The regulations for chinese cabbage of the varieties (cultivars) of Brassica rapa L. are as follows:
Quality standards
(1) | Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class chinese cabbage and the permissible deviations in subregulation 6, chinese cabbage shall; |
(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 bruises; |
(I) | be free from abnormal external moisture; |
(j) | be free from foreign odours; |
(k) | not be running to seed; |
(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 chinese cabbage detrimentally; |
(o) | be fresh and show no sign of withering; |
(p) | be sound and attractive in appearance and |
(q) | be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling. |
(2) | The head shall be undamaged: Provided that the outer leaves may be removed. |
(3) | The stalk of the chinese cabbage shall be cut off clean below the lowest point of leaf growth. |
(4) | A slight colouration of the vascular bundles of the cut surface due to storage is admitted. |
(a) | In the case of Class 1 chinese cabbage ; |
(i) | the leaves must be closely attached according to variety; |
(ii) | the total length of the floral stem should not exceed one-third of the length of the packed head. |
(b) | In the case of Class 2 and Class 3 chinese cabbage ; |
(i) | the leaves may be less closely attached; |
(ii) | the total length of the floral stem should not exceed one-half of the length of the packed head. |
Packing and sorting requirements
(a) | The minimum mass for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 chinese cabbage is 350 g. |
(b) | The mass of the heaviest chinese cabbage shall ; |
(i) | in the case Class 1 chinese cabbage not be more than one and a half times the mass of the lightest head in the same packing; and |
(ii) | in the case of Class 2 and Class 3 chinese cabbage not be more than twice the mass of the lightest head in the same packing. |
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
(a) | Class 1 chinese cabbage may deviate from the quality standards from Class 1 with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating chinese cabbage; |
(i) | at least comply with the quality standards for Class 2; and |
(ii) | do not exceed the following individual limits: |
- | Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. |
(b) | Class 2 and Class 3 chinese cabbage may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 with 15% and 25% respectively by mass: Provided that the deviating chinese cabbage 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. |
Permissible deviations with regard to packing and sorting requirements
(7) | Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 chinese cabbage may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements with 10%, 15% and 25% respectively by number or mass: Provided that the chinese cabbage may not weigh less than 250 g. |
Marking requirements
(8) | Subject to the provisions of subregulation 10(1): Part I, each container in which Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class chinese cabbage are packed shall be marked with ; |
(a) | the number of heads in the container concerned; and |
(b) | the minimum and maximum diameter of the heads, where applicable. |