Lettuce for consumption in the fresh state 1. Objective and scope of application. This technical regulation aims to define the quality, safety, packaging, and labeling characteristics of fresh, national and imported lettuce (Lactuca sativa), intended for human consumption in the country.
2. References 2.1 Costa Rica. Executive Decree No. 22268-MEIC, Technical Regulation NCR 143:1993. Metrology. Net Content of Prepackaged Goods, and its reforms, published in La Gaceta No. 132 of July 13, 1993.
2.2 Costa Rica. Executive Decree No. 24907-MEIC, NCR230:1995. Fresh Horticultural Products. Sampling, published in La Gaceta No. 25 of February 5, 1996.
2.3 Costa Rica. Executive Decree No. 26012-MEIC, RTCR100:1997. Labeling of Prepackaged Foods, and its reforms, published in La Gaceta No. 91 of May 14, 1997.
3. Definitions 3.1 Slugs (Babosas): Nocturnal mollusks, common in gardens, vegetable patches, and damp places; intermediate hosts and eventual transmitters of the parasite Morerastrongilus costarricenses, which can cause illness in humans.
3.2 Fungus damage (Daño por hongo): Lesion on which fungal mycelia may or may not be present; it appears as spots or dots of different colors: gray, white, brown, orange, or black; potentially causing decomposition of the tissues, covering at least a quarter of the entire vegetable.
3.3 Insect damage (Daño por insecto): Circular or irregular holes of variable size present on the leaves; insects or their larvae may be found, and this damage may cover at least a quarter of the entire vegetable.
3.4 Mechanical damage (Daño mecánico): Destruction of tissue caused by inadequate handling of the product during harvest and post-harvest, appearing as broken, detached, or scraped leaves. Areas where mechanical damage has occurred darken; this damage may cover a third of the entire vegetable.
3.5 Lettuce (Lechuga): For the purposes of this regulation, lettuce is understood as the leafy vegetable, headed or not, of Lactuca sativa.
3.6 Loss of firmness (Pérdida de Firmeza) (dehydration): Loss of firmness is associated with dehydration and senescence of the vegetable; it manifests as wilting in the leaves, lacking freshness and turgor.
3.7 Rot (Pudrición): Destruction of tissue produced by microorganisms, generally bacteria, manifesting at the edges of the leaves which become transparent, and may or may not present an unpleasant odor and release of liquids.
3.8 Sunburn (Quema de sol): Lesion produced by the effect of the sun's rays on the leaves, which is initially cream-colored; later, the tissue may be invaded by microorganisms that deteriorate it.
4. Provisions relating to quality 4.1 Requirements. In all quality grades, without prejudice to the special provisions for each of them and the admitted tolerances, lettuces must be:
4.1.1 Fresh in appearance, whole, healthy, and safe.
4.1.2 Clean, free of strange odors and flavors.
4.2 Classification. Lettuce is classified into two quality grades as defined below:
4.2.1 Quality Grade 1. In addition to the previous requirements, lettuce in this category must not exceed the maximum percentages of defects allowed for this grade according to Table 1. It must also comply with the specifications of sections 5, 6, and 7 of this regulation.
4.2.2 Quality Grade 2. In addition to the previous requirements, lettuce in this category must not exceed the maximum percentages of defects allowed for this grade according to Table 1. It must also comply with the specifications of sections 5, 6, and 7 of this regulation.
5. Provisions on tolerances 5.1 Quality tolerances. The tolerances regarding quality are established for each package, lot, or shipment of non-prepackaged or prepackaged product, in accordance with the provisions of this regulation.
Table 1. Maximum limits of allowed defects
| QUALITY GRADES % maximum in number | ||
|---|---|---|
| Defects | 1st | 2nd |
| Slugs (Babosas) | 0 | 0 |
| Fungus damage (Daño por hongo) | 1 | 6 |
| Insect damage (Daño por insecto) | 1 | 4 |
| Mechanical damage (Daño mecánico) | 2 | 6 |
| Loss of firmness (Pérdida de firmeza) (dehydration) | 1 | 2 |
| Rot (Pudrición) | 1 | 2 |
| Sunburn (Quema de sol) | 1 | 3 |
| Maximum % of accumulated defects allowed¹ | 3 | 8 |
_____________________________ The maximum percentage of accumulated allowed defects does not correspond to the arithmetic sum of all defects; it refers to a statistical and technical criterion.
5.2 Tolerances on net content. For any type of packaging, a variation of 2.5% in the net content is permitted.
5.3 Sample or sampling design. Refer to the provisions in Executive Decree No. 24907-MEIC NCR230:1995. Fresh Horticultural Products. Sampling, La Gaceta No. 25 of February 5, 1996.
6. Provisions relating to contaminants 6.1 Pesticide residues. The pesticide residues allowed for this product shall not exceed the maximum limits established in Executive Decree No. 27630 MAG-MEIC-S RTCR 229:1996. Maximum Limits for Pesticide Residues in Vegetables (La Gaceta No. 33 of February 17, 1999) and its reforms. Failing that, the limits set by the list of these compounds and their limits approved by the Codex Alimentarius on Pesticide Residues in relation to the product subject to this Regulation shall apply.
6.2 Other contaminants. The contaminating agents allowed in this product shall not exceed the maximum limits established by the country's current legislation. Failing that, the limits set by the list of these compounds and their limits recommended by the competent Codex Alimentarius Committees shall apply.
7. Provisions relating to hygiene. The provisions established in the Recommended International Code of Practice – General Principles of Food Hygiene (CAC/RCP 1-1969 Rev. 3, 1997) apply. When analyzed following appropriate sampling and examination methods, the product must not contain pathogenic microorganisms, parasites, or substances in quantities that may affect the inherent characteristics of the product or that may represent a danger to human health.
8. Conditioning 8.1 The lettuce must be conditioned in such a way that it is protected from contamination and external conditions that affect its quality and safety. The content of each container, package, or form of presentation must be uniform, containing lettuce of the same quality.
9. Provisions relating to marking or labeling 9.1 Lettuce marketed as prepackaged must comply with what the legislation establishes for the labeling of prepackaged foods. It must also declare:
Quality grade (first or second).
9.2 Lettuce that is not marketed as prepackaged must comply with the following information:
Quality grade (first or second).
This information must remain in a visible place next to the product in such a way that it does not mislead or deceive the consumer.
10. Verification 10.1 The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade shall oversee the provisions established in section 5 on Provisions on Tolerances, and section 9 on Provisions Relating to Marking or Labeling.
10.2 The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock shall oversee the provisions established in section 6 on Provisions Relating to Contaminants.
10.3 The Ministry of Health shall oversee the provisions established in section 7 on Provisions Relating to Hygiene.
11. Bibliography 11.1 Brazil, Ministry of Agriculture and Supply of the Government of the State of Sao Paulo (CEAGESP). Horti & Fruti Program, 4 p.
11.2 Cerdas, M.M.; Montero, M. 2004. Technical guides for the postharvest handling of: Celery and Lettuce for the fresh market. San José, C. R., Imprenta Nacional, MAG, UCR, CNP, FITTACORI. 63 p.
11.3 National Production Council, Lettuce Characterization Study: Summer Harvest 2005 for the development of a Technical Regulation. San José, Costa Rica. 16 pages.
11.4 National Production Council. Lettuce Characterization Study: Winter Harvest 2005 for the development of the Technical Regulation. San José, Costa Rica. 19 pages.
11.5 Mexico 1982 NMX-FF-051-1982 Secretariat of Commerce and Industrial Development. Non-industrialized food products for human use-Fresh vegetables-Lettuce. p. 9.
11.6 Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. 1986. Quality standards for vegetables and fruits destined for the domestic market. Agrarian, Fisheries and Food Publications. Madrid, Spain. p. 241-251.
11.7 Namesky, A. 1993. Post-harvest of vegetables: leaf, stem, and flower vegetables. Vol I. Horticulture Editions, Spain, 330 p.
11.8 PIMA-CENADA. 2001. Guide No. 4 for the handling of lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) to be marketed at CENADA. San José, Costa Rica, 12 p.
11.9 PIMA-CENADA. 2001 Fruit-and-vegetable marketing at CENADA. San José, Costa Rica, p. 13-14.
11.10 S Standard for grades of lettuce, effective December 1, 1995, Reprinted-January 1997, 13 p.