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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

22. Green Onions

 

The regulations for green onions of the varieties (cultivars) of Affium fistulosum L, are as follows:

 

Quality standards

 

(1) Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class green onions in subregulation 2 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 6, green onions 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 cracks;
(i) be free from bruises;
(j) be free from abnormal external moisture;
(k) be free from seed stalks;
(I) be free from cold damage;
(m) be free from sun-scorch;
(n) be free from foreign odours;
(o) be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the green onions detrimentally;
(p) be fresh and show no sign of withering;
(q) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and
(r) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling.

 

(2) The roots of green onions shall, in the case of ;
(a) Class 1 not be longer than 30 mm; and
(b) Class 2 and Class 3 not be longer than 40 mm.
(c) In the case of Lowest Class green onions - unclassified.

 

(3) The foilage of green onions shall be cut off at the same length.

 

Packing and sorting requirements

 

(4)

(a) Green onions are sorted and packed according to diameter.
(b) The minimum diameter for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 green onions is 10 mm.
(c) In the case of Lowest class green onions - unspecified.

 

(5) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 green onions packed in the same packing shall be uniform in size and colour.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards

 

(6)
(a) Class 1 green onions may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by diameter: Provided that the deviating green onions ;
(i) at least comply with the quality standards for Class 2;
(ii) do not have any defects rendering them unfit for human consumption; and
(iii) 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 and Class 3 green onions may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 with 15% and 25% respectively by diameter: Provided that the deviating green onions do not exceed the following individual limits:
- decay 4% and 6% respectively;
- injuries: 8% and 10% respectively;
- Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1
(c) In the case of Lowest Class- decay shall not exceed 20% by mass or number.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to packing and sorting requirements

 

(7) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 green onions may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements set out in subregulations 4 and 5, with 10%, 15% and 25% respectively by diameter.

 

Marking requirements

 

(8) Subject to the provisions of regulation 10(1): Part 1 each container in which the foilage of Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class green onions, (from which the bulbs have been cut off) are packed, shall be marked "Chives" or "Schnittlouch".