2.1 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the bananas
must be:
- whole (taking the finger as the reference);
- sound, produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption is
excluded;
- clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter;
- practically free of pests affecting the general appearance of the produce;
- practically free of damage caused by pests;
- free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from cold storage, and
bananas packed under modified atmosphere conditions;
- free of any foreign smell and/or taste;
- firm;
- free of damage caused by low temperatures;
- practically free of bruises;
- free of malformation or abnormal curvature of the fingers;
- with pistils removed;
- with the stalk intact, without bending, fungal damage or dessication.
In addition, hands and clusters must include:
- a sufficient portion of the crown of normal colouring, sound and free of fungal contamination;
- a cleanly cut crown, not bevelled or torn, with no stalk fragments.
2.1.1 The development and condition of the bananas must be such as to enable them:
- to reach the appropriate stage of physiological maturity corresponding to the particular characteristics of
the variety;
- to withstand transport and handling; and
- to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination in order to ripen satisfactorily