What is Vietnam Standard TCVN 12095:2017 (CODEX STAN 213-1999, WITH AMENDMENT 2011) on limes about?
What is the scope of regulation of Vietnam Standard TCVN 12095: 2017?
According to Section 1 of Vietnam Standard TCVN 12095: 2017, the scope of regulation of Vietnam Standard on Limes is specified as follows:
Vietnam Standard TCVN 12095: 2017 applies to commercial limes of Citrus latifolia Tanaka, Rutaceae family, after preliminary processing and packaging, consumed in fresh form.
Vietnam Standard TCVN 12095: 2017 does not apply to limes used in industrial processing.
What are the quality requirements for limes specified in Vietnam Standard TCVN 12095: 2017?
In Section 2 of Vietnam Standard TCVN 12095: 2017, the quality requirements for limes are specified as follows:
(1) Minimum requirements
In all grades, subject to class-specific requirements and tolerances, limes must:
- Be intact;
- Be healing, not crushed or damaged leading to the unsuitability for use;
- Be clear, with hardly any foreign impurities visible to the naked eye;
- Almost do not contain insects that affect the external appearance of the product;
- Almost not damaged by harmful organisms;
- 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;
- Be hard;
- Not damaged by low temperatures;
- Hardly bruised;
- No pitting.
Note:
- Limes must reach appropriate physiological maturity and ripeness, under the criteria of the variety and growing region.
The ripeness and condition of limes must:
+ Resistant to transportation and loading and unloading; and
+ Arrive at the place of consumption with good status.
- Minimum juice content and color of the pods
+ The minimum juice content is calculated in proportion to the total lime mass.
+ Minimum juice content: 42%.
+ The color must be specific to the variety, occupying at least two-thirds of the lime surface. The lime must be green but can vary in color (yellow) up to 30% of the lime surface.
(2) Classification
Limes are classified into three classes as follows:
- "Special" class
limes of this class must be of the highest quality, specific to the variety, free from 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
Limes of this class must be of good quality, characteristic for the variety, however minor defects are allowed provided that it does not affect the appearance, quality, maintenance of quality, and presentation of the product in the packaging:
+ Slight defects in shape;
+ Slight color defects;
+ Slight defects on the pods, but not exceeding 1.0 cm2;
In any case, defects must not affect the flesh of the lime.
- II class
Limes of this class do not meet the requirements in higher grades, but must meet the minimum requirements specified in 2.1 TCVN 12095:2017 limes with the following defects can be allowed provided that the basic quality characteristics are met, The maintenance of quality and presentation of the product:
+ Slight defects in shape;
+ Slight color defects;
+ Slight defects on the pods, but not exceeding 2.0 cm2;
In any case, defects should not affect the flesh.
What are the size requirements for limes specified in Vietnam Standard TCVN 12095: 2017?
According to Section 3 of Vietnam Standard TCVN 12095: 2017 on limes, the size requirements for limes are specified as follows:
The size is determined according to the maximum cross-sectional diameter of the lime, under Table 1 TCVN 12095:2017:
Table 1 - Size requirements
Size code | Diameter (mm) |
1 | from 58 to 67 |
2 | from 53 to 62 |
3 | from 48 to 57 |
4 | from 45 to 52 |
5 | from 42 to 49 |
Limes are packaged in quantity. In this case, the uniformity of lime sizes meets the standard, the size range in the package may be outside a separate size code but must be within two adjacent size codes.
Limes should not be less than 42 mm in diameter.
Size uniformity shall be achieved according to the size scale above unless otherwise stated, as follows:
(1) For limes arranged in equal layers in packages, including small packages, the maximum difference between the smallest lime and the largest lime is within one size code or in the case of limes packed in quantity, in two adjacent size codes must not exceed 7 mm (for size codes 1 to 5).
(2) For limes not arranged in equal layers in the package and limes wrapped in each package for direct sale to consumers, the difference between the smallest lime and the largest lime in the same package shall not exceed the appropriate size class range in the size scale or in the case of limes packaged in quantity then the lime diameter range, in millimeters of one or two adjacent size codes is concerned.
(3) For bulk crated lime and lime in each soft package (bag, bag) for direct sale to consumers, the maximum size difference between the smallest lime and the largest lime in the same batch or the same package must not exceed the size range obtained in three consecutive size groups in the size scale.
LawNet