Specifications for Cashew Kernels
AFI Nut & Agricultural Products Section
General Requirements
A. Each shipment to the U.S. shall be of good quality and be stored in accordance with good commercial
practice. No live infestation is permitted.
B. The cashews shall be packed in new, clean, dry, leak-proof, lead-free containers with an airtight
(hermetic) seal and without internal paper liners. Packaging shall be of sufficient strength to assure the integrity
of the product during normal shipment and storage.
The outer container shall be constructed of a new cardboard, free of infestation and visual mold and sealed
without staples, unless otherwise specified by the end user. Cartons must be a minimum of 200-pound test, 32
ECT. Only food-grade CO2 is permitted.
C. Only pesticides approved for use on cashews may be used and residues must be within the tolerances set
by the government of the importing country. No detectable residue is permitted for any pesticide that is not
approved for use on cashews in the importing country. Fumigation with methyl bromide is prohibited.
D. All cartons shall be clearly marked with the following:
1. Name of the product and trade name or brand name, if any.
2. Name and address of producer or packer.
3. Grade.
4. Net weight.
5. Country of Origin.
6. Buyer’s name or marks.
7. Destination.
8. Other marks agreed to by buyer and seller.
Lot numbers or production codes must be marked legibly on the outside of the cartons, in accordance with the
laws of the country of destination.
E. Bill of Lading must list the number of cartons, source of origin, and the marks that are on the cartons.
F. All shipments shall be inspected prior to loading and shall be carried on conveyances suitable for
transporting food products in good condition, i.e. free of odors, insect or mold damage, rodent activity, and all
other foreign materials.
G. The moisture level of the cashews shall be 3%-5%, as determined by the AOAC reference method.
H. If a roast test is required in a contract, it should be conducted in accordance with Appendix II. (Scrapes)
I. Strong blocking is not permitted. Strong blocking is defined as blocking which cannot be freed other
than with the use of external tools.
J. Cashew kernels shall be free of hard or sharp foreign objects and hair.
Quality and Grading
Cashew kernels are classified as: First Quality Fancy; Second Quality Scorched; Lightly Blemished Wholes
(LBW), Blemished Wholes (BW), Third Quality Special Scorched; Fourth Quality; and Dessert.
FIRST QUALITY FANCY cashew kernels have a uniform color which may be white, light yellow or pale ivory.
SECOND QUALITY SCORCHED cashew kernels may be yellow, light brown, light ivory, light ash-grey or deep ivory.
THIRD QUALITY SPECIAL SCORCHED cashew kernels may be deep yellow, brown, amber, and light to deep blue. They may be slightly
shriveled, immature, light-brown speckled, blemished or otherwise discolored.
FOURTH QUALITY cashew kernels would qualify as First or Second Quality, except that they have pitted spots.
Lightly Blemished Wholes (LBW) cashew kernels may be light brown, light ivory, light ash-grey or deep ivory. Kernels may show
light brown speckles or blemishes on the surface, provided that not more than 40 percent of the kernels are affected.
Blemished Wholes (BW) cashew kernels may be deep yellow, brown, amber or light to deep blue. Kernels may be slightly shriveled,
immature or may be brown speckled or blemished on the surface, provided that not more than 60 percent of the kernels are affected.
DESSERT cashew kernels may be scraped, deeply scorched, shriveled, deep-brown-speckled, black-speckled, blemished or otherwise
discolored.
Sizing
Sizing is compulsory in first quality/fancy cashew kernels but is optional for other whole grades.
Size Tolerance: Whole kernels of a lower size grade shall not exceed 10% by weight.
The quantity of broken kernels or pieces in whole kernels shall not exceed 10% by weight.
The quantity of pieces present in butts and splits shall not exceed 10% by weight.
The quantity of the next lower size grade in pieces shall not exceed 5% by weight.
Size Designation Count per
Kilo Pound
180 (or SLW) 266-395 140-180
210 (or LW) 395-465 180-210
240 485-530 220-240
320 660-706 300-320
450 880-990 400-450
Whole (W)
A cashew kernel is classified as whole if it has the characteristic shape of a cashew kernel and not more than
1/8th of the kernel has been broken off. This grade may also be designated as W. An excessive number 7/8th
kernels or splits that detract from the appearance of the sampled lot may be the basis for claim.
Butts (B)
Kernels which have been broken crosswise, are less than 7/8 but not less than 3/8 of a whole kernel and the
cotyledons are still naturally attached. This grade may also be designated as B.
Splits (S)
One half of a cashew kernel that has been split lengthwise, provided not more than 1/8 of this cotyledon has
been broken off. This grade may also be designated as S.
Pieces – See Table 2
