The regulations and requirements for artichokes heads of the varieties (cultivars) of Cynara scolymus L., are as follows:
Quality standards
| (1) |
Subject to the standards for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class artichokes in subregulation 3 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 5, artichokes shall ; |
| (c) |
be clean and free from foreign matter, including soil; |
| (d) |
be free from Arthropoda infestation; |
| (e) |
be free from insect damage or damage caused by other organisms; |
| (f) |
be free from blemishes; |
| (g) |
be free from injuries; |
| (h) |
be free from bruises; |
| (i) |
be free from abnormal external moisture; |
| (j) |
be free from foreign odours; |
| (k) |
not be running to seed; |
| (I) |
be free from cold damage; |
| (m) |
be free from sun-scorch; |
| (n) |
be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the artichokes detrimentally; |
| (o) |
be fresh and firm and show no sign of withering; |
| (p) |
be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; |
| (q) |
be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling. |
| (2) |
The stems of artichokes shall be cut off cleanly and not be longer than 100 mm: Provided that this provision is not applicable to artichokes packed in bunches or to the artichokes of the variety "Spinoso". |
Classifications
| (a) |
In the case of Class 1 artichokes ; |
| (i) |
the bracts shall be well closed; |
| (ii) |
the ducts shall show no incipient woodiness; and |
| (iii) |
small cracks due to frost, may be present. |
| (b) |
In the case of Class 2 and Class 3 artichokes ; |
| (i) |
the bracts may be slightly open; |
| (ii) |
the ducts may show incipient woodiness; |
| (iii) |
small cracks due to frost, may be present; and |
| (iv) |
slight staining on the outer bracts are permitted. |
| (c) |
In the case of Lowest Class artichokes - unspecified. |
Packing and sorting requirements
| (a) |
The minimum diameter for all classes artichokes is 60 mm. |
| (b) |
The size groups for Class 1 artichokes with regard to the equatorial diameter of the heads are— |
| (ii) |
110 mm but less than 130 mm; |
| (iii) |
90 mm but less than 110 mm; |
| (iv) |
75 mm but less than 90 mm; and |
| (v) |
60 mm but less than 75 mm |
| (c) |
The size groups for Class 2 and Class 3 artichokes with regard to the equatorial diameter of the heads are ; |
| (ii) |
90 mm but less than 130 mm; |
| (iii) |
60 mm but less than 90 mm; |
| (iv) |
35 mm but less than 60 mm. |
| (d) |
The size group for Lowest Class artichokes - unspecified. |
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
| (a) |
Class 1 artichokes may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating artichokes ; |
| (i) |
at least comply with quality standards for Class 2; and |
| (ii) |
do not exceed the following individual limits: |
| - |
Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. |
| (b) |
Class 2 artichokes may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 with 15% by mass: Provided that the deviating artichokes do not exceed the following individual limits: |
| - |
Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. |
| (c) |
Class 3 artichokes may deviate from the quality standards for Class 3 with 25% by mass: Provided that the deviating artichokes do not exceed the following individual limits: |
| - |
Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. |
| (d) |
In the case of Lowest Class -decay shall not exceed 20% by mass or number. |
Permissible deviations with regard to packing and sorting requirements
| (a) |
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 artichokes, may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements, set out in subregulation 4, with 10%, 15% and 25% respectively by number: Provided that the artichokes concerned shall fall in an adjacent size group and with a minimum diameter of 50 mm in the case of the smallest size group (60 mm to 75 mm). |
| (b) |
In the case of Lowest Class artichokes - unspecified. |
Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972
