On several occasions, cashew importers have indicated the presence of chlorophenol, chloroanisole and other taints in cashew kernel shipments. In most cases they are due to external sources through the presence of organohalogens. 

 The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India has published Guidelines for the pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest stages, including transportation, for suppliers of raw cashew nuts in India and elsewhere.

Download Guidelines applying in India here:     Guidelines CEPC in India 10.42 Kb

Download Guidelines applying outside of India here:   Guidelines CEPC in India 10.42 Kb

GUIDELINES FOR PRE-HARVEST, HARVEST, POST HARVEST STAGES AND SHIPMENT OF RAW CASHEWNUTS

(To avoid Halogen taints; for distribution outside India)

Halogen Taints in Cashew Kernels

  A taint is a taste or odour totally alien to the cashew kernels and normally arising from external sources, in contrast to an off-flavour / off-odour which is a typical taste usually associated with internal biochemical changes to components in cashew kernels.  Chlorophenol, Chloroanisole and related taints are a serious problem and can cause irreparable damage to the industry. Studies reveal that the reason behind this problem is the presence of organohalogens taints.

  How to prevent it?

A)        Pre-Harvest- Growing stage

   1)    Biocides (Herbicides, Pesticides and Fungicides) used should be completely free from compounds of the halogen family (chlorine, bromine and iodine).

   2)    Source of irrigation water should be pure and not be treated with halogen containing purifying agents (such a bleaching powder etc.) or other chemicals

  3)    Fertilizers and synthetic chemicals containing halogen compounds should be avoided.

  4)    The above points should be taken care of during the growing stage of cashew whether as monocrop or intercrop. When used as an intercrop, similar care should be taken for the accompanying crops.

B)        Harvest

  1)    Only fully ripened fruits should be harvested. 

2)    Collection of raw nuts should be done only in new jute/sisal bags, which have not been treated chemically.  Plastic bags should be avoided.

 3)    Harvested nuts should be kept away from chemicals / fertilizers or storage sheds which have chemicals/fertilizers

  4)    Harvested nuts should not be soaked in water to increase their weight or for any other reason.  Water should not even be sprinkled on rawnuts.

  5)    Raw cashewnuts should be sun-dried immediately after harvest. Moisture levels in dried nuts should not exceed 8%. For long storage periods moisture levels should be more appropriately controlled.

C)        Post Harvest - Storage, Drying and Transportation

1)    After drying to the specific moisture level, nuts should be stored only in new jute/sisal bags, which have not been chemically treated.  Plastic bags should be avoided

2)    Wooden pallets should not be used for storage (wooden pallets are normally treated with chlorophenol).

3)    Godowns should be well maintained and well ventilated. Dampness and wetness should be avoided

4)    Chemicals / pesticides / weedicides / fertilizers should not be stored along with rawnuts

5)    Drying yards should not be cleaned with halogen containing cleaning agents (such a bleaching powder etc.).

6)    Farmers should be advised properly on the standard storage practices for nuts and the dangers of using halogen based chemicals and fertilizers

7)    Containers used for transportation at any level should be cleaned without the use of chemicals and dried properly.

8)    Rawnut bags should be stacked in such a way that it should not touch the ceiling of the container.

9)    Not more than 15.8 to 16.2 Metric Tons of raw cashew should be stuffed in each 20 foot container.

10)     Vehicles used for transporting chemicals should not be used for the transportation of raw cashewnut.  All vehicles should be cleaned without the use of chemicals and dried before transporting raw cashewnuts.  Vehicles used for transporting raw cashewnuts should be dry.

11)     Sufficient quantity of appropriate moisture absorbant material should be used in the container.  However care should be taken not to use halogen based absorbants or any absorbant which has even traces of halogen compounds.

GUIDELINES FOR PRE-HARVEST, HARVEST, POST HARVEST STAGES AND TRANSPORTATION OF RAW CASHEWNUTS

(To avoid Halogen taints; for distribution in India)

Halogen Taints in Cashew Kernels

A taint is a taste or odour totally alien to the cashew kernels and normally arising from external sources, in contrast to an off-flavour / off-odour which is a typical taste usually associated with internal biochemical changes to components in cashew kernels.  Chlorophenol, Chloroanisole and related taints are a serious problem and can cause irreparable damage to the industry. Studies reveal that the reason behind this problem is the presence of organohalogens taints.

How to prevent it?

A)        Pre-Harvest- Growing stage

1)    Biocides (Herbicides, Pesticides and Fungicides) used should be completely free from compounds of the halogen family (chlorine, bromine and iodine).

2)    Source of irrigation water should be pure and not be treated with halogen containing purifying agents (such a bleaching powder etc.) or other chemicals

3)    Fertilizers and synthetic chemicals containing halogen compounds should be avoided.

4)    The above points should be taken care of during the growing stage of cashew whether as monocrop or intercrop. When used as an intercrop, similar care should be taken for the accompanying crops.

B)        Harvest

1)    Only fully ripened fruits should be harvested.

2)    Collection of raw nuts should be done only in new jute/sisal bags, which have not been treated chemically.  Plastic bags should be avoided.

3)    Harvested nuts should be kept away from chemicals / fertilizers or storage sheds which have chemicals/fertilizers

4)    Harvested nuts should not be soaked in water to increase their weight or for any other reason.  Water should not even be sprinkled on rawnuts.

5)    Raw cashewnuts should be sun-dried immediately after harvest. Moisture levels in dried nuts should not exceed 8%.  For long transit and storage periods moisture levels should be more appropriately controlled.

C)        Post Harvest - Storage, Drying and Transportation

1)    After drying to the specific moisture level, nuts should be stored only in new jute/sisal bags, which have not been chemically treated.  Plastic bags should be avoided

2)    Wooden pallets should not be used for storage (wooden pallets are normally treated with chlorophenol).

3)    Godowns should be well maintained and well ventilated. Dampness and wetness should be avoided

4)    Chemicals / pesticides / weedicides / fertilizers should not be stored along with rawnuts

5)    Drying yards should not be cleaned with halogen containing cleaning agents (such a bleaching powder etc.).

6)    Farmers should be advised properly on the standard storage practices for nuts and the dangers of using halogen based chemicals and fertilizers.

7)    Vehicles used for transporting chemicals should not be used for the transportation of raw cashewnut.  All vehicles should be cleaned without the use of chemicals and dried before transporting raw cashewnuts. Vehicles used for transporting raw cashewnuts should be dry.