,"The East African Community (EAC) has established detailed quality, safety, and composition requirements for agave spirits, setting out mandatory specifications that such products must meet before being placed on the market.
Under the new standard, agave spirits must comply with defined physicochemical parameters when tested using the specified analytical methods:
1.Ethyl alcohol content must be at least 35% v/v at 20°C.
2.Methyl alcohol content is capped at 3.0 g/L of absolute (anhydrous) alcohol to limit toxic alcohol exposure.
3.Higher alcohols (fusel oils), such as amyl alcohol, must not exceed 5.0 g/L of absolute alcohol.
4.Aldehydes, including acetaldehyde, are limited to a maximum of 0.4 g/L of absolute alcohol.
5.Esters, such as ethyl acetate, must not exceed 2.5 g/L of absolute alcohol.
6.Furfural content is restricted to 0.04 g/L of absolute alcohol, reflecting safety and quality considerations.
7.Dry extract levels must not exceed 5 g/L, determined in accordance with ISO 2173.
In addition to compositional limits, the standard clarifies the regulatory framework for additives and contaminants:
Food additives may be used only in accordance with CODEX STAN 192 (General Standard for Food Additives).
Contaminants must comply with the maximum levels specified in CXS 193 (General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed).
The standard also reinforces good manufacturing and handling practices, requiring agave spirits to be produced and handled hygienically in line with EAS 39. This ensures protection against contamination throughout production, storage, and distribution.
For packaging, agave spirits must be packed in food-grade containers that preserve product integrity and ensure consumer safety."