CODEX STAN 304R

Page 1 of 4

CODEX REGIONAL STANDARD FOR CULANTRO COYOTE1

(CODEX STAN 304R - 2011)
1.

DEFINITION OF PRODUCE

This Standard applies to commercial varieties and/or commercial types of culantro coyote grown from
Eryngyum foetidum L, of the Apiaceae family, to be supplied in bundles 2 of fresh leaves or any other
equivalent presentation to the consumer, after preparation and packaging. Culantro coyote for industrial
processing are excluded.
2.

PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

2.1

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, bundles of
culantro coyote must:
-

be sound, and free of leaves affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make them unfit for
consumption;

be clean, and practically free of any visible foreign matter;

be practically free of pests, and damage caused by them, affecting the general appearance of the
produce;

be free of any foreign smell and/or taste;

be free of damage caused by low and/or high temperatures.

In addition, they must have a fresh appearance and have their natural colouring.

2.1.1 The development and condition of culantro coyote must be such as to enable it:
-

to withstand transport and handling; and

to arrive in satisfactory condition at the place of destination.

2.2

CLASSIFICATION
Culantro coyote is classified into the three classes defined below:

2.2.1 Extra Class

Bundles in this class must be of superior quality, and characteristic of the variety and/or commercial
type. They must be free of 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.
2.2.2 Class I3
Bundles in this class must be of good quality, and characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type.
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:
-

2
3

presence of white, and/or brown and yellow blemishes, that do not exceed 5% of the total leaves in
the bundle;
International names for Eryngium foetidum L include: Culantro, culantrn, culantro coyote, culantro extranjero,
culantro real, alcapate, escorzonera, samat, xamat, cilantro cimarrn, recao, culantro culebra, cilantro ancho, jia
yuan gian, koulant, chadwon, spiritweed, false coriander, long coriander, stinkweed, fitweed.
Bundle: Number of leaves that can be held in the hand.
Broken leaves: leaves whose central vein has suffered breakage from physical damage without losing any parts
adjacent to the point of breakage.
Split leaves: leaves in which part of the blade area is missing.

CODEX STAN 304R

Page 2 of 4

presence of broken leaves that do not exceed 10% of the total leaves in the bundle;

presence of split leaves that do not exceed 10% of the total leaves in the bundle.

2.2.3 Class II
This class includes bundles which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfy the
minimum requirements specified in Section 2.1 above. The following defects, however, may be allowed,
provided the rambutans retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and
presentation:

3.

presence of white, and/or brown and yellow blemishes, that do not exceed 15% of the total leaves in
the bundle;

presence of broken leaves that do not exceed 20% of the total leaves in the bundle;

presence of split leaves that do not exceed 20% of the total leaves in the bundle.
PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
Size is determined by the number of bundles per kilogram. The size specifications are as follows:
Size specifications for bundles of leaves

4.

Size code

Weight per bundle

(grams)

Number of bundles
per Kg

> 200

<5

150 - 200

5-7

100 - 149

8 - 10

50 - 99

11 - 20

< 50

> 20

PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

Tolerances in respect of quality and size shall be allowed in each package for produce not satisfying
the requirements of the class indicated.
4.1

QUALITY TOLERANCES

4.1.1 Extra Class

Five percent, by number or weight of bundles, not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting
those of Class I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class.
4.1.2 Class I
Ten percent, by number or weight of bundles, not satisfying the requirements of the class, but meeting
those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that class.
4.1.3 Class II
Ten percent, by number or weight of bundles, satisfying neither the requirements of the class nor the
minimum requirements, with the exception of produce affected by rotting or any other deterioration
rendering it unfit for consumption.

CODEX STAN 304R

4.2

Page 3 of 4

SIZE TOLERANCES

For all classes and forms of presentation, 10% by number or weight of bundles corresponding to the
size immediately above and/or below that indicated on the package.
5.

PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

5.1

UNIFORMITY

The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only bundles of the same origin, variety
and/or commercial type, quality, size, and colour. The visible part of the contents of the package must be
representative of the entire contents.
5.2

PACKAGING

The bundles must be packed in such a way as to protect the produce properly. The materials used
inside the package must be new4, clean, and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal
damage to the produce. 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.
The bundles shall be packed in each container in compliance with the Recommended International
Code of Practice for Packaging and Transport of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CAC/RCP 44-1995).
5.2.1 Description of Containers
The containers shall meet the quality, hygiene, ventilation and resistance characteristics to ensure
suitable handling, shipping and preserving of culantro coyote. Packages must be free of all foreign matter
and smell.
5.3

PRESENTATION

The bundles may be presented in one of the following forms:

5.3.1 Individually
In this case, each bundle will be packed in a separate bag.
5.3.2 In bunches
In this case, several bundles will be placed in each bag, according to their size.
6.

MARKING OR LABELLING

6.1

CONSUMER PACKAGES

In addition to the requirements of the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods
(CODEX STAN 1-1985), the following specific provisions apply:
6.1.1 Nature of Produce
If the produce is not visible from the outside, each package shall be labelled as to the name of the
produce Culantro Coyote, or its name in the country of marketing, and may be labelled as to name of the
variety and/or commercial type, specifying the form of presentation (individual or in bunches).
6.2

NON-RETAIL CONTAINERS

Each package must bear the following particulars, in letters grouped on the same side, legibly and
indelibly marked, and visible from the outside, or in the documents accompanying the shipment.

For the purposes of this Standard, this includes recycled material of food-grade quality.

CODEX STAN 304R

Page 4 of 4

6.2.1 Identification
Name and address of exporter, packer and/or dispatcher. Identification code (optional)5.
6.2.2 Nature of Produce
Name of the produce Culantro Coyote, or its name in the country of marketing, if the contents are
not visible from the outside. Name of the variety and/or commercial type (optional).
6.2.3 Origin of Produce
Country of origin and, optionally, district where grown or national, regional or local place name.
6.2.4 Commercial Identification
-

Class;

Net weight.

6.2.5 Official Inspection Mark (optional)

7.

CONTAMINANTS

7.1 The produce covered by this Standard shall comply with the maximum levels of the Codex General
Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (CODEX STAN 193-1995).
7.2 The produce covered by this Standard shall comply with the maximum residue limits for pesticides
established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
8.

HYGIENE

8.1 It is recommended that the produce covered by the provisions of this Standard be prepared and handled
in accordance with the appropriate sections of the Recommended International Code of Practice General
Principles of Food Hygiene (CAC/RCP 1-1969), Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
(CAC/RCP 53-2003), and other relevant Codex texts such as Codes of Hygienic Practice and Codes of
Practice.
8.2 The produce should comply with any microbiological criteria established in accordance with the
Principles for the Establishment and Application of Microbiological Criteria for Foods (CAC/GL 21-1997).

The national legislation of a number of countries requires 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.