Grade designation

Grade Requirements

Provision concerning sizing

Grade tolerances

1

2

3

4

Extra class

Spinach shall be of good quality. It may be in leaf or in heads. The leaves shall be

 

–     normal in colour and appearance for the variety and time of harvest;

Not required

5% by weight of Spinach not satisfying the requirements for the grade, but meeting the requirements for Class I grade.

 

–          free from damage by frost, animal parasites or diseases impairing appearance or edibility.

 

–          In the case of leaf spinach, the leaf stem must not exceed 10 cm. in length.

 

 

Class I

Spinach shall be of good quality. The leaves shall be

 

–          normal in colour and appearance for the variety and time of harvest;

 

–          free from damage caused by frost, animal parasites or diseases impairing appearance or edibility.

 

–          In the case of leaf spinach, the leaf stem must not exceed 10 cm. in length.

Not required

10% by weight of spinach not satisfying the requirements for the grade, but meeting the requirements for Class II grade.

Class II

Leaf spinach may have slight defects in colour and slight defects caused by frost. However, it shall satisfy the minimum requirements.

Not required

10% by weight of spinach not satisfying the requirements of the grade but meeting the minimum requirements. In the case of spinach heads, a tolerance of 10 % by weight of heads, having roots attached which do not exceed 1cm in length from the base of the

outer leaves may be allowed.

  • fresh in appearance,
  • clean, free of visible foreign matter;
  • free from pests and damage caused by pests;
  • free of floral stems;
  • free of any foreign smell and/or taste;
  • properly drained if washed;