New colour definition and tolerances for red lentils
WINNIPEG, July 5, 2012 /CNW/ – On August, 1, 2012, grading changes to
red lentils take effect in Western Canada, the Canadian Grain
Commission announced. These changes include specifications for the
percentage of copper and bleached seeds in red lentils.
“Based on scientific research and in close collaboration with the red
lentil industry, the Western Standards Committee recommended changes to
red lentil grading,” explains Elwin Hermanson, Chair of the Western
Standards Committee and Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Grain
Commission. “This illustrates how research, combined with input from
the grain industry, guides changes to the grading system.”
At its meeting on April 3, 2012, the Western Standards Committee
recommended the following changes for red lentils:
-- New definitions for colour, bleached, copper and wrinkled
-- Tolerances for copper and bleached seeds
-- Addition of wrinkled seed tolerances
The new tolerances for bleached, copper and wrinkled seeds are included
in the Western Standards Committee’s April 3, 2012 recommendations.
New definitions
The following definitions will appear in the Official Grain Grading
Guide as of August 1, 2012.
Colour – Lentils, red
Colour is evaluated after the removal of damaged lentils (excluding
wrinkled). Bleached and copper seeds are evaluated to determine the
overall colour. Tolerances for bleached and copper are reflected in the
Primary Grade Determinant Table.
Bleached
Bleached seeds have a whitened seed coat that is distinctly faded from
the natural red colour of sound lentils. The discoloration must affect
the entire seed coat. Lentils having a lighter pink shade that are
contrasting with the overall sample are considered sound.
The red lentil colour guide may be used to assist in the determination
of bleached seeds.
Copper
Copper seeds have a rust color covering both sides of seed and the
entire seed coat. The rust colour is in distinct contrast with the
natural red colour of sound lentils.
The red lentil colour guide may be used to assist in the determination
of copper seeds.
Wrinkled
Wrinkled seeds are characterized by a seed surface that has sharp ridges
and pronounced depressions that could also be described as seed coat
folds and indents. Wrinkles may be evident only on one side of the
lentil. Lentils that only have dimpled seed coat or folds restricted
only to the outside ring of the seed are considered sound.
The red lentil wrinkled guide may be used to assist in the determination
of wrinkled seeds.
Bleached and copper tolerances
Research conducted at the Canadian Grain Commission has found that
copper and bleached seeds in red lentils will lead to a decrease in
dehulling efficiency. In addition, copper and bleaching affects the
color of the cotyledons, making affected lentils less appealing for
processors and end users.
Recommended tolerances
___________________________________________________
|Grade name |Copper |Total bleached and copper|
|________________|________|_________________________|
|# 1 Canada |1% |3% |
|________________|________|_________________________|
|# 2 Canada |3% |10% |
|________________|________|_________________________|
|Extra # 3 Canada|10% |25% |
|________________|________|_________________________|
|# 3 Canada |No limit|No limit |
|________________|________|_________________________|
Wrinkled seed tolerances
Canadian Grain Commission researchers and inspection experts have also
studied various severity levels of wrinkled seeds to determine the
appropriate tolerances for wrinkled lentils. Their research has
indicated that the severity of the wrinkling can impact the de-hulling
process and, therefore, the quality of lentils.
Recommended tolerances
_____________________________________________________________________
|Grade name|Damage |
| |__________________________________________________________|
| |Heated %| Damage | Other | Total |Wrinkled %| Total |
| | | Peeled, |damage %|damage %| | damage |
| | |split and| | | |including |
| | |broken % | | | |wrinkled %|
|__________|________|_________|________|________|__________|__________|
|# 1 Canada|0.2 |2.0 |1.0 |2.0 |2.0 |4 |
|__________|________|_________|________|________|__________|__________|
|# 2 Canada|0.5 |3.5 |2 |3.5 |5.0 |8 |
|__________|________|_________|________|________|__________|__________|
|Extra # 3 |0.5 |5.0 |5.0 |5.0 |n/a |n/a |
|Canada | | | | | | |
|__________|________|_________|________|________|__________|__________|
|# 3 Canada|1 |10 |10 |10 |n/a |n/a |
|__________|________|_________|________|________|__________|__________|
Request colour or wrinkled guide
To receive the red lentil colour or wrinkled guide, please contact:
Daryl Beswitherick
Program Manager, Quality Assurance Services
Canadian Grain Commission
Telephone: 204-983-4627
Email: daryl.beswitherick@grainscanada.gc.ca
About the Western Standards Committee
The Western Standards Committee meets twice a year to recommend
specifications for grades of grain, and to select and recommend
standard and guide samples to the Canadian Grain Commission. Members
represent different sectors of the grain industry and include grain
processors, exporters and producers.
About the Canadian Grain Commission
The Canadian Grain Commission is the federal agency responsible for
establishing and maintaining Canada’s grain quality standards. Its
programs result in shipments of grain that consistently meet contract
specifications for quality, safety and quantity. The Canadian Grain
Commission regulates the grain industry to protect producers’ rights
and ensure the integrity of grain transactions.
SOURCE Canadian Grain Commission
