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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

4. Beetroot

 

The regulations for beetroot of the varieties (cultivars) grown from Beta vulgaris L., are as follows:

 

Quality standards

 

(1) Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class beetroot in subregulation 2 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 4, beetroot 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 foreign odours;
(I) not be running to seed;
(m) be free from cold damage;
(n) be free from sun-scorch;
(o) be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the beetroot detrimentally;
(p) be fresh and firm;
(q) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristic of the cultivar; and
(r) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling.

 

Classifications

 

(2)
(a) In case of Class 1 beetroot ;
(i) the colour shall be uniformly red without white rings; and
(ii) the foliage shall have a maximum length of 55 mm.
(b) In the case of Class 2 and Class 3 beetroot ;
(i) the colour shall be uniformly red: Provided that light coloured rings may appear; and
(ii) the foliage shall have a maximum length of 55 mm.
(c) In the case of Lowest Class beetroot - unspecified.

 

Packing and sorting requirements

 

(3)
(a) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 beetroot may be packed ;
(i) without foliage; or
(ii) with foliage: Provided that the foliage shall be fresh.
(b) Class 1 beetroot shall be packed with ;
(i) a minimum diameter of 40 mm; and
(ii) a maximum difference in diameter of 25 mm between the smallest and largest beetroot in the same packing.
(c) Class 2 and Class 3 beetroot shall be packed with ;
(i) a minimum diameter of 40 mm; and
(ii) a maximum difference in diameter of 40 mm between the smallest and largest beetroot packed in the same packing.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards

 

(4)
(a) Class 1 beetroot may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass or number: Provided that the deviating beetroot—
(i) at least comply with quality standards for Class 2; and
(ii) do not exceed the following individual limits:
- decay: 2%
- injuries: 6%
- Arthropoda infestation: Limit set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(b) Class 2 and Class 3 beetroot may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3, with 15% and 25% respectively by mass or number: Provided that the deviating beetroot do not exceed the following individual limits:
- decay: 4% and 6% respectively;
- injuries: 8% and 10% respectively;
- Arthropoda infestation: Limit 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

 

(5) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 beetroot may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements set out in subregulations 3 and 4 with 10%, 15% and 25% respectively by mass or number.