[18 PR 7937, Deo. 9, 1963, as amended at 20 FR 20, Jan. 4, 1965. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977 and at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1001)

ample, "12 to 15 points" means 12, 13, 14, or 15 points).

$52.530 Color.

(a) (A) classification. Canned beets that possess a good color may be given 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.

(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 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 21⁄4 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 6 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 3⁄4 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 s 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 321⁄2 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 % 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 larg

est 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 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 8 inch and the aggregate weight of all strips less than 14 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 nor 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).

§ 52.532 Absence of defects.

(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 6 inch in di

ameter 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.

(d) (SStd) classification. Canned 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.

(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 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

$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 Liquid media and Brix measurements.

"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