[F1ANNEX IU.K. MARKETING STANDARDS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 3

PART AU.K. General marketing standard

The purpose of this general marketing standard is to define the quality requirements for fruit and vegetables, after preparation and packaging.

However, at stages following dispatch products may show in relation to the requirements of the standard:

  • a slight lack of freshness and turgidity,

  • a slight deterioration due to their development and their tendency to perish.

1. Minimum requirements U.K.

Subject to the tolerances allowed, the products shall be:

  • intact,

  • sound; products affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make them unfit for consumption are excluded,

  • clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter,

  • practically free from pests,

  • free from damage caused by pests affecting the flesh,

  • free of abnormal external moisture,

  • free of any foreign smell and/or taste.

The condition of the products must be such as to enable them:

  • to withstand transportation and handling,

  • to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

2. Minimum maturity requirements U.K.

The products must be sufficiently developed, but not over-developed, and fruit must display satisfactory ripeness and must not be overripe.

The development and state of maturity of the products must be such as to enable them to continue their ripening process and to reach a satisfactory degree of ripeness.

3. Tolerance U.K.

A tolerance of 10 % by number or weight of product not satisfying the minimum quality requirements shall be permitted in each lot. Within this tolerance not more than 2 per cent in total may consist of produce affected by decay.

4. Marking U.K.

Each package(1) must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside.

A. Identification U.K.

Name and physical address of the packer and/or the dispatcher (for example: street/city/region/postal code and, if different from the country of origin, the country).

This mention may be replaced:

B. Origin U.K.

Full name of the country of origin(2). For products originating in [F4Great Britain] this shall be in [F5English] or any other language understandable by the consumers of the country of destination. For other products, this shall be in any language understandable by the consumers of the country of destination.

Packages need not to bear the particulars mentioned in the first subparagraph, when they contain sales packages, clearly visible from the outside, and all bearing these particulars. These packages shall be free from any indications such as could mislead. When these packages are palletised, the particulars shall be given on a notice placed in an obvious position on at least two sides of the pallet.]

(1)

[F1These marking provisions do not apply to sales packages presented in packages. However, they do apply to sales packages presented separately.]

(2)

[F1The full or commonly used name shall be indicated.]