ings with respect to the following styles of canned clingstone peaches:

(1) Halves, quarters, and whole. The units may vary in size, thickness, and symmetry and the weight of the largest full-size unit may be not more than twice the weight of the smallest fullsize unit; the weight of each half is not less than three-fifths oz; the weight of each quarter is not less than three-tenths oz; and not more than 40 percent, by count, of the units in the style of halves or quarters may possess off-suture cuts or partially detached or detached pieces, or any combination thereof: Provided, That the presence of such units does not give the appearance of canned peaches of "Mixed Pieces of Irregular Sizes and Shapes" or canned peaches that are "Unevenly Trimmed."

(2) Slices. Not more than a total of 20 percent, by count, of the units may be partial slices, slivers, and slabs: Provided, That not more than 10 percent, by count, are slabs; and excluding partial slices, slivers, and slabs that may be present, the balance of slices may vary noticeably in size, thickness and symmetry.

(3) Dice. Not more than 20 percent, by weight, of the drained clingstone peaches may be units that are more than three-quarters inch in their greatest edge dimension or are of such size as to pass through a five-sixteenth inch square opening.

(j) "D" and "SStd" Classification. Canned clingstone peaches of the applicable styles which fail to meet paragraph (i) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 13 points and shall not be graded above the following stated grade, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule):

(1) Halves, quarters, or whole canned clingstone peaches in which the weight of the largest full-size unit is more than twice the weight of the smallest full-size unit shall not be graded above U.S. Grade D and are also "Below Standard in QualityMixed Sizes."

(2) Halves of canned clingstone peaches in which the weight of any half is less than three-fifths oz shall not be graded above U.S. Grade D and are also "Below Standard in QualitySmall Halves."

(3) Quarters of canned clingstone peaches in which the weight of any quarter is less than three-tenths oz shall not be graded above U.S. Grade D and are also "Below Standard in Quality-Small Quarters."

(4) Slices and dice canned clingstone peaches shall not be graded above U.S. Grade D.

[50 FR 26968, July 1, 1985]

§ 52.2574 Absence of defects.

(a) General. The factor of absence of defects refers to the degree of freedom from harmless extraneous material (such as stems or leaves and portions thereof), from pit material, from units that are crushed or broken for the applicable style, and from any other defects which detract from the appearance or edibility of the product.

(a) Blemished. "Blemished" or "blemished units" means units that are blemished with scab, hail injury, discoloration, or other abnormality which affects materially the appearance or edibility, or both, of the unit. (2) Crushed or broken. "Crushed or broken" means that:

(i) A unit in halves, quarters, or whole style of canned clingstone peaches is "crushed" if the unit has definitely lost its normal shape and bears marks of crushing or is otherwise crushed not due to ripeness; and

(ii) A unit in halves, quarters, or whole style of canned clingstone peaches is "broken" if severed into definite parts; halves of canned clingstone peaches that are slightly or partially split from the edge to the pit cavity are not considered broken. Portions equivalent to a full-size unit that has been broken are considered as one unit in determining the percentage by count.

(3) Pit material. "Pit material" means any whole pit in all styles other than whole style or any portion of a peach pit, regardless of size, except when whole peach pits or peach kernels are permitted as seasoning ingredients in other than whole style.

(b) "A" classification. Halves, quarters, slices, dice, whole, or mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned clingstone peaches that are practically free from defects may be

given a score of 27 to 30 points. Mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned clingstone peaches that score 27 to 30 points shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial limiting rule). “Practically free from defects" means that the canned clingstone peaches are practically free from pit material, from harmless extraneous material, and from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product, and in addition, has the following meanings with respect to the following styles of canned clingstone peaches:

(1) Halves, quarters; and whole. Not more than an average of one-eighth square inch of peel for each pound of total contents may be present; not more than 5 percent, by count, of the units may be crushed, or broken; and not more than 5 percent, by count, of the units may be blemished. One unit in a container is permitted to be crushed or broken and one unit in a container is permitted to be blemished if any of such units exceeds the respective allowances of 5 percent by count; Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such crushed or broken units do not exceed an average of 5 percent of the total number of units and such blemished units do not exceed an average of 5 percent of the total number of units.

(2) Sliced. Not more than an average of one-eighth square inch of peel for each pound of total contents may be present; and not more than 3 percent, by count, of the units may be blemished. One unit in a container is permitted to be blemished if such unit exceeds the allowance of 3 percent by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such blemished units do not exceed an average of 3 percent of the total number of units.

(3) Dice. Not more than an average of one-eighth square inch of peel for each pound of total contents may be present; and not more than 3 percent, by weight, of drained clingstone peaches may consist of units that are blemished.

(4) Mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes. Not more than an average of one-eighth square inch of peel for

each pound of total contents may be present; and not more than 1 blemished unit for each 32 oz of total contents may be present.

(c) "B" classification. Halves, quarters, slices, dice, whole, or mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned clingstone peaches that are reasonably free from defects may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Canned clingstone peaches that fall 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). "Reasonably free from defects" means that the canned clingstone peaches are practically free from pit material, are reasonably free from harmless extraneous material and from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product, and in addition, has the following meanings with respect to the following styles of canned clingstone peaches:

(1) Halves, quarters, and whole. Not more than an average of one-half square inch of peel for each pound of total contents may be present; not more than 5 percent, by count, of the units may be crushed, or broken; and not more than 10 percent, by count, of the units may be blemished. One unit in a container is permitted to be crushed or broken and one unit in a container is permitted to be blemished if any of such units exceed the respective allowances of 5 percent and 10 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such crushed or broken units do not exceed an average of 5 percent of the total number of units and such blemished units do not exceed an average of 10 percent of the total number of units.

(2) Sliced. Not more than an average on one-half square inch of peel for each pound of total contents may be present; and not more than 6 percent by count, of the units may be blemished. One unit in a single container is permitted to be blemished if such unit exceeds the allowance of 6 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such blemished units do not exceed an average of 6 percent of the total number of units.

(3) Dice. Not more than an average of one-half square inch of peel for each pound of total contents may be present; and not more than 6 percent, by weight, of drained clingstone peaches may consist of units that are blemished.

(4) Mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes. Not more than an average of one-half square inch of peel for each pound of total contents may be present; and not more than 1 blemished unit for each pound of total contents may be present.

(d) “C” classification. Halves, quarters, slices, dice, whole, or mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned clingstone peaches that are fairly free from defects may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned clingstone peaches 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 canned clingstone peaches are practically free from pit material; are fairly free from harmless extraneous material and from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product; and in addition, has the following meanings with respect to the following styles of canned clingstone peaches:

: (1) Halves, quarters, and whole. Not more than an average of one square inch of peel for each pound of total contents may be present; not more than 5 percent, by count, of the units may be crushed or broken; and not more than 20 percent, by count, of the units may be blemished. One unit in a container is permitted to be crushed or broken and one unit in a container is permitted to be blemished if any of such units exceed the respective allowances of 5 percent and 20 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such crushed or broken units do not exceed an average of 5 percent of the total number of units and such blemished units do not exceed an average of 20 percent of the total number of units.

(2) Slices, dice, and mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes. Not more than an average of one square inch of peel for each pound of total contents

may be present; and not more than 20 percent, by count, of the units may be blemished.

(e) "D" classification. Canned clingstone peaches of any style which fail to met the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section but which meet the requirements of this paragraph may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above U.S. Grade D, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Halves, quarters, or whole canned clingstone peaches that are thereby U.S. Grade D may also be "Below Standard in Quality-Blemished" or "Partly Crushed or Broken" or "Unevenly Trimmed", or combinations thereof. Canned clingstone peaches of U.S. Grade D with respect to "absence of defects" are practically free from pit material, are fairly free from harmless extraneous material and from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect materially the appearance or edibility of the product, and in addition:

(1) Not more than an average of one square inch of peel for each pound of total contents may be present;

(2) In the style of halves, quarters, or whole, any amount of crushed or broken units may be present; and

(3) Not more than 20 percent, by count, of the units may be blemished. One unit in a container is permitted to be blemished if such unit exceeds the allowance of 20 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample such blemished units do not exceed an average of 20 percent of the total number of units.

(f) "SStd" classification. Canned clingstone peaches that fail to meet the applicable requirements of paragraph (e) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above the following stated grades, as applicable, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

(1) Halves, quarters, or whole canned clingstone peaches shall not be graded above Substandard and may also be "Below Standard in Quality" for the applicable reasons:

(i) Not well peeled;

(ii) Partly crushed or broken; (iii) Unevenly trimmed;

(iv) Blemished.

(2) Slices, dice, or mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned clingstone peaches shall not be graded above Substandard and may also be "Below Standard in Quality" for the applicable reasons:

(i) Not well peeled; (ii) Blemished.

Halves,

(g) "C-SP" classification. quarters, slices, dice, or mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned "solid-pack" clingstone peaches that are fairly free from defects for canned "solid-pack" clingstone peaches may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned "solid-pack" clingstone peaches that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C Solid-Pack, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly free from defects for canned 'solid-pack' clingstone peaches" means that the canned "solidpack" clingstone peaches are practically free from pit material, are fairly free from harmless extraneous material and from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product, and in addition, there may be present:

(1) Not more than an average of one square inch of peel for each pound of total contents; and

(2) Not more than 2 blemished units for each pound of total contents.

(h) "SStd-SP" classification. Halves, quarters, slices, dice, or mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned "solid-pack" clingstone peaches that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above Substandard SolidPack, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). [50 FR 26969, July 1, 1985]

of irregular sizes and shapes of canned clingstone peaches that score 27 to 30 points shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial limiting rule). "Good character" has the following meanings with respect to the various styles of canned clingstone peaches:

(1) Halves, quarters, slices, and mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes. The units are pliable and possess a tender, fleshy texture typical of mature, well-ripened, properly prepared, and properly processed canned clingstone

peaches; the units are intact and possess reasonably well-defined edges; and not more than 10 percent, by count, of the units may possess a “reasonably good character". One unit in a container is permitted to possess a "reasonably good character" if such unit exceeds the allowance of 10 percent, by count: Provided, That the appearance or eating quality, or both, is not more than slightly affected by the character of such unit.

(2) Dice. The product generally possesses a texture typical of mature, well-ripened, properly prepared, and properly processed canned clingstone peaches; not more than 3 percent, by weight, of the drained clingstone peaches may be excessively frayed or mushy; and the product is otherwise reasonably free from crushed units.

(3) Whole. The units possess a tender texture typical of mature, well-ripened, properly prepared, and properly processed canned clingstone peaches; the units are uniformly intact and firm; and not more than 10 percent, by count, of the units may possess a “reasonably good character".

One unit in a container is permitted to possess a "reasonably good character" if such unit exceeds the allowance of 10 percent, by count: Provided, That the appearance or eating quality, or both, is not more than slightly affected by the character of such unit.

(c) "B" classification. Halves, quarters, slices, dice, whole, or mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned clingstone peaches that possess a reasonably good character may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned clingstone peaches

that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial limiting rule). "Reasonably good character" has the following meanings with respect to the following styles of canned clingstone peaches:

(1) Halves,

quarters, slices, and

mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes. The units possess a texture typical of mature, properly ripened, properly prepared, and properly processed canned clingstone peaches; the texture is reasonably fleshy, and the units are reasonably tender or the tenderness may be variable within the unit; the units are reasonably intact with not more than slightly frayed edges and may be slightly firm or slightly soft but are not mushy; and not more than 10 percent, by count, of the units may possess a fairly good character. One unit in a container is permitted to possess such fairly good character if such unit exceeds the allowance of 10 percent, by count: Provided, That the appearance or eating quality, or both, is not affected materially by the character of such unit.

(2) Dice. The product generally possesses a texture typical of mature, properly ripened, properly prepared, and properly processed canned clingstone peaches; not more than 5 percent by weight, of the drained clingstone peaches may be excessively frayed or mushy; and the product is otherwise reasonably free from crushed units.

(3) Whole. The units possess a texture typical of mature, properly ripened, properly prepared, and properly processed canned clingstone peaches; the units are reasonably tender or the tenderness may be variable within the unit; the units may be slightly firm or slightly soft but are not mushy; and not more than 10 percent by count of the units may possess a fairly good character, except for mushy or "not tender" units. One unit in a container is permitted to possess such fairly good character if such unit exceeds the allowance of 10 percent, by count: Provided, That the appearance or eating quality, or both, is not affected materially by the character of such unit.

(d) "C" classification. Halves, quarters, slices, dice, whole, or mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes of canned clingstone peaches that possess a fairly good character may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned clingstone peaches 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" has the following meanings with respect to the following styles of canned clingstone peaches:

(1) Halves, quarters, slices, and mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes. The units possess a texture typical of mature, properly prepared, and properly processed canned clingstone peaches which may be variable in fleshiness but the texture is fairly fleshy; the units may be lacking uniformity of tenderness; the units may be frayed but not excessively frayed or may be soft; and not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the drained clingstone peaches may be mushy or units that are so firm as to be "not tender."

(2) Dice. The product generally possesses a texture typical of mature, properly prepared, and properly processed canned clingstone peaches; not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the drained clingstone peaches may be excessively frayed or mushy or are so firm as to be "not tender;" and the product is otherwise fairly free from crushed units.

(3) Whole. The units possess a texture typical of mature, properly prepared, and properly processed canned clingstone peaches which may be variable; the units may be lacking uniformity of tenderness; the units may be markedly firm or markedly ragged or soft; and not more than 10 percent, by count, of the units may be mushy or so firm as to be "not tender." One unit in a container is permitted to be mushy or "not tender" if such unit exceeds the allowance of 10 percent, by count: Provided, That in all containers comprising the sample, such units do not exceed an average of 10 percent of the total number of units.

(e) "D" classification. Canned clingstone peaches of any style that meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section with respect to units that