(a) ``U.S. Grade A'' or ``U.S. Fancy'' is the quality of dried prunes that, except for mixed types, possess similar varietal characteristics; that are fairly uniform in size and average 85 prunes or less per pound; that meet the applicable moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but regardless of size and kind of packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture; and that do not exceed the total allowances and limitations for defects shown in Table I of this subpart.
(b) ``U.S. Grade B'' or ``U.S. Choice'' is the quality of dried prunes that, except for mixed types, possess similar varietal characteristics; that are fairly uniform in size; that meet the applicable moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but regardless of size and kind of packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture; and that do not exceed the total allowances and limitations for defects shown in Table II of this subpart.
(c) ``U.S. Grade C'' or ``U.S. Standard'' is the quality of dried prunes that, except for mixed types, possess similar varietal characteristics; that are fairly uniform in size; that meet the applicable moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but regardless of size and kind of packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture; and that do not exceed the total allowances and limitations for defects shown in Table III of this subpart
(d) ``Substandard'' is the quality of dried prunes that meet the applicable moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but regardless of size and kind of packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture; and that may fail to meet other requirements for U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard, but not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the dried prunes may be affected by mold, dirt, foreign material, insect infestation, or decay: Provided, That not more than 1 percent, by weight, of the dried prunes may be affected by decay.
Table I--U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy; Allowances for Defects----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total allowance Limitations----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Not more than a total of 10 Not more than 6 percent, by Not more than 3 percent, Not more than 1 percent,
percent, by weight, may be weight, may be damaged or by weight, may be by weight, may be
damaged or affected by: affected by: affected by: affected by:
Off-color. Poor texture. Mold. Decay.
Poor texture. End cracks. Dirt.
End cracks. Skin or flesh Foreign material.
Skin or flesh damage. \2\ damage. \2\ Insect infestation.
Fermentation. Decay.
Fermentation. Scars.
Scars. Heat damage.
Heat damage. Insect injury.
Insect injury. Other means.
Other means. Mold.
Mold. Dirt.
Dirt. Foreign material.
Foreign material. Insect infestation.
Inset infestation.
Decay. Decay.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table II--U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice: Allowances for Defects----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total allowance Limitations----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Not more than a total of 15 Not more than 8 percent, by Not more than 4 percent, Not more than 1 percent,
percent, by weight, may be weight, may be damaged or by weight, may be by weight, may be
damaged or affected by: affected by: affected by: affected by:
Off-color. Poor texture. Mold Decay.
Poor texture. End cracks. Dirt.
End cracks. Skin or flesh. Foreign material.
Skin or flesh damage. \2\ Inset infestation.
damage. \2\ Fermentation. Decay.
Fermentation. Scars.
Scars. Heat damage.
Heat damage. Inset injury.
Insect injury. Other means.
Other means. Mold.
Mold. Dirt
Dirt. Foreign material.
Foreign material. Insect infestation.
Insect infestation. Decay.
Decay.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table III--U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard Allowances for Defects----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total allowance Limitations----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Not more than a total of 20 Not more than 10 percent, Not more than 8 percent, Not more than 5 percent,
percent, by weight, may be by weight, may be damaged by weight, may be damaged by weight, may be
damaged or affected by: or affected by: or affected by: affected by:
Off-color. End cracks. \1\ Skin or flesh Mold.
Poor texture. Skin or flesh damage. \2\ Dirt.
End cracks. \1\ damage. \2\ Fermentation. Foreign material.
Skin or flesh damage. \2\ Fermentation. Scars. Insect infestation.
Scars. Heat damage. Decay.
Fermentation.
Scars. Heat damage. Insect injury. Provided, That not more
Heat damage. Insect injury. Other means. than 1 percent, by
Insect injury. Other means. Mold. weight, may be affected
by decay.
Other means. Mold. Dirt.
Mold. Dirt. Foreign material.
Dirt. Foreign material. Insect infestation.
Foreign material. Insect infestation. Decay.
Insect infestation. Decay.
Decay.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Except that each 1 percent of end cracks to, and including, 8 percent, by weight, shall be considered as \1/
2\ percent damaged by end cracks; and any additional end cracks shall be calculated as true percentage, by
weight.\2\ Not applicable to ``Whole Pitted'' style.
Table IV--Moisture Allowances for Dried Prunes
[Non-hermetically sealed containers; 10 pounds or more]------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum moisture
limits (percent)
---------------------
Counts Counts
Grades averaging averaging
60 or 61 or
less per more per
pound pound------------------------------------------------------------------------U.S. Grade A or U.S. fancy........................ 25 24U.S. Grade B or U.S. choice....................... 25 24U.S. Grade C or U.S. standard..................... 25 24Substandard....................................... 25 24------------------------------------------------------------------------ [21 FR 8177, Oct. 25, 1956, as amended at 30 FR 11596, Sept. 10, 1965. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981]
Moisture, Uniformity of Size, Defects