The regulations applicable to sweet corn of the varieties (cultivar) Zea mays L., are as follows:
Quality standards
| (1) |
Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class sweet corn in subregulation 4 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 11 for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 sweet corn shall ; |
| (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 cold damage; |
| (i) |
be free from sun-scorch; |
| (k) |
have a sweet corn aroma and be free from a sour or any other foreign odours; |
| (I) |
be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the sweet corn detrimentally; |
| (n) |
be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and |
| (o) |
be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling. |
| (2) |
The kernels shall, except in the case of miniature corn, be well formed, not underdeveloped, soft and milky and show no sign of dents or discolouration. |
| (3) |
The cob shall be filled completely with kernels in straight rows. |
| (a) |
Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 sweet corn ; |
| (i) |
shall be well trimmed; |
| (ii) |
the stalk shall not be longer than 20 mm and less than 8 mm; and |
| (iii) |
the end of the cob shall not be seedless for more than 25 mm. |
| (b) |
In the case of Lowest Class sweet corn - unspecified. |
| (5) |
In the case of miniature sweet corn ; |
| (a) |
the cob shall not be pollinated, but shall be conical, straight leading to a point;and |
| (b) |
the kernels shall be evenly immature and in straight rows without confusion or spiralling; |
| (c) |
silk shall be absent. |
Packing and sorting requirements
| (a) |
Sweet corn, except in the case of miniature corn, shall be packed and sorted according to the length of the cob. |
| (b) |
The maximum cob length in the case of Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 sweet corn is 300 mm. |
| (c) |
The minimum cob length in the case of ; |
| (i) |
Class 1 sweet corn is 140 mm; and |
| (ii) |
Class 2 sweet corn is 120 mm. |
| (7) |
Sweet corn shall be uniform in the same packing in respect of diameter, length and the cut at the base of the cob: Provided that the cut at the base shall be clean and only on the one side of the cob. |
| (8) |
Sweet corn shall be packed separately in the case of shaped and unshaped ends. |
| (9) |
Sweet corn with leaves and stamens, without cover or partially covered shall be packed separately. |
| (a) |
Miniature corn shall be packed and sorted according to cob diameter (measured at the base) and cob length. |
| (b) |
The minimum diameter is 8 mm and the maximum diameter 20 mm. |
| (c) |
The maximum difference in diameter between the smallest and largest miniature corn in the same packing shall not exceed 5 mm. |
| (d) |
The minimum cob length is 60 mm and the maximum cob length is 120 mm. |
| (e) |
The maximum difference in length between the largest and shortest miniature corn cob in the same packing shall not exceed 15 mm. |
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
| (a) |
Class 1 sweet corn may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 sweet corn with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating sweet corn ; |
| (i) |
at least comply with the quality standards for Class 2; and |
| (ii) |
do not exceed the following individual limits: |
| - |
Arthropoda infestation: Degree as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. |
| (b) |
Sweet corn classified as Class 2 and Class 3 may deviate from the minimum standards with 15% and 25% respectively by mass: Provided that the deviating sweet corn do not exceed the following individual limits: |
| - |
decay: 4% and 6% respectively; |
| - |
injuries: 8% and 10% respectively; |
| - |
Arthropoda infestation: Degree 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
| (12) |
Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 sweet corn may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements set out in subregulations 6 to 10, with 10%, 15% and 25% respectevely by mass. |
Marking requirements
| (13) |
Subject to the provisions of regulation 10(1): Part 1 each container in which Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class sweet corn are packed, shall be marked with— |
| (a) |
the expression "mini corn" or "baby corn" or other appropriate term for miniature produce, where appropriate: Provided that where several types of miniature produce are mixed in the same package, all products shall be mentioned. |
Postal Services Act, 1998
