PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

•  Uniformity

  • The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only citrus fruit of the same origin, variety or commercial type, quality, and size, and appreciably of the same degree of ripeness and development.
  • In addition, for the “Extra” Class, uniformity in colouring is required.
  • However, a mixture of citrus fruit of different species may be packed together in a sales unit6, provided they are uniform in quality and, for each species concerned, in variety or commercial type and origin.
  • The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.
  • Presentation should not be misleading, i.e. concealing in the lower layers of the package produce inferior in quality and size to that displayed and marked.

• Packaging

  • The citrus fruit must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly.
  • Packages must be of a quality, strength and characteristics to protect the fruit during transport and handling.
  • The materials used inside the package must be clean and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The use of materials, particularly of
    paper or stamps bearing trade specifications, is allowed provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue.
  • Stickers individually affixed on the produce shall be such that, when removed, they neither leave visible traces of glue, nor lead to skin defects.
  • If the fruit are wrapped, thin, dry, new and odourless7 paper must be used.
  • The use of any substance tending to modify the natural characteristics of the citrus fruit, especially in taste or smell , is prohibited.
  • Packages must be free of all foreign matter. However, a presentation where a short (not wooden) twig with some green leaves adheres to the fruit is allowed.
  • A visible lack of cleanliness in several packages could result in the produce being rejected.