Grade designations | Grade requirements | Grade tolerances |
1 | 2 | 3 |
Extra Class | Lemons shall be of superior quality. They shall be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type in shape, external appearance, development and colouring. 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. Lemons must be uniform in colouring. | 5 % by number or weight of lemons not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class I grade or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. |
Class I | Lemons shall be of good quality. They shall be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type. Following slight defects may be there, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package. Lemons may have the following defects. – slight defects in shape, – slight defects in colouring, – slight skin defects not exceeding 1sq. cm.
The defects must not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit. | 10 % by number or weight of lemons not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. |
Class II | This grade includes lemons which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher grades, but satisfy the minimum requirements. Following defects may be there, provided the lemons retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package; – defects in shape, – defects in colouring, – Skin defects not exceeding 2 sq.cm. The defects shall not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit. | 10 % by number or weight of lemons not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting the minimum requirements. |
- Whole;
- firm;
- intact;
- fresh in appearance;
- sound with characteristics shape of the variety;
- clean, free from any visible foreign matter;
- free from bruising and/or extensive healed over cuts;
- free from damage caused by pest or diseases;
- free from abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from cold storage;
- free from any foreign smell and/or taste;
- free from signs of internal shriveling;
- free from damage caused by low temperature and/or high temperature or frost.