NORTHERN CORRIDOR       NC 1:2018  
  
 
 
    
Cashew kernels — Specification 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 NC 1:2018  
 2 
 
 
NORTHERN CORRIDOR NC 1:2018  
 
CASHEW KERNELS — SPECIFICATION 
 
 
1 scope  
This Northern corridor standard specifies requirements and meth ods of sampling and 
test for kernels obtained from cashew nuts ( Anacardium occidentale Linnaeus ). 
2 Normative references 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the ap plication of this 
document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.  For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (incl uding any 
amendments) applies . 
CODEX STAN 192, General standard for food additives 
EAS 38, Labeling of prepackaged foods — Specification  
EAS 39, Hygiene in the food and drink manufacturing industry — Code of practice 
ISO 542:1990, Oilseeds -- Sampling 
ISO 729:1988, Oilseeds -- Determination of acidity of oils 
ISO 659:2009, Oilseeds -- Determination of oil content (Referen ce method) 
ISO 605:1991, Pulses -- Determination of impurities, size, fore ign odours, insects, 
and species and variety -- Test methods 
ISO 16050, Foodstuffs — Determination of aflatoxin B1, and the total content of 
aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 in cereals, nuts and derived produc ts — High 
performance liquid chromatographic method 
ISO 12193:2004, Animal and vegetable fats and oils -- Determina tion of lead by 
direct graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy NC 1:2018  
 33 Terms and definitions 
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and defi nitions apply. 
3.1 
 cashew kernels  
kernels obtained through shelling and peeling of cashew nuts ( Anacardium 
occidentale Linnaeus ).  
3.2 whole (W)1 kernel 
A cashew kernel is classified as whole if it has the characteri stic shape of a cashew 
kernel and not more than 1/8th of the kernel has been broken of f. This grade may 
also be designated as W. 
3.3 
Splits (S)/half kernel One half of a cashew kernel that has been split lengthwise, pro vided not more than 
1/8 of this cotyledon has been broken off. This grade may also be designated as S. 
3.4 
pieces kernels which have been brok en into more than two pieces.  
Note: 
Pieces may be describes as small pieces, large pieces or baby b its 
3.5 
Butts (B)  
kernels which have been broken crosswise and are less than 7/8 but not less than 
3/8 of a whole kernel, and the cotyledons are still naturally a ttached. This grade may 
also be designated as B. NC 1:2018  
 43.6 
scorched kernels 
kernels that are  discoloured due to overheating during shellin g or blanching. 
3.7 
dessert kernels kernels that are  scraped, shrive led, blemished or otherwise di scolored 
3.8 clean kernel 
kernel which is practically free  from dirt or other foreign mat erial. 
3.9 extraneous matter 
organic materials other than the cashew kernels and other kerne ls; and inorganic materials 
3.10 
defective/damaged kernels 
kernels of any or all of the following: 
a) kernels that have  extraneous matter adhering  on; 
b) pest damaged kernels; 
c) immature kernels; excessively soft kernels; 
d) disease damaged  
e) weather-damaged kernels. 
 
3.10.1   
adhering matter  
 extraneous matter on the surfa ce of the kernel causing permane nt discoloration 
3.10.2 
pest damaged kernels kernels which show damage owing to attack by rodents, insects, mites or other pests NC 1:2018  
 53.10.3 
immature/shriveled kernels 
kernels which are underdeveloped with a slight to complete with ering of the outer 
surface of the kernel and/ or are shriveled. 
3.10.4 disease damaged  
kernels affected by mould growth, rotting, or bacterial decompo sition, or other 
causes that may be noticed withou t having to cut the grains to examine them 
3.11 Off-flavour 
odour or flavour which is not characteristic of cashew kernels and which appreciably 
affect the eating quality of the kernel 
4 Requirements  4.1 General characteristics 
Cashew kernels shall: 
a) have colour characteristic to variety. 
b) have the characteristic flavour. 
c) have characteristic shape. d) have uniform appearance free practically from scorching, ble mishes, 
discoloration, black or brown spots, adhering testa, scrapes, f lux marks, 
and speckles 
4.2  Specific quality requirements 
Cashew kernels shall conform to the quality requirements in Tab le 1.
 
Table 1- Quality requirements for cashew kernels 
SN Parameter Limits Methods of test 
1 Moisture content, % m/m, max.  5 ISO 1026 
3 Free fatty acid, % m/m, calculated as 
oleic 
Acid, max. 0.5 ISO 729 
4 Filth, % m/m, max. 0.1 ISO 605  
 
 NC 1:2018  
 64.3 Size designation and grading 
Extra class cashew nuts whole may be graded and designated in a ccording with 
sizes in Table 2. |Other classes  of cashew kernels may be desig nated as in Tables 
3-6.  Sizing is optional for other classes.  
Table 2:  Grades for extra class cashew kernels 
SL 
NO.  Grade 
designation Number of 
kernels per kg General characteristics 
(i) W180 265 to 395  
Cashew kernels obtained though shelling and 
peeling cashewnuts ( Anacardium occidentale 
Linnaeus ) shall have the characteristic shape: 
shall be white, ivory or light ash in colour, 
reasonably dry and free from damaged kernels 
and black spots.  
They shall be completely free from rancid kernels. 
The kernels shall be completely free from testa. (ii) W210 440 to 465  
(iii) W240 485 to 530  
(iv) W280 575 to 620  
(v) W320 660 to 706 
(vi) W400 770 to 880  
(vii) W450 880 to 990  
(viii) W500 990 to 1100  
Tolerance — Broken kernels and kernels of the next lower grade, if any, s hall not 
together exceed 5 per cent. 
 
Table 3:  Grades for Scorched Cashew Kernels (Whole)  cashew kernels 
SL 
NO. GRADE 
DESIGNATION TRADE NAME GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 
(1) (2) (3) (4) 
(i) SW Scorched Whole In addition to requirements under 2.1 
cashew kernels shall be reasonably dry 
and free from damaged kernels, black spots and testa. They shall be completely 
free from rancid kernels.The kernels may 
be light brown, light ivory, light ash or deep 
ivory in colour due to scorching as a result NC 1:2018  
 7of overheating. 
Tolerance  — Broken kernels and kernels of the next lower grade, if any, shall not 
together exceed 5 per cent. 
Table 4:  Grades for Desert Cashew Kernels (Whole)  cashew kernels 
SL 
NO. GRADE 
DESIGNATION  TRADE NAME BLEMISH GENERAL 
CHARACTERISTICS 
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 
(i) SSW Second Scorched 
whole or Scorched 
Wholes IA Slightly 
shrivelled 
kernels In addition to requirements 
under 2.4.2  the following shall 
apply.  
Slightly scorched kernels and 
kernels with slight speckling 
and discoloration are permitted.  
They shall be completely free from rancid kernels.  The 
kernels may be light brown, 
light blue, or light ivory in colour 
due to scorching.  The kernels 
may also be immature. 
(ii) DW Desert Wholes  In addition to requirements 
under 2.4.2  the following shall 
apply. 
Cashew kernels shall be 
reasonably dry and free from 
insect damage and testa.  
Scorched, discoloured, 
speckled and shrivelled kernels are permitted.  Rancid kernels 
may show deep black spot.  
(iii) LDK W Lower 
Desert 
Kernels Insect 
damage 
shrivelled 
and black Kernel shall show the above 
symptoms but more severely 
and shall not qualify for DW. 
 NC 1:2018  
 8Wholes spot 
Tolerance  — Broken kernel or kernels of t he next lower grade, if any, sh all not 
together exceed 5 per cent. 
Table 5: Grades for Cashew Kernels (White Pieces)  cashew kernels 
SL 
NO. GRADE 
DESIGNATION TRADE NAME DESCRIPTION  GENERAL 
CHARACTERISTICS 
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 
(i) B Butts Kernels broken 
cross-wise and 
naturally attached In addition to requirements 
in 2.4.3  the following shall 
apply.  
Cashew kernels shall be 
completely free from rancid 
kernels.  The pieces shall 
be completely free from testa.  
(ii) S Splits Kernels split 
naturally lengthwise ‘’ 
(iii) LWP Large  
White  Pieces Kernels broken 
into more than 
two pieces and 
not passing 
through a 4-mesh 16 SWG 
sieve ‘’ 
(iv) SWP Small 
White 
Pieces Broken 
Kernels smaller 
than those described as 
WP but not 
passing through 
a 6-mesh 20 
SWP sieve ‘’ NC 1:2018  
 9(v) BB Baby Bits Plumules and 
broken kernels 
smaller than 
those descried as SWP but not 
passing 
thorough a 10-mesh 24 SWG 
sieve (uniform in 
size) ‘’ 
  Baby Bits 1 
 BB 2 Lower from 
SWP and bigger 
than BB (BB1) 
Second grade of 
BB1  
Tolerance — Up to 5 per cent of the ne xt lower grade or pieces. 
Table 6: Grades for Cashew Kernels (Scorched Pieces)  
SL 
NO. GRADE 
DESIGNATION  TRADE NAME DESCRIPTION GENERAL 
CHARACTERISTICS 
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 
(i) SB Scorched Butts Kernels broken 
cross-wise and 
naturally 
attached In addition to requirements in 
2.4.4  the following shall 
apply. 
Cashew kernels shall be free 
from rancid kernels.  The 
pieces may be light brown or 
deep ivory in colour due to 
scorching as a result of over-
beating. 
(ii) SS Scorched Splits Kernels split 
naturally 
lengthwise ‘’ 
(iii) SP Scorched 
Pieces Kernels broken 
into pieces and 
not passing through a 4-
mesh 16 SWG ‘’ NC 1:2018  
 10 sieve 
(iv) SSP Second 
Scorched Pieces Broken 
Kernels 
smaller than 
those described as 
SP but not 
passing 
through a 6-
mesh 20 SWG sieve  
(v) Powder  Kernel powder Kernels broken 
to scorched powder during 
processing Kernel powder shall have 
been obtained through deliberate breaking or as a 
process of peeling by hand 
and shall be white, light brown, or brown but free from 
any infestation. 
 
Tolerance — Up to 5 per cent of the next lower grade or pieces. NC 1:2018  
 11Table 6: Grades for Desert Cashew Kernels (Pieces) 
SL 
NO. GRADE 
DESIGNATION TRADE 
NAME DESCRIPTION BLEMISH GENERAL 
CHARACTERISTICS 
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 6 
(i) SPS Scorched 
Pieces 
Second 
scorched 
pieces IA Kernels broken 
into pieces but 
not passing 
through a 4-
mesh 16 SWG 
sieve Pieces of 
shrivelled 
kernels 
may be 
deformed 
due to immature 
nuts and 
black spots. In addition to 
requirements in 
Clause 2.4.5  the 
following shall apply. 
Scorched pieces of 
cashew kernels with surface speckling and 
discolouration 
permitted.  The 
kernels may be light 
brown, deep ivory or light to deep blue in 
colour.  May be 
deformed due to 
immature nuts and 
may have spots.  They shall be free 
from rancid kernels 
(ii) DP Desert 
Pieces Kernels broken 
into pieces but 
not passing 
through a 4-
mesh 16 SWG 
sieve More 
shrivelled 
than those 
described 
as SPS 
and deeply scorched. In addition to 
requirements in 2.4.5  
the following shall 
apply. 
The kernels may be 
deeply scorched, may have surface 
speckling and 
discolouration, may 
be brown, deep ivory 
or light to deep blue in colour, may be 
deformed and 
immature nuts and 
may have spots. NC 1:2018  
 12 (iii)) DSP Desert 
Small 
Pieces Kernels of the 
same 
description as 
above but smaller than 
DP and not 
passing through a 6-
mesh 20 SWG 
sieve More 
shrivelled 
than those 
described as SPS 
and deeply 
scorched The kernels may be 
deeply scorched, 
may have surface 
speckling and discolouration, may 
be brown, deep ivory 
of light to deep blue in colour, may be 
deformed and 
immature nuts and 
may have spots. 
 D B  D e s e r t  
Butts Kernels broken 
cross-wise and 
naturally 
attached More 
shrivelled 
than those 
described as SPS 
and deeply 
scorched The kernels may be 
deeply scorched, 
may have surface 
speckling and discolouration, may 
be brown, deep ivory 
of light to deep blue 
in colour, may be 
deformed and immature nuts and 
may have spots. 
(iv) DS Desert  
Splits Kernels split 
naturally 
lengthwise More 
shrivelled 
than those 
described 
as SPS 
and deeply 
scorched The kernels may be 
deeply scorched, 
may have surface 
speckling and 
discolouration, may 
be brown, deep ivory 
of light to deep blue 
in colour, may be 
deformed and immature nuts and 
may have spots. 
Tolerance — Up to 10 per cent of the next lower grade. Cashew kernels sha ll be 
packed in new, clean, dry and leak-proof tin containers and the  containers shall 
be securely closed and sealed in such a manner that the cashew kernels remain 
in an inert atmospheric condition inside the container. 
5 Contaminants 
5.1 Pesticide residue limits 
Cashew kernels shall conform to those maximum pesticide residue  limits established by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission for this commodity NC 1:2018  
 135.2 Heavy metal contaminants 
Cashew kernels shall conform to those maximum limits for heavy metals stated in Table 7 
SN Heavy metal Limits, mg/kg, max. Methods of test 
1 Arsenic 0.1 ISO 11212-1 
2 Cadmium 0.02 ISO 11212-4 
3 Lead  0.1 ISO 12193 
5.3 Aflatoxins 
Cashew kernels shall conform to those maximum limits for aflato xins stated in Table 8 
SN Aflatoxin type Limits, µg/kg, max. Methods of test 
1 Aflatoxin B 1 5 ISO 16050  
2 Total Aflatoxins  10 
 
6 Food additives 
Cashew kernels may be preserved by use of food additives in acc ordance with 
Codexstan 192. 
7 Packaging  
Cashew kernels shall be packed in new, clean, dry and leak-proo f containers, such 
containers shall be securely closed and sealed in such a manner  that the cashew 
kernels remain in an inert atmospheric condition inside the con tainer. 
7 Labelling 
The following particulars shall be marked or labelled on each c ontainer in 
accordance EAS 38. 
(i) Name of product. 
(ii) Name and address of the packer/manufacturer. 
(iii) Net mass. 
(iv) Grade of product. 
(v) Name of the country, where packed. NC 1:2018  
 14 (vi) Any other marking required by the purchaser. 
(vii) Lot number or code. 
8 Weights and measures 
The weight of the package of the product shall comply with Weig hts and Measures 
regulations of the importing Partner State. 
9 Hygiene 
Cashew kernels shall be handled in hygienic manner in accordanc e with EAS 39. 
10 Sampling 
Representative samples of the material for testing conformity t o this specification 
shall be drawn according to ISO 542.