(a) "U.S. Grade A" or "U.S. Fancy" is the quality of canned sweet cherries that are practically free from defects; that possess a good character; that possess a normal flavor and odor; and that are of such quality with respect to color and uniformity of size as to score not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(b) "U.S. Grade B" or "U.S. Choice" is the quality of canned sweet cherries that are reasonably free from defects; that possess a reasonably good character; that possess a normal flavor and odor; and that are of such quality with respect to color and uniformity of size as to score not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(c) "U.S. Grade C" or "U.S. Standard" is the quality of canned sweet cherries that possess a fairly good color; that are fairly uniform in size; that are fairly free from defects; that possess a fairly good character; that possess a normal flavor and odor; and that score not less

the contents of the container upon a U.S. Standard No. 8 circular sieve of proper diameter containing 8 meshes to the inch (0.0937-inch ± 3 percent, square openings) so as to distribute the product evenly, inclining the sieve slightly to facilitate drainage, and allowing to drain for 2 minutes. The drained weight is the weight of the sieve and sweet cherries less the weight of the dry sieve. A sieve 8 inches in diameter is used for the equivalent of No. 3 size cans (404 x 414) and smaller, and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for containers larger than the equivalent of the No. 3 size can.

(c) Definition of symbols. (1) Xa— the average drained weight of all the sample units in the sample.

(2) LL-lower limit for drained weights of individual sample units.

(d) Compliance with recommended drained weights. A lot of canned sweet cherries is considered as meeting the minimum drained weight recommendations if the following criteria are met:

(1) The average of the drained weights from all the sample units in the sample meets the recommended minimum average drained weight (designated as "X" in Table I); and

(2) The number of sample units which fail to meet the recommended drained weight lower limit for individuals (designated as "LL" in table I) does not exceed the applicable acceptance number specified in table II.

§ 52.828 Recommended minimum fill weights.

(a) General. The minimum fill weight recommendations specified in tables III and IV are not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since fill weight, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purposes of these grades.

(b) Method for ascertaining fill weight. Fill weight is determined in accordance with the U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables and the U.S. Standards for Determination of Fill Weights.

(c) Definitions of terms and symbols. "Subgroup" means a group of sample units representing a portion of a sample.

3 6 13 21

29

38

48 60

72

0

1

2

3

4

5

6 7

8

X'min means the minimum lot average fill weight.

LWLx means the lower warning limit for subgroup averages.

LRL means the lower reject limit for subgroup averages.

LWL means the lower warning limit for individual fill weight measurements. LRL means the lower reject limit for individual fill weight measurements. R' means a specified average range value.

Rmax means a specified maximum range for a subgroup.

"Sampling allowance code" means a code letter on the sampling allowance chart of the U.S. Standards for Inspec

tion by Variables. This letter identifies the appropriate line which gives the amount of sampling allowance to be applied to the specification average for fill weights in order to determine compliance with requirements for fill weight averages for a sample.

(d) Compliance with recommended fill weights. Compliance with the recommended fill weights shall be in accordance with the acceptance criteria specified in the U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables and the U.S. Standards for Determination of Fill Weights.

(c) "Normal flavor and odor" means that the canned sweet cherries are free from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

§ 52.830 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored.

The essential variations within each factor which is scored are so described that the value may be ascertained for each factor and expressed numerically. The numerical range within each factor which is scored is inclusive (for example, "27 to 30 points" means 27, 28, 29, or 30 points). § 52.831

Color.

(a) General. The factor of color refers to the color typical of the varietal group either light sweet or dark sweet; and to the intensity and brightness of such characteristic color.

(b) (A) classification. Canned sweet cherries that possess a good color may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Good color" means that the cherries are bright and possess a color typical of wellmatured cherries of similar varieties which have been properly processed; that in light sweet cherries, the basic background color, exclusive of blush, is a pinkish-yellow to pale amber color and that the blush appears as a surface color ranging from very light pinkish-tan to tannish-brown; and that in dark sweet

cherries, the basic background color is a typical deep-red to purple-red or purpleblack.

(c) (B) classification. If the canned sweet cherries possess a reasonably good color, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. "Reasonably good color" means that the cherries possess a color typical of reasonably well-matured cherries of similar varieties which have been properly processed; that in light sweet cherries, the basic background color, exclusive of blush, is a pinkish-yellow to amber color which may be no more than slightly dull and that the blush appears as a surface color ranging from tan to tannishbrown; and that in dark sweet cherries, the basic background color is a typical deep red to purple-red or purple-black which may be no more than slightly dull.

(d) (C) classification. If the canned sweet cherries possess a fairly good color, a score of 21 to 23 points may be given. Canned sweet cherries that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly good color" means that the cherries possess a color typical of fairly well-matured cherries of similar varieties which have been properly processed; that in light sweet cherries, the basic background color and blush may be variable or may be slightly dull but is not off-color; and that in dark sweet cherries, the cherries may possess a slightly dull deep red to slightly dull purple-red color or slightly dull purpleblack color that may be variable but is not off-color.

(e) (SStd) classification. Canned sweet cherries that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§ 52.832 Uniformity of size.

(a) General. The factor of uniformity of size refers to the uniformity of diameters in pitted and unpitted cherries, and to the variation of weight and minimum weight in unpitted cherries.

(1) "Diameter" of a cherry is the diameter of a rigid round hole through

which the cherry will just pass without using force. In pitted cherries, the diameter is that which approximates the apparent original size had the cherry not been pitted but does not apply to any pitter-torn cherries.

(b) (A) classification. Canned sweet cherries that are practically uniform in size may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Practically uniform in size" means that:

(1) In unpitted cherries. (i) The weight of each cherry is not less than one-tenth oz (2.84 grams);

(ii) The weight of the largest cherry is not more than twice the weight of the smallest cherry; and

(iii) The diameter of the cherry with the greatest diameter may exceed the diameter of the cherry with the smallest diameter by not more than three-sixteenths in.; and in 85 percent, by count, of all the cherries with the most uniform diameters the diameter of the cherries with the greatest diameters may exceed the diameter of the cherries with the smallest diameters by not more than one-sixteenth in.

(2) In pitted cherries. (i) The diameter of the cherry with the greatest diameter may exceed the diameter of the cherry with the smallest diameter by not more than three-sixteenths in; and in 85 percent, by count, of all the cherries with the most uniform diameters the diameter of the cherries with the greatest diameters may exceed the diameter of the cherries with the smallest diameters by not more than one-sixteenth in.

(c) (B) classification. If the canned sweet cherries are reasonably uniform in size, a score of 16 or 17 points may be given. "Reasonably uniform in size" means that:

(1) In unpitted cherries. (i) The weight of each cherry is not less than one-tenth oz (2.84 grams);

(ii) The weight of the largest cherry is not more than twice the weight of the smallest cherry; and

(ii) The diameter of the cherry with the greatest diameter may exceed the diameter of the cherry with the smallest diameter by not more than three-six

teenths in.; and in 85 percent, by count, of all the cherries with the most uniform diameters the diameter of the cherries with the greatest diameters may exceed the diameter of the cherries with the smallest diameters by not more than oneeighth in.

(2) In pitted cherries. (1) The diameter of the cherry with the greatest diameter may exceed the diameter of the cherry with the smallest diameter by not more than three-sixteenths in.; and in 85 percent, by count, of all the cherries with the most uniform diameters the diameter of the cherries with the greatest diameters may exceed the diameter of the cherries with the smallest diameters by not more than one-eighth in.

(d) (C) classification. If the canned sweet cherries are fairly uniform in size, a score of 14 or 15 points may be given. Canned sweet cherries that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly uniform in size" means that:

(1) In unpitted cherries. (1) The weight of each cherry is not less than one-tenth oz (2.84 grams);

(ii) The weight of the largest cherry is not more than twice the weight of the smallest cherry; and

(iii) The cherries may vary in diameter measurements.

(2) In pitted cherries. (i) The cherries may vary in diameter measurements.

(e) (SStd) classification.-Canned "unpitted" sweet cherries which fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 13 points, shall not be graded above Substandard (this is a limiting rule), and are also "Below Standard in Quality" for the applicable reasons:

(1) "Small"; and/or
(2) "Mixed sizes".