ISO 21121:2025
(Main)Spices and condiments - Dried lime (whole, slices and ground) - Specification
Spices and condiments - Dried lime (whole, slices and ground) - Specification
This document specifies requirements for dried lime (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle, Citrus latifolia Tanaka, family Rutaceae) in whole, slices and ground form. This document is also applicable to lime that has been dehydrated by the sun and artificially dried lime. Recommendations relating to storage and transport conditions are given in Annex A.
Épices et condiments — Citron vert et lime séchés (entiers, en tranches, moulus) — Spécifications
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 13-Aug-2025
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 34/SC 7 - Spices, culinary herbs and condiments
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TC 34/SC 7 - Spices, culinary herbs and condiments
- Current Stage
- 6060 - International Standard published
- Start Date
- 14-Aug-2025
- Due Date
- 06-Jul-2026
- Completion Date
- 14-Aug-2025
Overview
ISO 21121:2025 - Spices and condiments - Dried lime (whole, slices and ground) - Specification defines quality, physical and chemical requirements for dried lime (Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus latifolia) in whole, sliced and ground forms. The standard covers sun‑dehydrated and artificially dried lime and includes guidance on sampling, test methods, packaging, marking and recommended storage and transport conditions (Annex A).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Product scope: whole, slices and ground dried lime (family Rutaceae).
- Sensory requirements: strong sour citric flavour and odour, free from earthy or foreign odours.
- Colour:
- Whole: light brown to relatively brown‑black
- Slices/ground: dark brown to black
- Chemical specifications (see ISO 21121:2025 Table 1):
- Moisture content (max): whole 9%, slices 8%, ground 8% (ISO 939)
- Total ash (dry basis, max): 7.0% (ISO 928)
- Acid‑insoluble ash (dry basis, max): 0.4% (ISO 930)
- Volatile oil (min, ml/100 g dry basis): whole 0.3, slices 0.2, ground 0.2 (ISO 6571)
- Total acidity (as citric acid, ground, min): 18.0 g/100 g (ISO 750)
- Physical safety limits:
- No animal excreta, whole insects or insect‑defiled product (ISO 927)
- Non‑animal foreign matter ≤ 0.5%
- Extraneous (plant) matter ≤ 0.5%
- Sampling and test methods: sampling per ISO 948, sample preparation per ISO 2825, and analytical methods referenced in Table 1.
Applications and who should use it
ISO 21121:2025 is intended for:
- Dried lime producers, dehydrators and packers to meet consistent quality and labelling requirements.
- Exporters and importers to verify product conformity for trade.
- Food safety laboratories and QA teams for routine testing (moisture, ash, volatile oil, acidity, foreign matter).
- Buyers, retailers and specifiers who require defined product characteristics in procurement contracts.
- Regulators and auditors assessing compliance with spice and condiment standards.
Practical benefits include improved product consistency, clearer contractual specifications, reduced disputes over quality, and better shelf‑life protection through recommended packaging and storage guidance.
Related standards
ISO 21121:2025 references multiple normative methods for testing and sampling, including:
- ISO 939 (moisture), ISO 928 (total ash), ISO 930 (acid‑insoluble ash), ISO 6571 (volatile oil), ISO 750 (titratable acidity), ISO 927 (foreign/extraneous matter), ISO 948 (sampling), ISO 2825 (sample preparation).
Keywords: ISO 21121:2025, dried lime specification, spices and condiments, moisture content, volatile oil, total ash, sampling, packaging, storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 21121:2025 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Spices and condiments - Dried lime (whole, slices and ground) - Specification". This standard covers: This document specifies requirements for dried lime (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle, Citrus latifolia Tanaka, family Rutaceae) in whole, slices and ground form. This document is also applicable to lime that has been dehydrated by the sun and artificially dried lime. Recommendations relating to storage and transport conditions are given in Annex A.
This document specifies requirements for dried lime (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle, Citrus latifolia Tanaka, family Rutaceae) in whole, slices and ground form. This document is also applicable to lime that has been dehydrated by the sun and artificially dried lime. Recommendations relating to storage and transport conditions are given in Annex A.
ISO 21121:2025 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 67.080.01 - Fruits, vegetables and derived products in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
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Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 21121
First edition
Spices and condiments — Dried
2025-08
lime (whole, slices and ground) —
Specification
Épices et condiments — Citron vert et lime séchés (entiers, en
tranches, moulus) — Spécifications
Reference number
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Requirements . 2
4.1 Flavour and odour .2
4.2 Colour .2
4.3 Fineness of ground dried lime .2
4.4 Physical requirements .2
4.4.1 Foreign matter from animals .2
4.4.2 Foreign matter from non-animals .2
4.4.3 Extraneous matter . .2
4.5 Chemical requirements . .2
5 Sampling . 3
6 Test methods . 3
7 Packaging and marking . 3
7.1 Packaging .3
7.2 Marking .3
Annex A (informative) Recommendations relating to storage and transport conditions . 5
iii
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