Quality requirements for fresh dragon fruit in Vietnam under TCVN 7523:2014

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What are the quality requirements for fresh dragon fruit in Vietnam?

According to TCVN 7523:2014, the quality requirements for fresh dragon fruit are as follows:

Based on specific requirements for each grade and allowable tolerances, all grades of dragon fruit must:

Regarding minimum requirements:

- Be intact;

- Be clean, with almost no visible foreign matter;

- Be almost free from insects that affect the external appearance of the fruit;

- Be almost free from damage caused by pests;

- Not have excessive moisture outside the skin, except for water condensation due to being recently taken out of cold storage;

- Have no strange odor and/or taste (allowable odor from the use of appropriate preservatives);

- Be firm;

- Be fresh;

- Not have cracked skin;

- Have a stalk length of 15 mm to 25 mm;

- Be thornless.

Regarding the development stage and ripeness requirements:

- Dragon fruit must reach an appropriate development stage and ripeness (ripeness of yellow-fleshed dragon fruit can be determined by observing the external color, checking the flesh content, and using an iodine testing device) to meet the characteristics of the variety and/or commercial type and growing region.

- The development level and condition of dragon fruit must:

+ Be able to withstand transportation and unloading; and

+ Arrive at the place of consumption in good condition.

What are the regulations on grading fresh dragon fruits in Vietnam?

According to the regulations in TCVN 7523:2014, dragon fruits are classified into 3 grades as follows:

(1) "Special" Grade

Fruits in this grade must have the highest quality. They must represent specific varieties and/or commercial types. They should have no defects, except for very minor defects that do not affect the external appearance, quality, quality maintenance, or presentation of the packaging.

(2) Grade I

Fruits in this grade must have good quality. They must represent specific varieties and/or commercial types. Minor defects are allowed as long as they do not affect the external appearance, quality, quality maintenance, or presentation of the packaging:

- Minor defects in fruit shape;

- Minor defects on the skin that do not exceed a total surface area of 1 cm2.

Note: In all cases, defects must not affect the flesh of the fruit.

(3) Grade II

Fruits in this grade do not meet the requirements of higher grades but must meet the minimum requirements specified in (1). Dragon fruits with the following defects may be allowed, provided that the basic characteristics of quality, quality maintenance, and presentation of the product are still ensured:

- Defects in fruit shape;

- Defects on the skin that do not exceed a total surface area of 2 cm2.

Note: In all cases, defects must not affect the flesh of the fruit.

3. What are the size requirements for fresh dragon fruit?

According to TCVN 7523:2014, the size is determined by the fruit's weight, which must correspond to the following table:

Note: In the case of yellow-fleshed dragon fruit, the number of fruit units per package can be used.

In addition, fresh dragon fruit must also meet other requirements, such as: requirements on allowable errors, requirements on presentation, etc. More details can be found in TCVN 7523:2014.

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