UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Agricultural Marketing Service 

Fruit and Vegetable Division 

Processed Products Standardization and 

Inspection Branch 

A- 459 

FOR USE OF USDA 

:PROCESSED PRODUCTS INSPECTORS: June 1975 

TO: All Processed Products Inspectors ) 

R' {/-• 

FROM: E. C. Williams, Chief of the Branch~/ · 

SUBJECT: Harmless Extraneous Material (H.E.M.) in Canned Asparagus 

PURPOSE AND SCOPE 

Currently, there are no provisions in the grade standal:ds for H.E .M. 

in canned asparagus. Although the occasions of material such as grass, 

weeds, leaves, etc., in canned asparagus are infrequeni:, there are 

times when such material is present. 

Thia memo sets forth administrative interim guideline limits for harmless extraneous material in canned asparagus. 

Separate allowances for harmless extraneous vegetable material for the 

different grade classification (U. S. Grade A or C) are not provided 

because the occurrences should be minimal and varying amount(s) depending on the grade are not intended. 

The sample will either meet or fail the H.E.M. allowances (as applicable) 

that are provided. If the total sample average meets, the grade of the 

lot will be limited by the other factors set forth in the grade standards 

(along with any deviant rate that may apply). The amount of H.E.M. 

present would not be considered in assigning such grade to sample units 

in which H.E.M. was found. 

If the total sample average fails (exceeds the amount of allowable H.E.M.), 

the grade of the lot will be "Substandard, account excessive harmless 

extraneous material. 11 

(over) 
MAXIMUM ALLOWANCE HARMLESS 

EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL IN 

CANNED ASPARAGUS 

Type of Harmless Extraneous Material Allowable in Total Sample --------------------1------------------- (J) Graas, weeds, stems, leaves, and similar 

Lyp,rn that have a linear measurement. 

(2) L,wves or portions thereof or other 

flut pJ ,•ces of H.E.M, that have an area 

mca,;un,mcnt; for example, a leaf portion 

measur 1ng 1/2 inch by 3/4 inch 

(12.7 mm. X 19.0 nnn.). 

(J) Partially dried or excessively fibrous 

aHparngus stalks or other stalks that 

would be considered harmless, and/or 

pkcc(s) of peat 1/4 inch (6.35 mm.) or 

less in greatest dimension. 

(4) Dried asparagus stalks or any other 

<lrl.ed stalks that are woody or that would 

be considered deleterious and/or piece(s) 

of peat exceeding 1/4 inch (6.35 mm.) in 

r,rcntcst dimension. 

(1) One (1) piece or an average of one 

(1) piece per 100 ounces (2.835 Kg,) net 

weight, 

(2) One (1) piece or an average of 1/4 

square inch (1/2 :,nch by 1/2 inch or 

equivalent; or 12 .. 7 mm. by 12, 7 mm, or 

equivalent) per 100 ounces (2.835 Kg.) 

net weight, 

(3) One (1) piece or an average of 

one (1) piece per 200 ounces (5.67 Kg.) 

net weight. 

(4) One (1) piece per 21 sample units 

or 42 pounds (18. :l Kg,) net weight, 

whichever is greater, 

_Nfl'l'E~: 

(;r!t, sand and silt are not considered H.E.M.; thus, they are not listed above. This 

l ypc of material is specified in the grade standards and is con.sidered on the basis 

of th<., effect upon individual sample units. 

1 u Crude A, there may be ~ grit or silt that affects the edibility or appearance and 

tn Grade C, not more than a trace of grit or silt may be present. Obviously, a 

"trace" could be varying amounts, depending on container size. 

Although the amount of grit or silt present in individual sample units must be judged 

,rnbjcctlvely and in relation to container size, the following guide will provide a 

uni,form, objective limit for allowable grit and silt for Grade C in a total accumulated sample, if applicable. 

Type of Defect Allowable Limit for Grade C 

(l) Grit, sllt or other particle of 

eurthy material such as sand; 

lnclu<le peat. 

DO NOT 

(1) Aggregate of a circle 1/4 i

(6.35 mm.) in diameter per 300 

(8,505 Kg.) net weight. 

nch 

ounces 

/In amount in excess of above would result in assigning a lot grade of "Substandard." 

Int~1·i1n Gufrl0linc~ 

Proc,•,;,;ed Products Standardization 

and Inspoctlon Branch 

Jun0 1975 

- 2 - D { f; t: r i hut ion: A