Exports (General) Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1943L00192 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

STATUTORY RULES.

1943. No. 192.

 

REGULATION UNDER THE CUSTOMS ACT 1901-1936 AND THE COMMERCE (TRADE DESCRIPTIONS) ACT 1905-1933.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Customs Act 1901-1936 and the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905-1933.

Dated this twenty-seventh day of July, 1943.

(SGD.) GOWRIE.

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Commerce and Agriculture and for and on behalf of the Minister of State for Trade and Customs.

 

Amendment of the Exports (General) Regulations. †

First Schedule.

Item 3 in the First Schedule to the Exports (General) Regulations is omitted and the following Item inserted in its stead:—

“3. Fruit Juice—

 

 

(a) Lemon Juice...

1. The juice shall be sound and wholesome

2. The juice shall be composed of the pure unfermented juice obtained from the properly matured fresh clean fruit of the lemon tree (Citrus medica lemonum)

3. The juice shall contain not more than fifteen per centum of free and suspended pulp when determined by the standard method (A.C.1)

4. The juice shall not be sweetened. It shall have a density due to its natural content of soluble solids of not less than 7.0 degrees Brix.

5. The juice shall contain not less than five and one-half and not more than seven and one-half parts per centum of natural fruit acids expressed as anhydrous citric acid by weight

6. The juice shall be practically free of particles of membrane, and entirely free from core, skin, seeds, “rag” or other residue

7. The juice shall possess distinct lemon flavour, free from traces of scorching, caramelization, oxidation or terpene

8. The juice shall be sufficiently pasteurized to ensure preservation in hermetically sealed containers. In addition, bottled lemon juice may contain sulphur dioxide in a proportion not exceeding two grains thereof to the pint

The trade description shall include the name of the fruit from which the fruit juice was obtained and, where preservatives are used, shall include also the name of the preservative and the number of grains per pint included in the juice

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1943.

† Statutory Rules 1937, No. 68, as amended by Statutory Rules 1942, No. 286.

2192.—Price 3d. 20/28.6.1943.

“3. Fruit Juice—continued.

 

 

(b) Orange Juice...

1. The juice shall be sound and wholesome

2. The juice shall be composed of the pure unfermented juice obtained from the properly matured fresh clean fruit of the orange tree (Citrus sinensis)

3. The juice shall contain not more than fifteen per centum of free and suspended pulp when determined by the standard method (A.C.1)

4. The juice shall not be sweetened. It shall have a density due to its natural content of soluble solids of not less than 10.0 degrees Brix.

5. The juice shall contain not less, than 0.70 per centum and not more than 1.60 per centum of natural fruit acids, expressed as anhydrous citric acid by weight

6. The amount of recoverable oil shall be not more than 0.050 per centum by volume when determined by the standard method (A.C.1)

7. The juice shall be practically free of particles of membrane and entirely free from core, skin, seeds, “rag”, or other residue

8. The juice shall possess distinct orange flavour, free from traces of scorching, caramelization, oxidation or terpene

9. The juice shall be sufficiently pasteurized to ensure preservation in hermetically sealed containers. In addition, bottled orange juice may contain sulphur dioxide in proportion not exceeding two grains thereof to the pint

The trade description shall include the name of the fruit from which the fruit juice was obtained and, where preservatives are used, shall include also the name of the preservative and the number of grains per pint included in the juice

(c) Grape-fruit Juice

1. The juice shall be sound and wholesome

2. The juice is composed of pure unfermented juice obtained from the properly matured fresh clean fruit of the grape-fruit tree (Citrus grandus Osbeck)

3. The juice shall contain not more than fifteen per centum of free and suspended pulp when determined by the standard method (A.C.1)

4. The juice shall be sweetened with sugar and shall test not less than 20 degrees Brix.

5. The juice shall contain not less than 0.80 per centum nor more than 2.0 per centum of natural fruit acids expressed as anhydrous citric acid by weight

6. The amount of recoverable oil shall be not more than 0.030 per centum of volume when determined by the standard method (A.C.1)

7. The juice shall be practically free of particles of membrane, and entirely free from core, skin, seeds, “rag” or other residue

8. The juice shall possess distinct grape-fruit flavour, free from traces of scorching, caramelization, oxidation or terpene

9. The juice shall be sufficiently pasteurized to ensure preservation in hermetically sealed containers. In addition, bottled grape-fruit juice may contain sulphur dioxide in a proportion not exceeding two grains thereof to the pint

The trade description shall include the name of the fruit from which the fruit juice was obtained and, where preservatives are used, shall include also the name of the preservative and the number of grains per pint included in the juice


“3. Fruit Juice—continued.

 

 

(d) Orange Juice and Grape-fruit Juice (Blended)

1. The blended juice shall be sound and wholesome

2. The blended juice shall be composed of a combination of pure unfermented juices obtained from the properly matured fresh, clean fruits of the Orange Tree (Citrus sinensis) and of the grape-fruit tree (Citrus grandus Osbeck). The product shall contain not less than seventy-five per centum of navel orange juice

3. The blended juice shall contain not more than fifteen per centum of free and suspended pulp when determined by the standard method (A.C.1)

4. The blended juice shall not be sweetened. It shall have a density, due to its natural content of soluble solids of not less than 9.5 degrees Brix.

5. The blended juice shall contain not less than 0.75 per centum and not more than 1.65 per centum of natural fruit acids expressed as anhydrous citric acid by weight

6. The amount of recoverable oil shall be not more than 0.050 per centum by volume when determined by the standard method (A.C.1)

7. The blended juice shall be practically free of particles of membrane, and entirely free from core, skin, seeds, “rag” or other residue

8. The blended juice shall possess a normal flavour free from traces of scorching, caramelization, oxidation or terpene

9. The blended juice shall be sufficiently pasteurized to ensure preservation in hermetically sealed containers. In addition, bottled blended orange and grape-fruit juice may contain sulphur dioxide in a proportion not exceeding two grains thereof to the pint

The trade description shall include the name of the fruits from which the fruit juice was obtained and, where preservatives are used, shall include also the name of the preservative and the number of grains per pint included in the juice

(e) Other Fruit Juice

The juice shall be the clear, unfermented liquid product obtained by the first pressing of fresh, ripe fruit. It shall not contain more than .2 per centum by volume of alcohol

The trade description shall include the name of the fruit from which the fruit juice was obtained and, where preservatives are used, shall include also the name of the preservative and the number of grains per pint included in the juice

 

By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1943 No. 192, enacted on 27 July 1943, were introduced to regulate the export of various fruit juices under the Customs Act 1901-1936 and the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905-1933. This regulation was made by the Governor-General of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The primary aim of this legislation was to ensure that the quality and composition of fruit juices exported from Australia met specific standards, thereby protecting consumer interests and maintaining the reputation of Australian products internationally. The regulation outlines detailed specifications for the composition, quality, and permissible additives for different types of fruit juices, such as lemon, orange, and grapefruit, including aspects like acidity levels, pulp content, and pasteurisation requirements.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument, issued under the Customs Act 1901-1936 and the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905-1933, sets forth specific standards for the export of various fruit juices, namely lemon, orange, grapefruit, and blended orange and grapefruit juices, as well as other fruit juices. The regulations apply to all entities involved in the export of these fruit juices within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the exported products meet the outlined quality, composition, and processing criteria. These standards are designed to maintain the integrity and wholesomeness of the exported fruit juices, thereby safeguarding consumer health and ensuring fair trade practices. The regulations explicitly detail the permissible composition, permissible levels of pulp and acids, absence of certain residues, required pasteurization, and permissible preservatives. Additionally, the trade descriptions for these juices must accurately reflect their composition, including the source fruit and any preservatives used. The regulation extends its application through the Exports (General) Regulations, which may be further amended or detailed through subordinate instruments to adapt to changing industry standards or technological advancements.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation pertain to the quality standards for various fruit juices, specifically lemon, orange, grapefruit, blended orange and grapefruit, and other fruit juices, under the Customs Act 1901-1936 and the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905-1933. Section 3 of the First Schedule to the Exports (General) Regulations outlines the precise quality criteria for each type of juice, including requirements for purity, composition, acidity, pulp content, flavour, and pasteurisation. For instance, lemon juice must be composed of pure unfermented juice from properly matured lemons, contain a certain level of natural acids, and be free from certain residues (Section 3(a)). Similarly, orange juice must be derived from oranges, and grapefruit juice from grapefruits, each with specific acidity levels and pasteurisation requirements (Sections 3(b) and 3(c)). Blended juices must also meet specific composition and quality standards (Section 3(d)). The trade descriptions for these juices must include the name of the fruit and any preservatives used, along with their quantities (Section 3). The obligations imposed by this legislation on parties or entities governed by it are stringent and detailed. Manufacturers and exporters must ensure that their fruit juices meet the specified quality and composition standards before they can be exported. This includes adhering to the allowable levels of pulp, natural acids, and preservatives. Additionally, they must label their products accurately, stating the name of the fruit and any preservatives used, along with the quantity in grains per pint. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in serious legal consequences. Breaches of this legislation can lead to both civil and criminal consequences. For instance, providing misleading trade descriptions or failing to meet the quality standards could result in fines and penalties. The exact penalties are not detailed in the provided excerpt, but under general Australian law, penalties for such breaches can be substantial. Civil penalties may include fines up to a significant amount, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach, while criminal penalties could involve imprisonment or higher fines, especially if the breach is deemed to be deliberate or if it causes harm to consumers. The precise penalties would be determined in the context of the specific breach and the applicable laws.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.