 
 AFDC 26 ( 1775 ) DTZS   
 
 
DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
 
Litchi - specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                  TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARD  
 
 
 0 foreword  
 
Litchi also known as lychee  is a small round or oblong shaped  tropical  fruit with 
pink or red scaly skin, sweet juicy pulp  when ripe . 
Litchi comprises of three layers ; the reddish husk, white flesh, and brown seed. 
The white flesh of litchi is fragrant and sweet. It can be eaten on its own, used 
in tropical fruit salads, or blended into cocktails, juices, smoothies, and 
desserts. Litchi is a healthy fruit rich in vitamins and antioxidants.   
 
 
This Tanzania Standard was prepared in order to provide guidance to litchi 
producers and traders as well as regulators, and to ensure safety and quality 
of the produce.  
In the preparation of this Tanzania Standard considerable assistance was 
derived from:  Codex Alimentarius CXS 196-1995  Standard for litchi.   
 
In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this 
standard, if the final value observed or calculated is to be rounded off, it shall 
be done in accordance with TZS 4 (see clause 2).  
 
1 Scope  
This standard specifies quality and safety requirements, methods of sampling 
and test of litchis grown from Litchi chinensis  Sonn., of the Sapindaceae  family, 
to be supplied fresh to the consumer. Litchis for ind ustrial processing are 
excluded.  
 
2 Normative r eferences  
 
The following referenced standards are indispensable for the application of this 
standard. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced standards (includ ing any 
amendments) applies.  
 
a) TZS 4, Rounding off of numerical values  
b) TZS 109, Code of hygiene for food processing unit  
c) TZS 538, Packaging, marking and labeling of foods.  
d) TZS 1002, Fresh fruits and vegetables - Sampling . 
e) TZS 1003, Guide to the pre-packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables  
f) TZS 1743, Code of hygienic practice for fresh fruits  
g) Codex Stan 193, Codex General standard for contaminants and toxins in 
food and feed   
 h) Codex pesticide residues in food online data base  
 
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply;  
 
3.1 sound  
produce not affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it fit for 
consumption  
 
3.2 clean  
free from dirt, dust, insect stains or other foreign substances  
 
3.3 pest 
any organism that directly or indirectly affects the quality and safety of the 
produce  
 
3.4 whole  
uninjured, unbroken and undamaged litchis  intended for consumption while 
fresh  
 
3.5 bunch  
several clusters of litchi fruit with a portion  of the stem of the same size grouped 
together  
 
 
4 Requirements  
 
4.1 General requirements  
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances 
allowed, the litchis shall be: 
 whole;  
 sound;  
 clean;  
 practically free of pests and damage caused by them ; 
 free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following 
removal from cold storage;  
 free of any foreign smell and/or taste;  
 free of physical damage that do not affects its edible part ; 
 
4.1.1  The litchis shall be sufficiently developed and mature.  
The development and condition of the litchis shall be such as to enable them  
to: 
- withstand transport and handling; and  
- arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.  
 
The colouring  of litchis may vary from pink to red in the case of untreated litchis; 
from pale yellow to pink for litchis that h ave been fumigated with Sulphur   
 dioxide . 
 
 
4.2 Classification  
Litchis are classified in three classes defined below:  
 
4.2.1 “Extra” c lass 
Litchis in this class shall be of superior quality. They shall have the shape, 
deve lopment and colouring that are typical of the variety or varietal type. They 
shall be free of defects, with the except ion of very slight superficial defects, 
provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, th e quality, 
the keeping quality and presentation in the package.  
 
4.2.2 Class I  
 
Litchis in this class shall be of good quality. They shall be characteristic of the 
variety or varietal type. The following slight defects  may be allowed, provided 
these do not affect  the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the 
keeping quality and presentation in the package:  
- slight misshaping;  
- slight defects in colouring;  
- slight skin defects provide d these do not exceed a total area of 0.25 cm².  
 
4.2.3 Class II  
This class includes litchis which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher cl asses, 
but satisfy the general  requirements specified in clause  4.1. The following 
defects , may be allowed, provided the litchis retain their essential 
characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:  
- defects in shape;  
- defects in colouring;  
- skin blemishes provided these do not exceed a total area of 0.5 cm².  
 
4.3 Provisions concerning sizing  
Size is determined by the maximum equatorial diameter.  
- The minimum size for “Extra” c lass is 33 mm.   
- The minimum size for Classes I and II is 20 mm.  
- A maximum size range of 10 mm between fruit in each package is permitted.  
 
4.4 Provisions concerning tolerances  
Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package for 
produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.  
 
4.4.1 Quality tolerances  
 
4.4.1.1 “Extra” class 
Five percent by number or weight of litchis not satisfying the requirements of 
the class, but meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within the 
tolerances of that class.  
 
  
 4.4.1.2 Class I  
Ten percent by number or weight of litchis not satisfying the requirements of 
the class, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within the 
tolerances of that class.  
 
4.4.1.3 Class II  
Ten percent by number or weight of litchis satisfying neither the requirement s 
of the class nor the general requiremen ts, with the exception of produce 
affected by rotting or any other deteri oration rendering it unfit for consumption.  
 
4.4.2 Size Tolerances  
For all classes, 10% by number or weight of litchis not satisfying the 
requirement s as regards the minimum size, provided, however, that t he 
diameter is not less that 15 mm in all classes, an d/or the maximum size range 
of 10mm.  
 
 
4.5 Provisions concerning presentation  
 
4.5.1 Uniformity  
The contents of each package shall be uniform and contain only litchis of the 
same origin, variety or varietal type, quality, size and colour. The visible part of 
the contents of the package  shall be representative of the entire contents.  
 
4.5.2 Presentation  
The litchis  shall be presented under one of the following forms:  
 
4.5.2.1 Individually  
In this case the pedicel shall be cut at the first knot and the maximum length of 
the stalk shall not extend more than 2 mm beyond the top of the fruit. “Extra” 
Class litchis shall be presented individually.  
 
4.5.2.2 In bunches  
In this case, the bunch shall include more than three attached and well -formed 
litchis. The bunch must no t exceed 15cm in length.  
 
5  
 
 
6 Hygiene  
 
6.1 It is recommended that the produce covered by the provisions of this 
Standard be prepared and handled in accordance with TZS 109 (see clause 2)  
and TZS 1743 . 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 7 Contaminants  
 
7.1 Heavy metal contaminants  
Litchis  shall comply with those maximum metal contaminants established by 
the Codex Stan 193.  
 
7.2 Pesticide residues  
Litchis  shall comply with those maximum residue limits established in the Codex 
pesticide residues in food online data base.  
 
8 Sampling and tests  
 
8.1 Samp ling 
Representative samples of litchis  shall be drawn as prescribed in TZS 1002 
(see clause 2).  
 
8.2  Tests  
Tests shall be done in accordance with the methods prescribed in this standard.  
 
 
9. Packing, marking and labelling  
 
9.1 Packing  
Litchis  shall be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly. The 
materials used shall be of food grade, clean and of a quality such as to avoid 
causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The use of materials, 
particula rly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications, is allowed, provided 
the printing or labelling has been done with nontoxic ink or glue.  However, the 
presence of a limited number of fresh leaves is permitted where litchis are 
presented in bunches.  
 
9.1.1 The containers shall meet the quality, hygiene, ventilation and resistance 
characteristics that shall ensure suitable handling, shipping and preserving 
litchis . Packages shall be free of foreign matter and objectionable smell.  
 
9.1.2 The use of any s ubstance tending to modify the natural characteristics of 
the produce, especially form, texture and taste shall be prohibited.  
  
9.1.3 In addition to the provisions covered by this standard, litchis  shall also be 
packed in accordance with TZS 538 and TZS 1003 (See clause 2).  
 
9.2 Marking and labelling  
9.2.1 Each package shall legibly and indelibly bear the following information in 
Swahili or and English on the same side :  
a) Name and address of importer/ exporter, packer and/or 
dispatcher /distributor ;  
b) Name of the produce  (litchis);   
c) Country of origin ; 
d) Class;  
e) Net weight ( kg);  
 f) Batch number;  
g) Storage condition.  
 
9.2.2 Certification mark – Each container may also be mar ked with TBS 
certification mark.  
 
NOTE:  The use of TBS certification mark is governed by provisions of the 
Standards Act, 2009.  Details of the conditions under which a license for 
the use of TBS certification mark may be granted to manufacturers or 
producers, may be obtained from TBS.  
 