We have high level of traceability. The end product is marked with a lot number. This number represents a lot worked on a particular day. Multiple lots may originate from a single batch. Each batch is one truck load varying from 6 to 10 MT. One batch contains multiple suppliers of a particular area of raw cashew procurement. Thus a lot number can be traced to the area of origin.

D1,D2,D3: Represents the various raw cashew nut dealer of a particular area. Each individual dealers goods are separately checked for defects and impurities. They arrive in a single truck and are dried in a particular drying yard and shifted to a particular warehouse with batch tags which is recorded.

B1: Represents a particular batch. It will have mixed set of dealers of a particular area. The batch will be processed over a period of 3 to 7 days.

L1,L2,L3: Each processing day is given a lot number at the beginning of the process. This number is carried till the end to the finished product.

This system gives a good control as well as efficiency in maintaining the traceability.

Measures to keep food safe from various contamination, decay are integrated in the system. Primarily cashew kernels should be free from pathogens and chemicals that can cause injury to the consumer. Also it should be free from foreign objects like metal, paper, plastic etc.

Each process, the location, the people etc have been analysed for various safety requirements. Hazards at these points have been identified. These hazards are eliminated to the extend possible. Certain hazards may not be eliminated to full extent. Such points have procedures and measures to continuously monitor and control these hazards.

Our systems continuously improve by changing and correcting the systems as and when required.

Hygiene is an integral part of all food industry. At Subaya's we have identified 3 critical factors

a.) Machines and equipments in contact with the cashew kernels.

b.) People who are in contact with the cashew kernels.

c.) Other objects like clothes, cleaning equipments, building flooring etc. that are indirectly in the presence of the food.

Each category has defined processes and procedures that are followed and recorded. Periodical cleaning, check ups are a routine procedure at Subraya.

At Subraya we believe in providing 'Clean, Crisp, Cashewnut' to the world and that is why we have designed a processing system which monitors and fixes all aspects concerning food quality. Our end product is inspected for quality internally as well as by various independent inspection agencies before being dispatched, therefore ensuring the least risk to the customer.

The various internal checks involve -

1) Specification check - The grades are checked for their count, next lower grade, next lower scorched grade, brokens, testa adhering to the cashew nut kernels etc

2) Taste check - checked for taste and odour

3) Infestation - Check for live, dead insects and larvae inside the hollow of the kernels.

4) Clumping - After packing of the products in the pouches they are stacked for few days and randomly opened to check clumping.

5) Foreign bodies - Deep inspection is conducted to investigate any contamination by foreign bodies in the cashew nut kernels.

Shipping Specifications:

The overall dimensions of a carton are about:

India is the largest producer and exporter of cashew kernels in the world. Over 65 per cent of the world export of cashew kernels is accounted for by India. Indian cashews are consumed in as many as 60 countries all over the world, the major markets being the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Germany Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and Middle East countries. The Indian cashew kernel is well acclaimed for its good quality, taste and appearance.

Members of the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India, who are manufacturers and exporters of cashew kernels are the major sources for cashews from India. Indian cashews are available with prominent importers in USA, Canada, Japan, the Middle East, Singapore, Australia, U.K. and other EEC countries.

There are regular shipping facilities from India to all ports of the world. Major shipments from India take place through Cochin port. Other ports are Tuticorin, Mangalore, Madras and Bombay.

Regular services of container ships are available from Indian ports on India-USA, India-UK/Continent, India-Australia, India-Japan, India-Middle East and India-Singapore routes.

Technical Requirements for Cashew Kernels :

The following are some of the typical technical requirements of cashew kernels that are traded in the various parts of the world. The kernels should be dry and should have the characteristic shape. While depending on the grade they can be either scorched or unscorched, wholes or broken, they should be free from oil (CNSL) and the think outer skin.

Cashew kernels should be completely free from living insects, moulds, from rodent contamination and insect damage Cashew kernels should have natural smell, and should be free of rancid or any other unnatural smell.

Moisture content: The cashew kernels should have moisture content not greater than 5% by weight.

Cashew Kernel Preservation

Cashew kernels should be preserved in a dry clean place, far from heat resource. The storage of preservation should be closed, dry clean, free from foreign smell, no insect, rodents.

Exports of cashew kernels from India are normally subject to voluntary quality control and pre-shipment inspection. Inspection of cashews is being conducted under the consignment-wise inspection. It is ensured that the product is processed and packed as per the standards prescribed, by drawing samples from the finished product. Export of roasted and salted cashew kernels are also normally subjected to voluntary quality control.

Cashew kernels in bulk are packed in four gallon prime tins with a net weight of 11.34 Kg (Or 25 lbs) in each tin. The filled tins are then vacuumised and filled with carbon-di-oxide gas and sealed. Two such tins of the same grade are packed in a carton for export. The net weight of each carton is thus 22.68 Kg. (50 lbs.).

Some manufacturers also pack in tins of 10kg net to suit the requirements of buyers in certain markets. Recently, some exporters have started using flexible packs instead of tins as many buyers opt for new generation flexible packs.