CHECKING FOR INSECTS

ANo checking required

Make sure the product, its packaging, and its storage are in good condition.

Products:

Avocado Artichoke (Bottoms) Alfalfa Onion Cherries Prunes C Plums Cranberries D Peaches Edamame Dried Spices White Asparagus F Bean Sprouts (frijol nacido) F Starfruit (fruta china) Sprouts Green beans (habichuela, in the pod) Beans (habichuela), seeds only K Kiwi M Mango M Apple Peanuts M Passion Fruit M Frozen Corn on the Cob (USA origin) Turnip N Nance N Orange Potato P Papaya Cucumber P Dragon Fruit (pitaya) Beet Radish Tomato T Grapefruit Carrot Squash (zapallo) Zucchini

It is recommended to store dried spices in the refrigerator.

BNot recommended for use

Products:

Swiss Chard Artichoke (whole, leaves, heart) Blackberries Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cauliflower Edible Flowers Goji Berries Mustard Greens Mushrooms (Morel, Oyster, Porcini) Kale Mulberries (mora) Raspberries Tamarind

CWash under a strong stream of water

Products:

Celery (stalks) Fresh Chili Peppers Endive Mushrooms (Button, Cremini, Portobello) Bell Pepper (pimentón) Grapes

DSifting and visual inspection

Sift and check by eye: first, sift thoroughly with a large-hole sifter and check what falls through. Then check the grains themselves on a tray to remove any that are insect-bored or in poor condition, as well as worms.

Products:

Annatto (achiote) Almonds Barley Beans (Various) Chickpeas H Fava Beans (ful) Lentils M Cashews (marañón) P Pecans P Pistachios Quinoa Sunflower Seeds S Melon Seeds S Watermelon Seeds S Pumpkin Seeds (raw) Semolina Wheat W Walnuts (raw)

EVisual inspection

Products:

Sesame Seeds Apricots Rice Eggplant Green Onions (cebollina) Dates Figs Fennel (Bulb) Corn (Cob or Kernels) Raisins Pasta Leeks

FSoaking

Agitate the product in a bowl of soapy water solution (it should feel slippery). Let it soak for 1 to 3 minutes. Then wash each piece well under running water.

Products:

Watercress Blueberries E Epazote Strawberries Special check, see details Banana Leaves Snap or Snow Peas

Strawberries: their own process and permitted brands; see the product's specific guide.

GShmate (cloth) method

1. Separate the leaves and wash the product well.
2. Vigorously agitate the product in a bowl of soapy water solution (it should feel slippery).
3. Remove the product and rinse it under a stream of water, making sure to open and rinse all the folds; discard the water.
4. Repeat the process, this time saving the water.
5. Pour the water from the second wash through the Shmate. Check the Shmate over the lamp. If insects are found, repeat from step #4. If insects are still found after 3 times, the product must be discarded.

Products:

Basil Celery (leaves) Arugula Chives Cilantro / Culantro Dill Spinach / Baby Spinach Grape Leaves Lettuce (Various types) Corn (Husks) Mint / Spearmint Oregano / Parsley Cabbage (Red and Green) Rosemary / Sage / Thyme

HCut or peel

Products:

Garlic Green Asparagus Pineapple

ISifting

Sift and check visually.

Products:

Flours (Wheat/Whole Wheat/Corn/Cassava)

The term mesh refers to how fine a sifter is and is defined as the number of openings or threads that fit in one linear inch (2.54 cm). By this logic, a low mesh number (such as 10 or 40) means there are few threads, so the openings are large and let coarse particles such as grains or sand pass through; by contrast, a high mesh (such as 100 or 400) indicates that the screen is extremely tight, allowing only ultra-fine powders such as flour, talc, or pigments to pass through.