LegalizeCommission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2429 of 17 August 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards marketing standards for the fruit and vegetables sector, certain processed fruit and vegetable products and the bananas sector, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1666/1999 and Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) No 543/2011 and (EU) No 1333/2011
COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2023/2429 of 17 August 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards marketing standards for the fruit and vegetables sector, certain processed fruit and vegetable products and the bananas sector, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1666/1999 and Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) No 543/2011 and (EU) No 1333/2011
CHAPTER I
Introductory provisions
Article 1
Subject matter and scope
This Regulation applies to the following sectors and products:
(a) the fruit and vegetables sector referred to in Article 1(2), point (i), of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013;
(b) dried fruits of CN codes 0804 20 90 , 0806 20 and ex 0813 listed in Part X of Annex I to that Regulation;
(c) the bananas of CN code 0803 90 10 listed in Part XI of Annex I to that Regulation.
CHAPTER II
Marketing standards
Article 2
General marketing standard for fruits and vegetables referred to in Article 1(2), point (a)
Fruit and vegetables referred to in Article 1(2), point (a) shall conform to that general marketing standard unless they are subject to a specific marketing standard.
The details of the general marketing standard are set out in Part A of Annex I to this Regulation.
Article 3
Indication of the origin for certain processed fruit and vegetable products and ripened bananas
The following products shall carry an indication of the country of origin:
(a) dried fruits of CN code ex 0813 , as defined in Part X of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013;
(b) dried figs of CN code 0804 20 90 ;
(c) dried grapes of CN code 0806 20 ;
(d) ripened bananas of CN code 0803 90 10 and resulting of the ripening on the Union territory.
Article 4
Specific marketing standards for fruits and vegetables and for bananas
The following products or sector shall conform to the specific marketing standards set out in Part B of Annex I:
(a) apples;
(b) citrus fruit;
(c) kiwifruit;
(d) lettuces, curled leaved and broad-leaved endives;
(e) peaches and nectarines;
(f) pears;
(g) strawberries;
(h) sweet peppers;
(i) table grapes;
(j) tomatoes;
(k) bananas.
For the purposes of paragraph 1, point (k), the following shall apply:
(a) the specific marketing standard of the bananas sector is set out in Part B, Part 11 of Annex I for bananas of the varieties listed in the Appendix to that Annex, excluding bananas intended for processing. This marketing standard shall apply to bananas originating in third countries at the stage of release for free circulation, to bananas originating in the Union at the stage of first unloading in the Union, and to bananas delivered fresh to the consumer in the producing region at the stage of leaving the packing shed;
(b) the specific marketing standard referred to in point (a) shall not affect the application, at later stages of marketing, of national rules which: (i) do not impede the free circulation of bananas originating in third countries or other regions of the Union and complying with the marketing standard referred to in the first subparagraph; and (ii) are not incompatible with the marketing standard referred to in the first subparagraph.
Article 5
Exceptions and exemptions from the application of marketing standards
By way of derogation from Article 76(2) and (3) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013:
(a) the following products shall not be required to conform to the marketing standards: (i) products that are clearly marked with the words ‘intended for processing’ or ‘for animal feed’ or any other equivalent wording and are: — intended for industrial processing, or — presented for retail sale to consumers for their personal use and intended for processing by them, or — intended for the preparation of the products referred to in subparagraph (b)(xvii) of this paragraph, or — intended for animal feed or other non-food use; (ii) products sold by the producer directly to consumers for their personal use on their holding or, within a given production area as defined by the competent authority: — on a local market in a place reserved only to producers, or — by direct delivery; (iii) products marketed as edible sprouts, following germination of seeds of plants classified as fruit and vegetables listed in Part IX of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013; (iv) products of a given region which are sold by the retail trade of that region in case of well-established traditional local consumption or in exceptional and duly justified cases, subject to the conditions laid down in paragraph 4 of this Article;
(b) the following products shall not be required to conform to the marketing standard except regarding the indication of the country of origin as referred to in Article 76(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013: (i) non-cultivated mushrooms of CN code ex 0709 51 to ex 0709 56 and 0709 59 ; (ii) capers of CN code 0709 99 40 ; (iii) bitter almonds of CN code 0802 11 10 ; (iv) shelled almonds of CN code 0802 12 ; (v) shelled hazelnuts of CN code 0802 22 ; (vi) shelled walnuts of CN code 0802 32 ; (vii) shelled pistachios of CN code 0802 52 ; (viii) shelled macadamia of CN code 0802 62 ; (ix) shelled pine nuts of CN code 0802 92 ; (x) pecans of CN code 0802 99 10 ; (xi) other nuts of CN code 0802 99 90 ; (xii) dried plantains of CN code 0803 10 90 ; (xiii) dried citrus of CN code ex 0805 ; (xiv) mixtures of tropical nuts of CN code 0813 50 31 ; (xv) mixtures of other nuts of CN code 0813 50 39 ; (xvi) saffron of CN code 0910 20 ; (xvii) products classified as fruit and vegetables and listed in Part IX of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, having undergone any preparation beyond the extent of trimming as indicated in the applicable UNECE specific standard, or not intact within the meaning of the general marketing standard and making them ready to be directly consumed fresh or cooked;
(c) in case of donation, other than the free distribution covered by agreements and decisions referred to in Article 222 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 or supported within operational programs under Article 52 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), the products covered by this Regulation shall be required to conform to the general marketing standard except regarding marking provisions, provided they are clearly marked with the words ‘intended for donation’ or equivalent marking.
By way of derogation from Article 76(2) and (3) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, the following products shall not be required to conform to the marketing standards within a given production area defined by the Member State concerned, including where that production area is a transnational area as defined by the Member States concerned:
(a) products sold or delivered by the grower to preparation and packaging stations or storage facilities, or shipped from his holding to such stations;
(b) products shipped from storage facilities to preparation and packaging stations;
(c) products of EU origin that do not conform to the marketing standards set in this Regulation due to a situation of ‘force majeure’ (3) which allows Member States to decide that the products may be marketed within their territory under the conditions they specify.
Article 6
Information particulars along the supply chain
Article 7
Information particulars at the retail stage
Additional terms which suggest better/superior quality may not be included. In particular, the label may not include any descriptor of quality except the information specified in the marking requirement as set out in Annex I.
When the country of the packer and/or the dispatcher is indicated or when the variety indicated evokes a location, the characters to indicate the country of origin shall be larger and more visible than those used for the country of the packer and/or the dispatcher and the variety if different.
Article 8
Mixes
The marketing of packages of a net weight of 10 kg or less containing mixes of different products or species of products covered by this Regulation shall be allowed, provided that:
(a) the products and species of products are of uniform quality and each one complies with the relevant specific marketing standard as applicable or, where no specific marketing standard exists for a particular product, the general marketing standard as applicable;
(b) the package is labelled in accordance with this Regulation and the applicable provisions of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011; and
(c) the mix of different products is not such as to mislead the consumer.
If the products in a mix of different products or species of products covered by this Regulation originate in more than one Member State or third country, the names of the countries of origin may be replaced with one of the following indications, as appropriate:
(a) ‘EU’;
(b) ‘non-EU’;
(c) ‘EU and non-EU’.
CHAPTER III
Marketing standards related to imported products
Article 9
Conditions to consider imported products to have equivalent level of conformity
However, the Commission may approve checks of conformity to marketing standards carried out by Moroccan competent authorities in respect of products originating in the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara that are subject to the control of Moroccan custom authorities.
In order to obtain the approval referred to in paragraph 1, the third country inspection bodies that will be in charge of checks on conformity to marketing standards, must:
(a) be official bodies or bodies officially recognised by a third country’s competent authority;
(b) provide satisfactory guarantees and dispose of the necessary personnel, equipment and facilities to carry out checks in accordance with the methods referred to in Article 10(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2430 or equivalent methods.
CHAPTER IV
Final provisions
Article 10
Repeals
Implementing Regulations (EU) No 543/2011 and (EU) No 1333/2011 and Regulation (EC) No 1666/1999 are repealed.
References to the repealed Regulations shall be construed as references to this Regulation and to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2430, as appropriate, and be read in accordance with the correlation table set out in Annex II to this Regulation.
Article 11
Entry into force and application
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 1 January 2025, with the exception of Article 5(1), point (c), which shall apply the same day of entering into force of this Regulation.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
ANNEX I
PART A
GENERAL MARKETING STANDARD
This general marketing standard defines the quality requirements for fruit and vegetables, after preparation and packaging.
However, at stages following dispatch products may show in relation to the requirements of the standard:
— a slight lack of freshness and turgidity,
— a slight deterioration due to their development and their tendency to perish.
1. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Subject to the tolerances allowed, the products must be:
— intact,
— sound; products affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make them unfit for consumption are excluded,
— clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter,
— practically free from pests,
— free from damage caused by pests affecting the flesh,
— free of abnormal external moisture,
— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
— The condition of the products must be such as to enable them:
— to withstand transportation and handling,
— to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
2. MINIMUM MATURITY REQUIREMENTS
The products must be sufficiently developed, but not over-developed, and fruit must display satisfactory ripeness and must not be overripe.
The development and state of maturity of the products must be such as to enable them to continue their ripening process and to reach a satisfactory degree of ripeness.
3. TOLERANCE
A tolerance of 10 % by number or weight of product not satisfying the minimum quality requirements shall be permitted in each lot. Within this tolerance not more than 2 % in total may consist of produce affected by decay.
4. MARKING
Each package (9) must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside.
Name and physical address of the packer and/or the dispatcher (for example: street/city/region/postal code and, if different from the country of origin, the country).
This mention may be replaced:
— for all packages with the exception of pre-packages, by the officially issued or accepted code mark representing the packer and/or the dispatcher, indicated in close connection with the reference ‘Packer and/or Dispatcher’ (or equivalent abbreviations). The code mark shall be preceded by the ISO 3166 (alpha) country/area code of the recognising country, if not the country of origin;
— for pre-packages only, by the name and the address of a seller established within the Union indicated in close connection with the mention ‘Packed for:’ or an equivalent mention. In this case, the labelling shall also include a code representing the packer and/or the dispatcher. The seller shall give all information deemed necessary by the inspection body as to the meaning of this code.
Full name of the country of origin (10). For products originating in a Member State this shall be in the language of the country of origin or any other language understandable by the consumers of the country of destination. For other products, this shall be in any language understandable by the consumers of the country of destination.
Packages need not to bear the particulars mentioned in the first subparagraph, when they contain sales packages, clearly visible from the outside, and all bearing these particulars. These packages shall be free from any indications such as could mislead the consumer. When these packages are palletised, the particulars shall be given on a notice placed in an obvious position on at least two sides of the pallet.
PART B
SPECIFIC MARKETING STANDARDS
PART 1
Marketing standard for apples
This standard applies to apples of varieties (cultivars) grown from Malus domestica Borkh., to be supplied fresh to the consumer, apples for industrial processing being excluded.
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for apples, after preparation and packaging.
However, at stages following dispatch products may show in relation to the requirements of the standard:
— a slight lack of freshness and turgidity,
— for products graded in classes other than the ‘Extra’ Class, a slight deterioration due to their development and their tendency to perish.
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, apples must be:
— intact,
— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded,
— clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter,
— practically free from pests,
— free from damage caused by pests affecting the flesh,
— free from serious watercore, except for varieties marked with ‘V’ listed in the appendix to this standard,
— free of abnormal external moisture,
— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
The development and condition of the apples must be such as to enable them:
— to withstand transportation and handling, and
— to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
The apples must be sufficiently developed, and display satisfactory ripeness.
The development and state of maturity of the apples must be such as to enable them to continue their ripening process and to reach the degree of ripeness required in relation to the varietal characteristics.
In order to verify the minimum maturity requirements, several parameters may be considered (for example morphological aspect, taste, firmness and refractometric index).
Apples are classified in three classes defined as follows:
Apples in this class must be of superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety (11) and with the stalk which must be intact.
Apples must express the following minimum surface colour characteristic of the variety:
— 3/4 of total surface red coloured in case of colour group A,
— 1/2 of total surface mixed red coloured in case of colour group B,
— 1/3 of total surface slightly red coloured, blushed or striped in case of colour group C,
— no minimum colour requirement in case of colour group D.
The flesh must be perfectly sound.
They must be free from defects with the exception of very slight superficial defects provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package:
— very slight skin defects,
— very slight russeting (12) such as: — brown patches that may not go outside the stem cavity and may not be rough, and/or — slight isolated traces of russeting.
Apples in this class must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety (13).
Apples must express the following minimum surface colour characteristic of the variety:
— 1/2 of total surface red coloured in case of colour group A,
— 1/3 of total surface mixed red coloured in case of colour group B,
— 1/10 of total surface slightly red coloured, blushed or striped in case of colour group C,
— no minimum colour requirement in case of colour group D.
The flesh must be perfectly sound.
The following slight defects, however, may be allowed, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package:
— a slight defect in shape,
— a slight defect in development,
— a slight defect in colouring,
— slight bruising not exceeding 1 cm2 of total surface area and not discoloured,
— slight skin defects which must not extend over more than: — 2 cm in length for defects of elongated shape, — 1 cm2 of total surface area for other defects, with the exception of scab (Venturia inaequalis), which must not extend over more than 0,25 cm2, cumulative, in area,
— slight russeting (14) such as: — brown patches that may go slightly beyond the stem or pistil cavities but may not be rough, and/or — thin net-like russeting not exceeding 1/5 of the total fruit surface and not contrasting strongly with the general colouring of the fruit, and/or — dense russeting not exceeding 1/20 of the total fruit surface, while — thin net-like russeting and dense russeting taken together may not exceed a maximum of 1/5 of the total surface of the fruit.
The stalk may be missing, provided the break is clean and the adjacent skin is not damaged.
This class includes apples which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfy the minimum requirements specified in point A.
The flesh must be free from major defects.
The following defects may be allowed, provided the apples retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:
— defects in shape,
— defects in development,
— defects in colouring,
— slight bruising not exceeding 1,5 cm2 in area which may be slightly discoloured,
— skin defects which must not extend over more than: — 4 cm in length for defects of elongated shape, — 2,5 cm2 of total surface area for other defects, with the exception of scab (Venturia inaequalis), which must not extend over more than 1 cm2, cumulative, in area;
— slight russeting (15) such as: — brown patches that may go beyond the stem or pistil cavities and may be slightly rough, and/or — thin net-like russeting not exceeding 1/2 of the total fruit surface and not contrasting strongly with the general colouring of the fruit, and/or — dense russeting not exceeding 1/3 of the total fruit surface, while — thin net-like russeting and dense russeting taken together may not exceed a maximum of 1/2 of the total surface of the fruit.
Size is determined either by the maximum diameter of the equatorial section or by weight.
The minimum size shall be 60 mm, if measured by diameter or 90 g, if measured by weight. Fruit of smaller sizes may be accepted, if the Brix level (16) of the produce is equal to or greater than to 10,5° Brix and the size is not smaller than 50 mm or 70 g.
To ensure the uniformity in size, the range in size between produce in the same package shall not exceed:
(a) for fruit sized by diameter: — 5 mm for ‘Extra’ Class fruit and for Classes I and II fruit packed in rows and layers. However, for apples of the varieties Bramley’s Seedling (Bramley, Triomphe de Kiel) and Horneburger, the difference in diameter may amount to 10 mm, and — 10 mm for Class I fruit packed in sales packages or loose in the package. However, for apples of the varieties Bramley’s Seedling (Bramley, Triomphe de Kiel) and Horneburger, the difference in diameter may amount to 20 mm.
(b) for fruit sized by weight: — For ‘Extra’ Class and Classes I and II apples packed in rows and layers: Range (g) Weight difference (g) 70 -90 15 91 -135 20 136 -200 30 201 -300 40
300 50 — For Class I fruit packed in sales packages or loose in the package: Range (g) Uniformity (g) 70 -135 35 136 -300 70 300 100
There is no sizing uniformity requirement for Class II fruit packed in sales packages or loose in the package.
Varieties of miniature apples, marked with an ‘M’ in the appendix to this standard, are exempted from the sizing provisions. Those miniature varieties must have a minimum Brix level (17) of 12°.
At all marketing stages, tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each lot for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
A total tolerance of 5 %, by number or weight, of apples not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class I is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 0,5 % in total may consist of produce satisfying the requirements of Class II quality.
A total tolerance of 10 %, by number or weight, of apples not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class II is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 1 % in total may consist of produce satisfying neither the requirements of Class II quality nor the minimum requirements, or of produce affected by decay.
A total tolerance of 10 %, by number or weight, of apples satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 2 % in total may consist of produce affected by decay.
For all classes: a total tolerance of 10 %, by number or weight, of apples not satisfying the requirements as regards sizing is allowed. This tolerance may not be extended to include produce with a size:
— 5 mm or more below the minimum diameter,
— 10 g or more below the minimum weight.
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only apples of the same origin, variety, quality and size (if sized) and the same degree of ripeness.
In the case of the ‘Extra’ Class, uniformity also applies to colouring.
However, a mixture of apples of distinctly different varieties may be packed together in a sales package provided they are uniform in quality and, for each variety concerned, in origin. Uniformity in size is not required.
The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents. Information lasered on single fruit should not lead to flesh or skin defects.
The apples must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly. In particular, sales packages of a net weight exceeding 3 kg shall be sufficiently rigid to ensure proper protection of the produce.
The materials used inside the package must be clean and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The use of materials, particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue.
Stickers individually affixed on the produce shall be such that, when removed, they neither leave visible traces of glue, nor lead to skin defects.
Packages must be free of all foreign matter.
Each package (18) must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside.
Name and physical address of the packer and/or the dispatcher (for example street/city/region/postal code and, if different from the country of origin, the country).
This mention may be replaced:
— for all packages with the exception of pre-packages, by the officially issued or accepted code mark representing the packer and/or the dispatcher, indicated in close connection with the reference ‘Packer and/or Dispatcher’ (or equivalent abbreviations). The code mark shall be preceded by the ISO 3166 (alpha) country/area code of the recognising country, if not the country of origin;
— for pre-packages only, by the name and the address of a seller established within the Union indicated in close connection with the mention ‘Packed for:’ or an equivalent mention. In this case, the labelling shall also include a code representing the packer and/or the dispatcher. The seller shall give all information deemed necessary by the inspection body as to the meaning of this code.
— ‘Apples’ if the contents are not visible from the outside.
— Name of the variety. In the case of a mixture of apples of distinctly different varieties, names of the different varieties.
— The name of the variety may be replaced by a synonym. A trade name (19) may only be given in addition to the variety or the synonym.
— In the case of mutants with varietal protection, this variety name may replace the basic variety name. In case of mutants without varietal protection, this mutant name may only be indicated in addition to the basic variety name.
— ‘Miniature variety’, where appropriate.
Country of origin (20) and, optionally, district where grown, or national, regional or local place name.
In the case of a mixture of distinctly different varieties of apples of different origins, the indication of each country of origin shall appear next to the name of the variety concerned.
— Class,
— Size, or for fruit packed in rows and layers, number of units.
If identification is by the size, this should be expressed:
(a) for produce subject to the uniformity rules, as minimum and maximum diameters or minimum and maximum weights;
(b) optionally, for produce not subject to the uniformity rules, as the diameter or the weight of the smallest fruit in the package followed by ‘and over’ or equivalent denomination or, where appropriate, followed by the diameter or weight of the largest fruit in the package.
Packages need not to bear the particulars mentioned in the first subparagraph of point VI, when they contain sales packages, clearly visible from the outside, and all bearing these particulars. These packages shall be free from any indications such as could mislead. When these packages are palletised, the particulars shall be given on a notice placed in an obvious position on at least two sides of the pallet.
Appendix
Fruits of varieties that are not part of the list must be graded according to their varietal characteristics.
Some of the varieties listed in the following table may be marketed under names for which trademark protection has been sought or obtained in one or more countries. The three first columns of the table hereunder do not intend to include such trademarks. References to known trademarks have been included in the fourth column for information only.
M =miniature variety
R =russet variety
V =watercore
- =mutant without varietal protection but linked to a registered/protected trademark; mutants not marked with the asterisk are protected varieties
| Varieties | Mutant | Synonyms | Trademarks | Colour group | Additional specifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African Red | African Carmine ™ | B | |||
| Akane | Tohoku 3, Primerouge | B | |||
| Alkmene | Early Windsor | C | |||
| Alwa | B | ||||
| Amasya | B | ||||
| Ambrosia | Ambrosia ® | B | |||
| Annurca | B | ||||
| Ariane | Les Naturianes ® | B | |||
| Arlet | Swiss Gourmet | B | R | ||
| AW 106 | Sapora ® | C | |||
| Belgica | B | ||||
| Belle de Boskoop | Schone van Boskoop, Goudreinette | D | R | ||
| Boskoop rouge | Red Boskoop, Roter Boskoop, Rode Boskoop | B | R | ||
| Boskoop Valastrid | B | R | |||
| Berlepsch | Freiherr von Berlepsch | C | |||
| Berlepsch rouge | Red Berlepsch, Roter Berlepsch | B | |||
| Bonita | A | ||||
| Braeburn | B | ||||
| Hidala | Hillwell ® | A | |||
| Joburn | Aurora ™, Red Braeburn ™, Southern Rose ™ | A | |||
| Lochbuie Red Braeburn | A | ||||
| Mahana Red Braeburn | Redfield ® | A | |||
| Mariri Red | Eve ™, Aporo ® | A | |||
| Royal Braeburn | A | ||||
| Bramley’s Seedling | Bramley, Triomphe de Kiel | D | |||
| Cardinal | B | ||||
| Caudle | Cameo ®, Camela® | B | |||
| Cauflight | Cameo ®, Camela® | A | |||
| CIV323 | Isaaq ® | B | |||
| CIVG198 | Modi ® | A | |||
| Civni | Rubens ® | B | |||
| Collina | C | ||||
| Coop 38 | Goldrush ®, Delisdor ® | D | R | ||
| Coop 39 | Crimson Crisp ® | A | |||
| Coop 43 | Juliet ® | B | |||
| Coromandel Red | Corodel | A | |||
| Cortland | B | ||||
| Cox’s Orange Pippin | Cox orange, Cox’s O.P. | C | R | ||
| Cripps Pink | Pink Lady ®, Flavor Rose ® | C | |||
| Lady in Red | Pink Lady ® | B | |||
| Rosy Glow | Pink Lady ® | B | |||
| Ruby Pink | B | ||||
| Cripps Red | Sundowner ™, Joya ® | B | |||
| Dalinbel | Antares ® | B | R | ||
| Dalitron | Altess ® | D | |||
| Delblush | Tentation ® | D | |||
| Delcorf | Delbarestivale ® | C | |||
| Celeste | B | ||||
| Bruggers Festivale | Sissired ® | A | |||
| Dalili | Ambassy ® | A | |||
| Wonik* | Appache ® | A | |||
| Delcoros | Autento ® | A | |||
| Delgollune | Delbard Jubilé ® | B | |||
| Delicious ordinaire | Ordinary Delicious | B | |||
| Discovery | C | ||||
| Dykmanns Zoet | C | ||||
| Egremont Russet | D | R | |||
| Elise | De Roblos, Red Delight | A | |||
| Elstar | C | ||||
| Bel-El | Red Elswout ® | C | |||
| Daliest | Elista ® | C | |||
| Daliter | Elton ™ | C | |||
| Elshof | C | ||||
| Elstar Boerekamp | Excellent Star ® | C | |||
| Elstar Palm | Elstar PCP ® | C | |||
| Goedhof | Elnica ® | C | |||
| Red Elstar | C | ||||
| RNA9842 | Red Flame ® | C | |||
| Valstar | C | ||||
| Vermuel | Elrosa ® | C | |||
| Empire | A | ||||
| Fengapi | Tessa ® | B | |||
| Fiesta | Red Pippin | C | |||
| Fresco | Wellant ® | B | R | ||
| Fuji | B | V | |||
| Aztec | Fuji Zhen ® | A | V | ||
| Brak | Fuji Kiku ® 8 | B | V | ||
| FUCIV51 | SAN-CIV ® | A | V | ||
| Fuji Fubrax | Fuji Kiku ® Fubrax | B | V | ||
| Fuji Supreme | A | V | |||
| Fuji VW | King Fuji ® | A | V | ||
| Heisei Fuji | Beni Shogun ® | A | V | ||
| Raku-Raku | B | V | |||
| Gala | C | ||||
| Alvina | A | ||||
| ANABP 01 | Bravo ™ | A | |||
| Baigent | Brookfield ® | A | |||
| Bigigalaprim | Early Red Gala ® | B | |||
| Devil Gala | A | ||||
| Fengal | Gala Venus | A | |||
| Gala Schnico | Schniga ® | A | |||
| Gala Schnico Red | Schniga ® | A | |||
| Galafresh | Breeze ® | A | |||
| Galaval | A | ||||
| Galaxy | Selekta ® | B | |||
| Gilmac | Neon ® | A | |||
| Imperial Gala | B | ||||
| Jugala | B | ||||
| Mitchgla | Mondial Gala ® | B | |||
| Natali Gala | B | ||||
| Regal Prince | Gala Must ® | B | |||
| Royal Beaut | A | ||||
| Simmons | Buckeye ® Gala | A | |||
| Tenroy | Royal Gala ® | B | |||
| ZoukG1 | Gala One® | A | |||
| Galmac | Camelot ® | B | |||
| Gloster | B | ||||
| Golden 972 | D | ||||
| Golden Delicious | Golden | D | |||
| CG10 Yellow Delicious | Smothee ® | D | |||
| Golden Delicious Reinders | Reinders ® | D | |||
| Golden Parsi | Da Rosa ® | D | |||
| Leratess | Pink Gold ® | D | |||
| Quemoni | Rosagold ® | D | |||
| Goldstar | Rezista Gold Granny ® | D | |||
| Gradigold | Golden Supreme ™, Golden Extreme ™ | D | |||
| Gradiyel | Goldkiss ® | D | |||
| Granny Smith | D | ||||
| Dalivair | Challenger ® | D | |||
| Gravensteiner | Gravenstein | D | |||
| GS 66 | Fräulein ® | B | |||
| HC2-1 | Easy pep’s! Zingy ® | A | |||
| Hokuto | C | ||||
| Holsteiner Cox | Holstein | C | R | ||
| Honeycrisp | Honeycrunch ® | C | |||
| Horneburger | D | ||||
| Idared | B | ||||
| Idaredest | B | ||||
| Najdared | B | ||||
| Ingrid Marie | B | R | |||
| Inored | Story ®, LoliPop ® | A | |||
| James Grieve | D | ||||
| Jonagold | C | ||||
| Early Jonagold | Milenga ® | C | |||
| Dalyrian | C | ||||
| Decosta | C | ||||
| Jonagold Boerekamp | Early Queen ® | C | |||
| Jonagold Novajo | Veulemanns | C | |||
| Jonagored | Morren’s Jonagored ® | C | |||
| Jonagored Supra | Morren’s Jonagored ® Supra ® | C | |||
| Red Jonaprince | Wilton’s ®, Red Prince ® | C | |||
| Rubinstar | C | ||||
| Schneica | Jonica | C | |||
| Vivista | C | ||||
| Jonathan | B | ||||
| Karmijn de Sonnaville | C | R | |||
| Kizuri | Morgana ® | B | |||
| Ladina | A | ||||
| La Flamboyante | Mairac ® | B | |||
| Laxton’s Superb | C | R | |||
| Ligol | B | ||||
| Lobo | B | ||||
| Lurefresh | Redlove ® Era ® | A | |||
| Lureprec | Redlove ® Circe ® | A | |||
| Luregust | Redlove ® Calypso ® | A | |||
| Luresweet | Redlove ® Odysso ® | A | |||
| Maigold | B | ||||
| Maribelle | Lola ® | B | |||
| MC38 | Crimson Snow ® | A | |||
| McIntosh | B | ||||
| Melrose | C | ||||
| Milwa | Diwa ®, Junami ® | B | |||
| Minneiska | SweeTango ® | B | |||
| Moonglo | C | ||||
| Morgenduft | Imperatore | B | |||
| Mountain Cove | Ginger Gold ™ | D | |||
| Mored | Joly Red ® | A | |||
| Mutsu | Crispin | D | |||
| Newton | C | ||||
| Nicogreen | Greenstar ® | D | |||
| Nicoter | Kanzi ® | B | |||
| Northern Spy | C | ||||
| Ohrin | Orin | D | |||
| Paula Red | B | ||||
| Pinova | Corail ® | C | |||
| RoHo 3615 | Evelina ® | B | |||
| Piros | C | ||||
| Plumac | Koru ® | B | |||
| Prem A153 | Lemonade ®, Honeymoon ® | C | |||
| Prem A17 | Smitten ® | C | |||
| Prem A280 | Sweetie™ | B | |||
| Prem A96 | Rockit ™ | B | M | ||
| R201 | Kissabel ® Rouge | A | |||
| Rafzubin | Rubinette ® | C | |||
| Frubaur | Rubinette ® Rossina | A | |||
| Rafzubex | Rubinette ® Rosso | A | |||
| Rajka | Rezista Romelike ® | B | |||
| Regalyou | Candine ® | A | |||
| Red Delicious | Rouge américaine | A | |||
| Campsur | Red Chief ® | A | |||
| Erovan | Early Red One ® | A | |||
| Evasni | Scarlet Spur ® | A | |||
| Stark Delicious | A | ||||
| Starking | C | ||||
| Starkrimson | A | ||||
| Starkspur | A | ||||
| Topred | A | ||||
| Trumdor | Oregon Spur Delicious ® | A | |||
| Reine des Reinettes | Gold Parmoné, Goldparmäne | C | V | ||
| Reinette grise du Canada | Graue Kanadarenette, Renetta Canada | D | R | ||
| RM1 | Red Moon ® | A | |||
| Rome Beauty | Belle de Rome, Rome, Rome Sport | B | |||
| RS1 | Red Moon ® | A | |||
| Rubelit | A | ||||
| Rubin | C | ||||
| Rubinola | B | ||||
| Šampion | Shampion, Champion, Szampion | B | |||
| Reno 2 | A | ||||
| Šampion Arno | Szampion Arno | A | |||
| Santana | B | ||||
| Sciearly | Pacific Beauty ™, NZ Beauty | A | |||
| Scifresh | Jazz ™ | B | |||
| Sciglo | Southern Snap ™ | A | |||
| Scilate | Envy ® | B | |||
| Sciray | GS48 | A | |||
| Scired | NZ Queen | A | R | ||
| Sciros | Pacific Rose ™, NZ Rose | A | |||
| Senshu | C | ||||
| Shinano Gold | Yello ® | D | |||
| Spartan | A | ||||
| SQ 159 | Natyra ®, Magic Star ® | A | |||
| Stayman | B | ||||
| Summerred | B | ||||
| Sunrise | A | ||||
| Sunset | D | R | |||
| Suntan | D | R | |||
| Sweet Caroline | C | ||||
| TCL3 | Posy ® | A | |||
| Topaz | B | ||||
| Tydeman’s Early Worcester | Tydeman’s Early | B | |||
| Tsugaru | C | ||||
| UEB32642 | Opal ® | D | |||
| WA 2 | Sunrise Magic ™ | A | |||
| WA 38 | Cosmic Crisp ™ | A | |||
| Worcester Pearmain | B | ||||
| Xeleven | Swing ® natural more | A | |||
| York | B | ||||
| Zari | B | ||||
| Zouk 16 | Flanders Pink ®, Mariposa ® | B | |||
| Zouk 31 | Rubisgold ® | D | |||
| Zouk 32 | Coryphée ® | A |
PART 2
Marketing standard for citrus fruit
This standard applies to citrus fruit of varieties (cultivars) grown from the following species, to be supplied fresh to the consumer, citrus fruit for industrial processing being excluded:
— lemons grown from the species Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. and hybrids thereof,
— Persian limes grown from the species Citrus latifolia (Yu. Tanaka) Tanaka, a large fruited acid lime known also as Bearss or Tahiti and hybrids thereof,
— Mexican limes grown from the species Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle, also known as sour limes and key limes and hybrids thereof,
— Indian sweet limes, Palestine sweet limes grown from the species Citrus limettioides Tanaka and hybrids thereof,
— mandarins grown from the species Citrus reticulata Blanco, including satsumas (Citrus unshiu Marcow), clementines (Citrus clementina hort. ex Tanaka), common mandarins (Citrus deliciosa Ten.) and tangerines (Citrus tangerina Tanaka) grown from these species and hybrids thereof,
— oranges grown from the species Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck and hybrids thereof,
— grapefruit grown from the species Citrus paradisi Macfad. and hybrids thereof,
— pummelos or Shaddock grown from the species Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. And hybrids thereof.
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for citrus fruit after preparation and packaging.
However, at stages following dispatch products may show in relation to the requirements of the standard:
— a slight lack of freshness and turgidity,
— for products graded in classes other than the ‘Extra’ Class, a slight deterioration due to theirdevelopment and their tendency to perish.
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the citrus fruit must be:
— intact,
— free of bruising and/or extensive healed overcuts,
— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded,
— clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter,
— practically free from pests,
— free from damage caused by pests affecting the flesh,
— free of signs of shrivelling and dehydration,
— free of damage caused by low temperature or frost,
— free of abnormal external moisture,
— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
The development and condition of the citrus fruit must be such as to enable it:
— to withstand transportation and handling, and
— to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
The citrus fruit must have reached an appropriate degree of development and ripeness, account being taken of criteria proper to the variety, the time of picking and the growing area.
Maturity of citrus fruit is defined by the following parameters specified for each species as follows:
— minimum juice content,
— minimum total soluble solids content, i.e. minimum sugar content,
— minimum sugar/acid ratio (21),
— colouring.
The degree of colouring shall be such that following normal development the citrus fruit reach the colour typical of the variety at their destination point.
| Fruit | Minimum juice content (%) | Minimum sugar content (°Brix) | Minimum sugar/acid ratio | Colouring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemons | 20 | Must be typical of the variety. Fruit with a green (but not dark green) colour is allowed, provided it satisfies the minimum requirements as to juice content | ||
| Limes | ||||
| Persian lime | 42 | The fruit should be green but may show yellow patches up to 30 % of its surface for Persian limes and up to 20 % for Mexican and Indian limes | ||
| Mexican and Indian sweet limes | 40 | |||
| Satsumas, clementines, other mandarin varieties and their hybrids | ||||
| Satsumas | 33 | 6,5 :1 | Must be typical of the variety on at least one third of the surface of the fruit | |
| Clementines | 40 | 7,0 :1 | ||
| Other mandarin varieties and their hybrids | 33 | 7,5 :1 (1) | ||
| Oranges | ||||
| Blood oranges | 30 | 6,5 :1 | Must be typical of the variety. However, fruit with light green colour not exceeding one fifth of the total surface area of the fruit is allowed, provided it satisfies the minimum requirements as to juice content. Oranges produced in areas with high temperatures and high relative humidity conditions during the developing period having a green colour exceeding one fifth of the surface area of the fruit are allowed, provided they satisfy the minimum requirements as to juice content. | |
| Navels group | 33 | 6,5 :1 | ||
| Other varieties | 35 | 6,5 :1 | ||
| Mosambi, Sathgudi and Pacitan with more than one fifth green colour | 33 | |||
| Other varieties with more than one fifth green colour | 45 | |||
| Grapefruit and hybrids | ||||
| All varieties and hybrids | 35 | Must be typical of the variety. Fruit with a greenish colour (green in Oroblanco) is allowed, provided it satisfies the minimum requirements as to juice content | ||
| Oroblanco | 35 | 9 | ||
| Pummelos (Shaddock) and hybrids | 8 | Must be typical of the variety on at least two thirds of the surface of the fruit | ||
| (1) For the varieties Mandora and Minneola the minimum sugar/acid ratio is 6,0:1 until the end of the marketing year starting 1 January 2023. |
Citrus fruit meeting these maturity requirements may be ‘degreened’. This treatment is only permitted if the other natural organoleptic characteristics are not modified.
Citrus fruit is classified in three classes, defined as follows:
Citrus fruit in this class must be of superior quality. It must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type.
It must be free from defects, with the exception of very slight superficial defects, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.
Citrus fruit in this class must be of good quality. It must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type.
The following slight defects, however, may be allowed provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package:
— a slight defect in shape,
— slight defects in colouring, including slight sunburn,
— slight progressive skin defects, provided they do not affect the flesh,
— slight skin defects occurring during the formation of the fruit, such as silver scurfs, russets or pest damage,
— slight healed defects due to a mechanical cause such as hail damage, rubbing or damage from handling,
— slight and partial detachment of the peel (or rind) for all fruit of the mandarin group.
This class includes citrus fruit which does not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfies the minimum requirements specified in point A.
The following defects may be allowed, provided the citrus fruit retains its essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:
— defects in shape,
— defects in colouring, including sunburn,
— progressive skin defects, provided they do not affect the flesh,
— skin defects occurring during the formation of the fruit, such as silver scurfs, russets or pest damage,
— healed defects due to a mechanical cause such as hail damage, rubbing or damage from handling,
— superficial healed skin alterations,
— rough skin,
— a slight and partial detachment of the peel (or rind) for oranges and a partial detachment of the peel (or rind) for all fruit of the mandarin group.
Size is determined by the maximum diameter of the equatorial section of the fruit or by count.
The following minimum sizes apply:
| Fruit | Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|
| Lemons | 45 |
| Persian limes | 42 |
| Mexican and Indian sweet limes | 25 |
| Satsumas, other mandarin varieties and hybrids | 45 |
| Clementines | 35 |
| Oranges | 53 |
| Grapefruit and hybrids | 70 |
| Pummelos and hybrids | 100 |
Citrus fruit may be sized by one of the following options:
(a) To ensure uniformity in size, the range in size between produce in the same package shall not exceed: — 10 mm, if the diameter of the smallest fruit (as indicated on the package) is < 60 mm, — 15 mm, if the diameter of the smallest fruit (as indicated on the package) is ≥ 60 mm but < 80 mm, — 20 mm, if the diameter of the smallest fruit (as indicated on the package) is ≥ 80 mm but < 110 mm, — there is no limitation of difference in diameter for fruit ≥ 110 mm.
(b) When size codes are applied, the codes and ranges in the following tables must be respected: Fruit Size code Diameter (mm) Lemons 0 79 – 90 1 72 – 83 2 68 – 78 3 63 – 72 4 58 – 67 5 53 – 62 6 48 – 57 7 45 – 52 Limes Persian limes 1 58 – 67 2 53 – 62 3 48 – 57 4 45 – 52 5 42 – 49 Mexican and Indian sweet limes 1
45 2 40,1 – 45 3 35,1 – 40 4 30,1 – 35 5 25 – 30 Satsumas, clementines, and other mandarin varieties and hybrids 1 – XXX 78 and above 1 – XX 67 – 78 1 or 1 – X 63 – 74 2 58 – 69 3 54 – 64 4 50 – 60 5 46 – 56 6 (1) 43 – 52 7 41 – 48 8 39 – 46 9 37 – 44 10 35 – 42 Oranges 0 92 – 110 1 87 – 100 2 84 – 96 3 81 – 92 4 77 – 88 5 73 – 84 6 70 – 80 7 67 – 76 8 64 – 73 9 62 – 70 10 60 – 68 11 58 – 66 12 56 – 63 13 53 – 60 Grapefruit and hybrids 0 > 139 1 109 – 139 2 100 – 119 3 93 – 110 4 88 – 102 5 84 – 97 6 81 – 93 7 77 – 89 8 73 – 85 9 70 – 80 Pummelos and hybrids 0 > 170 1 156 – 170 2 148 – 162 3 140 – 154 4 132 – 146 5 123 – 138 6 116 – 129 7 100 – 118 (1) Sizes below 45 mm refer to clementines only. Uniformity in size is achieved by the above-mentioned size scales, unless otherwise stated as follows: For fruit in bulk bins and fruit in sales packages of a maximum net weight of 5 kg, the maximum difference must not exceed the range obtained by grouping three consecutive sizes in the size scale.
(c) For fruit sized by count, the difference in size should be consistent with point (a).
At all marketing stages, tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each lot for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
A total tolerance of 5 %, by number or weight, of citrus fruit not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class I is allowed. Within this tolerance, not more than 0,5 % in total may consist of produce satisfying the requirements of Class II quality.
A total tolerance of 10 %, by number or weight, of citrus fruit not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class II is allowed. Within this tolerance, not more than 1 % in total may consist of produce satisfying neither the requirements of Class II quality nor the minimum requirements, or of produce affected by decay.
A total tolerance of 10 %, by number or weight, of citrus fruit satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements is allowed. Within this tolerance, not more than 2 % in total may consist of produce affected by decay.
For all classes: a total tolerance of 10 %, by number or weight, of citrus fruit corresponding to the size immediately below and/or above that (or those, in the case of the combination of three sizes) mentioned on the packages is allowed.
In any case, the tolerance of 10 % applies only to fruit not smaller than the following minima:
| Fruit | Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|
| Lemons | 43 |
| Persian limes | 40 |
| Mexican and Indian sweet limes | Not applicable |
| Satsumas, other mandarin varieties and hybrids | 43 |
| Clementines | 34 |
| Oranges | 50 |
| Grapefruit and hybrids | 67 |
| Pummelos and hybrids | 98 |
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only citrus fruit of the same origin, variety or commercial type, quality and size, and appreciably of the same degree of ripeness and development.
In addition, for the ‘Extra’ Class, uniformity in colouring is required.
However, a mixture of citrus fruit of distinctly different species may be packed together in a sales package, provided they are uniform in quality and, for each species concerned, in variety or commercial type and origin. Uniformity in size is not required.
The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.
The citrus fruit must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly.
The materials used inside the package must be clean and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The use of materials, particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue.
Stickers individually affixed on the produce shall be such that, when removed, they neither leave visible traces of glue, nor lead to skin defects. Information lasered on single fruit should not lead to flesh or skin defects.
If the fruit is wrapped, thin, dry, new and odourless (22) paper must be used.
The use of any substance tending to modify the natural characteristics of the citrus fruit, especially its taste or smell (23), is prohibited.
Packages must be free of all foreign matter. However, a presentation where a short (not wooden) twig with some green leaves adheres to the fruit is allowed.
Each package (24) must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside.
Name and physical address of the packer and/or the dispatcher (for example street/city/region/postal code and, if different from the country of origin, the country).
This mention may be replaced:
— for all packages with the exception of pre-packages, by the officially issued or accepted code mark representing the packer and/or the dispatcher, indicated in close connection with the reference ‘Packer and/or Dispatcher’ (or equivalent abbreviations). The code mark shall be preceded by the ISO 3166 (alpha) country/area code of the recognising country, if not the country of origin;
— for pre-packages only, by the name and the address of a seller established within the Union indicated in close connection with the mention ‘Packed for:’ or an equivalent mention. In this case, the labelling shall also include a code representing the packer and/or the dispatcher. The seller shall give all information deemed necessary by the inspection body as to the meaning of this code.
‘Lemons’, ‘Limes’, ‘Persian limes’, ‘Mexican limes’, ‘Indian sweet limes’/‘Palestine sweet limes’, ‘Mandarins’, ‘Oranges’, ‘Grapefruit’, ‘Pummelos’/‘Shaddock’ if the produce is not visible from the outside.
‘Mixture of citrus fruit’ or equivalent denomination and common names of the different species, in case of a mixture of citrus fruit of distinctly different species.
For oranges, name of the variety, and/or the respective variety group in the case of ‘Navels’, and ‘Valencias’.
For ‘Satsumas’ and ‘Clementines’, the common name of the species is required and the name of the variety is optional.
For other mandarins and hybrids thereof, the name of the variety is required.
For all other species: the name of the variety is optional.
The name of a variety may be replaced by a synonym. A trade name (25) may only be given in addition to the variety or the synonym.
Flesh colour ‘white’, ‘pink’ or ‘red’ for grapefruit and pummelos where appropriate.
‘Seeded’ in case of clementines with more than 10 seeds.
‘Seedless’ (optional, seedless citrus fruit may occasionally contain seeds)
— Country of origin (26) and, optionally, district where grown, or national, regional or local place name.
— In the case of a mixture of citrus fruit of distinctly different species of different origins, the indication of each country of origin shall appear next to the name of the species concerned.
— Class.
— Size expressed as: — Minimum and maximum sizes (in mm), or — Size code(s) followed, optionally, by a minimum and maximum size, or — Count.
— When used, mention of the preserving agent or other chemical substances used at post-harvest stage.
Packages need not to bear the particulars mentioned in the first subparagraph of point VI, when they contain sales packages, clearly visible from the outside, and all bearing these particulars. These packages shall be free from any indications such as could mislead. When these packages are palletised, the particulars shall be given on a notice placed in an obvious position on at least two sides of the pallet.
PART 3
Marketing standard for kiwifruit
This standard applies to kiwifruit (also known as Actinidia or kiwi) of varieties (cultivars) grown from Actinidia chinensis Planch. and Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.), C.F. Liang and A.R. Ferguson to be supplied fresh to the consumer, kiwifruit for industrial processing being excluded.
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for kiwifruit, after preparation and packaging.
However, at stages following dispatch products may show in relation to the requirements of the standard:
— a slight lack of freshness and turgidity,
— for products graded in classes other than the ‘Extra’ Class, a slight deterioration due to their development and their tendency to perish.
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the kiwifruit must be:
— intact (but free of peduncle),
— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded,
— clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter,
— practically free from pests,
— free from damage caused by pests affecting the flesh,
— adequately firm; not soft, shrivelled or water-soaked,
— well formed, double/multiple fruit being excluded,
— free of abnormal external moisture,
— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
The development and condition of the kiwifruit must be such as to enable it:
— to withstand transportation and handling, and
— to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
The kiwifruit must be sufficiently developed and display satisfactory ripeness.
In order to satisfy this requirement, the fruit at packing must have attained a degree of ripeness of at least 6,2° Brix (27) or an average dry matter content of 15 %, which should lead to 9,5° Brix when entering the distribution chain.
Kiwifruit is classified in three classes, defined as follows:
Kiwifruit in this class must be of superior quality. It must be characteristics of the variety.
The fruit must be firm and the flesh must be perfectly sound.
It must be free from defects with the exception of very slight superficial defects, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.
The ratio of the minimum/maximum diameter of the fruit measured at the equatorial section must be 0,8 or greater.
Kiwifruit in this class must be of good quality. It must be characteristic of the variety.
The fruit must be firm and the flesh must be perfectly sound.
The following slight defects, however, may be allowed provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package:
— a slight defect in shape (but free of swelling or malformations),
— slight defects in colouring,
— slight skin defects, provided the total area affected does not exceed 1 cm2,
— small ‘Hayward mark’ like longitudinal lines and without protuberance.
The ratio of the minimum/maximum diameter of the fruit measured at the equatorial section must be 0,7 or greater.
This class includes kiwifruit that does not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfies the minimum requirements specified in point A.
The fruit must be reasonably firm and the flesh should not show any serious defects.
The following defects may be allowed provided the kiwifruit retains its essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:
— defects in shape,
— defects in colouring,
— skin defects such as small healed cuts or scarred/grazed tissue, provided that the total area affected does not exceed 2 cm2,
— several more pronounced ‘Hayward marks’ with a slight protuberance,
— slight bruising.
Size is determined by the weight of the fruit.
The minimum weight for ‘Extra’ Class is 90 g, for Class I is 70 g and for Class II is 65 g.
To ensure uniformity in size, the range in size between produce in the same package shall not exceed:
— 10 g for fruit of weight up to 85 g,
— 15 g for fruit weighing between 85 g and 120 g,
— 20 g for fruit weighing between 120 g and 150 g,
— 40 g for fruit weighing 150 g or more.
At all marketing stages, tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each lot for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
A total tolerance of 5 %, by number or weight, of kiwifruit not satisfying the requirements of the class but meeting those of Class I is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 0,5 % in total may consist of produce satisfying the requirements of Class II quality.
A total tolerance of 10 %, by number or weight, of kiwifruit not satisfying the requirements of the class but meeting those of Class II is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 1 % in total may consist of produce satisfying neither the requirements of Class II quality nor the minimum requirements, or of produce affected by decay.
A total tolerance of 10 %, by number or weight, of kiwifruit satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 2 % in total may consist of produce affected by decay.
For all classes: a total tolerance of 10 %, by number or weight, of kiwifruit not satisfying the requirements as regards sizing is allowed.
However, the kiwifruit must not weigh less than 85 g in ‘Extra’ Class, 67 g in Class I and 62 g in Class II.
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only kiwifruit of the same origin, variety, quality and size.
The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.
The kiwifruit must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly.
The materials used inside the package must be clean and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The use of materials, particularly of paper or stamps, bearing trade specifications is allowed, provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue.
Stickers individually affixed to the produce shall be such that, when removed, they neither leave visible traces of glue, nor lead to skin defects. Information lasered on single fruit should not lead to flesh or skin defects.
Packages must be free of all foreign matter.
Each package (28) must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside:
Name and physical address of the packer and/or the dispatcher (for example street/city/region/postal code and, if different from the country of origin, the country).
This mention may be replaced:
— for all packages with the exception of pre-packages, by the officially issued or accepted code mark representing the packer and/or the dispatcher, indicated in close connection with the reference ‘Packer and/or Dispatcher’ (or equivalent abbreviations). The code mark shall be preceded by the ISO 3166 (alpha) country/area code of the recognising country, if not the country of origin;
— for pre-packages only, by the name and the address of a seller established within the Union indicated in close connection with the mention ‘Packed for:’ or an equivalent mention. In this case, the labelling shall also include a code representing the packer and/or the dispatcher. The seller shall give all information deemed necessary by the inspection body as to the meaning of this code.
— ‘Kiwifruit’ and/or ‘Actinidia’, if the contents are not visible from the outside.
— Name of the variety (optional).
— Flesh colour or equivalent indication, if not green.
Country of origin (29) and, optionally, district where grown, or national, regional or local place name.
— Class.
— Size expressed by the minimum and maximum weight of the fruit.
— Number of fruits (optional).
Packages need not bear the particulars mentioned in the first subparagraph of point VI, when they contain sales packages, clearly visible from the outside, and all bearing these particulars. These packages shall be free from any indications such as could mislead. When these packages are palletised, the particulars shall be given on a notice placed in an obvious position on at least two sides of the pallet.
PART 4
Marketing standard for lettuces, curled-leaved endives and broad-leaved (Batavian) endives
This standard applies to:
— lettuces of varieties (cultivars) grown from: — Lactuca sativa var. capitata L. (head lettuces including crisphead and ‘Iceberg’ type lettuces), — Lactuca sativa var. longifolia Lam. (cos or romaine lettuces), — Lactuca sativa var. crispa L. (leaf lettuces), — crosses of these varieties and
— curled-leaved endives of varieties (cultivars) grown from Cichorium endivia var. crispum Lam. and
— broad-leaved (Batavian) endives (escaroles) of varieties (cultivars) grown from Cichorium endivia var. latifolium Lam.
to be supplied fresh to the consumer.
This standard does not apply to produce for industrial processing, produce presented as individual leaves, lettuces with root ball or lettuces in pots.
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for produce, after preparation and packaging.
However, at stages following dispatch products may show in relation to the requirements of the standard:
— a slight lack of freshness and turgidity,
— a slight deterioration due to their development and their tendency to perish.
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the produce must be:
— intact,
— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded,
— clean and trimmed, i.e. practically free from all earth or other growing medium and practically free of any visible foreign matter,
— fresh in appearance,
— practically free from pests,
— practically free from damage caused by pests,
— turgescent,
— not running to seed,
— free of abnormal external moisture,
— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
In the case of lettuce, a reddish discolouration, caused by low temperature during growth, is allowed, unless it seriously affects the appearance of the lettuce.
The roots must be cut close to the base of the outer leaves and the cut must be neat.
The produce must be of normal development. The development and condition of the produce must be such as to enable it:
— to withstand transportation and handling, and
— to arrive in a satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
The produce is classified in two classes, defined as follows:
Produce in this class must be of good quality. It must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type.
The produce must also be:
— well formed,
— firm, taking into account the cultivation methods and the type of produce,
— free from damage or deterioration impairing edibility,
— free from frost damage.
Head lettuces must have a single well-formed heart. However, in the case of head lettuces grown under protection, the heart may be small.
Cos lettuces must have a heart, which may be small.
The centre of curled-leaved endives and broad-leaved (Batavian) endives must be yellow in colour.
This class includes produce which do not qualify for inclusion in Class I, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified in point A.
The produce must be:
— reasonably well-formed,
— free from damage and deterioration which may seriously impair edibility.
The following defects may be allowed provided the produce retains its essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:
— slight discolouration,
— slight damage caused by pests.
Head lettuces must have a heart, which may be small. However, in the case of head lettuces grown under protection, absence of heart is permissible.
Cos lettuces may show no heart.
Size is determined by the weight of one unit.
To ensure uniformity in size, the range in size between produce in the same package shall not exceed:
(a) Lettuces: — 40 g when the lightest unit weighs less than 150 g per unit, — 100 g when the lightest unit weighs between 150 g and 300 g per unit, — 150 g when the lightest unit weighs between 300 g and 450 g per unit, — 300 g when the lightest unit weighs more than 450 g per unit.
(b) Curled-leaved and broad-leaved (Batavian) endives: — 300 g.
At all marketing stages, tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each lot for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
A total tolerance of 10 %, by number, of produce not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class II is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 1 % in total may consist of produce satisfying neither the requirements of Class II quality nor the minimum requirements, or of produce affected by decay.
A total tolerance of 10 %, by number, of produce satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 2 % in total may consist of produce affected by decay.
For all classes: a total tolerance of 10 %, by number, of produce not satisfying the requirements as regards sizing is allowed.
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only produce of the same origin, variety or commercial type, quality and size.
However, a mixture of lettuces and/or endives of distinctly different, varieties, commercial types and/or colours may be packed together in a package, provided they are uniform in quality and, for each variety, commercial type and/or colour, in origin. Uniformity in size is not required.
The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.
The produce must be packed in such a way as to protect it properly. It must be reasonably packed having regard to the size and type of packaging, without empty spaces or crushing.
The materials used inside the package must be clean and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The use of materials, particularly paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed, provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue.
Packages must be free of all foreign matter.
Each package (30) must bear the following particulars in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside:
Name and physical address of the packer and/or the dispatcher (for example street/city/region/postal code and, if different from the country of origin, the country).
This mention may be replaced:
— for all packages with the exception of pre-packages, by the officially issued or accepted code mark representing the packer and/or the dispatcher, indicated in close connection with the reference ‘Packer and/or Dispatcher’ (or equivalent abbreviations). The code mark shall be preceded by the ISO 3166 (alpha) country/area code of the recognising country, if not the country of origin;
— for pre-packages only, by the name and the address of a seller established within the Union indicated in close connection with the mention ‘Packed for:’ or an equivalent mention. In this case, the labelling shall also include a code representing the packer and/or the dispatcher. The seller shall give all information deemed necessary by the inspection body as to the meaning of this code.
— ‘Lettuces’, ‘butterhead lettuces’, ‘batavia’, ‘crisphead lettuces (Iceberg)’, ‘cos lettuces’, ‘leaf lettuce’ (or, for example and where appropriate, ‘Oak leaf’, ‘Lollo bionda’, ‘Lollo rossa’), ‘curled-leaved endives’, ‘broad-leaved (Batavian) endives’, or equivalent denomination if the contents are not visible from the outside.
— ‘Grown under protection’, or equivalent denomination where appropriate.
— Name of the variety (optional).
— ‘Mixture of lettuces/endives’, or equivalent denomination in the case of a mixture of lettuces and/or endives of distinctly different varieties, commercial types and/or colours. If the produce is not visible from the outside, the varieties, commercial types and/or colours, and the quantity of each in the package must be indicated.
— Country of origin (31) and, optionally, district where grown, or national, regional or local place name.
— In the case of a mixture of lettuces and/or endives of distinctly different varieties, commercial types and/or colours of different origins, the indication of each country of origin shall appear next to the name of the variety, commercial type and/or colour concerned.
— Class,
— Size, expressed by the minimum weight per unit, or number of units.
Packages need not to bear the particulars mentioned in the first subparagraph of point VI, when they contain sales packages, clearly visible from the outside, and all bearing these particulars. These packages shall be free from any indications such as could mislead. When these packages are palletised, the particulars shall be given on a notice placed in an obvious position on at least two sides of the pallet.
PART 5
Marketing standard for peaches and nectarines
This standard applies to peaches and nectarines of varieties (cultivars) grown from Prunus persica Sieb. and Zucc., to be supplied fresh to the consumer, peaches and nectarines for industrial processing being excluded.
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for peaches and nectarines, after preparation and packaging.
However, at stages following dispatch products may show in relation to the requirements of the standard:
— a slight lack of freshness and turgidity,
— for products graded in classes other than the ‘Extra’ Class, a slight deterioration due to their development and their tendency to perish.
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, peaches and nectarines must be:
— intact,
— sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded,
— clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter,
— practically free from pests,
— free from damage caused by pests affecting the flesh,
— free of fruit split at the stalk cavity,
— free of abnormal external moisture,
— free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
The development and condition of peaches and nectarines must be such as to enable them:
— to withstand transportation and handling, and
— to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
The fruit must be sufficiently developed and display satisfactory ripeness. The minimum refractometric index of the flesh should be greater than or equal to 8° Brix (32).
Peaches and nectarines are classified into three classes, defined as follows:
Peaches and nectarines in this class must be of a superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety.
The flesh must be perfectly sound.
They must be free from defects with the exception of very slight superficial defects, provided that these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.
Peaches and nectarines in this class must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety. The flesh must be perfectly sound.
The following slight defects, however, may be allowed provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package:
— a slight defect in shape,
— a slight defect in development,
— slight defects in colouring,
— slight pressure marks not exceeding 1 cm2 in total surface area,
— slight skin defects which must not extend over more than: — 1,5 cm in length for defects of elongated shape, — 1 cm2 in total surface area for other defects.
This class includes peaches and nectarines which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified in point A.
The flesh must be free from major defects.
The following defects may be allowed provided the peaches and nectarines retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:
— defects in shape,
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