GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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 اﻟﻌرﺑﻳﺔ اﻟﺧﻠﻳﺞ ﻟدوﻝ اﻟﺗﻌﺎون ﻣﺟﻠس ﻟدوﻝ اﻟﺗﻘﻳﻳس ﻫﻳﺋﺔ   
GCC STANDARDIZATION ORGANIZATION (GSO) 
 
 
 
      
Final draft: 
 
GSO5/FDS656/2013  
      
  
PREPACKAGED WHOLE DATES  
 
 
  
Prepared by: 
Gulf technical committee fo r sector standards of 
Food and agriculture products 
 
  
 
 This document is a draft Gulf standa rd circulated for comments, it is 
therefore, subject to alte ration and modification, and may not be referred 
as a Gulf standard, until approved by the Board of Directors.                                       
 
 
 
 
 
 
ICS 67.080 
   GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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Foreword  
 
 
GCC Standardization Organizatio n (GSO) is a regional Orga nization which consists of 
the National Standards Bodies of GCC member States. One of GSO main functions is to 
issue Gulf Standards /Technic al regulations through specia lized technical committees 
(TCs). 
 
GSO through the tech nical program of committee TC  No. “5” Gulf technical 
committee for sector sta ndards of food and an agricultural product "  has updated the 
GSO Standard No GSO5/FDS656/2013  “ Prepackaged whol e dates” The Draft 
Standard has been prep ared by Saudi Arabia.  
 
This standard has been approved as a Gulf (Standard / Technical Regulation) by 
GSO Board of Directors in its mee ting No.( ),held on / / H , / / G.  The approved 
standard will replace and supers ede the GSO standard No. ( / ).  
 
 
  
  
    
    
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
      GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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PREPACKAGED WHOLE DATES  
 
 
  
1. SCOPE  
This standard applies to commercially pr epared whole dates in  pitted or unpitted 
styles packed ready for direct  consumption. It does not a pply to other forms such as 
pieces or mashed dates or dates in tended for industrial purposes.   
 
2. COMPLEMENTARY STANDARDS: 
2.1    GSO Stander NO 9 “Lab eling of prepackaged foods”. 
2.2    GSO Stander NO 21 “Hygienic regulation for food  plants and their personal”. 
2.3    GSO Stander NO 15 0 “Expiration periods of food products Part 1”. 
2.4    GSO Stander NO 1016 “Microbiological Criteria for foodstuffs  Part 1” 
2.5    GSO Stander NO 657 “Method of test for prepackaged  whole dates”.  
2.6    GSO Stander NO 1814 " General standard  for Irradiated foods" 
2.7    GSO Stander NO 382 "Maximum lim its for pesticide resi dues in agricultural 
food products - Part 1".  
2.8   GSO Stander NO 383 "Maximum limi ts for pesticide residues in agricultural 
food products - Part 2".  
2.9   GSO CAC Stander NO 19 " Requireme nts For The Operation Of Irradiation  
facilities Used For The Treatment Of Foods. 
2.10 GSO standard NO 839 " Food pack ages - part1 : general requirements" 
2.11 GSO standard NO 1363 " Food packages - part 2 plastic packages - general 
requirements" 
2.12 GSO standard NO 1791 " Three piec e rounded steel cans used for canning 
food stuffs 
 
 
3. DEFINITIONS  
 
3.1 Dates   
The product prepared from sound suitab ly ripe fruit of the date tree 
(Phonix dactylifera L). They may be washed  and/or pasteurized, and may be dried 
or hydrated to adjust the moisture content.  
3.2 pitted dates  
Sound whole dates with the stones auto matically or manually removed provided 
that they maintain the original shape. 
3.3 Cane sugar dates 
Dates in which most of the sugar conten t is in the form of disaccharide sugar   GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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 (sucrose) such as Red Sukk ari, yellow Sukkari, Maskani . 
3.4 Invert sugar dates 
Dates in which most of the sugar content is  in the form of invert sugar (glucose 
and fructose) such as Khalas, kh udri, Ajwa, Sagai, Shaishi.  
3.5 Pressed dates 
Dates compressed into layers by using mechanical force. 
3.6 Loose dates 
Dates packaged without any mechanical force. 
3.7 Strands 
Dates with complete individual attachments stem. 
3.8 Batch   
Amount of dates have the same type and size, shape and packed in the same way 
under the same circumstances. 
3.9 Irradiated Dates 
Dates ionizing radiation treatm ent at a specific dose to el iminate insect infestation 
in all its stages in accorda nce with the Gulf slandered mentioned in item (2.6)(2.9)     
3.10 Souring dates 
Dates in which sugars have broken down  into alcohol and acetic acid by yeasts 
and bacteria and its character ized by acetic taste. But the fruits that are in the 
primary fermentation stage with mild acid ic taste are not considered defective. 
3.11 Blemished dates 
Dates with change in colo r as a result of sunburn or  having scars, black spots 
under the stem with flesh cracks (Black nose) or surface mutilations 
of an area exceedin g that of a circle of 7 mm in diameter. 
3.12 Decay dates 
Dates in a decomposed state an d unacceptable in appearance. 
3.13 Mould dates 
Dates characterized by the pres ence of visible mold hyphae. 
3.14 Dirty dates 
Dates having embedded organic or inorganic materials such as dirt, sand or clay 
affecting an area over 3 mm in diameter 
3.15 Dates having insects and mites damage or contamination 
Dates damaged by insects or mites or contaminated by the presence of dead 
insects, mites, their parts or excretions. 
3.16 Damaged dates (for unpitted dates) 
Dates exposed to bruise and/or shredding in  such a way that a good portion of their 
skin is damaged in such a manner that makes its outer appearance unacceptable. 
3.17 Unripe dates 
Dates of light weight, having little flesh,  and cracked, dry and rubbery texture. It 
includes dates which are not natura lly dry as the variety itself.   GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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 3.18 Unpollinated dates 
Dates not pollinated as evid enced by their thin flesh, i mmature characteristics and 
absence of pi ts (stones). 
3.19 Black nose 
Noticeable darkening of the head, genera lly accompanied by severe checking or 
cracking of the flesh.  
3.20 Side - spots 
a very dark patch extending in to the flesh affecting an ar ea at least as large as a 
circle of 5 mm diameter.  
3.21 Sunburn 
similar abnormalities affecting an area at leas t as large as a circ le of 7 mm diameter 
 
4. CLASSIFICATION 
Dates shall be classified according to the following: 
4.1 Sugar types 
4.1.1 Cane sugar varieties, su ch as: as Red Sukkari, ye llow Sukkari, Maskani.   
4.1.2 Invert sugar varieties, such as: Khalas , khudri, Ajwa, Sagai, Shaishi.    
4.2 Styles 
4.2.1 Unpitted dates. 
4.2.2 Pitted dates (unstuffed or stuffed). 
4.3 Size of date (optional) 
Dates are classified into three sizes: sm all, medium and large. The number of 
pitted and unpitted dates for each size per 500 grams shall be as  indicated in the 
following Table: 
 
TABLE 
Size grading of dates  
 
  
 
Size   
No. of dates in 500 g 
 
 
Unpitted dates  
  
Pitted dates  
 
Small 
 More than 100 More than 110 
 
Medium 
 80 to 100 90 to 110 
Large 
 less than 80 less than 90   GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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5. REQUIREMENTS 
Whole prepackaged dates shall me et the following requirements: 
5.1 They shall be from the sa me variety and at the appr opriate stage of maturity.  
5.2 They shall be free from live insects, their eggs, larvae and excretions and 
pathogenic. 
5.3 They shall possess a characteristic  flavor of every variety type. 
5.4 They shall be approximately  similar and uniform in co lor, form and size. The 
visible part of the contents of the packag e must be representative of the entire 
contents. 
5.5 The raw materials used in  production shall comply  with their relevant 
standards. 5.6 It is allowed to add the following substa nces; provided that they comply with 
their relevant standards: 5.6.1 Glucose syrup, sugars, flour, vegetabl e and tahinia (sesame paste) oils. 
5.6.2 Natural flavors; in case of filled dates. 
5.6.3 Glycerol or sorbitol, in case of dates covered with glucose syrup. 
5.7 The average weight of any unit of dates shall be not less than 4.0 grams for 
pitted dates and not less than 4.75 grams for unpitted dates. 
5.8 The moisture content shall not be more  than 26% by weight for cane sugar 
varieties and not more than 30% by weight for invert sugar varieties. 
5.9 Pitted dates may be filled  with coconut, almonds or  any other type of nuts 
which should be suitable for human cons umption, hygienic, dry and free from 
insects and fungi 
5.10 In pitted dates, there shall be not more than two pits or 4 pi eces of pits per 100 
dates. 
5.11 The metal impurities (such as metallic part s, nails, metallic fillings, ... etc.) 
shall not be more than 1 g/kg. 5.12  Dates are classified into the following three classes: 
5.12.1  Extra classes 
Dates in this class must be of superi or quality. They must have the shape, 
development and colour characteristic of  the variety and/or commercial type. 
They must be amber-coloured to brown and the flesh must be abundant, fat or 
semi-fat, and greasy. The epicarp must be translucent and,  according to the 
variety, adhere to the fles h. They must be practicall y free from defects with the 
exception of very slight superficial defe cts provided that these do not affect the 
general appearance of th e produce, the quality, th e keeping quality or its 
presentation in the package. 
5.12.2 Class I 
Dates in this class must be  of good quality. They must  be characteristic of the   GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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 variety and/or commercial type. The fles h must be sufficientl y abundant, fat or 
semi-fat, according to the variety. 
5.12.3  Class II 
This class includes dates whic h do not qualify for inclus ion in the higher classes 
but which satisfy the minimum requirements specified above. 
- The following defects may be allowed provided that the dates retain their 
essential characteristics as regards genera l appearance, quality, keeping quality 
and presentation: 
- defects of the epicarp not affecting the pulp 
- defects in form or development 
- defects of colouration. 5.13 Tolerances allowed of Size grading: 
Defective Tolerances allowed the following : 
 
 
 
Defects allowed Tolerances allowed 
percentage of defective produce, 
by number or weight 
 
Extra  
Class I  
Class II 
a) Tolerances for produce not 
satisfying the minimum requirements :  
5  
10  
20 
 
-Immature or unpollinated fruit.  
1  
2  
4 
 
-Sour, decayed or moldy fruit.  
zero  
1  
1 
 
-Damaged by pests.  
3  
6  
10 
 
-Blemished, discolored or black nose, 
sunburnt, cracking of the flesh .  
3  
5  
7 
- Live insects (by number). zero zero zero 
b) Size tolerances: 
- Unpitted among pitted fruit (by 
number).  
2  
2  
2 
   
-Foreign matter (by weight).  
1  
1  
1   GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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 - Dates belonging to other varieties than 
that indicated on  the package (by 
number). 
  
10  
10  
10 
c) Tolerances for other defects 
For dates not conforming to the 
minimum size .  
10  
10  
10 
 
5.14 Their production shall be ac cording to the Gulf standa rd mentioned in (2.2). 
5.15 The microbiological criteria of micro-orga nisms shall be accor ding to the Gulf 
standard mentioned in (2.4). 
5.16 They shall not contain any substances originating from micro-organisms in 
amounts which may represen t a hazard to health. 
5.17 Pesticide residues shall not exceed the limits mentioned in the Gulf standards 
mentioned in (2.7),(2.8). 5.18 Using of Radiation with proper Trea tment is allowable according to GSO 
mentioned in (2.6), (2.9).  
6. SAMPLING 
6.1 Gross samples 
Samples shall be taken at random from the production batch. At least 2 individual 
packages per each portion of 1000 kg sh all be taken. From each individual 
package a sample of 300 shal l be drawn. In all cases a sufficient amount to obtain 
a gross sample of not less than 3000 gram s shall be taken. Sa mples shall be kept 
in clean and dry containers whic h do not affect its properties. 
The gross sample is used for detection of  live infestations and general cleanliness 
of the product prior to  its examination for compliance wi th other provisions of this 
standard. 
6.2 Sub-samples for exam ination and testing 
The gross sample shall be mixed well and small quantities ta ken at random from 
different places as follows: - Chemical analysis - 500 g, microbiological tests - 500 g. 
- Seed availability (for p itted dates) - 100 dates. 
- Defects mentioned in 5.13 and size grading - 100 dates. 
6.3 Sample report 
6.3.1 The sample shall be accompanied with  a report containing the following 
information: - Type and condition of pr oduct (name - grade if any) - volume or weight of 
package ... etc. 
- Source of the lot or the manu facturer’s name and address.   GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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 - Place of shipment, and pl ace and date of arrival. 
- Place and date of sampling . 
- Lot size and number of pack ages withdrawn for sampling. 
- Batch number, code number or date of processing (if any). 
- Place to which sample is  delivered (for test). 
- Sampled by ................ (Name of sampler). 
6.3.2 The following information shall be de clared on each sample container: 
- Number of report attached with the sample (6.3.1). 
- Date of sampling. 
- Name of sampler. 
 
7. METHODS OF TEST 
Tests shall be carried out according to the Gulf standard mentioned in (2.5). 
 
8. PACKAGING 
Dates shall be packed in suitable, clea n, dry and water proof containers (food 
grade) to protect the product from cont amination according to the Gulf standard 
mentioned in (2.1 0),(2.12),(2.13). 
. 
9. LABELLING 
Without prejudice to what is mentioned in Gulf sta ndard mentioned in (2.1) and  
Gulf standard mentioned in (2.3) the follo wing information shall be declared on the 
labels: 
9.1 Name of the product. 
9.1.1 “Dates”, “Dates coated with gl ucose syrup” or “Filled dates”. 
9.1.2 “Unpitted” or “pitted” in  addition to the size (small, medium or large). 
9.1.3 The name of the variety such as Red Sukkari, yellow Sukkari , Khalas, khudri   
9.1.4 Whether it is “pressed”, “loose” or in “clusters”. 
9.2 Name of the additives (if used). 
9.3 The stuff type or coating material (if any). 
9.4 Country of origin. 
9.5 The words "saved with ir radiation" in the case of th e use of irradiation and use 
the private irradiated foods logo. 
 
10. Transportation and Storage  
shall be carried out in such a wa y to protect the container from 
10.1 Mechanical damage  and contamination. 
10.2 The containers shall be stored in well ventilated st ores far away from sources 
of heat and contamination .     GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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      الفنية المصطلحات                                                            TECHNICALTERMS                   
Damaged Dates.................. ..................... ...... ........ ............ ............. ﻣﺗﺿررة  ﻣﻬﺷﻣﺔ ﺗﻣور 
Biemished Dates........... ....... ............... ................ ............ ................... .........  تمورﻣﺷوﻫﺔ  
Unripe Dates................. ........................... ........................ ............. .........  ﻧﺎﺿﺟﺔ ﺗﻣورﻏﻳر  
Unpollinated Dates............ .................... .. ................. ....................... (ﺷﻳص )ﻋذرﻳﺔ ﺗﻣور 
Dirty Dates ................ ................... ..................... ................... .......................  تمورﻣﺗﺳﺧﺔ  
Souring Dates .................. ................. ...................... ............. ............ ........ ﻣﺗﺣﻣﺿﺔ  ﺗﻣور 
Mould Dates ............. ....................... ..................... ...................... ................. ﻣﺗﻌﻔﻧﺔ ﺗﻣور 
Deay Dates ......... ................ .................... ................... .................. ................ ﻣﺗﺣﻠﻠﺔ ﺗﻣور 
Filled Dates........................ ................................... .................... ..................  تمورﻣﺣﺷوة  
Pitted Dates... ................... ....................... ..................... ...................... اﻟﻧوى ﻣﻧزوﻋﺔ ﺗﻣور 
Packed Dates ........ .................. ........................ ........................ ....................... ﻣﻌﺑﺄة ﺗﻣور 
Unpitted Dates............... ..................... ........................ ................. اﻟﻧوى ﻣﻧزوﻋﺔ ﻏﻳر ﺗﻣور 
Mashed Dates .... ..................... ................... .................. ................ ............. ﻣﻬروﺳﺔ  ﺗﻣور 
Pressed Dates............. ................... .................... ....................... ................... ﻣﻛﺑوﺳﺔ ﺗﻣور 
Loose Dates .............. ................... ..................... ....................... .................... ﻣﻔﻛﻛﺔ ﺗﻣور 
Invert Syrup....... ....................... ..................... ............. ........................ ﻣﺣوﻝ ﺳﻛر( أﺣﺎدي )
Strands...................... ................... ................ ................... .................... ............... ﺷﻣﺎرﻳﺦ 
Stem.............. .................... ....................... ..................... .............. .......... ................. ﻋﻧق 
اﻟﺗﻣر ﻧﺧﻳﻝ...………………………………  Date Tree (PHOENIX  DACTYLIFERAL)  
ﻣﺷﻌﻌﺔ ﺗﻣور   …………………………………………………………   Irradiated Dates  
اﻟﺗﻐطﻳﺔ ﻣﺎدة  ……………………………………………………………  coating material  
ﺛﻧﺎﺋﻲ ﺳﻛر  .………………………………………………………………   Cane sugar    GSO5/FDS656/2013                     ﺧﻠﻳﺟﻳﺔ ﻗﻳﺎﺳﻳﺔ ﻣواﺻﻔﺔ                                  
                                               
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REFERENCE  
 
UNECE Standard DDP-08 (DATES) 2010                                               
   
 (Codex) Standard For Date No 143-1985