(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

Open Table
Total allowance     Limitations    
Not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, may be damaged or affected by: Not more than 6 percent, by weight, may be damaged or affected by: Not more than 3 percent, by weight, may be affected by: Not more than 1 percent, by weight, may be 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
Fermentation.
   Insect infestation.
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

Open Table
Total allowance     Limitations    
Not more than a total of 15 percent, by weight, may be damaged or affected by: Not more than 8 percent, by weight, may be damaged or affected by: Not more than 4 percent, by weight, may be affected by: Not more than 1 percent, by weight, may be 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

Open Table
Total allowance     Limitations    
Not more than a total of 20 percent, by weight, may be damaged or affected by: Not more than 10 percent, by weight, may be damaged or affected by: Not more than 8 percent, by weight, may be damaged or affected by: Not more than 5 percent, by weight, may be 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.
   Scars.
   Heat damage.
   Insect infestation.
   Decay.
   Fermentation.
Scars.
Heat damage.
   Insect injury.
   Heat damage.
   Insect injury.
   Other means.
   Insect injury.
   Other means.
   Mold.
   Provided, That not more than 1 percent, by 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.

1Except that each 1 percent of end cracks to, and including, 8 percent, by weight, shall be considered as 12 percent damaged by end cracks; and any additional end cracks shall be calculated as true percentage, by weight.

2Not applicable to “Whole Pitted” style.

Table IV—Moisture Allowances for Dried Prunes

[Non-hermetically sealed containers; 10 pounds or more]

Open Table
Grades Maximum moisture limits (percent)
Counts averaging 60 or less per pound Counts averaging 61 or more per pound
U.S. Grade A or U.S. fancy 25 24
U.S. Grade B or U.S. choice 25 24
U.S. Grade C or U.S. standard 25 24
Substandard 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]


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