DRAFT  
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE , FORESTRY AND FISHERIES  
 
No. R.  
 
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT STANDARDS ACT , 1990  
(ACT No. 119 of 1990)  
 
REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE GRADING, PACKING AND MARKING  OF POTATOES INTENDED FOR 
SALE IN  THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA  
 
The Minister  of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries  has, under section 15 of the Agri cultural Product Standards 
Act No.119 of 1990  – 
 
(a) made the regulations in the Schedule;  
 
(b) repealed the regulations published by Government Notices No. R. 1755 of 24 September 19 93, 
R. 1106 of 5 July 1996, R. 1052 of 28 October 2005 and R.1031 of 12 November 2010;  and 
 
(c) determined that the said regulations shall come into o peration on the date of publication.    
 
SCHEDULE  
 
Definitions  
 
1. In these regulations any word or express ion to which a meaning has been assigned in the Act shall 
have that meaning, and – 
 
“address ” means a physical address in the Republic of South Africa and includes the street  or road number or 
name, and the name of a town, village or suburb and, in the cas e of a farm, the name or number of the 
farm and of the magisterial district in which it is situated;  
 
“bulk container ” means a potato truck, any vehicle or  carrier container  used for the transpor tation or storage of 
potatoes;  
 
"carrier container " means a container in which more than one consumer packages  are packed;  
 
"class" in relation to the quality of potatoes, means a class referred to in regula tion 3;  
 
"class-marked potatoes " means potatoes of which the container is marked or in the proximity of whic h the 
mark is applied indicating that such potatoes are of a particular quality or  possess particular quality 
properties;  
 
"colour plates " mean  potato standards and colour plate, which  are compiled by the Directorate of Food Safety 
and Quality Assurance of  the Department of Agriculture , Forestry and Fisheries  in consultation with role 
players in  the industry;  
 
"consignment " means - 
 
(a) a quantity of potatoes of the same class belonging to the same owner which is delivered at any 
one time under cover of the same  consignment note,  receipt note, or is delivered by the same 
vehicle, or  
 
(b) in the case of  quantity  of potatoes that  is divided into different classes, size groups,  cultivars, 
trademark s or types of packaging , each quantity of each of the different classes,  size groups , 
cultivars , trademarks or types of packaging ; 
 
“container ” means a bag or any other container in which potatoes are directly packed but excluding  bulk and, 
carrier containers that are shipped or road -transported ; 
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"decay " means a state of deco mposition or fungus development except dry stem -end rot, partly or com pletely 
affecting the quality of the potato detrimentally;  
 
"foreign matter " means any material not normally present in, on or among potatoes with the exception of soil;  
 
"groove cut " means a cut as depicted in Annexure B; 
 
"inspector " means the Executive Officer or an officer under his control or an Assignee or suitably qualified 
employee  of an Assignee;  
 
"level cut " means a cut as depicted in Annexure B; 
 
"malformed " means that the sha pe of a potato is not typical of the cultivar concerned;  
 
"photo " means the photos in the colour plates;  
 
"potatoes " means the  raw tubers  of the plant Solanum tuberosum  intended for human con sumption;  
 
"straight cut " means a cut as depicted in Annexure B; 
 
"the Act " means the Agricultural Product Standards Act , 1990 (Act  No.119 of  1990 ). 
 
"unspecified defects " means any defects caused by physiological or non -physiological factors affecting the 
quality of the potato detrimentally.  
 
Scope of regulations  
 
2. These regulations are the minimum standards applicable to potatoes that are destine d for sale in the 
Republ ic of South Africa, and do not include potatoes for seed production purposes .  
 
Restrictions on the sale of potatoes  
 
3. (1) No person shall sell pot atoes  in the Republic of South Africa - 
 
(a) unless the potatoes are sold according to the classes referred to in regulation 4; 
 
(b) unless the potatoes comply with the standards regarding quality referred to in regulation 
5 as set out in Table 1 of Annexu re A; 
 
(c) unless such potatoes are packed and presented for sale  in a container and in the 
manner prescribed in regulations 6 and 7 ; 
 
(d) unless such potatoes are marked with the particulars and in the manner prescribed in 
regulation 8; 
 
(e) if such potat oes contain a substance so prescribed as a substance which it may not 
contain;  
 
(f) if such potatoes are packed in a container or in a manner so prescribed as a container 
in which or a manner in which it may not be packed;  and  
 
(g) if such potatoes are ma rked with particulars or in a manner so prescribed as particulars 
with which or a manner in which it may not be marked.  
 
 (2) The Executive officer may grant written exemption, entirely or partially, to any person on such 
condition as he or she may deem ne cessary, from the  provision s of subregulation (1) : provided that such 
exemption is done in terms of section 3(1)(c) of the Act.  
 
 DRAFT  3 
 
PART I  
QUALITY STANDARDS  
 
Classes for potatoes  
 
4. There are four classes of potatoes, namely Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lo west Class.  
 
Standards for classes  
 
5. (1) Subject to the provisions of subregulation (2) potatoes which are classified as Class 1, Class  2, 
Class 3 and Lowest Class shall comply with the specifications set out in Table 1 of Annexure A  and depicted in 
the colour plates.  
 
 (2) The maximum extent to which Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 potatoes may deviate from the 
specifications prescribed in subregulation (1) are determined in accor dance to subregulatio n (3) and are set out 
in Table 3 of Annexure A . 
 
 (3) The extent to which Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 potatoes deviates from the prescribed 
specifications  shall be determined as follows:  
 
(a) Examine the tubers in the sample of the consignment sensorially and on the basis of 
the colour plates in order to deter mine whether such deficiencies occur thereon or 
therein:  Provided that any tuber from the sa mple referred to in regulation 9 (2) with 
suspected internal deficiencies may be dissected for the purpose of a confirmation or 
otherwise of the observation concern ed. 
 
(b) Determine with regard to each of the separate quality factors mentioned in subregu -
lation (2) the mass of the potatoes that deviate from the prescribed specifications.  
 
(c) Express the mass determined in paragraph (b) as a percentage of the net ma ss of the 
container of potatoes, such percentage repre sents the extent to which potatoes with the 
deviation concerned are present in such container:  Provided that in the case of internal 
quality defects the degree of deviation shall be determined as a pe rcentage of 3 kg.  
 
PART II  
REQUIREMENTS  FOR CONTAINERS  
 
6. (1)  Containers in which potatoes are packed shall - 
 
(a) be intact, clean, suitable and strong enough for the packing and normal handling of 
potatoes;  
 
(b) not impart a taste or odour to the potato es; 
 
(c) be free from any visible signs of fungal  growth;  and  
 
(d) In case of  a carrier container , shall be strong enough not to bulge out or dent in during 
normal handling and transporting practices;  and 
 
 
PART III  
PACKING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS  
 
Packi ng requirements  
 
7. (1) Potatoes shall, in the case of Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3, correspond in cultivar, class and 
size group in the same consignment : Provided that the size groups shall not be applicable to Class 3.  
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 (2) Containers shall be closed by  bunch tying with a suitable wire tie or by sewing with a suitable  
tying string or with a suitable  lid or whatever the case may  be. 
 
Marking requirements     
 
8. (1) The type of  container containing potatoes shall be marked in clear legible  letters on any 
conspicuous place or  on the label attached thereto, with the following particulars:  
 
(a) the name or trade mark and address of the producer,  owner  or packer ; 
 
(b) the class  designation , namely "Class 1", "Class 2", "Class 3" or "Lowest Class", as the 
case m ay be;  
 
(c) in the case of Class 1 and Class 2, the size group, namely  "Baby", "Small", "Medium", 
and "Large"  as well as optional size grouping  of “Extra Small”, “Small Medium” , “Large 
Medium” and “Extra Large”  as the case may be:  Provided that the expre ssions "B", "S" 
"M" ,"L”, “ES”, “SM”, “LM” and “EL”  as the case may be, may also be used;  
 
(d) the net mass of the contents ;  
 
(e) the word "Potatoes";  
 
(f) the cultivar ; 
 
(g) the indication of  packing date : provided  that if a packing date is expressed in a code, 
such a code  shall be registered with the Executive Officer : Agricultural Product 
Standards ;   
 
(h) the country of origin:  Provided that no abbreviations or the expression  of the word 
"South A frica" on its own shall be used; and  
 
(i) If the potatoe s are sold unwashed, the container in which potatoes are packed must be 
marked as such . 
 
 (2) The requirement  referred to in subre gulation ( 1) (e) may be omitted i n the case of transparent  
containers.  
 
 (3) If containers containing potatoes are packed in a  carrier container, each carrier container shall 
be marked with the particula rs mentioned in subregulation ( 1), as we ll as with the number of containers it 
contains, on at least one end of every carrier container by means of stamping or stencilling or by p asting a 
printed label thereon.  
 
 (4) If at any stage the class designation or size designation is altered, labels, where applicable, 
shall be replaced or the new class designation or size designation shall be stamped across the old class 
designation or si ze designation on the label or the form in clear legible letters larger than the previous marks 
with a suitable stamp.  
 
(5) Particulars shall  be printed in Eng lish or both in English and any of the other official languages.  
 
 (6) No wording, illustration o r other means of expression which constitutes a misrepre sentation or 
which directly or by implication, may create a misleading impression of the contents  or of the quality or the class 
thereof  shall appear on a container containing potatoes .  
 
 (7) Whenev er potatoes are displayed for sale in loose quantities  -  
 
(a) any quantity of a particular class, a size group or a cultivar shall not be displayed mixed 
with potatoes of any other clas s, size group or cultivar; and 
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(b)  the class, and in the case of Class 1  and Class 2 also the size group of such quantity of 
potatoes, shall be indicated in clear, legible letters on a notice board prominently placed 
at such a quantity of potatoes.  
 
PART IV  
SAMPLING PROCEDURES  
 
9. (1) An inspector shall abstract, at random for  inspection purposes, a number of containers and 
satisfy himself that the containers so abstracted are representative  of the consignment concerned. Each 
container abstracted in this manner shall be inspected separately.  
 
 (2) If potatoes are inspected for internal quality the inspector shall - 
 
(a) Abstract  a sample of 3 kg of potatoes from each container of the sample as set out in 
subregulation (1) ; and  
 
(b) From  every 3 kg sample, select and cut  a maximum of 750 g of the potatoes that have, 
in the opinio n of the inspector, the poorest internal quality.  The mass of the cut 
potatoes which does not comply with the requirements of the class concerned in 
proportion to the total mass of the 3 kg sample shall be determined on a percentage 
basis.  
 
Offence and pe nalties  
 
10. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of these regulations shall be guilty of 
an offence and upon conviction be liable to a fine or imprisonment in terms of section 11 of the Act.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ANNE XURE A  
TABLE 1  
QUALITY SPECIFICATION S 
 
Quality fac tors 
 
 Colour 
plate  
Number  Class 1  Class 2  Class 3  Lowest  
Class  
(a) Specified 
defects : 
  
  
  
  
  
 
(i)  Decay  
 - None  None  None  * 
(ii) Insect infestation or 
damage (tuber moth)  A. 15 W  Tuber shall be 
free from moth . Tuber shall be 
free from moth . To the max i-
mum extent 
depicted in 
photo 1 is 
permissible: 
Provi ded that 
not more than 
20% of the 
tuber needs to 
be cut away 
with level cuts 
to remove the 
infested 
portions . * 
(iii) Insect damage  
  A. 9 To the  
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 2 is 
permissible:  
Provided that 
damage is not 
deeper than 4 
mm. To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 5 is 
permissible: 
Provi ded that 
the damage is 
not deeper than 
6 mm and that 
not more than 
10% of the 
tuber needs to 
be cut awa y 
with grove cuts 
to remove the 
damaged 
portions . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 7 is 
permissible:  
Provi ded that 
not more than 
20% of the 
tuber needs to 
be cut away 
with groove cuts 
to remove the 
damaged 
portions . * 
(iv) Cold damage  - None  None  None  * 
(v)  Heat damage  - None  None  None  * 
(vi)Damage by other 
plants  A. 15 Y  Tuber shall be 
free from 
damage by 
watergrass and 
other plants . 
 Tuber shall be 
free from 
damage by 
watergrass and 
other plants . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in ph otos 1, 2 
and 3 is permis -
sible: Provided 
that two water -
grass per tuber 
or a watergrass 
that has grown 
through the 
tuber  shall be 
regarded  as 
lowest class .  * DRAFT  7 
 
Quality fac tors 
 
 Colour 
plate  
Number  Class 1  Class 2  Class 3  Lowest  
Class  
(vii) Hollow heart  A. 15 Z  Tuber shall be 
free from hollow 
heart . To the 
maximum 
extent depicte d 
in photo 3 is 
permissible . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 2 is 
permissible . * 
(viii)Dry stem -end rot 
and other types of dry 
rot (#) 
 A. 13  To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 1 is 
permissible:  
Provided that 
the lesion is not 
deeper than 3 
mm. To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 2 is 
permissible:  
Provided that 
the lesion is not 
deeper than 3 
mm. To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 5 is 
permissible: 
Provi ded that 
not more than 
20% of the 
tuber needs to 
be cut away 
with straight 
cuts to remove 
the decayed 
portions . * 
(ix)  Brown  fleck A. 14  Tuber shall be 
free from brown 
fleck. To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 5 is 
permissible . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 6 is 
permissible . * 
(x)  Watery  
 - None  None  None  * 
(xi)  Wilt 
 - None  Minor wrinkling 
of the skin is 
permissible . Only wilt that 
does not 
seriously affect 
the tuber 
deterimentally is 
permissible . * 
(xii)  Sprouts (#)  
 A. 2 To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 3 is 
permissible:  
Provided that 
the length of t he 
sprouts are ot in 
excess of 2 
mm. 
 To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 5 is 
permissible:  
Provi ded that 
the length of the 
sprouts are not 
in excess of 4 
mm.  To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 10 is 
permissible:  
Provi ded that 
the length of t he 
sprouts are not 
in excess of 
10 mm. * 
(xiii)  Greening (#)  A. 1 No greening of 
the tuber . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 3 is 
permissible:  
Provi ded that 
the greening 
does not cover  
more than 10% 
of the surface of 
the tuber and  
that the  To th e 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 4 is 
permissible:  
Provi ded that 
the greening 
does not cover  
more than 20% 
of the surface of 
the tuber and 
that the  * DRAFT  8 
 
Quality fac tors 
 
 Colour 
plate  
Number  Class 1  Class 2  Class 3  Lowest  
Class  
   intrusion is not 
deeper than 2 
mm. intrusion is not 
deeper than 4 
mm.  
(xiv) Malformed.  
Light ma lformation 
due to cultivar 
characteristic shall not 
be pena lised.   A. 3 To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 5 is 
permissible . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo  7 is 
permissible . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 8 is 
permissible . * 
(xv) Foreign matter  - Free from 
foreign matter . Free from 
foreign matter . Free from 
foreign matter . * 
(xvi) Mechanical 
damage (#)  A. 5 To the 
maximum 
extent depic ted 
in photo 5 is 
permissible: 
Provided that 
the lesion is not 
deeper than 4 
mm. To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 6 is 
permissible: 
Provi ded that 
the lesion is not 
deeper than 6 
mm and that not 
more than 10% 
of the tuber 
needs to be cut 
away with 
groove cuts to 
remove the 
lesion . To a greater 
extent damaged 
than depicted in 
photo 6 is per -
missible:  
Provided that 
not more than 
20% of the 
tuber needs to 
be cut away 
with groove cuts 
to remove the 
lesion . * 
(xvii) Soiled (washed)  
(#) 
 
 
 
Soiled (unwashed)  
            A. 8.1  To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 4 is 
permissible.  To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 6 is 
permissible.  To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 8 is 
permissible.  * 
 
 
 
 
A.8.2  To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 4 is 
permissible.  To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 6 is 
permissible.  To the 
maximum 
extent depi cted 
in photo 8 is 
permissible.   
* 
(xviii) Vascular  
browning    A. 15 X  To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 3 is 
permissible . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 2 is 
permissible . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 1 is 
permissible . * DRAFT  9 
 
Quality fac tors 
 
 Colour 
plate  
Number  Class 1  Class 2  Class 3  Lowest  
Class  
(xix) Common scab 
and similar defects (#)  A. 12  To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 4  is 
permissible:  
Provided that 
the lesion is not 
deeper than 
3 mm. To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 7 is 
permissible:  
Provi ded that 
the lesions are 
not deeper than 
5 mm and not 
more than 10%  
need to be cut 
to remove the 
damaged parts . To the 
maximum  
extent depicted 
in photo 9 is 
permissible:  
Provi ded that 
not more than 
20% of the 
tuber needs to 
be cut away 
with a level cut 
to remove the 
damaged parts . * 
(xx) Growt h cracks (#)  A. 4 To the 
maximum 
extent depi cted 
in photo 3 is 
permissible: 
Provided that 
the growth 
crack is not 
deeper than 4 
mm. To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 5 is 
permissible: 
Provi ded that 
the growth 
crack is not 
deeper than 6 
mm and not 
more than 10% 
of the tuber 
needs to be cut 
away with 
groove cuts . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photos 8 is 
permissible 
provided that 
not more than 
20 % of the 
tuber needs to 
be cut away 
with groove 
cuts.  * 
(xxi)  Abraded (@ ) 
 A. 6 To the 
maximum 
exten t depicted 
in photo 3 is 
permissible:  
Provided that 
maximum 25% 
of the tuber is 
abraded and 
that no 
browning is 
present . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 5 is 
permissible:  
Provi ded that 
maximum 50% 
of the tuber is 
abraded and 
that no 
browning is 
present .   To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 8 is 
permissible . * 
(xxii)  Browning  A. 6 No browning of 
the tuber . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 4 is 
permissible:  
Provi ded that 
not more than 
25% of the area 
of the tuber is 
abraded and 
brow ned. To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 8 is 
permissible:  
Provided that 
the browned 
areas are not 
slimy . 
 * DRAFT  10 
 
Quality fac tors 
 
 Colour 
plate  
Number  Class 1  Class 2  Class 3  Lowest  
Class  
(xxiii) Broken and cut 
tubers:  Provided that 
if the damaged parts 
are wet, it s hall be 
considered as decay 
(#). A. 7 To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 3 is 
permissible . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 6 is 
permissible . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 8 is 
permissible . * 
(xxiv)  Eelworm (@)  
 A. 10  Free from 
eelworm . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 3 is 
permissible :  
Provi ded that 
maximum 10% 
of the tuber is 
infested and 
that the 
penetration is 
not in excess of 
3 mm . To the 
maximum 
extent depicted 
in photo 6 is 
permissible:  
Provi ded that 
maximum 20% 
of the tuber is 
infested, that 
the pene tration 
is not in excess  
of 3 mm and 
that the peeled 
tuber does not 
appear slimy . * 
(xxv) Skin eelworm 
and Rhizoctonia (@)  A. 11  Skin eelworm to 
the maximum 
extent depicted 
in the lower 
photo 3 is 
permissible . Skin eelworm to 
the maximum 
extent depicted 
in the lower 
photo 4 is 
permissible . * 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 
  Rhizoctonia to 
the maximum 
extent depicted 
in the top photo 
3 is per missible  Rhizoctonia to 
the maximum 
extent depicted 
in the top photo 
4 is permissible  * * 
(xxvi)Tomato spotted 
wilt virus  - Tuber shall be 
free from 
tomato spot ted 
wilt virus . Tuber shall be 
free from 
tomato spotted 
wilt virus . Tuber shall be 
free from 
tomato spotted 
wilt virus . * 
(b) Unspecified 
defects  - None  None  None  * 
 
- No colour plate  
* No specifications  
(@) The opposite side of the tuber must not be mor e infected or  abraded than the side depicted.  
(#) The opposite side of the tuber must be free from the defect . 
 DRAFT  11 
 
ANNEXURE  A 
  
TABLE 2  
 
SIZE GROUP S 
 
 
Size group  Mass  
Class 1  Mass  
Class 2  Mass  
Class 3  Mass  
Lowest 
Class  
(i) Baby  
 Minimum 5 g -  maximum  70g 
 As for Class 1  * * 
(ii)    Extra Small  Minimum 30g  - maximum 50g ** 
 As for Class 1  * * 
(iii)  Small  Minimum  50g - maximum 150g  
 As for Class 1  * * 
(iv) Small  medium  Minimum 90g  - maximum 120g**  
 As for Class 1  * * 
(v)  Medium  Minimum 100g  - maximum  300g 
 As for Class 1  * * 
(vi)  Large -Medium  Minimum 150g - Maximum 250 g** 
 As for Class 1  * * 
(vii) Large  
 Minimum 250g  and more  
 As for Class 1  * * 
(viii) Extra -Large  Minimum 400g  and more ** As for Class 1  * * 
** Optional sizing  which shal l be clearly marked as such.    
*   No specifications  
 
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ANNEXURE  A 
 
TABLE 3  
 
MAXIMUM  PERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS  
 
QUALITY FACTOR  CLASS 1  
% 
(m/m)  CLASS 2  
% 
(m/m)  CLASS 3  
% 
(m/m)  
 
(a) Decay  
 2% 3% 5% 
(b) Wet or soiled by decayed tubers  
 5% 10% 15% 
(c) Tomato spotted wilt virus . 4% 
 8% 
 12% 
 
(d) Malformed  
 10% 15% 20% 
(e) External quality defects including those 
mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) 
but excluding those mentioned in 
paragraph (d):  Provided that such 
deviations are individually within the 
limits as spec ified above . 
 5% 
 10% 
 20% 
 
(f) Internal quality defects  including mixed 
cultivars but  excluding those mentioned 
in paragraph (a ). 
 4% 
 8% 
 12% 
 
(g) Deviations in paragraphs (e) and (f) 
collectively: Provided that such devia -
tions are individually within  the limits as 
specified above . 
 8% 
 15% 
 25% 
 
(h) Size group deviations (too large and too 
small ). 
 10%: 15%: * 
(i) Size group deviations (too large and too 
small  collectively ). 
 10 %  25% * 
* No specifications  
 
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