UNFAIR PACKING OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 57, Issue 6, 20 December 1938, Page 539

UNFAIR PACKING OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES.

Recent prosecutions under the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, 1928, for breaches of the regulations relating to the “fair packing of fruit and vegetables ” indicates the desirability for directing the attention of growers of fruit and market-garden produce to what is required of those who pack fruit and vegetables for sale. The following clauses are contained in the regulations : Clause I : Fruit means the unmanufactured edible product of any orchard or garden plant, and includes potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and all other vegetables. . i Clause 2 : All fruit sold, or offered or exposed for sale, in a container, i ' whether wholesale or retail, shall be packed in such a manner that any fruit exposed to view, or that would be exposed to view if the container were opened in the normal manner, fairly represents in size, maturity, and condition the whole contents of the container. WARNING —Clause 5 : Every person commits an offence against these regulations who directly or indirectly by himself, his servant, or agent fails faithfully to observe and perform any duty or obligation imposed on him, and is liable to a fine not exceeding ' 20 The consequences of packing in a manner that deceives the buyer as to the size, maturity, and condition of the produce In the container does not react alone on the person who packs unfairly, but also affects other suppliers of the market, as well as causing a monetary loss to the purchaser. Unfair packing is looked upon as a serious contravention of the regulations, arid all packers are urged to give this matter their serious attention.