Tapioca and substitutes therefor prepared from starch, in the form of flakes, grains, siftings or similar forms

1. Scope and Applicability

This rule covers food-grade starch conditioned, formed, partly gelatinized, dried and graded into tapioca and substitutes in flakes, grains, siftings or similar forms, up to the unpackaged accepted-product factory gate. Saleable food-grade siftings are product; captured unsalable dust is waste. Primary starch manufacture, root cultivation, packaging, delivery, cooking and consumption are outside the foreground gate; upstream purchased starch and energy burdens still require matching background datasets. Unprocessed starch, noodles, flour, biscuits and cassava roots are excluded. Cassava, potato and corn starch are named feedstocks; another starch source requires its own concrete atomic feed flow and applicability review. The publisher full-text trial by Tokimura et al. documents the starch-conditioned pearl route, including forming, surface gelatinization and air drying; CPC 3.0 supplies the category and form wording. The trial does not establish operating intensities or show that every listed form follows the same route.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.food-products-beverages-and-tobacco-textiles-apparel-and-leather-products.grain-mill-products-starches-and-starch-products-other-food-products.tapioca-and-substitutes-therefor-prepared-from-starch-in-the-form-of-flakes-grains-sift-d4017625
classification_refs	CPC 3.0: 23230 (classification context, not an accepted mapping)
covered_products	food-grade starch-prepared tapioca flakes, grains, pearls, saleable siftings and analogous substitutes
excluded_products	raw starch, roots, noodles, bakery products, non-food granules and unsalable dust
representative_product	dried unpackaged cassava-starch tapioca pearls
production_route	receive and condition edible starch; form and surface-gelatinize; finish dry; sieve and grade
market_state	unpackaged dry food-grade product accepted at the declared moisture specification

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	food-grade starch-prepared tapioca or substitute for food preparation
How much	1 kg accepted dry unpackaged finished product
How well	meets declared starch origin, form and finished moisture specification
How long or cycle	one finished batch at factory gate; no use duration
reference_flow_link	grade_tapioca_product

Field	Value
Reference amount	1
Reference product flow	Finished starch-prepared tapioca flakes, grains or siftings
Reference flow property	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66
Reference unit group	Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
Reference unit	kg
Required qualifiers	starch botanical origin; finished form; accepted-product moisture; production geography and technology; thermal source; saleable siftings inclusion; unpackaged factory gate

A foreground data package must state the required qualifiers in its product description or dataset metadata. A raw-starch flow is never substituted for the finished tapioca flow.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_mass	reference product	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Measure accepted dry finished product mass in kg; normalize every inventory row to the same batch per 1 kg accepted product.
energy_unit	cook_electricity	Energy	MJ	Retain raw metered kWh and conversion; 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ.
gas_volume	cook_natural_gas	Volume	m3	Record gas-meter reference temperature and pressure; do not combine volumes from different reference states.

5. System Boundary

The terminal gate is unpackaged accepted product. Purchased starch, water and energy, and waste treatment require appropriate upstream or downstream datasets. Do not double count on-site combustion and purchased steam for the same delivered heat.

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	purchased food-grade starch with declared botanical origin, wet/dry state and supplier boundary
starting_condition_role	separate upstream raw-starch production from foreground tapioca forming
product_classification_scope	starch-prepared tapioca and substitutes within CPC 3.0 23230
recursive_input_rule	same-category recovered finished product re-entering the process is recorded separately as internal rework, not a second external input
upstream_dataset_requirement	match purchased starch, water, energy and waste treatment to source and technology
disclosure	state finished form, starch source, heat source, moisture, saleable siftings/waste split and supplier-data boundary

rule_id	applies_to	rule	source_ids
boundary_gate	foreground_system_boundary	Include conditioning, forming, gelatinization, drying and grading up to the unpackaged accepted-product gate; treat primary starch production and downstream consumption according to the declared system boundary.	un-cpc-3-2025; tokimura-2017-starch-pearls
boundary_energy	form_cook_dry	Record purchased steam and on-site gas combustion according to the actual heat route; do not count upstream boiler fuel again for the same purchased steam.

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
feed_condition	Starch receiving and conditioning	required		foreground production	per 1 kg accepted product
form_cook_dry	Forming, gelatinization and drying	required		foreground production	per 1 kg accepted product
grade	Grading and finished-product gate	required		foreground production	per 1 kg accepted product

Process: Starch receiving and conditioning (feed_condition)

Receive food-grade starch and condition it for forming.

Inputs

Product flows

Cassava starch feed (feed_cassava_starch)

Include only when cassava starch is charged.

• Selected flow: Cassava Starch 00f8688a-9af4-40bf-95fd-8529f7bc70ce
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured cassava starch mass divided by accepted finished product mass.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_starch
• Sources: tokimura-2017-starch-pearls

Potato starch substitute feed (feed_potato_starch)

Include only when potato starch is charged.

• Selected flow: Potato Starch 1acb7b11-0259-4f61-b05b-83f1f3f11eda
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured potato starch mass divided by accepted finished product mass.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_starch
• Sources:

Corn starch substitute feed (feed_corn_starch)

Include only when corn starch is charged.

• Selected flow: corn starch 982918a4-54b1-4792-9ee5-2f3155d4e929
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured corn starch mass divided by accepted finished product mass.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_starch
• Sources:

Water for starch conditioning (feed_process_water)

Include water crossing the foreground boundary for starch conditioning.

• Selected flow: Process Water 94a04f7e-2d5c-41f0-b182-d54a3b373a02
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured conditioning water mass divided by accepted finished product mass.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water
• Sources: tokimura-2017-starch-pearls

Outputs

Process: Forming, gelatinization and drying (form_cook_dry)

Form discrete particles or flakes, heat-treat and dry them.

Inputs

Product flows

Purchased alternating-current electricity (cook_electricity)

Include site purchased electricity used for forming, gelatinizing, drying and associated motors; state voltage and supply geography.

• Selected flow: Alternating-current electricity for food processing
• Flow property / unit: Energy / MJ
• Amount rule: Metered electricity energy divided by accepted finished product mass; convert kWh to MJ using 3.6 MJ/kWh.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_electricity
• Sources:

Purchased steam for heating (cook_purchased_steam)

Include only for steam supplied across the site boundary; do not also count its upstream boiler fuel in foreground.

• Selected flow: Industrial steam ea4e839d-d854-4a7a-a362-b4ccb8dc61ff
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Metered purchased steam mass divided by accepted finished product mass.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_steam
• Sources: tokimura-2017-starch-pearls

Natural gas for on-site heating (cook_natural_gas)

Include only when natural gas is combusted on site for cooking or drying; keep this separate from purchased steam.

• Selected flow: Pipeline-quality natural gas 7766e51e-0b64-4fbb-89cb-489c33293137
• Flow property / unit: Volume / m3
• Amount rule: Metered standard-volume natural gas divided by accepted finished product mass; record meter reference conditions.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_gas
• Sources:

Outputs

Elementary flows

Fossil carbon dioxide to air (cook_fossil_co2_air)

Include only for on-site fuel combustion; use measured fuel carbon or documented stack measurement.

• Selected flow: carbon dioxide (fossil) 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-923d-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured or fuel-carbon-balanced fossil CO2 mass divided by accepted finished product mass.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_emissions
• Sources:

Nitrogen monoxide to air (cook_no_air)

Include only for on-site fuel combustion where nitrogen monoxide is measured or separately estimated; do not label aggregate NOx as this flow.

• Selected flow: nitrogen monoxide 08a91e70-3ddc-11dd-96ee-0050c2490048
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured nitrogen monoxide mass divided by accepted finished product mass.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_emissions
• Sources:

Process: Grading and finished-product gate (grade)

Separate accepted product from unsalable dust.

Inputs

Outputs

Product flows

Accepted finished tapioca or starch substitute (grade_tapioca_product)

Include only saleable food-grade product that meets the declared form and moisture specification.

• Selected flow: Finished starch-prepared tapioca flakes, grains or siftings
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: 1 kg
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product
• Sources: un-cpc-3-2025

Waste flows

Unsalable captured grinding and sieving dust (grade_sieving_dust)

Include only captured unsalable dust sent to waste management; saleable food-grade siftings remain product output.

• Selected flow: Dust from Grinding and Sieving e0f3b3af-7794-4c25-ae58-5e4302b226d2
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured disposed dust mass divided by accepted finished product mass.
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_dust
• Sources:

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	applies_to	rule	source_ids
allocation_grades	grade	Count food-grade flakes, grains and siftings from one batch as accepted product. Attribute inputs by separately metered batch or grade where possible. Allocate unavoidable shared inputs by measured dry product mass across accepted grades and disclose dry masses, shares and moisture.
allocation_dust	grade_sieving_dust	Record unsalable captured dust as waste without avoided-product credit. If siftings are actually saleable food product, classify them as accepted output and revise total reference product mass.

8. Foreground Data Collection, Calculation, and Quality Rules

Data Collection Protocols

protocol_id	process_id	flow_role	record_type	raw_fields	collection_method	unit	frequency	temporal_coverage	site_scope	aggregation_rule	quality_evidence
cp_starch	feed_condition	starch inputs	receiving and issue records	batch; botanical source; supplier; wet mass; moisture	calibrated scale and moisture test	kg	each batch	same production campaign	declared production site	per 1 kg reference flow	meter/scale calibration and batch traceability
cp_water	feed_condition	conditioning water	water meter record	batch; meter opening and closing; density basis	calibrated process-water meter	kg	each batch	same production campaign	declared production site	per 1 kg reference flow	meter/scale calibration and batch traceability
cp_electricity	form_cook_dry	purchased electricity	submeter and invoice	batch; kWh; voltage; supply geography	reconcile submeter with invoice	MJ	each batch	same production campaign	declared production site	per 1 kg reference flow	meter/scale calibration and batch traceability
cp_steam	form_cook_dry	purchased steam	steam meter record	batch; delivered kg; supplier; condensate boundary	meter at site boundary	kg	each batch	same production campaign	declared production site	per 1 kg reference flow	meter/scale calibration and batch traceability
cp_gas	form_cook_dry	on-site natural gas	gas meter and invoice	batch; m3; reference temperature and pressure	meter and invoice reconciliation	m3	each batch	same production campaign	declared production site	per 1 kg reference flow	meter/scale calibration and batch traceability
cp_emissions	form_cook_dry	on-site combustion emissions	stack test or fuel analysis	batch; species; measured mass; fuel carbon	species-specific measurement or documented carbon balance	kg	each tested period	same production campaign	declared production site	per 1 kg reference flow	meter/scale calibration and batch traceability
cp_product	grade	accepted finished product	batch acceptance record	batch; product form; mass; moisture; reject mass	calibrated scale and moisture test	kg	each batch	same production campaign	declared production site	per 1 kg reference flow	meter/scale calibration and batch traceability
cp_dust	grade	unsalable dust	waste transfer record	batch; dust mass; destination; food-grade decision	weigh captured disposed dust	kg	each batch	same production campaign	declared production site	per 1 kg reference flow	meter/scale calibration and batch traceability

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
normalize_batch	all inventory rows	Divide each recorded exchange by the accepted finished dry-product mass for the same batch; preserve the numerator unit.	row collection protocol; cp_product	exchange per 1 kg reference flow
reconcile_solids	starch feed, product and dust	Reconcile dry solids input with accepted product, disposed dust and documented other losses; explain the difference.	cp_starch; cp_product; cp_dust	dry-solids reconciliation record

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_batch	all inventory rows	Feed, energy, emissions and product must have the same batch and period; disclose missing records or allocation.	batch ledger, meters and calibration records
dq_moisture	starch and product	Record feed and finished moisture and measurement method; do not mix wet and dry mass.	laboratory or inline moisture record
dq_emission	on-site combustion	Distinguish measured emissions from fuel-carbon calculations; never map aggregate NOx directly to nitrogen monoxide.	stack records and fuel analysis

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	applies_to	rule	source_ids
validate_reference	reference product	Accepted output must equal 1 kg per 1 kg reference flow; check form, food-grade state, moisture and starch origin.	un-cpc-3-2025
validate_energy	form_cook_dry	Check electricity, steam and gas-meter boundaries and units; reject double counting of the same delivered heat.
validate_balance	all inventory rows	Reconcile starch input, accepted output and dust on dry solids and disclose unexplained differences; no yield benchmark is inferred from the trial method.

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	unit_process
downstream_use	secondary_dataset; background_dataset
allowed_use	starch-prepared tapioca and analogous substitutes with matching feed, form, technology and gate
excluded_use	raw starch, cassava roots, noodles or biscuits
required_metadata	starch origin; finished form; accepted moisture; thermal source; geography; batch; upstream datasets
required_quality_disclosure	primary-record coverage, missing data, allocation, dry-solids balance and unresolved UUIDs
update_trigger	material change in feed origin, heat source, product specification or process

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
un-cpc-3-2025	official_guidance	United Nations Statistics Division, CPC Version 3.0 Structure, 30 June 2025. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Download/In%20Text/CPC_Ver_3.0_Structure_30Jun2025.csv	product classification identity; accessed 2026-09-23
tokimura-2017-starch-pearls	literature	Tokimura, Fujita and Kitahara (2017), Physicochemical Properties and Food Uses of Starch from the New Sweetpotato Cultivar Konamizuki, Journal of Applied Glycoscience 64:1–8, doi:10.5458/jag.jag.JAG-2016_010. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jag/64/1/64_jag.JAG-2016_010/_pdf/-char/en	Publisher PDF, page 3, Materials and Methods: laboratory pearl route using commercial starch, added water, surface steaming and air drying; not an industrial quantity or all-form rule