DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD FINAL DRAFT UGANDA 
STANDARD  
  FDUS 1506  
First Edition  
2013 -mm-dd 
 
 
 Reference number  
FDUS 1506 : 2013 
© UNBS 2013   
  
Fresh tomato es — Specification 
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
ii © UNBS 2013  – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct applicati on 
© UNBS 2013  
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permission from UN BS. 
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The Executive Director 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
P.O. Box 6329 
Kampala 
Uganda 
Tel: 256 414 505 995 
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Web: www.unbs.go.ug  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
© UNBS yyyy – All rights reserved  iii 
 Foreword 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327, of the Laws of Uganda.  UNBS is mandated to co-ordinate the 
elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT/SPS Agreements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). 
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of representatives of 
consumers, traders, academicians, manufacturers, government and other stakeholders. 
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council. 
This Final Draft Uganda Standard has been developed as a result of a need to provide guidance to industry in 
production and regulation of Fresh tomatoes   
Committee membership 
The following organisations were represented under the Fruits and vegetables sub-committee of the Food and 
Agriculture Standards Technical Committee, UNBS/TC 2, during the development of this standard: 
 Federation of Uganda Exporters Association 
 Government Analytical Laboratory 
 Horticulture Exports Association of Uganda 
 Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries  
 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives 
 National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda 
 Sulma Foods Ltd 
 Uganda Consumer Protection Association 
 Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
 Uganda National Farmers Federation 
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFINAL DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  FDUS 1506 : 2013  
 
© UNBS 2013  – All rights reserved  1 
 Fresh tomatoes — Specification  
1 Scope 
This Final Draft Uganda Standard specifies requirements for commercial varieties of tomatoes grown from 
Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. and Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium  of the Solanaceae family, to be supplied 
fresh to the consumer.  
This standard does not specify requirements for  tomatoes for industrial processing.  
2 Normative references 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies. 
US 7, General standard for labeling of prepackaged foods 
US 28, Code of practice for hygiene in the food and drink manufacturing industry  
3 Terms and definitions 
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions shall apply. 
3.1 
clean  
practically free from dirt, dust, insect stains, traces of chemicals, or other foreign matter 
3.2 
colour 
matured green to red colour on the surface of each tomato 
3.3 
cloud (blotchy ripening) 
patches of tissues of no definite pattern which fail to ripen normally 
3.4 
green neck 
hard green area surrounding the stalk 
3.5 
green back 
uneven distribution of green patches, which may be caused by physiological or pathological defects 
3.6 
hard core 
hard or solid area surrounding the core DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
2 © UNBS 2013  – All righ ts reserved  
 3.7 
matured green  
tomato whose surface is still green, the contents of the seed cavities having developed a jellied consistency 
and whose seeds are fully developed 
3.8 
damage 
any specific defect described in Annex A; or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, 
any other defect, or any combination of defects, which materially or seriously detracts from the appearance, or 
the edible or marketing quality of the tomato 
3.9 
diameter 
greatest width measured in a line at right angles to the longitudinal section 
3.10 
mature 
tomato that has reached the stage of development which will ensure a proper completion of the ripening 
process, and with the contents of two or more seed cavities having developed a jelly-like consistency with 
well-developed seeds  
4 Requirements  
4.1 General quality requirements 
Fresh tomato shall be of a colour appropriate for the species, free of organic and mineral impurities, free, as 
far as possible, from damage caused by disease and insects.  
4.2 Specific quality requirements 
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the fresh tomatoes 
shall be: 
a) of similar varietal characteristics and full physiological development; 
b) sound, that is, produce not affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for 
consumption;  
c) clean, that i s, practically free of any visible foreign matter; 
d) practically free of pests and damage caused by them affecting the general appearance of the produce 
e) free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from cold  storage;  
f) free from  freezing injury ; 
g) not overripe or soft; 
h) free of any foreign smell and/or taste; 
i) fresh in appearance; and 
j) sufficiently developed and display satisfactory ripeness. 
The development and state of maturity of the tomatoes shall be such as to enable them to continue their 
ripening process and to reach the appropriate degree of ripeness.  DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
© UNBS 2013  – All rights reserved  3 
 4.3 Presentation 
The tomatoes may be presented as follows: 
a) as individual tomatoes, with or without calyx and short stalk; or 
b) as trusses of tomatoes, in other words, in entire inflorescence or part of inflorescence, where each 
inflorescence or part of each inflorescence should comprise at least the following number of tomatoes. 
i) three (two if prepackaged), or 
ii) in the case of trusses of “cherry” tomatoes, six (four if prepackaged). 
5 Classification  
5.1 General 
Tomatoes are classified into four classes namely 
 Extra class 
 Class I, 
 Combination class, and 
 Class II. 
5.2 “Extra” Class  
5.2.1 Tomatoes shall be free of greenbacks and other defects, with the exception of very slight superficial 
defects, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping 
quality and presentation in the package. 
5.2.2 Tomatoes in this class shall be of superior quality and shall meet the following requirements in 
addition to satisfying the minimum requirements specified in 4.2: 
 uniform in terms of size;  
 fairly well formed with firm flesh; 
 free from decay; and 
 free from sunscald. 
5.3 Class I 
5.3.1 Tomatoes in this class shall be of good quality. They shall be reasonably firm and characteristic of the 
variety.  as regards shape, appearance and development  
5.3.2 Tomatoes in this class shall meet the following requirements, in addition to satisfying requirements in 
4.2. 
 free from decay; 
 free from sunscald; and DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
4 © UNBS 2013  – All righ ts reserved  
  free of cracks and visible greenback.  
5.3.3 The following slight defects, however, may be allowed provided these do not affect the general 
appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package: 
a) a slight defect in shape and development;  
b) slight defects in colouring; 
c) slight skin defects; 
d) very slight bruises; 
e) shallow healed cracks not more than 1 cm long; 
f) without excessive protuberances; 
g) suberization of the stigma up to 1 cm2; 
h) small umbilicus ; and  
i) a linear scar no longer than two thirds of the greatest diameter of the fruit.  
5.4 Combination Class 
The Combination Class consists of a combination of Extra Class and Class I tomatoes, provided, however, 
that at least 60 %, by count, meet the requirements of Extra Class. 
5.5 Class II 
5.5.1 This class includes tomatoes which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfy the 
minimum requirements specified in 4.2. 
5.5.2 They shall be reasonably firm (but may be slightly less firm than in Class I) and shall not show 
unhealed cracks. The flesh of the fruit must be reasonably firm, that is, the fruit may be distinguishably marked 
after normal pressure by the fingers but is not actually damaged. 
5.5.3 The following defects may be allowed provided the tomatoes retain their essential characteristics as 
regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation: 
a) defects in shape, development and colouring; 
b) development hollowness due to insufficient pollination is allowed; 
c) skin defects or bruises, provided the fruit is not seriously affected; 
d) skin defects such as scorching due to sun or chemical treatment, hail damage or slight damage 
caused by pests or disease, provided the fruit is not seriously affected;  
e) bruises caused by rough handling are allowed provided they do not cause serious damage to the 
flesh and are unlikely to develop further; and 
f) shallow healed cracks not more than 3 cm in length for round, ribbed or oblong tomatoes.  
“Ribbed” tomatoes may show:  
a) more pronounced protuberances than allowed under Class I, but without being misshapen; DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
© UNBS 2013  – All rights reserved  5 
 b) one umbilicus;  
c) suberization of the stigma up to 2 cm2; and  
d) fine blossom scar in elongated form. 
6 Provisions concerning sizing 
Size is determined by the maximum diameter of the equatorial section, by weight or by count. The provisions 
in this clause shall not apply to trusses of tomatoes, and sizing is optional for Class II. 
Tomatoes are sized according to diameter size as specified in Table 1 and size designations as specified in 
Table 2. 
Table 1 — Sizing tomatoes according to diameter size 
Size code  Diameter ,  
mm 
0 ≤ 20 
1 > 20 ≤ 25  
2 > 25 ≤ 30  
3 > 30 ≤ 35  
4 > 35 ≤ 40  
5 > 40 ≤ 47  
6 > 47 ≤ 57  
7 > 57 ≤ 67  
8 > 67 ≤ 82  
9 > 82 ≤ 102  
10 > 102  
 
Table 2 — Sizing tomatoes according to size designation 
Size designations  Diameter  
mm 
Minimum diameter 1) Maximum diame ter 2) 
Small  53.98 57.94  
Medium  57.15  64.29  
Large  63.50 70.64  
Extra large 69.85   
1) Will not pass through a round opening of the designated diameter when the tomato is placed with 
the greatest transverse diameter across the opening.  
2) Will pass throu gh a round opening of the designated diameter in any position . 
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
6 © UNBS 2013  – All righ ts reserved  
 Tomatoes may be sized according to uniformity provision . The maximum difference in diameter between 
tomatoes in the same package shall be limited to the following: 
a) 10 mm, if the diameter of the smallest fruit (as indicated on the package) is under 50 mm, 
b) 15 mm, if the diameter of the smallest fruit (as indicated on the package) is 50 mm and over but under 
70 mm, 
c) 20 mm, if the diameter of the smallest fruit (as indicated on the package) is 70 mm and over but under 
100 mm, and 
d) there is no limitation of difference in diameter for fruit equal or over 100 mm. 
For tomatoes sized by weight or by count, the difference in size should be consistent with tomatoes sized 
according to uniformity provision. 
7 Provisions concerning tolerances  
7.1 Quality tolerances 
7.1.1  Extra” Class  
A total tolerance of 5 %, by number or weight, of tomatoes not satisfying the requirements of the class but 
meeting those of Class I is allowed. 
7.1.2  Class I 
A total tolerance of 10 %, by number or weight, of tomatoes not satisfying the requirements of the class but 
meeting those of Class II is allowed.  
In the case of trusses of tomatoes, 5 %, by number or weight, of tomatoes detached from the stalk is allowed 
7.1.3  Combination Class 
7.1.3.1 For defects at shipping point 
10 % for tomatoes in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of Class I, provided, however, that not more 
than one-half of this tolerance, or 5 %, shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, including 1 
% for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay 
7.1.3.2 For defects at destination 
15 % for tomatoes in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of Class I, provided, however, that included in 
this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed: 
a) 5 %for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; 
b) 10 % for tomatoes which are seriously damaged by shoulder bruises or by discoloured or sunken 
scars on any parts of the tomatoes; and, 
c) 10 % for tomatoes which are otherwise defective, provided, further, that not more than 5 % shall be 
allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by any cause, exclusive of soft or decayed 
tomatoes. DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
© UNBS 2013  – All rights reserved  7 
 NOTE Shipping point, as used in this standard, means the point of origin of the shipment in the producing area or at 
port of loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or, in the case of shipments from outside the country, the port of entr y 
into the country. 
7.1.4  Class II 
10 %, by number or weight, of tomatoes satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the minimum 
requirements is allowed. Within this tolerance not more than 2 % in total may consist of produce affected by 
decay. 
In the case of trusses of tomatoes, 10 %, by number or weight, of tomatoes detached from the stalk.  
7.2 Size tolerances 
For all classes: 10 %, by number or weight, of tomatoes conforming to the size immediately above or below 
that specified. 
8 Hygiene 
Fresh tomatoes shall be produced and handled in accordance with US 28.  
9 Contaminants 
9.1 Pesticide residues 
Tomatoes shall comply with those maximum pesticide residue limits established by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission for this commodity.  
9.2 Heavy metals 
Tomatoes shall comply with those maximum levels for heavy metals established by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission for this commodity.  
10 Packaging and presentation 
10.1 Uniformity  
Packaging material in a lot shall each contain tomatoes of the same commercial type, and shall have a 
uniform net weight. 
10.2 Packaging  
Packaging material shall be such as to ensure adequate protection against humidity during storage and 
transport of the product. Any material used inside the package shall be of food grade quality. 
The container shall protect the product from any form of contamination. 
The use of materials, particularly of paper or stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed, provided the 
printing or labelling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue. DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
8 © UNBS 2013  – All righ ts reserved  
 11 Labelling 
Tomatoes shall be labelled in accordance with the requirements of US 7. In addition, the following specific 
provisions shall apply:  
a) name and address of the exporter, packer and/or dispatcher and identification code; 
b) name of the produce if the contents are not visible from the outside; 
c) name of country of origin and, optionally, district where grown; 
d) commercial identification may include; individual tomatoes or tomatoes in trusses; 
e) class; 
f) net weight; and 
g) official inspection mark (optional). DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
© UNBS 2013  – All rights reserved  9 
 Annex A 
(normative) 
 
Classification of defects 
Factor  Damage  Serious Damage  Very serious damage  
Cuts and broken 
skins  Not shallow or not well healed, 
or shallow, well healed cut more 
than 13 mm in length, or other 
shallow, well healed skin breaks 
aggregating more than a circle 
10 mm in diameter.  Not shallow or not well healed, or 
shallow, well healed c ut more than 
13 mm in length, or other shallow, 
well healed skin breaks 
aggregating more than a circle 13 
mm in diameter.  Fresh or healed and 
extending through the 
tomato wall.  
Puffiness  Open space in one or more 
locules materially detracts from 
appear ance of tomato cut 
through centre at right angles to 
a line from stem to blossom end.  Open space in one or more 
locules seriously detracts from 
appearance of tomato cut through 
centre at right angles to a line 
from stem to blossom end.  Open space in two or 
more locules very 
seriously detracts from 
appearance of tomato cut 
through centre at right 
angles to a line from 
stem to blossom end.  
Catfaces  Scars are rough or deep, 
channels are very deep or wide, 
channels extend into a locule, or 
a fairly smooth catface 
aggregating more than a circle 
13 mm in diameter.  Scars are rough or deep, 
channels are very deep or wide, 
channels extend into a locule, or a 
fairly smooth catface aggregating 
more than a circle 19 mm in 
diameter.  Channels extend into the 
locule , wall has been 
weakened to the extent 
that slight pressure will 
cause a tomato to leak, 
or a fairly smooth catface 
aggregating more than a 
circle 25 mm in diameter.  
Scars (other 
than catfaces)  No depth and aggregating more 
than a circle 10 mm in diamete r.  No depth and aggregating more 
than a circle 16 mm in diameter.  No depth and 
aggregating more than a 
circle 25 mm in diameter.  
Growth cracks 
(radiating from 
or concentric to 
stem scar).  Not well healed, more than 3 
mm in depth, individual radial 
cracks more than 13 mm in 
length, aggregate length of all 
radial cracks more than 25 mm 
measured from edge of stem 
scar. Any lot of tomatoes which 
are at least turning may have 
cracks which are not well healed 
provided they are not leaking.  Not well healed, more than 3 mm 
in depth, individual radial cracks 
more than 19 mm in length, 
aggregate length of all radial 
cracks more than 44 mm 
measured from edge of stem scar. 
Any lot of tomatoes which are at 
least turning may have cracks 
which are not well healed 
provided they are not leaking.  Not well healed, more 
than 6 mm in depth, 
individual radial cracks 
more than 25 mm in 
length, aggregate length 
of all radial cracks more 
than 73 mm measured 
from edge of stem scar. 
Any lot of tomatoes which 
are at least turning  may 
have cracks which are 
not well healed provided 
they are not leaking, not 
more than 3 mm in depth, 
individual radial cracks 
are not more than 19 mm 
in length.  
Hail  Deep, rough, not well healed 
and corked over, or fairly 
smooth, shallow hail marks 
aggregating more than a circle 
10 mm in diameter.  Deep, rough, not well healed and 
corked over, or fairly smooth, 
shallow hail marks aggregating 
more than a circle 16 mm in 
diameter.  Fresh, very deep or fairly 
smooth, shallow hail 
marks aggregating more 
than a circle 25 mm in 
diameter.  
Insect injury  Materially detracts from the 
appearance or any insect is 
present in the fruit.  Seriously detracts from the 
appearance or any insect is 
present in the fruit.  Very seriously detracts 
from the appearance or 
any insect is present in 
the fruit.  DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506: 2013  
10 © UNBS 2013  – All righ ts reserved  
 Bibliography 
[1] CODEX STAN 293:2008, Standard for tomatoes   
[2] EAS 83:2010 ; Fresh tomatoes — Specification and grading  
[3] Codex Alimentarius website: http://www.codexalimentarius.net/mrls/pestdes/jsp/pest_q-e.jsp  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS  1506: 2013  
© UNBS 2013  – All rights reserved  11 
 Certification marking 
Products that conform to Uganda standards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply with the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDFDUS 1506 : 2013    
 
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