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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

38. Turnips

 

The regulations for turnips of the varieties (cultivars) of Brassica rapa L., are as follows:

 

Quality standards

 

(1) Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 and Lowest Class turnips the permissible deviations in subregulation 4, turnips 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 turnips detrimentally;
(o) be fresh and firm;
(p) be tender and juicy;
(q) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar;
(r) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling; and
(s) be free from cracks.

 

Packing and sorting requirements

 

(2) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 turnips shall be packed ;
(a) without foliage; or
(b) with foliage: Provided that the foliage shall be fresh, green and sound;
(c) baby or miniature turnips shall have a minimum diameter of 25 mm and a maximum diameter of 35 mm;
(d) baby or miniature turnips shall have a maximum stalk length of 10 mm.

 

(3)
(a) Turnips are packed and sorted according to diameter.
(b) The minimum diameter in the case of Class 1 turnips is 40 mm.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards

 

(4)
(a) Class 1 turnips may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating turnips; 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 turnips may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 with 15% and 25% respectively by mass: Provided that the deviating turnips 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.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to packing and sorting requirements

 

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