M.Q.A/ 1847/2012
IQS: 1847 / 2012
Republic of Iraq
ICS : 67.040
Ministry Of Planning
Central Agency for inspection
and quality control
Standard of Specifications
NO: 1847
Second Update
SHELF LIFE OF FOOD STUFFS
Introduction
Every food product has a period of time which remains valid for human consumption under a
suitable condition & storage. After that it becomes unacceptable due to some changes in
perceptual, chemical properties or Nutritional values. Because of the necessity of providing a
healthy – unharmed food and Instruct producers, the Importer & Consumers to the importance
of determining Quality and validity of foods. These specifications have been prepared to be the
foundations in this vital field, because of the direct impact on citizens' health and safety.
For the first time these specifications are made in 1986 as a form of draft. It’s Titled as (The
Guidance of the Shelf Life of Foods), discussed by the technical advisory committee for this
purpose NO: 1847 - 1994. Due to the availability of recent references on the subject as well as
the appearance of some of the problems in the application then it has been updated by a
temporary technical committee formed for this purpose in 1998, discussed by a special technical
advisory committee & in 1999 relied on it. Again due to the availability of recent references it
has been re-updated in 2010 and discussed once again by the special technical advisory
committee for the subject and issued as specifications certified in 2012.
Revise NO. ( 1 ) in 2012
Standard Specifications NO. (1847) / related to The
Guidance of the Shelf Life Foods/ second update
1- Part 1-4/ Milk and milk products
2- The revise of duration of the expiry date for normal yoghurt to be 14 days instead of 7 days.
Validity period of foods
1- Field.
The field this specification is concerned with identifying validity period of foods. It is the foundation
upon which to determine the shelf life of food all and cancels specified in other specifications in this
regard except in exceptional cases.
2- Definition.
2-1 The Date production: Is the date on which the food becomes a final product canned - processed for
marketing and sales. In the case of food packaging, if the product finally been manufactured and stored
for a time before packaging it for marketing then the expiry date will be considered from the date of
manufacturing that type of food.
2-2 Validity period: Is the length of time that keeps the product as the basic and remain tasty, agreeable
and suitable for human consumption till the end under the under the specific conditions of the
conservation, packaging, transport and storage
2-3 Storage conditions: Are the Conditions which keeps food in the stores, warehouses or refrigerators.
and commensurate with the nature of food saved and maintain suitability for human consumption
within the specified time on its expiry card.
2-3-1 Normal Storage Conditions: It means storing at a temperature not exceeding 25 C. with the
relative humidity not exceeding 06%.
2-3-2 Cooled storage conditions: It means storing at a temperature do not exceeds Zero or 5 C.
2-3-3 Frozen storage conditions: It means storing at temperature of minus 18 C.
3- General requirements.
3-1 Both production and expiry date must be written in all food. It is possible by referring as below;
The Statement “date of manufacture, production & the expiry date” in non symbolic indication period as
(day – month – year) for the nutrition which it’s expiry time less than six months. (Must reduce one day
from the date of completion (expiry).
(Month – Year) for the products which it’s expiry date exceeds six months. The first day of the month
can be considered as the production date while the last day of the month can be considered as an expiry
date. The average of the days is 30 days, regardless to the number of the days in a month.
3-1-2 It’s possible to put such as the following expressions to express the date of the expiry time With
the need of mentioning the production history:
- The expiry date
- Consume up to the date ……..
- Valid for a period of ………….. from the date of production.
- Consumed before to the date of …………….
- Sold until ………….. ( for the type of foods in which the expiry date exceeds 6 months)
3-1-3. The date of the product expiry must be affixed whether the product is Imported or a domestic
one in a shape which can be stick well and irremovable. In addition to, the expiry date must be written
on a Sticker for this issue since there is a chance for manipulating in this case.
1
3-1-4. In a case if the product is consisted of small sized units and parts or weight then the ending date
of the product must be existed in the Cover or it’s Can which contains the small parts.
3-1-5 The food must be rejected to inter a harbor if the expiry date has passed a half of its time.
4- The limited period of the food expiry
The Expiry date for the Food products must not exceed the limited duration as it’s shown in the below
chart.
4-1 Milk and its Productions:
production name
Purred Milk with its sorts.
Conventional way or UHT
Type of canning
expiry duration
Glass Can
6 moths
Under normal storage
condition
Metal cans (packaging)
1 Year
Under normal storage
condition
Carton packaging covered
with aluminum from Inside
so that to avoid leaking or
humidity.
6 moths
Under normal storage
condition
Metal cans (packaging)
12 Month
Under normal storage
condition
other Cans
6 moths
Under normal storage
condition
Suitable sealed Cans
5 Days
Temperature. Zero or 5C
Suitable sealed Cans
5 Days
Temperature. Zero or 5C
Metal containers packed
under inert gas or vacuum
18 Months
Under normal storage
condition
Weatherproof Cans from
humidity
12 Month
Under normal storage
condition
Metal containers packed
under inert gas or vacuum
18 Months
Under normal storage
condition
Carton packaging
Weatherproof. To avoid
leaking or humidity.
12 Month
Under normal storage
condition
disinfected Milk with
Flavor
All sorts of Pasteurized
Milk
Pasteurized Milk with
Flavor
Powdered Milk with no
fat.
Powdered Milk with Fat
Storage Condition
2
Metal cans (packaging)
12 Month
Under normal storage
condition
Sweetened condensed
Milk
carton packaging covered
with aluminum from Inside
so that to avoid leaking or
humidity.
6 moths
Filled under sterilized
conditions
The Evaporated milk
Metal cans (packaging)
12 Month
Under normal storage
condition
Yoghurt
Suitable sealed packages
14 days
Temperature. Zero or 5C
dried yogurt
Plastic Cans
15 days
Temperature. Zero or 5C
yogurt Water after
fermentation
Plastic Cans
14 days
Temperature. Zero or 5C
Normal yogurt Water
Plastic Cans
7 days
Temperature. Zero or 5C
Fermented Milk with vital
enhancers.
Suitable sealed packages
21 days
Temperature. Zero or 5C
Factories yoghurt heattreated after fermentation
Plastic Cans
6 weeks
Temperature. Zero or 5C
Factories dry yogurt heattreated after fermentation
Suitable sealed packages in
a case that the aluminum
aluminum do not touch the
product.
4 Months
Temperature. Zero or 5C
pasteurized fresh cream
glass Cans - well sealed
5 Days
Temperature. Zero or 5C
glass Cans - well sealed
12 Months
Other suitable Cans
6 moths
Suitable Cans
12 Months
Metal cans (packaging)
12 Months
Suitable Cans
6 moths
Temperature. Zero or 5C
Fresh white Cheese with
all its sorts.
Plastic Cans
7 days
Temperature. Zero or 5C
Sour cheeses like
Mozzarella
Suitable Cans
4 Months
Temperature. Zero or 5C
Sterilized cream with it's
sorts
A ready powder Cream
Fresh Cheese (white)
3
Under normal storage
condition
Under normal storage
condition
Under normal storage
condition
Under normal storage
condition
Metal cans (packaging)
2 years
Under normal storage
condition
Well sealed carton
packaging or Glass
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
All sorts of Cooked Cheese
well sealed Plastic Cans
15 days
Temperature. Zero or 5C
All types of Dry cheese
Sealed packages or the wax
papers
12 months
Temperature. Zero or 5C
Plastic Cans or Paperpadded
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Aluminum Paper
2 months
Temperature. Zero or 5C
3 months
A temperature not
exceeding 5c.
sterilized cheese - cooked
Butter
Margarine
sundae Cream and milky
Iced drinks
suitable Cans
well sealed Filled by Machine
well sealed Filled by Machine
4
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
4-2 Red and white meat
production name
Red Meat Canned
Type of canning
expiry duration
Metal cans (packaging)
2 years
Metal cans (packaging)
2 years
Sausage
Plastic Cans
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
Under normal storage
condition
6 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Freezed Red meat (Whole
or in pieces)
suitable Cans
12 months (From the
date of slaughter)
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Minced Meat
Nylon packing
4 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Frozen liver and chicken
heart
Nylon packing
3 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Frozen meat products,
Kubba, Kebab,
rissole(Kifte), MeatDough, Oruk, Borek &
chicken meat
Nylon packing
3 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Ready meat or Cooked
packed in covers
(Luncheon Meat,
Lafrankovrtr.. Etc
suitable Cans
6 months
Temperature Zero or 5 C
Freezed Poultry Meat
(Whole or in pieces)
suitable Cans
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Parts and bowels which
can be eaten, heart,
Tongue & encephalon (the
brain).
suitable cans- moistureproof
2 months
Under normal storage
condition
Canned Fish meat with
Parts or complete.
Protected in water or
Sauce.
Metal cans (packaging)
2 years
Under normal storage
condition
Canned Fish meat
protected in water or Oil.
Metal cans (packaging)
Canned Crustaceans
Metal cans (packaging) well
closed
5
4 years
Under normal storage
condition
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
production name
Type of canning
expiry duration
Storage Condition
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Freezed Fishes
suitable Cans
6 months
Dried fish & crustaceans
suitable Cans
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
9 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
3 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
6 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
8 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Plastic Cans or carton,
aluminum sheets.
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Plastic Cans, carton or Inside
bags
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Removed gut Fishes
Not removed gut fishes
Non fatty fish (The type of
fish which has less than
5% of oil.)
Fatty fish (The type of fish
which has more than 5%
of oil.)
Shrimp and crustaceans
Salted dry fish
Crispy chicken and fish
with all sorts.
Plastic Cans
Plastic Cans
Plastic Cans
Plastic Cans or carton
Plastic Cans or carton
6
4-3 Children Foods
production name
Powdered as substitutes
of Mother's Milk
children's food as a
powder, petite Prepared
from legumes, green &
fruits .... Etc
Type of canning
Metal containers packed
sterilized or vacuum
Plastic Cans or carton,
aluminum sheets.
Metal containers packed
under inert gas or vacuum
expiry duration
18 months
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Children's food with meat
well sealed metal Canning
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Fruit juices for kids
Glass Canned
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
7
4- 4 Fats and oils and their products
production name
Type of canning
expiry duration
metal Canning
24 Months
plastic or Glass cans
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Plastic Cans. No using cork
chloride
24 Months
Under normal storage
condition
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
24 Months
Under normal storage
condition
Butter
vegetable grease & Oil.
Hydrogenated vegetable
oils
Peanut butter
Animal grease
Cacao butter substitutes
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
plastic or Glass cans
suitable Cans
suitable Cans
5-4 Biscuits
production name
All kinds of domestic
(Local) biscuits and wafer
Biscuits stuffed and
covered or
Type of canning
expiry duration
Storage Condition
Carton packing or lined with
special sheet made of Slovan
or aluminum
9 months
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canning
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canning
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Carton packing or lined with
special sheet made of Slovan
or aluminum
9 months
Under normal storage
condition
8
4-6 All canned food.
production name
Type of canning
expiry duration
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canning
24 months
glass canned
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canning
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
glass canned
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
a well sealed metal Canning
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Suitable cans
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Freezed Fruits
Suitable cans
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Dried fruits
(raisins, currant ... Etc)
plastic Canned
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
glass canned
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Well sealed with aluminum
confetti, metal canned
painted to Resist the acidity,
Plastic canning or Nylon
bags.
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
A well sealed glass canned
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canning
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic Canned
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
glass canned
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canned,
2 years
Under normal storage
condition
Carton canned lined from
inside with aluminum
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic Canned. PET.
3 months
Under normal storage
condition
Canned fruits
(In a sweetened Liquid)
Canned vegetables
(In a Salted Liquid)
Canned vegetables with
meat
Freezed Vegetables
pickles
olives preserved in a Salty
water or Sterilized and
thermal laboratories
Tomato paste
10
production name
Type of canning
expiry duration
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canned or Glass Can
12 months
plastic Canned
6 months
matal canned
24 months
glass canned
12 months
plastic Canned
6 months
metal Canned or Glass Can
24 months
glass canned
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic Canned
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canned or Glass Can
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
glass canned
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
dried Soups in a shape of
pieces or cubes
plastic or carton packaging
covered
with aluminum from Inside
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Soup powders
plastic or carton packaging
covered
with aluminum from Inside
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal or glass canned
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic or carton packaging
covered
with aluminum from Inside
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal canned
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Well sealed Glass Cans
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
Canned Truffles
metal canning
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
Mayonnaise salad
Metal or glass canned
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Mayonnaise
Chilli (hot peppers)
Mustard sauce
Canned Bean. ( Chickpeas,
Chickpeas - Flour, beans &
etc
The Jams
Canned mushrooms
11
Under normal storage
condition
Under normal storage
condition
Under normal storage
condition
Under normal storage
condition
Under normal storage
condition
4- 7 Soft drinks, alcohol and juices
production name
Type of canning
expiry duration
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canned
9 months
Glass bottles
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Frequently used glass
bottles
(2nd time filling)
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic Canned - PET
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canned
9 months
Under normal storage
condition
Glass bottles
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic Canned - PET
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
Suitable cans - blocks
Humidity
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
metal Canning
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic Cans or Carton
packing
9 months
Under normal storage
condition
suitable sealed cans
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal or glass canned
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic Cans or Carton
packing
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
concentrated Juice Fruit
well sealed suitable cans
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Fruit puree
well sealed suitable cans
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Frozen fruit juices
suitable cans
18 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
concentrated - frozen fruit
juices
suitable cans
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
Soft drinks
The diet soft drinks
The Powder of drinks
Unnatural drinks prepared
for drinking
concentrated Juice
Fruit Juices made for
drinking
12
production name
Type of canning
expiry duration
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
Glass Can
3 Months
metal Can
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
well sealed metal Can
9 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic or Glass canned
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
bottled - Pure natural
drinking water.
plastic or Glass canned
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Natural mineral water noncarbonated
plastic or Glass canned
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Carbonated Natural mineral
water
plastic or Glass canned
24 months
Packed under sterilized
conditions
well sealed Glass Can
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic packing
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Beer
Barley drink - alcohol-free
Rosewater and flower water
13
4-8 various
food products
production name
Type of canning
expiry duration
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
jelly powder
suitable cans well locked
18 months
ready Jel
suitable cans well locked
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Plastic or Metal cans resist
moisture.
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Pudding powder
suitable cans resist
moisture.
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Custard powder
suitable cans resist
moisture.
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Caramel & cream powder
suitable cans resist
moisture.
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Powders food colors and
flavors
suitable cans resist
moisture.
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Different Packing
18 months
Packed under sterilized
conditions
Cloth bags and plastics
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
12 months
Under normal storage
condition In wellventilated stores and
distant from the sources
of moisture and pollution
Under normal storage
condition In wellventilated stores and
distant from the sources
of moisture and pollution
Ready Cake Powder
Food starch
Wheat flour
Paper bags solid
Rice
suitable cans
24 months from the
date of production
Corn
Different Packing
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Dates (full and stripped cores
or padded dates)
Different Packing
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal or plastic cans and
paper-lined resist moisture.
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
baking powder
14
production name
Type of canning
Dry yeast bread
Different packages vacuum,
Carton canned lined from
inside with aluminum sheet.
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal Canned or Cartons
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal or glass cans
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
aluminum sheet Packing or a
Special Sheet
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal Canning or aluminum
sheet canned
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
aluminum sheet canned or
a special Sheet which resist
Moisture.
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
suitable packing
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal or glass cans
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
other packing like carton or
plastic
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Sheet packing or plastic
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Powdered milk and roasted
Milk quick melting
Milk roasted with cardamom
(Arabian Coffee)
Coffee
Unsweetened & non
Sweetened cocoa powder
Powder of Cappuccino
expiry duration
15
Storage Condition
production name
Type of canning
expiry duration
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
Nylon bags
6 months
Bags made of aluminum
Sheets & packed under
vacuum situations, Cartoon
or Metal cans
9 months
Under normal storage
condition
suitable canning
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
Suitable canned or
Moisture resistant
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
metal Packing
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
other suitable cans
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Carton cans or plastic bag
24 moths
Under normal storage
condition
Cornflakes
suitable Cans
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Semolina
suitable Cans
9 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal packing
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal Canning or aluminum
sheet canned
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic bags
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
Starchy foods (carbohydrates
)
Grits - Bulgur
cereal made of Barley, rice,
corn & wheat
Oats Flakes
Spaghetti, pasta or Noodles
which quickly can be made.
Nuts
16
production name
Baked nuts & covered with
dried Sweet
Type of canning
Metal Canning or aluminum
sheet canned
expiry duration
18 months
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
plastic bags
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal Canning
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
Plastic or Glass Cans
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
suitable Packing
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
Glass Canning
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic Cans
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
plastic Cans
7 days
Under normal storage
condition
Numi Basra (Basrah Limon)
suitable Packing
36 months
Under normal storage
condition
Fresh eggs
suitable Packing
One Month
At temperature from 11
to 15.C.
Frozen Eggs
suitable Packing
9 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Egg whites and egg yolks
suitable Packing
9 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Suitable & well Packing to
resist moisture
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
Dried apricot paste
(Kamaruddin)
Sweets and dried sour sweets
- Lollipop
Covered with nylon or
Slovan
12 months
suitable Canning
24 months
All Assorts of Toffee condyles
suitable Canning
9 months
Pin (Debs)
Bees Honey
Vinegar (as a Hydration)
Fresh mushrooms
Full egg powder and egg yolks
17
Under normal storage
condition
Under normal storage
condition
Under normal storage
condition
production name
Ready coconut - percentage
of fat 55%
percentage of fat less than
55%
Type of canning
expiry duration
Storage Condition
Under normal storage
condition
suitable Cans
12 months
suitable Cans
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
paper - Leaf bags
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
Plastic bags well locked
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
All types of Vanilla
suitable Cans
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
Packaged tea
suitable Cans
36 months
Under normal storage
condition
Packaged spices
suitable Cans
24 months
Under normal storage
condition
Suitable cans resists
moisture
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Metal or Plastic Cans
12 months
Under normal storage
condition
suitable Cans
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
Tahina - a kind of food, which
is derived from the oil of
sesame
suitable Cans
9 months
Under normal storage
condition
Frozen dough
suitable Cans
12 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Ready Cakes
Bags made of Aluminum
4 months
Under normal storage
condition
pancakes (Pastry)Fruit Pastry
such as apple pies
suitable Cans
18 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Cream powder, for covering
the cake
Suitable cans resists
moisture
18 months
Under normal storage
condition
Nylon Bags
18 months
Under freezing conditions
(-18C)
Bags made of Aluminum,
Carton lined with slovan or
Metal cans
6 months
Under normal storage
condition
Bread improver
Gum
Sweetness ( Halawa Tahiniya)
Fingers potatoes
Fried Potatos (Chips)
18
4-9 The types of Food which the date of production is excluded to be written on it
-
White sugar (Saccharose)
The salt (Sodium chloride)
Fresh vegetables and fruits including potatoes, which did not have removed its cover or
been cut ... etc
Dried beans non cooked which is packed or unpacked as well, such as Peas Beans Chickpeas
Cowpeas & Lentils ......... etc.
-
Dried vegetables as; Anise, chamomile, cloves, saffron.
Wine, arrack, Whiskey, brandy, Ram, gene............ suitable cans under normal condition.
4- 10 The following production is in need of mentioning it’s harvesting year only with saving it
in a well packing condition.
-
Not canned green coffee.
Not canned Black tea
Not canned Spices and condiments
Unbaked nuts or the green nuts which is canned and not canned at the same time.
4-11 Some extra items which is not mentioned or listed in previously since it’s expiry date
depends on the card from the manufacture and this is temporary till fixing the validity date in
the future.
4-12 According to the some of the production which can be sold in the place of production such
as Baqlawa, Pastry, Ices and chips which can be sold directly.
References
-
1-5 Gulf standard specification (GSO) 150/2008
2-5 Syrian Standard 1781/1998
5-3 Egyptian Standard 2613/1998
5-4 Jordanian Standard 288/1994
5-5 Saudi standard 702/1993