COCOA BEANS Mold
(MPM-V18) More than 4% of beans by count are moldy
Insect filth
(MPM-V18) More than 4% of beans by count are insect-infested including insect-damaged
Insect filth and/or mold More than 6% of beans by count are insect-infested or moldy
NOTE: Level differs when both filth and mold are present
Mammalian excreta
(MPM-V18) Average of 10 mg or more mammalian excreta per pound
DEFECT SOURCE: Mold - post harvest infection, Insect infested/damaged - post harvest and/or processing insect infestation, Mammalian excreta - post harvest and/or processing animal contamination
SIGNIFICANCE: Aesthetic, Potential health hazard - may contain mycotoxin producing fungi
COCOA POWDER PRESS CAKE Insect filth
(AOAC 965.38) Average of 75 or more insect fragments per subsample of 50 grams when 6 subsamples are examined
OR
Any 1 subsample contains 125 or more insect fragments
Rodent filth
(AOAC 965.38) Average in 6 or more subsamples is 2 or more rodent hairs per subsample of 50 grams
OR
Any 1 subsample contains 4 or more rodent hairs
Shell
(AOAC 968.10-970.23) 2% or more shell calculated on the basis of alkali-free nibs.
DEFECT SOURCE: Insect fragments - post harvest and/or processing insect infestation, Rodent hair - post harvest and/or processing contamination with animal hair or excreta, Shell - processing contamination
SIGNIFICANCE: Aesthetic