United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing

Service

Fruit and Vegetable Program

Specialty Crops Inspection

Division 

# United States Standards

for Grades of

Frozen Lima Beans

Effec tive date DRAFTDiscussion draft for the revision of the U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen

Lima Beans November 2012

Information about this draft may be obtained from:

Brian E. Griffin

Standardization Branch Specialty Crops Inspection Division

STOP 0 247 1400 Independence Ave. SW Washington, DC 20250

- 0247 Telephone: 202 720

- 5021

Fax: 202 690

- 1527 Email: brian.griffin@ams.usda.gov

THIS DRAFT IS FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY AND HAS NOT BEEN

APPROVED FOR USE BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREThis i s the tenth issue, as amended, of the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of

________________ to

become effective

_______________ . This issue supersedes the ninth issue, which was published in the Federal Register May 22, 1957 has been in effect since May 22,

1957

.

Voluntary U.S. grade standards are issued under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, which provides for the development of official U.S. grades to designate different lev els of quality. These grade standards are available for use by producers, suppliers, buyers, and consumers. As in the case of other standards for grades of processed fruits and vegetables, these standards are designed to facilitate orderly marketing by providing a convenient basis for buying and selling, for establishing quality control programs, and for determining loan values.

The standards also serve as a basis for the inspection and grading of commodities by the Federal inspection service, the only activity authorized to approve the designation of U.S. grades as referenced in the standards, as provided under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. This service, available as on

- line (in

- plant) or lot inspection and grading of all processed fruit and vegetable products, is offered to interested parties, upon application, on a fee

- for

- service basis. The verification of some specific recommendations, requirements, or tolerances contained in the standards can be accomplished only by the use of on

- line ins pection procedures. In all instances, a grade can be assigned based on final product factors or characteristics.

In addition to the U.S. grade standards, grading manuals or instructions for inspection of several processed fruits and vegetables are available upon request for a nominal

fee. These manuals or instructions contain detailed interpretations of the grade standards and provide step

- by

- step procedures for grading the product.

Grade standards are issued by the Department after careful consideratio n of all data and views submitted, and the Department welcomes suggestions which might aid in improving the standards in future revisions. Comments may be submitted to, and copies of standards and grading manuals obtained from:

Director, Specialty Crops Inspection Division Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS U.S. Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0240 Washington, D.C. 20250United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans

Section Page No.

§52.501 Product de scription.

....................................................................... 2

§52.502 Types of frozen lima beans.

.......................................................... 2

§52.503 Grades of frozen lima beans.

......................................................... 2

§52.504 Ascertaining the grade.

.................................................................. 2

§52.505 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored.

............... 3

§52.506 Color.

............................................................................................ 3

§52.507 Defects.

......................................................................................... 6

§52.50 8 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

....................................................... 9

§52.509 Score sheet for frozen lima beans.

............................................... 10

Authority: Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, Secs. 203, 205, 60 Stat. 1087, as amended, 1090, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624).

Note: Compliance with the provisions of these standards shall not excuse failure to comply with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or with applicable State laws and regulations.2 §52.501 Product description.

Frozen lima beans means the frozen product prepare d from the clean, sound, succulent seed of the lima bean plant without soaking, by shelling, washing, blanching, and properly draining, and is then frozen in accordance with good commercial practice and maintained at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product.

§52.502 Types of frozen lima beans.

(a) Thin

- seeded such as Henderson, Bush and Thorogreen varieties.

(b) Thick

- seeded Baby Potato such as Baby Potato, Baby Fordhook, and Evergreen.

(c) Thick

- seeded, such as Fordhook variety.

§52.503 Grades of frozen lima beans.

(a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of frozen lima beans that possess similar varietal characteristics; that possess a good flavor; that are tender; that possess a good color; that are practically free from defects; and that s core not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(b) U.S. Grade B is the quality of frozen lima beans that possess similar varietal characteristics; that possess a good flavor; that are reasonably

te nder; that possess a reasonably good color; that are reasonably free from defects; and that score not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(c) U.S. Grade C is the quality of frozen lima beans that possess similar varietal characteristics; that possess a fairly good flavor; that are fairly tender; that possess a fairly good color; that are fairly free from defects; and that score not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring sys tem outlined in this subpart.

(d) Substandard is the quality of frozen lima beans that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard.

§52.504 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) General. In addition to considering other requirements outlined i n the standards, the following quality factors are evaluated:3 (1) Factors not rated by score points.

(i) Varietal characteristics.

(ii) Flavor.

(iii) Tenderness.

(2) Factors rated by score points. The relative importance of each

factor which is score d is expressed numerically on the scale of 100. The maximum number of points that may be given each such factor

is:

Factors Points

Color

..................................................................................... Defects

.................................................................................. Total Score

................................ ................................ .. 60

40

100

(b) The scores for the factors of color and absence of defects are determine d immediately after thawing to the extent that the product is substantially free from ice crystals and can be handled as individual units. The evaluation of

the factors of tenderness and flavor of frozen lima beans is made after thawing and after the product is cooked.

(c) Good flavor means that the product has a good, characteristic, normal flavor and odor and is free from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

(d) Fairly good flavor means that the product may be lacking in good flav or and odor but is free from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

§52.505 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 such factors and expressed numerically. The numerical range within each factor which is scored is inclusive (for example, 54 to 60 points means 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60 points).

§52.506 Color.

(a) General. The color of frozen lima beans has reference to the color

characteristic of the individual lima bean.4 (1) Green means that not less than 50 percent of the surface area of the individual lima bean possesses as much or more green color than U.S.D.A. lima bean green color standard for frozen lima beans.

(2) White means that more than 50 percent of the surface area of the individual lima bean is lighter in color than U.S.D.A. lima bean white

color standard for frozen lima beans.

(3) The U.S.D.A. frozen lima bean color standards conf orm to the I.C.I. and other color requirements as specified in Table No. I of this

section.

Table No. 1 - Color Requirements for U.S.D.A. Color Standards for

Frozen Lima Beans

Color designation Daylight directional

reflectance Chromaticity coordinates

Y x y

U.S.D.A. lima bean green color standard.

U.S.D.A. lima bean

white color standard 40.4

63.5 .3715

.3731 .4576

.4016

(4) Information regarding these color standards may be obtained by contacting the Specialty Crops Inspection Division.

(b) "A" classification. Frozen lima beans that possess a good color may be given a score of 54 to 60 points. Good color means that the lima beans, regardless of type, possess a bright typical color and meet the following additional color requirements for th e respective types:

(1) Thin

- seeded type (with skins removed); Thick

- seeded Baby Potato type (with skins on).

(i) Not less than 93 percent, by count, of the lima beans are

green and not more than 7 percent by count, may be lighter in color: Provided, that not more than 1 percent, by count, of
all the lima beans are white, or

(ii) Not less than 97 percent, by count, of the lima beans are

green and not more than 3 percent, by count, may be lighter

in color or white lima beans.5 (2) Thick

- seeded type (wi th skins on). Not less than 85 percent, by count, of the lima beans are green and not more than 15 percent, by count, may be lighter in color: Provided, that not more than 1 percent, by count, of all the lima beans are white.

(c) "B" classification. If the frozen lima beans possess a reasonably good color a score of 48 to 53 points may be given. Frozen lima beans 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 ru le). Reasonably good

color means that the lima beans, regardless of type, possess a typical color and meet the following additional requirements for the respective
types:

(1) Thin

- seeded type (with skins removed); Thick

- seeded Baby Potato type (with skins on). Not less than 65 percent, by count, of

the lima beans are green and not more than 35 percent, by count, may be lighter in color or white lima beans.

(2) Thick

- seeded type (with skins on). Not less than 60 percent, by count, of the lima beans are green and not more than 40 percent, by count, may be lighter in color: Provided, that not more than 5 percent, by count, of all the lima beans are white.

(d) "C" classification. If the frozen lima beans possess a fairly good color a score of 42 to 47 po ints may be given. Frozen lima 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 good color means that the lima beans, regardless of type, possess a typical color and meet the following additional requirements for the respective types:

(1) Thin

- seeded type (with skins removed); Thick

- seeded Baby Potato type (with skins on). Less than 65 percent, by count, of the

lima beans are green and all of t he lima beans may be white.

(2) Thick

- seeded type (with skins on). Less than 60 percent, by count, of the lima beans are green: Provided, that not more than 20 percent, by count, of all the lima beans are white.

(e) "SStd" classification. Frozen lima beans that are definitely off color or fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 41 points an d shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).6 §52.507 Defects.

(a) General. The factor of defects refers to the degree of freedom from harmless extraneous vegetable material, from pieces of beans, shriveled beans, sprouted beans, light discoloration, and from beans that are

blemished or seriousl y blemished.

(1) Harmless extraneous vegetable material means:

(i) Predominantly flat or predominantly cylindrical, green, tender vegetable material, such as pieces of pods or leaves and stems of the lima bean plant; and

(ii) Predominantly spherical veg etable material, such as seeds from other plants.

(2) Piece of bean (broken bean) means:

(i) A whole bean from which one

- half or more of a cotyledon or the equivalent thereof has become detached;

(ii) Two detached whole cotyledons;

(iii) Pieces of detached broken cotyledons aggregating the equivalent of one average size whole cotyledon; and

(iv) A whole detached skin or portions of detached skin aggregating the equivalent of an average size whole skin.

(3) Shriveled means lima beans that are materiall y wrinkled and are not of normal plumpness.

(4) Sprouted means lima beans that show an external shoot protruding prominently beyond the cotyledon or skin.

(5) Light discoloration means light discoloration of the hilum or other light discoloration which slightly affects but does not materially affect the appearance or eating quality of the bean.

(6) Blemished means blemished by discoloration or blemished by other means to the extent that the appearance or eating quality of the bean is materially affected.

(7) Seriously blemished means blemished to such an extent that the appearance or eating quality of the bean is seriously affected.7 (b) "A" classification. Frozen lima beans that are practically free from defects may be given a score of 36 to 40 points. Practically free from

defects means that:

(1) There may be present:

(i) For each 10 ounces, net weight, one piece, or pieces, of predominantly flat, harmless extraneous vegetable material having an aggregate area of 3/16 square inch (1/2 inch by 3/8

in ch) on one surface of the piece, or pieces, and one predominantly cylindrical piece, or pieces, of harmless extraneous vegetable material not exceeding 1/2 inch in length in the aggregate; or

(ii) For each 30 ounces, net weight, one predominantly spherica l piece of harmless extraneous vegetable material measuring

not more than 1/4 inch in diameter.

(2) There may be present:

(i) 5 percent, by count, of pieces of beans; 1

(ii) 1 percent, by count, of shriveled and sprouted beans;

(iii) 2 percent, by count, of blemished and seriously blemished beans, and of such 2 percent, not more than 1/4 thereof or 1/2 of 1 percent, by count, of all the beans may be seriously
blemished; and that

(3) The presence of harmless extraneous vegetable material, pieces of

bean s, shriveled and sprouted beans, light discoloration, and blemished and seriously blemished beans, individually or collectively, does not more than slightly affect the appearance or eating quality of the product.

(c) "B" classification. If the frozen lima beans are reasonably free from defects, a score of 32 to 35 points may be given. Frozen lima beans that fall into this classification on account of the presence of shriveled or sprouted beans and of blemished or seriously blemished beans, shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B regardless of the total score for the product

1 The percent, by count, of pieces of beans in the sample is determined by dividing the total number of pieces of beans by the total number of beans and pieces of beans and multiplying the quotient by 100.8 (this is a partial limiting rule). Reasonably free from defects means that:

(1) There may be present:

(i) For each 10 ounces, net weight, one piece, or pieces, of predominantly flat, harmless extraneous vegetable material having an aggregate area of 3/8 square inch (1/2 inch by 3/4 inch) on one surface of the piece, or pieces, and one predominantly cylindrical piece, or pieces, of harmless extraneous vegetable material not exceeding 3/4 inch in length in the aggregate; or

(ii) For each 30 ounces, net weight, two predominantly spherical pieces of harmless extraneous vegetable material measuring

not more than 1/4 inch in diameter.

(2) There may be present:

(i) 10 percent, by count, of pieces of beans; 1

(ii) 4 percent, by count, of shriveled and sprouted beans;

(iii) 3 percent, by count, of blemished and seriously blemished beans, and of such 3 percent, not more than 1/3 thereof or 1 percent, by count, of all the beans may be seriou sly
blemished; and that

(3) The presence of harmless extraneous vegetable material, pieces of beans, shriveled and sprouted beans, light discoloration, and blemished and seriously blemished beans, individually or collectively, does not materially affect the appearance or eating quality of the product.

(d) "C" classification. Frozen lima beans that are fairly free from defects may be given a score of 28 to 31 points. Frozen lima beans that fall into this

classification shall n ot 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:

1 The percent, by count, of pieces of beans in the sample is determined by dividing the total number of pieces of beans by the total number of beans and pieces of beans and multiplying the quotient by 100.9 (1) There may be present:

(i) For each 10 ounces, net weight, one piece, or pieces, of predominantly flat, harmless extraneous vegetable mat erial having an aggregate area of 3/4 square inch (1/2 inch by 1

- 1/2 inch) on one surface of the piece, or pieces, and one predominantly cylindrical piece, or pieces, of harmless extraneous vegetable material not exceeding 1 inch in length in the aggregate ; or

(ii) For each 30 ounces, net weight, three predominantly spherical pieces of harmless extraneous vegetable material measuring not more than 1/4 inch in diameter.

(2) There may be present:

(i) 15 percent, by count, of pieces of beans; 1

(ii) 8 percent, by count, of shriveled and sprouted beans;

(iii) 4 percent, by count, of blemished and seriously blemished beans, and of such 4 percent, not more than 1/2 thereof or 2 percent, by count, of all the beans may be seriously
blemished; and that

(3) The presence of harmless extraneous vegetable material, pieces of beans, shriveled and sprouted beans, light discoloration, and blemished and seriously blemished beans, individually or collectively, does not seriously affect the appearance or eating quality of the product.

(e) "SStd" classification. Frozen lima beans that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 27 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (th is is a limiting rule).

§52.508 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of frozen lima beans covered by these standards is determined by the procedures set forth in the regulations governing inspection and certification of processed products thereof, and certain other processed food products (7 CFR 52.1 through 52.83).

1 The percent, by count, of pieces of beans in the sample is determined by dividing the total number of pieces of beans by the total number of beans and pieces of beans and multiplying the quotient by 100.10 §52.509 Score sheet for frozen lima beans.



### Size and kind of container

................................ ................................ ............. Container marks or identification

................................................................... Label

............................................................................................................. Net weight (ounces)

...................................................................................... Type

............................................................................................................. Size

............................................................................................................. Color : 

### Percent Green

.................................................................................................... 

### Perce nt White

................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 

### Factors Score Points

Color

................................................

Defects

............................................

Total Score

............................ 60

40

100 “A”

“B”

“C”

“SStd”

“A”

“B”

“C”

“SStd” 54

- 60

48

- 53

42

- 47

0- 41

36

- 40

32

- 35

28

- 31

0- 27 1/

1/

1/

2/

1/

1/

Grade

................................ ................................ ................................ ............ Flavor

............................................................................................................ Tenderness

................................ ................................ ................................ ...

1 / Indicates limiting rule.

2 / I ndicates partial limiting rule.