The Explanatory
Brochure for the
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Standard for
Pineapples
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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I. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
The Standard applies to commercial varieties of pineapples grown from Ananas comosus
(L.) Merr., of the Bromeliaceae family, to be supplied fresh to the consumer, after
preparation and packaging. Pineapples for ornamental use or industrial processing are
excluded.
Interpretation : Pineapples come in a range of shapes and sizes such as the following
types: Round, oval and conical.
II. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements of pineapples at the export
control stage, after preparation and packaging.
However, if applied at stages following export, products may show in relation to the
requirements of the standard:
A slight lack of freshness and turgidity
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For products graded in classes other than the “Extra” Class, a slight deterioration due
to their development and their tendancy to perish.
The holder/seller of the products may not display such products or offer them for sale, or
deliver or market them in any manner other than in conformity with this standard. The
holder shall be responsible for observing such conformity.
A. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the
pineapples must be:
- Intact
Pineapples must not have any mutilation or injury spoiling the intergrity of the
produce,fresh in appearance, including the crown, which should be free of wilted, dry, loose
or damaged leaves.
- Sound, produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for
consumption is excluded.
B. CLASSIFICATION
Pineapples are classified in three classes defined below:
(i) “Extra” Class
Pineapples in this class must be of superior quality. They must have all the typical
characteristics and colouring of the variety and/ or commercial type.
They must be :
Well developed
The crown must be simple and straight with no side shoots and between 50-150% of the
length of the fruit for pineaaples with untrimmed crowns .
(ii) Class I
Pineapples in this class must be of good quality. They must be characteristic of the
variety and/or commercial type.
They must be:
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Reasonably developed
Fresh in appearance and firm, with well-developed eyes.
(iii) Class II
This class includes pineapples that do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes,
but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above.
The following defects may be allowed, provided the pineapples retain their essential
characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation:
Defects in shape
Defects in colouring, including sun-scorch
