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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

6. Brussels Sprouts

 

The regulations for brussels sprouts of varieties (cultivars) of Brassica oleracea L. var. bullata L. subvar. gemmifera DC. are as follows:

 

Quality standards

 

(1) Subject to the regulations Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class brussels sprouts in subregulation 4 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 6 brussels sprouts 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 bruises;
(h) be free from injuries;
(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 brussels sprouts detrimentally;
(n) be fresh and firm;
(o) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristic of the cultivar;
(p) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling; and
(q) be free from frost damage.

 

(2) Brussels sprouts are divided according to the manner of presentation as:
(a) trimmed brussels sprouts if the outer leaves and stalk is removed; or
(b) untrimmed brussels sprouts.

 

(3) The stem shall ;
(a) in the case of trimmed brussels sprouts be cut off just beneath the outer leaves; and
(b) in the case of untrimmed brussels sprouts show a clean fracture at the base without other parts of the plant adhering.

 

Classification

 

(4)
(a) Class 1 brussels sprouts ;
(i) shall be closed;
(ii) shall have a medium to dark green colour: Provided that no browning is allowed in the case of trimmed brussels sprouts; and;
(iii) may have small discoloured basal leaves, in the case of untrimmed brussels sprouts.
(b) Class 2 and Class 3 brussels sprouts may be slightly open.
(c) In the case of Lowest Class brussels sprouts - unspecified.

 

Packing and sorting requirements

 

(5)
(a) Brussels sprouts are packed and sorted according to the equatorial diameter thereof.
(b) The minimum equatorial diameter for ;
(i) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 trimmed brussels sprouts is 10 mm; and
(ii) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 untrimmed brussels sprouts is 15 mm.
(c) The maximum difference in diameter between the smallest and largest Class 1, class 2 and Class 3 of brussels sprouts in the same packing shall not exceed 20 mm.
(d) The minimum length of miniature brussels sprouts is 2 cm and the maximum length is 3 cm.
(e) Baby or miniature brussels sprouts shall have a minimum stalk length of 5 mm.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards

 

(6)
(a) Class 1 brussels sprouts may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by diameter: Provided that the deviating brussels sprouts ;
(i) at least comply with the 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 brussels sprouts may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 with 15% and 25% respectively by diameters: Provided that the deviating brussels sprouts 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

 

(7) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 brussels sprouts may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements set out in subregulation 5, with 15% and 25% respectively by diameter.

 

Marking requirements

 

(8) Subject to the provisions of regulation 10(1): Part 1 each container in which Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class brussels sprouts are packed shall be marked with the minimum and maximum diameter where applicable.