The regulations for aubergines (eggplant) of the varieties (cultivars) of Solanum melongena L. are as follows:
Quality standards
| (1) | Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class aubergines and the permissible deviations in subregulation 11, aubergines 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 or cracks: Provided that a blemish with an area of up to 30 mm2 is permissible for Class 1 and a blemish with an area of up to 40 mm2 is permissible for Class 2 and a blemish that cover an area of not more than 5% of the total fruit area is permissible in the case of Class 1 and Class 2 miniature aubergines; |
| (g) | be free from injuries; |
| (h) | be free from bruises; |
| (i) | be free from abnormal external moisture; |
| (j) | be free from foreign odours; |
| (k) | be free from cold damage; |
| (I) | be free from sun-scorch: Provided that sun-scorch is permissible in the case of Class 2 if the area does not exceed 40 mm2 and a blemish that cover an area of not more than 5% of the total fruit area is permissible in the case of Class 1 and Class 2 miniature aubergines; |
| (m) | be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the aubergines detrimentally; |
| (o) | be sufficiently developed, without the flesh being fibrous or woody and without overdevelopment of the seeds: Provided that miniature aubergines shall show little seed development; |
| (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) | The calyx and penduncle of the aubergines shall be present: Provided that the calyx and penduncle may be slightly damaged. |
Classifications
| (3) | Aubergines are divided into two groups according to their shape: |
| (a) | Globus or pear shaped aubergines; or |
| (b) | Elongated aubergines. |
Packing and sorting requirements
| (4) | Aubergines are packed and sorted according to— |
| (a) | the equatorial diameter; or |
| (b) | the mass per aubergine, except in the case of miniature aubergines; and |
| (c) | the length in the case of elongated aubergines. |
| (5) | The minimum length, excluding the penduncle, for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class elongated aubergines is 80 mm, except in the case of miniature aubergines. |
| (6) | The minimum equatorial diameter for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 aubergines excluding miniature aubergines, shall be— |
| (a) | in the case of elongated aubergines 40 mm; and |
| (b) | in the case of globus or pear shaped aubergines 70 mm. |
| (7) | The maximum difference in diameter between the largest and smallest aubergine in the same packaging, excluding miniature aubergines, shall not exceed in the case of Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3— |
| (a) | elongated aubergines 20 mm; and |
| (b) | globus or pear shaped aubergines 25 mm. |
| (8) | The maximum diameter in the case of miniature aubergines shall be 40 mm. |
| (9) | The minimum mass per aubergine for Class 1 aubergines is 100 g. |
| (10) | The mass groups according to which Class 1 aubergines shall be packed as well as the maximum difference in mass between the lightest and heaviest aubergine in the same packing are as set out in the table below: |
MASS GROUPS
|
MAXIMUM DIFFERENCE
|
100 g - 300 g
|
75 g
|
301 g - 500 g
|
100 g
|
501 g and more
|
250 g
|
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
| (a) | Class 1 aubergines may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating aubergines ; |
| (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 and Class 3 aubergines may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3, with 15% and 25% respectively by mass: Provided that the deviating aubergines do not exceed the following individual limits: |
| - | decay: 4% and 6% respectively; |
| - | injuries: 8% and 12% respectively; |
| - | Arthropoda infestation: Limit 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
(
| 12) | Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 aubergines may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements set out in subregulations 4 to 9, with 15% and 25% respectively by mass: Provided that |
| (i) | the aubergines belong to an adjacent size group or mass group; |
| (ii) | the equatorial diameter may deviate by not more than 5 mm from the minimum equatorial diameter; and |
| (iii) | the mass shall be at least 90 g. |
Marking requirements
| (13) | Subject to the provisions of regulation 10(1): Part I, each container in which Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 Lowest Class aubergines are packed, shall be marked with ; |
| (a) | the size, where applicable, expressed as either minimum and maximum diameter, or minimum and maximum mass; and |
| (b) | the expression "mini aubergines" or "baby aubergines" or other appropriate term for miniature produce, where applicable: Provided that where several types of miniature produce are mixed in the same package, all products shall be mentioned. |
