Virginia Administrative Code
Title 2 - AGRICULTURE
Agency 5 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Chapter 230 - RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE (CA) APPLES
Section 2VAC5-230-10 - Requirements for controlled atmosphere (CA) storage of apples
Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 3, September 23, 2024
Apples shall not be identified as being from controlled atmosphere (CA) storage unless the following requirements have been met, as proven by inspection and certification by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
1. The time limit between the harvest of a lot or sublot of apples to be identified as Controlled Atmosphere and the sealing of the CA room in which they are stored shall not exceed 30 days, provided that the fruit has been held under normal refrigeration during this period.
2. Following the initial sealing of the CA storage room, total accumulation of not more than 20 days shall be allowed in which the atmosphere exceeds 5.0% oxygen.
3. The period of storage in a sealed room with not more than 5.0% oxygen shall be a minimum of 90 days (except in the case of the Jonathan variety, which may be removed after a minimum period of 60 days). The maximum period of storage in a sealed room shall be 10 months, but in no case shall the apples be kept later than August first of the year following the harvest.
4. The fruit temperature in the CA storage room shall be maintained without significant deviation in the range of temperature normal for the variety.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-4601 and 3.2-4605 of the Code of Virginia.
