Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov-15 1 Quality Standards for Fresh Produce Overview of the UNECE Standard Layout

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov-15 2 Plant Protection & Inspection Services (PPIS) PPIS is the enforcement authority of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the fields of: Plant Quality Plant Health Food and Feed Safety Facilitation and improvement of market access for Israeli produce in order to ensure that the export of horticultural products will remain viable and competitive

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov-15 3 PPIS Activities Plant Quarantine Services Inspection Services for Fresh Produce Pest Management Propagation Material Certification Diagnostic Institute Pesticides and Feeds Plant Quality and Safety Schemes Training and Support Programs Quality Assurance

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov-15 4 What is Quality? A combination of factors Attributes & properties that give the commodity value Varied factors that contribute value to the commodity As food for people qual·i·ty n. [ kwóllətee ] Superiority; Degree or grade of excellence Excellence: the highest or finest standard qual·i·ty n. [ kwóllətee ] Superiority; Degree or grade of excellence Excellence: the highest or finest standard

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov-15 5 Quality Factors Appearance Size Weight Shape Smoothness Uniformity Freshness Color Gloss Defects External Internal Morphological Physical Mechanical Physiological Pathological Entomological Flavor Sweetness Sourness Bitterness Astringency Aroma Off flavors/odors Texture Firmness Softness Crispness Juiciness Mealiness Fibrousness

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov-15 6 Post-Harvest Temperature Relative humidity Controlled atmosphere Ethylene, CO 2 Handling, Packaging & Transportation Pre-Harvest Genetic factors Climatic conditions Soil types Agro technical practices During Harvest Maturity Temperature at harvest Harvesting method Hand harvesting Mechanical harvesting Factors influencing quality

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov-15 7 What are Quality Standards? Define (relevant) quality factors Standardize these factors Provide a means to measure the “value” of agricultural products Stan’dard n. [ stándərd ] …accepted as the norm, by which attainments are judged …an authorized model used to define a unit of measurement Stan’dard n. [ stándərd ] …accepted as the norm, by which attainments are judged …an authorized model used to define a unit of measurement

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov-15 8 What are Quality Standards? Set minimum standards Set benchmarks Greater harmonization Common interpretation Settle claims and disputes

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov-15 9 Who needs Quality Standards? Regulatory Authorities Marketing Boards Farmers / Producers Packaging Industry Wholesalers / Retailers Exporters / Importers Consumers

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov The importance of quality standards Sweetie (grapefruit x pummelo)

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Quality standards help to set apart ‘good’ product from ‘bad’ product Helps to identify the degree of quality in a commodity which is the basis for its usability and value

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Standardization of Fruit & Vegetables A historical reminder 1949 – First activities at the UN/ECE After the Second World War, with the development of world trade in fruit & vegetables, the need emerged for harmonized standards Two international organizations undertook work on this subject: the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Which Quality Standards? International Standards UN/ECE Standards OECD Standards EU Standards Codex Standards (CCFFV) National Standards U.S. Grade Standards Canadian ‘Minimum Grades’ Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code South African Agricultural Product Standards Commercial Standards

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov TITLE I Classification of products Article 2, Point 2 The standards for fresh fruit and vegetables contained in Annex I shall be adopted, by the procedure laid down in Article 46, for implementing the common organization of the markets. To this end, account shall be taken of the UN/ECE standards recommended by the Economic Commission for Europe's Working Party on perishable product standardization and quality. Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables (OJ L 297, , 9. 1)

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Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Annonas; Apples; Apricots; Artichokes; Asparagus; Aubergines; Avocados; Beans; Bilberries & Blueberries; Broccoli; Brussels sprouts; Cabbages; Carrots; Cauliflowers; Cherries; Cherries; Chicory; Citrus; Cucumbers; Courgettes; Mushrooms; Chestnuts; Fennel; Figs; Garlic; Horse- radish; Kiwifruit; Leeks; Lettuce; Mangoes; Melons; Onions; Peaches & Nectarines; Pears; Peas; Pineapples; Plums; Potatoes; Radishes; Raspberries; Celery; Rhubarb; Scorzonera; Spinach; Strawberries; Peppers; Grapes; Tomatoes; Truffles; Watermelons

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov UN/ECE STANDARD LAYOUT Each Standard Contains Six Chapters: Definition of Produce Provisions Concerning Quality Provisions Concerning Sizing Provisions Concerning Tolerances Provisions Concerning Presentation Provisions Concerning Marking

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE Botanical Name Variety / Cultivar Names “To be supplied fresh to the consumer” (Produce for industrial processing – excluded)

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE "citrus fruit" lemons … Citrus limon limes … Citrus latifolia mandarins (Citrus reticulata), including satsumas (Citrus unshiu), clementines (Citrus clementina), common mandarins (Citrus deliciosa) and tangerines (Citrus tangerina) oranges … Citrus sinensis grapefruit … Citrus paradisi pummelos or Shaddock … Citrus maxima

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY Minimum Requirements Minimum Maturity Requirements Classification “Extra” Class Class I Class II

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY A. Minimum requirements Intact Sound Clean Fresh Free from Pests damage caused by pests external moisture foreign smells / tastes …and in addition…

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY B. Maturity Requirements Minimum juice content Minimum total soluble solids content (TSS), i.e. minimum sugar content Colouring.... and in addition...

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Avocados

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Table Grapes

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY C. Classification: Extra Class ( Superior quality ) Class I ( Good quality ) Class II ( Meets the minimum requirements ) (i) "Extra" Class Apples in this class must be of superior quality. In shape, size and colouring they must be characteristic of the variety and the stalk must be intact. The flesh must be perfectly sound. They must be free from defects with the exception of very slight superficial defects. Apples

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Class I Sweet peppers in this class must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the variety... They must be: firm practically free of blemishes. The peduncle may be slightly damaged or cut with the calyce intact. Class II … peppers which do not qualify for inclusion in Class I but satisfy the minimum requirements... The following defects may be allowed …: defects in shape and development sunburn or slight healed injuries, with a limit of 2 cm in length for defects of elongated shape, and 1cm 2 of the total area for other defects slight dry superficial cracks not exceeding an overall cumulative length of 3 cm. They may be less firm without being withered. The peduncle may be damaged or cut. Sweet Peppers

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov What is “ Superficial ” ?

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov What is “ Slight Defects in Shape ” ? How much “ sunburn ” ? “ bruising ” ?

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov What is “ Colour characteristic of the variety ” ?

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING Determination of sizes Diameter, Weight, Length Minimum sizes Size ranges

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Citrus : Size is determined by the maximum diameter of the equatorial section of the fruit.

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Avocados Size is determined by the weight of the fruit.

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES Quality Tolerances 5% for “Extra Class” 10% for either Class I and II Size Tolerances 10% for each class

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Unfit for Human Consumption IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES Less than the Minimum Requirements Extra Class Class I Class II  +5% +10% Class II ≈ Minimum Requirements

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov Danida pictures of count / weight

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Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION Uniformity Packaging Presentation

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION A. Uniformity The contents of each package must be uniform (same origin, quality and size). {Other possible provisions depending on the nature of produce}. The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents.

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Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION B. Packaging Packed to protect the produce properly Materials used must be new & clean avoid causing any damage to the produce non-toxic Stickers no visible traces of glue no skin defects Free of all foreign matter

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov V. PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION C. Presentation.

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov VI. PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING Identification Nature of Produce Origin of Produce Commercial Specification Official Control Mark (optional)

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 11-Nov VI. PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 47 Certificates for fresh produce used in international trade Control Certificate (conformity with quality standards) Phytosanitary Certificate (conformity with plant health requirements) Organic Produce Certificate (conformity with organic standards)

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 48 PPIS Inspection certificate 12. The above mentioned inspection body certifies, following inspection by sampling, that the above mentioned goods correspond at the time of inspection to the quality standard in force

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 49 Quality inspection in Israel

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 50 The responsible body for application of quality standards is the Plant Protection and Inspection Services (PPIS) All quality inspection duties are carried out by the Inspection Service for Horticultural Products which is part of the Plant Protection and Inspection Services (PPIS) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 51 PPIS inspection points  Sea and air terminals  Transit stations  Packing houses (to a certain extent)

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 52 Export to various destinations Only produce found to be in conformity with the standard can be shipped to export destinations

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 53 Rejection of the produce as unfit for export Downgrading (normally from class I to class II) Resorting or repacking Destruction Measures taken in case of non compliance with the standard

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 54 Essential factors for inspection bodies Need for supportive legislation Uniformity of Inspection (harmonization) Objectivity of Inspectors Skill and knowledge of inspectors Budget (cost recovery)

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 55 Harmonization of inspection Training of inspectors Using objective methods for determining quality Using visual aids (photos, color charts) Providing good working environment (well lit and equipped inspection station) Computer technology (photos over internet) Can be achieved by:

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 56 Training of inspectors

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 57 Using objective methods

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 58 Firmness test Penetrometer

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 59 Weighing Scales 10 kg scales with accuracy level of 10 gr. for weighing cartons 2 kg scales with accuracy level of 1gr for weighing individual fruits

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 60 Visual aids – color chart Using visual aids

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 61 Color chart for sweetie

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 62 Visual aids (photos)

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 63 Inspection of table grapes Good working environment

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 64 Inspection table bright light Means for communication Wide clean inspection table (white or stainless steel) Clean working area

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 65 Lighting Bright light of white and yellow fluorescent Natural light Magnifying glass

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 66 Temperature reading

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 67 Inspection along the production line End Point inspection Quality Assurance System methods of inspection

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 68 methods of inspection Inspection along the production line

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 69 סימון דגימה  Indicating the sample with a sticker

Plant Protection & Inspection Services Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 70 Taking a sample for inspection from a palette End- point inspection

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