MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

·       IN ALL CLASSES, SUBJECT TO THE SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR EACH CLASS AND THE TOLERANCES ALLOWED, THE INSHELL HAZELNUTS MUST DISPLAY THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS:

·       THE SHELL MUST BE:

o   INTACT; HOWEVER, SLIGHT SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE IS NOT CONSIDERED AS A DEFECT, PROVIDED THE KERNEL IS PHYSICALLY PROTECTED;

o   INSHELL HAZELNUTS MUST NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY SPOILING THE INTEGRITY OF THE PRODUCE. THIS MEANS THAT THE SHELL MUST NOT BE BROKEN, SPILT OR MECHANICALLY DAMAGED; SUCH AS TO KERNEL IS EXPOSED TO A SLIGHT CRACK IS NOT CONSIDERED AS A DEFECT PROVIDED THE KERNEL IS STILL PROTECTED. IN ADDITION, ANY CRACK WHICH IS OPEN AND CONSPICUOUS, AND LARGER THAN ONE-FOURTH OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE SHELL IS REGARDED AS DEFECT.

o   CLEAN; PRACTICALLY FREE OF ANY VISIBLE FOREIGN MATTER, INCLUDING RESIDUES OF ADHERING HUSK AFFECTING IN AGGREGATE MORE THAN 5 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SHELL SURFACE;

o   INSHELL HAZELNUTS MUST BE PRACTICALLY FREE OF SOIL, DUST, CHEMICAL RESIDUE OR OTHER FOREIGN MATTER. FOREIGN MATTER MEANS ANY MATTER NOT NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRODUCT.

o   FREE FROM BLEMISHES, AREAS OF DISCOLORATION OR SPREAD STAINS IN PRONOUNCED CONTRAST WITH THE REST OF THE SHELL AFFECTING IN AGGREGATE MORE THAN 25 PER CENT OF THE SURFACE OF THE SHELL;

o   WELL FORMED; NOT NOTICEABLY MISSHAPEN;

o   THE SHELL MUST NOT BE NOTICEABLY MISSHAPEN AND CONCORD WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VARIETY OR COMMERCIAL TYPE. 

·       THE KERNEL MUST BE:

o   ANY DEFECT AFFECTING THE KERNEL BUT NOT THE SHELL.

o   FREE FROM RANCIDITY;

o   IN CASE OF SUSPICION OF RANCIDITY OR KERNELS SHOWING OILY APPEARANCE, A TASTE CHECK IS REQUIRED.

o   SUFFICIENTLY DEVELOPED; KERNELS SHOULD FILL AT LEAST 50 PER CENT OF THE SHELL CAVITY; AN INSHELL HAZELNUT IS REGARDED AS EMPTY IF THE SHELL CONTAINS NO KERNEL.

o   NOT DESICCATED; KERNELS WITH DRIED OUT OR TOUGH PORTIONS AFFECTING MORE THAN 25 PER CENT OF THE SURFACE ARE TO BE EXCLUDED; 

o   FREE FROM BLEMISHES, AREAS OF DISCOLORATION OR SPREAD STAINS IN PRONOUNCED CONTRAST WITH THE REST OF THE KERNEL AFFECTING IN AGGREGATE MORE THAN 25 PER CENT OF THE SURFACE OF THE KERNEL;

o   IN CASE OF BLEMISHES CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN THAT THE DEFECT IT NOT AFFECTING THE EDIBILITY. THEREFORE, IN CASE OF KERNELS SHOWING BLEMISHES A TASTE CHECK IS REQUIRED. 

o   WELL FORMED;

o   THE SHAPE OF TWIN KERNEL IS NOT REGARDED AS A DEFECT.

·       THE WHOLE PRODUCE (SHELL AND KERNEL) MUST BE:

o   DRIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION “B. MOISTURE CONTENT”;

o   SOUND; PRODUCE AFFECTED BY ROTTING OR DETERIORATION SUCH AS TO MAKE IT UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS EXCLUDED;

o   INSHELL HAZELNUTS MUST BE FREE FROM DISEASE OR SERIOUS DETERIORATION WHICH
APPRECIABLY AFFECTS THEIR APPEARANCE, EDIBILITY OR KEEPING QUALITY.

·       FREE FROM MOULD FILAMENTS VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE;

o   THE KERNELS MUST BE FREE FROM MOULD FILAMENTS EITHER ON THE OUTSIDE OR ON THE INSIDE OF THE KERNEL. 

o   FREE FROM LIVING PESTS, WHATEVER THEIR STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT;

o   THE PRESENCE OF PESTS CAN DETRACT FROM THE COMMERCIAL PRESENTATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE INSHELL HAZELNUTS.

o   FREE FROM DAMAGE CAUSED BY PESTS, INCLUDING THE PRESENCE OF DEAD INSECTS AND/OR MITES, THEIR DEBRIS OR EXCRETA;

o   PEST DAMAGE CAN DETRACT FROM THE GENERAL APPEARANCE, KEEPING QUALITY AND EDIBILITY OF INSHELL HAZELNUTS, AFFECTING THE KERNEL MAKES THE PRODUCE UNFIT FOR CONSUMPTION. 

o   HOWEVER, PEST DAMAGE CAUSED BY CIMICIATTO IS ALLOWED PROVIDED THAT THE FLESH IS NOT AFFECTED AND THE SPOT ON THE SKIN DOES NOT EXCEED 3 MM IN DIAMETER AND 3MM IN DEPTH. 

·       FREE OF ABNORMAL EXTERNAL MOISTURE;

o   THIS PROVISION APPLIES TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE, FOR EXAMPLE, FREE WATER LYING INSIDE THE PACKAGE BUT DOES INCLUDE CONDENSATION ON DRY AND DRIED PRODUCE FOLLOWING RELEASE FROM COOL STORAGE OR REFRIGERATED VEHICLE.

·       FREE OF ANY FOREIGN SMELL AND/OR TASTE.

o   THIS PROVISION APPLIES TO INSHELL HAZELNUTS STORED OR TRANSPORTED UNDER POOR CONDITIONS, WHICH HAVE CONSEQUENTLY RESULTED IN THEIR ABSORBING ABNORMAL SMELLS AND/OR TASTES, IN PARTICULAR THROUGH THE PROXIMITY OF OTHER PRODUCT WHICH GIVE OFF VOLATILE ODOURS.

·       THE CONDITION OF THE INSHELL HAZELNUTS MUST BE SUCH AS TO ENABLE THEM:

o   TO WITHSTAND TRANSPORTATION AND HANDLING,

o   TO ARRIVE IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION AT THE PLACE OF DESTINATION.