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

[F1 PART 7: U.K. MARKETING STANDARD FOR STRAWBERRIES

I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE U.K.

This standard applies to strawberries of varieties (cultivars) grown from the genus Fragaria L. to be supplied fresh to the consumer, strawberries for industrial processing being excluded.

II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY U.K.

The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements for strawberries, 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 strawberries must be:

• intact, undamaged,

• 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, but not washed,

• practically free from pests,

• practically free from damage caused by pests,

• with the calyx (except in the case of wood strawberries); the calyx and the stalk (if present) must be fresh and green,

• free of abnormal external moisture,

• free of any foreign smell and/or taste.

The strawberries must be sufficiently developed and display satisfactory ripeness. The development and the condition must be such as to enable them:

• to withstand transportation and handling, and

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

B. Classification U.K.

The strawberries are classified in three classes, as defined below:

(i) ‘ Extra ’ Class U.K.

The strawberries in this class must be of superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety.

They must be:

• bright in appearance, allowing for the characteristics of the variety,

• free from soil.

They must be free from 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.

Strawberries 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:

• a slight defect in shape,

• presence of a small white patch, not exceeding one tenth of the total surface area of the fruit,

• slight superficial pressure marks.

They must be practically free from soil.

(iii) Class II U.K.

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

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

• defects in shape,

• a white patch not exceeding one fifth of the total surface area of the fruit,

• slight dry bruising not likely to spread,

• slight traces of soil.

III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING U.K.

Size is determined by the maximum diameter of the equatorial section.

The minimum size shall be:

• 25 mm in ‘Extra’ Class,

• 18 mm in Classes I and II.

There is no minimum size for wood strawberries.

IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES U.K.

At all marketing stages, tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each lot for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.

A. Quality tolerances U.K.

(i) ‘ Extra ’ Class U.K.

A total tolerance of 5 per cent, by number or weight, of strawberries not satisfying the requirements of the class but meeting those of Class I is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 0,5 per cent in total may consist of produce satisfying the requirements of Class II quality.

(ii) Class I U.K.

A total tolerance of 10 per cent, by number or weight, of strawberries not satisfying the requirements of the class but meeting those of Class II is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 2 per cent in total may consist of produce satisfying neither the requirements of Class II quality nor the minimum requirements, or of produce affected by decay.

(iii) Class II U.K.

A total tolerance of 10 per cent, by number or weight, of strawberries satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 2 per cent in total may consist of produce affected by decay.

B. Size tolerances U.K.

For all classes: a total tolerance of 10 per cent, by number or weight, of strawberries not satisfying the requirements as regards the minimum size is allowed.

V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION U.K.

A. Uniformity U.K.

The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only strawberries of the same origin, variety and quality.

In the ‘Extra’ Class, strawberries, with the exception of wood strawberries, must be particularly uniform and regular with respect to degree of ripeness, colour and size. In Class I, strawberries may be less uniform in size.

The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.

B. Packaging U.K.

The strawberries must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly.

The materials used inside the package must be 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 or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed provided the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue.

Packages must be free of all foreign matter.

VI. PROVISIONS CONCERNING 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:

• for all packages with the exception of pre-packages, by the officially issued or accepted code mark representing the packer and/or the dispatcher, indicated in close connection with the reference ‘Packer and/or Dispatcher’ (or equivalent abbreviations). The code mark shall be preceded by the ISO 3166 (alpha) country/area code of the recognising country, if not the country of origin;

• for pre-packages only, by the name and the address of a seller established within the [F2 United Kingdom (or, until the end of the period [F3 beginning with 30 September 2022 and ending with 31 December 2023], within the United Kingdom or the EU)] indicated in close connection with the mention ‘Packed for:’ or an equivalent mention. In this case, the labelling shall also include a code representing the packer and/or the dispatcher. The seller shall give all information deemed necessary by the inspection body as to the meaning of this code.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Annex 1 Pt. B substituted (31.12.2020) by The Market Measures (Marketing Standards) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/822), regs. 1, 8(42)(b) (as amended by S.I. 2019/1405, regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(i) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1453, regs. 1(2)(b), 13(3)(b)(ii))); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F3 Words in Annex 1 Pt. B Pt. 7 point 6(A) substituted (S.) (30.9.2022) by The Food Information (Transitional Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 (S.S.I. 2022/265), regs. 1(1), 4(3)(b)(vii); substituted (E.) (30.9.2022) by The Food Information (Amendment of Transitional Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/938), regs. 1(1), 13(3)(b); and substituted (W.) by The Food Information (Amendment of Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/939), regs. 1(2), 13(3)(b)

B. Nature of produce U.K.

• ‘Strawberries’ if the contents of the package are not visible from the outside.

• Name of the variety (optional).

C. Origin of produce U.K.

Country of origin(2) and, optionally, district where grown or national, regional or local place name.

D. Commercial specifications U.K.

• Class.

E. Official control mark (optional) U.K.

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.]

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.

(1)

[F1 These marking provisions do not apply to sales packages presented in packages. However, they do apply to sales packages presented separately.]

(2)

[F1 The full or the commonly used name shall be indicated.]

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.