Fruit & Specialty Crops 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.

Vegetable Inspection Room 1536-S, STOP 0240

Program Division Washington, DC 20250-0240

March 3, 2015 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

COMMODITY SPECIFICATION

FRESH FRUIT DATED AUGUST 2014

The purpose of this amendment is to revise Section I.F. Containers and Packaging to include an 

inches of diameter in the sizing of apples and pears; revise Section II.A. Fresh Apples to include

requirements for bagged apples; and insert a new Section II.E, Pears in Polyfilm Bags.

I.F. Containers and Packing

Primary Containers (Cartons):

All products shall be packed in new, good, clean, commercially labeled primary

containers which meet all applicable FDA requirements and contain a code which

allows traceability of the product in the event of a recall. The containers shall be

constructed as to ensure acceptance by common carrier or other carrier for safe

transportation for domestic shipment.

In addition to any commercial markings, each primary container shall show the grower

of shipper name(s) and address. In the case of apples and pears: the variety, size by 

count or in inches of diameter, and grade (state grade may be shown if in compliance

with paragraph II) shall be shown on the primary container.

II.A. Fresh Apples

1. Grade - U.S. Fancy. (State grades will be acceptable provided the apples meet

the requirements of the U.S. Fancy Grade).

2. Types of Pack and Size Requirement:

(a) Tray pack - minimum size 150; maximum size 100

(b) Cell pack – minimum size 140; maximum size 96

(c) Consumer units packed within master containers- minimum size 2-1/8 inches in 

diameter; maximum size 3 inch diameter. Consumer units shall be 12/3 pound 

polyfilm bags. Varieties: Empire, Fuji, Gala, and Red Delicious.

3. Apples, when Tray or Cell packed, in each offer unit ordered delivered by USDA 

shall contain product of not more than three (3) adjacent sizes nor be in more
than three locations at the time of inspection. Each size shall be segregated in

the shipment with a minimum of intermingling of the sizes. If shipment is by 

truck, the location and count of each size in the truck (front, center, and tail)

shall be noted on the shipping manifest by the contractor.

4. Apples shall also meet the United States Condition Standards for Export.

5. Tenderness and Maturity – not more than an average of five percent in any lot 

and ten percent in individual containers may be further advanced in maturity

than firm ripe.

6. Must be loaded into a refrigerated trailer capable of holding air temperature not

to exceed 40° F.

7. Refrigerated shipment at 34° to 40° F.

II.E. Pears (in polyfilm bags)

1. Grade: U.S. No.1. Provided that the Pears do not contain more than five percent 

condition factors. State Grades will be acceptable provided that they are at least the 

equivalent of the U.S. No. 1 Grade (i.e. Oregon/Washington Extra Fancy) Varieties: 

Anjou and Bartlett.

2. Tenderness and Maturity: not more than an average of 10 percent of the pears in any 

lot or more than 15 percent in any container may be further advanced in stages of 

ripeness than “firm”.

3. Pack and Size Requirement:

a) Pack: Pears shall be packed in consumer units 12 /3 pound polyfilm bags and 

master containers meeting the specifications of Section I. F.

b) Size: Pear should be packed to a minimum size of not less than 2-1/8 inch 

diameter and a maximum size of 2-3/4 inch diameter

4. The grade, quality, condition, size pack, and the stage of firmness requirements 

referred to herein are defined in the United States Standards for Grades of 

Summer and Fall Pears, and the United States Standards for Grades of Winter 

Pears.

5. Loads must be shipped on refrigerated trailers capable of holding air temperature not 

to exceed 40° F.

6. Shipments must maintain product pulp temperatures between 33° to 36° F.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.