A Technical Information Bulletin
of the
Northwest Horticultural Council
Requirements for Bulk Shipping Containers
A. If the shipping container contains only bulk fruit without any retail packages (such as plastic bagged fruit), it must be labeled with the name and address of the shipper, the product name, net weight and the identity of any post harvest pesticides and post harvest food additives.
The net content statement for tree fruit can be stated in traditional terms including weight, volume (such as bushel) or number (such as 90 pieces) on the bulk shipping container. If the bulk shipping container is used for retail display, the product name shall be presented in bold type on the principal display panel and in a reasonable size related to the most prominent printed matter on such panel. In the past, the NHC has received guidance that if the product name is in letters at least one half the height of the most prominent lettering on the same face of the container, the requirement will be satisfied.
B. Post harvest pesticides must be listed on the exterior of the box in an observable place by full chemical name. The function of the chemical must also be stated. The list may include all post harvest chemicals used by a packer within a season. All chemicals actually used on the fruit in the box must, however, be included in the list. If alternative pesticides are listed, the following statement, as an example, is permissible: “May have been treated with chemical X or chemical Y to maintain freshness or to extend shelf life.” No abbreviations or trade names may be used.
Example 1:
Treated to maintain freshness with one or more of the following:
CAPTAN, THIABENDAZOLE, DIPHENYLAMINE
Example 2:
May have been treated with the following:
CAPTAN, BASIC COPPER CARBONATE TO EXTEND SHELF LIFE
C. Pear wrap may contain chemicals such as basic copper carbonate and/or ethoxyquin. If so, these post harvest chemicals must also be included on the label as described above under B.
D. Any post harvest food additives used must also be labeled. Post harvest food additives include waxes, resins, sucrose polyesters (e.g. Semperfresh) and other such materials. The information should be printed on the outside of the container or placed on the container by way of printed stickers or sealing tape. As an alternative, it may be placed in the box on a placard, typed sheet or on the top pad.
FDA regulations state that wax and resin ingredients must be declared collectively by the phrase “coated with food grade animal wax” or the phrase “coated with food grade vegetable, petroleum, beeswax and/or shellac based wax or resin.” Categories of wax or resins not present may be omitted. The specific name of the wax, such as “carnauba ” may be used rather than the general name “vegetable”. To the knowledge of the NHC, animal waxes are not in commercial use on Northwest tree fruit.
Alternative language is not allowed for post harvest food additives. Coatings that contain more than one active coating type, such as a mixture of carnauba and shellac, must be labeled with both coatings even if one of the coatings is present at a very low level. The use of the term “food grade” is optional. The use of the term “to maintain freshness” also is optional.
Example 1:
If shellac and carnauba (vegetable) based coatings are to be used by a packing house in a season, the following labeling would be correct:
COATED WITH FOOD GRADE VEGETABLE AND/OR SHELLAC BASED WAX RESIN TO MAINTAIN FRESHNESS.
Example 2:
Another acceptable option for bulk container food additive labeling is the use of a checkoff system. A declaration of no wax or resin added is optional if, in fact, no wax or resin was added.
[ ] COATED WITH FOOD GRADE VEGETABLE WAX
[x] COATED WITH FOOD GRADE VEGETABLE AND/OR SHELLAC BASED RESIN OR WAX
[ ] NO WAX OR RESIN
Contact: If you have any questions, please contact Fred Scarlett at (509) 453-3193.
11/26/13
