Compliance with requirements for factors of quality and for proportions of ingredients shall be based on a sample unit consisting of 10 ounces of drained product. A sample unit may be comprised of:

(a) The entire contents of a container;

(b) A combination of the contents of two or more containers;

(c) A representative portion of the contents of a container;

Provided, That not more than one (1) sample unit is derived from any one single container smaller than a No. 10 can and that no less than two (2) sample units are derived from any one single container of a No. 10 can size or larger. § 52.6207 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit.

(a) General. The grade of a sample unit of canned peas and carrots is ascertained by considering: The flavor and odor which are not scored; the rating of the factors of color, uniformity of size and shape, absence of defects, and character which are scored; the total score; and the limiting rules which may be applicable.

(b) Definition of flavor and odor. (1) "Good flavor" means that the product and each of the vegetables has a good, characteristic, normal flavor and odor.

(2) "Fairly good flavor" means that the product may be lacking in good flavor and odor but is free from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

(c) Factor not rated by score points. (1) Flavor and odor.

(a) General. The factor of color refers to the overall appearance of the product and to the color and brightness of the vegetables individually.

(b) (A) Classification. Canned peas and carrots which possess a good color may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Good color" means that the product possesses an overall color that is at least reasonably bright and each of the vegetables is not more than slightly affected by variations in color; that the carrots possess an orange-yellow color which is bright and typical and the presence of green, white, or orange-brown units does not more than slightly affect the appearance or eating quality of the carrots; that the color of the peas is normal and is typical of at least reasonably young and reasonably tender peas with practically no "blond" or "cream" colored peas.

(c) (B) Classification. Canned peas and carrots which possess a reasonably good color may be given a score of 16 or 17 points. Canned peas and carrots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (limiting rule). "Reasonably" good color means that the product possesses an overall color which may be slightly dull but is not off color; that the color of each of the vegetables may be variable but not to the extent that the appearance of the product is seriously affected; that the presence of green, white, or orange

brown units does not seriously affect the appearance of the carrots; that the color of the peas is typical of fairly young and fairly tender peas.

(d) (SStd) Classification. If the canned peas and carrots fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section a score of 0 to 15 points may be given and the product shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (limiting rule).

§ 52.6210 Uniformity of size and shape.

(a) General. Under this factor, consideration is given only to the uniformity of size and shape of the carrot ingredient. The percentage, by weight, of the carrot ingredient consisting of units smaller, or larger, than the required size for a particular style is determined by separating all such units from the other carrot units in the sample unit, weighing such units, and dividing that weight by the total weight of the drained carrot ingredient in the sample unit.

(b) Ascertaining dimensions. Size dimensions of the various units are measured as follows:

(1) Diameter and thickness of sliced carrots. The diameter of a slice is the measurement across the largest cut surface of the slice. The thickness of a slice is measured at the thickest portion between the two cut surfaces of the slice.

(2) Size of diced carrots. The size of a dice is the length of the edge (other than rounded outer edges) which is most representative of the size of the approximate cube.

(3) Width of a strip. The width of a strip is the widest cut surface measured at right angles to the length of the unit.

(c) (A) Classification. Canned peas and carrots that are practically uniform in size and shape may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Practically uniform in size and shape" means that:

(1) The carrots comply with the measurement, shape, and uniformity requirements for (A) classification in Table II; and, in addition

(2) The overall appearance of the product is not materially affected by variations or irregularities in size and shape of the units.

(d) (B) Classification. Canned peas and carrots that are reasonably uniform in size and shape may be given a score of 16 or 17 points. Canned peas and carrots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B regardless of the total score for the product (limiting rule). "Reasonably uniform in size and shape" means that:

(1) The carrots comply with the measurement, shape, and uniformity requirements for (B) classification in Table П; and, in addition

(2) The overall appearance of the product is not seriously affected by variations or irregularities in size and shape of the units.

(e) (SStd) Classification. Canned peas and carrots that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 15 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (limiting rule).

(a) General. The factor of defects refers to the degree of freedom from harmless extraneous vegetable material, damaged units, seriously damaged units, and any other defect which detracts from the appearance or edibility of the product.

(1) "Harmless extraneous vegetable material" means:

(i) Material common to the pea or carrot plant (such as leaves, stems, or pods); and

(ii) Harmless material from other plants (such as thistle buds or seeds) which are succulent.

(2) "Damaged unit" means any pea or carrot unit that is affected by discoloration or other blemish to the extent that the appearance or edibility of the unit is materially affected and has the following specific meanings with respect to each vegetable:

(i) Peas. Any spotted or off-colored pea (other than blond peas) such as brown or gray discoloration.

(ii) Carrots. Any unit possessing an unpeeled area greater than the area of a circle one-eighth inch in diameter; and any unit blemished by internal or external discoloration, such as sunburn or green color, or other similar color.

(3) "Seriously damaged unit" means a pea or carrot unit that is damaged to the extent that the appearance or edibility of the unit is seriously affected and includes units with very dark spots or serious discoloration or other abnormalities.

(4) "Other defects" means defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product and include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Peas. Mashed peas, broken peas, loose cotyledons, loose skins, and any portions thereof;

(ii) Carrots. Crushed, broken, or cracked units or units with excessively frayed edges and surfaces.

(b) (A) Classification. Canned peas and carrots that are practically free from defects may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Practically free from defects" means that there may be present:

(1) Not more than one (1) piece of harmless extraneous material per 60 ounces of drained product (average of entire sample); and

(2) Not more than the following per sample unit of 10 ounces:

(i) A total of 8 damaged and seriously damaged units of which not more than one (1) may be seriously damaged: Provided, That damaged and seriously damaged units, either singly or in combination, may no more than slightly affect the appearance or eating quality of the product;

(ii) Harmless extraneous material and/or other defects, individually or collectively, which materially affect the appearance of the product: and

(iii) Any combination of the foregoing which materially affect the appearance or eating quality of the product.

(c) (B) Classification. If the canned peas and carrots are reasonably free from defects a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Canned peas and carrots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (limiting rule). "Reasonably free from defects" means that there may be present:

(1) Not more than one (1) piece of harmless extraneous material per 30 ounces of drained product (average of entire sample); and

(2) Not more than the following per sample unit of 10 ounces:

(i) A total of 15 damaged and seriously damaged units of which not more than 3 units may be seriously damaged: Provided, That damaged and seriously damaged units, either singly or in combination, do not seriously affect the appearance or eating quality of the product;

(ii) Harmless extraneous material and/or other defects, individually or collectively, which seriously affect the appearance or eating quality; and

(iii) Any combination of the foregoing which seriously affect the appearance or eating quality of the product.

(d) (SStd) Classification. Canned peas and carrots that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 23 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (limiting rule). § 52.6212 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the tenderness and maturity

of the peas; and the tenderness and degree of freedom from stringy or coarse fibers in the carrots.

(b) (A) Classification. Canned peas and carrots which possess a good character may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. Good character means that:

(1) Carrots. The carrot units are tender, are not fibrous, and possess a practically uniform texture.

(2) Peas. The peas are at least reasonably tender and comply with the requirements of Table III.

(c) (B) Classification. If the canned peas and carrots possess a reasonably good character, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Canned peas and carrots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (limiting rule). "Reasonably good character" means that:

(1) Carrots. The carrot units are at least reasonably tender, may be variable in texture but are not tough, hard, or mushy; and not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the carrot ingredient may possess coarse, fibrous material.

(2) Peas. The peas are at least fairly tender; the skins of not more than 5 percent, by count, of the peas may be ruptured to a width of one-sixteenth inch or more; and, the peas comply with the requirements of Table III.

(d) (SStd) Classification. Canned peas and carrots that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 23 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (limiting rule).

§ 52.6215

(a) Brine flotation test. The brine flotation test utilizes salt solutions of various specific gravities to separate the peas according to maturity. The brine solutions are based on the percentage, by weight, of pure salt (NaCl) in solution. In making the test a 250 ml. glass beaker is filled with the brine solution to a depth of approximately 2 inches. The brine equipment, solution, and peas should be at the same temperature. Only peas that sink to the bottom of the receptacle within 10 seconds after immersion are counted as "peas that sink". Pieces of peas and loose skins should not be used in making the brine flotation test. LOT COMPLIANCE

§ 52.6214 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned peas and carrots covered by these standards is determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products thereof, and Certain Other Processed Food Products (§§ 52.1 to 52.87).

Subpart-United States Standards for Grades of Canned Solid-Pack Apricots AUTHORITY: Sec. 205, 60 Stat. 1090, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1624).

SOURCE: 39 FR 8909, Mar. 7, 1974, unless otherwise noted.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION, STYLES, AND GRADES § 52.6241 Product description.

Canned solid-pack apricots are prepared from mature, sound apricots (Prunus armeniaca), pitted and peeled or unpeeled, or any combination of peeled and unpeeled. The product is packed without a liquid packing medium, may be packed with dry nutritive sweetening ingredients, and is sufficiently processed by heat in hermetically sealed containers to assure its preservation.

(4) is at least fairly free from defects; and

(5) scores not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(b) "Substandard" is the quality that fails to meet the requirements of "U.S. Grade C."

FILL OF CONTAINER, DRAINED WEIGHTS § 52.6244 Recommended fill of container.

The recommended fill of container for canned solid-pack apricots is not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since fill of container, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purposes of these grades. It is recommended that each container be as full of apricots as practicable without impairment of quality and that the product occupy not less than 90 percent of the volume of the container.