ISO 7560:1995

Cucumbers - Storage and refrigerated transport

Gives guidance on conditions for the storage and refrigerated transport of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.), intended either for direct consumption or for industrial processing.

Concombres — Entreposage et transport réfrigérés

Kumare - Skladiščenje in hlajen transport

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 27-Sep-1995
• ICS: 67.080.20 - Vegetables and derived products
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 34/SC 3 - Fruits and vegetables and their derived products
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 34/SC 3 - Fruits and vegetables and their derived products
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 30-Mar-2023
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025
• Ref Project: SIST ISO 7560:1996 - Cucumbers -- Storage and refrigerated transport

Relations

• Consolidated By: ISO 2417:2002 - Leather - Physical and mechanical tests - Determination of the static absorption of water
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022
• Revises: ISO 7560:1983 - Cucumbers - Guide to storage and refrigerated transport
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2008

Overview

ISO 7560:1995 is an international standard that provides detailed guidance on the proper storage and refrigerated transport of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.). This standard applies to cucumbers intended either for direct consumption or for industrial processing. It ensures the maintenance of cucumber quality from harvest through storage and distribution, focusing on optimal temperature, humidity, packaging, and handling practices.

Developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 34 and Subcommittee SC 14, this second edition updates and replaces the 1983 version, incorporating current best practices for preserving cucumbers' freshness and minimizing spoilage during storage and transit.

Key Topics

• Quality Requirements for Cucumbers:
  Cucumbers must be intact, sound, fresh in appearance, firm, free of abnormal moisture, and without foreign odors or tastes. Seeds should be soft and undeveloped. The standard also addresses the classification of cucumbers into three quality classes: Extra, Class I, and Class II, each with specific criteria regarding shape, size, and defects.

• Harvesting and Handling:
  Cucumbers should be carefully harvested to avoid mechanical damage, especially around the stalk. Fruit should be at an appropriate developmental stage for their intended use-whether fresh consumption or processing.

• Storage Conditions:
  The optimum storage temperature is between +7 °C and +10 °C to prevent chilling injury and yellowing. Relative humidity should be maintained between 90% and 95% to reduce wilting and weight loss. Air circulation must be ensured to preserve a stable atmosphere, and exposure to ethylene-producing products must be avoided to prevent premature deterioration.

• Packaging and Packing:
  The standard specifies packaging methods that support cucumber quality during transport-using wooden crates or perforated fibreboard boxes. Wrapping cucumbers in film or cellophane or waxing is recommended to maintain humidity and extend shelf life. Size and weight uniformity in packaging helps preserve product integrity.

• Transport Requirements:
  Refrigerated transport must maintain consistent temperatures within the optimal range. Vehicles used should be clean, free from contaminants, and technically capable of sustaining cold conditions with good airflow. Ice-refrigerated or mechanically refrigerated trucks and railway containers are advised. Proper loading and stacking techniques are essential to avoid damage.

• Storage and Transport Duration:
  Under ideal conditions, cucumbers can be stored and transported for approximately ten days. Temperatures below +7 °C should be short-term only, as prolonged cold exposure results in chilling injury. Controlled atmosphere and quick cooling immediately after harvest optimize shelf life.

Applications

• Fresh Produce Distribution:
  Ensures high-quality cucumbers reach markets in optimal condition, reducing spoilage and waste.

• Food Processing Industry:
  Maintains raw material quality for industrial vegetable processing, affecting product consistency and consumer satisfaction.

• Cold Chain Management:
  Provides benchmarks for cold storage operators and refrigerated transport services specialized in perishable horticultural products.

• Quality Assurance:
  Supports producers, packers, and logistics providers in complying with international quality and safety standards.

• Agricultural Standards Compliance:
  Facilitates adoption of best practices aligned with recognized norms, enhancing export potential and consumer trust.

Related Standards

• ISO 2169:1981: Fruits and vegetables - Physical conditions in cold stores - Definitions and measurement
  Supports ISO 7560 by detailing how to measure storage conditions critical for maintaining cucumber quality.

• ISO 6661:1983: Fresh fruits and vegetables - Arrangement of parallelepipedic packages in land transport vehicles
  Complementary for packaging and loading procedures ensuring proper ventilation and stability in transport.

• UN-ECE Standard No. 23: Quality grades and marketing standards for cucumbers
  Extensively referenced for detailed classification criteria and quality attributes.

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Keywords: ISO 7560, cucumber storage, refrigerated transport cucumbers, cold chain for cucumbers, cucumber handling, fresh produce standards, cucumber quality, refrigerated logistics, vegetable cold storage, ISO cucumber guidelines

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-1996
.XPDUH6NODGLãþHQMHLQKODMHQWUDQVSRUW
Cucumbers -- Storage and refrigerated transport
Concombres -- Entreposage et transport réfrigérés
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 7560:1995
ICS:
67.080.20 Zelenjava in zelenjavni Vegetables and derived
proizvodi products
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Second edition
1995-10-01
Cucumbers - Storage and refrigerated
transport
Concombres - Entreposage et transport r6frigMs
Reference number
ISO 7560: 1995(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardizationj is a worldwide
federation of national Standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work
of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Esch member body interested in a subject for
which a technical committee has been established has the right to be
represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission
(1 EC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are
circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an international
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting
a vote.
International Standard ISO 7560 was prepared by Technrcal Committee
lSO/TC 34, Agrkulturai food products, Subcommittee SC 14, Fresh fruits
and vegetables.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition
which has been technically revised.
(ISO 7560:1983),
Annex A of this International Standard is for information only.
0 ISO 1995
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced
or utilized in any form or by any means, electronrc or mechanical, including photocopying and
microfilm, without Permission in writing from the publisher.
lnternatronal Organization for Standardization
Case Postale 56 l CH-1 211 Geneve 20 l Switzerland
Printed in Switzerland
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 0 ISO ISO 7560: 1995(E)
- Storage and refrigerated transport
Cucumbers
They should be characteristic of the variety and suit-
1 Scope
able for the intended use.
This International Standard gives guidance on con-
Cucumbers should
ditions for the successful storage and long-distance
transport of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.), intended
- be intact and Sound;
either for direct consumption or for industrial pro-
cessing.
- be free from any visible foreign matter;
- be of fresh appearance;
2 Normative reference
- be firm and free of abnormal external moisture;
The following Standard contains provisions which,
through reference in this text, constitute provisions
- be free of any foreign odour or taste;
of this International Standard. At the time of publica-
tion, the edition indicated was valid. All Standards are
- have seeds which are soft and undeveloped.
subject to revision, and Parties to agreements based
on this International Standard are encouraged to in-
Cucumbers should not be withered, senescent,
vestigate the possibility of applying the most recent
yellowish or yellow ripened.
edition of the Standard indicated below. Members of
NOTE 1 Quality requirements for cucumbers produced
IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently valid
under conditions of forced growth for transport for direct
International Standards.
consumption are given in UN-ECE Standard No. 23.
ISO 2169:1981 E Fruits and vegetables - Physical
conditions in cold stores - Definitions and measure-
ment.
3.3 Classification
3 Conditions for harvesting and storage
Cucumbers are classified into three classes as follows
(see UN-ECE Standard No. 23).
3.1 Harvesting
“Extra” class
a)
Cucumbers should be tut from the plant and handled
Cucumbers in this class should be of superior
carefully. Mechanical darnage should be avoided, es-
quality. They should have all the characteristics of
pecially around the stalk of the fruits.
the variety. They should
3.2 Characteristics for storage
- be well developed;
Cucumbers intended either for consumption in the
- be weil shaped and practically straight (maxi-
fresh state or for industrial processing should be har-
mum height of the arc 10 mm per IO cm of
vested at a development Stage corresponding to the
length of the cucumber);
quality requirements specified in the relevant product
- have a typical colouring for the variety; and
Standard0
CJ ISQ
- be free of defects, including all deformations - slightly crooked cucumbers may have a maxi-
and particularly those caused by seed forma- mum height of the arc of 20 mm per 10 cm
tion. of length;
- crooked cucumbers may have a greater arc
b) Class I
and, if packed, shall be labelled “crooked
n this class should be of good quality.
Cucumbers i cucumbers ”.
They should
3.4 Sizing
- be reasonably developed;
Size is determined by the mass of the cucumbers.
- be reasonably well shaped and practically
The minimum mass for all outdoor cucumbers is
straight (maximum height of the arc 10 mm
180 g, and for all forced glasshouse cucumbers it is
per 10 cm of length of the cucumber).
250 g. Sizing is compulsory for Extra Class and
Class l. The differente in mass between the heaviest
The following defects are allowed:
and lightest fruit in the Same package should not ex-
ceed 50 g.
- a slight deformation, but excluding that caused
by seed formation;
3.5 Packing
- a slight defect in colouring, especially the light
The methods of packing should be such as to main-
coloured part of the cucumber where it
tain the quality of the cucumbers during storage,
touched the ground during growth;
transportation and handling.
- slight skin blemishes due to rubbing and
Medium
...

INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Second edition
1995-10-01
Cucumbers - Storage and refrigerated
transport
Concombres - Entreposage et transport r6frigMs
Reference number
ISO 7560: 1995(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardizationj is a worldwide
federation of national Standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work
of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Esch member body interested in a subject for
which a technical committee has been established has the right to be
represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission
(1 EC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are
circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an international
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting
a vote.
International Standard ISO 7560 was prepared by Technrcal Committee
lSO/TC 34, Agrkulturai food products, Subcommittee SC 14, Fresh fruits
and vegetables.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition
which has been technically revised.
(ISO 7560:1983),
Annex A of this International Standard is for information only.
0 ISO 1995
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced
or utilized in any form or by any means, electronrc or mechanical, including photocopying and
microfilm, without Permission in writing from the publisher.
lnternatronal Organization for Standardization
Case Postale 56 l CH-1 211 Geneve 20 l Switzerland
Printed in Switzerland
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 0 ISO ISO 7560: 1995(E)
- Storage and refrigerated transport
Cucumbers
They should be characteristic of the variety and suit-
1 Scope
able for the intended use.
This International Standard gives guidance on con-
Cucumbers should
ditions for the successful storage and long-distance
transport of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.), intended
- be intact and Sound;
either for direct consumption or for industrial pro-
cessing.
- be free from any visible foreign matter;
- be of fresh appearance;
2 Normative reference
- be firm and free of abnormal external moisture;
The following Standard contains provisions which,
through reference in this text, constitute provisions
- be free of any foreign odour or taste;
of this International Standard. At the time of publica-
tion, the edition indicated was valid. All Standards are
- have seeds which are soft and undeveloped.
subject to revision, and Parties to agreements based
on this International Standard are encouraged to in-
Cucumbers should not be withered, senescent,
vestigate the possibility of applying the most recent
yellowish or yellow ripened.
edition of the Standard indicated below. Members of
NOTE 1 Quality requirements for cucumbers produced
IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently valid
under conditions of forced growth for transport for direct
International Standards.
consumption are given in UN-ECE Standard No. 23.
ISO 2169:1981 E Fruits and vegetables - Physical
conditions in cold stores - Definitions and measure-
ment.
3.3 Classification
3 Conditions for harvesting and storage
Cucumbers are classified into three classes as follows
(see UN-ECE Standard No. 23).
3.1 Harvesting
“Extra” class
a)
Cucumbers should be tut from the plant and handled
Cucumbers in this class should be of superior
carefully. Mechanical darnage should be avoided, es-
quality. They should have all the characteristics of
pecially around the stalk of the fruits.
the variety. They should
3.2 Characteristics for storage
- be well developed;
Cucumbers intended either for consumption in the
- be weil shaped and practically straight (maxi-
fresh state or for industrial processing should be har-
mum height of the arc 10 mm per IO cm of
vested at a development Stage corresponding to the
length of the cucumber);
quality requirements specified in the relevant product
- have a typical colouring for the variety; and
Standard0
CJ ISQ
- be free of defects, including all deformations - slightly crooked cucumbers may have a maxi-
and particularly those caused by seed forma- mum height of the arc of 20 mm per 10 cm
tion. of length;
- crooked cucumbers may have a greater arc
b) Class I
and, if packed, shall be labelled “crooked
n this class should be of good quality.
Cucumbers i cucumbers ”.
They should
3.4 Sizing
- be reasonably developed;
Size is determined by the mass of the cucumbers.
- be reasonably well shaped and practically
The minimum mass for all outdoor cucumbers is
straight (maximum height of the arc 10 mm
180 g, and for all forced glasshouse cucumbers it is
per 10 cm of length of the cucumber).
250 g. Sizing is compulsory for Extra Class and
Class l. The differente in mass between the heaviest
The following defects are allowed:
and lightest fruit in the Same package should not ex-
ceed 50 g.
- a slight deformation, but excluding that caused
by seed formation;
3.5 Packing
- a slight defect in colouring, especially the light
The methods of packing should be such as to main-
coloured part of the cucumber where it
tain the quality of the cucumbers during storage,
touched the ground during growth;
transportation and handling.
- slight skin blemishes due to rubbing and
Medium-long salad cucumbers intended for con-
handling or low temperature, provided that
sumption in the fresh state, and pickling cucumbers
such blemishes have healed and do not affect
for industrial processing, may be packed in wooden
the keeping quality.
crates or perforated fibreboard boxes.
c) Class II
Very small pickling cucumbers (from 3 cm to 6 cm
lang) and salad cucumbers grown under conditions
This class comprises cucumbers which do not
of forced growth should be packed in wooden crat
...