TOLERANCES of cucumbers

  • Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each lot for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.
  • Tolerances are provided to allow for human error during the grading and packing process. During grading and sizing it is not permitted to deliberately include out of grade produce, i.e. to exploit the tolerances deliberately.
  • The tolerances are determined after examining each sample and taking the average of all samples examined. The tolerances are stated in terms of percentage, by number of cucumbers in the total sample not conforming to the class or to the size indicated on the package.

Quality Tolerances

  • “Extra” Class
    • A total tolerance of 5 per cent, by number, of cucumbers not satisfying the requirements of the class but meeting those of Class I is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 0.5 per cent in total may consist of produce satisfying the requirements of Class II quality.
  • Class I
    • A total tolerance of 10 per cent, by number, of cucumbers not satisfying the requirements of the class but meeting those of Class II is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 1 per cent in total may consist of produce satisfying neither the requirements of Class II quality nor the minimum requirements. Produce affected by rotting or any other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption is excluded.
  • Class II
    • A total tolerance of 10 per cent, by number, of cucumbers satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements is allowed. Produce affected by rotting or any other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption is excluded. Within this tolerance, a maximum of 2 per cent by number of fruit may have tips with a bitter taste.
    • Within the tolerance of Class II, cucumbers showing “weak necks” that do not reach beyond the shoulders are allowed.

Size Tolerances

  • For all classes (if sized): A total tolerance of 10 per cent, by number, of cucumbers not satisfying the requirements as regards sizing is allowed. However, this tolerance is applicable only to produce that differs by no more than 10 per cent from the size and weight limits specified.
  • Deviation from the size range: 10% by number of cucumbers may be allowed up to 10 % above or below the indicated size range.