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

13. Chillies

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The regulations for chillies of the varieties (cultivars) of Capsicum frutescens L, are as follows:

 

Quality standards

 

(1) Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class chillies in subregulation 2 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 3, chillies shall ;
(a) be intact;
(b) be free from decay;
(c) be 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: Provided that in the case of Class 2 one blemish not deeper than 1 mm per chilli is permissible;
(g) be free from cracks;
(h) be free from injuries;
(i) be free from bruises;
(j) be free from abnormal external moisture;
(k) be free from foreign odours;
(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 chillies detrimentally;
(o) be fresh and firm;
(p)be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and
(q)be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling.

 

Classifications

 

(2)
(a) In the case of Class 1 chillies ;
(i) the fruit shall be practically straight;
(ii) the fruit shall have a shiny green colour without any sign of a yellow discolouration: Provided that if the chillies are red it may not show any sign of withering;
(iii) the peduncle shall be green;
(iv) the calyx shall be green and undamaged;
(v) no malformation may be present.
(b) In the case of Class 2 and Class 3 chillies ;
(i) the fruit shall be fairly straight;
(ii) the fruit shall have a green colour with a slight sign of yellow discolouration: Provided that if the chillies are red it may show no signs of withering;
(iii) the peduncle shall be cut off neatly; and
(iv) the calyx shall be undamaged.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards

 

(3)
(a) Class 1 chillies may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating chillies ;
(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 as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(b) Class 2 and Class 3 chillies may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 with 15% and 25% respectively by mass: Provided that the deviating chillies 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.
(c) In the case of Lowest class- decay shall not exceed 20% by mass or number.