Grade designa tion | Grade requirements | Grade tolerances |
Extra class | Apples in this class must be of superior quality. The flesh must be sound. They shall be characteristic of the variety and they must be free of defects, with the exception of very slight superficial defects, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.
(five percent of the fruits may have the defects as given in Table A) | Five percent by number or weight of apples not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class-I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. Included therein shall be allowed not more than 1% for apples affected by internal breakdown. |
Class -I | Apples in this class must be of good quality. The flesh must be sound and they must be characteristic of the variety. Provided that the following do not amount to defect if they do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package which have:
-a slight defect in shape and development; – a slight defect in colouring; – slight skin or other defects.
(ten percent of the fruits may have the defects as given in Table A) | Ten percent by number or weight of apples not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting the requirements of grade II. Included therein shall be allowed not more than 1% for apples affected by decay or internal breakdown |
Class-II | This class includes apples, which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements. Provided that the following do not amount to defect if the apples retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation which have:
– defects in shape and development; – defects in coloring; – skin or other defects.
(ten percent of the fruits may have the defects as given in Table A) | Ten percent by number or weight of apples not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting the minimum requirements, with the exception of apples affected by decay or internal breakdown that should not be more than two percent. Included therein shall be allowed, maximum of 2% by number or weight of fruits which may show the following defects: · cork like blemishes(bitter pit) · slight damage or unhealed broken skin/cracks. |
- whole, the stalk should be intact up to the shoulder height, the cut should be clean and should not damage the adjacent skin;
- firm;
- sound, not affected by rotting or deterioration which makes it unfit for consumption;
- clean, free from any visible foreign matter;
- free from scabs;
- free from pests and damage caused by them or diseases affecting the general appearance of the produce;
- free from abnormal external moisture such as condensation following removal from cold storage;
- free from any foreign smell or taste;
- free from damage caused by low or high temperature;
- free from skin puncture;
- free from signs of dehydration; and free from internal blackening or rotting.