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(a) "Canned pimientos" means the canned product properly prepared from clean, sound, succulent pods of the pimiento plant (Capsicum annuum) as such product is defined in the standard of identity for canned pimientos (21 CFR 51.990) issued pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

(b) For the purposes of these grade standards "Pimientos" are a group of sweet peppers of the pimiento-type or Spanish pepper. This group includes Pimiento, Perfection, Truheart, and similar varieties. Pimiento fruit pods are smooth, typically conical or heartshaped, pointed at the blossom end, thick walled, red to reddish-yellow color, and possess a mild and sweet distinct pimiento flavor.

(c) The finished product is prepared from peeled pods and may contain acidifying and firming agents and any other ingredient permissible under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

§ 52.2682 Types of pack.

(a) Regular pack (see Table I).

30

(C) and C-SP)

((D), (SStd), (SStd-SP)

(A)

30

(B)

30

(C), (C-SP)

((D), (SStd), (SStd-SP)

1 21-23 10-20

2 27-30

2 24-26

1 21-23

10-20

100

(b) Heavy pack (see Table I). § 52.2683 Styles of canned pimientos.

(a) "Whole" or "whole pimientos" means pimientos that retain the approximate conformation of a whole pod pimiento.

(b) "Halves" or "halved" means pimientos cut longitudinally into two approximately equal parts.

(c) "Pieces" means pimientos cut or broken into units with at least 1 square inch area each and may include less than 50 percent, by weight, of whole pods.

(d) "Whole and pieces" means pimientos consisting of a combination of whole and pieces of pimientos and containing not less than 50 percent, by weight, of whole pimientos.

(e) "Slices" or "sliced" means pimientos sliced into strips.

(f) "Diced" means pimientos cut into approximate cube-shaped units or cut into approximately square pieces.

(g) "Chopped" means pimientos cut or broken into units of less than 1 square inch area each.

§ 52.2684 Grades of canned pimientos.

(a) "U.S. Grade A" (or "U.S. Fancy") is the quality of canned pimientos that possess similar varietal characteristics; possess a normal flavor; and for the applicable type and style: (1) Possess a good color; (2) are practically uniform or fairly uniform in size for the applicable styles; (3) are practically free from

defects; (4) possess a good character; and (5) score not less than 90 points as outlined in this subpart.

(b) "U.S. Grade C" (or "U.S. Standard") is the quality of canned pimientos that possess similar varietal characteristics; possess a normal flavor; and for the applicable type and style: (1) Possess a fairly good color; (2) are fairly uniform in size and shape for the applicable styles; (3) are fairly free from defects; (4) possess a fairly good character; and (5) score not less than 80 points as outlined in this subpart.

(c) "Substandard" is the quality of canned pimientos that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C.

FILL OF CONTAINER AND DRAINED WEIGHTS § 52.2685 Recommended fill of container.

The recommended fill of container is not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since fill of container, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades. It is recommended that each container of canned pimientos be filled with pimientos as full as practicable without impairment of quality.

§ 52.2686 Recommended drained weight. The drained weight recommendations in Table I are not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since

drained weight, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades. The drained weight of pimientos is determined by emptying 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 (2.38 mm.), ±3%, square openings] so as to distribute the product evenly, inclining the sieve slightly to facilitate drainage, and allowing to drain for 2 minutes. A sieve 8 inches in diameter is used for No. 21⁄2 size cans (401 x 411) and smaller sizes, and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for containers larger than the No. 21⁄2 size can.

§ 52.2687 Compliance with recommended drained weights.

Compliance with the recommended drained weights in Table I is determined by averaging the drained weights from all the containers in the sample which represents a specific lot; and such lot is considered as meeting the recommendations if the following criteria are met:

(a) The sample average meets the recommended minimum drained weight;

and

(b) The containers which do not meet the recommended minimum drained weight are within the range of variability of good commercial practice and there is no unreasonable shortage of pimientos in any container.

TABLE I-RECOMMENDED MINIMUM DRAINED WEIGHTS OF PIMIENTOS

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FACTORS OF QUALITY

§ 52.2688 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit.

(a) General. The grade of a sample unit is ascertained by considering certain factors which are not scored; the ratings for the factors of color, uniformity of size and shape, defects, and character which are scored; the total score; and the limiting rules which may apply.

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

(2) Flavor: "Normal flavor" means that the canned pimientos have a good, characteristic, mild but distinct pimiento flavor and are free from objectionable or bitter flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

(c) Factors rated by score points. The relative importance of each factor which is scored is expressed numerically on the scale of 100. The maximum number of points that may be given each factor is:

Factors:

Color

Uniformity of size and shape...---

Defects

Character

§ 52.2689

Points 30

20

40

10

100

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 is inclusive (for example, "27 to 30 points" means 27, 28, 29, or 30 points). § 52.2690 Color.

(a) Evaluation of color. The evaluation of color of canned pimientos shall be determined immediately after opening the container. The color is based upon the brightness and the uniformity of the exterior red to reddish-yellow color of the units. Green or dull oxidized reddish-brown units are scored under this factor when the overall color is affected.

(b) Color standards. The color of the units is classified by using the USDA plastic color standards for canned pimientos as follows:

(1) "Pimiento Red" means a red color equal to or more red than the USDA Pimiento Red color standard.

(2) "Pimiento Reddish-Yellow" means a reddish-yellow color equal to or more red than USDA Pimiento Reddish-Yellow but less red than USDA Pimiento Red color standard.

(3) Information regarding these color standards may be obtained from: Processed Products Standardization and Inspection Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, Consumer and Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.

(c) (A) classification. Canned pimientos that possess a good color may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Good color" means that the overall color of the product is bright, practically uniform, and typical of canned pimientos; and that the color on the exterior surfaces complies with the requirements for the applicable style as outlined in Table II.

(d) (C) classification. If the canned pimientos possess a fairly good color, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Canned pimientos 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 overall color of the product may be variable and slightly dull but none of the units may be green or of a greenish cast or off color; and the color on the exterior surface complies with the applicable style as outlined in Table II.

(e) (SStd) classification. Canned pimientos that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section or that are definitely off color 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 (this is a limiting rule).

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C classification

blossom end the normal size and shape
of the pod is substantially preserved.

(4) "Fairly well trimmed" means that
the unit is trimmed but not mutilated to
such an extent as to seriously affect the
appearance of the pod.

(c) (A) classification. Canned pimien-
tos 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 most of the
pods are well trimmed and that:
(1) The pimientos comply with the

measurement, shape, and uniformity requirements for (A) classification in Table III; and

(2) Any such variation does not ma-
terially detract from the overall appear-
ance of the product.

(d) (C) classification. If the canned
pimientos are fairly uniform in size and
shape, a score of 16 or 17 points may be
given. "Fairly uniform in size and shape"
means that most of the pods are at least
fairly well trimmed and that:

measurement, shape, and uniformity requirement for (C) classification in Table III; and

(2) Any such variation does not serl-
ously detract from the overall appear-
ance of the product.

(e) (SStd.) classification. Canned pi-
mientos that fail to meet the require-
ments of paragraph (d) of this section
may be given a score of 0 to 15 points
and shall not be graded above Sub-
standard, regardless of the total score

(1) The pimientos comply with the for the product (this is a limiting rule).

TABLE III.-UNIFORMITY OF SIZE AND SHAPE FOR CANNED PIMIENTOS

A classification

Styles

Whole or halved..

Measurement and/or shape of in-
dividual unit

Minimum 11⁄2 inches in any dimen-
sion (does not apply to a piece
when added to assure well filled
container).

Whole and pieces... Minimum 11⁄2 inches in any dimen-
sion of whole. Minimum 1 square
inch per piece.

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Uniformity of all units in container

(unless indicated otherwise)

Largest unit does not exceed smallest
unit by more than 34 inch in any
dimension. Maximum 25 percent,
by count, of whole pods may be
split the full length of pod.
Largest whole does not exceed smallest

whole by more than 3/4 inch in any
dimension. Maximum 5 percent,
by weight, of pieces less than 1
square inch each.
Maximum 5 percent, by weight, of
pieces less than 1 square inch each.
Maximum 35 percent, by weight, of
units less than 14 inches in length,
provided very small pieces do not
materially affect the appearance.
Maximum 15 percent, by weight, of
other shapes and sizes of units.
Maximum 5 percent, by weight, of
units larger than 1 square inch each.

Measurement and/or shape of in- Uniformity of all the units in container dividual unit (unless indicated otherwise)

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Largest unit does not exceed smallest unit by more than 1 inch in any dimension.

Largest whole does not exceed smallest
whole by more than 1 inch in any
dimension. Maximum 10 percent, by
weight, of pieces less than 1 square
inch each.

Maximum 10 percent, by weight, of
pieces less than 1 square inch each.
Maximum 35 percent, by weight, of
units less than 14 inches in length,
provided very small pieces do not
exceed 25 percent, by weight, of units.
Maximum 25 percent, by weight, of
units of other shapes and sizes of
units.

Maximum 10 percent, by weight, of units larger than 1 square inch each.

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In containers with 10 or more units, requirements apply only to the 90 percent, by count, of most uniform units. In containers with less than 10 units disregard least uniform unit, and apply to remainder of units.

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