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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

28. Okra

 

The regulations for Okra of the varieties (cultivars) of Hibiscus esculentus L., are as follows:

 

Quality standards

 

(1) Subject to the permissible deviations in subregulation 2, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class Okra 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) be free from cold damage;
(I) be free from sun-scorch;
(m) be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the okra detrimentally;
(n) be fresh and show no sign of withering;
(o) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and
(p) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards

 

(2)
(a) Class 1 okra may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating okra 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 okra may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 with 15% and 25% respectively by mass: Provided that the deviating okra ; 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.