CODEX STAN 185-1993 Standard for Nopal
1. DEFINITION OF PRODUCE
This Standard applies to modified stem of commercial varieties of nopals grown from Opuntia ficus indica, O. tomentosa, O. hyptiacantha, O. robusta, O. inermis, O. ondulata, of the Cactaceae family, to be supplied fresh to the consumer, after preparation and packaging. Nopals for industrial processing are excluded.
2. PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY
2.1 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the nopals must be:
- whole;
- 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 damage caused by pests;
- free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from cold storage;
- free of any foreign smell and/or taste;
- firm;
- free of damage caused by low temperatures;
- free of prickles;
- free of pronounced blemishes;
- sufficiently developed and display satisfactory ripeness, depending on the nature of the produce.
They must have a shape, colour, taste and smell characteristic of the species.
