United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Canned Blueberries

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

Canned Blueberries published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of April 9, 1976 (41 FR 15016)

to become effective May 12, 1976. This issue supersedes the second issue, which has

been in effect since August 19, 1959.

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 issues 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 Blueberries

Section Page No.

§52.581 Product description. ........................................ 4

§52.582 Types of canned blueberries. ................................. 4

§52.583 Grades of canned blueberries. ................................ 4

§52.584 Liquid media and brix measurements. .......................... 4

§52.585 Recommended fill of container. ................................ 5

§52.586 Recommended minimum drained weight. ........................ 5

§52.587 Ascertaining the grade. ...................................... 6

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

§52.589 Color. ................................................... 7

§52.590 Absence of defects. ......................................... 7

§52.591 Character. ................................................ 9

§52.592 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ............................... 10

§52.593 Score sheet. ............................................. 11

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
4

§52.581 Product description.

Canned blueberries is the product represented as defined in the Standard of Identity (21

CFR 27.35) for canned berries issued pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic

Act.

§52.582 Types of canned blueberries.

(a) Native (or wild) type.

(b) Cultivated type.

§52.583 Grades of canned blueberries.

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

possesses similar varietal characteristics; that possesses a very good color;

that is practically free from defects; that possesses a good character; that

possesses a normal flavor and odor; and that score 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 blueberries that

possesses similar varietal characteristics; that possesses a good color; that

are reasonably free from defects; that possesses a reasonably good

character; that possesses a normal flavor and odor; 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 or U. S. Standard is the quality of canned blueberries that

possesses similar varietal characteristics; that possesses a fairly good color;

that are fairly free from defects; that possesses a fairly good character; that

possesses a normal flavor and odor; and that score not less than 70 points

when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(d) U.S. Grade D or Substandard is the quality of canned blueberries that fails

to meet the requirements of U. S. Grade C or U. S. Standard.

§52.584 Liquid media and brix measurements.

(a) Brix measurements requirements for the liquid media in canned blueberries

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:
5

Designations Brix Measurements

Extra heavy sirup; or Extra heavily sweetened 25E or more but not more than 35E

fruit juice(s) and water or Extra heavily

sweetened fruit juice(s).

Heavy sirup or Heavily sweetened fruit juices(s) 20E or more but less than 25E

and water; or Heavily sweetened fruit juice(s).

Light sirup or Lightly sweetened fruit juice(s) 15E or more but less than 20E

and water; or Lightly sweetened fruit juice(s).

Slightly sweetened water; or Extra light sirup; or Less than 15E

Slightly sweetened fruit juice(s) and water; or

Slightly sweetened fruit juice(s).

In water Not applicable

In fruit juice(s) and water Not applicable

In fruit juice(s) Not applicable

§52.585 Recommended fill of container.

The recommended fill of container 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 of canned blueberries be filled as full as practicable

without impairment of quality and that the product and packing medium occupy not less

than 90 percent of the volume of the container.

§52.586 Recommended minimum drained weight.

The minimum drained weight recommendations 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. The drained weight of canned blueberries is determined by emptying the

contents of the container upon a United States Standard Number 8 circular sieve of proper

diameter containing 8 meshes to the inch (0.0937 inch, + 3%, square openings) so as to

distribute the product evenly, inclining the sieve to a 17 to 20 degree angle to facilitate

drainage, and allowing to drain for two minutes. The drained weight (or drained

blueberries) is the weight of the sieve and the blueberries less the weight of the dry sieve.

A sieve 8 inches in diameter is used for the equivalent of No. 3 size cans (404 x 414) and

smaller, and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for containers larger than the equivalent

of the No. 3 size can.
6

Table I

Recommended Minimum Drained Weights for Canned Blueberries

Container Container size (over -

designations all dimensions) Recommended minimum drained

weights

Width Height

Inches Inches Ounces

300 x 407 ......... 3 4 - 7/16 7.5

No. 2 ............. 3 - 7/16 4 - 9/16 10.0

No. 10 ............ 6 - 3/16 7 55.0

§52.587 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) The grade of canned blueberries may be ascertained by considering, in

conjunction with the requirements of the respective grade, the respective

ratings for the factors of color, absence of defects, and character.

(b) 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 is:

Factor: Points

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

Absence of defects .................... 40

Character ............................ 40 

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

(c) Normal flavor and odor means that the product is free from objectionable

odors and objectionable flavors of any kind.

§52.588 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 18 to 20 points means 18, 19,

20 points).
7

§52.589 Color.

(a) "A"classification. Canned blueberries that possess a very good color may

be given a score of 18 to 20 points. Very good color means a practically

uniform, bright, dark blue - purple typical of blueberries which had been

properly processed from well - matured blueberries.

(b) "B"classification. If the canned blueberries possess a good color, a score

of 16 to 17 points may be given. Canned blueberries that fall into this

classification shall not be graded above U. S. Grade B or U. S. Choice,

regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Good

color means a reasonably uniform dark blue - purple color typical of

blueberries which had been properly processed from reasonably well -

matured blueberries.

(c) "C"classification. If the canned blueberries possess a fairly good color, a

score of 14 to 15 points may be given. Canned blueberries that fall 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 a blue - purple color typical of blueberries which had

been properly processed and which are not off color for any reason.

(d) "SStd" classification. Canned blueberries that fail to meet the

requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 13

points and shall not be graded above U. S. Grade D or Substandard,

regardless of the total score for the product ( this is a limiting rule).

§52.590 Absence of defects.

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

from harmless extraneous material (such as leaves and large stems); from

clusters; from cap stems; from undeveloped berries, or edible berries other

than blueberries; and from berries damaged by insect, pathological, or any

other injury.

(1) Cap stems are small stems which attach berries to the branch and

means single cap stems or joined double cap stems with or without

berries attached.

(2) A cluster means three or more joined cap stems with or without

berries attached.

(3) Undeveloped berries are mummified berries with wrinkled or tough

skins or which may be pathologically defective.
8

(b) "A"classification. Canned blueberries that are practically free from defects

may be given a score of 36 to 40 points. Practically free from defects

means that the canned blueberries are reasonably free from cap stems and

for each 20 ounces of net weight, or the equivalent thereof, there may be

present:

(1) Not more than a total of 2 whole leaves or large stems, provided such

whole leaves and any other portions of leafy material do not exceed

1/2 square inch;

(2) Not more than 5 berries that are undeveloped or edible berries other

than blueberries or berries that are damaged; and

(3) In Native (or wild) type, not more than an average of 12 clusters in all

container comprising the sample, provided there are no more than 16

clusters in any single container; or

(4) In Cultivated type, not more than 4 clusters.

(c) "B" classification. If the canned blueberries are reasonably free from

defects, a score of 32 to 35 points may be given. Canned blueberries that

fall into this classification shall not be graded above U. S. Grade B or U. S.

Choice, regardless of the total score for the product ( this is a limiting rule).

Reasonably free from defects means that the canned blueberries are

reasonably free from cap stems and for each 20 ounces of net weight, or the

equivalent thereof, there may be present:

(1) Not more than a total of 4 whole leaves or large stems, provided such

whole leaves and any other portions of leafy material do not exceed

3/4 square inch;

(2) Not more than 8 berries that are undeveloped or edible berries other

than blueberries or berries that are damaged; and

(3) In Native (or wild) type, not more than an average of 20 clusters in all

containers comprising the sample, provided there are no more than

28 clusters in any single container; or

(4) In Cultivated type, not more than 8 clusters.
9

(d) "C" classification If the canned blueberries are fairly free from defects, a

score of 28 to 31 points may be given. Canned blueberries that fall 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

free from defects means that the canned blueberries are fairly free from cap

stems and for each 20 ounces of net weight, or the equivalent thereof, there

may be present:

(1) Not more than a total of 6 whole leaves or large stems,

provided such whole leaves and any other portions of leafy

material do not exceed 1 square inch;

(2) Not more than 10 berries that are undeveloped or edible

berries other than blueberries or berries that are damaged; and

(3) In Native (or wild) type, not more than an average of 28

clusters in all containers comprising the sample, provided there

are no more than 40 clusters in any single container; or

(4) In Cultivated type, not more than 12 clusters.

(e) "SStd" classification. Canned blueberries 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 U.S. Grade D or Substandard,

regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.591 Character.

(a) "A"classification. Canned blueberries that possess a good character may

be given a score of 36 to 40 points. Good character means that the

blueberries are reasonably firm, reasonably fleshy, practically whole, and

practically intact with not more than 10 percent by weight of the drained

blueberries that may be crushed, mushy, or broken berries.

(b) "B" classification. If the canned blueberries posses a reasonably good

character, a score of 32 to 35 points may be given. Canned blueberries that

fall into this classification shall not be graded above U. S. Grade B or U. S.

Choice, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

Reasonably good character mean that the blueberries may be lacking in

firmness and fleshy texture but are reasonably intact with not more than 15

percent by weight of the drained blueberries that may be crushed, mushy, or

broken berries.
10

(c) "C"classification. If the canned blueberries posses a fairly good character,

a score of 28 to 31 points may be given. Canned blueberries that fall 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 character means that the blueberries are fairly whole and fairly

intact not more than 30 percent by weight of the drained blueberries that may

be crushed, mushy, or broken berries.

(d) "SStd" classification. Canned blueberries that fail to meet the

requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 27

points and shall not be graded above U.S. Grade D or Substandard,

regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.592 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned blueberries 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 (7 CFR 52.1 through 52.83).
11

§52.593 Score sheet.

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

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

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

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

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

Drained Weight (ounces) ..............................................

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

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

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

Factors Score Points

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

Absence of defects ................

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

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

20 "B" 16-17 _1/

40 "B" 32-35 _1/

40 "B" 32-35 _1/

100

"A" 18-20

"C" 14-15 _1/

"D" 0-13 _1/

"A" 36-40

"C" 28-31 _1/

"D" 0-27 _1/

"A" 36-40

"C" 28-31 _1/

"D" 0-27 _1/

Flavor and odor .....................................................

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

1/ Indicates limiting rule

The U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Blueberries, as amended herein, shall become

effective May 12, 1976, and thereupon will supersede the U.S. Standards for Grades of

Canned blueberries that have been in effect since August 19, 1959.

Dated: April 6, 1976

DONALD E. WILKINSON

Administrator

Agricultural Marketing Service