These proposed standards supplement the proposed U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables so as to adapt them to the determination of fill of container, based on fill weights, for canned fruits, vegetables, and related products.

§ 52.222 Explanation.

(a) The variables inspection standards may be used, where applicable, by any food processor for quality control purposes. Certification by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of fill weights based on these standards, however, is applicable only under on-line inspection when a USDA inspector is present at time of packing and maintains appropriate records of the filling process.

(b) The procedure for determination and certification of fill of container, based on drained weights, may be used in the case of lot inspection as well as in-line inspection. This procedure, where applicable, is outlined in the U.S. standards for the respective products.

§ 52.223 Options.

The options of the median or conventional average may be used for determining compliance of fill weights with a specified minimum average fill weight. § 52.224 Type of specification and applicable limits.

(a) For the determination of fill weights, a low-sided specification applies.

(b) The specification limits, and values for such limits, are specified in those U.S. Standards for Grades of canned fruits, vegetables, and related products which incorporate the fill weight procedure. Suggested specification limits, and the values for such limits, for those products for which fill weights have been established-but are not yet incorporated in the USDA grade standards—

may be obtained as supplements to these standards upon request to:

Chief, Processed Products Standardization and Inspection Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.Č. 20250.

(c) All of these limits, whether stated in the USDA grade standards or supplements hereof, are to be applied in accordance with the proposed U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables.

§ 52.225

PROCEDURE

Preparation of forms.

(a) Prepare the data sheet and control charts prior to the start of a processing period. Draw lines representing the X'min, LRL, and LRL values applicable for the product, container size, and style on the appropriate linear segment of the X chart in such a maner as to be clearly visible when posted in the plant. Lines representing LWL and LWL may be drawn on the chart at the option of the user; however, all the values representing each limit (Xmin, LWLx, LRLÅ, LWL and LRL) are placed on the X chart adjacent to the appropriate limit and identified (in brief form) as X', WLx, RL, WL, or RL accordingly).

(b) When the R chart is used, it is desirable to place it on the lower portion of the control chart, using the bottom as zero, which is the lower limit for R.

(c) Space the limits for R' and Rmax on the appropriate linear segment above the zero line. The upper portion of the control chart is then used for the X chart.

(d) Attachment 1 is an example of an X and R data sheet. Attachment 2 is an example of a control chart which combines the X chart and the R chart. However, use of the R chart is not required. The X chart illustrates the use of the median option as prescribed in the proposed U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables. The dots plotted on the X chart represent the X values for the subgroup. The encircled dot represents the median of each subgroup. For easier identification the circle should be in a different color than the dots.

[38 FR 10450, Apr. 27, 1973; 38 FR 12729, May 15, 1973]

(a) General. Variations in the weight between individual empty containers (tare) must be taken into consideration when determining fill weights. These variations may be accounted for by procedure 1 or procedure 2 of this section.

(b) Procedure 1. Determine tare weights of each container size at least twice a week. In addition, determine tare weights whenever it is suspected that the present tare weight is no longer applicable. Some of the more common reasons for checking tare weights are changes in supply of containers, thickness of tin plate, and type of container.

(1) The number of empty containers taken at random from a given lot of containers to determine the average tare weight is as follows:

For containers equivalent to: No. 21⁄2 container and smaller than 10 empty containers.

Larger than No. 22

not less

not less

con

than 15 empty containers. (c) Procedure 2. Preweigh a tainer (preferably stainless steel or other noncorrosive material) of suitable capacity and use this container as the standard tare. Drain the contents of the filled container as prescribed in § 52.229 and transfer drained fruit or vegetable ingredient to the preweighed tare. § 52.228 Sampling.

(a) Subgroup size. Unless otherwise specified, the subgroup size shall be five sample units.

(c) Sampling frequency. Unless otherwise specified, the sampling frequency for all canned fruits, vegetables, and related products, for which fill weights have been established shall be approximately every 45 minutes.

(1) The sampling frequency should be arranged to obtain subgroups at varying intervals and drawn in such a manner that the filler operators will not know when a subgroup will be drawn or which containers will be in the subgroup. This is important so that a nonbiased sample will be selected which will reflect the normal filling process.

[38 FR 10450, Apr. 27, 1973; 38 FR 12729, May 15, 1973]

(a) Immediately after the subgroup has been drawn, invert each container on the hand or sieve and allow the product to drain until free from liquid, but in no case less than 10 seconds. In this step, do not remove the product from the container when procedure 1 as prescribed in § 52.227 is used. The sample units are then weighed and the net weight of the fruit or vegetable ingredient (total weight minus tare weight) for each sample unit is recorded on the X and R data sheet.

(b) In the case of procedure 1 if it is suspected that the weight of individual empty containers deviate from the average tare weight to cause an individual measurement to fall slightly below (or slightly above) LRL, the following procedure may be used:

(1) After the X value has been obtained as previously described, empty the contents of the suspected container and wipe it clean and dry.

(2) Weigh the suspected dry container. The amount of deviation is the difference between the weight of the individual container and the average tare weight.

(3) Adjust the suspected X value by the amount of deviation thus found.

(c) When adjustments for tare weight are made for individual measurements that fall slightly below LRL, adjustments must also be made for individual measurements that are slightly above LRL. § 52.230 Calculations and recording

data.

(a) Immediately after the measurements have been obtained, the required

§ 52.231

INTERPRETATIONS

Interpretation of plotted values with respect to limits.

(a) Warning limits. The values representing LWL and LWLx are provided for the processor's benefit to use for control purposes. These limits are not to be confused with the reject limits.

(1) An X value that falls between LWL and LRL or X value that falls between LWL and LRL may be expected occasionally, even when the process is still meeting requirements. This is the point, however, at which corrective action in the filling procedure may be taken.

(b) Code segregation. The acceptance criteria specified in the proposed U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables requires all X values to be equal to or above LRL for a low-sided specification and all Mi or X values to be equal to or above LRLX.

(1) When an X, Mi, or X value(s) causes a code or distinctive mark to be rejected, the code or mark for the remainder of the shift may be changed to provide a chance for subsequent production for that shift to pass.

(c) Sampling allowances. The sampling allowance code for each can size and style is specified in the grade standards which incorporate fill weights and the supplement to these standards for

the applicable product. To determine the sampling allowance, first obtain the letter code for the appropriate container size and style from the table containing the fill weight values. Locate the line represented by this code on the sampling allowance chart accompanying the U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables. This line represents the sampling allowance for the various sample sizes. Deduct this value from X'min. Do not add this value to or Mi.

(1) The sampling allowance does not apply to a sample size of less than 10 sample units.

[38 FR 10450, Apr. 27, 1973; 38 FR 12729, May 15, 1973]

OPTIONAL FILL WEIGHT PROCEDURE FOR SMALL LOTS

§ 52.232 Optional fill weight procedure for small lots.

(a) For lots consisting of 100 cases or less which require 4 hours or more to pack, the following minimum sampling rate and acceptance criteria may be used in lieu of the requirements and procedures outlined in the U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables. The conventional average option must be used for this procedure. Do not use the sample median (Mi).

(b) Draw a minimum of 15 sample units, one or two at a time throughout the entire production of the lot. The sampling intervals shall be such that the total sample will be representative of the lot.

(c) Accept the lot if:

(1) No X value is less than LRL.

=

(2) X is equal to or greater than X'min adjusted; and

(3) The condition under paragraph (d) (3) of this section does not exist. (d) Reject the lot if:

(1) X is less than X'min adjusted; or (2) One or more X values are less than LRL; or

(3) All X values are less than X'min.

Subpart-United States Standards for

Grades of Canned Apple Juice

SOURCE: 52.301 to 52.312 appear at 18 F.R. 7921, Dec. 9, 1953, unless otherwise noted.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION, STYLES, AND GRADES § 52.301 Product description.

Canned apple juice is the unfermented liquid prepared from the first pressing juice of properly prepared sound, fresh apples, excluding the liquid obtained from any additional residual apple material. Such apple juice is prepared without any concentration, without dilution, or without the addition of sweetening ingredients; may be processed with or without the addition of antioxidants; and is sufficiently processed by heat to assure preservation of the product in hermetically sealed containers (either metal or glass).

§ 52.302 Styles of canned apple juice.

(a) Style I, Clear (typical of "clarified" apple juice).

(b) Style II, Cloudy (typical of "nonclarified" apple juice, but not a crushed or disintegrated apple product).

§ 52.303 Grades of canned apple juice.

(a) "U.S. Grade A" or "U.S. Fancy" is the quality of canned apple juice that possesses a very good color; is practically free from defects; possesses a very good flavor; and scores 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. Choice" is the quality of canned apple juice that possesses a good color; is fairly free from defects; possesses a good flavor; and scores not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(c) "Substandard" is the quality of canned apple juice that fails to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B. [36 F.R. 2859, Feb. 11, 1971]

ommended that each container be filled as full as practicable with apple juice and that the product occupy not less than 90 percent of the volume of the container.

FACTORS OF QUALITY

§ 52.305 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) The grade of canned apple juice may be ascertained by considering, in conjunction with the requirements of the respective grade, the respective ratings for the factors of color, absence of defects, and flavor.

(b) 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: Factors:

Color.

Absence of defects. Flavor...

Total score_.

Points

20

20

60

100

(a) (A) classification. Canned apple juice that possesses a very good color may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Very good color" means that the color is bright and typical of freshly pressed juice and may vary from characteristic light non-amber shades to medium amber shades; that the canned apple juice of Style I, Clear, is sparkling clear and transparent; and that canned apple juice of Style II, Cloudy, may range from a slight translucent appearance to a definitely hazy appearance.

(b) (B) classification. If the canned apple juice possesses a good color, a score of 16 or 17 points may be given. Canned apple juice that falls into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Good color" means that the color is typical of canned apple juice,