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

31. Pumpkins

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The regulations for pumpkins of varieties (cultivars) of Cucurbita maxima L. are as follows:

 

Quality standards

 

(1) Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class pumpkins in subregulation 2 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 4, pumpkins shall ;
(a) be intact;
(b) be free from decay;
(c) be clean and free from foreign matter, including soil;
(d) be free from Arthropoda infestation;
(e) be free from insect damages or damage caused by other organisms;
(f) be free from blemishes;
(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 frost damage;
(m) be free from sun-scorch;
(n) be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the pumpkin detrimentally;
(o) be fresh and firm;
(p)be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and
(q) be developed and of such conditions as to enable them to withstand transport and handling.

 

Classification

 

(2)
(a) Class 1 pumpkins ;
(i) shall be free from defects.
(b) Class 2 and Class 3 pumpkins—
(i) may show the following slight defects: Provided that the fruit is not affected:
-colouring;
-skin;
-shape and development.

 

Packing and sorting requirements

 

(3)
(a) The minimum mass per pumpkin is ;
(i) in the case of Class 1 pumpkins 1000 g; and
(ii) in the case of Class 2 and Class 3 pumpkins 800 g.
(b) The maximum difference between the lightest and heaviest pumpkin in the same packing shall—
(i) in the case of Class 1 pumpkins not exceed 300g; and
(iii) in the case of Class 2 and Class 3 pumpkins not exceed 400 g.
(c)In the case of Lowest Class pumpkin - unspecified.

 

Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards

 

(4)
(a) Class 1 pumpkins may deviate from quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by number: Provided that the deviating pumpkins:
(i) at least comply with the quality standards for Class 2;
(ii) do not exceed the following individual limits:
-decay: 2%
-injuries: 6%
-Arthropoda infestation: Degree as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(b) Pumpkins classified as Class 2 and Class 3 may deviate with 15% and 25% respectively by number: Provided that the individual limits mentioned in subregulation 1 are not exceeded and the following individual limits are not exceeded:
(i) do not exceed the following individual limits:
-decay: 4% and 6% respectively;
-injuries: 8% and 10% respectively;
-Arthropoda infestation: Degree as set out in regulation 4(4)(c):Part 1

 

Permissible deviations with regard to packing and sorting requirements

 

(5) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 pumpkins may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements set out in subregulation 4, with 10%, 15% and 25% respectively by number.