ISO 7910:1991

Overview

ISO 7910:1991 - Dried Mulberries - Specification is an international standard developed by ISO Technical Committee TC 34, which focuses on agricultural food products. This standard sets forth specifications for dried mulberries obtained from seedless white mulberry fruits (Morus alba Linnaeus), ensuring these products are suitable for human consumption. With detailed requirements regarding quality, grading, physical characteristics, packaging, and labeling, ISO 7910:1991 aims to facilitate international trade by offering a clear quality benchmark for dried mulberries.

Key Topics

• Quality Requirements: The standard defines that dried mulberries must be sound, clean, seedless, and possess a pliable texture. They must be free from mold, pests, foreign odors, and must have a characteristic taste and smell.
• Grading System: Dried mulberries are graded based on color, the percentage of broken fruits, lumped fruits, defective pieces, spoilage, and extraneous material. Each grade has strict maximum and minimum thresholds for these criteria to ensure consistency in bulk shipments.
• Physical and Sensory Specifications:
  • Color: Acceptable fruits range from creamy white to light brown.
  • Odor/Taste: Should be typical of mulberries, free from any off-odors or flavors.
  • Texture: Fruits must be pliable and not overly dry or hard.
  • Moisture Content: The standard sets a maximum moisture content of 6% for all grades.
• Testing Methods: Procedures include visual inspection and physical separation to assess product conformity. Specific annexes cover methods for determining moisture content, defects, and grading by color.
• Packaging and Labeling:
  • Dried mulberries must be packaged in clean, sound containers that do not affect product quality.
  • Each package requires clear marking, including product name, grade, net or gross mass, origin, batch/code number, and reference to this international standard if needed.

Applications

ISO 7910:1991 is highly relevant to the following sectors:

• Food Processing and Exporters: Ensures consistent product quality for international markets, helping food processors, packers, and exporters meet buyer requirements and regulatory standards.
• Quality Assurance and Inspection: Provides a scientific basis for quality control and routine inspection of dried mulberries in production facilities or at border controls.
• Retail and Consumer Packaging: Vendors and retailers benefit from well-defined grading, facilitating transparency and customer confidence at the point of sale.
• Trade and Customs Authorities: Simplifies trade negotiations and customs clearance by offering universally recognized criteria for product assessment and documentation.

Related Standards

For those involved in the dried fruit and agricultural products sector, the following related ISO standards may also be of interest:

• ISO 665: Oilseed meal - Determination of moisture and volatile matter content
• ISO 959: Dried figs - Specification and test methods
• ISO 927: Spices and condiments – Determination of extraneous matter content
• ISO 22000: Food safety management systems – Requirements for any organization in the food chain (for broader food safety context)

By adhering to ISO 7910:1991 and related food product standards, producers and exporters of dried mulberries can ensure quality, facilitate international trade, and maintain consumer trust across global markets.