Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011Show full title

[F1 II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY U.K.

The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for tomatoes, 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,

• for products graded in classes other than the ‘Extra’ Class, a slight deterioration due to their development and their tendency to perish.

A. Minimum requirements U.K.

In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the tomatoes must be:

• intact,

• 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,

• fresh in appearance,

• 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.

In the case of trusses of tomatoes, the stalks must be fresh, healthy, clean and free from all leaves and any visible foreign matter.

The development and condition of the tomatoes must be such as to enable them:

• to withstand transportation and handling, and

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

B. Maturity requirements U.K.

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

C. Classification U.K.

Tomatoes are classified in three classes, as defined below:

(i) ‘ Extra ’ Class U.K.

Tomatoes in this class must be of superior quality. They must be firm and characteristic of the variety.

They must be free from greenbacks and other 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.

(ii) Class I U.K.

Tomatoes in this class must be of good quality. They must be reasonably firm and characteristic of the variety.

They must be free of cracks and visible greenbacks.

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:

• a slight defect in shape and development,

• slight defects in colouring,

• slight skin defects,

• very slight bruises.

Furthermore, ‘ribbed’ tomatoes may show:

• healed cracks not more than 1 cm long,

• no excessive protuberances,

• small umbilicus, but no suberisation,

• suberisation of the stigma up to 1 cm ² ,

• fine blossom scar in elongated form (like a seam), but not longer than two-thirds of the greatest diameter of the fruit.

(iii) Class II U.K.

This class includes tomatoes which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above.

They must be reasonably firm (but may be slightly less firm than in Class I) and must not show unhealed cracks.

The following defects may be allowed provided the tomatoes retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:

• defects in shape and development,

• defects in colouring,

• skin defects or bruises, provided the fruit is not seriously affected,

• healed cracks not more than 3 cm in length for round, ribbed or oblong tomatoes.

Furthermore, ‘ribbed’ tomatoes may show:

• more pronounced protuberances than allowed under Class I, but without being misshapen,

• an umbilicus,

• suberisation of the stigma up to 2 cm ² ,

• fine blossom scar in elongated form (like a seam).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Substituted by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/428 of 12 July 2018 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 as regards marketing standards in the fruit and vegetables sector.