United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products 

Branch

United States

Standards for

Grades of Canned

Grapefruit

Effective October 25, 1973
This is the sixth issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Grapefruit

published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of October 23, 1973 (38 FR 29210) to become

effective October 25, 1973. This issue supersedes the fifth issue, which has been in effect

since September 23, 1971.

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 levels 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 inspection 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 consideration 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:

Chief, Processed Products Branch

Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS

U.S. Department of Agriculture

P.O. Box 96456, Rm. 0709, So. Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20090-6456
UNITED STATES STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF

CANNED GRAPEFRUIT

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 25, 1973

Section Page No.

§52.1141 Identity. ................................................. 2

§52.1142 Grades. ................................................. 2

§52.1143 Liquid media and Brix measurements. ......................... 3

§52.1144 Fill of container. .......................................... 4

§52.1145 Minimum drained weights. ................................... 4

§52.1146 Sample unit size. .......................................... 6

§52.1147 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit. ........................ 6

§52.1148 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ........... 6

§52.1149 Wholeness. .............................................. 7

§52.1150 Color. .................................................. 7

§52.1151 Defects. ................................................. 8

§52.1152 Character. ............................................... 11

§52.1153 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ............................... 11

§52.1154 Score sheet for canned grapefruit. ............................ 12

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

§52.1141 Identity.

Canned Grapefruit means the canned product prepared from clean, sound, and mature

grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfadyen), as such product is defined in the standards of

identity for canned grapefruit (21 CFR 27.90) issued pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug

and Cosmetic Act.

§52.1142 Grades.

(a) U.S. Grade A (or U.S. Fancy) is the quality of canned grapefruit that:

(1) has an average drained weight of not less than 53 percent of the

water capacity of the container, of which not less than 65 percent by

weight of the drained grapefruit consists of whole or practically whole

segments;

(2) has a good color;

(3) is practically free from defects;

(4) has a good character;

(5) has good flavor and odor; and 

(6) scores 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. Choice) is the quality of canned grapefruit that:

(1) has an average drained weight of not less than 53 percent of the

water capacity of the container, of which not less that 50 percent by

weight of the drained grapefruit consists of whole or practically whole

segments (sample average);

(2) has reasonably good color;

(3) is reasonably free from defects;

(4) has a reasonably good character;

(5) has a reasonably good flavor and odor; and

(6) scores not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the
3

scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(c) U.S. Broken is the quality of canned grapefruit that:

(1) has an average drained weight of not less than 53 percent of the

water capacity of the container, of which less than 50 percent by

weight of the drained grapefruit consists of whole or practically whole

segments (sample average);

(2) has at least a reasonably good color;

(3) is at least reasonably free from defects;

(4) has at least a reasonably good character;

(5) has at least a reasonably good flavor and odor; and

(6) scores not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the

scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(d) Substandard is the quality of canned grapefruit that fails to meet the

requirements of U.S. Grade B and U.S. Broken.

§52.1143 Liquid media and Brix measurements.

(a) Brix measurement requirements for the liquid media in canned grapefruit are

not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since sirup, or any

other liquid medium, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purposes of

these grades. The designation of liquid packing media and Brix

measurements, where applicable, is as follows:

Designation Brix Measurements

Water ............................... Not applicable

Grapefruit juice ........................ Not applicable

Grapefruit juice and water ............... Not applicable

Slightly sweetened water ................ 12E or more, but less than 16E

Slightly sweetened grapefruit juice ......... 12E or more, but less than 16E

Sirup ................................ 16E or more, but less than 18E

Grapefruit juice sirup ................... 16E or more, but less than 18E

Heavy sirup ........................... 18E or more
4

Heavily sweetened grapefruit juice sirup .... 18E or more

(b) The densities of the packing media, as listed in this section, are measured

on the refractometer, expressed as percent by weight sucrose (degrees Brix)

with correction for temperature to the equivalent at 20E C. (68EF.), but

without correction for invert sugars or other substances. The degrees Brix

of the packing media may be determined by any other method which gives

equivalent results.

(c) Brix determination is made on the packing media 15 days or more after the

grapefruit is canned or on the blended homogenized slurry of the

comminuted entire contents of the container if canned for less than 15 days.

§52.1144 Fill of container.

(a) The fill of container for canned grapefruit 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 be

filled as full as practicable with grapefruit without impairment of quality.

(b) Canned grapefruit shall also meet the fill of container requirements as set

forth in the regulations of Food and Drug Administration (21 CFR 27.92).

§52.1145 Minimum drained weights.

(a) General. The minimum drained weight requirements for the various

container sizes are listed in Table I. The drained weight of the grapefruit is

not less than 53 percent of the water capacity of the container.

(b) Definitions.

(1) Sample average -- average of all the drained weights of the sample

containers representing a lot.

(2) means a specified minimum sample average drained weight.

(3) LL lower limit for individual container drained weight.
5

(c) Method for ascertaining drained weight. The drained weight of canned

grapefruit is determined by emptying the contents of the container upon a

U.S. Standard No. 8 circular sieve of proper diameter containing 8 meshes

to the inch (0.0937 inch (2.3 mm), ± 3 percent square openings) so as to

distribute the product evenly over the sieve. Without shifting the product,

incline the sieve at an angle of 17E to 20E to facilitate drainage and allow to

drain for 2 minutes. The weight of drained grapefruit is the weight of the

sieve and product less the weight of the dry sieve. A sieve 8 inches in

diameter is used if the contents of the container is less than three pounds

and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used if the contents of the container is

3 pounds or more.

(d) Compliance with drained weight requirements. A lot of canned grapefruit

is considered as meeting the minimum drained weight requirement when the

following criteria are met:

(1) The sample average meets the specified minimum sample average drained

weight (designated as in Table I): and 

(2) The number of containers which fail to meet the minimum drained weight for

individual containers (designated as LL in Table I) does not exceed the

applicable acceptance number specified in Table II.

Table I - Minimum Drained Weights

Container Designation LL

ounces ounces

8Z (211 X 304) 4.60 4.25

No. 303 (303 X 406) 8.95 8.50

No. 3 Cyl. (404 X 700) 27.40 26.30

Table II - Single Sampling Plans and Acceptance Numbers

Sample Size (No. of sample

containers) ..................... 3 6 13 21 29 38 48 60

Acceptance numbers ............. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
6

§52.1146 Sample unit size.

Compliance with requirements for factors of quality is based on a sample unit comprised

of the entire contents of one container, irrespective of container size.

§52.1147 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit.

(a) General. The grade of a sample unit of canned grapefruit is ascertained by

considering the factor of flavor and odor which is not scored; the ratings for

the factors of wholeness, color, defects, and character which are scored; the

total score; and the limiting rules which may be applicable.

(b) 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 are:

Factors: Points

Wholeness .................... 25

Color ......................... 25

Defects ....................... 25

Character ..................... 25

Total Score .............. 100

(c) Definition.

(1) Good flavor and odor means that the product has a distinct and

normal flavor and odor typical of canned grapefruit and is free from

objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

(2) Reasonably good flavor and odor means that the product may be

lacking in good flavor and odor but is free from objectionable flavors

and objectionable odors of any kind.

§52.1148 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored.

The essential variation within each factor which is scored are so described that the value

may be ascertained for each factor and expressed numerically. The numerical range

within each factor which is scored is inclusive (for example, "23 to 25 points" means 23,

24, or 25 points.)
7

§52.1149 Wholeness.

(a) General.

(1) A whole segment means any grapefruit segment that is substantially

intact and retains its apparent original conformation.

(2) A practically whole segment means any portion of a grapefruit

segment that is not less than 75 percent of its apparent original size

and is not excessively trimmed.

(b) "A" classification. Sample units of canned grapefruit that consist of not

less than 65 percent by weight of the drained grapefruit in whole and/or

practically whole segments may be give a score of 21 to 25 points.

(c) "B" classification. Sample units of canned grapefruit that consist of less

than 65 percent but not less than 40 percent by weight of the drained

grapefruit in whole and/or practically whole segments may be given a score

of 17 to 20 points. In addition the sample average (average of all sample

units representing a lot) shall not be less than 50 percent by weight of whole

and/or practically whole segments. Sample units of canned grapefruit 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.)

(d) "Broken" classification. Sample units of canned grapefruit that individually

consist of less than 40 percent by weight of the drained grapefruit in whole

and/or practically whole segments, or average (average of all sample units)

is less than 50 percent by weight of the drained grapefruit in whole and/or

practically whole segments may be given a score of 0 to 16 points. Sample

units of canned grapefruit that fall into this classification shall not be graded

above U.S. Broken, regardless of the total score for the product. (This is a

limiting rule.)

§52.1150 Color.

(a) "A" classification. Canned grapefruit that has a good color may be given

a score of 23 to 25 points. Good color means a practically uniform, bright,

typical color free from any noticeable tinge of amber.
8

(b) "B" classification. Canned grapefruit that has reasonably good color may

be given a score of 21 or 22 points. Canned grapefruit that falls 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 color

means fairly bright color which may be variable but is not off color for any

reason.

(c) "SStd" classification. Canned grapefruit that fails to meet the requirements

in paragraph (b) 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.)

§52.1151 Defects.

(a) General. The factor of defects refers to the degree of freedom from

extraneous vegetable material, from seeds, from portions of albedo, from

portions of tough membrane, from damage units, and from other similar

defects.

(1) Extraneous vegetable material means leaves, portions of leaves,

small pieces of peel, and other similar material that is harmless.

(2) Seed means any seed or any portion thereof, whether or not fully

developed, that measures more than 3/16 inch in any dimension.

(3) Large seed means any seed or any portion thereof, whether or

not fully developed, that measures more than 3/8 inch in any

dimension.

(4) Damage unit means any grapefruit segment or portion thereof that is

damaged by lye peeling, by discoloration, or by similar injury or that

is otherwise damaged to such an extent that the appearance or eating

quality of the unit is materially affected.

(b) "A" classification. Canned grapefruit that is practically free from defects

may be given a score of 23 to 25 points. Practically free from defects

means that:

(1) All defects present, whether or not specifically defined or listed in this

section, do not more than slightly affect the appearance or edibility of

the product; and

(2) The defects that may be present in a sample unit and in the entire
9

sample do not exceed the allowances specified in Table III.

(c) "B" classification. Canned grapefruit that is reasonably free from defects

may be given a score of 21 to 22 points. Canned grapefruit that falls 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 that:

(1) All defects present, whether or not specifically defined or listed in this

section, may materially, but not seriously, affect the appearance or

edibility of the product; and

(2) The defects that may be present in a sample unit and in the entire

sample do not exceed the allowances specified in Table IV.

(d) "SStd" classification. Canned grapefruit that fails to meet the requirements

of paragraph (c) 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 a limiting rule.)
10

TABLE III - ALLOWANCES FOR DEFECTS IN CANNED GRAPEFRUIT

U.S. GRADE A

Defects 8Z (211 x 304) No. 303 (303 x 406) No. 3 CYL. (404 x 700)

Extraneous Vegetable Material

Sample Unit Sample Average Sample Unit Sample Average Sample Unit Sample Average

Maximum Maximum Maximum

1 piece 0.25 piece 1 piece 0.50 piece 1 piece 0.75 piece

Seeds and large seeds

Total of 3

seeds including

not more than 1

large seed.

1.6 seeds

including not

more than 0.4

large seed.

Total of 4 seeds

including not

more than 2

large seeds.

3.2 seeds

including not

more than 0.8

large seed.

Total of 10

seeds including

not more than 3

large seeds.

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

Albedo and though membrane 1 Square inch 1/2 Square inch 2 Square inches 1 Square inch 5 Square inches 4 Square inches

Damaged units 1/4 ounce ............... 1/2 ounce ............... 1-1/2 ounces ..............

-TOTALAll defects specified above

and/or any other defects that

may be present

Cumulative effect - does not more than slightly affect the appearance or eating quality of

the product.

TABLE IV - ALLOWANCES FOR DEFECTS IN CANNED GRAPEFRUIT

U.S. GRADE B

Defects 8Z (211 x 304) No. 303 (303 x 406) No. 3 CYL. (404 x 700)

Extraneous Vegetable Material

Sample Unit Sample Average Sample Unit Sample Average Sample Unit Sample Average

Maximum Maximum Maximum

2 pieces 0.50 piece 2 pieces 0.75 piece 2 pieces 1 piece

Seeds and large seeds

Total of 6

seeds including

not more than 2

large seed.

4.8 seeds

including not

more than 1.2

large seed.

Total of 12

seeds including

not more than 3

large seeds.

9.6 seeds

including not

more than 2.4

large seed.

Total of 20

seeds including

not more than 5

large seeds.

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

Albedo and though membrane 1 1/2 Square

inch

3/4 Square inch 3 Square inches 2 Square inches 7 1/2 Square

inches

6 Square inches

Damaged units 3/4 ounce ............... 1 1/2 ounce ............... 4 ounces ..............

-TOTALAll defects specified above

and/or any other defects that

may be present

Cumulative effect - may materially, but not seriously, affect the appearance or eating quality

of the product.
§52.1152 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the structure and condition of the

cells of the grapefruit and reflects the maturity of the grapefruit.

(b) "A" classification. Canned grapefruit that has a good character may be

given a score of 23 to 25 points. Good character means that the grapefruit

segments are moderately firm and fleshy; that the segments or portions

thereof possess a juicy, cellular structure free from dry cells, or ricey cells,

or fibrous cells that materially affects the appearance or eating quality of the

product.

(c) "B" classification. Canned grapefruit that has a reasonably good character

may be given a score of 21 or 22 points. Canned grapefruit that falls 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

means that the grapefruit segments may be affected, but not seriously so, by

dry cells, ricey cells or fibrous cells that detract from the appearance or

eating quality of the product.

(d) "SStd" classification. Canned grapefruit that fails to meet the requirements

of paragraph (c) 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.)

§52.1153 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned grapefruit covered by these standards is determined by the

procedures set forth in the Regulation Governing Inspection and Certification of Processed

Fruits and Vegetable, Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed Food

Products (§52.1 through 52.83).
12

§52.1154 Score sheet for canned grapefruit.

Size and kind of container .............................................

Container mark or identification .........................................

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

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

Vacuum (inches) .....................................................

Drained weight (ounces) ...............................................

Brix measurements ...................................................

Sirup designation ....................................................

Factors Score points

Wholeness ........................

Color .............................

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

Character .........................

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

25

25

25

 25 

 

100

"A" 21-25

"B" 17-20 _1/

"Broken" 0-16 _1/

"A" 23-25

"B" 21-22 _1/

"Broken" 21-25 _1/

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

"A" 23-25

"B" 21-22 _1/

"Broken" 21-25 _1/

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

"A" 23-25

"B" 21-22 _1/

"Broken" 21-25 _1/

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

Flavor and odor --- Good; Reasonable Good .............................

Grade .............................................................

_1/ Indicates limiting rule.
13

Effective date. The revisions to the U.S Standards for Grades of Canned Grapefruit

shall be effective October 25, 1973.

Dated: October 16, 1973

E.L. Peterson

Administrator

Agricultural Marketing Service

Published in the Federal Register October 23, 1973 (38 F.R. 29210).