Standard for Prickly Pear

1DEFINITION OF PRODUCE

This Standard applies to the fruit of commercial varieties of prickly pears grown from Opuntia ficus indica, O. streptachanthae, and O. lindheimeiri, of the Cactaceae family, to be supplied fresh to the consumer, after preparation and packaging. Prickly pears for industrial processing are excluded.

2PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the prickly pears must be:

-whole;

-sound, produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded;

-clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter;

-practically free of damage caused by pests;

-free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from cold storage;

-free of any foreign smell and/or taste;

-firm;

-fresh in appearance;

-free of damage caused by low temperatures;

-free of prickles;

-free of pronounced blemishes;

-sufficiently developed and display satisfactory ripeness, depending on the nature of the produce. Depending on the prickly pear variety, the receptacle of the fruit will be flat or slightly hollow. The prickly pears must have a shape, colour, taste and smell characteristic of the species.

2.1.1The development and condition of the prickly pears must be such as to enable them:

-to withstand transport and handling; and

-to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

2.2CLASSIFICATION Prickly pears are classified in three classes defined below:

2.2.1“Extra” Class Prickly pears in this class must be of superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type. They must be free of defects, with the exception of very slight superficial defects, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.

2.2.2Class I Prickly pears in this class must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type. The following slight defects, however, may be allowed, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package:

Amended 2005.

-slight defects in shape and colour;

-slight skin defects such as bruising, sunspots, crusting, blemishes or other superficial defects. The total area affected shall not exceed 4%. The defects must not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit.

2.2.3Class II This class includes prickly pears which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified in Section 2.1 above. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type. The following defects, however, may be allowed, provided the prickly pears retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:

-defects in shape and colour, as long as the produce has the characteristics common to prickly pears;

-skin defects due to bruising, scarring, crusting sunspots or other defects. The total area affected shall not exceed 8%. The defects must not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit.

3PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

Size is determined by the weight of the prickly pear, in accordance with the following table:

Size Code                                     Weight
                                            (in grams)
     A                                       90 – 105
     B                                       105 - 140
     C                                       140 - 190
     D                                       190 - 270
     E                                         > 270

4PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.

4.1QUALITY TOLERANCES

4.1.1“Extra” Class

Five percent by number or weight of prickly pears not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class.

4.1.2Class I

Ten percent by number or weight of prickly pears not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class.

4.1.3Class II

Ten percent by number or weight of prickly pears satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements, with the exception of produce affected by rotting, pronounced irregularities or any other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption.

4.2SIZE TOLERANCES

For “Extra” Class, 5%; and for Class I or Class II, 10%; by number or weight of prickly pears not satisfying the requirements as regards sizing, but falling within the class immediately above or below or those indicated in Section 3.

5PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

5.1UNIFORMITY

The contents of each package (or lot for produce presented in bulk) must be uniform and contain only prickly pears of the same origin, variety, quality and size. For “Extra” Class, colour and ripeness should be uniform. The visible part of the contents of the package (or lot for produce presented in bulk) must be representative of the entire contents.

5.2PACKAGING

Prickly pears must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly. The materials used inside the package must be new1, clean, and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the produce. The use of materials, particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed, provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue. Prickly pears shall be packed in each container in compliance with the Recommended International Code of Practice for Packaging and Transport of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CAC/RCP 44-1995).

5.2.1Description of Containers

The containers shall meet the quality, hygiene, ventilation and resistance characteristics to ensure suitable handling, shipping and preserving of the prickly pears. Packages (or lot for produce presented in bulk) must be free of all foreign matter and smell.

6MARKING OR LABELLING

6.1CONSUMER PACKAGES

In addition to the requirements of the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CODEX STAN 1-1985), the following specific provisions apply:

6.1.1Nature of Produce

If the produce is not visible from the outside, each package shall be labelled as to the name of the produce and may be labelled as to name of the variety.

6.2NON-RETAIL CONTAINERS

Each package must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside, or in the documents accompanying the shipment. For produce transported in bulk these particulars must appear on a document accompanying the goods.

6.2.1Identification

Name and address of exporter, packer and/or dispatcher. Identification code (optional)2.

6.2.2Nature of Produce

Name of the produce if the contents are not visible from the outside. Name of the variety or commercial type (optional).

1 For the purposes of this Standard, this includes recycled material of food-grade quality. 2 The national legislation of a number of countries requires the explicit declaration of the name and address. However, in the case where a code mark is used, the reference “packer and/or dispatcher (or equivalent abbreviations)” has to be indicated in close connection with the code mark.

6.2.3Origin of Produce

Country of origin and, optionally, district where grown or national, regional or local place name.

6.2.4Commercial Identification

-Class;

-Size (size code or weight range in grams);

-Number of units (optional);

-Net weight (optional).

6.2.5Official Inspection Mark (optional)

7CONTAMINANTS

8HYGIENE