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 measurement, shape, and uniformity requirements for (A) classification in Table III; and

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
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
units of other shapes and sizes of
units.

Maximum 10 percent, by weight, of units larger than 1 square inch each.

(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.

does not seriously detract from the appearance or edibility of the product.

(d) (SStd.) classification. Canned plmientos that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 31 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§ 52.2693 Character.

(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).

$ 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. Stand ard" 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.

(a) (A) classification. Canned pumpXin or canned squash that possesses a good color may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. "Good color" means that the product possesses a practically uniform bright color typical of canned pumpkin or canned squash prepared from well matured pumpkin or squash.

(b) (C) classification. If the canned pumpkin or canned squash possesses a fairly good color, a score of 14 to 17 points may be given. Canned pumpkin or canned squash that falls into this classification shall not be graded above U. S. Grade C or U. S. Standard regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly good color" means that the product possesses a color typical of fairly well matured pumpkin or squash and may possess a slight tinge of gray or tan color, may be variable or slightly dull but not to the extent that the appearance or eating quality is materially affected.

(c) (SStd.) classification. Canned pumpkin or canned squash that fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (b) 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) $ 52.2747

Consistency.

(a) (A) classification. Canned pumpkin or canned squash that possesses a good consistency may be given a score of 25 to 30 points. "Good consistency" means that the canned pumpkin or canned squash, after emptying from the container to a dry-flat surface, retains the approximate shape of the container, or holds a high mound formation, and at the end of two minutes after emptying on such surface the highest point of the mound is not less than 60 percent of the height of the container, except with respect to No. 3 size can or larger the highest point of the mound is not less than 50 percent of the height of

the container, and irrespective of can size not more than 10 cubic centimeters of free liquor separates for each 30 ounces of net contents.

(b) (C) classification. If the canned pumpkin or canned squash possesses a fairly good consistency, a score of 21 to 24 points may be given. Canned pumpkin or canned squash that falls into this classification shall not be graded above U. S. Grade C or U. S. Standard regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). "Fairly good consistency" means that the canned pumpkin or canned squash, after empty. ing from the container to a dry-flat surface, may flow just enough to level off to a nearly uniform depth or may be moderately mounded and at the end of two minutes after emptying on such surface that not more than 30 cubic centimeters of free liquor separates for each 30 ounces of net contents.

(a) General. The factor of finish refers to the texture of the product and evenness of the pumpkin or squash particles.

(b) (A) classification. Canned pump. kin or canned quash that possesses a good finish may be given a score of 17 to 20 points. "Good finish" means that the canned pumpkin or canned squash particles are evenly divided; that the product is fine grained, smooth but not pasty and the pumpkin or squash particles are not hard.

(c) (C) classification. Canned pumpkin or canned squash that possesses a fairly good finish may be given a score of 14 to 16 points. "Fairly good finish" means that the canned pumpkin or canned squash particles are evenly divided; that the product may be slightly coarse; may be slightly pasty but not decidedly pasty and the pumpkin or squash particles are not hard.

(d) (SStd.) classification. Canned pumpkin or canned squash that fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0