Grading

Grading Conditions

All agricultural produces must be graded:
a) Based on the grade specification of Malaysian Standard (MS)
b) If there is no MS specification on the agricultural produces, it shall be based on the country of origin grade standard or grade standard specified by the Board from time to time

Grading Definition:
To categorise according to the quality of produces based on the grade standards specifications that has been set – PREMIUM, 1 AND 2.

Purpose of Grading:
  1. To segregate produces according to quality.
  2. To fulfil market demand.
  3. To reduce post-harvest damage.
  4. To add value
  5. To save cost
  6. To avoid unfairness in the transaction
  7. To increase marketing efficiency through efficient marketing methods.
  8. To improve discipline in trading systems to ensure only quality produce is sold to consumers.
  9. To expedite the transaction process to meet the tastes and needs of consumers that is constantly changing.

Grading Classification
Product is categorised to 3 grades:
  1. Premium Grade
  2. Grade 1
  3. Grade 2

Premium grade – Fruits or vegetables that are free from damage and defect
Grade 1 and Grade 2 – Fruits or vegetables that that has an acceptable level of damage and defect
The difference between grade 1 and grade 2 fruits or vegetables is the maximum flexibility

Grading Criteria

Grading of agricultural produce can be done based on 5 main criteria:
1. Freshness
In a particular grade, agricultural produce must have a good level of freshness and tolerance level between 3% - 10%. Products with signs showing lack of freshness are prohibited from sale because it will affect the quality of other products in their lot.

Examples of freshness signs are :
- Smooth Skin of the produce and
- A firm flesh texture.
- No signs of wrinkling and withering as well as soft texture
* Wilted sign means the product is not mature enough
2. Maturity
Maturity must be uniform. Maturity is considered uniform when only one or a combination of maturity index is almost in one lot.
Colour Index / ripeness used for trading and marketing are a numbered index from index 1 to index 6.
3. Damage
Products that show signs of damage is strictly prohibited because it will affect shelf life, presentation, texture and the taste of products.
Any signs of injury are those that are able or unable to be detected on the skin surface or flesh due to pest, careless handling and infection diseases. Damage can be seen from three aspects, namely :
a) Effects of mechanical injuries such as cuts, breaks, bruises, scratches and cold injury - due to improper handling.
b) Bite marks or holes caused by pest.
c) Effects due to the micro-organism infections, such as bad odour, rot and moulds.
4. Defects
In a particular grade, agricultural produce shall be free from defects with a tolerance level between 3% - 10%. Defects can be seen from three aspects, namely:
a) Deformed shape – differently shaped from normal form
b) Dirt - there are signs of foreign objects that are not cleaned
c) Deformed appearance. - Having markings on the outer layer that affects appearance and colour.
5. Uniformity of size
In a particular grade, agricultural products shall have a standard uniformed size with tolerance level of between 3% - 10%. A packaging unit is considered uniform if the weight of each product is within the specified range of size classification.

However, there is flexibility (tolerance) to allow the presence of organisms within a single lot.