SAMPLE UNIT SIZE

2.2648 Sample unit size.

Compliance with requirements for the ious quality factors is based on the lowing sample unit sizes: (a) Halves-50 halves.

(b) Whole-25 whole apricots. In the se of the factor of color and the factor defects, only with respect to minor fects, a whole apricot shall be consided halved along the suture and each If therefrom is a unit and the sample it size thereby becomes 50 halves. (c) Slices-50 slices.

(d) Mixed pieces of irregular sizes and apes-30 ounces drained fruit of finhed product or 33 ounces raw fruit for -line control.

FACTORS OF QUALITY

52.2649 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) General. In addition to considerg other requirements outlined in the andards, the following quality factors 'e evaluated:

(1) Factors not rated by score points. (i) Varietal characteristics.

(ii) Flavor and odor.

(2) Factors rated by score points. he relative importance of each factor hich is scored is expressed numerically n the scale of 100. The maximum numer of points that may be given such actors are:

(a) General. (1) The color of canned apricots refers to the characteristic color of the outer, uncut surfaces of the units; and the varying degrees of pale yellow areas, light greenish-yellow areas, and light green areas.

(2) In evaluating the factor of color for canned spiced apricots consideration is given to any effect the added spices may contribute to the color.

(b) Definitions-(1) Well colored. Well colored means that the units have a bright typical color characteristic of well-matured apricots. The units may have pale yellow areas not exceeding onefourth of the outer surface area and are free from brown color due to oxidation, improper processing, or other causes.

(2) Reasonably well colored. Reasonably well colored means that the units have a color typical of reasonably well matured apricots. The units may have pale yellow areas not exceeding one-half of the outer surface area or may have light greenish-yellow areas not exceeding one-fourth of the outer surface area and are free from brown color due to oxidation, improper processing, or other

causes.

(3) Fairly well colored. Fairly well colored means that the units have a typical color characteristic of fairly well matured apricots. The units may have pale yellow areas, may have light greenish-yellow areas not exceeding onehalf of the outer surface area, or have light green areas not exceeding onefourth of the outer surface areas. The units may have a slight brown color due to oxidation, improper processing, or other causes.

(4) Poorly colored. Poorly colored means that the units have light greenish-yellow areas exceeding one-half of the outer surface area, or light green areas exceeding one-fourth of the outer surface area, and/or may have more than a slight brown color due to oxidation, improper processing, or other

causes.

(c) (A) classification. Halves, slices, and whole canned apricots that possess a good color may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Good color" means that

the apricots are well colored; the sample unit as a mass is practically uniform in color, and the number of units that may be reasonably well colored does not exceed the number specified for the style in $ 52.2655.

(d) (B) classification. Halves, slices, and whole canned apricots that possess a reasonably good color may be given a score of 16 or 17 points. Canned apricots of these styles that score 16 points shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Canned apricots of mixed pieces or irregular sizes and shapes that have at least a reasonably good color may be given a score of 16 to 20 points. "Reasonably good color" means that the apricots are at least reasonably well colored; the sample unit as a mass is reasonably uniform in color; and the number of units that may be fairly well colored does not exceed the number specified for the style in § 52.2655.

(e) (C) classification. Canned apricots of any style that possess a fairly good color may be given a score of 14 or 15 points. Canned apricots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly good color" means that the apricots are fairly well colored; the sample unit as a mass is fairly uniform in color, and the number of poorly colored units does not exceed the number specified for the style in § 52.2655.

(f) (SStd) classification. Canned apricots that fail to meet the color requirements for Grade C may be given a score of 0 to 13 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

$52.2652 Uniformity of size and symmetry.

(a) General. The factor of uniformity of size and symmetry for the styles of slices and mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes is not based on any detailed requirement and is not scored; the other three factors (color, defects, and character as applicable) are scored and for the style of slices the total is multiplied by 100 and divided by 80, dropping any fractions to determine the total score. Uniformity of size and symmetry for the styles of halves and whole pertains to the percent by which the weight of the largest full-sized unit exceeds the weight of the smallest full-sized unit. In the

style of halves this factor pertains to the number of off-suture cuts and detached or partially detached pieces. A unit that possesses an off-suture cut and is scoreable as such and in addition possesses a partially detached piece is scored as a partially detached piece, not both.

(b) Definitions-(1) Off-suture cut. "Off-suture cut" in the style of halves means a halved unit which has been cut at a distance from the suture greater than one-fourth inch at the widest measurement from the suture.

(2) Detached piece. “Detached piece" is a piece in the style of halves which has the appearance of a slice resulting from an off-suture cut or improper cutting that is completely separated from the half from which cut.

(3) Partially detached piece. "Partially detached piece" in the style of halves, is a piece which has the appearance of a slice resulting from an offsuture cut or improper cutting and is detached more than one-third the length of the half along the suture or approximately parallel with the suture. A partially detached piece, together with the unit to which it is attached, is considered as one unit.

(c) (A) classification. The styles of halves and whole canned apricots that are practically uniform in size and symmetry may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Practically uniform in size and symmetry" means that the number of units that exceed the maximum weight variation, the number of detached or partially detached pieces in the style of halves, and/or the number of units of halves that posses off-suture cuts do not exceed the applicable number specified in § 52.2655.

(d) (B) classification. The styles of halves and whole canned apricots that are reasonably uniform in size and symmetry may be given a score of 16 or 17 points. A sample unit of the style of halves that possess more than 5 units which have off-suture cuts shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial limiting rule). "Reasonably uniform in size and symmetry" means that the number of units that exceed the maximum weight variation, the number of detached or partially detached pieces, and/or the number of units of halves that possess off-suture cuts do not exceed the applicable number specified in § 52.2655.

(e) (C) classification. The styles of halves and whole canned apricots that are fairly uniform in size and symmetry may be given a score of 14 or 15 points. Canned apricots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product. A sample unit of halves style that possesses more than 8 units that have off-suture cuts shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial limiting rule). "Fairly uniform in size and symmetry" means that the units may vary in size, thickness, and symmetry; and that the number of units that exceed the maximum weight variation, the number of detached or partially detached pieces, and/or the number of units of halves styles that possess offsuture cuts do not exceed the applicable number specified in § 52.2655.

(f) (SStd) classification. Canned apricots that fail to meet the uniformity of size and symmetry requirements for Grade C may be given a score of 0 to 13 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). § 52.2653 Defects.

(a) General. (1) The factor of defects refers to the degree of freedom from pit material, loose pits, harmless extraneous material, short stems, peel, minor blemishes, major blemishes, and crushed or broken units.

(2) Canned whole apricots shall be considered as halved along the suture and each half therefrom is considered a separate unit in evaluating the factor of defects with respect to minor blemishes only. Each whole apricot shall be considered as a separate unit in ascertaining compliance with allowances for major blemishes.

(b) Definitions-(1) Harmless extraneous material. "Harmless extraneous material" means any harmless vegetable substance (such as, but not limited to, a leaf or portion thereof, or a large stem) that is harmless.

(2) Short stem. A "short stem" means the short, thick, woody, stem which attaches the apricot to the twig of the tree or other stem material of equivalent woodiness and shortness.

(3) Pit material. "Pit material" means any whole pit in all styles other than whole styles or any portion of an apricot pit, regardless of size, except when whole

apricot pits or apricot kernels are declared as seasoning ingredients in other than whole styles.

(4) Loose pit. A "loose pit" means a whole, unbroken pit not adhering to the flesh of a unit in the styles of whole apricots.

(5) Minor blemish. "Minor blemish" in unpeeled styles includes "freckles" and also means:

(i) Light brown to brown surface areas which, singly or in combination on a unit, exceed in the aggregate the area of a circle % inch (3mm) in diameter but do not exceed in the aggregate the area of a circle 4 inch (6mm) in diameter; or

(ii) Single dark brown surface areas that do not exceed the area of a circle 8 inch (3mm) in diameter but which, singly or in combination with other "minor blemishes" on a unit, affect materially but not seriously the appearance of the unit. Light brown to brown surface areas and "freckles" that are insignificant and less than the area of a circle % inch (3mm) in diameter and which do not affect materially the appearance of the unit are not considered "defects."

(6) Major blemish. "Major blemish" in canned apricots includes units affected by scab, hail injury, discoloration, or other abnormalities in the following degree:

(i) Light brown to brown surface areas in unpeeled styles which, singly or in combination on a unit, exceed in the aggregate the area of a circle 4 inch (6mm) in diameter;

(ii) Blemishes that extend into the fruit tissue regardless of area or depth;

(iii) Single dark brown surface areas in unpeeled styles that exceed the area of a circle 8 inch (3mm) in diameter, whether or not the unit is affected by minor blemishes; or

(iv) Any blemish whether or not specifically defined or mentioned in this subparagraph which affects seriously the appearance of the unit but is not a filthy or decomposed substance.

(7) Crushed or broken. "Crushed or broken" means that:

(i) A unit in halves or whole style of canned apricots is "crushed" if the unit has definitely lost its normal shape and is crushed not due to ripeness; and

(ii) A unit in halves or whole style of canned apricots is "broken" if severed into definite parts; halves of canned apricots that are slightly or partially split

or mashed from the edge to the pit cavity are not considered broken, or units in the style of peeled whole apricots that are mashed or very soft due to ripeness to the extent that the pit cavity is exposed or a seed missing therefrom, are not crushed or broken. Portions equivalent to a full-size unit that has been broken are considered as one unit in determining compliance with the allowances for this defect.

(c) (A) classification. Halves, slices, and whole canned apricots that are practically free from defects may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Practically free from defects" means that:

(1) The amount of peel that may be present in peeled styles does not exceed the amount specified in § 52.2655; and

(2) The number of other defects that may be present does not exceed the number specified for the applicable style in § 52.2655.

(d) (B) classification. Halves, slices, and whole canned apricots that are reasonably free from defects may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Canned apricots of mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes that are at least reasonably free from defects may be given a score of 32 to 40 points. Canned apricots of any style that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Reasonably free from defects" means that:

(1) The amount of peel that may be present in peeled styles does not exceed the amount specified in § 52.2655;

(2) With respect to all styles, the number of other defects that may be present does not exceed the number specified for the applicable style in § 52.2655.

(e) (C) classification. Halves, slices, and whole canned apricots that are fairly free from defects may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned apricots of mixed pieces and irregular sizes and shapes that are fairly free from defects may be given a score of 28 to 31 points. Canned apricots of any style that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly free from defects" means that:

(1) The amount of peel that may be present in peeled styles does not exceed the amount specified in § 52.2655; or

(2) With respect to all styles, the number of other defects that may be

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the degree of ripeness, the texture, and condition of the flesh, the firmness and tenderness of the canned apricots and their tendency to retain their apparent original conformation and size without disintegration.

(b) Definitions (1) Good character. "Good character" means that the units have a practically uniform tender, fleshy texture, typical of well-ripened, properly prepared and properly processed canned apricots; the units may be soft but hold their original conformation and size without material disintegration.

(2) Reasonably good character. “Reasonably good character" means that the units have a reasonably uniform, reasonably tender texture typical of properly ripened canned apricots that are properly processed; the texture is reasonably fleshy, and the units are reasonably thick but the tenderness may be variable within the unit or among the units; the units may be soft to slightly firm, but are not mushy, and may be slightly ragged.

(3) Fairly good character. "Fairly good character" means that the units have a texture of properly processed apricots which may be variable in fleshiness but the texture is fairly fleshy; the units may be lacking uniformity of tenderness; the units may be very soft to moderately firm, and markedly ragged with frayed edges.

(4) Poor character. "Poor character" means the units may be lacking in fleshiness; may be not tender or may be very firm or may be mushy.

(c) (A) classification. Halves, slices, and whole canned apricots that have a good character may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. To score in this classification, the number of units that possess reasonably good character does not ex

ceed the number specified for the style in § 52.2655.

(d) (B) classification. Halves, slices, and whole canned apricots that possess a reasonably good character may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Canned apricots of mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes that possess at least a reasonably good character may be given a score of 32 to 40 points and shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). To score in this classification, the number of units that possess fairly good character does not exceed the number specified for the style in

§ 52.2655.

(e) (C) classification. Halves, slices, whole canned apricots that possess a fairly good character may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned apricots of mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes that possess a fairly good char

acter may be given a score of 28 to 31 points. Canned apricots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). To score in this classification, the number of units that possess poor character does not exceed the number specified for the style in § 52.2655.

(f) (SStd) classification. Canned apricots that fail to meet the character requirements for Grade C may be given a score of 0 to 20 points for the styles of halves, slices and whole, and 0 to 27 points for mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes, and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

ALLOWANCES FOR QUALITY FACTORS

§ 52.2655 Allowances for Quality factors for canned apricots.

200

100

No limit

No limit

5

No limit

0

5

No limit

No limit

2

No limit

0

2