1. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This standard applies to commercial varieties of guavas grown from Psidium guajava L. of the Myrtaceae family, to be supplied fresh to the consumer, after preparation and packaging. Guavas for industrial processing are excluded.[30]
2. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
2.1 Minimum Requirements
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and tolerance allowed, guavas must be:
- whole;2.1.1 The guavas must have been carefully picked and have reached an appropriate degree of development and ripeness in accordance with criteria proper to the variety and to the area in which they are grown.- firm;
- sound, produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded;
- clean, practically free from any visible foreign matter;
- practically free from bruising;
- practically free from pests affecting the general appearance of the produce;
- practically free from damage caused by pests;
- free from abnormal external moisture, except for condensation following removal from cold storage;
- free from any foreign smell and/or taste.
The development and state of ripeness of the guavas must be such as to enable them:
- to withstand transport and handling, and2.2 Classification
- to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
Guavas are classified into three classes defined below:
2.2.1 “Extra” Class
Guavas 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
Guavas 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 defects of colour or shape;The defects must not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit.
- slight defects on the skin due to rubbing and other superficial defects such as sunburns, blemishes and scabs not exceeding 5% of the total surface area.
2.2.3 Class II
This class includes guavas 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 guavas retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:
- defects in shape and colour;They must not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit.
- defects on the skin due to rubbing and other defects such as sunburns, blemishes and scabs not exceeding 10% of the total surface area.
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 |
> 450 |
> 100 |
|
2 |
351 - 450 |
96 - 100 |
|
3 |
251 - 350 |
86 - 95 |
|
4 |
201 - 250 |
76 - 85 |
|
5 |
151 - 200 |
66 - 75 |
|
6 |
101 - 150 |
54 - 65 |
|
7 |
61 - 100 |
43 - 53 |
|
8 |
35 - 60 |
30 - 42 |
|
9 |
< 35 |
< 30 |
Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package 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 guavas 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 guavas 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 guavas satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements, with the exception of fruit 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 guavas corresponding to the size immediately below or above the size indicated on the package.
5. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
5.1 Uniformity
The contents of the package must be uniform and contain only guavas of the same origin, variety and/or commercial type, quality and size. The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.
5.2 Packaging
Guavas must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly.
The material used inside the packages must be new[31], 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.
Guavas 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 guavas. Packages 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 should be labelled as to the name of the produce and may be labelled as to the name of the variety.
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.[32]
6.2.1 Identification
Name and address of exporter, packer and/or dispatcher. Identification code (optional).[33]
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;6.2.5 Official Inspection Mark (optional).
- size (size code or minimum and maximum weight or diameter in grams or mm, respectively);
- net weight (optional).
7. CONTAMINANTS
7.1 Heavy Metals
Guavas shall comply with those maximum levels for heavy metals established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for this commodity.
7.2 Pesticide Residues
Guavas 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 prepared 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.
