What are the requirements for fresh bitter melon under Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017?
What is the scope of application of Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017?
Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017 applies to commercial bitter melon varieties of Momordica charantia L, family Cucurbitaceae, after preliminary processing and packaging, consumed in fresh form.
Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017 does not apply to fresh bitter melon used in industrial processing.
What are the requirements for the quality of fresh bitter melon under Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017?
Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017 sets out quality requirements for fresh bitter melon as follows:
(1) Minimum requirements
In all classes, depending on class-specific requirements and allowable tolerances, fresh bitter melon must:
- Be intact;
- Be fresh;
- Be specific to the bitter melon variety;
- Be certain;
- Be not cracked;
- Be healing, not crushed or damaged to the point of unsuitability for use;
- Be clear, with hardly any foreign impurities visible to the naked eye;
- Almost not contain harmful organisms that affect the external appearance of the product;
- Almost have no mechanical and biological damage as well as damage due to low and/or high temperatures;
- Do not experience abnormal moisture outside the shell, unless water is condensed due to removal from the cold storage medium;
- Do not have any strange smell and/or taste;
- Not be bruised;
Bitter melon peduncles should not exceed 2.5 cm in length, if any.
Fresh bitter melon must be harvested when it reaches proper physiological maturity and ripeness, under the criteria of the variety and growing region.
Physiological ripeness and condition of fresh bitter melon must:
- Withstand transportation and unloading; and
- Be transported to the place of consumption in good standing.
(2) Classification
Fresh bitter melon is classified into three classes as follows:
- "Special" class
Fresh bitter melon of this class must be of the highest quality, free of defects, except for very mild surface defects provided that it does not affect the appearance, quality, maintenance of quality and presentation of the product in the packaging.
- I class
The fresh bitter melon of this class must be of good quality. However, it is permissible to have minor defects provided that it does not affect the appearance, quality, maintenance of quality and presentation of the product in the packaging:
+ Slight defects in shape;
+ Minor defects such as bruising, scratches, or other mechanical damage. The total affected area should not exceed 5 % of the total fruit surface area;
In no case should the defects affect the flesh of the bitter melon.
- II class
Fresh bitter melon in this class does not meet the requirements in the higher classes but must meet the minimum requirements specified in 2.1. Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017.
Fresh bitter melon with the following defects can be allowed provided that the basic characteristics of quality, quality maintenance and presentation of the product are met:
- Defects in shape;
- Defects such as bruising, scratches or other mechanical damage. The total affected area should not exceed 10 % of the total fruit surface area;
In no case should the defects affect the flesh of the bitter melon.
What are the requirements for the size of fresh bitter melon under Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017?
Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017 sets out size requirements for fresh bitter melon as follows:
The size is determined by the length or mass of the bitter melon in accordance with the following Tables:
Table 1 - Size classification by length of fresh bitter melon
Size code | Length (cm) |
1 | greater than 30 |
2 | greater than 25 to 30 |
3 | greater than 20 to 25 |
4 | greater than 15 to 20 |
5 | less than or equal to 15 |
Table 2 - Size classification by mass of fresh bitter melon
Size code | Mass (g) |
1 | greater than 600 |
2 | greater than 500 to 600 |
3 | greater than 400 to 500 |
4 | greater than 300 to 400 |
5 | less than or equal to 300 |
What are the requirements for tolerance of fresh bitter melon under Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017?
Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097: 2017 sets out tolerance requirements for fresh bitter melon as follows:
Tolerances for bitter melon quality and size are allowed in each product package (or per shipment of the product in bulk form) that do not meet the requirements of each specified class.
(1) Quality tolerance
- "Special" class
5% of the quantity or mass of fresh bitter melon that does not meet the requirements of the "special" class, but is of class I quality or is within the tolerance limits allowed by that class.
- I class
10 % of the quantity or mass of fresh bitter melon that does not meet the requirements of class I and the minimum requirements is allowed, except for products affected by insects or any other damage that results in unsuitability for use.
- II class
10 % of the quantity or mass of fresh bitter melon that does not meet the requirements of class II and the minimum requirements is allowed and no rotten berries are allowed.
(2) Size Tolerance
For all classes, 10% of the quantity or mass of fresh bitter melon does not meet the size classification requirements but falls within the adjacent upper and/or lower sizes specified in Article 3 of Vietnam Standard TCVN 12097:2017.
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