Guest guest Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 Curvy cucumbers are set to make a comeback after EU laws banning imperfect fruit and veg were scrapped. Skip related content Related photos / videos Brussels re-peels perfect veg rules European marketing standards have ensured only the finest-looking produce reaches supermarket shelves for 20 years. Standards currently stipulate the size and shape of 36 types of fruit and veg, from apricots to watermelons. But eurocrats said it was time the restrictions disappeared to make cheaper fruit and veg available as household bills rise. Member states voted to repeal restrictions on 26 of them, including artichokes, asparagus, aubergines, Brussels sprouts, cherries, cucumbers, garlic, leeks, onions, peas, carrots, plums, ribbed celery and spinach. EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said: "This marks a new dawn for the curvy cucumber and the knobbly carrot. We simply don't need to regulate this sort of thing at EU level. It is far better to leave it to market operators." The changes will be implemented from July next year and retailers estimate misshapen produce could be up to 40 per cent cheaper than "class one" goods. Ten standards will remain, including those for apples, citrus fruit, peaches, pears and tomatoes - accounting for three-quarters of EU cross-border fruit and vegetable trade. But governments could still let shops sell the ten products as long as they are labelled properly. Peter vv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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