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Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990)

Regulations

Grading, Packing and Marking of Dried Fruit intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa

Part X : Specific Quality Standards for other Dried Fruit

41. Figs - Wholes and Blocks

 

Quality standards

 

(1)
(a) The maximum moisture content for dried whole figs and dried fig blocks shall be 25%.
(b) Dried whole figs—
(i) shall be prepared from whole figs with the same variety characteristics ;
(ii) shall have a good and fairly fleshy texture for Choice Grade figs;
(iii) may have the stem and the eye (ostiole) ends cut off: Provided that stems, including the nodule, of a length 8 mm and less are allowed on whole figs (stem length measured as illustrated under Annexure C); and
(iv) shall be free from blackened portions.
(c) Dried fig blocks shall—
(i) consist of compressed  dried whole figs packed in rectangular or any other shaped blocks;
(ii) be free from blackened portions; and
(iii) have a good and fleshy texture for Choice Grade fruit.

 

Sizing

 

(d)
(i) Sizing of dried whole figs is mandatory and shall be determined by—
(aa) the number of fruit per kilogramme; or
(bb) the diameter of the fruit.
(ii) Sizing by number of dried whole figs per kilogramme:
(aa) Minimum size: The number of fruit per kilogramme shall not exceed 65 for Choice Grade and 120 for Standard Grade.
(bb) Uniformity in size: When sized by number of fruit per kilogramme, the number of fruit in each size shall be as set out below:

R3449 table 44

(iii) Sizing by diameter: When sized by diameter, the minimum diameter shall be 18 mm for black fig varieties, and 22 mm for white fig varieties .

 

Permissible deviations

 

(2) The maximum permissible deviations for dried whole figs are as follows:

R3449 table 45

 

(3)        The maximum permissible deviations for dried fig blocks are as follows:

 

R3449 table 46