WSC Recommends Lower Red Lentil Moisture

WINNIPEG - May 11/06 - SNS -- Few changes were recommended to specialty crop grades at yesterday's meeting of the Western Standards Committee (WSC).

The most significant was a recommended reduction in the maximum moisture level allowed for red lentils from the current 14% to 13%.

"Current moisture content specifications range from 14.1 to 17.0% for tough, and over 17.0% for damp. The WSC recommended the change to protect Canada's market for red lentils. When lentils are processed, the higher the moisture content, the more difficult it is to peel off the seed coat," the committee said.

The committee also recommended that the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) introduce a new reference moisture procedure for all pulse crops.

"It will not have a noticeable effect on moisture readings for peas, chick peas, pea beans or lentils," the committee said. "It will, however, result in higher moisture readings for colored beans, with the change in moisture content ranging from 0.2 to 1.0%, depending on the class of bean being tested. The CGC will issue new moisture conversion tables for the affected bean classes as sufficient information becomes available."

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