(a) "Canned green beans" means canned green beans as defined in the definitions and standard of identity for canned green beans (21 CFR 51.10), issued pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

(b) "Canned wax beans" means canned wax beans as defined in the definitions and standard of identity for canned wax beans (21 CFR 51.15), issued pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

(c) "Canned beans" or "beans" as hereinafter referred to in this subpart means canned green beans or canned wax beans.

(d) "Unit" means an individual green bean or wax bean, or portion of either. in canned beans. § 52.442

Styles of canned beans.

(a) "Whole" means canned beans that consist of whole pods, including pods which after removal of either or both ends are less than 23⁄4 inches in length, or transversely cut pods not less than 234 inches in length and, except for "vertical pack" or asparagus style, are not arranged in any definite position in the container.

(b) "Whole vertical pack" means canned beans that are "whole" and are packed parallel to the sides of the container.

(c) "Whole asparagus style" means canned beans that are "whole" and consist of pods that are cut at both ends, are of substantially equal lengths, and are packed parallel to the sides of the container.

(d) "Sliced lengthwise" or "French style" means canned beans consisting of pods that are sliced lengthwise.

(e) "Cut" or "cuts" means canned beans consisting of pods that are cut transversely into pieces less than 24 inches, but not less than 34 inch, in length, and may contain shorter end pieces which result from cutting.

(f) "Short cut" or "short cuts" means canned beans consisting of pieces of pods of which not less than 75 percent are less than 3/4 inch in length and not more than 1 percent are more than 14 inches in length.

(g) "Mixed" or "mixture" means a mixture of two or more of the following

styles of canned beans: "whole"; "sliced lengthwise"; "cuts"; or "short cuts".

§ 52.443 Grades of canned beans.

(a) "U.S. Grade A" (or "U.S. Fancy") is the quality of canned green beans or canned wax beans that possess similar varietal characteristics; possess a normal flavor and odor; are practically free from defects for reasons other than damaged by mechanical injury; possess a good character; and are of such quality with respect to clearness of liquor, uniformity of color, and absence of defects as to score not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(b) "U.S. Grade B" (or "U.S. Extra Standard") is the quality of canned green beans or canned wax beans that possess similar varietal characteristics; possess a normal flavor and odor; possess a reasonably uniform typical color; are reasonably free from defects; possess a reasonably good character; and are of such quality with respect to clearness of liquor as to score not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outined in this subpart.

(c) "U.S. Grade C" (or "U.S. Standard") is the quality of canned green beans or canned wax beans that possess similar varietal characteristics; possess a normal flavor and odor; possess a fairly good liquor; possess a fairly uniform typical color; are fairly free from defects; possess a fairly good character; and score not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(d) "Substandard" is the quality of canned beans that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C and may or may not be "Below Standard in Quality-Good Food-Not High Grade”. FILL OF CONTAINER AND DRAINED WEIGHTS § 52.444 Recommended fill of container.

The recommended fill of container is not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since fill of container, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades. It is recommended that each container of canned beans be filled with beans as full as practicable without impairment of quality and that the product and packing

medium occupy not less than 90 percent of the total capacity of the container. § 52.445 Recommended drained weight. The drained weight recommendations in Table No. I of this section are not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since drained weight, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades. The drained

weight of beans is determined by emptying the contents of the container upon a United States Standard No. 8 circular sieve of proper diameter containing 8 meshes to the inch (0.0937-inch +3%, square openings) so as to distribute the product evenly, inclining the sieve slightly to facilitate drainage, and allowing to drain for 2 minutes. A sieve 8 inches in diameter is used for No. 221⁄2 size cans (401 x 411) and smaller sizes, and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for

containers larger than the No. 21⁄2 size

can.

§ 52.446 Compliance with recommended drained weights.

Compliance with the recommended drained weights for canned beans in Table I is determined by averaging the drained weights from all the containers in the sample which is representative of a specific lot and such lot is considered as meeting the recommendations if the following criteria are met:

(a) The average of the drained weights from all of the containers in the sample meets the recommended minimum drained weight for the applicable style;

(b) The drained weights from the containers which do not meet the recommended minimum drained weight are within the range of variability of good commercial practice.

§ 52.447

TYPES AND SIZES

Types of canned beans.

The type of canned beans is not incorporated in the grades of the finished product, since the type of canned beans is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades. The type of canned beans is based upon the relationship of the width and thickness measurement and is described as "round-type" or "flat-type" as follows:

(a) "Round-type" are canned beans having a width not greater than 11⁄2 times the thickness of the bean.

having a width greater than 11⁄2 times the thickness of the bean.

§ 52.448 Sizes of canned beans.

The size of beans is not a factor of quality of canned beans for the purpose of these grades. The size of a whole, cut, or short cut bean is determined by measuring the thickness at the shorter diameter of the bean transversely to the long axis at the thickest portion of the pod. The designations of the various sizes of round type and flat type beans are shown in Table No. II-A and II-B of this subpart.

§ 52.449 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit.

(a) General. In addition to considering other requirements outlined in the standards, the following quality factors are evaluated in ascertaining the grade of the product:

(1) Factors not rated by score points. (i) Flavor and odor: "Normal flavor and normal odor" means that the canned beans are free from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

(ii) Varietal characteristics.

(2) 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:

Less than 142.

142, but not including, 182. 182, but not including, 21. 21, but not including, 24. 24 or more.

which is scored is inclusive (for example, "31 to 35 points" means 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 points).

(a) (A) classification. Canned beans that possess a practically clear liquor may be given a score of 9 or 10 points. "Practically clear liquor" means that the liquor may possess a slight tint of yellowgreen to green color and that not more than a trace of suspended material and sediment is present.

(b) (B) classification. If the canned beans possess a reasonably clear liquor, a score of 8 points may be given. "Reasonably clear liquor" means that the liquor may be cloudy and contain a small quantity of sediment.

(c) (C) classification. If the canned beans possess a fairly good liquor, a score of 7 points may be given. "Fairly good liquor" means that the liquor may be dull in color, but not off color; may be cloudy; or may possess a noticeable accumulation of sediment.

(d) (SStd) classification. Canned beans that possess a liquor that is definitely off color for any reason, is excessively cloudy, or contains a seriously objectionable quantity of sediment may be given a score of 0 to 6 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

(a) (A) classification. Canned beans that possess a practically uniform bright typical color may be given a score of 14 or 15 points. "Practically uniform bright typical color" means that the canned beans possess a color that is bright and typical of very young and tender green beans or wax beans, as the case may be, of similar varietal characteristics with not more than 5 percent, by count, of units which vary markedly from this typical color.

(b) (B) classification. If the canned beans possess a reasonably uniform typical color, a score of 12 or 13 points may be given. "Reasonably uniform typical color" means that the canned beans possess a color that is typical of young and reasonably tender green beans or wax beans, as the case may be, of similar varietal characteristics with not more than 10 percent, by count, of units which vary markedly from this typical color.

(c) (C) classification. Canned beans that possess a fairly uniform typical color may be given a score of 10 or 11 points. Canned beans 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 uniform typical color" means that the canned beans possess a color that is typical of nearly mature and fairly tender green beans or wax beans, as the case may be, of similar varietal characteristics with not more than 15 percent, by count, of units which vary markedly from this typical color.

(d) (SStd) classification. Canned beans that are definitely off color or fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 9 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§ 52.453 Absence of defects.

(a) General. The factor of absence of defects refers to the degree of freedom from blemished and seriously blemished units; from unstemmed units, detached stems, leaves, extraneous vegetable matter; or split units, loose seeds and pieces of seed, small pieces of pod, and raggedcut units or units damaged by mechanical injury in the applicable styles; and

any other defects not specifically defined which affect the appearance or edibility of the units or the product.

(b) Definitions of defects or defective units. (1) "Blemished" or "blemished unit" means blemished by scars, pathological injury, insect injury, or other means in which the aggregate area. affected exceeds the area of a circle % inch in diameter or the appearance or eating quality of the unit is materially affected.

(2) "Seriously blemished" or "seriously blemished unit" means blemished to such an extent that the appearance or eating quality of the unit is seriously affected.

(3) "Long stems" mean attached or detached stems which are longer than 1/2 inch.

(4) "Extraneous vegetable matter" means leaves and other similar vegetable matter that is harmless, and includes "detached stems", when SO indicated.

(5) "Split unit" means a whole bean, cut, or short cut unit, that is split into two parts.

(6) "Small pieces of pods" means pieces of pods less than 1/2 inch in length.

(7) "Ragged-cut unit" means a section of a pod that has a very ragged edge, or a section of a pod that is partially cut that seriously affects the appearance of the pod.

(8) "Damaged by mechanical injury” means broken or damaged to such an extent that the appearance or eating quality of the unit is seriously affected.

(c) (A) classification. Canned beans that are practically free from defects may be given a score of 31 to 35 points. "Practically free from defects" means that:

(1) The limits for allowable defects or defective units in the applicable styles do not exceed the maximum limits for (A) classification in Table III of this subpart; and

(2) Notwithstanding the applicable allowances in Table III the defects or defective units (whether or not specifically defined), individually and collectively, do not materially affect the appearance or edibility of the product.

(d) (B) classification. If the canned beans are reasonably free from defects, a score of 28 to 30 points may be given. Canned beans that fall into this classi

fication for reasons other than damage by mechanical injury shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial limiting rule). "Reasonably free from defects" means that:

(1) The limits for allowable defects or defective units in the applicable styles do not exceed the maximum limits for (B) classification in Table III of this subpart; and

(2) Notwithstanding the applicable allowances in Table III the defects or defective units (whether or not specifically defined), individually and collectively, do not seriously affect the appearance or edibility of the product.

(e) (C) classification. If the canned beans are fairly free from defects, a score of 25 to 27 points may be given. Canned beans that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S.

Canned

Grade C, regardless of the total score for
the product (this is a limiting rule).
"Fairly free from defects" means that
the limits for allowable defects or defec-
tive units in the applicable styles do not
exceed the maximum limits for (C) clas-
sification in Table III of this subpart.
(f) (SStd) classification.
beans that fail to meet the requirements
of paragraph (e) of this section may be
given a score of 0 to 24 points and shall
not be graded above Substandard, re-
gardless of the total score for the prod-
uct (this is a limiting rule); and may
also be "Below Standard in Quality-
Good Food-Not High Grade" for the
following applicable reasons:

Excessive number very short pieces;
Excessive number blemished units;
Excessive number unstemmed units;

Excessive foreign material;

Excessive loose seeds and pieces of seeds.

$ 52.454

Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the maturity as reflected in the degree of development of pods and seeds and to the tenderness of the pods; to the degree of sloughing of the epidermis;

and to the appearance of the slices and portions thereof in "Sliced Lengthwise" style.

(b) Definitions. (1) "Trimmed pod" means any pod from which there has been trimmed off as far as the end of the space formerly occupied by seed, any