‘Hot’ information about some additional requirements when bringing cashews into the Northern European market

(May 10, 2024) ‘Hot’ information about some additional requirements when bringing cashews into the Northern European marketThe Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden has ‘hot’ information about some additional requirements when businesses bring cashew nuts to the Northern European market…

Quality requirements

The quality of cashew kernels is determined by the percentage of defective products, by quantity or weight, and by their size, shape, and color. The industry has defined a number of quality criteria, but some of them, such as taste and smell, are subjective and cannot be easily determined based on physical characteristics.

Specific requirements for cashew quality are established in a number of standards. The most widely applied standard in Europe is that established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Similar but slightly different standards have also been developed by several producing countries, such as India, Brazil, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

UNECE standards include some general quality requirements for commercial kernels, such as a maximum moisture content of 5%. The most important criteria used to determine the quality of cashews are as follows:

Grading: The European Union has no official standards for grading cashews. However, the UNECE classification is widely used in the market. According to this classification, cashew nuts are divided into three main classes: Special Classes I and II, depending on allowable defects and the color of the shell;

Grading: The European Union has not officially defined grading categories for cashews. The most frequently used grading classification, also from UNECE, corresponds to the US cashew standards. Whole grains are further classified into seven grades, ranging from 150 to 500, depending on the maximum number of grains per pound. Different sizes of cashew nuts are designated as W450, W320, W240, W210, and W180. Broken nuts are classified according to the diameter of the piece. Broken pieces of nuts often arise from the mechanical processing of cashew nuts. The symbol “chopped cashews LP” stands for “large pieces” and refers to chopped cashews that pass through a sieve with a mesh size of 4.75 mm. In contrast, “SP” stands for “small pieces.”

Shell style and color: In fact, quality and price are often determined based on the characteristics of the cashew, thereby combining style (whole, split, or flaked) with the grade and appearance. of the seed shells. The skin may be white, charred, or darkened to some degree during processing.

General criteria for determining the quality of cashew kernels (for example, for whole white cashew nuts, type 320)

Status

Whole cashew nuts

Color

White, light yellow, light ivory, or light ash gray

Grant

ww320

Number of seeds

300-320 seeds/pound

660-706 seeds/kg

Humidity

5% maximum

Broken

Maximum 10%

Lower-size class

10% maximum

Defects

Maximum: 8% of total

Quality class (optional)

Determined by the allowable defect percentage. Cashew kernels can be classified into “Special,”  “Type I,” and “Type II.”.

Food safety requirements

Although food safety certification is not mandatory under European law, it has become mandatory for most European food importers. Most established European importers will not work with you if you cannot provide some type of food safety certification.

Most European buyers will require certification recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). For cashews, the most popular certification programs, all GFSI-accredited, are:

International Outstanding Standards (IFS);

British Retail Consortium Global Standards (BRCGS);

Food Safety System Certification (FSSC 22000);

Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification.

Be sure to check which certifications are currently recognized according to the latest version of the GFSI benchmark requirements. Food certification systems are constantly evolving. The EU, UK, and EFTA generally recognize the same food safety standards and certifications due to mutual recognition agreements, so there are no major differences in their requirements. However, certain retailers may prefer one certification over another or require additional certifications based on their own internal policies.

Corporate social responsibility

Companies have different requirements regarding social responsibility. Some companies will require compliance with their code of conduct or general standards, such as the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX), the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), or the code of conduct of the Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI).

Packaging requirements

There is no general regulation on the size of cashew export packaging, but the most common type of export packaging is a polybag ranging from 10kg to 25kg. A 25-kg flexi bag can be packed in a carton, and 700–750 such cartons will make a full container. To extend shelf life, bags are often vacuum-sealed by sucking in air and injecting carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Cashews are also packaged in airtight containers.

The use of commercial-specification paper or stamps is permitted, provided the printing or labeling is done with non-toxic ink or glue. Packaging is often formed in cubic shapes to make efficient use of pallet and container space. Dimensions may vary, but all are compatible with standard pallet and container sizes.

Labeling requirements

The name of the product must appear on the label, “cashew kernels” or “cashew nuts.” Other trade names related to form may be used in addition to “cashew kernels.” It is normal for export packaging labels to also include the year of cultivation. Bulk packaging information must be included, indicated on the packaging or in accompanying documents. Bulk package labeling must include the following information:

Name of the product;

Batch identification number;

Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor, or importer;

Storage instructions: storage and handling instructions are important due to the high oil content and high moisture content, which can negatively affect quality if not handled properly.

The batch identification number, name, and address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor, or importer may be replaced by an identification mark.

In the case of retail packaging, product labeling must comply with the European Union Regulations on the provision of food information to consumers. This regulation sets out requirements for nutrition labeling, origin labeling, allergen labeling, and legibility (minimum font size for mandatory information). Note that this regulation lists cashews as a product that may cause allergies or intolerances, and therefore allergen information must be clearly displayed on retail packaging.

If a product containing cashews is not labeled as an allergen, it will be withdrawn from the market. These cases are reported by the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

Organic cashews

To market organic cashews in Europe, they must be grown using organic production methods according to relevant European legislation. Growing and processing facilities must be inspected by an accredited certification body before you are allowed to use the EU organic logo on your products, as well as the holder’s logo standards (e.g., Naturland in Germany).

Organic agriculture in the EU is expanding rapidly thanks to growing consumer interest in organic goods. To address this problem, the EU has implemented a new organic law as of January 2022. This law strengthens the control system, increases consumer confidence in EU organic products, and sets similar standards for domestic and imported organic products. Furthermore, a wider range of products can now be marketed as organic under these guidelines.

Note that you can only import organic products into Europe if you hold an electronic certificate of inspection (e-COI). Each batch of organic products imported into the EU must be accompanied by an electronic inspection certificate, as stipulated in Annex V of the Regulation determining the import of organic products from third countries. This electronic inspection certificate must be generated through the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES).

For comparable countries (including India and Vietnam), certificates are issued by control bodies designated by the national competent authority. Consult the list of controlling bodies operating in third countries under equivalent regimes. In other countries, organic certification is issued by control authorities in the EU, EA, and CH.

National organic labels in Northern Europe

Sweden’s KRAV, an association with its own standards and labels, certifies about 80% of organic products in the country. KRAV standards are aligned with IFOAM standards and, in some cases, are more stringent than EU standards. In general, KRAV is better known to consumers in Sweden, although the obligation to have the EU organic logo on all organic products sold in the EU has also increased the visibility of the EU logo.

Denmark has a state-owned eco-label called the Danish organic logo, or the red Ø mark. Cocoa certified under EU organic law, which is then further processed, packaged, or labeled at a Danish company and inspected by the competent authority, may be labeled Ø, next to the logo of the EU. More than 95% of Danish consumers are familiar with the red Ø mark, and about 90% have great trust in the Ø label.

Norway’s official national organic logo is the Ø label, issued by Debio, Norway’s national organic farming association. Debio’s Ø label can be applied to imported products certified by a recognized body in the country of origin, according to Norwegian rules and regulations.

Organic labels from Sweden (KRAV), Denmark (red Ø), Norway (Debio Ø), and the EU logo

Sustainability certification

The two most commonly used sustainability certification programs are Fairtrade and the Rainforest Alliance. Fair Trade International has developed a specific standard for nuts for small-scale production organizations. This standard prescribes protective measures for workers in cashew processing facilities. Additionally, the standard defines payment terms and fair trade minimum prices for conventional and organic raw cashews from Africa.

To improve sustainable production and sourcing of cashew nuts, a group of mainly European companies and organizations established the Sustainable Cashew Initiative in 2015. The main goal of this initiative is to improve the situation in grain-producing countries and move towards a sustainable supply chain.

Businesses have different requirements regarding social responsibility. Some companies will insist on their own code of conduct or adherence to common standards, such as the Sedex Member Trade Ethics Audit (SMETA) standard. It provides a globally recognized methodology for assessing responsible supply chain practices, including labor rights, health and safety, the environment, and business ethics. Sedex membership alone (no audit required) is actually not too complicated and not very expensive. Other alternatives include the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Core Codes, the Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (Amfori BSCI) Code of Conduct, and B Corp certification.

Many importers will require you to follow their own specific code of conduct. Most European retailers have their own codes of conduct, such as Lidl (PDF), REWE, Carrefour (PDF), Tesco, and Ahold Delhaize.

Ethnic certificate

Muslim dietary laws (Halal) and Jewish dietary laws (Kosher) impose specific dietary restrictions. If you want to focus on Jewish or Muslim niche markets, you should consider implementing Halal or Kosher certification programs.

P.V. (according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden)

Source: Dan Viet