Grade Designation | Grade requirements | Grade tolerances |
Extra Class | Strawberries must be of superior quality. In colouring and shape, they must be typical of the variety and they must be uniform and regular with respect to degree of ripeness, colour and size. They must be bright in appearance and must be free from soil. | 5 % by number or weight of strawberries 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 | Strawberries must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety /or commercial type. Following slight defects may be allowed , provided they do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package;
– slight defects of shape, – presence of a small white patch not exceeding 1/10th of the surface area of the fruit; – they may be less uniform in size They must be free from soil. | 10 % by number or weight of strawberries 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 strawberries which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher grades, but satisfy the minimum requirements. Following defects may be allowed, provided the strawberries retain their essential characteristics as regards the general appearance, quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package; – defects of shape; – a white patch not exceeding 1/5th of the surface area of the fruit; – slight bruising not likely to spread;. – slight traces of soil.
The defects should not affect the pulp of the fruit. |
10 % by number or weight of strawberries not satisfying the requirements of the grade but meeting the minimum requirements. |
- intact, undamaged;
- with the calyx and short green un withered stalk attached;
- sound, excluding produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for human consumption;
- clean, free of any foreign matter;
- fresh, but not washed;
- free from damage caused by pests or diseases;
- free from abnormal external moisture;
- free of any foreign smell /or taste;
- free of damage caused by low or high
SIZE TOLERANCES:
- For all grades, 10% by number or weight of strawberries not conforming to the minimum size provided, however, that the diameter is not less than 16 mm.