AFDC 21 (428)  DTZS  
ICS 67.080.20  
0 
  
DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
Livingstone potato — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
 AFDC 21 (428)  DTZS  
ICS 67.080.20  
1 
  
0. Foreword  
Livingstone potato  also known as th e kaffir potato,or numbu/ming’oko/ m bao or mung’unya , is a species 
of plant in the dicotyledonous  family La miaceae. It is indigenous to Afric a and in Tanzania the crop is  
mainly  grown in Njombe, Mbeya, Lindi Mtwara  and Rufiji . This  crop can benefit many subsistence farmers 
since it i s native, easy to grow and quite  nutritious.  The demand for this product is inc reasing thus the 
need to ensure its safety and quality . 
In developing this standard assistance was drawn from stakeholders who provided necessary information 
and samples.  
In reporting the result 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 Tanzania standard specifies the requirements , methods of sampling and test for livingstone potato  
intended for human consu mption.  
2. Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (includin g any amendments) applies.  
Rearrange in ascending order  
TZS 4, Rounding off numerical values . 
TZS 109, Food processing unit – Code of hygiene  
TZS 538/EAS 38, General standard for labeling of prepackaged foods  
CAC/RCP 44 , Code of practice for packaging and transport of fresh fruit and vegetables  
 
CAC/RCP 53, Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables  
CODEX STAN 192,  General standard for food additives  
CODEX STAN 193, Codex general standard for con  TZS 538/EAS 38, Labelling of prepackaged foods  
— General requirements  
taminants and toxins in food and feed  
TZS 1002: 2009 Fresh fruits and vegetables – Sampling  AFDC 21 (428)  DTZS  
ICS 67.080.20  
2 
 3. Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions shall apply.  
3.1 livingstone potato  
roots ob tained from a plant of the species Plectranthus esculentus   
3.2 whole  
fresh storage roots which have not been subjected to any mechanical damage or peeling of its initial 
harvested mass with the exemption of trimming.  
3.3 sound/wholesome  
free from pests, d iseases, serious deterioration (such as but not limited to decay, breakdown, freezing 
damage, or softness) or adulteration/contamination, that appreciably affects their appearance, edibility 
and the keeping quality of the produce or market value.  
3.4 pract ically free  
produce without defects in excess of those that can be expected to result from, and be consistent with 
good cultural and handling practices employed in the production and marketing of the livingstone potato  
3.5clean  
practically free from dirt o r staining or other foreign matter or extraneous matter  
3.6 food grade packaging material  
material, made of substances which are safe and suitable for their intended use and which will not impart 
any toxic substance or undesirable odour or flavour to the p roduce 
3.7 extraneous matter  
organic matter of plant origin other than livingstone potato  
3.8 foreign matter  
organic and inorganic materials (such as sand, soil, glass) other tha n extraneous matter in livingstone 
potato  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General requireme nts 
Livingstone potato  shall have reached an appropriate degree of physiological development taking into 
account the  characteristics of the variety and th e area in which they are grown, ability to withstand normal 
transport and handling conditions and abil ity to arrive in a satisfactory condition at the place of 
destination.  
4.2 Minimum requirements  
Livingstone potato  supplied  to the market shall be:  
a) firm; 
b) whole;  
c) fresh;  AFDC 21 (428)  DTZS  
ICS 67.080.20  
3 
 d) wholesome/sound;  
e) not affected by rot, mould or deterioration  as to make it unfit for con sumption ; 
f) clean, and practically free of any visible extraneous matter or foreign matter, except permitted 
substances used to prolong its shelf life;  
g) of colour, taste and texture  characteristic of the variety;  and  
h) practically free of pests and damage cau sed by pests;  
4.3 Quality tolerances  
Tolerances for the quality requirements shall be such that:  
a) no more than 3 % of livingstone potato  may be affected by rot, mould or deterioration  as to make it 
unfit for consumption; and 
b) no more than 3 % of livingstone  potato  may be affected by damage caused by pests.   
c) defects in shape not exceeding 5% of the root 
d) bruising, not exceeding 10 % of the surface area of the root 
e) lesions not more than 2 mm in depth and not more than 3% of the surface coverage;  
f) internal defect s in not more than 3 % by number or mass of the root; and  
g) common scab not extending 3 % of the surface area and intrusion not exceeding 2 mm . 
5. Contaminants  
5.1 Pesticide residues  
Livingstone potato shall conform to maximum limits  for pesticide residues established by the Codex 
Alimentarius  Commission.  
5.2 Other contaminants  
Livingstone potato  shall comply with the maximum levels of the Codex General Standard for 
Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (CODEX STAN 193).  
6.  Hygiene  
Livingstone potato  shall be handled in hygienic manner in accordance with the appropriate sections of 
TZS 109 and CAC/RCP 53.   
7.  Sampling and test  
Sampling shall be done in accordance with TZS 1002 and testing shall be done  according to test methods 
prescribed in this stand ard. AFDC 21 (428)  DTZS  
ICS 67.080.20  
4 
 9.  Pack ing, marking and labelling  
9.1 Packing   
9.1.1 Livingstone potato  shall be packaged in such a way to protect the produce from pest, mechanical, 
heat and frost damage .  
9.1.2 Livingstone potato  shall be packaged in food grade packaging materials  that will safeguard the 
hygienic, nutritional, and organoleptic qualities of the produce.  
9.1.3 In order to maintain the produce quality during transportation and marketing, Livingstone potato  
shall be packaged and transported in accordance with the appro priate sections of CAC/RCP 44.  
9.2 Marking and labelling  
In addition to the requirements of TZS 538; the following labelling requirements shall apply and shall be 
legibly and indelibly marked  
a) name of the produce to be shown on the label shall be “ Livingst one potato ”;  
b) name and location address of the vendor and/or packer shall be declared;  
c) country of origin of the produce;  
d) lot identification (batch number);  
e) declaration of preservatives, if used;  
f) date of harvest  and packing ; 
g) storage conditions; and  
h) stateme nt (Food for human consumption)  
i) The language on the label shall be Kiswahili and/or English”. Another language may be used 
depending on the designated market.  
9.3 The package may also b e marked with TBS Quality Mark.  
NOTE: The TBS Standards Mark of Quality  may be used by the manufacturers only under license from TBS. 
Particulars of conditions under which the license are granted may be obtained from TBS  