Grade Designation | Grade requirements | Grade tolerances |
1 | 2 | 3 |
Extra Class | Watermelons in this class must be of superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety /or commercial type. They must be free of defects, with the exception of very slight superficial defects, provided they do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package. | 5 % by number or weight of Watermelons not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. |
Class I | Watermelons in this class must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type. They must be: | 10 % by number or weight of Watermelons not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class II or, |
| – well formed; – free of cracks and bruises. The following slight defects may be there, provided they do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package: – a slight defect in shape; – a slight defect in colouring for the paler part of which has been in contact with the ground during the period of growth; – the stem must not exceed 5 cm. in length. The defects must not affect the pulp of the fruit. | exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. |
Class II | This class includes watermelons which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher grades, but satisfy the minimum requirements. The following defects may be there, provided the Watermelons retain their essential characteristics as regards the general appearance, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation.- – defects in shape; – defects in colouring of the rind; – slight bruising; The defects must not affect the pulp of the fruit. | 10 % by number or weight of Watermelons not satisfying the requirements of the grade but meeting with the minimum requirements. |
- intact;
- fresh in appearance;
- firm, and sufficiently ripe;
- sound, excluding produce affected by rotting or deterioration, such as to make it unfit for human consumption.
- clean, free of any visible foreign matter;
- free from pests;
- free from damage caused by pests;
- free of abnormal external moisture;
- free of any foreign smell and/or taste.
SIZE TOLERANCES:
- For all grades, 10% by number or weight of watermelons corresponding to the size immediately above /or below that indicated on the packages, with a minimum of 1 kg. for those water melons pack in the smallest size range