Label (a) "Canned green beans" means canned green beans as defined in the definitions and standard of identity for canned green beans (21 CFR 51.10), issued pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. (b) "Canned wax beans" means canned wax beans as defined in the definitions and standard of identity for canned wax beans (21 CFR 51.15), issued pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. (c) "Canned beans" or "beans" as hereinafter referred to in this subpart means canned green beans or canned wax beans. (d) "Unit" means an individual green bean or wax bean, or portion of either, in canned beans. § 52.442 Styles of canned beans. (a) "Whole" means canned beans that consist of whole pods, including pods (b) "Whole vertical pack" means canned beans that are "whole" and are packed parallel to the sides of the container. (c) "Whole asparagus style" means canned beans that are "whole" and consist of pods that are cut at both ends, are of substantially equal lengths, and are packed parallel to the sides of the container. (d) "Sliced lengthwise" or "French style" means canned beans consisting of pods that are sliced lengthwise. (e) "Cut" or "cuts" means canned beans consisting of pods that are cut transversely into pieces less than 234 inches, but not less than 31⁄2 inch, in length, and may contain shorter end pieces which result from cutting. (f) "Short cut" or "short cuts" means canned beans consisting of pieces of pods of which not less than 75 percent are less than 34 inch in length and not more than 1 percent are more than 14 inches in length. (g) "Mixed" or "mixture" means a mixture of two or more of the following styles of canned beans: "whole"; "sliced lengthwise"; "cuts"; or "short cuts". § 52.443 Grades of canned beans. (a) "U.S. Grade A" (or "U.S. Fancy") is the quality of canned green beans or canned wax beans that possess similar varietal characteristics; possess a normal flavor and odor; are practically free from defects for reasons other than damaged by mechanical injury; possess a good character; and are of such quality with respect to clearness of liquor, uniformity of color, and absence of defects as to score not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart. (b) "U.S. Grade B" (or "U.S. Extra Standard") is the quality of canned green beans or canned wax beans that possess similar varietal characteristics; possess a normal flavor and odor; possess a reasonably uniform typical color; are reasonably free from defects; pos sess a reasonably good character; and are of such quality with respect to clearness of liquor as to score not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outined in this subpart. (c) "U.S. Grade C" (or "U.S. Standard") is the quality of canned green beans or canned wax beans that possess similar varietal characteristics; possess a normal flavor and odor; possess a fairly good liquor; possess a fairly uniform typical color; are fairly free from defects; possess a fairly good character; and score not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart. (d) "Substandard" is the quality of canned beans that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C and may or may not be "Below Standard in Quality-Good Food-Not High Grade". FILL OF CONTAINER AND DRAINED WEIGHTS § 52.444 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 beans be filled with beans as full as practicable without impairment of quality and that the product and packing medium occupy not less than 90 percent of the total capacity of the container. § 52.445 Recommended drained weight. The drained weight recommendations in Table No. I of this section 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 beans is determined by emptying the contents of the container upon a United States Standard No. 8 circular sieve of proper diameter containing 8 meshes to the inch (0.0937-inch +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. § 52.446 Compliance with recommended drained weights. Compliance with the recommended drained weights for canned beans in Table I is determined by averaging the drained weights from all the containers in the sample which is representative of a specific lot and such lot is considered as meeting the recommendations if the following criteria are met: (a) The average of the drained weights from all of the containers in the sample meets the recommended minimum drained weight for the applicable style; (b) The drained weights from the containers which do not meet the recommended minimum drained weight are within the range of variability of good commercial practice. TABLE I-RECOMMENDED MINIMUM DRAINED WEIGHTS FOR CANNED GREEN BEANS AND WAX BEANS count, or O Container size or designation 8 Z tall.. 8 oz. glass. No. 1 (picnic). No. 300 No. 300 glass. No. 1 tall..CL No. 303. No. 303 glass. 9.2 No.2..... 10.5 11.9 11.2 11.0 11.2 11.0 No. 212. 16.0 17.0 16.4 16.2 16.4 16.2 No. 211⁄2 glass. 15.8 16.8 16.2 16.0 16.2 16.0 No. 3 cylinder. 26.6 27.3 27.0 27.3 27.0 No.10--- 10----------------- 59.0 63.0 60.0 63.0 59.0 TYPES AND SIZES § 52.447 Types of canned beans. The type of canned beans is not incorporated in the grades of the finished product, since the type of canned beans is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades. The type of canned beans is based upon the relationship of the width and thickness measurement and is described as "round-type" or "flat-type" as follows: (a) "Round-type" are canned beans having a width not greater than 11⁄2 times the thickness of the bean. (b) "Flat-type" are canned beans having a width greater than 11⁄2 times the thickness of the bean. § 52.448 Sizes of canned beans. The size of beans is not a factor of quality of canned beans for the purpose of these grades. The size of a whole, cut, or short cut bean is determined by measuring the thickness at the shorter diameter of the bean transversely to the long axis at the thickest portion of the pod. The designations of the various sizes of round type and flat type beans are shown in Table No. II-A and II-B of this subpart. (1) Factors not rated by score points. § 52.450 Ascertaining the rating for the (i) Flavor and odor: "Normal flavor and normal odor" means that the canned beans are free from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind. (ii) Varietal characteristics. (2) Factors rated by score points. The relative importance of each factor which is scored is expressed numerically on the scale of 100. The maximum 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 which is scored is inclusive (for example, "31 to 35 points" means 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 points). § 52.451 Clearness of liquor. (a) (A) classification. Canned beans that possess a practically clear liquor may be given a score of 9 or 10 points. "Practically clear liquor" means that the liquor may possess a slight tint of yellowgreen to green color and that not more than a trace of suspended material and sediment is present. (b) (B) classification. If the canned beans possess a reasonably clear liquor, a score of 8 points may be given. "Reasonably clear liquor" means that the liquor may be cloudy and contain a small quantity of sediment. (c) (C) classification. If the canned beans possess a fairly good liquor, a score of 7 points may be given. "Fairly good liquor" means that the liquor may be dull in color, but not off color; may be cloudy; or may possess a noticeable accumulation of sediment. (d) (SStd) classification. Canned beans that possess a liquor that is definitely off color for any reason, is excessively cloudy, or contains a seriously objectionable quantity of sediment may be given a score of 0 to 6 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). § 52.452 Color. (a) (A) classification. Canned beans that possess a practically uniform bright typical color may be given a score of 14 or 15 points. "Practically uniform bright typical color" means that the canned beans possess a color that is bright and typical of very young and tender green beans or wax beans, as the case may be, of similar varietal characteristics with not more than 5 percent, by count, of units which vary markedly from this typical color. (b) (B) classification. If the canned beans possess a reasonably uniform typical color, a score of 12 or 13 points Inay be given. "Reasonably uniform typical color" means that the canned beans possess a color that is typical of young and reasonably tender green beans or wax beans, as the case may be, of similar varietal characteristics with not more than 10 percent, by count, of units which vary markedly from this typical color. (c) (C) classification. Canned beans that possess a fairly uniform typical color may be given a score of 10 or 11 points. Canned beans 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 uniform typical color" means that the canned beans possess a color that is typical of nearly mature and fairly tender green beans or wax beans, as the case may be, of similar varietal characteristics with not more than 15 percent, by count, of units which vary markedly from this typical color. (d) (SStd) classification. Canned beans that are definitely off color or fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 9 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). § 52.453 Absence of defects. (a) General. The factor of absence of defects refers to the degree of freedom from blemished and seriously blemished units; from unstemmed units, detached stems, leaves, extraneous vegetable matter; or split units, loose seeds and pieces of seed, small pieces of pod, and raggedcut units or units damaged by mechanical injury in the applicable styles; and any other defects not specifically defined which affect the appearance or edibility of the units or the product. (b) Definitions of defects or defective units. (1) "Blemished" or "blemished unit" means blemished by scars, pathological injury, insect injury, or other means in which the aggregate area affected exceeds the area of a circle a inch in diameter or the appearance or eating quality of the unit is materially affected. (2) "Seriously blemished" or "seriously blemished unit" means blemished to such an extent that the appearance or eating quality of the unit is seriously affected. (3) "Long stems" mean attached or detached stems which are longer than 11⁄2 inch. (4) "Extraneous vegetable matter" means leaves and other similar vegetable matter that is harmless, and includes "detached stems", when SO indicated. (5) "Split unit" means a whole bean, cut, or short cut unit, that is split into two parts. (6) "Small pieces of pods" means pieces of pods less than 11⁄2 inch in length. (7) "Ragged-cut unit" means a section of a pod that has a very ragged edge, or a section of a pod that is partially cut that seriously affects the appearance of the pod. (8) "Damaged by mechanical injury" means broken or damaged to such an extent that the appearance or eating quality of the unit is seriously affected. (c) (A) classification. Canned beans that are practically free from defects may be given a score of 31 to 35 points. "Practically free from defects" means that: (1) The limits for allowable defects or defective units in the applicable styles do not exceed the maximum limits for (A) classification in Table III of this subpart; and (2) Notwithstanding the applicable allowances in Table III the defects or defective units (whether or not specifically defined), individually and collectively, do not materially affect the appearance or edibility of the product. (d) (B) classification. If the canned beans are reasonably free from defects, a score of 28 to 30 points may be given. Canned beans that fall into this classification for reasons other than damage by mechanical injury shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial limiting rule). "Reasonably free from defects" means that: (1) The limits for allowable defects or defective units in the applicable styles do not exceed the maximum limits for (B) classification in Table III of this subpart; and (2) Notwithstanding the applicable allowances in Table III the defects or defective units (whether or not specifically defined), individually and collectively, do not seriously affect the appearance or edibility of the product. (e) (C) classification. If the canned beans are fairly free from defects, a score of 25 to 27 points may be given. Canned beans 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 the limits for allowable defects or defective units in the applicable styles do not exceed the maximum limits for (C) classification in Table III of this subpart. (f) (SStd) classification. Canned beans that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (e) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 24 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule); and may also be "Below Standard in QualityGood Food-Not High Grade" for the following applicable reasons: Excessive number very short pieces; Excessive loose seeds and pieces of seeds. TABLE III-MAXIMUM ALLOWANCES FOR DEFECTS OR DEFECTIVE UNITS IN CANNED GREEN OR CANNED WAX 2% total, but no more 4% total, but no more than 2%, by count, seriously. 2 long stems, per 12 3 long stems, per 12 ozs. drained weight. Unstemmed units and Detached 4 total, but no more than 5 total, but no more than stems. Leaves and other extraneous 1 piece per 12 ozs. vegetable matter. All styles, except as indicated otherwise: drained weight. 2 pieces per 12 OZS. drained weight. (C) Classification 20% of drained weight. 8% total, but no more than 4%, by count, seriously. Unstemmed units: 6 total, but no more than 4 long stems, per 12 oz's drained weight. Including detached stems: 0.6 ozs. per 60 ozs. drained weight.1 Loose seeds and pieces (except in 3% of drained weight.... 4% of drained weight-- 5% of drained weight.1 Sliced Lengthwise style). Small pieces of pod (in cuts; and mixed-cut and short cut styles only): (a) 240 count or less per 12 ozs. drained weight. (b) More than 240 count per 12 25% by count of all 25% by count of all units. 1 units.1 1 ozs. drained weight. Ragged-cut units; and/or damage by mechanical injury (except in Sliced Lengthwise style). 15% by count of all units. 5 total per 12 ozs. No limits (but included 10 total per 12 ozs. 1 Determined as outlined in the standards of quality of canned green beans (21 CFR 51.11) and canned wax beans (21 CFR 51.16) promulgated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. |