- Assuming that grading has been carried out as described in the section on ‘post storage grading of fruits‘, fruit will arrive at the final packing point for selection and packing into the RDT either as loose or pre-packed product.
- Before fruit is accepted onto the line, it should be assessed as suitable for the intended customer. This should be done by reference to QC reports carried out at the grading point and from a further assessment to confirm status before use.
- This assessment must involve confirmation of FTA readings (firmness), Brix levels (sugar) and taste acceptance (free of any taints etc.) as well as general quality criteria.
- Information on raw material quality onto the grading line will allow supervisors to ensure correct placement of packing line operatives and provide any relevant instructions. For example, a higher than normal proportion of apples that are marginal for shape or russeting requires extra vigilance on-line.
- Correct packaging and any associated labels should be confirmed and signed off by management in advance of the packing operation.
- All aspects of handling should be taken with extreme care. An apple can bruise as easily as an egg can break. All packing operatives should be made aware of the care needed.
- All staff should be clean and tidy, with short fingernails. If gloves are worn they must be of a suitable material and non-allergenic.
- Hygiene training has been dealt with in the harvest and handling section. Additionally, as a minimum, pack-house supervisors should have a certificate for Basic Food Hygiene Training.
- Induction training on health and safety issues should be a standard.
- An experienced trainer who, ideally, will have qualifications for training should give training in quality requirements.
- At the final packing stage operatives should be ensuring that fruit not only meets the customer specification but is also presented to maximum effect. As the market place becomes increasingly competitive it is essential that presentation is maximised. This also applies to labels, whether on individual apples or on pre-packed product. Both should be positioned consistently and in compliance with customer requirements.
- Labels for pre-packed fruit must carry the information required by law and customer specification.
- Placement of pre-pack and over wrap packs into the ‘outer container’ is important on two counts. Firstly, to ensure that the product is packed in a manner that provides minimum risk from pressure marking (bruising against other packs or against the crate etc.). Secondly, to comply with customer requirements for presentation at the retail level.
- Most customer specifications require a particular arrangement of the packs within the crates and these should be tested in-house. Any detrimental effects on the fruit should be discussed with the customer via marketing/technical personnel.
- Where product is sold by minimum weight, all packed units must be weighed on DTI/BERR approved scales. Trading Standards Officers will check these if they confirm any reported under-weights at the retail display level.
- The ability to demonstrate compliance with legal requirements will be a due-diligence defence if prosecution for under-weights takes place.
- Sufficient tare for any packaging materials used must be allowed for and added into the final pack weight, where minimum weights apply.
- The effect of moisture loss will result in reduction of packed unit weight from point of packing until its final acceptance point. This must be anticipated by adding sufficient tare to compensate for moisture loss.
- Most customer specifications indicate the required tare to accommodate moisture loss. This will vary between 10-30g per kg. This is sufficient for pre-packs but for loose product in a 12kg RDT (approximately 26lb) a 100g allowance may be required.
NOTE. UK Apples are generally sold by weight, using the Minimum Weight Regulations.
- Where automated polybagging machines are used that optimise weight and minimise giveaway weight, it is a legal requirement for machines that are not DTI/BERR approved (stamped) that packs are check weighed on a separate DTI/BERR approved scale before release for sale to the consumer.
- In pre-packs, sale by count is becoming popular. For trading standards purposes a consumer must be given a consistent offer. It is not permissible to offer 10 apples of 60-65mm one week, and then offer on promotion (indicating an increased value offer) 10 x 55-60mm apples (less weight) at a lower price the next week. The offer must be comparable.
- Average weight regulations are commonly used for products such as flour and sugar (fine grained) where an average weight (label depicts an ‘e’ mark) can be offered. For example a nominal 1 kg pack can legally fluctuate between 985g and 1015g, but must average 1000g). This is probably impractical for apples with average individual weights of 100+g and would give no benefit to the grower/packer/supplier over minimum weight regulations.