THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD

TAS 25-2015

DRAGON FRUIT

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

ICS 67.080.10 ISBN

UNOFFICAL TRANSLATION

THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD

TAS 25-2015

DRAGON FRUIT

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

50 Phaholyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Telephone (662) 561 3384 Fax. (662) 561 3357

www.acfs.go.th

Published in the Royal Gazette, Announcement and General Publication Vol. 132,

Special Section 302 D,

Dated 19 November B.E.2558 (2015)

(2)

Technical Committee on the Elaboration of the Thai Agricultural Standard for Dragon Fruit

1. Director General of Department of Agriculture or the designator Chairperson

Mr. Chamrong Daoruang

2. Representative of the Department of Agricultural Extension Member

Mr. Manoo Posomboon

Mr. Kitti Srakaew

3. Representative of the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards Member

Ms. Nalintip Peanee

4. Representative of the Horticulture Research Institute, Department of Agriculture Member

Mrs. Supatta Lertwatanakiat

Mr. Thaveesak Sangudom

5. Representative of the Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Member

Kasetsart University

Ms. Prason Saradhuldhat

Assistant Profession Thammasak Thongket

6. Representative of the Office of the National Farmers Council Member

Mrs. Rattapat Yingsuksantisuk

Mr. Kittipong Chatluong

7. Representative of the Horticultural Science Society of Thailand Member

Mr. Suraphong Kosiyachinda

8. Representative of the Thai Retailers Association Member

Mrs. Jurarat Pattanatorn

9. Representative of the Thai Fresh Fruit Traders and Exporters Association Member

Mr. Paiboon Wongchotsathit

Mr. Natakrit Eaemsakul

10. Associate Professor Chalongchai Babpraserth Member

Expert in Breeding

11. Mr. Yossapol Palapol Member

Expert in Postharvest Technology

12. Mr. Suraphong Kosiyachinda Member

Expert in Quality Management

13. Mr. Wanchai Lertpongdee Member

Expert in Crop Production

(3)

14. Mr. Wisit Jamsila Member

Expert in Crop Production

15. Representative of the Office of Standard Development Member and Secretary

National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards

Ms. Jiraporn Bancheun

(4)

Dragon fruit is an agricultural commodity and a popular fruit among fruit lovers. Thailand has the

potential to produce since it can be grown in many parts of the country. At present Thailand not

only imports, but also exports dragon fruit. To establish dragon fruit standard is significant for the

improvement of the fruit quality and food safety. This will allow consumers and traders both

domestic and international to have better trust and accept Thai dragon fruit. The Committee of

Agricultural Commodity Standards deems it proper to have the Agricultural Commodity Standard

for dragon fruit established.

This standard is based on the following documents:

CODEX STAN 237-2003. CODEX STANDARD FOR PITAHAYAS. Joint FAO/WHO Food

Standard Programme. FAO, Rome. 4p.

ASEAN STAN 42:2015. ASEAN STANDARD FOR DRAGON FRUIT. Public Affairs Office.

ASEAN Secretariat. Jakarta, Indonesia. 8 p.

NOTIFICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES

SUBJECT: THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD: DRAGON FRUIT

UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL STANDARDS ACT B.E. 2551 (2008)

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Whereas the Agricultural Standards Committee deems it necessary to establish

an agricultural standard for Melon as a voluntary standard in accordance with the

Agricultural Standards Act, B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such agricultural commodity to

meet its standard on quality and safety.

By virtue of Sections 5, 15 and 16 of the Agricultural Standards Act, B.E. 2551(2008)

and the decision of the Agricultural Standards Committee at the Second Session dated 29 July

B.E.2558 (2015), the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives hereby issues this Notification on

the Establishment of Thai Agricultural Standard: Dragon Fruit (TAS 25-2015), as a voluntary

standard, details of which are attached herewith.

Notified on 21 September B.E. 2555 (2015)

(Ms. Chatchai Sarikulya)

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives

TAS 25-2015

THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD

DRAGON FRUIT

1. SCOPE

1.1 This standard applies to commercial varieties of dragon fruit (pitayas, pitahayas) grown

from Selenicereus sp. and Hylocereus spp. of Cataceae family, to be supplied fresh after

preparation and package.

1.2 This standard does not include dragon fruit used in the industrial processing.

2. QUALITY

2.1 Minimum requirements

2.1.1 In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed,

the dragon fruit shall be as follows:

(1) whole with fruit stem and/or part of the stem attached not longer than 2 cm.;

(2) characteristics of the variety;

(3) fresh;

(4) firm;

(5) free of thorn;

(6) free of abrasion and bruising marks rendering it unfit for consumption, no deterioration

or rotting;

(7) clean, practically free from any visible foreign matter;

(8) free of splitting or crack affecting dragon fruit flesh quality;

(9) practically free of pest affecting the external appearance of dragon fruit;

(10) free of damage caused by pests affecting flesh quality;

(11) free of abnormal external moisture, excluding condensation following removal from

cold storage;

(12) free of damage caused by low and/or high temperature;

(13) free of any foreign smell and/or taste.

2.1.2 Dragon fruit shall be harvested at the appropriate harvesting index depending on

variety, season and planting location and/or market demand, and are in acceptable condition

at the place of destination.

TAS 25-2015 2

2.2 Classification

Dragon fruit is classified into 3 classes as follows:

2.2.1 Extra Class

Dragon fruit in this class shall be of superior quality. The fruit is free of abnormal shape, free

of skin and peel defects. If any of abnormality or defects present, they should not be

conspicuous, and do not affect the general appearance of the produce, its flesh quality, the

keeping quality and presentation in the package.

2.2.2 Class I

Dragon fruit in this class must be of good quality, slight abnormality or defect may be

allowed in the following, provided that those defect and abnormality do not affect the general

appearance of the produce, its flesh quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the

package:

(1) slight abnormality in shape;

(2) slight skin and peel defects such as scratches, shallow scars and traces of pest damages.

The total skin and peel defect area sizes shall not exceed 5% of dragon fruit skin surface area.

2.2.3 Class II

This class includes dragon fruit which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but

satisfy the minimum requirements specified in Section 2.1.Abnormality and defects of dragon

fruit in this class are allowed, provided that they do not affect the general appearance of the

produce, its flesh quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package as the

following:

(1) abnormality in shape,

(2) skin and peel defects such as scratches, shallow scars and traces of pest damages. The

total skin and peel defect areas shall not exceed 10% of dragon fruit skin surface area.

TAS 25-2015

3. SIZE

Dragon fruit sizes are determined by weight as shown in Table1:

Table 1 Sizes of Dragon fruit

Size code

Weight/fruit

(g)

Red skin, White fresh

(Hylocereus undatus)

Red skin, Red flesh or

Red skin, Pink flesh

(Hylocereus spp.)

Yellow or Gold skin,

White flesh.

(Hylocereus sp. and

Selenicereus sp.)

1 >600 >500 >350

2 >500 – 600 >400 – 500 >250 – 350

3 >400 – 500 >300 – 400 >200 – 250

4 >300 – 400 >250 – 300 >150 – 200

5 >250 – 300 >200 – 250 >100 – 150

6 200 – 250 - -

Note: The classification of quality and size code according to this standard may be

combined to stipulate trade classification. Trading partners may name the trade

classification differently depending on their requirements or seasonal limitations.

4. TOLERANCES

Tolerances according to unsatisfied quality and size shall be allowed in each package as

follows:

4.1 Quality tolerances

4.1.1 Extra Class

Five percent by number or weight not satisfying the requirements of the Extra Class (Section

2.2.1), but meeting those of Class I (Section 2.2.2) or, exceptionally, coming within the

tolerances of Class I (Section 4.1.2).

4.1.2 Class I

Ten percent by number or weight not satisfying the requirements of Class I (Section 2.2.2),

but meeting those of Class II (Section 2.2.3) or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances

of Class II (Section 4.1.3).

TAS 25-2015 4

4.1.3 Class II

Ten percent by number or weight satisfying neither the requirements of Class II (Section

2.2.3), nor the minimum requirements (Section 2.1), with the exception of produce affected

by bruised mark, rotting or other deterioration rendering it unfit for consumption.

4.2 Size tolerances

For all size codes, ten percent by number or weight corresponding to the size code

immediately above or below that indicated on the package.

5. PACKAGING

5.1 Uniformity

The contents of each package shall be uniform and contain only dragon fruit of the same

variety, quality, size and colour. The visible part of the content of the package shall

represent the entire contents.

5.2 Package

Dragon fruit shall be packed in a proper package for storage. The materials used inside the

package shall be clean and of good quality. It shall be able to protect dragon fruit from

damage affecting the quality. The uses of such materials, particularly of paper or stamps

bearing trade specifications are allowed, provided that the printing or labelling has been

done with non-toxic ink or glue.

6. MARKING AND LABELLING

6.1 Consumer packages

The information shall appear on the package, wrapping material, fastening material, tag or on

the fruit in a manner that is legible, clear, and indelible without false or deception as follows:

(1) Name of the produce

To be labelled as “dragon fruit” and/or “name of the variety”

(2) Net weight in metric system

(3) Class (optional)

(4) Size code and/or size (optional)

(5) Information of producer, packer, distributor, importer or exporter

Indicate the name and address of producer, packer, distributor, importer or exporter.

(6) Origin of produce

Indicate country of origin, except production for domestic market.

TAS 25-2015

(7) Language

Label of produce for domestic market shall be in Thai, however, foreign language may

also be added. Label of produce for export can be in foreign language.

6.2 Non-retail containers

The information shall be shown on the accompanied documents of the shipment, on the label,

or on the container in a manner that is legible, indelible without false or deception as follows:

(1) Name of the produce;

To be labelled as “dragon fruit” and/or “name of the variety”

(2) Net weight in metric system

(3) Class

(4) Size code and/or size

(5) Information of producer, packer, distributor, importer or exporter

Indicate the name and address of producer, packer, distributor, importer or exporter.

(6) Origin of produce

Indicate country of origin, except production for domestic market.

(7) Language

Label of produce for domestic market shall be in Thai, however, foreign language may

also be added. Label of produce for export can be in foreign language.

6.3 Certification mark

The use of certification mark under the Agricultural Standards Act, B.E.2551 (2008) and its

amendments shall be complied with the Ministerial Regulation of B.E.2553 (2010) on

Provisions Concerning Characteristics of Mark, Application and Display, and the related

Notifications of National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards.

7. CONTAMINANTS

Type and maximum level of contaminants in dragon fruit shall be in compliance with the

relevant laws and regulations.

8. PESTICIDE RESIDUES

Type and maximum residue limit in pesticide residues in dragon fruit shall be in compliance

with the related laws and regulations3/

and the requirements under the Thai Agricultural

Standards on Pesticide Residues: Maximum Residue Limits (TAS 9002) and Pesticide

Residues: Extraneous Maximum Residue Limits (TAS 9003).

TAS 25-2015 6

9. HYGIENE

Dragon fruit shall be produced under good hygienic practices in accordance with related on

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) or Good Agricultural Practices for Food Crop (TAS

9001) and/or Good Manufacturing Practices for Packing House of Fresh Fruits and

Vegetables (TAS 9035) or other equivalent standards.

10. METHODS OF ANALYSIS AND SAMPLING

10.1 Analytical method

Analytical methods are shown in Table 2:

Table 2. Analytical method

Criteria Analytical method Principle

1. Quality : minimum

requirements (Section 2.1)

Visual inspection and sensory test -

2. Defect in shape and colour

(Section 2.2)

Visual inspection -

3. Skin and Peel defects

(Section 2.2)

Visual inspection and measuring

dimensions for area calculation

-

4. Sizing

(Section 3)

Weighing Analysis by

Weight

10.2 Sampling method

Sampling method shall be in accordance with the relevant laws, and provisions of the

Agricultural Standard on the method of sampling.

TAS 25-2015

ANNEX A

PHOTO OF DRAGON FRUIT

(a) Red skin, White flesh (Hylocereus undatus)

(b) Red skin, Red flesh (Hylocereus polyrhizus)

Figure A.1 Examples of commercial dragon fruit varieties (Section 1.1)

TAS 25-2015 8

(c) Red skin, Pink flesh (a hybrid of Hylocereus undatus)

(d) Yellow or Gold colour skin, White flesh (Hylocereus sp.)

(e) Yellow or Gold colour skin, White flesh (Selenicereus megalanthus)

Figure A.1 Examples of commercial dragon fruit varieties (Section 1.1) (continued)

TAS 25-2015

(a) Slight defects in shape (acceptable)

(b) Defects in shape (unacceptable)

Figure A.2 Examples of shape defects of dragon fruit (Section 2.2.2 and 2.2.3).

TAS 25-2015 10

Figure A.3 Examples of skin and peel defects of dragon fruit not affecting the flesh quality

which are allowed with limited amount (Section 2.2.2 and 2.2.3)

Scar on the skin

Shallow scar

Shallow scar

Scar on the skin