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Quality Control - International 12 – 14 February 2001 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 23rd GEISENHEIM MEETING 12. – 14. February 2001 International training course for quality inspectors for fruit, vegetables and ware potatoes ______________________________________________________________ Organizers: Regierungspräsidium Gießen Dezernat 29/114, Wetzlar Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, Referat 323 - Qualitätskontrolle, Qualitätsnormen, Frankfurt am Main TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 Standard Interpretation and Quality Control - Answers to questions asked by control services 20 Opening address 23 Regulation No. 2251/92: Goals and aims of the current reform 27 Quality Assurance System - The new controlling system of KCB 31 New Methods to Determine Fruit Quality 33 The Prospective Accession of Hungary to the EU seen by a Hungarian Producer Organisation 37 EC Quality EC-Marketing Standard for Onions 39 Results of Sample Assessment for Onions 40 Isotope Analysis as a means of tracing the origin of Onions and Potatoes 45 EC-Marketing Standard for Melons 50 Results of Sample Assessment for Melons 51 Melon Types of Importance in Spain 56 Melon Types of Importance in France 59 Melon Varieties in Israel 61 Melons from Turkey: Main Types and their Characteristics 69 List of Participants ____________________________________________________________________ Editors: Erik Schneider, BLE, Frankfurt am Main LD Gert Pingel, RP Gießen, Wetzlar Translation: Jutta Himmelreich, BLE, Frankfurt am Main Erik Schneider, BLE, Frankfurt am Main 1 Standard Interpretation and Quality Control - Answers to Questions asked by Control Services Bärbel Jacobs, David Holliday, Wilfried Staub 1. Tomatoes What is the minimum acceptable coloration for tomatoes? Both the EU quality standard and the OECD standard state that the development and condition of tomatoes must be such as to enable them: - to withstand transport and handling, and - to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination. However, no reference is made to any colour requirements. We would like to know how our colleagues from other member states are tackling this problem and if they have set any colour standard? Plantenziektenkundige Dienst, Wageningen The EU quality standard does not make mention of coloration. In principle tomatoes can show any kind of colour except a dark green colour (these tomatoes do not ripen after harvest). However, they should at least meet colour 2 of the OECD colour gauge. The UK allows colour 1 of the same gauge in Class I if the pulp shows a light pink colour. Based on the OECD colour gauge, at dispatch level tomatoes from NL must meet colour 4 and colour 3 during summer time. Colour 9 is not allowed at dispatch level (internal KCB regulation). According to the provisions concerning presentation, uniform colouring is only required for Extra class and class I. Fruits in the same package should be either of the same colour (red, ripening, turning or green) or should belong to three consecutive shades of colouring according to the OECD colour gauge. The tolerances for fruits differing from the dominant colour or the three consecutive shades must not exceed 5 % in “Extra” class and 10 % in class I provided they belong to the neighbouring colour group(s). Trusses of tomatoes are not excluded from the requirements for uniform colouring. Class II has no special requirements for colour uniformity. 2. Trusses of tomatoes in packages Packages contain individual fruits which are not ”separated from the vine“ but were added to the package to balance its weight. How to proceed? What is allowed? Landwirtschaftskammer Rheinland-Pfalz For of trusses of tomatoes the EU-marketing standard allows 5 % in class I and 10 % in class II by number or weight of tomatoes detached from the stalk. To adjust the net weight indicated, individual fruit are allowed in pre- packages of trusses of tomatoes provided the tolerances specified above are met in the average of the lot. 2 3. Assessment of viral diseases Why are viral diseases considered “not sound“, while “ghost spots“ (arrested Botrytis) of the tomato are rated as a colour defect? Modifications caused by a virus could also be considered a defect in colour (or shape). Landwirtschaftskammer Rheinland-Pfalz Ghost spots on tomatoes are allowed as blemishes or colour defect. They appear in case of halted botrytis infection. In most cases the skin will be only slightly and the pulp not visibly affected. Tomatoes affected by the mosaic virus originate from diseased plants. With visibly affected fruits pulp and taste will be considerably affected. Even though fruits do not present a direct health risk they are not acceptable for human consumption and therefore considered to be “not sound” (minimum requirement, no tolerance). 4. Anti-sludge tomato Are any genetic modifications known for fruit and vegetable produce, e.g. the anti-sludge tomato? Rewe Zentral AG, Köln In the USA marketing of genetically modified fruits and vegetables is allowed. However, the modified produce must be clearly and legibly marked in order to inform the consumer. In the EU, marketing of genetically modified fruits and vegetables is not allowed yet. 5. Cucumbers Which standard text is used to reject cucumbers that have ”turned yellow“? BLE, Frankfurt am Main Cucumbers which have turned yellow and do not belong to a yellow type are not admitted because they are not “fresh in appearance” even if no signs of wilting are visible. The yellow colour appears during long storage or is the result of damage through ethylene impact. Keeping quality and taste of the cucumbers are considerably affected. 6. Cucumbers How to measure the length of ”crooked cucumbers“? Is the drawing in booklet No. 61 correct? BLE, Frankfurt am Main Four methods of possible measurements were discussed: - the length is measured by taking the shortest distance between the flower scar and the implant of the stalk (traditional method), - over the outer crook of the cucumber from the flower scar to the implant of the stalk (OECD method), - over the curvature of the middle axis, - over the inner crook of the cucumber from the flower scar to the implant of the stalk. 90 % of the participants favoured the traditional method which will be the recommended method in the next OECD-Explanatory Brochure. 3 7. Sweet peppers : colouring Is it absolutely necessary for all fruits of class I sweet peppers to be of the same colour? Do all fruits have to be either green, yellow or red, or are colour changes allowed, i.e. from green to red, if all fruits of a package show the same degree of colouring? BLE, Frankfurt am Main Depending on the variety, sweet peppers can change colour during ripening (from green to turning to the colour typical for the variety). In class I turning sweet peppers are allowed as long as uniformity within the package (not the lot!) is ensured. 8. Sweet peppers : colouring In class I, packages may only contain sweet peppers of appreciably the same degree of ripeness and colouring. Could the still tolerable limit be illustrated with photos? Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart There are no special requirements for uniformity of colour and degree of ripeness in class II. However, if one specific colour group is indicated on the package the entire content must belong to this colour group. 9. Sweet peppers : sizing We keep arguing with our customers about correct marking for sweet peppers and would now like to ask explicitly: Is a size indication for ready-made packages of sweet peppers allowed or required? The inspection service in the Lower Saxony area states that a size indication in mm is not allowed. Schneider GmbH & Co. Fruchtimport KG, Bad Marienberg According to Chapter V. A. third indent: “For packages of sweet peppers with a max. weight of 1 kg, uniformity of colour, size and commercial type is not required.” This provision was included into the standard because of the size variations of different commercial types. According to Chapter VI. D. second indent: “size indication is only required if sized”. Hence, for consumer packages with a max. weight of 1 kg, indication of weight is not required. If the size is indicated, produce must be of that size. Therefore it is suggested not to indicate size on packages with a max. weight of 1 kg. 10. Tinkerbell Baby Sweet Peppers (red/green/yellow) Are there quality classes for baby sweet peppers? Deutscher Fruchthandelsverband e.V., Hamburg Mini or baby sweet peppers will be included into the new EU marketing standard for sweet peppers which will enter into force on 1 March 2001. 4 11. Carrots Class ”Extra“, inspection result: 8 % not intact (broken carrots) May the 5 % tolerance by weight of carrots not satisfying the requirements of the class, yet satisfying those of class I – including, in exceptional cases, class I tolerances - be applied? BLE, Frankfurt am Main Class ‘Extra’ carrots must be of superior quality (and washed). Broken carrots and/or carrots without tips are allowed in the tolerance of class I and are therefore not admitted in class Extra. The above-mentioned lot is only class I. The passage “but meeting those of the next following class, or exceptionally coming within the tolerance of that class” contained in many standards has not yet been explained by any control service. Control services of EU member states do not apply this tolerance. It is suggested to delete this passage in the UN/ECE standard layout and in all other standards. 12. Melons Marking includes the information: Minimum sugar content Brix value 10 %. Controls reveal that the indicated value is not attained. How to proceed? BLE, Frankfurt am Main An indication of the minimum sugar content (Brix value) is optional according to chapter VI “Provisions concerning marking”. In most cases the packer and/or sender indicates the Brix value in order to inform about the good internal quality of the produce.