(1) In addition to the conditions specified in the subrule (8) of rule 3 of the General Grading and Marking Rules, every authorised packer shall follow all instructions specified by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser from time to time.
(2) The authorised packer shall either set up his own laboratory or have access to an approved State Grading Laboratory or cooperative or association laboratory or a private commercial laboratory manned by a qualified chemist approved by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or an officer authorised by him in this behalf in accordance with rule 9 of the General Grading and Marking Rules for testing the quality of Isabgol Husk.
(3) The premises shall be maintained in hygienic and sanitary conditions with proper ventilations and well lighted arrangement and the personnel engaged in these operations should be in sound health and free from any infectious, contagious or communicable diseases.
(4) The premises shall have hygienic storage facilities with pucca floor and free from rodent and insect infestation.
(5) The authorised packer and the aforesaid approved chemist shall comply with all instructions regarding testing, grading, packing, marking, sealing and maintenance of records which may be issued by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or an officer authorised by him in this behalf in accordance with the General Grading and Marking Rules from time to time.
8 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] Schedule I (See rule 5) (Design of Agmark insignia) C A No .
Name of the commodity……………………………………… Grade…………………………………………………………….
SCHEDULE II (See rules 3 and 4) Grade designation and quality of Isabgol Husk
1. Isabgol Husk shall consist of dry seed coats of the seeds of Plantago ovata Forsk (Family Plantaginaceae) meant for human consumption which is obtained by crushing the seeds and separating the husks by winnowing.
2. Minimum requirements: (i) Isabgol Husk shall -
(a) be white to offwhite in colour;
(b) be odourless and have thin boat shaped structures, 2 to 3 mm long and 0.5 to 1 mm wide;
(c) have bland and mucilaginous taste;
(d) be free from insect or fungus infestation and from fermented, musty or other objectionable odours;
(e) be free from any added colours, flavours and harmful foreign materials;
(f) be free from visible extraneous matter.
(ii) It shall comply with the restrictions in regard to the limits for metallic contaminants, crop contaminants, naturally occurring toxic substances, insecticides and pesticides residues, microbial requirements and other food safety requirements as specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 and the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, made under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006) for domestic trade.
(iii) 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 requirement for exports.
3. Criteria for grade designation TABLE Grade designation Quality Special characteristics (per cent by mass) Moisture (Maximum) Total ash on dry basis (Maximum) Acid insoluble ash on dry basis (Maximum) Organic extraneous matter (Maximum)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Special Standard General
10.0
11.0
11.5
2.0
2.5
2.9
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.5
1.0
2.0
Explanation:-
(i) Organic extraneous matter includes broken or entire embryo, fragments of endosperm or capsular wall of fruits belonging to Isabgol crop.
(ii) Extraneous matter means impurities of extraneous origin like sand, dirt or others which do not belong to the Isabgol crop.
¹Hkkx IIµ[k.M 3(i)º Hkkjr dk jkti=k % vlk/kj.k 9
4. Other requirements:
(i) Identification test :
(a) Swelling test: Transfer 1 gm sample to a 100-ml stoppered cylinder containing 90 ml of water, shake well for 30 seconds and allow to stand for 24 hours, shaking gently on three occasions during this period. Add sufficient water to produce 100 ml, mix gently for 30 seconds, avoiding the entrainment of air. Allow to stand for 5 hours and measure the volume of mucilage.
Repeat the determination three more times. The average of the four determinations shall not be less than 40 ml.
(b) Microscopic examination : The material shall conform to the following description:— Elongated polygonal cells, 90 to 120 micron long, 18 to 27 micron wide, cellulose walled, thickened by secondary deposit.
(ii) The condition of the Isabgol Husk shall be such so as to enable it to withstand transport and handling and to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
(iii) Isabgol Husk shall be stored in cool and dry place, maintained in a clean and hygienic condition.
[F. No. 18011/2/2013-M-II] K. S. SRINIVAS, Jt. Secy. (Marketing) Printed by the Manager, Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.