From: scerir (scerir@libero.it)
Date: Mon Apr 08 2002 - 23:57:28 MDT
Not a mistake, a paranoia.
s.
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STANDARD FOR PEAS
I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This standard applies to peas of varieties
(cultivars) grown from Pisum sativum L.
to be supplied fresh to the consumer,
peas for industrial processing being excluded.
According to the type of consumption, peas
are classified in two groups:
- shelling peas (round peas, wrinkled peas)
intended for consumption without the pod,
- mangetout peas and sugar snap peas intended
for consumption with the pod.
II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
The purpose of the standard is to define
the quality requirements for peas after
preparation and packaging.
A. Minimum requirements
In all classes, subject to the special provisions
for each class and the tolerances allowed:
(i) the pods must be:
- intact; however mangetout and sugar snap
peas that have had their ends removed are allowed,
- 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 (including parts of the flowers),
- free from hard filaments or films in mangetout
peas and sugar snap peas,
- practically free from pests,
- practically free from damage caused by pests,
- free of abnormal external moisture,
- free of any foreign smell and/or taste,
(ii) the seeds must be:
- fresh,
- sound; produce affected by rotting or deterioration
such as to make it unfit for consumption is excluded,
- practically free from pests,
- practically free from damage caused by pests,
- free of any foreign smell and/or taste,
- normally developed in shelling peas.
The development and condition of peas must be such
as to enable them:
- to withstand transport and handling, and
- to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place
of destination.
B. Classification
Peas are classified in two classes defined below:
(i) Class I
Peas in this class must be of good quality.
They must be characteristic of the variety and/or
the commercial type.
The pods must be:
- fresh and turgid,
- free from damage caused by hail,
- free from damage caused by heating.
For shelling peas:
- the pods must be:
- with peduncles attached,
- well filled, containing at least five seeds;
- the seeds must be:
- well formed,
- tender,
- succulent and sufficiently firm, i.e., when squeezed
between two fingers they should become flat without
disintegrating,
- at least half the full-grown size but not full grown,
- non-farinaceous,
- undamaged, without cracks in the skin of the seeds;
- the following slight defects of the pod, 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:
- slight skin defects, injuries and bruises,
- slight defects in shape.
- slight defects in colouring.
For mangetout peas and sugar snap peas:
- the seeds if present must be small and underdeveloped,
- the following very slight defects of the pod, 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:
- very slight skin defects, injuries and bruises,
- very slight defects in shape,
- very slight defects in colouring.
(ii) Class II
This class includes peas which do not qualify for
inclusion in class I but satisfy the minimum requirements
specified above.
For shelling peas:
- the pods must contain at least three seeds,
- they may be riper than those in class I, but
over-mature peas are excluded,
- the following defects may be allowed provided
the peas retain their essential characteristics
as regards the quality, the
keeping quality and presentation:
- defects of the pods:
- skin defects, injuries and bruises provided they are
not progressive and there is no risk of the seeds being
affected,
- defects in shape,
- defects in colouring,
- some loss of freshness, excluding wilted pods;
- defects of the seeds:
- a slight defect in shape,
- a slight defect in colouring,
- be slightly harder,
- be slightly damaged.
For mangetout peas and sugar snap peas:
- the seeds if present can be slightly more developed
than in class I,
- the following defects of the pods may be allowed
provided the peas retain their essential characteristics
as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:
- slight skin defects, injuries and bruises,
- slight defects in shape, including those due to
the seed formation,
- slight defects in colouring,
- some loss of freshness, excluding wilted and
uncoloured pods.
III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
Sizing is not compulsory for peas.
IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES
Tolerances in respect of quality shall be allowed
in each package for produce not satisfying the
requirements of the class indicated.
(i) Class I
10 % by weight of peas not satisfying the requirements
of the class, but meeting those of class II or,
exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class.
(ii) Class II
10 % by weight of peas satisfying neither the requirements
of the class nor the minimum requirements, with the exception
of produce affected by rotting, progressive diseases or
any other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption.
V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION
A. Uniformity
The contents of each package must be uniform and
contain only peas of the same origin, variety or
commercial type, and quality.
The visible part of the contents of the package
must be representative of the entire contents.
B. Packaging
Peas must be packed in such a way as to protect
the produce properly.
The materials used inside the package 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
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
Each package must bear the following particulars,
in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and
indelibly marked, and visible from the outside:
(A) Identification
Packer and/or dispatcher: name and address or
officially issued or accepted code mark.
However, where a code mark is used,
the reference "packer and/or dispatcher
(or equivalent abbreviations)" has to be
indicated in close proximity to the code
mark.
(B) Nature of produce
- "shelling peas", "mangetout peas", "sugar snap peas",
or equivalent denominations if the contents are not
visible from the outside,
- "trimmed", "topped and tailed" or other indications,
for mangetout or sugar snap peas that have their
peduncle and/or blossom end removed, where appropriate.
(C) Origin of produce
- Country of origin and, optionally, district
where grown, or national, regional or local
place name.
(D) Commercial specifications
- Class.
(E) Official control mark (optional)
[THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Commission Regulation (EC) No 532/2001 of
16 March 2001 amending Regulation (EC)
No 2561/1999 laying down the marketing
standard for peas - Official Journal L 079,
17/03/2001 P. 0021 - 0024]
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