2.2. Other Standards Used in Contracts

Most of the world’s cocoa is traded using the contracts of the FCC or CMAA, which historically have slightly different standards.

Most of the world’s cocoa is traded using the contracts of the FCC or CMAA, which historically have slightly different standards. These standards do not imply acceptability for chocolate manufacture, however, merely the levels at which allowances become due under arbitration procedures.

From June 2015, the FCC terms require the cocoa to be of a certain condition; namely “In addition to any specified quality terms, the parcel shall consist of beans which shall be reasonably:

• Uniform in size,
• Uniform in fermentation,
• Dry, 
• Homogenous in all other respects and the parcel shall be:
  • Fit for the production of a foodstuff,
  • Free from adulteration, contamination and rodents,
  • Virtually free from live insects (including mites) or other type of infestation,
  • Virtually free from germinated beans,
  • Within the customary range for violet or purple beans of the specified grade/ origin.”

It should be noted that the definition of Foreign Matter, Cocoa Related Matter and Sievings have specific meanings under FCC terms, see Appendix A. Either singularly or collectively; excessive Cocoa Related Matter, Flat Beans, Bean Clusters or Foreign Matter may result in an allowance.

If the term “Main crop” is used to describe the cocoa traded or is used in the quality parameters of the cocoa, then the size of the beans, measured by bean count, must be consistent with that of beans normally produced during the main harvest period of that particular origin. No allowance will be considered for a bean count of 100 beans or fewer per 100 grams. More than 100 beans per 100 grams may result in a quality claim, which if considered to be above 120 beans may result in the parcel having to be replaced rather than subject to an allowance.

Other FCC terms are available to describe the bean size standards: 

• STANDARD BEANS – means bean count ≤ 100 
• MEDIUM BEANS – means bean count 101-110 
• SMALL BEANS – means bean count 111-120 
• VERY SMALL BEANS – means bean count >120

FCC contracts lay down two grades - good fermented and fair fermented. The maximum limits for these grades are
 

“Defectives” are defined as internally mouldy beans, or insect infested or insect damaged beans. The CMAA contract calls for cocoa beans to meet the United States Food and Drug Administration Standard, which stipulates a maximum 4% mouldy and 4% infested or damaged beans, but also no more than 6% of the two combined.

Note that cocoa which may comply with Grade 1 under the ISO standards as having 3% insect damaged and 3% mould would exceed the defective limits of the FCC definition of Good Fermented.

Finally, there are standards set down by different terminal or futures markets as a basis for deciding whether a particular parcel is suitable for tendering on the market in question at the contract price, or at a premium or discount. Again, these contract standards are not based on acceptability for chocolate manufacture.

There are also quality standards set by the authorities in cocoa origins which are their practical internal quality standard – against which the quality is assessed throughout the internal marketing chain in the country.