| Botanical Identity | Specify the botanical species as Lycium barbarum L. or another approved Lycium species, together with the plant part used. | The botanical name, common name, plant part, and country of origin should be consistent across the specification, label, certificate of analysis, and shipment documents. | Botanical identification statement, supplier specification, authenticated reference sample, and identity testing such as microscopy or DNA testing when required. |
| Country and Region of Origin | Define the permitted country, production region, and whether the berries are cultivated, organically cultivated, or collected from a controlled source. | The declared origin should be traceable to the farm, grower group, processing facility, or documented batch records. | Country-of-origin declaration, farm or grower records, lot traceability documents, and production or harvest records. |
| Raw Material Condition | State whether the powder is made from fresh berries or dried berries, and define requirements for foreign matter, insects, mold, and visible contamination. | Material should be clean, free from visible mold, abnormal odor, infestation, and unauthorized foreign matter. | Incoming-material inspection records, visual inspection, sieve or foreign-matter results, and batch photographs where appropriate. |
| Processing Method | Specify drying technology, milling conditions, carrier use, anti-caking agents, and whether the product is a pure powder or a standardized extract. | For a pure goji berry powder, no carrier, filler, colorant, or undeclared additive should be present. Processing parameters should be controlled and documented. | Process flow chart, ingredient statement, batch production record, allergen statement, and declaration of processing aids. |
| Moisture and Water Activity | Set a moisture limit suitable for powder stability and define a water-activity requirement where shelf-life risk is significant. | A commonly used commercial target is moisture at or below approximately 8%; the final limit should be validated for the selected packaging and shelf life. | Recent batch certificate of analysis, moisture test method, water-activity result when applicable, and stability data. |
| Particle Size and Appearance | Define mesh size or particle-size distribution, color range, odor, taste, and powder flow characteristics. | Powder should be uniform, free-flowing, and consistent in reddish-orange to red-brown color, with the characteristic aroma and taste of goji berries. | Approved reference sample, sieve analysis, sensory specification, color standard, and pre-shipment inspection. |
| Microbiological Safety | Include total aerobic count, yeast and mold, coliforms or Enterobacteriaceae, and pathogens relevant to the destination market. | Pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli should be absent according to the applicable test plan and regulatory limits. Other limits should be agreed before ordering. | Independent laboratory report, test method, sampling plan, batch number, and test date linked to the shipped lot. |
| Pesticide Residues | Require a multi-residue pesticide screen that covers the legal maximum-residue limits of the destination market. | Results should comply with the destination country's applicable maximum residue limits; “not detected” is meaningful only when the reporting limits are stated. | Multi-residue laboratory report, laboratory accreditation details, reporting limits, and lot-specific sample information. |
| Heavy Metals and Contaminants | Specify limits for lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and any other contaminants required for the intended market or application. | All results should remain within the legal limits applicable to the product category, serving size, and destination market. | Lot-specific heavy-metal report, analytical method such as ICP-MS or ICP-OES, and compliance review against current regulations. |
| Authenticity and Adulteration Control | Require confirmation that the powder contains no undeclared sugars, starches, cheaper plant materials, synthetic colors, or unauthorized extracts. | Ingredient composition should match the label and agreed specification. A high-risk supply chain should receive enhanced authenticity testing. | Ingredient declaration, identity testing, chromatographic fingerprinting, microscopy, isotope or DNA testing when justified by risk assessment. |
| Certifications and Food-Safety System | Select certifications that match the intended market, such as organic, HACCP-based systems, or recognized food-safety certification. | Certificates should be current, issued for the actual manufacturing site, and within the certified scope covering goji berry powder. | Current certificates, certification scope, certificate number, expiry date, audit status, and verification through the issuing body's database where available. |
| Allergen and Regulatory Status | Request an allergen statement, GMO statement, irradiation statement, novel-food assessment where applicable, and destination-market compliance declaration. | Statements should be product-specific, signed or authorized by the manufacturer, and consistent with the actual process and ingredients. | Regulatory questionnaire, allergen-control procedure, GMO statement, irradiation declaration, and product compliance dossier. |
| Packaging and Shelf Life | Define food-contact packaging, moisture and oxygen protection, pack size, sealing method, storage conditions, and minimum remaining shelf life at shipment. | Packaging should be sealed, undamaged, suitably moisture resistant, and labeled with batch number, production date, expiry or best-before date, net weight, and storage conditions. | Packaging specification, food-contact declaration, label artwork, shelf-life or stability data, and packaging inspection record. |
| Traceability and Recall Capability | Require a documented one-step-back and one-step-forward traceability system covering raw materials, processing, packaging, and shipment. | The supplier should be able to identify affected lots and provide a documented withdrawal or recall procedure within an agreed response time. | Mock-recall record, batch coding system, traceability map, supplier approval procedure, and complaint-handling procedure. |
| Sample and Pre-Shipment Approval | Approve a representative sample and retain a sealed reference sample before placing a recurring order. | The commercial lot should match the approved sample in identity, color, aroma, particle size, packaging, and agreed analytical results. | Signed sample approval, retained reference sample, pre-shipment inspection report, and lot-specific certificate of analysis. |
| Commercial Terms | Define annual volume, minimum order quantity, target delivery schedule, Incoterms, payment terms, and acceptable lead time. | Commercial terms should be recorded in a written quotation or supply agreement and should not override food-safety or specification requirements. | Formal quotation, sales contract, purchase order, production capacity statement, and agreed delivery schedule. |
