FACTORS OF QUALITY § 52.776 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit. (a) General. The grade of a sample unit of canned red tart pitted cherries is ascertained by considering the flavor of the product and the requirement for size (in U.S. Grade A) which is not scored; the ratings for the factors of color, freedom from pits, freedom from defects, and character which are scored; the total score; and the limiting rules which may be applicable. (b) Factors rated by score points. The relative importance of each factor is expressed numerically on the scale of 100. The maximum number of points that may be given each factor is: (c) Definition of normal flavor. "Normal flavor" means that the flavor is characteristic of canned red tart pitted cherries and that the product is free from objectionable flavors of any kind. § 52.777 Ascertaining the rating for each factor which is scored. The essential variations within each factor are so described that the value may be ascertained for each factor and expressed numerically. The numerical range for the rating of each factor is inclusive (for example, "18 to 20 points" means 18, 19, or 20 points). § 52.778 Color. (a) (A) classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that possess a good color may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Good color" means a practically uniform color that is bright and typical of canned red tart pitted cherries which have been properly prepared and properly processed from properly ripened cherries. (b) (C) classification. If the canned red tart pitted cherries possess a fairly good color a score of 16 or 17 points may be given. Canned red tart pitted cherries 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 a fairly uniform color, typical of canned red tart pitted cherries which have been properly prepared and properly processed and which color may range from a brownish cast to mottled shades of brown. (c) (SStd.) classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (b) 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 (this is a limiting rule). § 52.779 Freedom from pits. (a) General. The factor of freedom from pits concerns the degree of freedom from pits and pit fragments. (b) Definitions. (1) A "pit," for the purposes of the allowances in this section, is a whole cherry pit or portions of pits computed as follows: (1) A single piece of pit shell, whether or not within or attached to a whole cherry, that is larger than one-half pit shell is considered as one pit; (ii) A single piece of pit shell, whether or not within or attached to a whole cherry, that is not larger than one-half pit shell is considered as one-half pit; (iii) Pieces of pit shell, within or attached to a whole cherry, when their combined size is larger than one-half pit shell are considered as one pit; and (iv) Pieces of pit shell, within or attached to a whole cherry, when their combined size is not larger than one-half pit shell are considered as one-half pit. (2) "Drained cherries" means pitted cherries that have been drained of packing medium by the method prescribed in this subpart. (c) (A) classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that are practically free from pits may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Practically free from pits" means that the number of pits that may be present in the drained cherries does not exceed the allowances for this classification as set forth in Table No. II of this subpart. (d) (C) classification. If the canned red tart pitted cherries are fairly free from pits a score of 16 or 17 points may be given. Canned red tart pitted cherries 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). Canned red tart pitted cherries are "fairly free from pits" if the number of pits (as defined) does not exceed the allowances for this classification as set forth in Table II of this subpart. 1 Sample units falling into this classification for this reason may be considered as "deviants" with respect to Grade A and allowed in accordance with section 52.782, ascertaining the grade of a lot. § 52.780 Freedom from defects. (a) General. The factor of freedom of defects refers to the degree of freedom from harmless extraneous material, mutilated cherries, and cherries blemished by scab, hail injury, discoloration, scar tissue, or by other means. (1) "Cherry" means a whole cherry, whether or not pitted, or portions of such cherries which in the aggregate approximate the average size of the cherries. (2) "Harmless extraneous material" means any vegetable substance (including, but not being limited to, a leaf or a stem, and any portions thereof) that is harmless. (3) "Mutilated cherry" means a cherry that is so pitter-torn or damaged by other means that the entire pit cavity is exposed and the appearance of the cherry is seriously affected. (4) "Blemished cherry" means any cherry the skin of which is blemished to the extent that the aggregate blemished area materially affects the appearance of the cherry. The term "blemished cherry" also means any cherry the flesh of which is materially discolored. (5) "Seriously blemished" means any cherry blemished to the extent that the appearance or eating quality is seriously affected. (b) (A) classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries 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 1 piece of harmless extraneous material for each 60 ounces of net contents; (2) not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of the cherries are mutilated cherries, blemished cherries, and seriously blemished cherries; and (3) not more than 4 percent, by count, of all the cherries are seriously blemished. (c) (C) classification. If the canned red tart pitted cherries are fairly free from defects, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Canned red tart pitted cherries 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 there may be present (1) not more than 1 piece of harmless extraneous material for each 20 ounces of net contents; and (2) not more than a total of 20 percent, by count, of cherries that are mutilated, blemished, and seriously blemished cherries of which not more than 15 percent, by count, of all cherries are blemished and/or seriously blemished. (d) (SStd.) classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section for any reason 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). § 52.781 Character. (a) General. The factor of character refers to the degree of ripeness and the physical characteristics of the flesh of the cherries. (b) (A) classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that have a good character may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Good character" means a firm, fleshy texture, typical of canned red tart pitted cherries which have been properly prepared and properly processed from properly ripened cherries. (c) (C) classification. If the canned red tart pitted cherries have a fairly good character, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Canned red tart pitted cherries 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 character" means a fairly firm or PRODUCT DESCRIPTION AND GRADES § 52.801 Product description. Frozen red tart pitted cherries are prepared from properly ripened fruit of the cherry tree of the red sour varietal group (Prunus cerasus); are washed, pitted, and sorted; are properly drained before filling; may be packed with or without packing media; and are frozen and stored at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product. § 52.802 Grades of frozen red tart pitted cherries. (a) "U.S. Grade A" (or "U.S. Fancy") is the quality of frozen red tart pitted cherries that (1) possess a good red color; (2) are practically free from pits; (3) are practically free from defects; (4) have a good character; (5) possess a normal flavor; and (6) score not less. than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this. subpart. Pitted cherries of this grade may contain not more than 5 percent, by count, of cherries that are less than 9/16 inch in diameter. (b) "U.S. Grade C" (or "U.S. Standard") is the quality of frozen red tart pitted cherries that (1) possess a reasonably good red color; (2) are fairly free from pits; (3) are fairly free from defects; (4) have a fairly good character; (5) possess a normal flavor; and (6) score not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart. There is no size requirement for cherries of this. grade. (c) "Substandard" is the quality of frozen red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C. FACTORS OF QUALITY § 52.803 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit. (a) The grade of frozen red tart pitted cherries is determined immediately after thawing to the extent that the cherries may be separated easily and the cherries are free from ice and solidified packing media. The grade is determined by considering in addition to the requirements of the respective grade (including the requirement for size in U.S. Grade A) the respective ratings of the factors of color, pits, absence of defects, the total score, and the limiting rules which may be applicable. 139 (a) (A) classification. Frozen red tart pitted cherries that possess a good red color may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Good red color" means that the frozen cherries possess a color that is bright and typical of properly ripened cherries and that is reasonably uniform in that not more than 15 percent, by count, of cherries vary markedly from this color because of discoloration due to oxidation, improper processing, or other causes, or because of undercolored cherries. (b) (C) classification. If the frozen red tart pitted cherries possess a reasonably good red color, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Frozen red tart pitted cherries 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). "Reasonably good red color" means that the frozen cherries possess a color that is reasonably bright and typical of properly ripened cherries and that is fairly uniform in that not more than 25 percent, by count, of cherries vary markedly from this color because of discoloration due to oxidation, improper processing, or other causes, or because of undercolored cherries. (c) (SStd.) classification. Frozen red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (b) 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 (this is a limiting rule). § 52.806 Freedom from pits. (a) General. The factor of freedom from pits concerns the degree of freedom from pits and pit fragments. (b) Definitions. (1) A "pit" for the purpose of the allowances in this subpart is a whole pit or portions of pits computed as follows: (i) A single piece of pit shell, whether or not within or attached to a whole cherry, that is larger than one-half pit shell is considered as one pit; (ii) A single piece of pit shell, whether or not within or attached to a whole cherry, that is not larger than one-half pit shell is considered as one-half pit; (iii) Pieces of pit shell, within or attached to a whole cherry, when their combined size is larger than one-half pit shell are considered as one pit; and (iv) Pieces of pit shell, within or attached to a whole cherry, when their combined size is not larger than one-half pit shell are considered as one-half pit. (2) "Drained cherries" means pitted cherries that are substantially free from any adhering sirup, sugar or other packing medium. (c) (A) classification. Frozen red tart pitted cherries that are practically free from pits may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Practically free from pits" means that the number of pits that may be present in the drained cherries does not exceed the allowances for this classification as set forth in Table I of this section. (d) (C) classification. If the frozen red tart pitted cherries are fairly free from pits a score of 16 or 17 may be given. Frozen red tart pitted cherries 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 pits" means that the number of pits that may be present in the drained cherries does not exceed the allowances for this classification as set forth in table I of this section. (e) (SStd.) classification. Frozen red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet the 1 A sample unit falling into this classification for this reason may be considered as a "deviant" with respect to grade A and allowed in accordance with § 52.809, ascertaining the grade of a lot. § 52.807 Freedom from defects. (a) General. The factor of freedom from defects refers to the degree of freedom from harmless extraneous material, mutilated cherries, and cherries blemished by scab, hail injury, discoloration, scar tissue, or by other means. (1) "Cherry" means a whole cherry, whether or not pitted, or portions of such cherries which in the aggregate approximate the average size of the cherries. (2) "Harmless extraneous material" means any vegetable substance (including, but not being limited to, a leaf or a stem and any portions thereof) that is harmless. (3) "Mutilated cherry" means а cherry that is so pitter-torn or damaged by other means that the entire pit cavity is exposed and the appearance of the cherry is seriously affected. (4) "Blemished cherry" means any cherry the skin of which is blemished to the extent that the aggregate area covered by the blemishes exceeds the area of a circle 32 inch in diameter and the appearance of the cherry is materially affected by such blemishes. The term "blemished cherry" also means any cherry the flesh of which is materially discolored. (5) "Seriously blemished" means any cherry blemished to the extent that the appearance or eating quality is seriously affected. (b) (A) classification. Frozen red tart pitted cherries that are practically free from defects may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Practically free from defects" means that there may be present (1) not more than 1 piece of harmless extraneous material for each 60 ounces of net contents; (2) not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of the cherries are mutilated cherries, blemished cherries, and seriously blemished cherries; and (3) not more than 4 percent, by count, of all the cherries are seriously blemished. (c) (C) classification. If the frozen red tart pitted cherries are fairly free from defects, a score of 16 or 17 points may be given. Frozen red tart pitted cherries 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 there may be present (1) not more than 1 piece of harmless extraneous material for each 20-ounces of net contents; and (2) not more than a total of 20 percent, by count, of cherries that are mutilated, blemished, and seriously blemished cherries of which not more than 15 percent, by count, of all cherries are blemished and or seriously blemished. (d) (SStd.) classification. Frozen red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section for any reason 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 (this is a limiting rule). § 52.808 Character. (a) General. The factor of character refers to the degree of ripeness of the cherries and the physical characteristics of the flesh of the cherries. (b) (A) classification. Frozen red tart pitted cherries that have a good character may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Good character" means a firm, fleshy texture, typical of frozen red tart pitted cherries which have been properly prepared and properly processed from properly ripened cherries. (c) (C) classification. If the frozen red tart pitted cherries have a fairly good character, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Frozen red tart pitted cherries 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 |