APPENDIX X
PROPOSED DRAFT REVISED CODEX STANDARD FOR PINEAPPLES

CODEX STAN 182-1993
(At Step 3)

1. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE

This standard applies to commercial varieties of pineapple grown from Ananas comosus Merr. of the Bromeliaceae family, to be supplied fresh to the consumer, after preparation and packaging. Pineapples for industrial processing are excluded.¹

2. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

2.1 Minimum Requirements

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

• whole, with or without the crown;
• fresh, including the crown, when present, which should be free of dead or dried leaves;
• sound; products affected by spoilage or deterioration that prevent their consumption are excluded;
• clean, practically free of visible foreign matter;
• free from brown internal stains;
• practically free of pests and damage caused by pests;
• free of pronounced blemishes;
• free of damage caused by low temperatures;
• free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following withdrawal from cold storage;
• free of foreign smell and/or taste;
• when a peduncle is present, it shall be no longer than two centimetres, and the cut must be clean;

The transverse section of the fruit should not show white flesh (for yellow varieties), opaque, fibrous, flavourless flesh with hollow eyes (regardless of the external colour).

2.1.1 The soluble solids content in the flesh should be at least twelve (12) Brix degree.

The development and condition of the pineapples must be such as to enable them to reach the appropriate stage of physiological maturity corresponding to the particular characteristics of the variety; to withstand transport and handling and to arrive in a satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

¹ Governments, when indicating the acceptance of the Codex Standard for Pineapple, should notify the Commission which provisions of the standard would be accepted for application at the point of import, and which provisions would be accepted for application at the point of export.

2.2 Classification

Pineapples are classified in the three classes defined below:

2.2.1 “Extra” Class

Pineapples in this class must be of superior quality. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type.

They must be free from defects, with the exception of very slight superficial defects, provided that these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.

The crown, if present, shall be simple and straight with no sprouts, and shall be between 75 an 150 percent of the length of the fruit for pineapple with untrimmed tops.

2.2.2 Class I

Pineapples in this class must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type.

Pineapples in this class can have the following slight defects, provided that these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package:

• slight defects in shape and colour;
• slight defects in the peel (i.e., scratches, scarring, scrapes, blemishes and sun spots). The total area affected shall not exceed four percent;

The crown, if present, shall be simple and straight or slightly curved with no sprouts and shall be between 75 and 100 percent or up to 150 percent of the length of the fruit for pineapples with trimmed or untrimmed tops, respectively.

2.2.3 Class II

This class includes pineapple which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements specified in Section 2.1 above.

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

• defects in shape and colour, as long as the produce has the characteristics common to pineapple;
• defects in the peel (i.e., scratches, scars, scrapes, bruises, blemishes and sun spots);

The defects must not, in any case, affect the pulp of the fruit. The crown, if present, shall be simple or double and straight or slightly curved, with no sprouts.

2.2.4 Classification by external colouring

(To be developed)

3. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

(To be developed)

4. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package (or in each lot for produce presented in bulk) for produce not satisfying the requirements of the class indicated.

4.1 Quality Tolerances

4.1.1 “Extra” Class

Five percent by number or weight of pineapple not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class.

4.1.2 Class I

Ten percent by number or weight of pineapples not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class.

4.1.3 Class II

Ten percent by number or weight of pineapple satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum requirements, with the exception of produce affected by rotting or any other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption.

4.2 Size Tolerances

For extra class, five percent; and for Class I or Class II, ten percent; by number or weight of pineapples not satisfying the requirements as regards sizing, but falling within the class immediately below or above those indicated on the package.

5. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

5.1 Uniformity

The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only pineapple of the same origin, variety, quality and size. For “Extra” class, colour and ripeness should be uniform. The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.

5.2 Packaging

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

The material used inside the packages must be new, 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 providing the printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue.

Pineapples shall be packed in each container in compliance with the Code of Practice for Packaging and Transport of Tropical Fresh Fruit and Vegetables.

5.2.1 Description of Containers

The containers shall meet the quality, hygiene, ventilation and resistance characteristics to ensure suitable handling, shipping and preserving of the pineapple. Packages must be free of all foreign matter and smell.

6. MARKING OR LABELLING

6.1 Containers destined for the final consumer

In addition to the requirements of the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CODEX STAN 1-1985, Rev. 1-1991; Codex Alimentarius Volume 1 - General Requirements) the following specific provisions apply.

6.1.1 Nature of the Produce

If the product is not visible, each package shall be labelled as to the name of the food and may be labelled as to the name of the variety.

6.2 Non retail containers

Each package must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and indelibly marked and visible from the outside, or in the documents accompanying the shipment².

6.2.1 Identification

Exporter, Packer and/or Dispatcher. Name and address or identification code delivered or officially recognised.

6.2.2 Nature of Produce

Name of produce if the contents are not visible from the outside. Name of variety or commercial type (if applicable).

6.2.3 Origin of Produce

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

6.2.4 Commercial Identification

• Class
• Size (Reference letter or weight range)
• Number of units (optional)
• Net weight (optional).

² Governments, when indicating their acceptance of this Codex Standard, should notify the Commission as to which provisions of this section apply.

6.2.5 Official Inspection Mark (optional)

7. CONTAMINANTS

7.1 Heavy Metals

Pineapple shall be free from heavy metals in amounts which may represent a hazard to human health.

7.2 Pesticide Residues

Pineapple shall comply with those maximum residue limits established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for this commodity.

8. HYGIENE

8.1 It is recommended that the produce covered by the provisions of this standard be packed and handled in accordance with the appropriate sections of the Recommended International Code of Practice - General Principles of Food Hygiene (CAC/RCP 1-1969, Rev. 2-1985), and other Codes of Practice recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission which are relevant to this produce.

8.2 To the extent possible in good packaging and handling practice, the produce shall be free from objectionable matter.

8.3 When tested by appropriate methods of sampling and examination, the produce:

• shall be free from microorganisms in amounts which may represent a hazard to health;
• shall be free from parasites which may represent a hazard to health; and
• shall not contain any substance originating from microorganisms in amounts which may represent a hazard to health.