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 in diameter and which do not affect materially the appearance of the unit are not considered "defects."

(6) Blemishes. "Blemishes” in canned apricots include 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 14 inch 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 % inch 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 bears marks of crushing or is otherwise 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 is not crushed or broken. Portions equivalent to a full-size unit that has been broken are considered as one unit in determining the percentage by count.

(c) (A) classification. Unpeeled or peeled halves, unpeeled or peeled slices, unpeeled or peeled whole, or unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned apricots that are practically free from defects may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. Unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and

shapes of canned apricots that score 27 to 30 points shall not be graded above U. S. Grade B or U. S. Choice, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial limiting rule). "Practically free from defects" means that the canned apricots are practically free from pit material and from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product; and the following defects may be present within the limits stated for the respective styles of canned apricots:

(1) Unpeeled or peeled halves; unpeeled or peeled whole. (i) No harmless extraneous material; (ii) Not more than an average of 1 short stem for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(iii) Not more than an average of % square inch of peel for each pound of total contents in the peeled styles;

(iv) Not more than 2 loose pits for each 30 ounces of total contents in whole apricots;

(v) Not more than 5 percent, by count, of the units may be crushed or broken or one unit in a container is permitted to be crushed or broken if such unit exceeds the allowance of 5 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such crushed or broken units do not exceed an average of 5 percent of the total number of units; and

(vi) Not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of the units may possess minor blemishes and blemishes: Provided, That not more than 5 percent, by count, of the units possess blemishes. One unit in a container is permitted to possess minor blemishes or blemishes if such unit exceeds the respective allowances of 10 percent or 5 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such units possessing minor blemishes and blemishes do not exceed an average of 10 percent of the total number of units including not more than an average of 5 percent of the total number of units that may possess blemishes.

(2) Unpeeled or peeled slices; unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes. (i) No harmless extraneous material;

(ii) Not more than an average of 1 short stem for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(iii) Not more than an average of 8 square inch of peel for each pound of total contents in the peeled styles; and

(iv) Not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the drained fruit may consist of units that possess minor blemishes and blemishes: Provided, That the appearance or edibility of the product is not more than slightly affected.

or

(d) (B) classification. Unpeeled peeled halves, unpeeled or peeled slices, unpeeled or peeled whole, or unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned apricots that are reasonably free from defects may be given score of 24 to 26 points. Canned apricots 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). "Reasonably free from defects" means that the canned apricots are practically free from pit material; are reasonably free from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product; and the following defects may be present within the limits stated for the respective styles of canned apricots:

(1) Unpeeled or peeled halves; unpeeled or peeled whole. (i) Not more than 1 piece of harmless extraneous material for each 100 ounces of total contents;

(ii) Not more than an average of 2 short stems for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(iii) Not more than an average of 1⁄4 square inch of peel for each pound of total contents in the peeled styles;

(iv) Not more than 3 loose pits for each 30 ounces of total contents in whole apricots;

(v) Not more than 5 percent, by count, of the units may be crushed or broken or one unit in a container is permitted to be crushed or broken if such unit exceeds the allowance of 5 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such crushed or broken units do not exceed an average of 5 percent of the total number of units; and

(vi) Not more than a total of 20 percent, by count, of the units may possess minor blemishes and blemishes: Provided, That not more than 10 percent, by count, of the units possess blemishes. One unit in a container is permitted to

possess minor blemishes or blemishes if such unit exceeds the respective allowances of 20 percent or 10 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such units possessing minor blemishes and blemishes do not exceed an average of 20 percent of the total number of units including not more than an average of 10 percent of the total number of units that may possess blemishes.

(2) Unpeeled or peeled slices; unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes. (1) Not more than 1 piece of harmless extraneous material for each 100 ounces of total contents;

(ii) Not more than an average of 2 short stems for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(iii) Not more than an average of 4 square inch of peel for each pound of total contents in the peeled styles; and

(iv) Not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the drained fruit may consist of units that possess minor blemishes and blemishes: Provided, That the appearance or edibility of the product is not materially affected.

(e) (C) classification. Unpeeled or peeled halves, unpeeled or peeled slices, unpeeled or peeled whole, or unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned apricots that are fairly free from defects may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned apricots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U. S. Grade C or U. S. Standard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly free from defects" means that the canned apricots are practically free from pit material; are fairly free from any defects not specifically mentioned (and including excessive trimming in halved or whole style) that affect the appearance or edibility of the product; and the following defects may be present within the limits stated for the respective styles of canned apricots;

(1) Unpeeled or peeled halves; unpeeled or peeled whole. (1) Not more than 1 piece of harmless extraneous material for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(ii) Not more than an average of 3 short stems for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(iii) Not more than an average of 1⁄2 square inch of peel for each pound of total contents in the peeled styles;

(iv) Not more than 4 loose pits for each 30 ounces of total contents in whole apricots;

(v) Not more than 5 percent, by count, of the units may be crushed or broken or one unit in a container is permitted to be crushed or broken if such unit exceeds the allowance of 5 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such crushed or broken units do not exceed an average of 5 percent of the total number of units; and

(vi) Not more than a total of 40 percent, by count, of the units may possess minor blemishes and blemishes: Provided, That not more than 20 percent, by count, of the units possess blemishes.

(2) Unpeeled or peeled slices; unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes. (i) Not more than 1 piece of harmless extraneous material for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(ii) Not more than an average of 3 short stems for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(iii) Not more than an average of 2 square inch of peel for each pound of total contents in peeled style; and

(iv) Not more than 20 percent, by weight, of the drained fruit may consist of units that possess minor blemishes and blemishes: Provided, That the appearance or edibility of the product is not seriously affected.

Canned apri

(f) (D) classification. cots of any style which fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (e) of this section but which meet the requirements of this paragraph may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above U. S. Grade D, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Halves or whole canned apricots that are thereby U. S. Grade D may also be "Below Standard in Quality"-"Partly Crushed or Broken" or "Unevenly Trimmed," or both. Canned apricots of U. S. Grade D with respect to "absence of defects" are practically free from pit material; are fairly free from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect materially the appearance or edibility of the product; and the following defects may be present within the limits stated for the respective styles of canned apricots:

(1) Not more than 1 piece of harmless extraneous material for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(2) Not more than an average of 3 short stems for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(3) Not more than an average of 2 square inch of peel for each pound of total contents in the peeled styles;

(4) Not more than 4 loose pits for each 30 ounces of total contents in whole canned apricots;

(5) Any amount of unevenly trimmed units in halved or whole style;

(6) Any amount of crushed or broken units in halved or whole style; and

(7) In halved or whole style, not more than a total of 40 percent, by count, of the units may possess minor blemishes and blemishes: Provided, That not more than 20 percent, by count, of the units possess blemishes; or

(8) In the styles of unpeeled or peeled sliced and unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes, not more than 20 percent, by weight, of the drained fruit may consist of units that possess minor blemishes and blemishes: Provided, That the appearance or edibility of the product is not seriously affected.

Canned

(g) (SStd) classification. apricots that fail to meet the applicable requirements of paragraph (e) or (f) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above the following stated grades, as applicable, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule):

(1) Halves or whole canned apricots shall not be graded above Substandard and may also be "Below Standard in Quality" for the applicable reasons: (i) Partly crushed or broken; (ii) Unevenly trimmed; (iii) Blemished.

(2) Unpeeled or peeled slices and unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned apricots shall not be graded above Substandard and may also be "Below Standard in Quality"-"Blemished" if more than 20 percent by count, of the units possess blemishes.

(h) (C-SP) classification. Unpeeled or peeled halves, unpeeled or peeled slices, unpeeled or peeled whole, unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes or pitted canned "solid-pack" apricots that are fairly free from defects for canned "solid-pack" apricots may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned

"solid-pack" apricots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U. S. Grade C Solid-Pack or U. S. Standard Solid-Pack, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly free from defects for canned 'solid-pack' apricots" means that the canned "solid-pack" apricots are practically free from pit material; are fairly free from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product; and, in addition there may be present:

(1) Not more than 1 piece of harmless extraneous material for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(2) Not more than an average of 3 short stems for each 30 ounces of total contents;

(3) Not more than an average of 1⁄2 square inch of peel for each pound of total contents in the peeled styles;

(4) Not more than 4 loose pits for each 30 ounces of total contents in whole canned apricots; and

(5) Minor blemishes and blemishes that do not affect seriously the appearance or edibility of the product.

(i) (SStd-SP) classification. Unpeeled or peeled halves, unpeeled or peeled slices, unpeeled or peeled whole, unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes, or pitted canned "solid-pack" apricots that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (h) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above Substandard Solid-Pack, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). § 52.2655

Character.

(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 material disintegration.

(b) (A) classification. Unpeeled or peeled halves, unpeeled or peeled slices, unpeeled or peeled whole, or unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned apricots that possess a good character may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. Unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned apricots that score 27

to 30 points shall not be graded above U. S. Grade B or U. S. Choice, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial limiting rule). "Good character" means that the units possess a practically uniform tender, fleshy texture typical of well-ripened, properly prepared, and properly processed canned apricots; the units are uniformly intact and may be soft but hold their original conformation and size without material disintegration; and not more than 5 percent, by count, of the units may possess a "reasonably good character." One unit in a container is permitted to possess a "reasonably good character" if such unit exceeds 5 percent, by count: Provided, That the appearance or eating quality, or both, is not more than slightly affected by the character of such unit.

or

(c) (B) classification. Unpeeled peeled halves, unpeeled or peeled slices, unpeeled or peeled whole, or unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned apricots that possess a reasonably good character may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned apricots 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 partial limiting rule). "Reasonably good character" means that the units possess 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 or slightly ragged but are not mushy; and not more than 10 percent, by count, of the units may possess a fairly good character, except for units that are so firm as to be "not tender." One unit in a container is permitted to have such fairly good character if one unit exceeds the allowance of 10 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample the units with fairly good character do not exceed an average of 10 percent of the total number of units.

(d) (C) classification. Unpeeled or peeled halves, unpeeled or peeled slices, unpeeled or peeled whole, or unpeeled or

peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned apricots that possess a fairly good character may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned apricots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U. S. Grade C or U. S. Standard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly good character" means that the units possess a texture of properly processed apricots which may be variable in fleshiness but the texture is fairly fleshy and the units are intact; the units may be lacking uniformity of tenderness; the units may be markedly ragged with frayed edges or may be very soft; and not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the drained apricots may be mushy or units that are so firm as to be "not tender".

(e) (D) classification. Canned apricots of any style that meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section with respect to units that are so firm as to be "not tender" but which otherwise possess a noticeably variable texture with not more than 25 percent, by weight, of the drained apricots that consist of mushy fruit may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above U. S. Grade D, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

(f) (SStd) classification. Canned apricots of any style that fail to meet the applicable requirements of paragraph (d) or (e) of this section or that are so firm as to be "not tender” 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). Canned apricots that are "not tender" are also "Below Standard in Quality-Not Tender."

(g) (C-SP) classification. Unpeeled or peeled halves, unpeeled or peeled slices, unpeeled or peeled whole, unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes, or pitted canned "solidpack" apricots that possess a fairly good character for canned "solid-pack" apricots may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned "solid-pack" apricots that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U. S. Grade C Solid-Pack or U. S. Standard Solid-Pack, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly good character for canned 'solid-pack' apricots" means the product generally possesses a texture of properly processed apricots which may be variable in tenderness, consisting of very soft to fairly firm units and crushed or broken units.

(h) (SStd-SP) classification. Unpeeled or peeled halves, unpeeled or peeled slices, unpeeled or peeled whole, unpeeled or peeled mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes, or pitted canned "solid-pack” apricots which fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above Substandard Solid-Pack, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

LOT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION § 52.2656

lot.

Ascertaining the grade of a

The grade of a lot of the processed product 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).

[22 F. R. 3547, May 22, 1957]