The regulations for gem squashes of the varieties (cultivars) of Cucurbita pepo L., are as follows:
Quality standards
| (1) | Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class gem squashes and the permissible deviations in subregulation 3, gem squashes shall ; |
| (d) | be clean free from visible foreign matter, including soil; |
| (e) | be free from Arthropoda infestation; |
| (f) | be free from insect damage or damage caused by other organisms; |
| (g) | be free from blemishes; |
| (i) | be free from injuries; |
| (j) | be free from bruises; |
| (k) | be free from abnormal external moisture; |
| (I) | be free from foreign odours; |
| (m) | be free from cold damage; |
| (n) | be free from sun-scorch; |
| (o) | be free from any other factors that detrimentally affect or may affect the quality of the gem squashes; |
| (p) | be fresh and no sign of withering; |
| (q) | be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and |
| (r) | be of such development and condition as to withstand transport and handling. |
Classifications
| (a) | In case of Class 1 gem squash— |
| (i) | shall be free from mechanical damage and |
| (ii) | the stalk shall not exceed 40mm. |
| (b) | In case of Class 2 and Class 3 gem squash— |
| (i) | may show slight mechanical damages: Provided that the fruit is not affected |
| (ii) | the stalk shall not not exceed 40mm. |
Packing and sorting requirements
| (a) | The minimum diameter for gem squashes ; |
| (i) | classified as Class 1 is 50 mm; and |
| (ii) | classified as Class 2 and Class 3 is 40 mm. |
| (b) | The maximum difference in diameter between the smallest and the largest gem squash in the same packing shall— |
| (i) | in the case of Class 1 gem squashes not exceed 5 mm; and |
| (ii) | in the case of Class 2 and Class 3 gem squashes not exceed 10 mm. |
| (c) | In the case of Lowest Class gem squashes - unspecified. |
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
| (a) | Class 1 gem squashes may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 by not more than 10% by number: Provided that the deviating gem squashes ; |
| (i) | at least comply with quality standards for Class 2; |
| (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 gem squashes may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 by not more than 15% and 25% respectively by number: Provided that the deviating gem squashes ; 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. |
Permissible deviations with regard to packing and sorting requirements
| (4) | Class 1, Class, 2 and Class 3 gem squashes may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements as set out in subregulation 2, by not more than 10%, 15% and 25% respectively by number. |
