United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products 

Branch

United States

Standards for

Grades of Canned

Red Tart Pitted

Cherries

Effective May 12, 1976
This is the seventh issue, as amended, of the United States Standards for Grades of

Canned Red Tart Pitted Cherries published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of April 9,

1976 (41 FR 15016) to become effective May 12, 1976. This issue supersedes the

seventh issue, which has been in effect since May 15, 1974.

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, and buyers, and consumers. As in the case of other standards

for grades of processed fruits and vegetable, 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 instruction 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 RED TART PITTED CHERRIES

EFFECTIVE MAY 12, 1976

Section Page No.

§52.771 Identity. ................................................. 2

§52.772 Grades. ................................................. 2

§52.773 Liquid media and brix measurements. .......................... 3

§52.774 Fill of container. ........................................... 4

§52.775 Sample unit size. .......................................... 7

§52.776 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit. ........................ 7

§52.777 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ........... 7

§52.778 Color. ................................................... 8

§52.779 Freedom from pits. ......................................... 8

§52.780 Defects. ................................................. 9

§52.781 Character. ............................................... 11

§52.782 Allowances for quality factors. ................................ 12

§52.783 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ............................... 12

§52.784 Score sheet for canned red tart pitted cherries. .................. 13

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

§52.771 Identity.

Canned read tart pitted cherries is the product represented as defined in the

standard of identity for canned cherries (21 CFR 27.30), issued pursuant to the federal

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and packed in one of the liquid media specified in

§52.773; and is sealed in a hermetically sealed container and so processed by heat as

to prevent spoilage.

§52.772 Grades.

(a) U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of canned read tart pitted

cherries that have at least the following attributes:

(1) reasonably good color;

(2) practically free from pits;

(3) practically free from defects;

(4) good character;

(5) normal flavor and odor; and

(6) score not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the

scoring system outlined in this subpart.

Canned red tart pitted cherries of this grade may contain not more than

eight cherries per sample unit that are less than 9/16 inch (14 mm) in

diameter.

(b) U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice is the quality of canned red tart pitted

cherries that have at least the following attributes:

(1) reasonably good color;

(2) reasonably free from pits;

(3) reasonably free from defects;

(4) reasonably good character;

(5) normal flavor and odor; and

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

scoring system outlined in this subpart.

Canned red tart pitted cherries of this grade may contain not more than 15

cherries per sample unit that are less than 9/16 inch (14 mm) in diameter.

(c) U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard is the quality of canned red tart pitted

cherries that have at least the following attributes:

(1) fairly good color;
3

(2) fairly free from pits;

(3) fairly free from defects;

(4) fairly good character;

(5) normal flavor and odor; and

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

scoring system outlined in this subpart.

There is no size requirement for canned red tart pitted cherries of this

grade.

(d) Substandard is the quality of canned red tart pitted cherries that fail to

meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C.

§52.773 Liquid media and brix measurements.

(a) Brix measurement requirements for the liquid media in canned red tart

pitted cherries 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 purpose of these grades. The designations of liquid packing media

and Brix measurements, where applicable, are as follows:

Designations Brix measurement

Extra heavy sirup; Extra heavily sweetened

fruit juice(s) and water; or Extra heavily

sweetened fruit juice(s).

28E or more but not more than 45E

Heavy sirup; or Heavily sweetened fruit

juice(s) and water; or Heavily sweetened fruit

juice(s).

22E or more but less than 28E

Light sirup; or Lightly sweetened fruit juice

(s) and water; or Lightly sweetened fruit

juice(s).

18E or more but less than 22E

Slightly sweetened water; or Slightly

sweetened fruit juice(s) and water; or

Slightly sweetened fruit juice(s).

Less than 18E

In water

In fruit juice(s) and water

In fruit juice(s)

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

(b) The densities of the packing media, as listed in this section are measured 
4

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

correction for temperature to the equivalent at 20E C. (68EF.), but without correction for

invert sugars or other substances. The Brix measurement 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 cherries are canned or on the blended homogenized slurry of the

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

days.

§52.774 Fill of container.

(a) FDA requirements. Canned red tart pitted cherries shall meet the fill of

the container requirements as set forth in the regulation of the Food and

Drug Administration (21 CFR 27.32).

(b) Recommended minimum drained weights.

(1) General. The minimum drained weight recommendation for the

various container sizes and types of packing media as listed in

Table I of this section are not incorporated in the grades of the

finished product since drained weight, as such, is not a factor of

quality for the purpose of these grades.

(2) Definitions.

Sample average Average of all the drained weights of the

sample containers representing a lot.

A specified minimum sample average drained

weight. 

Lower limit for individual container drained

weight.

(3) Method for ascertaining drained weight. The drained weight of

canned red tart pitted cherries is determined by emptying the

contents of the container upon a U.S. Standard No. 8 circular sieve

of proper diameter containing eight meshes to the inch (.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 two minutes. The weight of drained cherries is the

wight of the sieve and product less the weight of the dry

sieve. Sieve eight inches in diameter is used for No. 3 size
5

containers (404 x 414) and smaller, and a sieve 12 inches in

diameter is used for containers larger than No. 3 size containers.

(4) Compliance with recommended minimum drained weights. A

lot of canned red tart pitted cherries is considered as meeting the

minimum drained weight recommendations when the following

criteria are met:

(i) The sample average meets the specified minimum sample

average drained weight (designated as in Table I); and

(ii) The number of sample containers which fail to meet the

minimum drained weight for individual containers

(designated as in Table I) does not exceed the applicable

acceptance number specified in Table II.

Table I-Recommended Minimum Drained Weights for Canned Red Tart Pitted Cherries

Container Designation Packed in water or cherry

juice

Packed in any Sirup or

Slightly Sweetened Water

-Ounces- -OuncesNo. 303 (303 x 406) .... 10.7 11.0 9.9 10.2

No. 303 Cyl. (303 x 509) . 14.0 14.4 12.7 13.1

No. 2 (307 x 409) ...... 13.1 13.5 12.3 12.7

No. 10 (603 x 700) ..... 71.2 72.0 69.4 70.2

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

(c) Recommended Fill weights.

(1) General. The minimum fill weight recommendations for various

container sizes in Table III of this section are not incorporated in

the grades of the finished product since fill weight, as such, is not a
6

factor of quality for the purpose of these grades.

(2) Definitions.

Subgroup -- A group of sample containers representing a portion of

a sample.

A specified minimum lot average fill weights

Lower warning limit for subgroup averages.

Lower reject limit for subgroup averages.

Lower warning limit for individual fill weight

measurements.

Lower reject limit for individual fill weight

measurements.

A specified average range value.

A specified maximum range for subgroups.

(3) Method for ascertaining fill weight. The fill weight of canned red

tart pitted cherries is determined in accordance with the U.S.

Standards for Determination of Fill Weights and the U.S. Standards

for Inspection by Variables.

(4) Compliance with recommended fill weights. Compliance with

the recommended fill wights for canned red tart pitted cherries shall

be in accordance with the U.S. Standards for Inspection by

Variables and the U.S. Standards for Determination of Fill Weights.

Table III - Recommended Fill Weight Values for Canned Red Tart Pitted Cherries

Container

designation

Fill weight values in ounces

Sampling

allowance

code

No.303 .......... 12.9 12.6 12.4 12.2 11.8 0.80 1.70 F

No.303 Cylinder ... 16.8 16.4 16.2 15.9 15.4 1.10 2.20 H

No. 2 ............ 15.8 15.4 15.2 14.9 14.4 1.10 2.20 H

No. 10 ........... 86.7 85.9 85.5 85.0 84.1 2.00 4.20 P
7

§52.775 Sample unit size.

Compliance with requirements for the size and the various quality factors is based on

the following sample unit sizes for the applicable factor:

(a) Size, color, pits, and character - 20 ounces of drained cherries.

(b) Defects (other than harmless extraneous material) - 100 cherries.

(c) Harmless extraneous material - The total contents of each container in the

sample.

§52.776 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit.

(a) General. The grade of a sample unit of canned red tart pitted cherries is

ascertained by considering the factor of flavor and odor of the product and

the requirement for size (in U.S. Grade A and U.S. Grade B) which are not

scored; the ratings for the factors of color, freedom from pits, defects, and

character, which are scored; and the limiting rules which may by

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 factor is:

Factors: Points

Color .......................................... 20

Freedom from pits ................................ 20

Freedom from defects ............................. 30

Character ...................................... 30

Total score ..................................... 100

(c) Definition. Normal flavor and odor means that the flavor and odor are

characteristic of canned red tart pitted cherries and that the product is free

from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

§52.777 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 each factor and expressed numerically. The numerical
8

range within each factor which is scored is inclusive (for example, 18 to 20 points

means 18, 19, or 20 points).

§52.778 Color.

(a) "A" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that have a good color

may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. Good color means a practically

uniform color that is bright and typical of canned red tart pitted cherries

which have been prepared and processed from properly ripened cherries.

(b) "B" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that have a

reasonable good color may be given a score of 16 or 17

points. Reasonably good color means a reasonably uniform color,

typical of canned red tart pitted cherries which have been properly

prepared and processed and which color may range from a slight

yellowish-red color to a slightly mottled reddish brown.

(c) "C" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that have a fairly good

color may be given a score of 14 or 15 points. Canned red tart pitted

cherries that fall into this classification shall not graded above U.S. Grade

C, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting

rule). Fairly good color means a fairly uniform color typical of canned

red tart pitted cherries which have been properly processed and which

color may range from a brownish cast to mottled shades of brown.

(d) "SStd" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet

the color requirements for U.S. Grade C 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).

§52.779 Freedom from pits.

(a) General. The factor of freedom from pits refers to the incidence of pits

and pit fragments.

(b) Definitions.

(1) A pit for the purposes of the allowances in this section, is a whole

cherry pit or portions of pits computed as follows:

(i) A single piece of pit shell, whether or not within or attached

to a whole cherry, that is larger than one-half pit shell is

considered as one pit;
9

(ii) A single piece of pit shell, whether or not within or attached

to a whole cherry, that is not larger than one-half pit shell is 

considered as one-half pit;

(iii) Pieces of pit shell, within or attached to a whole cherry,

when their combined size is larger than one-half pit shell are

considered as one pit; and 

(iv) Pieces of pit shell, within or attached to a whole cherry when

their combined size is not larger than one-half pit shell are

considered as one-half pit.

(2) Drained cherries means pitted cherries that have been drained of

packing medium by the method prescribed in this subpart.

(c) "A" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that are practically

free from pits may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. Practically free

from pits means that the number of pits that may be present in the

drained cherries does not exceed the allowances for this classification as

set forth in Table IV.

(d) "B" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that are reasonably

free from pits may be given a score of 16 or 17 points. Canned red tart

pitted cherries 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 pits means that the number of pits

that may be present does not exceed the allowances for this classification

as set forth in Table IV.

(e) "C" classification. Canned ret tart pitted cherries that are fairly free from

pits may be given a score of 14 or 15 points. Canned red tart pitted

cherries 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 pits means that the number of pits that

may be present in the drained cherries does not exceed the allowances

for this classification as set forth in table IV.

(f) "SStd" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet

the requirements of U.S. Grade C 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).

§52.780 Defects.
10

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

harmless extraneous material, mutilated cherries, and cherries blemished

by scab, hail injury, discoloration, scar tissue, or by other means.

(1) Cherry means a whole cherry, whether or not pitted, or portions of

such cherries which in the aggregate approximate the average size

of the cherries.

(2) Harmless extraneous material means any vegetable substance

(including, but not being limited to, a leaf or a stem, and any

portions thereof) that is harmless.

(3) Mutilated cherry means a cherry that is so pitter-torn or damaged

by other means that the entire pit cavity is exposed and the

appearance of the cherry is seriously affected.

(4) Minor blemished cherry means any cherry blemished with skin

discoloration (other that scald) having an aggregate area of a circle

9/32 inch (7 mm) or less in diameter which more than slightly

affects the appearance of the cherry but does not extend into the

fruit tissue.

(5) Blemished cherry means any cherry blemished by skin

discoloration (other than scald) which in the aggregate exceeds the

area of a circle 9/32 inch (7 mm) in diameter. A cherry affected by

skin discoloration extending into the fruit tissue or by scab, hail

injury, scar tissue, or other abnormality, regardless of size, is

considered a blemished cherry.

(b) "A" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that are practically

free from defects may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. Practically

free from defects means that the number of defects that may be present

does not exceed the number specified for the type of defects in Table IV.

(c) "B" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that are reasonably

free from defects may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Canned red

tart pitted cherries that fall into this classification may 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 the number of

defects that may be present does not exceed the number specified for the

type of defects in Table IV.

(d) "C" classification. If the canned red tart pitted cherries are fairly free
11

from defects, a score of 21 to 23 points may be given. Canned red tart

pitted cherries 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 the number of defects

that may be present does not exceed the number specified for the type of

defects in Table IV.

(e) "SStd" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet

the requirements for Grade C for any reason 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).

§52.781 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the physical characteristics of

the flesh of the cherries.

(b) "A" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that have a good

character may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. Good character

means that the cherries are thick-fleshed and have a firm, tender texture.

(c) "B" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that have a

reasonably good character may be given a score of 24 to 26

points. Canned red tart pitted cherries 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 means that

the cherries may be reasonably thick-fleshed and may be slightly soft.

(d) "C" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that have a fairly good

character may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned red tart pitted

cherries 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 cherries may be thinfleshed, and may be soft but not mushy, or slightly tough but not leathery.

(e) "SStd" classification. Canned red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet

the requirements for U.S. Grade C 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).
12

§52.782 Allowances for quality factors.

Table IV

Allowances for Quality Factors

Factor Sample Unit

Size

Maximum number permissible for the respective grade

A B C

Pits 20 ozs. Not more

than 2 in

any sample

unit

Sample

average

1 per

40 ozs.

Not more

than 3 in

any

sample

unit

Sample

average

1 per 30

ozs.

4 or more

in any

sample

unit

Sample

average

1 per

20 ozs.

Defects

Total - mutilated,

+ minor

blemished, +

blemished 

100 cherries

10 15 20

 of which

Blemished

limited to 

3 7 15

Harmless

extraneous

material

Total

Contents

Average 1 piece per

60 ozs. net contents

Average 1.5 pieces per

60 ozs. net contents

Average 3 pieces per

60 ozs. net contents

§52.783 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned red tart pitted cherries covered by these standards if 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 to §52.83).
13

§52.784 Score sheet for canned red tart pitted cherries.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sirup designation (extra heavy, heavy, etc.) ...............................

Brix measurement ....................................................

Size _1/ .............................................................

Factors Score points

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

Freedom from pits ...................

Freedom from defects ................

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

Total score ...........

20

20

30

30

 

100

"A" 18-20

"B" 16-17

"C" 14-15 _2/

"SStd" 0-13 _2/

"A" 18-20

"B" 16-17 _2/

"C" 14-15 _2/

"SStd" 0-13 _2/

"A" 27-30

"B" 24-26 _2/

"C" 21-23 _2/

"SStd" 0-20 _2/

"A" 27-30

"B" 24-26 _2/

"C" 21-23 _2/

"SStd" 0-20 _2/

Normal flavor .......................................................

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

_1/ See size limitation for U.S. Grade A and U.S. Grade B.

_2/ Indicates limiting rule.

The U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Red Tart Pitted Cherries, as herein

amended, shall become effective May 12, 1976 and thereupon will supersede the U.S.

Standards for Grades of Canned Red Tart Pitted Cherries which have been in effect

since May 15, 1974.

Date April 6, 1976

DONALD E. WILKINSON

Administrator

Agricultural Marketing Service