Quality

Quality classification standard for cleaned bog whortleberries


I DEFINITION OF PRODUCT
This classification standard applies to fresh or frozen cleaned wild Bog Whortleberries (Vaccinium uliginosum L.)

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

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

Bog Whortleberries 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, berries adhering to one another are not acceptable.
  • be of good visual quality

Bog Whortleberries must not:

  • have foreign taste or smell
  • have insect or pest damage
  • contain more than 10% by weight of defective berries: unripe or over ripe, defective in colour, damaged, other edible berries
  • contain not more than 60 particles/ kg of impurites: leaves, stems or other harmless foreign matter

B. Classification
Bog Whortleberries are classified in two quality classes:

Class I
Bog Whortleberries in this class must be:

  • of good quality, well developed
  • well coloured
  • of good typical Bog Whortleberry flavour

Class II
Bog Whortleberries in this class must be:

  • reasonably well developed
  • of typical Bog Whortleberry colour
  • of typical Bog Whortleberry 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 5% by weight
  • not more than 30 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 8% by weight
  • not more than 50 particles/kg of foreign matter is allowable

IV PACKAGING

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
Bog Whortleberries 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.

V MARKINGS

Each package must have the following markings on the same side of the package, clearly and permanently written. Markings must be visible on the outer surface.

  1. Name of the product, if it is not visible from the outside
  2. Quality class
  3. Name and address of manufacturer, packer or seller
  4. Origin: county or area, country or district where it is grown, a regional or local place name is also recommended.
  5. Net weight