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

Regulations

Regulations relating to the Grading, Packing and Marking of Fresh Vegetables intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa

Part II : Specific Regulations for Fresh Vegetables

39. Witloof Chicory

 

The regulations for witloof chicory of the varieties (cultivars) of Cichorium intybus L., are as follows:

 

Quality standards

 

(1) Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class witloof chicory in subregulations 2 and 3 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 11, witloof chicory shall ;
(a) be intact;
(b) be free from decay;
(c) be clean and free from foreign matter, including soil;
(d) be free from Arthropoda infestation;
(e) be free from insect damage or damage caused by other organisms;
(f) be free from blemishes;
(g) be free from injuries;
(h) be free from bruises;
(I) be free from abnormal external moisture;
(j) be free from foreign odours;
(k) not be running to seed;
(I) be free from cold damage;
(m) be free from sun-scorch;
(n) be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the witloof chicory detrimentally;
(o) be fresh and show no sign of withering;
(p) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and
(q) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling.

 

(2) Witloof chicory classified as Class 1 shall —
(a) be of a colour typical of the cultivar;
(b) be well formed;
(c) have close heads i.e. heads with a sharp, well closed tip;
(d) have other leaves measuring at least % of the length of the chicory;
(e) not be greenish or glassy looking in appearance; and
(f) be firm.

 

(3) Witloof chicory classified as Class 2 and Class 3 ;
(a) may be slightly irregular in shape;
(b) may have a slight greenish shade at the tip of the leaves;
(c) the tips may be less tight: Provided that the diameter of the opening does not exceed 1/5 of the maximum diameter of the chicory; and
(d) be reasonably firm.

 

Packing and sorting requirements

 

(4) Witloof chicory shall be packed and sorted according to the diameter of the widest section at right angles to the longitudinal axis, and according to length.

 

(5) The minimum and maximum diameter for Class 1 witloof chicory under 140 mm in length is 25 mm and 60 mm, and over 140 mm in length is 30 mm and 60 mm respectively.

 

(6) The minimum and maximum length for Class 1 witloof chicory is 90 mm and 170 mm, respectively.

 

(7) The minimum diameter for Class 2 witloof chicory is 25 mm.

 

(8) The minimum and maximum length for Class 2 witloof chicory is 90 mm and 240 mm, respectively.

 

(9) The maximum permissible difference in length for Class 1 is 50 mm.

 

(10) The maximum permissible difference in diameter for Class 1 is 25 mm.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards

 

(11)
(a) Class 1 witloof chicory may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating witloof chicory ;
(i) at least comply with quality standards for Class 2; and
(ii) do not exceed the following individual limits:
- decay 2%
- injuries 6%;
- Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(b) Class 2 witloof chicory may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 with 15% by mass: Provided that the deviating witloof chicory ;
(i) at least comply with the quality standards for Class 3; and
(ii) do not exceed the following individual limits:
- decay: 4%
- injuries: 8%
- Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(c) Class 3 witloof chicory may deviate from the quality standards for Class 3 with 25% by mass: Provided that the deviating witloof chicory do not exceed the following individual limits:
- decay: 6%
- injuries: 10%
- Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(d) In the case of Lowest Class- decay shall not exceed 20% by mass or number.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to packing and sorting requirements

 

(12) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 witloof chicory may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements set out in subregulations 4 to 10, with 10%, 15% and 25% respectively by mass.

 

Marking requirements

 

(13) Subject to the provisions of regulation 10(1): Part I, each container in which Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class witloof chicory are packed, shall be marked with the minimum and maximum diameter and length.