Frozen Strawberries Healthy
Description
Technical Parameters
Product Identity Comes Before Price Comparison
"Healthy" is a market-positioning term, not a frozen-fruit grade. We therefore write the legal and commercial identity as IQF whole frozen strawberries or the contracted cut form. For a simple-ingredient product line, our standard offer is 100% strawberry with crop-natural sugars and no added sugar. This does not mean sugar-free: strawberries naturally contain sugars. Sweetened strawberries, syrup-packed fruit and formulated puree use separate ingredient statements, Brix targets and quotations.
100% strawberry, free-flowing whole berries or pieces, with crop-natural Brix and no added water or sugar.
Crushed, refined and normally pasteurized single-strength puree, packed as a block, pail or drum.
Fruit with declared sugar, syrup or other ingredients. It uses a separate fruit-to-sugar ratio and finished-product Brix.
We provide the ingredient declaration, product specification and available analytical data needed for the buyer's own market-compliant label review.
Buyer Risks and Our Control Points
| Buyer concern | Order risk | Our control | Release evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uneven whole-berry size | Inconsistent retail presentation, dosing and thaw time | We grade by the agreed diameter range and inspect a representative sample | Size record and approved reference |
| White shoulders, green tips or dark fruit | Weak colour and uneven flavour after thawing | We sort maturity and colour before and after freezing | Defect count or weight result |
| Broken pieces and fines | Lower usable yield for visible-fruit applications | We define broken material by weight and match packing/handling to the target | Frozen sample separation result |
| Clumping and excessive frost | Poor free flow and inaccurate industrial dosing | We manage draining, freezing, frozen handling and bag sealing | Free-flow and pack inspection |
| Unclear COA or mixed test methods | QA cannot compare repeat lots | We place specification limits, methods and batch Actual Results in separate fields | Lot-linked COA and reports |
Strawberry puree is quoted separately from IQF berries because refining, pasteurization, screen size and packing requirements differ.
Available Forms and Starting Sizes
We quote each form against its own measurement method. Whole berries are graded by diameter; slices by thickness; dice by length, width and height; bits by particle range; puree by Brix, pH, acidity, screen and consistency.
- Whole IQF: 15–25 mm, 25–35 mm, mixed 15–35 mm, or contracted range.
- Halves: longitudinal halves from suitable berries, with maximum broken/fines tolerance.
- Slices: 6–10 mm thickness; 8–10 mm is a common industrial request.
- Diced: 10 × 10 mm standard; 6 × 6 mm can be discussed for smaller inclusions.
- Bits / crumbles: economical fruit material for puree, filling, sauce and blending.
- Puree: seeded or seed-reduced, raw or pasteurized frozen, supplied under a separate specification.
Commercial Specification: Unsweetened IQF Whole Strawberries
The values below are our starting quotation basis. They are specification limits, not claimed laboratory results for an unproduced lot. The final signed specification can tighten or adjust individual fields for the application, origin, grade, crop and destination program.
| Item | Starting specification | Buyer relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Product identity | 100% strawberry, unsweetened, IQF whole | No added water, sugar, syrup, colour or preservative in the standard program |
| Botanical name | Fragaria × ananassa | Commercial cultivated strawberry |
| Origin / varieties | China; Sweet Charlie, Hongyan and contracted processing cultivars | Final cultivar follows crop availability and order |
| Whole size | 15–25 mm, 25–35 mm or 15–35 mm | Measured at the widest diameter under the agreed sampling plan |
| Brix | 7.0–11.0°Bx | Crop-natural soluble solids, measured on a prepared sample at the specified temperature |
| pH | 3.0–4.0 | Important for beverage, dairy, sauce and fruit-preparation formulation |
| Colour | Natural red to deep red, characteristic of ripe fruit | No serious browning, blackening or abnormal pale/green appearance |
| Flavour / odour | Characteristic strawberry; no fermented, musty or other off note | Assessed frozen and after controlled thawing |
| Frozen condition | Free-flowing, firm in frozen state, without excessive surface ice | Supports dosing, repacking and portion control |
| Shelf life / storage | 24 months at −18°C or below, unopened | Continuous frozen storage and transport required |
Size, Grade and Defect Limits
We use buyer-agreed commercial limits rather than presenting every order as an official USDA grade. U.S. Grade A can be used as a reference framework when the contract requires it, but the order must state the exact style, sample size, defect definitions and acceptance method.
| Defect | Grade A commercial starting limit | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Broken pieces | ≤5.0% by weight | Separate and weigh from frozen sample |
| Squashed / misshapen whole fruit | ≤3.0% by weight | Visual definition agreed with reference |
| White shoulder / green or underripe area | ≤3.0% by weight | Frozen-state visual sorting |
| Clearly discoloured / oxidized fruit | ≤2.0% by weight | Frozen and thawed visual review |
| Clumped units | ≤2.0% by weight | Units not separable by gentle hand pressure |
| Mould / decay | Not detected in inspection sample | Escalate and investigate if observed |
| Foreign material / insects / stones | Absent | Sorting, detection and sample inspection |
Metric ruler reference makes the physical size and natural variation of frozen strawberry pieces visible.
Close product view shows red colour, natural berry shape and visible surface frost; batch acceptance still follows the contracted written specification.
Raw Material and Processing Control
We select ripe processing strawberries by colour, maturity, firmness, aroma and defect condition. Incoming lots are checked for traceability, mould, decay, fermentation, insects, soil and other extraneous material. Calyx and stems are removed, and fruit is washed under controlled water and sanitation procedures.
After washing, surface water is reduced before freezing. This step matters because excessive retained water can increase frost and clumping. Whole or cut fruit then passes through the appropriate freezing program. Standard whole berries, halves, slices and dice are individually quick frozen; puree is pulped and handled under its own raw or pasteurized process.
Frozen product is sorted for colour, maturity, free-flow condition, damage and foreign material. We check weight, seal condition, code, carton marks and detection controls before frozen storage. Standard IQF strawberries are not normally blanched, juiced or moulded into silicone ice-cube trays.
Microbiological and Chemical Safety Specification
The following microbiological values are a practical starting program for raw IQF strawberries. Pasteurized puree uses a separate, tighter program. The final plan states the laboratory method, sampling frequency, number of units and destination requirement.
| Parameter | Raw IQF starting limit | COA / report note |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic plate count | ≤100,000 CFU/g | Numerical Actual Result by batch when included |
| Yeasts | ≤1,000 CFU/g | Method and reporting limit stated |
| Moulds | ≤1,000 CFU/g | Separate from visual mould defect inspection |
| Coliforms | <100 CFU/g | Destination method applies |
| E. coli | <10 CFU/g | Numerical result or below reporting limit |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g | Pathogen result tied to lot |
| Listeria monocytogenes | Absent in 25 g where contracted | Final criterion follows market and intended use |
| Lead / cadmium | Pb ≤0.10 mg/kg; Cd ≤0.030 mg/kg for EU-oriented supply | Maximum limits, not assumed batch results |
| Pesticide residues | Destination MRL list; EU default 0.01 mg/kg where no specific MRL exists | Active-substance panel and crop batch identified |
Separate Specification for Frozen Strawberry Puree
Puree must not inherit the whole-fruit size and defect table. We quote it as a single-strength ingredient with its own physical, chemical and microbial controls. A typical pasteurized frozen starting program is shown below.
| Field | Pasteurized puree starting specification | Application control |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient | 100% strawberry; processing aid declared if used | No hidden sugar or water |
| Brix / pH | ≥6.0°Bx; pH 3.0–4.0 | Supports formula and acidity review |
| Titratable acidity | 0.50–1.20% as citric acid | Measured with agreed endpoint |
| Screen | 0.3–0.6 mm | Controls seed/fibre texture |
| Total plate count | ≤300 CFU/ml | Pasteurized program only |
| Yeast / mould | Yeast ≤100 CFU/ml; mould ≤10 CFU/ml | Tighter than raw IQF fruit |
| Coliforms / E. coli | No growth under the contracted method | Method and reporting limit on COA |
Strawberry Raw-Material Inspection
We connect field or supplier-lot identification with incoming reception, processing date and finished-product batch. Raw fruit inspection focuses on ripeness, natural red colour, calyx condition, decay, mould, foreign matter and processing suitability.
The image shows general strawberry receiving and sorting evidence. It supports the raw-material control module, but it is not presented as a photograph of every order or a substitute for that batch's inspection record.
Actual strawberry washing equipment; washing is followed by draining, sorting, freezing and foreign-material control.
Batch COA and Traceability File
We prepare the batch COA around the signed specification. The specification column shows the acceptance limit; the Actual Result column shows the corresponding production-lot measurement. Where a numerical result exists, it is reported as a number or as below the laboratory reporting limit-not copied from the maximum limit.
Product form, size/cut, lot number, production date, best-before date, origin and packing.
Colour, flavour, free flow, defects, Brix, pH and contracted physical fields.
Microbiology plus scheduled residue, heavy-metal or other market-specific tests.
Packing list, invoice, certificate of origin, health or phytosanitary document where applicable, bill of lading and temperature records.
Manual sorting removes visible off-colour, damaged and non-conforming berries after freezing.
Packaging, MOQ and Export Planning
| Commercial field | Supply basis |
|---|---|
| Bulk packing | 1 × 10 kg PE liner/carton; 4 × 2.5 kg; 10 × 1 kg |
| Retail / foodservice | 20 × 500 g, 10 × 1 kg, 4 × 2.5 kg, or private-label project pack |
| MOQ | 12 metric tons for standard bulk; normally 15 metric tons for custom printed packing |
| Mixed loading | 3–5 metric tons per compatible frozen-fruit SKU, subject to pack and production plan |
| 20-foot reefer | Approximately 10–12 metric tons |
| 40-foot high-cube reefer | Approximately 20–24 metric tons |
| Lead time | Normally 15–25 days after specification, packing and order schedule are settled |
| Port / trade terms | Qingdao or contracted China port; FOB, CFR or CIF |
Application Matching
Use whole, halves or dice when fruit pieces enter the blender; use puree for pumpable dosing. Brix, pH, seed/fibre level and pack size matter more than visual whole-berry grade.
Select slices or halves for visible toppings, dice for inclusions and bits/puree for fillings. Define thickness, broken rate, drip loss and colour after the customer's heat process.
Dice, bits and puree support yogurt, ice cream and cultured-product lines. The order should define seed texture, acidity, pasteurization status and downstream kill step.
Whole 15–25 mm or 25–35 mm fruit gives a clear consumer-facing form. We review net weight, free flow, bag artwork, barcode, language and carton marks.
500 g, 1 kg and 2.5 kg packs reduce repeated handling. Whole and halves serve visual applications; pieces and puree provide economical yield for sauces and bases.
Bits, crumbles, block fruit or puree can reduce cost where perfect whole shape has no value. We still control colour, flavour, Brix, mould risk and foreign material.
Cold-Chain and Receiving Control
We hold and ship frozen strawberries at −18°C or below. Before dispatch, we review lot separation, carton condition, code, quantity, reefer cleanliness, set point and loading arrangement. The customer's receiving team should check seal, product identity, carton condition, temperature evidence and signs of thaw/refreeze damage.
Repeated temperature fluctuation can increase surface frost, clumping, soft texture and drip loss. A single air-temperature reading during open-door unloading does not define product condition by itself; the receiving decision should use product core condition, recorder history, inspection sample and contracted tolerance.
Temperature display evidence supports frozen handling; shipment release uses the corresponding order record.
General company certificate display. Applicable certificate copies and scope are supplied for the quoted facility; this is not a batch COA.
Private Label and Pallet Planning
For private-label supply, we review bag size, material structure, seal width, coding area, ingredient statement, nutrition basis, storage instruction, country of origin, barcode, label language and destination claims. Artwork approval is completed before printed material enters production.
Pallet use changes payload and airflow. We calculate carton dimensions, stacking pattern, pallet height, gross weight and container load together. Container quantities remain planning ranges until the exact packing and carrier payload are known.
Sample Approval and Industrial Trial Plan
We use sampling to turn a visual product request into a repeatable commercial standard. A sample should carry the product name, form, size, lot number, production date, storage requirement and ingredient declaration. The sample represents that lot; it does not remove natural crop variation or replace the signed specification for future production.
During approval, record the thawing method and inspection temperature. Whole strawberries can look acceptable while frozen but release excessive liquid, soften rapidly or reveal pale internal tissue after thawing. We recommend assessing frozen colour and free flow first, then checking aroma, flavour, internal colour, texture and drip under a controlled thawing procedure. The retained approved sample provides a sensory reference, while numerical limits and defined methods remain the contractual acceptance basis.
Record dosage, blending time, seed/fibre behaviour, Brix, pH, colour and settling after the customer's heat or filling process. Compare whole fruit, dice and puree on usable yield rather than price per kilogram alone.
Record slice or dice integrity, water release, colour migration and shape after baking, proofing or refrigerated holding. Define acceptable fines and broken material for the visible application.
Review acidity interaction, colour, particle distribution and flavour after culture, pasteurization or frozen-dessert processing. State whether the fruit ingredient needs a validated kill step before addition.
When the industrial trial is approved, we transfer the agreed fields into the sales specification and order file: product form, size/cut, grade, Brix, pH, defect tolerances, microbiological program, packing, label, pallet plan and documents. This reduces the risk of approving one form and receiving another commercial grade at shipment.
Receiving Inspection and Claim Evidence
At destination, receiving inspection should use a representative sampling plan rather than one carton selected from the container door. Record the container number, seal, arrival time, reefer setting, temperature information, pallet and carton condition, product code and the number of sampled units. Photographs should retain the carton label and lot identity whenever possible.
Frozen inspection covers free flow, clumps, frost, colour, size/cut, broken pieces, packaging leakage and foreign material. Controlled thawing then supports evaluation of aroma, flavour, texture, internal colour and drip. If a result is outside the agreed tolerance, isolate the affected lot and preserve unopened cartons, opened sample, temperature record, laboratory report and dated photographs. This evidence is more useful than a general description such as "soft fruit" or "poor quality."
| Receiving point | Evidence to retain | Decision value |
|---|---|---|
| Shipment identity | Container, seal, bill of lading, pallet and lot codes | Links the inspection to the delivered consignment |
| Frozen condition | Temperature record, core check where agreed, frost and clump photographs | Separates product defects from transport or handling events |
| Physical conformance | Sample weight, size readings, defect separation and scale photographs | Allows comparison with the contracted limit and method |
| Laboratory concern | Sealed sample chain, method, laboratory result and remaining retained product | Supports a batch-specific technical investigation |
Repeat-Order and Specification Change Control
Strawberry colour, firmness and Brix naturally move with cultivar, field, maturity and crop period. We control repeat orders through written tolerances and batch records rather than promising that every berry will look identical. If the origin, cultivar, factory, process, size distribution, packing material or test method changes, the commercial effect is reviewed before the new basis is used.
The traceability chain connects raw-material source and reception lot to processing date, production shift, packaging batch, finished-product code, cold-store position and shipment. For a complaint or withdrawal exercise, this structure supports backward review of raw fruit and production records and forward identification of the shipments that received the finished lot.
Your purchasing team should also compare total usable cost. A lower-priced mixed-size berry with 10% broken material can be more expensive for retail or visible dessert use than a contracted 25–35 mm grade with a 5% limit. For puree or jam, the same broken material may provide economical yield. We therefore match grade to application instead of applying the most expensive visual grade to every program.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes this offer suitable for a health-focused frozen range?
Our standard offer has one ingredient: strawberry. It contains no added sugar, syrup, colour, flavour or preservative, while naturally occurring sugars remain part of the fruit.
2. Which strawberry forms can you supply?
We supply whole berries, halves, 6–10 mm slices, 10 × 10 mm dice, bits/crumbles and frozen puree under form-specific specifications.
3. What whole-berry sizes are available?
Common ranges are 15–25 mm, 25–35 mm and mixed 15–35 mm. We can write another range into the order when crop and sorting capability permit.
4. What is the Brix range?
Unsweetened IQF strawberries normally use a 7–11°Bx starting range. Frozen puree starts from ≥6°Bx, while sweetened fruit requires a separate finished Brix.
5. Are sugar or preservatives added?
The standard IQF product is 100% strawberry without added water, sugar, syrup, colour or preservative. Any formulated version is separately declared.
6. What is the maximum broken rate?
Our Grade A commercial starting limit is ≤5% by weight for broken pieces. A tighter visible-fruit program can be quoted against sample and crop.
7. Is frozen strawberry puree an IQF product?
Not normally. Puree is a pumpable or block-frozen product and should not be called individually quick frozen unless its physical form genuinely supports that description.
8. What packing options are available?
Common packs include 1 × 10 kg, 4 × 2.5 kg, 10 × 1 kg and 20 × 500 g. We also prepare contracted foodservice and private-label packs.
9. What is the MOQ?
Standard bulk orders start from 12 metric tons. Custom printed packing normally starts from 15 metric tons, with mixed frozen-fruit loading discussed separately.
10. Can you provide a batch COA?
Yes. The COA can include lot identity, sensory results, Brix, pH and contracted microbiology. Actual Results represent the corresponding production batch.
11. Can residues and heavy metals be tested?
Yes. We align the panel with the destination market. EU-oriented starting limits include Pb ≤0.10 mg/kg and Cd ≤0.030 mg/kg for strawberries.
12. How should the product be stored and shipped?
Store and transport at −18°C or below. Avoid repeated thawing and refreezing because it can increase frost, clumping, soft texture and drip loss.
13. Can I order private-label frozen strawberries?
Yes. We review pouch, artwork, barcode, language, carton marks, pallet plan and destination requirements before packaging production.
14. What should I include in an RFQ?
Send form, size/cut, grade, defect limits, Brix, pack, quantity, application, destination port, private-label needs, documents and delivery window.
Request a Comparable Frozen Strawberry Quotation
Tell us whether you need whole IQF strawberries, halves, slices, dice, bits or puree. Include size, Brix, defect limits, packing, quantity, destination, application, private-label requirement, document list and target shipment date.
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Technical specification · reference schedule
IQF Frozen Strawberries
We review the selected form, grade, process and packing against the technical schedule below. Published and TDS values are specification references for order review. External benchmarks apply only within their stated scope. Acceptance is governed by the signed SKU specification; the identified lot COA reports actual measured results.
01 / Physical & Sensory
| Parameter | Specification / reference | Verification & order basis |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name - Starting specification | Fragaria × ananassaPublished reference | Check raw-material identity and variety/source declaration against the ordered programme. Programme: Starting specification. |
| Origin / varieties - Starting specification | China; Sweet Charlie, Hongyan and contracted processing cultivarsPublished reference | Confirm method, representative sample and acceptance basis in the signed specification. Programme: Starting specification. |
| Colour - Starting specification | Natural red to deep red, characteristic of ripe fruitPublished reference | Compare with the approved sensory reference using the stated frozen/thawed/prepared condition. Programme: Starting specification. |
| Flavour / odour - Starting specification | Characteristic strawberry; no fermented, musty or other off notePublished reference | Compare with the approved sensory reference using the stated frozen/thawed/prepared condition. Programme: Starting specification. |
| Squashed / misshapen whole fruit - Grade A commercial starting limit | ≤3.0% by weightPublished reference | Visual definition agreed with reference. Programme: Grade A commercial starting limit. |
| Clearly discoloured / oxidized fruit - Grade A commercial starting limit | ≤2.0% by weightPublished reference | Frozen and thawed visual review. Programme: Grade A commercial starting limit. |
| Style-specific measurement | For solid cuts, report each required dimension and the in-size fraction; for minced material, report particle distribution; for moulded puree or portions, report unit mass and refining grade separately. | Apply the measurement method to the selected physical style; do not use a portion weight as a solid-cut dimension. |
| Sensory acceptance | Characteristic colour, flavour and texture for the declared product; no abnormal odour or visibly deteriorated material.External reference Codex | Compare an identified frozen sample with the approved grade and defect schedule. External technical reference; confirm SKU and market applicability. |
02 / Physicochemical & Residue Controls
| Parameter | Specification / reference | Verification & order basis |
|---|---|---|
| Brix - Starting specification | 7.0–11.0°BxPublished reference | Measure representative prepared sample with a temperature-compensated refractometer. Programme: Starting specification. |
| pH - Starting specification | 3.0–4.0Published reference | Use calibrated pH meter or titration on the stated sample preparation. Programme: Starting specification. |
| Lead / cadmium - Raw IQF starting limit | Pb ≤0.10 mg/kg; Cd ≤0.030 mg/kg for EU-oriented supplyPublished reference | Use a validated analytical method for this matrix; report sample basis, unit, preparation and lot result. Programme: Raw IQF starting limit. Published commercial target; verify current destination limits, edible-part basis and any processing factor before approval. |
| Pesticide residues - Raw IQF starting limit | Destination MRL list; EU default 0.01 mg/kg where no specific MRL existsPublished reference | Use a validated analytical method for this matrix; report sample basis, unit, preparation and lot result. Programme: Raw IQF starting limit. |
| Thaw yield / drip loss | For a drip-sensitive grade, define thawing conditions, draining apparatus and duration before setting a numerical target. | Record initial sample mass and drained liquid mass; drip loss (%) = 100 × drained liquid mass / initial sample mass. |
| Pesticide residue schedule | Named active ingredients and commodity-specific limits are selected for the destination market. EU source | Link farm spray history, laboratory LOQ and batch result to the destination MRL. EU database is one market reference; apply the actual destination rule. |
| Lead, cadmium and other contaminants | Apply the limit for the exact commodity and processed form in the destination market. EU source | State analyte, preparation basis, method, LOQ and lot result. Do not transfer a fresh-commodity limit to a processed form without the required assessment. |
03 / Microbiological Criteria
| Parameter | Specification / reference | Verification & order basis |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic plate count - Raw IQF starting limit | ≤100,000 CFU/gPublished reference | Report the named organism, analytical method, sample mass, sampling plan and lot result; use CFU/g for enumeration and a stated mass for detection. Programme: Raw IQF starting limit. |
| Yeasts - Raw IQF starting limit | ≤1,000 CFU/gPublished reference | Report the named organism, analytical method, sample mass, sampling plan and lot result; use CFU/g for enumeration and a stated mass for detection. Programme: Raw IQF starting limit. |
| Moulds - Raw IQF starting limit | ≤1,000 CFU/gPublished reference | Report the named organism, analytical method, sample mass, sampling plan and lot result; use CFU/g for enumeration and a stated mass for detection. Programme: Raw IQF starting limit. |
| Coliforms - Raw IQF starting limit | <100 CFU/gPublished reference | Report the named organism, analytical method, sample mass, sampling plan and lot result; use CFU/g for enumeration and a stated mass for detection. Programme: Raw IQF starting limit. |
| E. coli - Raw IQF starting limit | <10 CFU/gPublished reference | Report the named organism, analytical method, sample mass, sampling plan and lot result; use CFU/g for enumeration and a stated mass for detection. Programme: Raw IQF starting limit. |
| Salmonella - Raw IQF starting limit | Absent in 25 gPublished reference | Report the named organism, analytical method, sample mass, sampling plan and lot result; use CFU/g for enumeration and a stated mass for detection. Programme: Raw IQF starting limit. |
| Listeria monocytogenes - Raw IQF starting limit | Absent in 25 g where contractedPublished reference | Report the named organism, analytical method, sample mass, sampling plan and lot result; use CFU/g for enumeration and a stated mass for detection. Programme: Raw IQF starting limit. |
| Enteric-virus risk programme | For a direct-consumption berry programme, assess hepatitis A and norovirus controls and any buyer-required verification. FDA | Use an appropriate validated method and sampling plan; support testing with farm, worker and water hygiene controls. FDA prevention guidance is a risk-control reference; it does not assign a universal numerical batch limit. |
| Acceptance schedule | Select the test panel and limits by intended use (ready-to-eat or further processing), product form and destination. EU source | State organism, analytical method, sample mass and n/c plan; report actual lot results. A universal APC, coliform, Salmonella or Listeria limit is not assigned to every frozen product. |
04 / Freezing & Cold Chain
| Parameter | Specification / reference | Verification & order basis |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen storage and transport | ≤−18 °CTDS reference | Product core check and logger record. Selected form and grade must match this TDS reference. Applies to: Frozen Strawberry frozen formats. |
| Frozen condition - Starting specification | Free-flowing, firm in frozen state, without excessive surface icePublished reference | Confirm method, representative sample and acceptance basis in the signed specification. Programme: Starting specification. |
| Shelf life / storage - Starting specification | 24 months at −18°C or below, unopenedPublished reference | Verify unopened-pack validation, declared storage condition and production/best-before coding. Programme: Starting specification. |
| Separation & loose-ice assessment | Keep inherent moisture, loose ice and permanently frozen clusters as separate inspection categories. | Weigh separated loose ice and welded clusters against initial sample mass; distinguish natural paired pieces or blocks. |
| Product thermal centre | −18°C or colder after freezing and thermal stabilization; maintain the agreed frozen distribution condition.External reference Codex | Probe the thickest representative pack and retain storage/transport temperature records. Codex quick-frozen reference; selected product form and route must be frozen. |
| Frozen condition at dispatch | Hard frozen, correctly sealed and coded, without thaw/refreeze evidence or excessive loose ice. Codex | Check pack integrity, free-flow or block condition as declared, carton condition and loading temperature. |
05 / Pack Size & Shelf Life
| Parameter | Specification / reference | Verification & order basis |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk packing | 1 × 10 kg PE liner/carton; 4 × 2.5 kg; 10 × 1 kgPublished reference | Check approved pack drawing, calibrated scale and production records. |
| Declared net contents | Verify each selected pack format against the artwork and applicable quantity-control rule. Codex | Calibrated checkweigher or scale; defined sample and tare. |
| Shelf-life basis | The labelled period applies only to its validated pack and continuous stated storage condition. Codex | Review stability study or approved shelf-life file and production-date code. |
06 / Process Controls
| Parameter | Specification / reference | Verification & order basis |
|---|---|---|
| Raw-material preparation checks | Separate unsweetened IQF, syrup-packed fruit, puree and freeze-dried styles; hull before the declared processing route. | Verify the selected product flow and the relevant trimming, sorting and pretreatment record. |
| CCP designation | Use the site-approved HACCP plan to identify true CCPs and their validated critical limits. Codex | Check hazard analysis, monitoring, deviation and corrective-action records. A quality-control step is not automatically a CCP. |
07 / Ingredients, Additives & Allergens
| Parameter | Specification / reference | Verification & order basis |
|---|---|---|
| Added glaze / coating declaration | Declare any intentionally added water glaze, syrup, oil or coating and the measurement basis; loose ice is assessed separately. | Verify formula/addition records; agree a deglazing or coating test and net-content basis where applicable. |
| Ingredient statement | 100% strawberry; processing aid declared if usedTechnical control | Compare approved formula, product label and supplier bill of materials. Published product statement; verify final commercial formula. |
| Additive use | Declare any colour-protection agent, acidulant or other additive by ingredient and maximum permitted use for the target market. NHC standard | Check approved formula, actual addition record and market-specific additive category. GB 2760-2024 applies to China; export rules are checked separately. |
| Allergen and cross-contact assessment | Declare inherent allergens and assess shared-line cross-contact from the actual facility schedule. FDA | Review line matrix, cleaning validation and buyer label approval. Do not claim a shared-line allergen or allergen-free status without facility evidence. |
08 / Defects & Foreign Matter
| Parameter | Specification / reference | Verification & order basis |
|---|---|---|
| Broken pieces - Grade A commercial starting limit | ≤5.0% by weightPublished reference | Separate and weigh from frozen sample. Programme: Grade A commercial starting limit. |
| Clumped units - Grade A commercial starting limit | ≤2.0% by weightPublished reference | Units not separable by gentle hand pressure. Programme: Grade A commercial starting limit. |
| Mould / decay - Grade A commercial starting limit | Not detected in inspection samplePublished reference | Escalate and investigate if observed. Programme: Grade A commercial starting limit. |
| Foreign material / insects / stones - Grade A commercial starting limit | AbsentPublished reference | Sorting, detection and sample inspection. Programme: Grade A commercial starting limit. |
| Stalks or stalk parts: Codex reference tolerance | ≤3 stalks or parts each >3 mm in one dimension count per 500 g drained fruitExternal reference Codex | Thaw until practically free of ice crystals; drain on a 3 mesh/cm (8 mesh/inch) screen for two minutes; assess 500 g drained fruit. Recover specified plant material from drained syrup; wash off post-freezing dry sugar before draining whole berries. Codex reference for quick-frozen Fragaria grandiflora L. or Fragaria vesca L. offered for direct consumption. Puree, freeze-dried fruit and products intended for further industrial processing are excluded. |
| Blemished fruit: Codex reference tolerance | ≤5 % m/m of drained fruitExternal reference Codex | Thaw until practically free of ice crystals; drain on a 3 mesh/cm (8 mesh/inch) screen for two minutes; assess 500 g drained fruit. Recover specified plant material from drained syrup; wash off post-freezing dry sugar before draining whole berries. Codex reference for quick-frozen Fragaria grandiflora L. or Fragaria vesca L. offered for direct consumption. Puree, freeze-dried fruit and products intended for further industrial processing are excluded. |
| Dissimilar varieties: Codex reference tolerance | ≤6 % m/m of drained fruitExternal reference Codex | Thaw until practically free of ice crystals; drain on a 3 mesh/cm (8 mesh/inch) screen for two minutes; assess 500 g drained fruit. Recover specified plant material from drained syrup; wash off post-freezing dry sugar before draining whole berries. Codex reference for quick-frozen Fragaria grandiflora L. or Fragaria vesca L. offered for direct consumption. Puree, freeze-dried fruit and products intended for further industrial processing are excluded. |
| Intrinsic defect classification | Calyx/stem, white immature tissue, mould, damaged fruit and excessive broken pieces. | Record each defect class separately by count or mass; state sample size, denominator and combined-limit rules. |
| Hazardous foreign matter | No foreign matter detected in the defined inspection sample; reject and investigate any finding.External reference Codex | Define visual-inspection sample size and detector challenge in the signed quality schedule. "None detected" is a sampling statement, not an absolute guarantee of zero particles. |
09 / Packaging Materials & Label
| Parameter | Specification / reference | Verification & order basis |
|---|---|---|
| Food-contact pack | Specify inner-contact material and obtain the applicable food-contact compliance declaration. NHC standard | Review film structure, supplier DoC, migration evidence and actual intended conditions. GB 4806 series is China-specific; EU export also checks Regulations 1935/2004 and 10/2011. |
| Carton and seal integrity | Define carton stacking strength, bag seal and puncture resistance for the confirmed net weight and pallet plan. EU source | Inspect pack drawing, compression/seal test and shipment configuration. |
| Label verification | Match product name, ingredient/allergen statement, net weight, lot/date, shelf life and storage instruction to the destination artwork. Codex | Approve artwork against the signed specification and destination rules. |
10 / Detection & Traceability
| Parameter | Specification / reference | Verification & order basis |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign-body detector | Validate Fe, non-Fe and stainless-steel challenge pieces for the actual product, aperture, pack and line; record the proven sensitivity. Codex | Challenge at defined start, changeover, interval and end points; retain rejection records. Do not copy generic detector sizes into a plant capability claim. |
| Lot traceability | Link input source lot, processing run, packaging code, test records, frozen storage and shipment to one finished lot. Codex | Trace one sample lot forward and backward in a recorded mock recall. Recall speed is stated only when the site has a validated target and record. |
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Frozen Strawberry Package
