| ITEM | STANDARD |
| Appearance | Fine, free flowing dark brown powder |
| Colour of solution | Dark brown |
| Flavour | Characteristic cocoa flavour |
| Moisture (%) | ≤ 5 |
| Fat content (%) | 10 - 12 |
| Ash (%) | ≤12 |
| Fineness through 200 mesh (%) | ≥ 99 |
| pH | 6.2 - 6.8 |
| Total plate count (cfu/g) | ≤ 5000 |
| Mould count (cfu/g) | ≤ 100 |
| Yeast count (cfu/g) | ≤ 50 |
| Coliforms | Not detected |
| Shigella | Not detected |
| Pathogenic bacteria | Not detected |
