- In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the leeks must be:
- intact (this requirement does not apply, however, to roots and ends of leaves which may be cut);
- Leeks must not have any damage or injury affecting the integrity of the produce. However, roots may be trimmed or cut off. Leaves must not but may be trimmed to the angle of the outer leaf. Outer leaves may be removed.
- Name of illustration
- Roots and ends of leaves cut
- Ends of leaves cut to the leaf-angle of the outer leaf
- Roots may be cut
- Split leaves
- Broken leaves
- sound, produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded;
- Leeks must be free from disease or serious deterioration, which appreciably affects their appearance, edibility or keeping quality. In particular, leeks affected by rotting, even if the signs are very slight but liable to make the produce unfit for consumption upon arrival at their destination, are to be excluded.
- Leeks showing the following defects are therefore excluded:
- rotting, even if the signs are very slight
- white tip disease
- frost damage
- serious bruising
- serious rust
- leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV)
- Name of illustration
- Rot on the tips of the leaves
- Rot on the sheathed part
- Rot on the inner leaves due to frost
- Rot on the inner leaves
- Chilling injury on the inner leaves
- Serious bruising
- Serious rust
- clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter; however, the roots may have remnants of soil adhering to them and traces of soiling within the sheathed part are allowed;
- Leeks must be practically free of visible soil, dust, chemical residue or other foreign matter.
- The presence of visible foreign matter can detract from the commercial presentation and acceptance of leeks. Therefore, the acceptable limit for “practically free” would be – in all classes – traces of foreign matter. Excessive dust, soiling or visible chemical residues would lead to the rejection of the produce.
- Name of illustration
- Remnants of soil adhering to roots
- Traces of soiling within the sheathed part
- Soiling within the sheathed part
- Soiling on the leaves
- fresh in appearance, with wilted or withered leaves removed;
- In case of grading and loading in the region of production, the leeks must not show any sign of wilting or yellow discolouration. On the subsequent transportation rout, a inevitably slight wilting is allowed. However, any yellow discolouration is excluded.
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- Withered leeks and trimmed leeks
- Withered leaves
- practically free from pests;
- The presence of pests can detract from the commercial presentation and acceptance of the leeks. Therefore, the acceptable limit for “practically free” would be – in all classes – the occasional insect, mite or other pest; any colonies would lead to the rejection of the produce.
- Name of illustration
- Pupa of leek fly
- practically free from damage caused by pests;
- Pest damage affecting the flesh makes the produce unfit for consumption. Therefore, the acceptable limit for “practically free” would be – in all classes – traces of damage caused by pests.
- Name of illustration
- Damage caused by larvae of leek fly
- not running to seed;
- Flowering stems are induced by longer periods of low temperatures especially under long day conditions. The sheathed part will be leached out and hardened.
- A hardened flowering stem is not allowed as the edibility of the leek is affected. The specific provisions for Class II and the tolerances must be taken into account. Cutting of the flowering stem is not allowed.
- Name of illustration
- Hardened flowering stem exceeding the sheathed part
- Flowering stem cut off
- free of abnormal external moisture;
- This provision applies to excessive moisture, for example, free water lying inside the package, but does not include condensation on produce following release from cool storage or refrigerated vehicle.
- Name of illustration
- Condensation in a sales package
- free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
- This provision applies to leeks 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.
- intact (this requirement does not apply, however, to roots and ends of leaves which may be cut);
- When the leaves are cut, they must be neatly cut.
- The development and condition of the leeks must be such as to enable them:
- to withstand transportation and handling;
- to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.