Draft Pine nut Grading and Marking Rules, 2021 Published

A draft gazette has been published on February 1, 2021 for pine nuts. It is tilted “the Pine nut Grading and Marking Rules, 2021”. The Central Government has proposed the the Rules in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (1 of 1937). This is up for comments of all concerned stakeholders for a period of 45 days.  

This notification applies to Pine nut obtained from Pinus pinea L. , P. wallichiana and P. gerardiana intended for human consumption. 

The commodity is expected to be  

1. free from artificial colouring, polishing agents , artificial fragrances and any other chemicals ; 

2. be free from rodent hair and excreta, filth, moulds, live insects, dead insects, insect fragments, mites, debris or excreta and fungus;

3. be free from any pest, whatever their stage of development;

4. be free from resinous materials.

Pine nuts for domestic trade, are also to comply with the restrictions in regard to residual levels of metal contaminants, insecticides and pesticides residues, microbial requirements, crop contaminants, naturally occurring toxic substances and other food safety requirements as specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011, the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 and other regulations made for domestic trade under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006). 

Pine nuts meant for export trade, it shall comply with the residual limits of heavy metals, pesticides and other food safety requirements as laid down by the Codex Alimentarius Commission or importing countries requirements for exports.