Moisture, Purity and Grading: How to Read Food Commodity Specifications

Commercial specifications translate quality expectations into criteria that a buyer and supplier can check. Terms such as moisture, purity and grade are useful only when the measurement method, acceptance limit and scope are clear.

Moisture

Moisture affects storage stability and handling, but the appropriate limit varies by commodity, processing, packaging and destination. Specify the agreed maximum and how it will be measured. Avoid assuming one moisture limit is suitable for every rice, pulse and spice.

Purity and foreign matter

Purity describes the proportion of the specified commodity under an agreed definition. The specification should define how foreign matter, other seeds, damaged material or other nonconforming material are counted. A headline purity percentage without a test method or definition can be ambiguous.

Grading and size

Some products are graded by grain length, size, calibre, colour or other product-specific attributes. For ground spices, particle size or mesh may be important. Ask for the exact grade designation and a sample or reference specification.

Write measurable acceptance criteria

• Product identity, form and grade.
• Moisture limit and measurement method.
• Purity and foreign-matter definitions.
• Broken, damaged or discoloured material limits where relevant.
• Laboratory tests and acceptance limits required by destination.
• Sampling, inspection and dispute procedure.

Verify the lot

Request the specification and any agreed test report for the lot being offered. If inspection is required, agree who performs it, when samples are taken and how results are handled. Do not treat illustrative values in marketing material as a guarantee for every shipment.

Contact D’Amalfi Global to discuss commodity specifications for your RFQ.