اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ  اﻟﺨﻠﻴﺞ  ﻟﺪول اﻟﺘﻌﺎون  ﻣﺠﻠﺲ  ﻟﺪول اﻟﺘﻘﻴﻴﺲ  هﻴﺌﺔ  
GCC STANDARDIZATION ORGANIZATION (GSO) 
   
 
 
    
 ﻧﻬﺎﺋﻲ ﻣﺸﺮوع   
 
    
GSO 05/FDS /CAC 299 :2012(E) 
) Codex Stan 299:2010 MOD.(  
 
 
اﻟﺘﻔﺎح   
Apples  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
إﻋﺪاد  
اﻟﻤﻨﺘﺠﺎت  ﻟﻘﻄﺎع اﻟﺨﻠﻴﺠﻴﺔ  اﻟﻔﻨﻴﺔ اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ  واﻟﺰراﻋﻴﺔ  اﻟﻐﺬاﺋﻴﺔ   
   
 ﻓﺈﻧﻬﺎ ﻟﺬﻟﻚ ﺑﺸﺄﻧﻬﺎ،  واﻟﻤﻠﺤﻮﻇﺎت  اﻟﺮأي ﻹﺑﺪاء ﺗﻮزﻳﻌﻬﺎ  ﺗﻢ ﺧﻠﻴﺠﻴﺔ  ﻗﻴﺎﺳﻴﺔ  ﻟﻤﻮاﺻﻔﺔ  ﻣﺸﺮوع  اﻟﻮﺛﻴﻘﺔ  هﺬﻩ
 ﻣﺠﻠﺲ  ﻣﻦ اﻋﺘﻤﺎدهﺎ  ﺑﻌﺪ إﻻ ﺧﻠﻴﺠﻴﺔ  ﻗﻴﺎﺳﻴﺔ  آﻤﻮاﺻﻔﺔ  إﻟﻴﻬﺎ اﻟﺮﺟﻮع  ﻳﺠﻮز وﻻ واﻟﺘﺒﺪﻳﻞ،  ﻟﻠﺘﻐﻴﻴﺮ  ﻋﺮﺿﺔ
اﻟﻬﻴﺌﺔ إدارة                        .                                    
 
اﻟﺪوﻟﻲ  اﻟﺘﺼﻨﻴﻒ  رﻗﻢ67.080.10 ﺗﻘﺪﻳﻢ  
 
 اﻟﻮﻃﻨﻴﺔ  اﻷﺟﻬﺰة  ﻋﻀﻮﻳﺘﻬﺎ  ﻓﻲ ﺗﻀﻢ إﻗﻠﻴﻤﻴﺔ  هﻴﺌﺔ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ  اﻟﺨﻠﻴﺞ  ﻟﺪول اﻟﺘﻌﺎون  ﻣﺠﻠﺲ  ﻟﺪول اﻟﺘﻘﻴﻴﺲ  هﻴﺌﺔ
 اﻟﺨﻠﻴﺠﻴﺔ  اﻟﻘﻴﺎﺳﻴﺔ  اﻟﻤﻮاﺻﻔﺎت  إﻋﺪاد اﻟﻬﻴﺌﺔ ﻣﻬﺎم وﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ،  اﻟﺨﻠﻴﺞ  دول ﻓﻲ واﻟﻤﻘﺎﻳﻴﺲ  ﻟﻠﻤﻮاﺻﻔﺎت
ﺑﻮاﺳﻄﺔ ﻣﺘﺨﺼﺼﺔ  ﻓﻨﻴﺔ ﻟﺠﺎن  . 
 
 رﻗﻢ اﻟﻔﻨﻴﺔ اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ ﻋﻤﻞ ﺑﺮﻧﺎﻣﺞ  ﺿﻤﻦ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ  اﻟﺨﻠﻴﺞ  ﻟﺪول اﻟﺘﻌﺎون  ﻣﺠﻠﺲ  ﻟﺪول اﻟﺘﻘﻴﻴﺲ  هﻴﺌﺔ ﻗﺎﻣﺖ وﻗﺪ5 
"واﻟﺰراﻋﻴﺔ  اﻟﻐﺬاﺋﻴﺔ  اﻟﻤﻨﺘﺠﺎت  ﻣﻮاﺻﻔﺎت  ﻟﻘﻄﺎع اﻟﺨﻠﻴﺠﻴﺔ  اﻟﻔﻨﻴﺔ اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ "  ﺑﺘﺒﻨﻲﺗﺤﺪﻳﺚ  اﻟﻘﻴﺎﺳﻴﺔ  اﻟﻤﻮاﺻﻔﺔ
 رﻗﻢ اﻟﺪوﻟﻴﺔ299  "  اﻟﺘﻔﺎح " أﺻﺪرﺗﻬﺎ  واﻟﺘﻲ" اﻟﻐﺬاﺋﻲ  اﻟﺪﺳﺘﻮر  هﻴﺌﺔ . " وﻗﺎﻣﺖ)اﻟﺒﺤﺮﻳﻦ  ﻣﻤﻠﻜﺔ (  ﺑﺈﻋﺪاد
اﻟﻤﻮاﺻﻔﺔ  هﺬﻩ ﻣﺸﺮوع      . 
اﻟﺘﺎﻟﻴﺔ اﻟﻔﻨﻴﺔ اﻟﺘﻌﺪﻳﻼت  ﺑﻌﺾ إدﺧﺎل ﻣﻊ ﺧﻠﻴﺠﻴﺔ  ﻓﻨﻴﺔ آﻼﺋﺤﺔ  اﻟﻤﻮاﺻﻔﺔ  هﺬﻩ اﻋﺘﻤﺪت  وﻗﺪ  : 
• اﻟﺘﻜﻤﻴﻠﻴﺔ  اﻟﻤﺮاﺟﻊ  ﺑﻨﺪ إﺿﺎﻓﺔ  . 
•  رﻗﻢ اﻟﺒﻨﺪ ﺗﺤﺖ ﺟﺪﻳﺪ ﺑﻨﺪ إﺿﺎﻓﺔ3/1. 
 رﻗﻢ اﻟﺨﻠﻴﺠﻴﺔ  اﻟﻤﻮاﺻﻔﺔ  ﺗﻠﻐﻰ أن ﻋﻠﻰ463/ 1990 "اﻟﺘﻔﺎح" ﻣﺤﻠﻬﺎ وﺗﺤﻞ . 
      رﻗ اﻟﻬﻴﺌ إدارة ﻣﺠﻠ  اﺟﺘﻤ  ﻓ وذﻟﻚ        )     ( ﺑﺘ  ﻋﻘ اﻟ ،       /    /      اﻟﻤﻮاﻓ  ، ه/      /       
م  .
 
Foreword 
GCC Standardization Organization (GSO ) is a regional Organization which 
consists of the National Standards Bodi es of GCC member States. One of GSO 
main functions is to issue Gulf St andards /Technical regulations through 
specialized technical committees (TCs). 
 
GSO through the technical program of committee TC No.5: " Gulf technical 
committee for Food & Agricultural standa rds " has adopted the International 
Standard No. : 299"Apples" issued by (Codex Alimentarius). The Draft 
Standard has been prepared  by (Kingdom of Bahrain). 
 
This standard has been approved as Gulf Technical Regulation with some 
technical modifications as follows: 
• The addition of complement ary references section. 
• The addition of a new clause under clause number 3/1. 
The standard (463/1990) should be wit hdrawn and replaced by this standard.  
 by GSO Board of Directors in its meeting No..../.... held on    /    /   /  H ,  /    /   
G 
  
 
 
 
 
   GSO STANDARD                                                 GSO 05/FDS/ CAC 299 :2012  
 
Apples  
  
1. Scope 
 
This Standard applies to fru its of commercial varieties (cu ltivars) of apples grown from Malus 
domestica Borkh , of the Rosaceae  family, to be supplied fresh to the consumer, after 
preparation and packaging. Apples fo r industrial processing are excluded. 
 2 Complimentary references: 
 
2/1 GSO 9 "Labeling of prepackaged food stuffs" 
2/2 GSO 1016 "Microbiological Crite ria for foodstuffs – Part 1"  
2/3 GSO/CAC 193 "General Standard for contaminants & toxins in food" 
2/4 Codex Standard which the GSO will be approved :CAC/RCP 44 "Recommended 
International Code of Pract ice for Packaging and Transport of Fresh Fruits and 
Vegetables". 
2/5 GSO No. (1694) "General pr inciples of food hygiene". 
2/6 Codex Standard which the GSO will be approved :CAC/RCP 53 "Code of Hygienic 
Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables".  
2/7       Standard which the GSO will be approved concerning with: " food additives". 2/8       GSO (382, 383): "Max imum allowable limits of pesticides residue in agricultural and 
food products- Part 1/Part2".  
   
3. Provisions concerning quality 
 3/1 Minimum requirements 
 
In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, the 
apples must be:  - whole, the stalk (stem) may be  missing, provided the break is cl ean and the adjacent skin is 
not damaged; - sound, produce affected by rotting or deteriorati on such as to make it unfit for consumption 
is excluded; - firm
I; 
- clean, practically free of any visible foreign matter; - practically free of pests and damage caused by them affecting the general appearance of the 
produce; - free of abnormal external mo isture, excluding condensation following removal from cold 
storage; - free of any foreign smell and/or taste; - free of damage caused by lo w and/or high temperatures; 
- practically free of signs of dehydration; 
- when surface is treated, for example fresh appl es coated with glazes or waxes or are treated 
with other food additives that act as protective co atings and/or help to preserve the freshness 
and quality of the fruit, it should comply w ith the standard menti oned under clause 2/7. 
                                                           
I Firmness in this context is used to in dicate an appropriate level of maturity of the fruit rather than a stage of 
ripening and it is acknowledged to vary according to apple varieties.  
1 GSO STANDARD                                                 GSO 05/FDS/ CAC 299 :2012  
 
3/1/1 The apples must have colo ur that is characteristic of the variety and the area in which 
they are grown. The development and condition of th e apples must be such as to enable them: 
- to withstand transport and handling; and - to arrive in satisfactory conditi on at the place of  destination. 
 
3/2 Maturity requirements   
Apples must be at a stage of development that  enables them to continue the ripening process 
and to reach a stage of ripene ss required in relation to the varietal characteristics. 
 In order to verify the minimum maturity  requirements some parameters such as: 
morphological aspects, firmness and refr actometric index can be considered. 
 
3/3 Classification  
In accordance with the defects allowed in the Annex - Maximum A llowance for Defects, 
apples are classified in th ree classes defined below: 
3/3/1  "Extra" class   
Apples in this class must be of superior quality. The flesh must be sound. They must be 
characteristic of the variety. They must be free of defects, with the ex ception of very slight 
superficial defects, provided these do not aff ect the general appearance of the produce, the 
quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package
II. 
 
3/3/2  Class I   
Apples in this class must be of good quali ty. The flesh must be sound. They must be 
characteristic of the variety. The following sli ght 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 packageII: 
 - a slight defect in shape and development; - a slight defect in colouring; - slight skin or other defects (see the Annex). 
 
3/3/3 Class II 
This class includes apples which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classe s, but satisfy 
the minimum requirements specified in Section 2.1 above. The following defects, however, may be allowed, provided the apples retain th eir essential characteristics as regards the 
quality, the keeping quality and presentation
II: 
- defects in shape and development; - defects in colouring; - skin or other defects (see the Annex). 
3/4 Colouring 
In all classes, in the absence of national legislation, the following colour codes may be 
applied except for green a nd yellow apple varieties: 
                                                           
II  Skin and other defects must not exceed the limits as defined in the Annex. 
2   GSO STANDARD                                                 GSO 05/FDS/ CAC 299 :2012  
 
 Code Percentage of colour 
A 75% or more 
B 50% or more C 25% or more D Less than 25% 
 
4. Provisions concerning sizing: 
 
Size is determined by maximum diameter of the e quatorial section or by we ight of each apple. 
 For all varieties and all classes the minimum size is 60 mm if measured by diameter or 90 g if 
measured by weight. Fruit of smaller sizes ma y be accepted provided the Brix level of the 
produce meets or exceeds 10.5° Brix and the size is not smaller than 50 mm or 70 g. 
 
5. Provisions concerning tolerances  
Tolerances in respect of quality and size sh all be allowed in each lot for produce not 
satisfying the requirements of the class indicated. 
 
5/1 Quality tolerances  
 
The application of the following tolerances should  take into accounts that at stages following 
export; products may show in relation to the requirements of the standard: 
 - a slight lack of freshness and turgidity; 
- for products graded in classes other than the “E xtra” Class, a slight de terioration due to their 
development and their tendency to perish.  
5/1/1  "Extra" class   
Five percent by number or weight of apples no t satisfying the requireme nts of the class, but 
meeting those of Class I or, exceptionally, comi ng within the tolerances of that class.  
 Included therein shall be allowed not more than 1.0% for apples affected by decay or internal 
breakdown.  
5/1/2  Class I   
Ten percent by number or weight of apples not satisfying the requirements of the class, but 
meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, co ming within the tolerances of that class. 
 Included therein shall be allowed not more than 1 % for apples affected by decay or internal 
breakdown.  
5/1/3 Class II 
Ten percent by number or weight of apples sati sfying neither the requirements of the class nor 
the minimum requirements, with the exception of apples affected by decay or internal breakdown that should not be more than 2 %. 
3 GSO STANDARD                                                 GSO 05/FDS/ CAC 299 :2012  
 
Included therein shall be allowed, a maximum of 2 % by number or weight of fruit which may 
show the following defects: - cork like blemishing (bitter pit); - slight damage or unhealed broken skin/cracks; - presence of internal feeding insects/pest s or damage to the flesh caused by pests
III. 
 
5/2 Size tolerances  
For all classes of fruit subjected to rules of uniformity, 10 % by number or weight of apples 
not meeting the size indicated on the package.  This tolerance may not be extended to include produce with a size below 50 mm or 70 g if the 
refractometric index is below 10.5°Brix. 
  
6 Provisions concerning presentation: 
 6/1 Uniformity 
 
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only apples of the same origin, 
quality, size (if sized) and vari ety. For “Extra” Class, col our should be uniform. Sales 
packages (of a net weight not exceeding 5 kg) may contain mixtures of  varieties and sizes 
provided they are uniform in qua lity, and for each variety concer ned, its origin. The visible 
part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents except for 
mixed sizes and varieties.  The uniformity of apples may be  measured in accordance with one of the following options: 
 
A. By diameter: 
The maximum diameter difference of apples in the same package shall be limited to: 
- 5 mm if the diameter of the sma llest apples is less than 80 mm. 
- 12 mm if the diameter of the smallest  apple is equal to or over 80 mm. 
Or 
B. By weight: 
The maximum difference by weight between apples  in the same package shall be limited to: 
- 15 g if the weight of th e smallest apple is 90 g. 
- 20 g if the weight of the smallest  apple 90 g and over but under 135 g. 
- 30 g if the weight of the smallest  apple is 135 g and over but under 200 g. 
- 40 g if the weight of the smallest  apple is 200 g and over but under 300 g. 
- 50 g if the weight of the smallest apple is over 300 g. 
There is no size uniformity fo r apples packed loose in the package or sales package. 
6/2 Packaging 
Apples must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properl y. The materials used 
inside the package must be new
IV, clean, and of a quality such as to avoid causing any 
external or internal damage to the produce.   
                                                           
III  This provision applies without prejudice to the applicable plant protection rules. 
IV For the purposes of this Standard, this incl udes recycled material of food-grade quality. 
4   GSO STANDARD                                                 GSO 05/FDS/ CAC 299 :2012  
 
The use of materials, particularly of paper or  stamps bearing trade specifications is allowed, 
provided the printing or la beling has been done with non-toxic ink or glue. 
Apples shall be packed in each container in  compliance with the standard mentioned under 
clause 2/4.   
6/2/1 Description of containers 
 
The containers shall meet the quality, hygiene, ventilation and resistan ce characteristics to 
ensure suitable handling, shipping and preserving  of the apples. Packages must be free of all 
foreign matter and smell.  
7 labelling: 
 
7/1 Consumer packages 
 
In addition to the requirements  of the standard mentioned under clause 2/1, the following 
specific provisions apply:  
7/1/1 Nature of produce 
 
If the produce is not visible from the outside, each  package shall be labelled as to the name of 
the produce and may be labelled as to name of th e variety, class, colour code (if used) and 
size/weight or the number of pieces  presented in rows and layers. 
 
7/2 Non-Retail containers 
 
Each package must bear the following particular s, in letters grouped on the same side, legibly 
and indelibly marked, and visible from the outside, or in the documents accompanying the shipment. For produce transporte d in bulk, these particulars must appear on a document 
accompanying the goods.  
7/2/1 Identification 
 
Name and address of exporter, packer and/or  dispatcher. Identification code (optional)
V. 
 
7/2/2 Nature of produce 
 
Name of the produce if the contents are not visi ble from the outside. Name of the variety or 
varieties (where  appropriate). 
 
7/2/3 Origin of produce 
 
Country of origin and, optionall y, district where grown or natio nal, regional or local place 
name. 
                                                           
V The national legislation of a number of countries requir es the explicit declaration of the name and address. 
However, in the case where a code mark is used, the reference “packer and/or dispatcher (or equivalent 
abbreviations)” has to be indicated in close connection with the code mark. 
5 7/2/4 Commercial identification 
GSO STANDARD                                                 GSO 05/FDS/ CAC 299 :2012  
 
- Class; - Size (if sized); - Colour code (if used).  
7/2/5 Official Inspection Mark (optional)
VI 
 8 Contaminants 
 
8/1 The produce covered by this Standard shal l comply with the maximum levels of the 
standard mentioned under clause 2/3.  8/2 The produce covered by this Standard shall comply with the maximum residue limits for 
pesticides of the standard  mentioned under clause 2/8. 
 
9 Hygiene 
 
9/1 It is recommended that the pr oduce covered by the provisions of  this Standard be prepared 
and handled in accordance with the appropriat e sections of the standard mentioned under 
clause 2/5, clause 2/6 and other relevant standards. 
 9/2 The produce should comply with any microbi ological criteria established in accordance 
with the standard mentioned under clause 2/2.                       
 
 
6   GSO STANDARD                                                 GSO 05/FDS/ CAC 299 :2012  
 
Annex 
Maximum Allowance For Defects 
 
Defects Allowed  “Extra” 
ClassClass I  Class II  
Russetting 
outside Calyx/stem cavity smooth net-like 3 % 
of surface area20 % 
of surface area 50 % 
of surface area 
smooth solid 1 % 
of surface area5 % 
of surface area 33 % 
of surface area 
accumulation for both types of russetting should not exceed the following 3 % 
of surface area20 % 
of surface area 50 % 
of surface area 
Accumulated Blemishes & Bruising: - Bruises with slight discoloration; - Scars caused by Scabs3 ( Venturia 
inaequalis ); 
- other defects/blemish including healed hail marks 0.50 cm2 1.0 cm2 
0.25 cm2 
1.0 cm2 1.5 cm2 
VI 
1.0 cm2 2.5 cm2 
Stem or Calyx cracks (healed or well cured) ---- 0.5 cm 1 cm 
Maximum length of elongated shaped 
defects ---- 2 cm 4 cm 
 
Russetting can be simply described as a “brownish roughened area or streaks on the skin of the apple”. In some apple varieties rusetting is a characteristic of the variety and for others a 
quality defect. Allowances for russetting will be  applied to apple varieties that russetting is 
not a characteristic of. 
 
 
 
                                                           
VI Bruising with discoloration and dark blemishes not blending with skin color are accepted in this Class. 
7