Introduction
7×7, 8×8, 9×9 and 10×10 mm for importers and food-service buyers
A practical guide to straight-cut, par-fried IQF fries, length specifications, packaging and the checks buyers should agree before shipment.
Choosing a frozen French fries specification
For an importer or food-service buyer, a product specification is more than a cut-size label. It describes the product form, the dimensional tolerances, the pack format and the conditions under which quality will be checked. Royal Fries frozen French fries are straight-cut, par-fried and individually quick frozen (IQF), with nominal cut options of 7×7, 8×8, 9×9 and 10×10 mm.
The right option depends on the intended menu, equipment, serving style and customer preference. Cut size can influence cooking time, surface-to-center balance and perceived texture, but the result also depends on preparation method and operating conditions. Buyers should assess samples under their own intended process and confirm the final specification before placing an order.
What do 7×7, 8×8, 9×9 and 10×10 mm mean?
The two numbers describe the approximate cross-section of a straight-cut potato strip: width by thickness. A 10×10 mm fry has a nominally larger cross-section than a 7×7 mm fry. The listed Royal Fries options are 7×7, 8×8, 9×9 and 10×10 mm. Confirm the selected cut size on the purchase specification and product documentation for each order.
A thinner cut may suit applications where a narrower fry is desired; a thicker cut may suit applications calling for a more substantial strip. These are selection considerations, not guaranteed cooking or eating outcomes. Length is a separate dimension and is described by the length limits below; cut size does not define fry length.
Straight-cut, par-fried and IQF
Straight-cut
The potato is cut into straight-sided strips, with one of the offered nominal cross-sections. Buyers should state the chosen width and thickness together, such as 9×9 mm.
Par-fried
The fries have undergone an initial frying step before freezing. “Par-fried” describes this processing stage; it does not by itself specify a final cooking method or guarantee a particular result in the buyer’s kitchen.
IQF
IQF means individually quick frozen. The fries are frozen as individual pieces rather than as one solid block, supporting handling as separate frozen pieces. Buyers should still agree how the product will be sampled and inspected after transport.
Length specification and how to read it
The following limits are the supplied product specification. The “over” and “under” thresholds are cumulative: for example, pieces over 100 mm are included in the “over 75 mm” group, and pieces under 20 mm are included in “under 30 mm.” These are not separate, mutually exclusive bins and their percentages must not be added together. The 30–50 mm range is stated separately.
| Length parameter | Limit |
|---|---|
| Over 100 mm (included in over 75 mm) | Maximum 10% |
| Over 75 mm | Minimum 30% |
| Over 50 mm | Minimum 70% |
| 30–50 mm | Maximum 25% |
| Under 30 mm (includes under 20 mm) | Maximum 5% |
| Under 20 mm | Maximum 1% |
| Average length | 55–70 mm |
| Maximum single length | 120 mm |
The specification should be applied using the sampling plan, sample size, measurement approach, rounding convention and acceptance rules agreed by buyer and supplier. In particular, confirm how borderline lengths are classified at 30, 50, 75 and 100 mm, and how percentages are calculated. Without a shared method, different inspections may not be comparable.
Fines limits and transit inspection
Fines are specified on a separate, sieve-based line and should not be confused with the length distribution table. The supplied limits are:
| Fines parameter | Limit |
|---|---|
| Fines passing a 10 mm round-hole sieve | Maximum 1% |
| Fines at destination after transit | Maximum 2% |
Because the destination limit is assessed after transit, the parties should agree where and when the sample is taken, how the product is handled before testing, the sieve procedure, and how the result is recorded. Keep shipment and inspection records together. Handling and transport can affect breakage, so the agreed destination method matters when comparing the result with the limit.
Pack formats, storage and shelf life
Available pack formats supplied for this product are:
- 10 kg bulk
- 2.5 kg × 4 packs per carton
- 1 kg × 10 packs per carton
- 800 g × 10 packs per carton
The stated storage condition is −18°C. The stated shelf life is 18 months. Buyers should confirm that shipment, receipt and subsequent storage arrangements meet the agreed product and destination requirements.
Questions buyers should settle before ordering
- Which nominal cut size (7×7, 8×8, 9×9 or 10×10 mm) and pack format are required?
- Which exact product specification and revision will govern the order?
- What sampling plan and measurement method will apply to length distribution, including threshold boundaries?
- How will the sieve-based fines test be performed, and where and when will destination fines be assessed?
- What inspection records and shipment documents should accompany the order?
- Which import, labelling, documentation and food requirements apply in the destination market, and who will verify them?
Import requirements vary by destination and can change. Importers should verify current requirements with the relevant authorities, customs broker and local compliance advisers for Iraq, GCC markets, CIS destinations and Türkiye before shipment. The product details in this article do not replace destination-specific checks.
Discuss your frozen fries requirement
Share your target cut size, pack format, destination market and expected order volume with the Royal Fries team. We can discuss the product specification and the inspection points that should be agreed for your program.