Food Corporation of India

Operations -- Quality Control -- Maize

UNIFORM SPECIFICATION FOR MAIZE
( MARKETING SEASON 2004-2005 )

The maize shall be the dried and matured grain of Zea mays. It shall have uniform size, shape and colour. It shall be in sound merchantable condition and also conforming to PFA standards

Maize shall be sweet, hard, clean, wholesome and free from Argemone mexicana and Lathyrus sativus (kesari) in any form colouring matter, moulds weevils, obnoxious smell, admixture of deleterious substances and all other impurities except to the extent indicated in the schedule below:

Schedule of Specification

S.no.	Refractions.	Maximum Limits (%)
1.	Foreign matter *	1.0
2.	Other Foodgrains	2.0
3.	Damaged grains	1.5
4.	Slightly damaged & discoloured	4.5
5.	Shrivelled & Immature grains	3.0
6.	Weevilled grains	1.0
7.	Moisture	14.0

*	Not more than 0.25% by weight shall be mineral matter and not more than 0.10% by weight shall be impurities of animal origin.

NOTE ::

1.	The definition of the above refractions and method of analysis are to be followed as given in Bureau of Indian Standard 'Method of Analysis for Foodgrains' nos. IS: 4333 (Part-I) 1967 and IS: 4333 (Part-II) 1967 and Terminology for foodgrains IS: 2813-1995 as amended from time to time.
2.	The method of sampling is to be followed as given in Bureau of Indian Standard Method of sampling of cereal and pulses No. IS: 14818-2000.
3.	Within the overall limit of 1.0% for foreign matter, the inorganic matter shall not exceed 0.25% and poisonous seeds too shall not exceed 0.5% of which Dhatura and Akra Seeds (Vicia species) not to exceed 0.025% and 0.2% respectively.