possess slight tinges of green or brown color; and that not more than 15 percent, by weight, of the drained thawed peaches may be materially affected by brown color due to oxidation, improper processing, or other causes or may possess a pronounced green color: Provided, That any of such units individually or collectively do not seriously affect the appearance of the product.

(e) (SStd.) classification. Frozen peaches that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be gven a score of 0 to 13 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§ 52.3558 Size and symmetry.

(a) General. The factor of size and symmetry refers to the uniformity of size and to the symmetry of the units of peaches in halved, quartered, and sliced styles. This factor does not apply to the diced style or that of "mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes;" the total score for either of these styles is determined by multiplying the sum of the scores assigned for color, defects, and character by 100 and dividing by 80, dropping any fractions.

(b) Off-suture cut. "Off-suture cut" means a halved or quartered peach unit which has been cut at a distance from the suture greater than % inch at the widest measurement from the suture.

(c) Partially detached or detached piece. A "partially detached or detached piece" in the style of halves means a unit which has the appearance of a slice resulting from an off-suture cut or from improper cutting and which may or may not be attached to the half from which cut. In determining the applicable allowance in terms of percentage by count, a partially detached piece together with the half to which it is partially attached is considered as one unit or a detached piece with the half from which detached or together with any other half is considered as one unit.

(d) Partial or broken slice. A "partial or broken slice" is a unit that has had the semblance of a slice with respect to thickness and shape but is less than three-fourths of an apparent full slice or that is seriously cracked, crushed, broken or severed into definite parts.

(e) Sliver. A "sliver" is a sector that (1) is substantially smaller than the predominant size of slice or that (2) weighs three grams or less.

(f) Slab. A "slab" in the style of slices is a portion of a unit which does not conform to the shape of a definite slice due to improper cutting.

(g) Broken halves or quarters. "Broken halves or quarters" means peach halves or quarters that are seriously cracked or severed into definite parts. Portions equivalent to the weight of an average full-sized unit may be considered as one-half (or quarter) in determining the percentage, by count.

(h) (A) classification. Halved, quartered, or sliced frozen peaches that are practically uniform in size and symmetry may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Practically uniform in size and symmetry" has the following meanings with respect to the following styles:

(1) Halves; quarters. In a 32-ounce sample unit of thawed drained peaches, or entire contents of smaller package, the weight of the largest normal-shaped unit does not exceed the weight of the smallest normal-shaped unit by more than 75 percent; and that not more than 10 percent, by count, of the units may possess off-suture cuts or partially detached or detached pieces, or broken halves or quarters, or any combination thereof.

(2) Slices. (i) Not more than 10 percent by weight of the thawed drained peaches may consist of partial or broken slices, slivers, disintegrating fragments or other than practically intact slices and slabs;

(ii) Not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be slabs; and

(iii) The variation in size of the practically intact slices does not materially affect the appearance of the product.

(i) (B) classification. Halved, quartered, or sliced frozen peaches that are reasonably uniform in size and symmetry may be given a score of 16 or 17 points. "Reasonably uniform in size and symmetry” has the following meanings with respect to the following styles:

(1) Halves; quarters. In a 32-ounce sample unit of thawed drained peaches, or entire contents of smaller package, the weight of the largest normal-shaped unit does not exceed the weight of the smallest normal-shaped unit by more than 100 percent; and that not more than 20 percent, by count of the units may consist of off-suture cuts or partially detached or detached pieces, or broken halves or quarters, or any combination thereof.

(2) Slices. (i) Not more than 20 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained

peaches may consist of partial or broken slices, slivers, disintegrating fragments or other than practically intact slices and slabs;

(ii) Not more than 10 percent by weight of the thawed drained peaches may be slabs;

(iii) The variation in size of the practically intact slices does not seriously affect the appearance of the product.

(j) (C) classification. Halved, quartered, or sliced frozen peaches that are fairly uniform in size and symmetry may be given a score of 14 or 15 points. Frozen peaches that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B (this is a partial limiting rule). "Fairly uniform in size and symmetry” has the following meanings with respect to the following styles:

(1) Halves; quarters. Not more than 40 percent, by count, of the units may consist of off-suture cuts or partially detached or detached pieces, or broken halves or quarters, or any combination thereof.

(2) Slices. Not more than a total of 25 percent, by weight of the thawed, drained peaches may consist of partial or broken slices, slivers, disintegrating fragments or slabs: Provided, That not more than 15 percent by weight of such thawed drained peaches may consist of slabs.

(k) (SStd.) classification. Frozen peaches that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 13 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§ 52.3559 Defects.

(a) General. The factor of defects refers to the degree of freedom from harmless extraneous material, pit material, peel, blemishes, and from any other defects not specifically mentioned (such as, but not limited to, very light bruises) that detract from the appearance or edibility of the product.

(1) Harmless extraneous materials. "Harmless extraneous materials" means harmless vegetable materials such as leaves and stems and portions thereof.

(2) Blemished unit. "Blemished unit" means a unit affected by discoloration, bruise, scab, hail or other abnormality of such nature that the appearance or eating quality of the unit is materially affected; if the appearance or eating

quality is seriously affected the unit is designated as a "seriously blemished

unit."

(b) (A) classification. Frozen peaches that are practically free from defects may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Practically free from defects" means:

(1) That the frozen peaches are practically free from pit material, from harmless extraneous material, and from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product;

(2) In addition, any peel, blemished units or scriously blemished units present do not exceed the allowances specified in Table I for the thawed drained peaches in the individual package or other sample unit, and the average allowance for the entire sample. (Although the maximum permitted in the individual sample unit may be as much as twice that of the average allowances, compliance of the entire sample with the average allowance is a prerequisite to scoring the sample unit within this classification for the factor of "Defects."); and

(3) Notwithstanding the allowances in Table I of this paragraph, the defects that may be present do not more than slightly affect the appearance or edibility of the product.

(c) (B) classification. Frozen peaches that are reasonably free from defects may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Frozen peaches that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Reasonably free from defects" means:

(1) That the frozen peaches are practically free from pit material; are reasonably free from harmless extraneous material and from any defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product;

(2) In addition, any peel, blemished units, and seriously blemished units present do not exceed the allowances specified in Table II for the thawed drained peaches in the individual package or other sample unit, and the average allowance for the entire sample. (Although the maximum permitted in the individual sample unit may be as much as twice that of the average allowance, compliance of the entire sample with the average allowance is a prerequisite to scoring the sample unit within this classification for the factor of "Defects"); and

(3) Notwithstanding the allowances in Table II of this paragraph, the defects that may be present do not materially affect the appearance or edibility of the product.

(d) (C) classification. Frozen peaches that are fairly free from defects may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Frozen peaches 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:

(1) That the frozen peaches are practically free from pit material; are fairly free from harmless extraneous material and from any defects not specifically

unit(s)

Individual containers or sample units with more than 16 ounces to 32 ounces inclusive

3 square inches... 4 units: including no more than

2 serious...---3 square inches... 8 units: including no more than4 serious...

Sample units with more than 32 ounces

11⁄2 square inches per 32 ounces

2 per 32 ounces...

and

1 per 32 ounces...

11⁄2 square inches per 32 ounces. 4 per 32 ounces... and

2 per 32 ounces.

1

Average for entire sample

square inches per 32 ounces. 2 per 32 ounces.

and

1 per 32 ounces.

11⁄2 square inches

per 32 ounces. 4 per 32 ounces. and

2 per 32 ounces.

mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product;

(2) In addition, any peel, blemished units, and seriously blemished units present do not exceed the allowances specified in Table III for the thawed drained peaches in the individual package or other sample unit, and the average allowances for the entire sample. (Although the maximum permitted in the individual sample unit may be as much as twice that of the average allowance, compliance of the entire sample with the average allowance is a prerequisite for scoring the sample unit within this classification for the factor of "Defacts"); and

(3) Notwithstanding the allowances of Table III of this paragraph, the defects that may be present do not seriously affect the appearance or edibility of the product.

(e) (SStd.) classification. Frozen peaches that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§ 52.3560 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the degree of ripeness, the texture, the firmness, and the tenderness of the fruit, and the tendency of the units to retain their apparent conformation and size without material disintegration.

(b) (A) classification. Frozen peaches that possess a good character may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Good character" means that the units possess a tender texture characteristic of mature well-ripened peaches for the varietal type, and which units after defrosting and proper handling retain good conformation, and are reasonably uniform in texture within either of the following categories:

(1) I-Soft-ripe fruit. Units vary from soft to slightly firm, with not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of thawed drained peaches in which the units may be very soft, mushy, firm, and rubbery or tough within the following further limitations:

(i) Not more than 5 percent, by weight, of thawed drained peaches may be mushy; and

(ii) Not more than 2 percent, by weight, of thawed drained peaches may be rubbery or tough, and none may be hard.

(2) II-Firm-ripe fruit. Units vary from slightly firm to firm, with not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of thawed drained peaches in which the units may be soft, very soft, and rubbery or tough within the following further limitations:

(i) Not more than 2 percent, by weight, of thawed drained peaches may be very soft; and

(ii) Not more than 5 percent, by weight, of thawed drained peaches may be rubbery or tough, and none may be hard.

means

(c) (B) classification. Frozen peaches that possess a reasonably good character may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Frozen peaches that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Reasonably good character" that the units possess a reasonably tender texture characteristic of mature and at least reasonably well-ripened peaches for the varietal type, and which units, after defrosting and proper handling retain reasonably good conformation and are fairly uniform in texture within either of the following categories:

(1) I-Soft-ripe fruit. Units vary from soft to slightly firm with not more

than 20 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches in which the units may be very soft, mushy, firm, and rubbery and tough within the following further limitations:

(i) Not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be mushy; and

(ii) Not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be rubbery or tough, and none may be hard.

(2) II—Firm-ripe fruit. Units may vary from slightly firm to firm, with not more than 20 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches in which the units may be mushy, soft, very soft, rubbery or tough, and hard within the following further limitations:

(1) Not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be mushy; and

(ii) Not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the thawed peaches may be rubbery or tough; and

(iii) Not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be hard.

(d) (C) classification. Frozen peaches that possess a fairly good character may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Frozen peaches 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 possess a fairly tender texture characteristic of mature and fairly wellripened peaches for the varietal type, and which units, after defrosting and proper handling retain fairly good conformation but may be variable in texture within any one of the following categories:

(1) I-Soft-ripe fruit. Not less than 50 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches vary from very soft to firm. The remainder may be mushy, firm, rubbery or tough, and hard within the following further limitations:

(i) Not more than 25 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be mushy; and

(ii) Not more than 25 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be firm, rubbery or tough, and hard

within the following further limitation:

(a) Not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be rubbery or tough; and

(b) Not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be hard.

(2) II—Firm-ripe fruit. Not less than 50 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches vary from slightly firm to firm. The remainder may be mushy, very soft, soft, rubbery or tough, and hard within the following further limitations:

(1) Not more than 25 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be rubbery or tough and/or hard except that not more than 20 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be hard; and

(ii) Not more than 25 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be mushy, very soft, and soft within the following further limitations:

(a) Not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be mushy.

(3) III-Mixed soft-ripe and firmripe fruit. Not less than 50 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches vary from very soft to firm. The remainder may be mushy, tough or rubbery, and hard within the following further limitations:

(i) Not more than 25 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be mushy; and

(ii) Not more than 25 percent, by weight, of the thawed drained peaches may be rubbery or tough, and hard except that not more than 20 percent of the thawed, drained peaches may be hard.

(e) (SStd.) classification. Frozen peaches that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).