Tanzania has issued new quality and safety standards for dehydrated garlic intended for human consumption, covering products such as garlic flakes and dried garlic powder, under DEAS 1341: 2026.
Tanzania Sets New Safety Rules for Dried Garlic
Importers and producers must meet strict quality and labeling standards for flakes and powder.
What changed
Mandatory quality and safety criteria established for all dehydrated garlic products.
Specific sampling and test methods must be used to verify compliance.
Labeling requirements are enforced for flakes, slices and powder.
Who it affects
Importers of dried vegetables under HS code 071290 must ensure products meet the new standard.
Producers of garlic flakes and powder must adhere to defined sampling methods.
What to do
Review the draft standard DEAS 1341: 2026.
Submit feedback to the TBT and SPS committees.
Key dates
Compliance Analysis: Kenya’s Regulatory Framework for Dehydrated Garlic Intended for Human Consumption
Kenya does not currently have a standalone national standard specifically governing dehydrated garlic (e.g., garlic flakes, powder) for human consumption. However, Kenya is a member of the East African Community (EAC) and adopts East African Standards (EAS) as national standards under the East African Community Customs Union (Common External Tariff) Order, 2005 and the Standards Act, Cap. 496 of Kenya. The Draft East African Standard (DEAS) 1341: 2026—Dehydrated garlic (Allium sativum L.) — Specification—applies in Kenya as an EAC harmonized standard and is enforceable under Kenyan law once published as a final East African Standard (EAS).
Below is a structured compliance summary based exclusively on DEAS 1341: 2026 and its referenced ISO methods, as these are the only relevant regulatory sources for Kenya in this context.
1. Scope and Applicability
DEAS 1341: 2026 specifies requirements, sampling, and test methods for dehydrated garlic intended for human consumption, including:
- Dehydrated garlic slices
- Dehydrated garlic flakes
- Dehydrated garlic grits
- Dehydrated garlic powder1
The standard applies to all dehydrated garlic products marketed, imported, or manufactured in Kenya as part of the EAC harmonized standards regime1.
2. Key Compliance Requirements
2.1 General Requirements
Dehydrated garlic must comply with the following sensory and safety criteria1:
| Requirement | Description | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Must have the characteristic colour of the cultivar used—between white and pale cream. | 1, 4.1.1(a) |
| Odour | Must have a characteristic, pungent odour; free from foreign odours (e.g., mouldy, rancid, fermented, burnt). | 1, 4.1.1(c) |
| Flavour | Must be characteristic of parboiled garlic; free from foreign flavours (e.g., mouldy, rancid, fermented, burnt). | 1, 4.1.1(d) |
| Physical Contaminants | Must be free from live insects and practically free from dead insects, insect fragments, and rodent contamination visible to the naked eye. | 1, 4.1.1(e) |
| Scorched/Toasted Particles | Must be practically free from scorched, toasted, or baked particles. | 1, 4.1.1(b) |
2.2 Specific Physicochemical Requirements
Dehydrated garlic must meet the following quantitative limits1, 2:
| Characteristic | Requirement (Max/Min) | Test Method | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture content | ≤ 8% (m/m) | ISO 939 | 1, Table 1(i) |
| Total ash (dry basis) | ≤ 5.5% (m/m) | ISO 928 | 1, Table 1(ii) |
| Acid-insoluble ash (dry basis) | ≤ 0.5% (m/m) | ISO 930 | 1, Table 1(iii) |
| Volatile organic sulfur compounds (dry basis) | ≥ 0.3% (m/m) | ISO 556 | 1, Table 1(iv) |
| Cold water soluble extract (dry basis) | ≥ 70% (m/m) | ISO 941 | 1, Table 1(v) |
| Extraneous matter | ≤ 0.5% | ISO 927 | 1, Table 1(vi) |
> Note: "Extraneous matter" is defined as vegetable matter originating exclusively from plants, such as particles from skins and roots2, 3.2.
2.3 Contaminant Limits
Dehydrated garlic must comply with maximum residue limits (MRLs) for:
| Contaminant | Limit | Reference Standard | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pesticide residues | Must not exceed Codex MRLs for garlic | Codex Alimentarius | 1, 5.1 |
| Heavy metals | Must not exceed CODEX STAN 193 limits | CODEX STAN 193 | 1, 5.2 |
| Aflatoxins | Total aflatoxin: ≤ 10 μg/kg Aflatoxin B1: ≤ 5 μg/kg | ISO 16050 | 1, 5.3 |
2.4 Packaging Requirements
- Dehydrated garlic must be packed in food-grade containers that preserve product integrity and safety1, 6.
- Containers must protect the product from moisture, contamination, and physical damage.
2.5 Labelling Requirements
In addition to the general labelling requirements under EAS 38, each container of dehydrated garlic must be legibly and indelibly labelled with the following information1, 7:
| Labelling Element | Requirement | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Product name | "Dehydrated garlic" | 1, 7(a) |
| Form of presentation | Specify: slices, flakes, grits, or powder | 1, 7(b) |
| Manufacturer/packer details | Name and physical address | 1, 7(c) |
| Batch/code number | Unique identifier | 1, 7(d) |
| Manufacture date | Date of production | 1, 7(e) |
| Best-before date | Expiry or "best before" date | 1, 7(e) |
| Net weight | Quantity in metric units | 1, 7(f) |
| Country of origin | Country where product was manufactured | 1, 7(g) |
| Instructions for use | Clear usage instructions | 1, 7(h) |
| Storage conditions | Recommended storage conditions | 1, 7(h) |
2.6 Sampling and Testing
- Sampling must be conducted in accordance with ISO 9481, 8.
- All test methods referenced (e.g., ISO 939, ISO 928, ISO 556) are mandatory for compliance verification1, Table 1.
3. Enforcement and Legal Status in Kenya
- DEAS 1341: 2026 is a Draft East African Standard and will become binding in Kenya once published as a final East African Standard (EAS) by the East African Standards Committee (EASC).
- Enforcement is conducted by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) under the Standards Act, Cap. 496, which adopts EAC standards as Kenyan national standards.
- Non-compliance may result in product seizure, import bans, or legal action under Kenyan consumer protection and food safety laws.
4. Summary Answer
Kenya regulates dehydrated garlic (e.g., flakes, powder) under the Draft East African Standard DEAS 1341: 2026, which sets mandatory sensory, physicochemical, contaminant, packaging, and labelling requirements. Key compliance thresholds include:
- Moisture content ≤ 8%, total ash ≤ 5.5%, acid-insoluble ash ≤ 0.5%, and volatile sulfur compounds ≥ 0.3%1.
- Aflatoxin limits: total ≤ 10 μg/kg, B1 ≤ 5 μg/kg1.
- Labelling must include product name, form, manufacturer details, batch number, dates, net weight, country of origin, and storage instructions1.
- Sampling and testing must follow ISO 948 and referenced ISO methods1.
- Once finalized as an EAS, DEAS 1341: 2026 will be enforceable in Kenya by KEBS under the Standards Act, Cap. 4961.
All requirements are grounded exclusively in the provided EAC sources2, 1. No additional Kenyan-specific regulations for dehydrated garlic were identified in the provided materials.
Sources
- ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-02423 — Uganda https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/UGA/26_02423_00_e.pdf
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-02424 — Uganda https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/UGA/26_02424_00_e.pdf