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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

35. Spinach

 

The regulations for spinach of the varieties (cultivars) of Spinacia oleracea L., are as follows:

 

Quality standards

 

(1) Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 spinach in subregulation 2 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 4, each spinach 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 abnormal external moisture;
(i) be free from foreign odours;
(j) be free from floral stems;
(k) be free from cold damage;
(I) be free from sun-scorch;
(m) be free from any other factors that detrimentally affect or may affect the quality of the spinach;
(n) be fresh and show no sign of withering;
(o) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar;
(p) be of such development and condition as to enable it to withstand transport and handling; and
(q) be uniform in colour;

 

(2) The leaf-stalk of the spinach may not be longer than 100 mm.

 

(3) The roots shall be cut off close to the base of the outer leaves.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards

 

(4)        

(a) Class 1 spinach may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 by not more than 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating spinach ;
(i) at least complies with quality standards for Class 2;
(ii) does 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 spinach may deviate from the quality standard for Class 2 and Class 3 by not more than 15% and 25% respectively by mass: Provided that the deviating spinach does 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 s - decay shall not exceed 20% by mass or number.

 

Packaging

 

(5)        

(a) The spinach must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly.
(b) Packages must be free of all foreign matter.