What are the specific controlled atmosphere storage requirements for Bartlett pears?
To qualify as controlled atmosphere storage pears, Bartlett pears must comply with the requirements in chapter 15.30 RCW, this chapter and the following additional requirements: (1) Oxygen content of each room where the pears are stored must be reduced to five percent within twenty calendar days after the room is sealed. (2) The pears must be kept in controlled atmosphere storage, under the required degrees of temperature and percentage of air components, for at least forty-five continuous calendar days. (3) At the time of shipment, the pears marked with a CA number must: (a) Be no further advanced in maturity than “mostly hard — some firm.” (b) Not exceed an average of two percent decay and/or breakdown. (4) Pears that fail to meet any requirement in this section: (a) Must not be sold as CA storage fruit; and (b) Their containers must not be marked with a CA number.
