Grade designations | Grade requirements | Grade tolerances |
1 | 2 | 3 |
Extra class | Oranges 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; – shall be uniform in colour; – shall have minimum diameter of 70 mm. | 5 % by number or weight of Oranges 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 | Oranges shall be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety or commercial type (in shape, external appearance, development and colouring). 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;
– slight defects in colouring, – slight defects in shape, – slight skin defects occurring during the formation of the fruit, such as silver scurf, russeting etc., – slight healed defects due to mechanical cause such as hail damage, rubbing, damage from handling. The defects shall not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit. | 10 % by number or weight of Oranges 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 Oranges which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher grades, but satisfy the minimum requirements. Following defects may be there, provided the Oranges retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package. – defects in shape; – defects in colouring; – skin defects occurring during the formation of the fruit, such as silver scruffs, russeting etc.; – skin defects, healed defects due to mechanical cause such as hail damage, rubbing, damage from handling; – superficial healed skin alteration; – rough skin; The defects shall not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit. | 10 % by number or weight of Oranges not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting the minimum requirements. Within this tolerance, a maximum of 5 % may be fruits showing slight superficial unhealed damage, dry cuts or soft and shrivelled fruit. |
- fresh in appearance;
- whole, with characteristic shape of the variety;
- sound;
- clean, free of any visible foreign matter;
- free of damage caused by low temperature or high temperature;
- free of damage caused by frost;
- free from damage caused by pests or diseases;
- free from sunburn affecting the general appearance of the produce;
- free from abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from Cold storage;
- free of any foreign smell or taste;
- free of signs of internal shriveling or drying;
- free of bruising and/or extensive healed over