Quality standards
(a) | The maximum moisture content for dried whole figs and dried fig blocks shall be 25%. |
(i) | shall be prepared from whole figs with the same variety characteristics ; |
(ii) | shall have a good and fairly fleshy texture for Choice Grade figs; |
(iii) | may have the stem and the eye (ostiole) ends cut off: Provided that stems, including the nodule, of a length 8 mm and less are allowed on whole figs (stem length measured as illustrated under Annexure C); and |
(iv) | shall be free from blackened portions. |
(c) | Dried fig blocks shall— |
(i) | consist of compressed dried whole figs packed in rectangular or any other shaped blocks; |
(ii) | be free from blackened portions; and |
(iii) | have a good and fleshy texture for Choice Grade fruit. |
Sizing
(i) | Sizing of dried whole figs is mandatory and shall be determined by— |
(aa) | the number of fruit per kilogramme; or |
(bb) | the diameter of the fruit. |
(ii) | Sizing by number of dried whole figs per kilogramme: |
(aa) | Minimum size: The number of fruit per kilogramme shall not exceed 65 for Choice Grade and 120 for Standard Grade. |
(bb) | Uniformity in size: When sized by number of fruit per kilogramme, the number of fruit in each size shall be as set out below: |
(iii) | Sizing by diameter: When sized by diameter, the minimum diameter shall be 18 mm for black fig varieties, and 22 mm for white fig varieties . |
Permissible deviations
(2) | The maximum permissible deviations for dried whole figs are as follows: |
(3) The maximum permissible deviations for dried fig blocks are as follows: