a score of 21 to 25 points. "Good color" means that the canned beets possess a color that is uniform, bright, and typical of canned beets produced from beets of similar varietal characteristics.

(b) (C) classification. If the canned beets possess a fairly good color, a score of 18 to 20 points may be given. Canned beets 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 color" means that the canned beets possess a color that is typical of canned beets produced from beets of similar varietal characteristics and such color may be variable or slightly dull.

Canned

(c) (SStd) classification. beets that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 17 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§ 52.531 Uniformity of size and shape.

(a) (A) classification. Canned beets that are practically uniform in size and shape may be given a score of 12 to 15 points. "Practically uniform in size and shape" has the following meanings with respect to the various styles of canned beets:

(1) Whole beets. The size of the individual beet is not more than 24 inches in diameter, measured as aforesaid; the beets may vary moderately in shape, and the diameter of the largest beet does not exceed the diameter of the smallest beet by more than 50 percent of the diameter of the smallest beet.

(2) Quartered beets. The beets from which the quarters have been prepared were of a size not more than 21⁄2 inches in diameter, measured as aforesaid, and the weight of the largest quarter does not exceed the weight of the smallest quarter by more than 50 percent of the weight of the smallest quarter.

(3) Sliced beets. The individual slice is not more than 16 inch in thickness when measured at the thickest portion; the size of each slice is not more than 31⁄2 inches in diameter, measured as aforesaid, and the diameter of the largest slice does not exceed the diameter of the smallest slice by more than 50 percent of the diameter of the smallest slice.

(4) Diced beets. The units are practically uniform in size and shape with edges measuring not more than % inch; and the aggregate weight of the units which are smaller than one-half of a cube and of all large and irregular units does not exceed 15 percent of the weight of all units.

(5) Julienne, French style, or shoestring. The strips of beets are practically uniform in size and shape, with cross sections measuring not more than 316 inch, and the aggregate weight of all strips less than 11⁄2 inches in length does not exceed 25 percent of the weight of all the strips.

(6) Cut. The individual units weigh not less than 4 ounce nor more than 2 ounces each and the largest unit weighs not more than four times the weight of the smallest unit. An occasional unit which is not representative of the general size of all the units is excluded in determining size variation.

(b) (C) classification. If the canned beets are fairly uniform in size and shape, a score of 8 to 11 points may be given. "Fairly uniform in size and shape" has the following meanings with respect to the various styles of canned beets:

(1) Whole beets. The size of the individual beet is not more than 21⁄2 inches in diameter, measured as aforesaid; the beets may vary considerably in shape, and the diameter of the largest beet is not more than twice the diameter of the smallest beet.

(2) Quartered beets. The beets from which the quarters have been cut were of a size not more than 31⁄2 inches in diameter, measured as aforesaid, and the weight of the largest quarter is not more than twice the weight of the smallest quarter.

(3) Sliced beets. The individual slice is not more than 3% inch in thickness when measured at the thickest portion; the size of each slice is not more than 31⁄2 inches in diameter, measured as aforesaid; and the diameter of the largest slice is not more than twice the diameter of the smallest slice.

(4) Diced beets. The units are fairly uniform in size and shape, with edges measuring not more than 1⁄2 inch; and the aggregate weight of all units which are smaller than one-half of a cube and all large and irregular units does not

exceed 25 percent of the weight of all units.

(5) Julienne, French style, or shoestring. The strips of beets are fairly uniform in size and shape, with cross sections measuring not more than 3416 inch and the aggregate weight of all strips less than 11⁄2 inches in length does not exceed 40 percent of the weight of all the strips.

(6) Cut. The individual units weigh not less than % ounce or more than 3 ounces each and the largest unit weighs not more than twelve times the weight of the smallest unit. An occasional unit which is not representative of the general size of all the units is excluded in determining size variation.

(c) (SStd) classification. Canned beets that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 7 points and 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).

(a) General. The factor of absence of defects refers to the degree of freedom from defective units. Defective units are slabs, units damaged by mechanical injury, units blemished by brown or black internal or external discoloration, pathological injury or insect injury and units blemished by other means.

(1) "Slab" means any portion of a whole beet obtained in slicing that possesses only one cut surface or cut surfaces of unequal areas varying in diameter more than 1⁄2 inch.

(2) "Damaged by mechanical injury" means crushed, broken, or cracked units, units with excessively frayed edges and surfaces, units with unpeeled areas, excessively trimmed units, or damaged by other means.

(3) "Blemished" means any blemish affecting an aggregate area greater than the area of a circle 16 inch in diameter or any blemish which seriously affects the appearance or eating quality of the unit.

(b) (A) classification. Canned beets that are practically free from defects may be given a score of 26 to 30 points. "Practically free from defects" has the following meanings with respect to the various styles of canned beets:

(1) Whole beets. The aggregate weight of all defective units does not exceed 15 percent of the weight of all the units, and of such 15 percent not more than one-half thereof or one beet, whichever weighs more, may consist of blemished units.

(2) Sliced, quartered, and cut beets. The aggregate weight of all blemished units and units damaged by mechanical injury does not exceed 15 percent of the weight of all the units, and of such 15 percent not more than one-half thereof or one slice, quarter or cut, whichever weighs more, may consist of blemished units, and with respect to sliced beets not more than 10 percent of the weight of all the units may consist of units that are slabs.

(3) Diced, Julienne, French style, or shoestring beets. The aggregate weight of all defective units does not exceed 10 percent of the weight of all the units, and of such 10 percent not more than one-half thereof may consist of blemished units.

(c) (C) classification. Canned beets that are fairly free from defects may be given a score of 22 to 25 points. Canned beets 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" has the following meanings with respect to the various styles of canned beets:

(1) Whole beets. The aggregate weight of all defective units does not exceed 30 percent of the weight of all the units, and of such 30 percent not more than one-half may consist of blemished units.

(2) Sliced, quartered, and cut beets. The aggregate weight of all blemished units and units damaged by mechanical injury does not exceed 30 percent of the weight of all the units, and of such 30 percent not more than one-half thereof may consist of blemished units, and with respect to sliced beets not more than 25 percent of the weight of all the units may consist of units that are slabs.

(3) Diced, Julienne, French style, or shoestring beets. The aggregate weight of all defective units does not exceed 25 percent of the weight of all the units, and of such 25 percent not more than one-half thereof may consist of blemished units.

Canned

(d) (SStd) classification. beets that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 21 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). § 52.533 Texture.

The factor of texture refers to the tenderness of the beets, and the degree of freedom from stringy or coarse fibers.

(a) (A) classification. Canned beets that possess a tender texture may be given a score of 26 to 30 points. "Tender texture" means that the beets are tender, not fibrous, and possess a uniform character.

(b) (C) classification. If the canned beets possess a fairly tender texture, a score of 22 to 25 points may be given. Canned beets 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 tender texture" means that the beets are fairly tender, may be variable in character but not tough or hard, and may possess a few stringy or coarse fibers.

Canned

(c) (SStd) classification. beets that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 21 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

LOT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION § 52.534 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. 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]

"Canned blackberries" and other similar berries such as "boysenberries," "dewberries," and "loganberries," hereinafter called berries means the canned product prepared from stemmed, properly ripened, sound, fresh fruit by proper cleaning and sorting and may be packed with or without the addition of water or sweetening ingredient in hermetically sealed containers and sufficiently processed by heat to assure preservation of the product. § 52.552

Grades of canned berries.

(a) "U.S. Grade A" or "U.S. Fancy" is the quality of canned berries that possess similar varietal characteristics; that possess a good color; that are practically uniform in size; that are practically free from defects; that possess a good character; that possess a normal flavor and odor; and that for these factors which are scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart, the total score is not less than 90 points: Provided, That the canned berries may possess a reasonably good color and may be reasonably uniform in size

if the total score is not less than 90 points.

(b) "U. S. Grade B" or "U. S. Choice" is the quality of canned berries that possess similar varietal characteristics; that possess a reasonably good color; that are reasonably uniform in size; that are reasonably free from defects; that possess a reasonably good character; that possess a normal flavor and odor; and that for those factors which are scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart, the total score is not less than 80 points: Provided, That the canned berries may be fairly uniform in size if the total score is not less than 80 points.

(c) "U. S. Grade C" or "U. S. Standard" is the quality of canned berries that possess similar varietal characteristics; that possess a fairly good color; that may be fairly uniform in size; that are fairly free from defects; that possess a fairly good character; that possess a normal flavor and odor; and that when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart, the total score is not less than 70 points.

(d) "Substandard" is the quality of canned berries that fail to meet the requirements of U. S. Grade C or U. S. Standard.

LIQUID MEDIA, FILL OF CONTAINER, AND

DRAINED WEIGHTS

§ 52.553 Recommended designations of liquid media and Brix measurements for canned berries. "Cut-out" requirements for liquid media in canned berries are not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since sirup or any other liquid medium, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades. The recommended "cut-out" Brix measurement, as applicable, for the respective designations are as follows:

Designations of Liquid Media and Brix Measurements

"Extra heavy sirup": 24° or more, but not more than 35° Brix.

"Heavy sirup": 19° or more, but less than 24. Brix.

"Light sirup": 14° or more, but less than 19 Brix.

"Slightly sweetened water": Less than 14°

Brix.

"In water": Packed in water.

The minimum drained weight recommendations 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 canned berries is determined by emptying the contents 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 two minutes. The drained weight (or drained berries) is the weight of the sieve and the berries less the weight of the dry sieve. A sieve 8 inches in diameter is used for the equivalent of No. 3 size cans (404 x 414) and smaller, and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for containers larger than the equivalent of the No. 3 size can.

§ 52.556 Compliance with recommended drained weights.

Compliance with the recommended drained weights for canned berries is determined by averaging the drained weights from all containers which are representative of a specific lot and such lot is considered as meeting the recommendations, if: The averaged drained weight from all the containers meets the recommended drained weight; onehalf or more of the containers meet the recommended drained weight; and the drained weights from the containers which do not meet the recommended drained weight are within the range of variability for good commercial practices.

(a) (A) classification. Canned berries that possess a good color may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Good color" means that the canned berries possess a color typical of well-ripened berries for the varietal type that have been properly processed and are practically uniform and bright in color.

(b) (B) classification. If the canned berries possess a reasonably good color, a score of 16 or 17 points may be given. "Reasonably good color" means that the canned berries possess a color typical of reasonably well-ripened berries for the varietal type that have been properly processed, and which color may be somewhat lacking in luster and may range in color from the lighter shades of reasonably well-ripened berries to the darker hues of well-ripened berries.

(c) (C) classification. If the canned berries possess a fairly good color, a score of 14 or 15 points may be allowed. Canned berries 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 color" means that the canned berries possess a color typical of fairly well-ripened berries for the varietal type that have been properly processed, and which color may be variable but is not off-color.