PRESENTATION OF Cultivated Mushrooms

Uniformity

  • The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only mushrooms of the same origin, commercial type, quality and size (if sized).
  • In any case, uniformity in size is required for class “Extra”, for classes I and II only if sized.
  • For package units of mushrooms prepacked with a maximum weight of 1kg, mixtures of different colour groups and different cultivated mushrooms of species other than Agaricus are allowed. Uniformity of origin is not required.
  • The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.
  • A special effort should be made to suppress camouflage, i.e. concealing in the lower layers of the package produce inferior in quality and size to that displayed and marked.
  • Similarly prohibited is any packaging method or practice intended to give a deceptively superior appearance to the top layer of the consignment.

Packaging

  • The mushrooms 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 produce during transport and handling.
  • The materials used inside the package must be new, 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.
  • This provision is for ensuring suitable protection of the produce by means of materials inside the package which are new and clean and also to prevent foreign bodies from spoiling its good presentation.
  • Stickers individually affixed on the produce shall be such that, when removed, they neither leave visible traces of glue, nor lead to skin defects.
  • Packages must be free of all foreign matter including excessive casing material.
  • A visible lack of cleanliness in several packages could result in the goods being rejected. Significant quantities of casing material in several packages could also result in the goods being rejected.