The regulations for witloof chicory of the varieties (cultivars) of Cichorium intybus L., are as follows:
Quality standards
| (1) | Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class witloof chicory in subregulations 2 and 3 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 11, witloof chicory 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 witloof chicory detrimentally; |
| (o) | be fresh and show no sign of withering; |
| (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. |
| (2) | Witloof chicory classified as Class 1 shall — |
| (a) | be of a colour typical of the cultivar; |
| (c) | have close heads i.e. heads with a sharp, well closed tip; |
| (d) | have other leaves measuring at least % of the length of the chicory; |
| (e) | not be greenish or glassy looking in appearance; and |
| (3) | Witloof chicory classified as Class 2 and Class 3 ; |
| (a) | may be slightly irregular in shape; |
| (b) | may have a slight greenish shade at the tip of the leaves; |
| (c) | the tips may be less tight: Provided that the diameter of the opening does not exceed 1/5 of the maximum diameter of the chicory; and |
Packing and sorting requirements
| (4) | Witloof chicory shall be packed and sorted according to the diameter of the widest section at right angles to the longitudinal axis, and according to length. |
| (5) | The minimum and maximum diameter for Class 1 witloof chicory under 140 mm in length is 25 mm and 60 mm, and over 140 mm in length is 30 mm and 60 mm respectively. |
| (6) | The minimum and maximum length for Class 1 witloof chicory is 90 mm and 170 mm, respectively. |
| (7) | The minimum diameter for Class 2 witloof chicory is 25 mm. |
| (8) | The minimum and maximum length for Class 2 witloof chicory is 90 mm and 240 mm, respectively. |
| (9) | The maximum permissible difference in length for Class 1 is 50 mm. |
| (10) | The maximum permissible difference in diameter for Class 1 is 25 mm. |
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
| (a) | Class 1 witloof chicory may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating witloof chicory ; |
| (i) | at least comply with 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 witloof chicory may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 with 15% by mass: Provided that the deviating witloof chicory ; |
| (i) | at least comply with the quality standards for Class 3; and |
| (ii) | do not exceed the following individual limits: |
| - | Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. |
| (c) | Class 3 witloof chicory may deviate from the quality standards for Class 3 with 25% by mass: Provided that the deviating witloof chicory do not exceed the following individual limits: |
| - | Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. |
| (d) | In the case of Lowest Class- decay shall not exceed 20% by mass or number. |
Permissible deviations with regard to packing and sorting requirements
| (12) | Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 witloof chicory may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements set out in subregulations 4 to 10, with 10%, 15% and 25% respectively by mass. |
Marking requirements
| (13) | Subject to the provisions of regulation 10(1): Part I, each container in which Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class witloof chicory are packed, shall be marked with the minimum and maximum diameter and length. |
