Grade designations | Grade requirements | Grade tolerances |
1 | 2 | 3 |
Extra class | Capsicum or Sweet pepper must be of superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety /or commercial type. They must be free of defects. | 5 % by number or weight of Capsicum or Sweet pepper not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. |
Class I | Capsicum or Sweet pepper must be of good quality. They must be characteristics of the variety /or commercial type as regards development, shape, colour and ripeness. The following slight defects, however, may be allowed, provided they do not affect the | 10 % by number or weight of Capsicum or Sweet pepper not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. |
| general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.
– Very slight damage or cut in peduncle with the calyx intact |
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Class II | Capsicum or Sweet pepper which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher grades, but satisfy the minimum requirements. The following defects may be allowed, provided the capsicum or Sweet pepper retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation. | 10 % by number or weight of capsicum or sweet pepper not satisfying the requirements of the grade but meeting the minimum requirements. |
| – defects in shape and development. – sunburn, or slight healed injuries with a limit of 2 cm. in length for elongated shapes and 1 sq. cm. of the total area for other defects. – Slight dry superficial cracks not exceeding an overall cumulative length of 3 cm. – slight damage or cut in peduncle with calyx intact. – slight blemishes. They may be less firm without being withered. |
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- clean and intact;
- sound, firm and well developed;
- fresh in appearance;
- with peduncles attached;
- free of any visible foreign matter;
- free from pests and damage caused by pests;
- free of damage caused by frost;
- free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from cold storage,
- free of foreign smell /or taste;
- free of damage caused by low or high
Size tolerances
- Extra Class : 5 % by number or weight of sweet peppers not conforming to the sizes identified within a margin of ± 5 mm. including not more than 5 % of sweet peppers below the minimum size laid down.
- Class I : 10 % by number or weight of sweet peppers not conforming to the sizes identified within a margin of± 5 mm. including not more than 5 % of sweet peppers below the minimum size laid down.
- Class II : Sized sweet peppers 10 % by number or weight of sweet peppers not conforming to the sizes identified within a margin of ± 5 mm. including not more than 5 % of sweet peppers below the minimum size laid down.
- Unseized sweet peppers : 5 % by number or weight of sweet peppers up to 5 mm. smaller than the minimum size laid down.