APPENDIX III: DRAFT CODEX STANDARD FOR PUMMELOS (At Step 8)

1. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE

This standard applies to commercial varieties of pummelos grown from Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck (syn. C. maxima Merr.) of the Rutaceae family to be supplied fresh to the consumer, after preparation and packaging. Pummelos for industrial processing are excluded.[26]

2. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

2.1 Minimum Requirements

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

- whole;
- firm;
- 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 bruising;
- practically free from pests affecting the general appearance of the produce;
- practically free from damage caused by pests;
- free of damage caused by low temperature;
- free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from cold storage;
- free of any foreign smell and/or taste.

2.1.1 The pummelos must have been carefully picked and have reached an appropriate degree of development and ripeness in accordance with criteria proper to the variety and/or commercial type and to the area in which they are grown.

The development and state of ripeness of the pummelos must be such as to enable them:

- to withstand transport and handling, and
- to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

2.1.2 Maturity requirements and colouring

Minimum total soluble solids content should not be less than 8%.

Colouring must be typical of the variety and/or commercial type on at least two-thirds of the surface of the fruit, account being taken of the variety and/or commercial type and of the time of picking.

2.2 Classification

Pummelos are classified into three classes defined below:

2.2.1 “Extra” Class

Pummelos in this class must be of superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type.

They must be free from 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.

2.2.2 Class I

Pummelos 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.

- slight defect in shape;
- slight defects in colouring;
- slight skin defects inherent in the formation of the fruit, and
- slight healed defects due to mechanical causes.

The total area affected shall not exceed ten percent. The defects must not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit.

2.2.3 Class II

This class includes pummelos which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified in Section 2.1 above.

The following defects may be allowed provided the pummelos retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:

- defects in shape;
- defects in colouring;
- healed skin defects.

The total area affected should not exceed fifteen percent. The defects must not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit.

3. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

Size is determined by the weight or maximum diameter of the equatorial section of the fruit, in accordance with the following table:

Size Code

Weight (g)

Diameter (mm)

1

> 1700

156-170

2

1501-1700

148-162

3

1301-1500

140-154

4

1101-1300

132-146

5

901-1100

123-138

6

700-900

116-129

7

< 700

< 112

Pummelos of a weight less than 700 g or of a diameter below 112 mm are excluded.

4. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package (or in each lot for produce presented in bulk) for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.

4.1. Quality Tolerances

4.1.1 “Extra” Class

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

4.1.2 Class I

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

4.1.3 Class II

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

4.2 Size Tolerances

For all classes, ten percent by number or weight of pummelos corresponding to the size immediately above or below the size indicated on the package.

5. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

5.1 Uniformity

The contents of each package (or lot for produce presented in bulk) must be uniform and contain only pummelos of the same variety and/or commercial type, origin, quality, colour and size. The visible part of the contents of the package (or lot for produce presented in bulk) must be representative of the entire contents.

5.2 Packaging

Pummelos must be packed in such a way to protect the produce properly.

The material used inside the packages must be new[27], 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 a non-toxic ink or glue.

Pummelos shall be packed in each container in compliance with the Code of Practice for the Packaging and Transport of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.

5.2.1 Description of Containers

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

6. MARKING OR LABELLING

6.1 Consumer 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 should apply:

6.1.1 Nature of Produce

If the produce is not visible from the outside, each package (or lot for produce presented in bulk) should be labelled as to the name of the produce and may be labelled as to the name of the variety and/or commercial type.

6.2 Non-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.[28]

For produce transported in bulk, these particulars must appear on a document accompanying the goods.

6.2.1 Identification

Name and address of exporter, packer and/or dispatcher. Identification code (optional).[29]

6.2.2 Nature of Produce

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

6.2.3 Origin of Produce

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

6.2.4 Commercial Description

- class;
- size (size code or minimum and maximum weight or diameter in grams or mm, respectively);
- net weight (optional).

6.2.5 Official Inspection Mark (optional).

7. CONTAMINANTS

7.1 Heavy Metals

Pumellos shall comply with those maximum levels for heavy metals established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for this commodity.

7.2 Pesticide Residues

Pummelos shall comply with those maximum residue limits established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for this commodity.

8. HYGIENE

8.1 It is recommended that the produce covered by the provisions of this standard be packed and handled in accordance with the appropriate sections of the Recommended International Code of Practice - General Principles of Food Hygiene (CAC/RCP 1-1969, Rev. 3-1997), and other Codes of Practice recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission which are relevant to this produce.

8.2 To the extent possible in good packaging and handling practice, the produce shall be free from objectionable matter.

8.3 When tested by appropriate methods of sampling and examination, the produce:

- shall be free from microorganisms in amounts which may represent a hazard to health;
- shall be free from parasites which may represent a hazard to health; and
- shall not contain any substance originating from microorganisms in amounts which may represent a hazard to health.

[26] Governments, when indicating the acceptance of the Codex Standard for pummelos should notify the Commission which provisions of the Standard would be accepted for application at the point of import, and which provisions would be accepted for application at the point of export.
[27] For the purposes of this standard, this includes recycled material of food-grade quality.
[28] Governments, when indicating their acceptance of this Codex standard, should notify the Commission as to which provisions of this Section apply.
[29] 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.

Size Code	Weight (g)	Diameter (mm)
1	> 1700	156-170
2	1501-1700	148-162
3	1301-1500	140-154
4	1101-1300	132-146
5	901-1100	123-138
6	700-900	116-129
7	< 700	< 112