Coconut water standards for bacterial counts?
Hi,
Coconut water may be contaminated during opening of the coconut or if bottled while processing. So please anyone can tell me whether there are any standards specifically for coconut water contents like bacterial counts?
Hello Disha !
Thanks for yr query and Welcome to the Forum !
I’m not aware of any specific micro standards for packaged, unpasteurized, coconut water. It’s typical pH puts it in low acid category.
Fresh packaged coconut juice could be classified as a ready-to-eat food for which micro. standards vary with location.
Some data/standards for RTE foods (Australia 2001) is attached. Fresh juices would be level 3.
This extract is quite old (standards are based on the UK PHLS ca. 2000 which now updated) so requirements may have been revised, eg addition of pathogenic E.coli. i daresay there is an equivalent Indian Standard.
fresh juices - micro levels.pdf 254.69KB 83 downloads
I am still trying to find out the standards for coconut. There is no particular standard for this, atleast in India as of my knowledge.
I am still trying to find out the standards for coconut. There is no particular standard for this, atleast in India as of my knowledge.
Specific standards for coconut meat, coconut milk exist. But yr OP refererred coconut water ?
As i understand, the typical problem for the raw (water) product is that the typical recommended shelf life is max 1-3 days.
Hence the attempts to pasteurize without spoiling the natural flavour etc.
One additional comment - In USA, coconut water falls within the jurisdiction of the "Juice Regulations" -
2. Is coconut milk and/or water covered by the regulation?
Yes. Coconut is considered to be a fruit and any liquid extracted from coconut (i.e., water or milk from the meat) is considered a juice and is therefore subject to the regulation (see 58 FR 2892 at 2910; January 6, 1993, and 63 FR 20450 at 20451; April 24, 1998).