Back

Amla Grading and Marking Rules, 2008

The Amla Grading and Marking Rules, 2008

Published vide Notification No. G.S.R. 644(E), dated 3rd September, 2008

Act2384

Ministry of Agriculture

(Department of Agriculture and Co-operation)

G.S.R. 644(E). - Whereas the draft of Amla Grading and Marking Rules, 2007, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (1 of 1937) was published vide notification Number G.S.R. 267 dated 8th December, 2007 in the Gazette of India, Part II, Section 3, sub-section (i) inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby within forty five days from the date on which copies of the said notification published in the Gazette of India were made available to the public.

And whereas copies of the said notification were made available to the public on 8th January, 2008 and whereas the objections and suggestions received from the public in respect of the said draft rules have been duly considered.

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely :-

Rules

  1. Short title, application and commencement.- (1) These rules may be called the Amla Grading and Marking Rules, 2008.

(2) They shall apply to Amla dried and Amla powder.

(3) They shall come into force on the date of their final publication in the Official Gazette.

  1. Definitions.- In these rules, unless the context other wise requires, -

(a) "Agricultural Marketing Adviser" means the agricultural marketing adviser to the Government of India;

(b) "authorised packer" means a person or body of persons who has been granted the certificate of authorization to grade and mark Amla dried and Amla powder in accordance with the grade standards and procedure prescribed under these rules;

(c) "certificate of authorisation" means a certificate issued under the provisions of General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 authorizing a person or a body of persons to grade and mark Amla dried and Amla powder with the grade designation mark;

(d) "General Grading and Marking Rules" means the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 made under section 3 of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (1 of 1937);

(e) "Schedule' means a Schedule appended to these rules.

  1. Grade designation mark.- The grade designation mark shall consist of "Agmark Insignia" consisting of a design incorporating the certificate of authorization number, the word "Agmark', name of commodity and grade designation resembling the one as set out in Schedule I.
  2. Grade designation.- The grade designation to indicate the quality of Amla direct and Amla powder shall be as set out in column 1 of Schedule II and III.
  3. Quality.- The quality of Amla dried and Amla powder obtained from Emblica officinalisof the familyEuphorbiaceae shall be as set out against each grade designation in columns 2 to 7 of Schedules II and III.
  4. Method of packing.- (1) Amla dried and its powder shall be packed only in sound, clean and dry containers made of jute or cloth with suitable inner linings od food grade material, laminated polyethylene or poly propylene or high density polyethylene bags, pouches or any other packaging material duly approved by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any officer authorized by him in this behalf;

(2) The container shall be free from any insect infestation or fungus contamination and also free from any undesirable or obnoxious smell.

(3) Amla dried or powder shall be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly. The container shall be securely closed and sealed in a manner approved by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or an officer authorized by him in this behalf.

(4) The materials used inside the package must be new, clean and of such a quality as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce.

(5) The use of materials particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is permitted provided the printing or labeling has been done with non toxic ink or glue.

(6) Each package shall contain Amla dried or powder of one grade designation only. Suitable number or small packets of Amla dried or powder containing graded material of the same lot or batch and grade designation may be packed in a master container such as jute bags, wooden cases, cardboard cartons etc., with details on master containers.

(7) Amla dried or powder shall be packed in the pack sizes as per instructions of Agricultural Marketing Adviser issued from time to time.

  1. Method of Marking and Labelling.- (1) The grade designation mark shall be securely affixed to or clearly and indelibly printed on each container.

(2) In addition to the grade designation mark, the following particulars shall be clearly and indelibly marked on each package, namely :-

(a) Name of the commodity;

(b) Variety (optional);

(c) grade designation;

(d) lot or Batch Number;

(e) name and address of the packer;

(f) net weight;

(g) storage condition, if any;

(h) Country of origin;

(i) date of packing;*

(j) Best before date;

(k) maximum retail price (inclusive of all taxes); and

(l) any other particulars as may be specified by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser.

(3) The ink used for marking on packages shall be of such quality which may not contaminate the product.

(4) The authorized packer, may, after obtaining prior approval of the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or an Officer authorised by him in this behalf, mark his private trade mark or trade brand on the graded packages provided that the same do not indicate quality other than that indicated by the grade designation mark affixed to the graded packages in accordance with these rules.

  1. Amla dried and powder may be graded and marked as per buyer's requirements for export provided minimum requirements specified in the relevant Schedule are met under non-specified grade.
  2. Special conditions for grant of certificate of authorization.- (1) In addition to the conditions specified sub-rule (8) of rule 3 of the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988, every authorized packer shall follow all instructions prescribed by Agricultural Marketing Adviser from time to time.

(2) The authorized packer shall either set up his own laboratory manned by qualified chemist approved by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or an officer authorized by him in this behalf in accordance with rule 9 of the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 for testing the quality of Amla dried and its powder or has access to the State Grading Laboratory or Private Commercial Laboratory approved for the purpose;

(3) The premises for processing, grading and packing shall be maintained in perfect hygienic and sanitary conditions. The personnel engaged in these operations shall be in sound health and free from any infectious, contagious or communicable diseases.

(4) The premises shall have adequate storage facilities with pucca floor and ventilation for light and air and free from rodent and insect infestation.

* The date of packing shall be the date of completion of the analysis of the sample.

Schedule-I

(See rule-3)

Design of the Agmark Insignia

Name of the Commodity...................

Grade.................................................

Schedule-II

(See rules 4 and 5)

Grade designation and quality of Amla dried

  1. Alma dried shall be obtained from Emblica officinalisof family Euphorbracoae.
  2. Minimum Requirements:- (i) Amla dried shall have the colour and characteristic of the commodity.

(ii) It shall be,

(a) sound and clean;

(b) free from any visible foreign matter;

(c) free from insect infestation, live insect, dead insects, insect fragments, larvae, rodent hair and excreta;

(d) free from fermentation, rancid taste and musty odours;

(e) free from extraneous matter, added colouring matter and other harmful matter;

(f) free from any fungal or bacterial contamination.

(iii) The taste and smell of Amla dried shall be characteristic of the commodity.

(iv) It shall comply with restrictions in regard to Metallic contaminants (rule-57), Crop contaminants (rule 57-A), Naturally occurring toxic substances (rule 57-B), Insecticide and Pesticides (rule 65) and other food safety parameters and other provisions prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955.

(v) Amla dried shall comply with residue levels of Heavy metal, insecticide or pesticide residue and other food safety parameters as laid down by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for exports.

  1. Criteria far grade designation :
Grade designation Characteristics
Moisture, per cent by mass Loose seeds per cent by mass on dry basis Organic extraneous Matter, per cent by mass on dry basis Inorganic extraneous Matter, per cent by mass on dry basis Damaged and insect bored, per cent by mass on dry basis Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content, mg/100 gm on dry basis
Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Minimum
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Special 10.0 2.0 0.5 0.5 1.0 150
Standard 11.0 4.0 1.0 0.5 2.0 100
General 12.0 6.0 2.0 1.0 3.0 80
  1. Other Requirements :The condition of the Amla dried shall be such as to enable them :-

(1) to withstand transport and handling and

(2) to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

Explanation: 1. Organic extraneous matter means vegetable matters of the plants other than Amla fruit.

  1. Inorganic extraneous matter means sand, stones, dirt, pebbles, lumps of earth, clay, mud, etc.
  2. Damage and insect bored fruit means fruit having visible fungus infestation and damaged by weevils and having bores.

Schedule-III

(See rules 4 and 5)

Grade Designation and Quality of Amla Powder

  1. Amla powder shall be obtained by grinding clean, mature and dried fruit of Emblica officinalisof family Euphorbracoae.
  2. Minimum Requirements:- (i) Amla powder shall be,-

(a) free from any visible foreign matter;

(b) free from insect infestation, live insect, dead insects, insect fragments, mould, mites, larvae, rodent hair and excreta;

(c) free from fermented and musty odours;

(d) free from dirty extraneous matter like added colouring matter and other type of adulterants;

(e) free from any fungal or bacterial contamination.

(ii) The taste and smell of Amla powder shall be characteristic of the commodity.

(iii) It shall comply with restrictions in regard to Metallic contaminants (rule-57), Crop contaminants (rule 57-A), Naturally occurring toxic substances (rule 57-B), Insecticide and Pesticides (rule 65) and other food safety parameters and other provisions prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955.

(v) It shall also comply with residue levels of Heavy Metals, insecticides residue and other food safety parameters as laid down by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for export.

  1. Criteria for grade designation :
Grade designation Characteristics
Moisture, per cent by mass Total ash per cent by mass on dry basis Acis insoluble ash, per cent by mass on dry basis Crude fibre, per cent by mass on dry basis Retention on 500 micron sieve, per cent by mass Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) Content, mg/100 gm. on dry basis
Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Minimum
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Special 8.0 5.0 0.5 10.0 1.0 200
Standard 9.0 6.0 1.0 14.0 2.0 150
General 10.0 7.0 1.5 18.0 3.0 100
  1. Other Requirements :The condition of the Amla powder shall be as to enable it,-

(1) to withstand transport and handing and

(2) to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

Explanation : (i) Organic extraneous matter means vegetable matters of the plants.

(ii) Inorganic extraneous matter means sand, stones, dirt, pebbles, lumps of earth, clay, mud, etc.