Regulations > Grading, Packing and Marking of Dried Fruit intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa - Effective 1 June 2024 > Part X : Specific Quality Standards for other Dried Fruit > 42. Tomatoes

Quality standards

(1)

(a)	Moisture content:

(i)	The texture of dried tomatoes shall vary according to the moisture content indicated.

(ii)	Tomatoes shall have different moisture contents based on the following designations:

R3449 table 47

(iii)

Tomatoes treated with preservatives or preserved by other means (e.g. pasteurization) , may have a moisture content of between 25% and 50%.

(b)	In addition to the general quality standards set out in regulation 5, Choice Grade dried tomatoes shall—

(i)	be prepared from unpeeled bleached or unbleached tomatoes with the same variety characteristics, consisting of cleanly cut halves, wedges or rings (wheels);

(ii)	have a bright and uniform colour; and

(iii)

in the case of the styles halves and rings (wheels), retain the normal round appearance of the fruit.

(c)	In addition to the general quality standards set out in regulation 5, Standard Grade dried tomatoes—

(i)	shall be prepared from unpeeled bleached or unbleached tomatoes with the same variety characteristics, consisting of cleanly cut halves, wedges or rings (wheels), but may contain thin and overripe halves and wedges;

(ii)	shall in the case of the style flats, be prepared from unpeeled bleached or unbleached tomatoes with the same variety characteristics;

(iii)

shall have a reasonably bright and a reasonably uniform colour; and

(iv)	may in the case of the styles halves and wedges contain tomatoes that did not retain the normal round appearance .

Sizing

(d)	Sizing of dried tomato halves is optional: Provided that if sized, the following provisions shall apply:

R3449 table 48

Permissible deviations

(2)	The maximum permissible deviations for dried tomato halves, wedges, rings (wheels) and flats are as follows :

R3449 table 49

Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990)