Grade Designation | Grade requirements | Grade tolerances |
1 | 2 | 3 |
Extra Class | Melons in this class must be of superior quality. They must be Characteristic of the variety /or commercial type. They must be free of defects, with the exception of very slight superficial defects, provided they do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package. | 5 % by number or weight of Melons not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. |
Class I | Melons in this class must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type. The following slight defects may be there, provided they do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package: – a slight defect in shape; – a slight defect in colouring (a pale | 10 % by number or weight of Melons not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. |
| colouring of the rind at the point where the fruit touched the ground while growing is not regarded as a defect); – slight skin blemishes due to rubbing or handling; – slight healed cracks around the peduncle of less than 2 cm in length that do not reach the pulp. |
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Class II | This class includes Melons which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher grades, but satisfy the minimum requirements. The following defects may be there, provided the Melons retain their essential characteristics as regards the general appearance, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation; – defects in shape; – defects in colouring (a pale colouring of the rind at the point where the fruit touched the ground while growing is not regarded as a defect); – slight bruising; – slight cracks or deep scratches; – slight blemishes due to rubbing or handling. The defects must not affect the pulp of the fruit. | 10 % by number or weight of Melons not satisfying the requirements of the grade but meeting with the minimum requirements. |
- intact;
- fresh in appearance;
- firm;
- sound, excluding produce affected by rotting or deterioration, such as to make it unfit for human consumption.
- clean, free of any visible foreign matter;
- free from pests;
- free from damage caused by pests;
- free of abnormal external moisture;
- free of any foreign smell /or taste;
SIZE TOLERANCES:
- For all grades, 10% by number or weight of Melons whose size is greater or less than that specified.