FACTORS OF QUALITY § 52.2688 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit. (a) General. The grade of a sample unit is ascertained by considering certain factors which are not scored; the ratings for the factors of color, uniformity of size and shape, defects, and character which are scored; the total score; and the limiting rules which may apply. (b) Factors not rated by score points. (1) Varietal characteristics. (2) Flavor: "Normal flavor” means that the canned pimientos have a good, characteristic, mild but distinct pimiento flavor and are free from objectionable or bitter flavors and objectionable odors of any kind. (c) Factors rated by score points. The relative importance of each factor which is scored is expressed numerically on the scale of 100. The maximum number of points that may be given each factor is: § 52.2689 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. The essential variations within each factor which is scored are so described that the value may be ascertained for each factor and expressed numerically. The numerical range within each factor is inclusive (for example, "27 to 30 points" means 27, 28, 29, or 30 points). § 52.2690 Color. (a) Evaluation of color. The evaluation of color of canned pimientos shall be determined immediately after opening the container. The color is based upon the brightness and the uniformity of the exterior red to reddish-yellow color of the units. Green or dull oxidized reddish-brown units are scored under this factor when the overall color is affected. (b) Color standards. The color of the units is classified by using the USDA plastic color standards for canned pimientos as follows: (1) "Pimiento Red" means a red color equal to or more red than the USDA Pimiento Red color standard. (2) "Pimiento Reddish-Yellow" means a reddish-yellow color equal to or more red than USDA Pimiento Reddish-Yellow but less red than USDA Pimiento Red color standard. (3) Information regarding these color standards may be obtained from: Processed Products Standardization and Inspection Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, Consumer and Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. (c) (A) classification. Canned pimientos that possess a good color may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Good color" means that the overall color of the product is bright, practically uniform, and typical of canned pimientos; and that the color on the exterior surfaces complies with the requirements for the applicable style as outlined in Table II. (d) (C) classification. If the canned pimientos possess a fairly good color, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Canned pimientos 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 color" means that the overall color of the product may be variable and slightly dull but none of the units may be green or of a greenish cast or off color; and the color on the exterior surface complies with the applicable style as outlined in Table II. (e) (SStd) classification. Canned pimientos that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section or that are definitely off color may be given a score of 0 to 23 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). 1 Except permit 1 unit to fail in any container with less than 10 units, provided, the average of all sample units from the lot meets the percent, by count, tolerance. § 52.2691 Uniformity of size and shape. (a) Ascertaining dimensions (1) (2) Length of whole and halved pi- (3) Square area measurement of a piece. The square area of a piece is cal culated by multiplying the average width (4) Length and width of sliced pi- (5) Size of diced pimientos. The size (b) Definitions of shapes, sizes, and (2) "Very small pieces" in sliced style (3) "Well trimmed" in whole style blossom end the normal size and shape of the pod is substantially preserved. (4) "Fairly well trimmed" means that the unit is trimmed but not mutilated to such an extent as to seriously affect the appearance of the pod. measurement, shape, and uniformity re- (2) Any such variation does not ma- (d) (C) classification. If the canned measurement, shape, and uniformity re- (2) Any such variation does not seri- (e) (SStd.) classification. Canned pi- (c) (A) classification. Canned pimientos that are practically uniform in size and shape may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Practically uniform in size and shape" means that most of the pods are well trimmed and that: (1) The pimientos comply with the (1) The pimientos comply with the with the TABLE III.-UNIFORMITY OF SIZE AND SHAPE FOR CANNED PIMIENTOS Minimum 11⁄2 inches in any dimen- Whole and pieces... Minimum 11⁄2 inches in any dimen- Largest whole does not exceed smallest whole by more than 1 inch in any dimension. Maximum 10 percent, by weight, of pieces less than 1 square eces less than inch each. Maximum 10 percent, by weight, of pieces less than 1 square inch each. Maximum 35 percent, by weight, of units less than 14 inches in length, provided very small pieces do not exceed 25 percent, by weight, of units. Maximum 25 percent, by weight, of er shapes and units of other shapes and sizes of units. Maximum 10 percent, by weight, of units larger than 1 square inch each. In containers with 10 or more units, requirements apply only to the 90 percent, by count, of most uniform units. In containers with less than 10 units disregard least uniform unit, and apply to remainder of units. 86-008-68-31 (a) General. Defects refers to the degree of freedom from grit, sand, silt, seeds, core and stem material, peel (except insignificant pieces of charred peel at the stem end and the blossom end), units blemished internally or externally by brown or black discoloration, pathological injury or insect injury; and any other defects not specifically defined which affect the appearance or edibility of the units or the product. (b) (A) classification. Canned pimientos that are practically free from defects may be given a score of 36 to 40 points. "Practically free from defects" means that any combination of defects present, including the maximum limits for peel and seeds for (A) classification in Table IV, may no more than slightly detract from the appearance or edibility of the product. TABLE IV.-MAXIMUM ALLOWANCES FOR PEEL AND SEEDS IN CANNED PIMIENTOS 1 Undeveloped seeds are not counted in tolerances. (c) (C) classification. Canned pimientos that are fairly free from defects may be given a score of 32 to 35 points. Canned pimientos 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 any combination of defects present, including the maximum limits for peel and seeds for (C) classification in Table IV, (a) General. The factor of character refers to the tenderness, texture, and firmness of the unit and the condition and thickness of the flesh. (b) (A) classification. Canned pimientos that possess a good character may be given a score of 9 or 10 points. "Good character" means the units are firm and full fleshed and tender without apparent disintegration, and possess a practically uniform texture. (c) (C) classification. If the canned pimientos possess a fairly good character a score of 8 points may be given. Canned pimientos 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" means that the units may be somewhat lacking in firmness and fleshiness and may show some evidence of disintegration but are not soft or mushy nor tough. (d) (SStd.) classification. Canned pimientos that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 7 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). LOT COMPLIANCE § 52.2694 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. The grade of a lot of canned pimientos covered by these standards is determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed Food Products (§§ 52.1 through 52.87). Subpart-United States Standards for Grades of Canned Pumpkin and Canned Squash SOURCE: 52.2741 to 52.2751 appear at 21 F.R. 829, Feb. 7, 1956, unless otherwise noted. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION AND GRADES § 52.2741 Product description. "Canned pumpkin" and "canned squash" is the canned product prepared from clean, sound, properly matured, golden fleshed, firm shelled, sweet varieties of either pumpkins or squashes by washing, stemming, cutting, steaming and reducing to a pulp. The product is properly sieved and finished in accordance with good commercial practice and is then sufficiently processed by heat to assure preservation of the product in hermetically sealed containers. § 52.2742 Grades of canned pumpkin and canned squash. (a) "U.S. Grade A" or "U.S. Fancy" is the quality of canned pumpkin or canned squash that possesses a good color; that possesses a good consistency; that possessses a good finish; that is practically free from defects; that possesses normal flavor; and scores not less than 85 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart. (b) "U. S. Grade C" or "U. S. Standard" is the quality of canned pumpkin or canned squash that possesses a fairly good color; that possesses a fairly good consistency; that possesses a fairly good finish; that is fairly free from defects; that possesses a normal flavor; and scores not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart. (c) "Substandard" is the quality of canned pumpkin or canned squash that fails to meet the requirements of U. S. Grade C or U. S. Standard. |