Quality

Quality classification standard for cleaned crowberries


I DEFINITION OF PRODUCT
This classification standard applies to fresh or frozen cleaned wild Crowberries (Empetrum nigrum L. and E. nigrum ssp.hermaphroditum)

II QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements and quality classification for Crowberries at delivery or after cleaning and freezing.

A. Minimum requirements
Applied to all classes and in addition to the quality tolerance and specific requirements of each class.

Crowberries must:

  • be whole and firm
  • be fresh in appearance
  • be sound: berries which are spoiled or inedible due to due to fermentation or for other reasons are not acceptable
  • be clean: berries should be free from foreign matter or abnormal external moisture
  • be loose: clusters or berries adhering to one another are not acceptable
  • be of good visual quality

Crowberries must not:

  • have foreign taste or smell
  • have insect or pest damage
  • contain more than 8% by weight of defective berries: Unripe or over ripe, shriveled, defective in colour (brown or pale), crushed or damaged in any other way, other edible berries
  • contain not more than 30 particles/kg of impurites: leaves, stems or other harmless foreign matter.

B. Classification
Crowberries are classified in two quality classes:

Class I
Crowberries in this class must be:

  • of good quality, well developed
  • of typical black or dark blue colour, covered in waxy bloom
  • uniform in size
  • of good typical Crowberry flavour

Class II
Crowberries in this class must be:

  • reasonably well developed
  • well coloured
  • of typical Crowberry flavour


III QUALITY TOLERANCE
Berries not meeting the requirements of each class are allowed according to the following quantities and conditions per shipment.

Class I

  • a maximum of 10% by weight of berries not meeting the requirements of this class are allowable, providing they meet the standard of Class II
  • the proportion of defective berries should not be more than 4% by weight
  • not more than 10 particles/kg of foreign matter is allowable

Class II

  • a maximum of 10% by weight of berries not meeting the requirements of this class are allowable, providing they meet the minimum standard
  • proportion of defective berries should not be more than 6% by weight
  • not more than 20 particles/kg of foreign matter is allowable
  • squashed berries must also meet class requirements

IV PACKING

A. Uniformity of quality
The contents of every package must be uniform. Packages must contain berries of the same origin and quality. The visible part of the contents of the package must represent the entirety.

B. Packaging
Crowberries must be packaged in such a way that the produce is well protected. Materials used inside the package must be new, clean and of such quality that they do not cause any internal or external damage to the product. Non toxic inks and glues must be used on packaging. Packages must not contain foreign matter or objects.