS FOR GRADES  OF LENTILS  
 
  
  
 
 
CANNING GRADES   
WHOLE LENTILS   
SPLIT LENTILS  
  
Grade 
1  
Grade 
2  
Grade 
3  
Grade   
1  
Grade 
2  
Grade 
3  
Grade 
1  
Grade 2  
1.  Foreign matter   
0.2  
0.5  
0.5  
0.2  
0.5  
1.0  
0.2  
0.5 
         
2.  Stones and sand  0.10 0.2 0.3 0.10 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 
         
3.  Defective lentils          
 
  3.1  Heat damage   
0.2  
0.5  
1.0  
0.2  
0.5  
1.0  
0.2  
0.5 
 
  3.2   Damaged lentils   
2.0  
3.0  
3.5  
2.0  
3.5  
5.0  
2.0  
3.5 
 
  3.3 Insect damage   
0.3  
0.8  
1.5  
0.3  
0.8  
1.5  
0.3  
0.8 
 
  3.4   Sprouted   
2.0  
3.0  
3.5  
2.0  
3.5  
5.0  
2.0  
3.5 
 
  3.5  Other classes   
3.0  
8.0  
8.0  
3.0  
8.0  
8.0  
3.0  
8.0 
4.    Deviations in 
paragraph (1),(2), (3): 
provided that such 
deviations are 
individually within the 
specified limits.  
  
 
 
3.5  
 
 
8.5  
 
 
8.5  
 
 
3.5  
 
 
8.5  
 
 
8.5  
 
 
3.0  
 
 
8.0 
 
Explanatory note:  
       - means not applicable   
* means no limit  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 - 16 – 
 
MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE(%) P ERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS FOR PEAS  
 
TABLE 2  
 
 
 
NATURE OF 
DEFECTS  
  
STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF PEAS  
 
  
  
  
 
CANNING PEAS   
WHOLE PEAS   
SPLIT PEAS   
 Grade 
1 Grade 
2 Grade 
3 Grade   
1 Grade 
2 Grade 
3 Grade 
1 Grade 
2 Grade  
3 
 
1.  Foreign matter   
0.1  
0.2  
0.5  
0.1  
0.2  
0.5  
0.1  
0.2  
0.5 
          
2.  Stones and sand  0.1 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.5 
          
3.  Defective Peas          
 
 3.1 Insect damaged   
0.3  
0.8  
2.0  
0.3  
0.8  
2.0  
0.5  
1.0  
2.0 
 
 3.2  Heat damage   
0.1  
0.2  
0.5  
0.2  
0.5  
1.0  
0.2  
0.5  
1.0 
 
 3.3   Damaged peas   
2.0  
4.0  
10.0  
2.0  
5.0  
10.0  
2.0  
4.0  
10.0 
          
 3.4   Bleached  2.0 3.0 5.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 
 
 3.5   Shrivelled   
2.0  
4.0  
8.0  
2.0  
4.0  
8.0  
2.0  
4.0  
6.0 
 
 3.6   Cracked seeds   
5.0  
8.0  
13.0  
5.0  
7.0     
  13.0  
-  
-  
- 
 
 3.7   Other Classes   
0.5  
1.0  
2.0  
0.5  
1.0  
2.0  
0.3  
0.8  
1.5 
 
 3.8   Splits peas   
0.5  
1.0  
5.0  
0.5  
1.0  
5.0  
-  
-  
- 
 
 3.9    Chips   
0.0  
0.0  
0.0  
6.0  
9.0  
12.0  
6.0  
9.0  
12.0 
 
 3.10  White caps    
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
1.0  
2.0  
3.0 
 
 3.11  Whole peas   
-  
-  
-  
--  
-  
-  
0.5  
1.0  
2.0 
 
 3.12 Sprout   
2.0  
3.0  
5.0  
2.0  
3.0  
5.0  
-  
-   
- 
4.    Deviations in 
paragraph (1),(2), 
(3): provided that 
such deviations are 
individually within  
the specified limits.  
  
 
2.0  
 
3.5  
 
6.0  
 
2.0  
 
3.5  
 
6.0  
 
2.0  
 
4.0  
 
6.0 
Explanatory note:  
       - means not applicable   
* means no limit  
 
 
 
 
 - 17 – 
 
MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE(%) P ERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS FOR CHICKPEAS  
 
TABLE 3  
 
 
 
NATURE OF 
DEFECTS  
  
STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF CHICKPEAS  
 
 
CANNING GRADES  WHOLE 
CHICKPEAS  SPLIT 
CHICKPEAS  
  
Grade 1   
Grade 2   
Grade 1   
Grade 2   
Grade 1   
Grade 2  
 
1.  Foreign matter   
0.3  
0.5  
0.3  
0.5  
0.3  
0.5 
       
2.  Stones and sand  0.1 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.4 
       
3.  Defective chickpeas        
 
  3.1 Insect damaged   
0.8  
1.5  
1.0  
2.0  
1.0  
2.0 
 
  3.2  Heat damage   
0.1  
0.2  
0.1  
0.2  
0.1  
0.2 
 
  3.3   Damaged chickpeas   
0.5  
1.0  
1.0  
2.0  
1.0  
2.0 
 
  3.4   Shrivelled /green   
2.0  
4.0  
4.0  
8.0  
4.0  
8.0 
 
  3.5   Cracked seed coat                
3.0  
5.0  
5.0  
7.0  
5.0  
7.0 
 
  3.6   Split   
1  
2  
1  
2  
-  
- 
 
  3.7    Other classes   
0.5  
1.0  
0.5  
1.0  
1.0  
2.0 
4.    Deviations in 
paragraph (1),(2), (3): 
provided that such 
deviations are individually 
within the specified limits.  
  
 
2.0  
 
3.5  
 
2.0  
 
4.0  
 
2.0  
 
4.0 
Explanatory note:  
       - means not applicable   
* means no limit  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 18 – 
 
 
MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE(%) P ERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS FOR MUNG BEANS AND BLACK 
GRAM  
 
TABLE 4  
 
 
 
NATURE OF 
DEFECTS  
  STANDARDS FOR GRADES  OF MUNG BEANS 
AND BLACK GRAM  
 
  
 
CANNING GRADES   
NORMAL GRADES  
 Grade 1  Grade 2  Grade 3  Grade 1  Grade   2  Grade 
3  
 
1.  Foreign matter   
1.5  
2.0  
3.0  
1.5  
2.0  
3.0  
        
2.  Stones and sand  0.2 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.5 0.6  
        
3.  Defective beans        
 
  3.1 Insect damaged   
1.0  
3.0  
5.0  
1.0  
4.0  
5.0 
 
  3.2  Broken seeds   
2.0  
4.0  
6.0  
2.0  
5.0  
7.0 
 
  3.3   Damaged pulses   
2.0  
4.0  
6.0  
2.0  
5.0  
6.0 
       
  3.4  Immature seeds  1.0 1.5 3.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 
 
  3.5   Other classes   
1.0  
1.5  
2.0  
1.0  
2.0  
4.0 
 
  3.6   Cracked seed  coat             
1.0  
1.0  
2.0  
-  
-  
- 
 
3.8   Pod Scale   
3.0  
6.0  
12.0  
3.0  
6.0  
12.0 
4.    Deviations in 
paragraph (1),(2), (3): 
provided that such 
deviations are individually 
within the specified limits.  
  
 
 
4.0  
 
 
8.0  
 
 
15.0  
 
 
4.0  
 
 
7.0  
 
 
15.0 
Explanatory note:  
       - means not applicable   
* means no limit