AFDC 16 (6175 )P3                                      
 
 
 
  
DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
 
 
 
Biofortified dry beans - Specification  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   AFDC 16 (6175 )P3                                      
 
 
 
 0. Foreword 
Biofortification is one among the interventions strategy  proposed to combat micronutrient deficiencies 
among the society. It is a process of increasing the density of vitamins and minerals in a crop through 
conventional plant breeding, modern biotechnology , or agronomic practices. The identified staple crops 
include maize, beans, sweet potatoes, cassava, wheat, rice and pearl millet. Thus when bio fortified 
products  are  consumed regularly, will   improve  human health and nutrition  significantly .  
 
This standard of biofortified beans has been developed to keep up with advancements of the 
biofortification  food cr ops and to ensure the safety and quality of the product traded in the markets in 
order to safeguard the health of the consumers.  
 
In reporting the result of a test or analysis made in accordance with the Tanzania standard, if the final 
value observed or ca lculated is to be rounded off, it shall be done in accordance with TZS 4  
 
1. Scope  
This Tanzania Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for iron and zinc biofortified 
dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris  L.) through conventional plant breeding intended for human c onsumption.  
 
2. Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the reference d 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
 
CAC/RCP 1 -1969, General principles of food hygiene  
 
CODEX STAN 193,  General standard for contaminants and toxins in food and feed  
 
TZS 538/EAS38, Labelling of pre -packaged foods — General Requirements  
 
TZS 33 0/EAS 900, Cereals and pulses — Sampling   
TZS 331/EAS 901, Cereals and pulses — Test methods  
TZS 875/EAS 46, Dry beans – Specification  
 
TZS 4 , Rounding off numerical values  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and  definitions shall apply.  
 
3.1 
biofortification  
is a process that enhances the nutritional value of staple food crops  by increasing the density of selected 
micronutrients  in a crop through either conventional plant breeding, biotechnology,or agronomic prac tices.   AFDC 16 (6175 )P3                                      
 
 
 
  
3.2 
conventional plant breeding  
is the process  of crop development that entails screening germplasm for available genetic diversity  pre-
breeding parental genotypes, developing and testing micronutrient dense germplasm, conducting genetic 
studies, a nd developing molecular markers to lower the costs and quicken the pace of breeding.  
 
Define biotechnology  
 
3.3 
bio fortified  dry beans  
dry threshed field and garden beans of the species of Pharsalus  vulgaris  L that have been bio fortified  
through conventi onal plant breeding and contain high amount of iron and zinc compared to the common 
beans.  
 
3.4 
defective/damaged bio fortified  beans  
beans that have been broken, pest damaged, shriveled , immature, rotten, moldy , diseased, germinated, 
discolored  and heat d amaged  
 
3.5 
broken/split biofortified beans  
whose cotyledons are separated or one or both of the cotyledons have been broken  
 
3.6 
germinated biofortified beans  
beans which have sprouted  
 
3.7 
mouldy biofortified  beans  
beans with visible mycelial growth on t heir surface  
 
3.8 
immature/shrivelled biofortified beans  
beans which are under -developed and wrinkled over their entire surface  
 
3.9 
rotten and diseased biofortified beans  
beans affected by  mould growth  or bacterial decomposition, or other causes that ma y be noticed without 
having to cut the grains to examine them and render them unsafe for human consumption.  
 
3.10 
discoloured biofortified beans  
beans with change of colour due to   heat, frost or water   AFDC 16 (6175 )P3                                      
 
 
 
  
 
3.11 
food grade packaging material  
material, made of substances which are safe and suitable for their intended use and which will not impart 
any toxic substance or undesirable odour or flavour to the product.  
 
3.12 
wholesome/sound  
free from disease,  deterioration (such as but not limited to decay, breakd own) or 
adulteration/contamination, that appreciably affects their appearance, the keeping quality of the produce 
or market value  
3.13 
clean  
practically free from visible soil, dust, or other visible foreign matter  
 
3.14 
foreign matter  
all organic and in organic material other than biofortified beans, broken kernels and other grains  
 
3.14.1 
inorganic matter  
stones, glass, sand  and other mineral matter  
 
3.14.2  
organic matter  
any animal or plant matter (seed coats, straws, weeds) other than biofortified bea ns, damaged beans, 
inorganic extraneous matter and harmful/toxic seeds.  
 
3.15 
filth 
impurities of animal origin  
 
3.16 
pest damaged biofortified beans  
beans which show damage owing to attack by rodents, insects, mites or other pests  
 
3.17  
contrasting varie ties  
other varieties that are of a different colour, size, or shape from the biofortified beans of the designated 
variety.  
 
3.18 
other edible grains  
grains other than biofortified bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ), whole or broken such as maize, sorghum, wheat 
including other common dry bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ).  AFDC 16 (6175 )P3                                      
 
 
 
  
3.19 
harmful and toxic seeds  
seeds which, if present in quantities above a certain limit, can have a damaging or dangerous effect on 
health, sensory properties or technological performance e.g Crotolaria  (Crotalaria spp .), Corn cockle 
(Agrostemma githago L .), Castor bean ( Ricinus communis L .), Jimson weed ( Datura spp.)  
4 Quality requirements  
4.1 General requirements  
 
Biofortified dry beans shall be:  
 
a)   The dried mature seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris  L 
b) well-filled, clean, wholesome, uniform in size, colour and shape;  
c) free from abnormal flavours, musty, sour or undesirable odour,  obnoxious smell  and discolouration;  
and 
d)  free from genetically modified materials  
e) free from moulds, live pests,  toxic or noxious wee d seeds, other edible grains including dry beans 
(Phaseolus vulgaris  L.) and other injurious contaminants as determined from samples representative 
of the lot.  
4.2  Specific requirements  
 
4.2.1   Physiochemical requirements  
 
Biofortified dry beans  shall co mply with the maximum physiochemical limits given in Table 1 when tested 
in accordance with the test methods specified therein.  
Table 1 — Physiochemical requirements for Biofortified beans  
S/N Characteristic  Maximum limits  Test method  
(TZS 331/EAS 
901) Grade 1  Grade 2  Grade 3  
i.  Foreign matter, % m/m  0.5 0.75 1 
Clause 4  ii.  Other edible grains, % m/m  0.1 0.2 0.5 
iii.  Pest damaged grains, % m/m  1 2 3 
iv.  Contrasting varieties, % m/m   1.5 3 5 
v.  Broken/split, % m/m  1 2 3 
vi.  Shrivelled/diseased and 3 5 7  AFDC 16 (6175 )P3                                      
 
 
 
 discoloured , % m/m     
vii.  Total defective grains, % m/m  3.5 6.3 9.1 
viii.  Filth, % m/m  0.1 
ix.  Moisture % m/m  14 Clause 5  
NOTE 1 The parameter, total defective grains is not the sum total of the individual defects. It is limited 
to 70 % of the sum total of individ ual defects.  
NOTE 2 Discolouration is limited to at least 25 % change in colour on both sides of the grain.  
 
 
 
 
 
4.2.2   Bio fortification requirements  
Bio fortified dry beans  shall comply with given limits in Table 2 when tested in accordance with the te st 
methods specified therein.  
 
Table 2 — Requirements for Biofortified beans  
 
S/N Characteristic  Target limits (ppm)  Test Method  
1 Iron 74 - 92 AOAC 944.02  
2 Zinc 26 – 43 AOAC 2011.14  
5 Contaminants  
5.1 Pesticide residues  
 
Biofortified dry beans shall c omply with pesticide residue limits established by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission for this commodity.   
5.2 Other contaminants  
Bio fortified dry beans s hall comply with limits for heavy metals specified in CODEX STAN 193 
established by the Codex Alimenta rius Commission.  
6 Hygiene  
Biofortified dry beans  shall be produced, prepared and handled in accordance with CAC/RCP 1 -1969.    
7 Weights and measures  
Bio fortified dry beans shall be packaged in accordance with the weights and measures regulations of the 
destination country.   AFDC 16 (6175 )P3                                      
 
 
 
 8 Sampling  
Sampling shall be done in accordance with TZS 330/EAS 900.  
 
9 Packaging  
9.1 Bio fortified dry beans shall be packed in food grade packaging materials which will safeguard the 
hygienic, nutritional and organoleptic qualities  of the products.  
9.2 Each package shall be securely closed and sealed.  
10 Labelling  
10.1 Labelling of retail containers  
In addition to the requirements in TZS 538/EAS38 each package shall be legibly and indelibly labelled 
with the following:  
a) product name as “Biofortified iron/zinc/iron and zinc  dry beans”;  
b) colour and variety/common name;  
c) grade;  
d) name, address and physical location of the producer/ packer/importer;  
e) lot/batch/code number;  
f) net weight, in kilograms;  
g) the declaration “Food for Human Consumption’’ ; 
h) storage instruction as “Store in a cool dry place away from any contaminants’’;  
i) crop year;  
j) packing date;  
k) instructions on disposal of used package; and  
l) country of origin.  declaration that biofortified beans are not genetically modified  
10.2 Labelling of non-retail containers  
Information in 9.1 shall be given either on the container or in accompanying documents, except that the 
name of the product, lot identification, and the name and address of the processor or packer as well as 
storage instructions, shal l appear on the container.  
 
However, lot identification, and the name and address of the processor or packer may be replaced by an 
identification mark provided that such a mark is clearly identifiable with the accompanying documents.  
  AFDC 16 (6175 )P3                                      
 
 
 
 Certification mark (t bs mark of quality)