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 |
· 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. |