Fennel Seeds

Appearance: Greenish to yellowish-brown, small oblong seeds with ridges.

Aroma & Flavor: Sweet, aromatic, and characteristic fennel (anise-like) flavor.

Purity: High-purity seeds (typically ≥ 99%).

Moisture Content: ≤ 10% (to prevent mold and extend shelf life).

Size & Uniformity: Bold, uniformly sized seeds are preferred in premium markets.

Foreign Matter: Free from dust, stones, sticks, husk, or insect infestation.

Volatile Oil Content: ≥ 1% (mainly anethole, responsible for sweet aroma).

Ash Content:

• Total Ash ≤ 10%

• Acid-insoluble Ash ≤ 1.5%

Pesticide Residues: Must comply with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of importing countries.

Aflatoxin & Heavy Metals: Must be within Codex/EU/ASTA safety standards.

Free from Salmonella, E. coli, and other harmful bacteria.

Yeast and mold counts must comply with Codex/ASTA limits.

Sometimes steam sterilization or irradiation required for sensitive markets (EU/USA).

Bulk Exports: 25–50 kg jute, PP, or HDPE bags with food-grade liners.

Retail Exports: 100 g – 1 kg laminated pouches, PET jars, or vacuum packs.

Special Packaging: Vacuum-sealed or nitrogen-flushed packs for longer shelf life.

Labeling: Must state product name, purity, grade, net weight, batch/lot no., date of packing, expiry, country of origin, and certifications.

Grades: Based on color (green vs yellow), seed size (bold vs small), aroma strength, and purity.

Shelf Life: 12–24 months when stored in cool, dry, airtight conditions.

Certifications: HACCP, ISO, FSSAI, Organic (if required), ASTA compliance.

Traceability: Buyers increasingly require traceability back to farm or processing unit.