| Product definition | Pitted cherries that have been dehydrated to reduce water content and extend shelf life. | One retail or food-service pouch containing 85g of finished product. | The product should retain a recognizable cherry shape, color, aroma, and characteristic sweet-tart flavor. |
| Fruit variety | Sweet or tart cherry varieties, depending on the intended flavor profile and processing method. | Variety should be declared in the product specification or ingredient documentation. | Variety, origin, and harvest information should be traceable through lot documentation. |
| Ingredient composition | Common formulations contain cherries, sugar, and sometimes sunflower oil or another permitted anti-sticking agent. | Ingredient quantities are calculated for the full 85g net weight. | Added sugar, oil, and preservatives must be accurately listed on the ingredient statement where applicable. |
| Net weight | 85g nominal net content. | 85g per sealed unit. | Pack-weight tolerances should comply with the destination market’s legal metrology requirements. |
| Moisture content | Typically about 15%–25%, depending on texture and processing parameters. | Approximately 13–21g of moisture per 85g pack when within this range. | A validated moisture specification is necessary to control texture, microbial stability, and shelf life. |
| Texture | Soft, pliable, and chewy; not excessively hard, wet, sticky, or crystallized. | Texture should remain acceptable throughout the declared shelf life. | Texture testing should be performed under controlled storage conditions. |
| Color and appearance | Dark red to reddish-brown, reasonably uniform, with limited discoloration and no visible mold. | Individual pieces should be substantially free from foreign material and excessive clumping. | Color variation can occur with cherry variety, drying temperature, oxidation, and sulfite use. |
| Flavor and aroma | Characteristic cherry flavor with a balanced sweet-tart profile and no fermented, rancid, smoky, or chemical odor. | Aroma should remain clean after opening the package. | Sensory evaluation should be included in incoming and finished-product quality checks. |
| Pits and hard foreign material | Pitted product; no intentionally retained pits. | The pack should be free from pits, pit fragments, stones, glass, metal, and other hard contaminants. | Commercial pitting is not an absolute guarantee against occasional pit fragments; risk controls and inspection are required. |
| Preservative status | May be unsulfured or treated with sulfites, depending on the formulation and market. | The 85g label must clearly declare sulfites when required by applicable regulations. | Preservative use and maximum permitted levels vary by destination market and must be verified before sale. |
| Typical energy value | Approximately 300–350 kcal per 100g for sweetened dried cherries. | Approximately 255–298 kcal per 85g pack. | Actual values depend on added sugar, moisture, and the final formulation; laboratory or database verification is recommended. |
| Typical total sugars | Approximately 55–70g per 100g for many sweetened commercial products. | Approximately 47–60g per 85g pack. | The nutrition declaration must use formulation-specific analytical or legally accepted calculation data. |
| Typical dietary fiber | Approximately 3–8g per 100g, depending on cherry variety and processing. | Approximately 2.6–6.8g per 85g pack. | Final declared values depend on the formulation and the nutrition-labeling rules of the destination market. |
| Microbiological safety | Must meet applicable limits for pathogens, yeast, mold, and other specified microorganisms. | Each production lot should be represented by documented test results or a certificate of analysis. | Acceptance criteria should be based on the importing country, customer requirements, and validated food-safety controls. |
| Allergen and cross-contact control | Cherries are not among the major allergens recognized in many jurisdictions, but cross-contact may occur during processing. | Allergen declarations and precautionary statements must reflect the actual processing environment. | A documented allergen-control program is recommended for facilities handling nuts, peanuts, wheat, milk, soy, or other regulated allergens. |
| Packaging format | High-barrier resealable pouch or sealed flexible food-grade bag. | One 85g unit with a secure seal and adequate headspace for filling and handling. | Packaging should protect against moisture gain, oxygen, light, odor transfer, and physical damage. |
| Recommended storage | Store sealed in a cool, dry, clean place away from direct sunlight and strong odors. | After opening, reseal tightly and use within the period stated on the label. | Temperature and humidity limits should be confirmed through shelf-life testing and packaging validation. |
| Shelf life | Commonly about 6–12 months unopened when properly processed and packaged. | The 85g pack should carry a lot code, production date, and best-before or expiry date as required. | The exact shelf life must be supported by real-time or accelerated stability testing. |
| Labeling essentials | Product name, ingredient list, net weight, nutrition information, allergen statement where applicable, lot code, date marking, and storage instructions. | All information must be legible on the 85g retail unit. | Label requirements vary by country; regulatory review is required before commercialization. |