Commission Regulations (EC) No 1863/2004 lay down the quality standards for all food produce and is applicable at all marketing stages. The complete text of the Regulation can be found at: Complete Text of the Regulation
Produce supplied fresh to the customer must comply with the quality and labelling regulations.
Producers need to be aware of the quality standard which apply to their produce. There are three quality classes:
Extra Class Superior quality – usually specially selected and sized mushrooms Class I Good quality with no important defects Class II Reasonably good quality but slight imperfections present
NB Sizing is compulsory for mushrooms in ‘Extra Class’ but optional for Class I and II.
The labelling provisions require the following particulars to be clearly marked and visible from the outside:
Identification* Packer/Dispatcher name and address
Nature of Produce If contents not visible
Origin of Produce Country of Origin
Commercial specifications Class, size (if sized) and net weight
Official Control Mark Optional
**The name of the packer/dispatcher may be replaced with the official or accepted coded mark, details of which are available from Quality Assurance Branch, Magnet House Telephone 028 9054 7106.
Further information and guidance may be obtained from:
Raymond Gamble Senior Quality Assurance Inspector DARD Quality Assurance Branch Magnet House 81-83 York Street Belfast BT15 1AD Tel: 028 9054 7106 Fax: 028 9054 7204
