Lentils are a high-protein pulse that is dried and then soaked and cooked before eating. Lentils vary in size, and are sold in many forms, with or without the skins, whole or split. Canada is now the world’s largest exporter of lentils to the global marketplace, selling to over 100 countries each year. The most commonly grown lentils are the large green “Laird” and the red lentil.

 

Types of Red Lentils

Whole Red Lentils : Whole Red Lentils are 1/2 cm wide with a mild, earthy flavor and soft texture. These lentils are crimson, which is a deep orange-red color. Whole Red Lentils have traditionally been used as a meat substitute.

Parameter	Requirements	Comments /  Variation
Physical Characteristics	The Lentils shall be hard and well filled
Purity	99% min. by weight	Whole Lentils, defective Lentils and seed coats
Moisture	14% max	—-
Defective Seeds	Container: 3% max by weight	Lentils not of the specified variety. Lentil kernels that are broken, heat damaged, hail damaged, insect damaged, frosted, shrivelled, split, chipped, sprouted, affected by mould (field or storage). Includes pods that contain Lentils, whether broken or unbroken and loose seed coat.
	Bulk ship: 5% max by weight
Varietal Restriction	1% max by weight	Lentils not of the specified variety.
Poor color	1% max by weight	Discoloured Lentils have excessive discolouration of the seed coat as per the Pulse Australia Lentil Photographic Charts. Includes disease, frost and water staining.
Screen size	Aldinga – 2.2mm slotted hole	If whole lentils fall through then classed defective. All material that passes through screen is part of defective or foreign material as applicable.
	All other varieties – 2 mm slotted hole
Foreign Material	1% max by weight	Unmilliable material and all vegetable matter other than Lentil seed material.
Unmillable Material	0.1% max by weight	Soil, stones, metals and non-vegetable matter.
Field insects	One (1) max.	Dead per 200 g sample

Decorticated Whole Red Lentils (Also known as: Footballs) : The Red Footballs are also made from the Whole Red Lentil. The skin is removed from the lentil, leaving the inside portion of the seed whole (not split). The result is a beautiful intact, reddish-orange polished product.

 

Split Red Lentils (Also known as: Lentille, Masoor, Mercimek) : Split red lentils are made from splitting the whole red lentil. The skin is removed and the remaining reddish-orange seed is then split into two halves. A product of Canada, and among the best in the world known for quality.

Parameter	Requirements	Comments/ Variation
Physical Characteristics	Good colour lentils: Split lentils having a clean and bright appearance. The lentils shall be milled from hard and well-filled whole red lentil seed.
Purity	99.75% min. by weight	Split lentils, whole Lentils and caps.
Moisture	14% max	—-
Foreign Material	0.25% max by weight	Unmilliable material (i.e. includes soil, stones, metals and non-vegetable matter) and all vegetable matter other than Lentil seed material including detached seed coats.
Poor colour	0.25% max by weight	Kernel that is distinctly off colour from the characteristic colour of the predominating class. Includes lentils that are brown, black, green and / or yellow.
Chalky white disease	0.25% max by weight	———
Caps	0.25% max by weight	Caps are those seed coats adhering to split or broken see measured as a combined weight.
Dehulled whole lentils	5% max by weight	——
Broken and /or kibble lentils	5% max by weight	Lentil seed material that passes through a round hole screen. Northfield = 2.87mm; all other varieties = 3mm
Screen size	Northfield = 2.78mm round hole	Lentil material broken or kibble if falls through.
	All other varieties – 3 mm round hole
Field insects	Nil tolerance	Dead per 200 g sample
Foreign seeds	2 cereal seeds max.	Cereal seeds exception only.

Technical Specifications for WHOLE AND SPLIT RED LENTILS

PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

ANALYTICAL REQUIREMENTS

Size	Min. 4 – 6 mm. As per contractual agreement
Varieties (only if required)	As per contractual agreement
Organoleptic characteristic	Bright and clear appearance, Normal smell and colour. It will be free of mould, infestation and abnormal flavour and/or taste, odour and smell
Moisture	14% max.
Visually rotten	Nil
Decayed kernels	4% max.
White lentils in red lentils	2% max.
Presence of Datura seeds and other toxic grains (Crotolaria spp., Agrostemma githago L., Ricinus communis L.) or traces of tropane alkaloids	Nil
Weed, fungal/mould growth or yeast (visual inspection)	Nil
Total Foreign matter (including other seeds, stones and dust)	1% max.
Weevilled / holed / insect damaged grain	1% max.
Vetches	0.1% max.
Live insects	Nil
Dead insects, including parts, stages and waste	2 max. per kg
Microbiology Salmonella Aflatoxin total Aflatoxin B1 Ochratoxin total	Absent in 25g sample 4 ppb max. 2 ppb max (tested ONLY if total Aflatoxin > 4 ppb) 5 ppb max.
Heavy metals Lead Cadmium	0.2 ppm max. 0.1 ppm max.
Presence of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)	Nil
Radioactive residues/elements	Nil
Cooking time	30 minutes without prior pre-soaking
Production	Crop year to be indicated
Brand	To be indicated
Origin	To be indicated

Additional country-specific specifications

WHOLE RED LENTILS

Peeled, split and broken	3.5% max.
Discoloured grains	0.1% max.
Total damaged grain	3.5% max.
Inorganic material	0.2% max.

RED SPLIT LENTILS

Broken in split lentils (smaller than 75% average size)	0.5% maximum
Other variety	2% max.
Unhusked grain	1% max.
Discoloured grains	1% max.
Total damaged grain	2% maximum
Chalky grains	1% max.

General Information
Product Name	Red Lentil Whole
Country of Origin	India
Type of Packaging	Paper Bag/ As per requirement
Packaging weight	25 Kg/ As per requirement
Ingredients	Red Lentil Whole, sorted and cleaned with optical sorter
Sensorial Parameters
Appearance	Uniform
Colour	Red
Smell	No off odour
Taste	Typical, characteristic
Physical Parameters
Shrunken and Immature	≤ 2%
Live/Dead Infestation	Nil
Broken grain	≤ 2%
Foreign matter	≤ 0.01%
Damage, Discolor	≤ 2%
Foreign grains	≤ 0.01%
Weevilled Grains	≤ 2%
Stones	Nil
Split Grains	≤ 3%
Other	Nil
Chemical Parameters
Moisture	≤ 14%
Gluten	Gluten free (As per USDA/EU regulations)
Pesticide Residue	As per USDA/EU regulations
Contains GMO	No
GMO declaration	Yes
Storage Conditions
Temperature	Ambient temperature not to be exposed to sunlight. Cool temperature less than 22 degree Celsius is preferred for a long storage.
Other conditions	Must be stored in cool and dry area on pallets.

Split Grains	≤ 3%
Other	Nil
Chemical Parameters
Moisture	≤ 14%
Gluten	Gluten free (As per USDA/EU regulations)
Pesticide Residue	As per USDA/EU regulations
Contains GMO	No
GMO declaration	Yes
Storage Conditions
Temperature	Ambient temperature not to be exposed to sunlight. Cool temperature less than 22 degree Celsius is preferred for a long storage.
Other conditions	Must be stored in cool and dry area on pallets.

Mycotoxins

Product is routinely checked for Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin and it complies with the regulations of the destination country.

 

GM declaration

To the best of our knowledge this product is non-GM and does not contain GM processing agents.

 

Allergens statement

Free of any known Allergens.

 

Shelf life

Products are supplied with a minimum of 12 months to recommended shelf life (shown on product label) when stored sealed in original packaging under proper storage conditions. To maintain the product in best condition it is advisable to protect it from exposure to pests and extremes of moisture, light and temperature.

• Red Lentils consist of Polyphenols. Polyphenols are active compounds that fight against various bad agents in the body. They protect you from ultraviolet rays, radiation, heart disease, cancer so on, and so forth.
• They are rich in proteins. Protein deficiency is sometimes found in vegans and vegetarians. Eating lentils is a good source of protein for your body.
• Red lentils are also a good source of Iron. Iron is essential for keeping oxygen pumping throughout your body.
• Red lentils are also a very good source of fiber. Fiber is essential to maintain a good digestive system and also useful for weight loss.

 

Health Benefits of Red Lentils

• Lower Cholesterol: Lentils help to reduce blood cholesterol since it contains high levels of soluble fiber. Lowering your cholesterol levels reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke by keeping your arteries clean
• Heart Health: Several studies have shown that eating high fiber foods like lentils reduces your risk of heart disease. Lentils are also a great source of folate and magnesium, which are big contributors to heart health. Folate lowers your homocysteine levels, a serious risk factor for heart disease. Magnesium improves blood flow, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Low levels of magnesium have been directly associated with heart disease, so eating lentils will keep your heart happy!
• Digestive Health: Insoluble dietary fiber found in lentils helps prevent constipation and other digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.
• Stabilized Blood Sugar: Adding to the many benefits of fiber, soluble fiber traps carbohydrates, slowing down digestion and stabilizing blood sugar levels. This can be especially helpful for those with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia.
• Good Protein: Of all legumes and nuts, lentils contain the third-highest levels of protein. 26 percent of lentil’s calories are attributed to protein, which makes them a wonderful source of protein for vegetarians and vegans.

Increases Energy : Lentils increase steady, slow-burning energy due its fiber and complex carbohydrates. Lentils are also a good source of iron,

• which transports oxygen throughout your body and is key to energy production and metabolism.
• Weight Loss: Although lentils include all these beneficial nutrients like fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins, they are still low in calories and contain virtually no fat. One cup of cooked lentils only contains about 230 calories, but still leaves you feeling full and satisfied.
• Special remarks The content of this specification is based on typical information for this product and results obtained from our own due diligence sampling, assessment, and testing protocols, in addition to any testing/sampling that has been undertaken by our supplier. 

  However, due to the nature of this product, which is not completely homogenous, test results are indicative / referral and may not be entirely representative of the product throughout the lot. In addition, the content of this Specification does not confirm or ensure that the product is safe for all intended uses.

   

  Our quality and technical documentation does not relieve the customer of their responsibilities to check that the goods supplied are suitable and considered safe for their intended use before purchase. The data provided is for information only.

   

  Any other mandatory requirements will be complying to the respective regulations of the destination country.

   

  GENERAL DISCLAIMER

  The information provided in this Product Specification Sheet relates only to the specific product designated and may not be applicable when such product is used in combination with other materials or in any process. Analytical criteria are tested either on each batch or monitored or guaranteed, based on the Product Risk Analysis. For each batch, the status of the analysis may be indicated in the Certificate of Analysis. All information and instructions provided in this Product Specification Sheet are based on the current state of

• our knowledge at the latest revision date indicated. Typical values are made available to the purchaser on an informational basis. No warranty, whether expressed or implied, or guarantee of those values is intended or implied. The ultimate use of this Product in any finished product is the responsibility of the purchaser. This Product may have restrictions with respect to its use and/or usage levels, and such may vary on a country-by-country basis. The purchaser is responsible for its use of the Product and for its finished product, and that any claims made regarding its use of the Product and/or the finished product comply with applicable laws and regulations.

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