GB/T 8559-2026Cold storage technology for apples (English PDF)

Foreword

This document complies with the provisions of GB/T 1.1-2020 "Standardization Work Guidelines Part

1.Structure and Drafting Rules of Standardization Documents". Drafting. This document replaces GB/T 8559-2008 "Apple Refrigeration Technology". Compared with GB/T 8559-2008, the main differences are structural adjustments and editorial changes. Aside from the modifications, the main technical changes are as follows:

a) Harvesting and quality requirements have been changed (see Chapter 4,

3.1 of the.2008 edition);

b) The suitable harvest maturity index for some apple varieties has been changed (see 4.3,

3.1 in the.2008 edition);

c) The precooling technical requirements have been changed (see Chapter 5, Chapter 4 of the.2008 edition);

d) Packaging technical requirements have been changed (see Chapter 6,

3.3 of the.2008 edition);

e) The technical requirements for inbound stacking have been changed (see 7.2, Chapter 5 of the.2008 edition);

f) The cold storage conditions and expected storage time for some apple varieties have been changed (see 7.4,

6.2.1 in the.2008 edition);

g) The technical requirements for ventilation and air exchange in storage management have been revised (see 8.3,

6.3 in the.2008 edition);

1 Scope

GB/T 8559-2026 is the Chinese national standard covering keeping apples for months - the harvest maturity that determines how long a fruit will store, the cooling rate, the temperature and humidity by variety, the controlled atmosphere and the disorders that appear when any of it is wrong. It replaces GB/T 8559-2008 and has been in force since 1 October 2026. It was issued on 31 March 2026 and takes effect on 1 October 2026, replacing GB/T 8559-2008. This page is published from the official record of the 2026 edition; the clause text of a standard this recent is not yet in circulation, and the figures, limits and tables it contains are those of the document itself, delivered in full with the English translation.

This document specifies the harvesting and quality requirements, pre-cooling, packaging, cold storage, storage management, warehousing, transportation and sales, and record keeping for apples under cold storage conditions. Recording requirements. This document applies to the cold storage and preservation of apples.

3 Terms and Definitions

This document does not contain any terms or definitions that need to be defined.

4 Harvesting and Quality Requirements

4.1 Harvesting Time Harvesting is best done on sunny or cloudy days when temperatures are low, avoiding rainy, foggy, or dewy days. Stop fertilizing 2-3 weeks before harvesting. And watering.

4.2 Harvesting Methods Handle with care during harvesting to avoid mechanical damage. After harvesting, place the fruit in a cool, well-ventilated area and quickly move it to a pre-cooling environment, following the instructions... The provisions of NY/T 983 shall apply.

4.3 Harvesting maturity Apples should be harvested in batches at appropriate times, based on the characteristics of the apple variety, the growing environment, climate conditions, and storage time. Different apple varieties are suitable for harvesting. The maturity indicators should be implemented according to Table 1.

4.4 Quality Requirements Apples should be fresh and clean, possessing the inherent shape, color, and flavor of the variety, and free from mechanical damage, sunburn, hail damage, pesticide damage, cracking, pests, and diseases. Fruit surface defects meet the requirements for superior and first-class products as specified in GB/T 10651.

5 Pre-cooling

5.1 Apple precooling should preferably be done using cold storage precooling, differential pressure precooling, or water precooling.

5.2 Pre-cooling should be carried out within 24 hours after harvest, and the core temperature should be reduced to the suitable storage temperature within 48 hours. Pre-cooling should be carried out in accordance with the specifications of NY/T 4168. The decision will be made.

5.3 When using cold storage for pre-cooling, the daily inbound volume should be controlled at 8% to 15% of the storage capacity.

9 Outbound

9.1 Apples should be released from storage promptly according to their expected storage time, following the "first-in, first-out" principle. The storage period should be such that it does not affect the quality of the apples. Quality is important.

9.2 When apples are shipped out of the warehouse, they should be packaged commercially in an environment of 0°C~10°C.

9.3 The packaging shall clearly indicate the product name and variety, grade and specifications, net weight or quantity, storage method, place of origin, manufacturer, date, etc. The marking shall be in accordance with the provisions of NY/T 1778.

10 Transportation and Sales

10.1 Transportation After apples are removed from cold storage, they should be transported in refrigerated or insulated trucks. The transportation temperature should be controlled between 0°C and 5°C. The transport vehicles should be clean and free of pollutants. Odor-prone substances must not be mixed or transported with toxic or harmful substances. Temperature changes should be monitored during transportation, and cold chain logistics should comply with GB/T 40960. implement.

10.2 Sales The sales environment temperature should be controlled between 0°C and 10°C, and the premises should be clean and hygienic.

11.Archival Records Records should be kept of apple harvest time, pre-cooling method, packaging batch, equipment maintenance, warehouse disinfection, entry time, quantity, batch, refrigeration, and transportation. Information such as conditions and operators should be kept in records for at least two years. GB/T 8559-2026. Apple Refrigeration Technology ICS

31 National Standards of the People's Republic of China Replaces GB/T 8559-2008 Apple refrigeration technology Published on 2026-03-

31 Implemented on October 1, 2026 State Administration for Market Regulation The State Administration for Standardization issued a statement.