PROPOSED DRAFT CODEX STANDARD FOR RAMBUTAN
(At Step 3)
1. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This Standard applies to commercial varieties of rambutans grown from Nephelium lappaceum L. of the Sapindaceae family, to be supplied fresh to the consumer, after preparation and packaging. Rambutans for industrial processing are excluded.¹
2. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
2.1 Minimum Requirements
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the rambutans must be:
- whole;
- fresh in appearance;
- 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 pests affecting the general appearance of the produce;
- practically free of damage caused by pests;
- free of damage caused by low and/or high 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 rambutans 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.
The development and condition of the rambutans must be such as to enable them:
- to withstand transport and handling, and
- to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.
2.2 Classification
Rambutans are classified in three classes defined below:
2.2.1 “Extra” Class
Rambutans in this class must be of superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety.
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.
2.2.2 Class I
Rambutans in this class must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety. 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 skin defects not exceeding 5% of the total surface area.
The defects must not, in any case, affect the flesh of the produce.
2.2.3 Class II
This class includes rambutans which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified in Section 2.1 above. The following defects, however, may be allowed, provided the rambutans retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:
- skin defects not exceeding [20%] of the total surface area.
The defects must not, in any case, affect the flesh of the produce.
3. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
Size is determined by the number of fruits per kilogram. There are two forms of presentation: in single fruit and in bunches; the size specification is as follows:
[ Table 1
Size specification of rambutans presented as single fruit

Table 2
Size specification of rambutans presented in bunches

4. PROVISIONS 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.
4.1 Quality Tolerances
4.1.1 “Extra” Class
Five percent by number or weight of rambutans 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 rambutans 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 rambutans 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: 10% by number or weight of rambutans corresponding to the size immediately above and/or below that indicated on the package for fruit sold in single [and 20% for fruit sold in bunches].
5. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
5.1 Uniformity
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only rambutans of the same origin, variety, quality, size and colour.
The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.
5.2 Packaging
Rambutans must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly. The materials used inside the package must be new², 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 and stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed, provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue.

Rambutans shall be packed in each container in compliance with the Recommended International Code of Practice for Packaging and Transport of Tropical Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CAC/RCP 44-1995).

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 rambutans.
Packages must be free of all foreign matter and smell.
5.3 Presentation
The rambutans may be presented under one of the following forms:
5.3.1 Individually
In this case the pedicel must be detached at first knot and the maximum length of the stalk must not extend more than 5 mm beyond the top of the fruit..
5.3.2 In Bunches
[In this case, each bunch should have at least three attached rambutans an the bunches must not exceed 20 cm in length.] A maximum of 10% by number or weight of detached fruit is allowed in each package.
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, Rev. 1-1991), the following specific provisions apply.
6.1.1 Nature of Produce
If the produce is not visible from the outside, each package shall be labelled as to the name of the produce “Rambutan” and may be labelled as to the name of the variety, including specified characteristic of “individually” or “in bunches”.
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.³
6.2.1 Identification
Name and address of exporter, packer and/or dispatcher. Identification code (optional).⁴
6.2.2 Nature of Produce
Name of the produce “Rambutan” if the contents are not visible from the outside. Name of variety (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 Identification
- Class;
- Size; and
- Net weight .
6.2.5 Official Inspection Mark (optional)
7. CONTAMINANTS
7.1 Heavy Metals
Rambutans shall comply with those maximum levels for heavy metals established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for this commodity.
7.2 Pesticide Residues
Rambutans 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. 4-2003), Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CAC/RCP 53-2003), and other relevant Codex texts such as Codes of Hygienic Practice and Codes of Practice.
8.2 The produce should comply with any microbiological criteria established in accordance with the Principles for the Establishment and Application of Microbiological Criteria for Foods (CAC/GL 21-1997).

¹ Governments, when indicating the acceptance of the Codex Standard for Rambutan, 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.

² For the purposes of this Standard, this includes recycled material of food-grade quality.

³ Governments, when indicating their acceptance of this Standard, should notify the Commission as to which provisions of this Section apply.

⁴ 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.