Overview
ISO 2167:1991 - "Round-headed cabbage - Guide to cold storage and refrigerated transport" is an ISO guidance standard for maintaining the quality of round-headed cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata and var. sabauda) during post‑harvest handling. This second edition (1991) cancels and replaces the 1981 edition and expands recommendations to include refrigerated transport. Annex A is informative and covers horticultural factors and storage defects.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard gives practical, measurable guidance on pre‑storage operations and in‑storage/transport conditions:
- Harvesting: harvest when heads are firm, during dry weather (preferably early morning), and for irrigated crops wait 10–15 days after last irrigation. Reject frozen or damaged heads.
- Preparation: trim the butt cleanly to a maximum of 3 cm; retain at least one outer leaf.
- Storage location: use disinfected, aerated refrigerated cells (maximum capacity 500 t). Avoid storage near ethylene‑emitting products.
- Temperature: maintain average air temperature between 0 °C and 1 °C (centre of stacks also 0–1 °C). White cabbage can tolerate down to −0.8 °C but lower temperatures risk tissue damage.
- Relative humidity: keep between 90% and 98% to avoid desiccation.
- Air circulation: ensure uniform airflow of 0.25–0.40 m/s; leave 5–10 cm between stacks and about 65 cm to walls. For bulk storage, stack depth ≤ 3 m; for standardized containers, stack height ≤ 6 m and leave 80 cm free space to the ceiling.
- Storage life: cultivar dependent - short (3–5 months), mid (4–6 months), or long (5–7 months).
- Refrigerated transport: recommended transport durations include 2–3 days at 0–15 °C or 8–10 days at 0–1 °C. Use country‑standardized containers and maintain ventilation.
- End‑of‑storage operations: inspect and remove yellowed/diseased leaves, retrim butts, discard split or rotten heads.
Practical applications
ISO 2167:1991 is a hands‑on guide for reducing post‑harvest losses and preserving market quality. It is used to:
- Optimize cold storage design and operational parameters
- Set protocols for harvesting, trimming, packing and loading
- Define refrigerated transport practices for exporters/importers
- Train staff in quality control and rejection criteria
- Troubleshoot storage defects (physiological vs. biological deterioration)
Who should use this standard
- Growers and packinghouses
- Cold‑store operators and warehouse managers
- Refrigerated transport companies and logistics planners
- Food safety and quality assurance personnel
- Exporters, importers and market regulators
Related standards
- ISO 2169:1981 - Physical conditions in cold stores (definitions and measurement)
- Prepared by ISO/TC 34 (Agricultural food products)
This guidance is practical, measurable and intended to be adapted to local cultivars, climatic conditions and market requirements.