United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Canned Grapes

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

Grapes published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of April 9, 1976 (41 FR 15016) to become

effective may 12, 1976. This issue supersedes the first issue, which has been in effect

since June 20, 1973.

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 Grapes

Section Page No.

§52.4021 Product description. ....................................... 2

§52.4022 Grades. ................................................. 2

§52.4023 Liquid media and brix measurements. ......................... 2

§52.4024 Recommended fill of container. ............................... 3

§52.4025 Recommended minimum drained weights. ...................... 3

§52.4026 Recommended minimum fill weights. .......................... 5

§52.4027 Ascertaining the grade. ..................................... 7

§52.4028 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored ............ 8

§52.4029 Color. .................................................. 8

§52.4030 Uniformity of size. ......................................... 9

§52.4031 Absence of defects. ........................................ 9

§52.4032 Character. ............................................... 11

§52.4033 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ............................... 12

§52.4034 Score sheet. ............................................. 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

§52.4021 Product description.

(a) Canned grapes is the product represented as defined in the Standards of

Identity for canned grapes (21 CFR 27.25) issued pursuant to the Federal,

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. For the purpose of these standards canned

grapes are prepared from the light seedless varietal type and are stemmed.

§52.4022 Grades.

(a) U.S. Grades A (or U.S. Fancy) is the quality of canned grapes that possess

similar varietal characteristics; that possess a normal flavor; that possess a

good color; that are practically uniform in size; that are practically free from

defects; that possess a good character; and that for those factors which are

rated in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart, the total

score is not less than 85 points: Provided, that the canned grapes may

possess a reasonably uniform and reasonably bright typical color and may

be reasonably uniform in size, if the total score is not less than 85 points.

(b) U.S. Grade B (or U.S. Choice) is the quality of canned grapes that possess

similar varietal characteristics; that possess a normal flavor; that possess a

reasonably good color; that are reasonably uniform in size; that are

reasonably free from defects; that possess a reasonably good character; and

that for those factors which are rated in accordance with the scoring system

outlined in this subpart, the total score is not less than 70 points: Provided,

that the canned grapes may fail to be reasonably uniform in size, if the total

score is not less than 70 points.

(c) Substandard is the quality of canned grapes that fail to meet the

requirements of U.S. Grade B.

§52.4023 Liquid media and brix measurements.

Cut-out requirements for liquid media in canned grapes 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 cut-out Brix measurements, as applicable,

for the respective designations are as follows:
3

Designations Brix Measurements

Extra heavy sirup; or Extra heavily sweetened

fruit juice(s) and water; or Extra heavily

sweetened fruit juice(s).

22E or more but not more than 35E

Heavy sirup; or Heavily sweetened fruit

juice(s) and water; or Heavily sweetened fruit

juice(s).

18E or more but less than 22E

Light sirup; or Lightly sweetened fruit juice(s)

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

14E or more but less than 18E

Slightly sweetened water; or Extra light sirup;

or Slightly sweetened fruit juice(s) and water;

or Slightly sweetened fruit juice(s).

Less than 14E

In water

In fruit juice(s) and water

In fruit juice(s)

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

§52.4024 Recommended fill of container.

The recommended fill of container for canned grapes is not incorporated in the grade of

the finished product since fill of container, as such, is not a factor of quality for the

purposes of these grades. It is recommended that each container be as full of grapes 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.

§52.4025 Recommended minimum drained weights.

(a) General.

(1) The minimum drained weight recommendations in Table I of this

subpart are not incorporated in the grades of the finished product

since drained weight, as such, is not a factor of quality for the

purposes of these grades.

(2) The recommended minimum drained weights are based on

equalization of the product 30 days or more after the product has

been canned.
Xd

LL

Xd

LL

4

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

grapes 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 ± 3 percent, square openings) so as to distribute the

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

drainage, allowing to drain for 2 minutes. The drained weight is the weight

of the sieve and grapes 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.

(c) Definitions of symbols.

The average drained weights of all the sample units in the

sample.

Lower limit for drained weights of individual sample units.

(d) Compliance with recommended drained weights. A lot of canned grapes

is considered as meeting the minimum drained weight recommendations if

the following criteria are met:

(1) The average of the drained weights from all the sample units in the

sample meets the recommended minimum average drained weight

(designated as in Table I); and

(2) The number of sample units which fail to meet the recommended

drained weight lower limit for individuals (designated as in Table I)

does not exceed the applicable acceptance number specified in the

single sampling plan of Table II.
Xd

5

Table I - Recommended Minimum Drained Weights for Canned Grapes

Container designation Container size capacity medium

(metal, unless otherwise (overall dimensions) (fluid

stated) ounces)

Over-flow In any liquid

Diameter Height LL

(inches) (inches)

8Z Tall .............. 211 304 .......... 4.7 5

8 oz. glass ........... ........ ....... 8.2 4.7 5

No. 300 .............. 300 407 ......... 8.6 9

No. 1 Tall ............ 301 411 .......... 9.4 10

No. 303 ............. 303 406 .......... 9.4 10

No. 303 glass ......... ........ ....... 17.0 9.4 10

No. 2 ................ 307 409 .......... 11.4 12

No. 2 1/2 ............. 401 411 .......... 16.1 17

No. 2 1/2 glass ........ ........ ....... 28.35 16.1 17

No. 10 ............... 603 700 .......... 60.3 62

Table II - Single Sampling Plan for Drained Weights

Sample size (number of sample

units) ........................ 3 6 13 21 29 38 48 60 72

Acceptance No. ............... 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

§52.4026 Recommended minimum fill weights.

(a) General. The minimum fill weight recommendations specified in Table III are

not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since fill weight, as

such, is not a factor of quality for the purposes of these grades.

(b) Method for ascertaining fill weight. Fill weight is determined in

accordance with the United States Standards for Inspection by Variables and

the United States Standards for Determination of Fill Weights.
X

)

min

LWLX ̄

LRLX ̄

LWL

LRL

R

)

Rmax

6

(c) Definitions of terms and symbols. Subgroup means a group of sample

units representing a portion of a sample.

means the minimum lot average fill weight.

means the lower warning limit for subgroup averages.

means the lower reject limit for subgroup averages.

means the lower warning limit for individual fill weight

measurements.

means the lower reject limit for individual fill weight

measurements.

means a specified average range value.

means a specified maximum range for a subgroup.

Sampling allowance code means a code letter of the sampling allowance

chart of the U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables. This Letter identifies

the appropriate line which gives the amount of sampling allowance to be

applied to the specification average for fill weights in order to determine

compliance with the requirements for fill weight averages for a sample.

(d) Compliance with recommended fill weights. Compliance with the

recommended fill weights shall be in accordance with the acceptance criteria

specified in the U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables and the U.S.

Standards of Determination of Fill Weights.
X

)

min LWLX ̄ LRLX ̄ LWL LRL R

) Rmax

7

Table III - Recommended fill weight values for canned grapes.

Container designation Sampling

(metal, unless otherwise Allowance

designated) code

8 oz. Tall ........... 6.0 5.8 5.7 5.6 5.4 0.50 1.00 C

8 oz glass ........... 5.9 5.7 5.6 5.5 5.3 0.50 1.00 C

No. 300 ............ 10.3 10.0 9.9 9.7 9.4 0.70 1.50 E

No. 1 Tall ........... 11.2 10.9 10.7 10.5 10.1 0.80 1.70 F

No. 303 ............ 11.4 11.1 10.9 10.7 10.3 0.80 1.70 F

No. 303 glass ........ 12.0 11.7 11.5 11.3 10.9 0.80 1.70 F

No. 2 ............... 14.0 13.6 13.4 13.2 12.8 0.90 2.00 G

No. 2-1/2 ........... 20.3 19.8 19.6 19.3 18.8 1.20 2.50 I

No. 2-1.2 glass ...... 20.1 19.6 19.4 19.1 18.6 1.20 2.50 I

No. 10 .............. 74.5 73.5 73.0 72.3 71.2 2.60 5.40 T

§52.4027 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) General. In addition to considering other requirements outlined in the

standards the following quality factors are evaluated:

(1) Factors not rated by score points.

 (i) Varietal characteristics.

(ii) Flavor.

(2) 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 such factors

are:

Factors: Points

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

Uniformity of size ............... 20

Absence of defects .............. 30

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

Total Score .............. 100
8

(b) Definition of normal flavor. Normal flavor means that the canned grapes

are free from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

§52.4028 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 range

within each factor which is scored is inclusive (for example, 17 to 20 points means 17, 18,

19, or 20 points).

§52.4029 Color.

(a) General. The factor of color does not apply to canned grapes which are

artificially colored and spiced grapes and is not scored on such grapes but

the other three factors (uniformity of size, absence of defects, and character)

are scored and the total is multiplied by 100 and divided by 80, dropping any

fractions to determine the total score.

(b) "A" classification. Canned grapes that possess a good color may be given

a score of 17 to 20 points. Good color means that the grapes possess a

practically uniform and bright, light green to greenish-yellow color, typical of

well-developed Thompson seedless grapes that have been properly

prepared and processed; and that not more than 10 percent, by weight, of

the drained grapes may possess a noticeably dull color, or a light tan cast.

(c) "B" classification. If the canned grapes possess a reasonably good color,

a score of 14 to 16 points may be given. Canned grapes that fall into this

classification due to a noticeably dull color or a brownish cast shall not be

graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this

is a partial limiting rule). Reasonably good color means that the grapes

possess a reasonably uniform and reasonably bright color typical of

Thompson seedless grapes that have been properly prepared and

processed; and that the presence of grapes with a noticeably dull color or a

brownish cast does not seriously affect the appearance or edibility of the

product.

(d) "SStd" classification. Canned grapes 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 Substandard, regardless of the total score for the

product (this is a limiting rule).
9

§52.4030 Uniformity of size.

(a) "A" classification. Canned grapes that are practically uniform in size may

be given a score of 17 to 20 points. Practically uniform in size means that

the weight of the 5 percent, by count, consisting of the largest intact grapes

in the sample unit is not more than twice the weight of the 5 percent, by

count, consisting of the smallest intact grapes in the sample unit.

(b) "B" classification. If the canned grapes are reasonably uniform in size, a

score of 14 to 16 points may be given. Reasonably uniform in size means

that the grapes may vary in size as to appearance and weight provided such

variation in size does not seriously affect the appearance of the product.

(c) "SStd" classification. Canned grapes that fail to meet the requirements of

paragraph (b) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 13 points and shall

not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the

product (this is a partial limiting rule).

§52.4031 Absence of defects.

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

from main stems (or portions thereof), harmless extraneous material,

attached or loose capstems, mutilated grapes, and any other defects not

specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or edibility of the product.

(b) Definition of defects.

(1) Blemished means any discolored area on or in the grape, which

singly or in the aggregate, materially affects the appearance of the

grape. Cracks without discoloration are considered processing cracks

and are not scored as defects. (See section 52.4032.)

(2) Seriously blemished means any blemished area on or in the grape

(such as scab, scar tissue, and discolored cracks), which singly or in

combination with other defects, seriously affects the appearance or

edibility of the grape.

(3) Mutilated means that the grape is so spread open beyond the center

or crushed or broken that it cannot be restored to its original shape or

that the grape is severed into two or more separate parts.
10

(c) "A" classification. Canned grapes that are practically free from defects

may be given a score of 26 to 30 points. Practically free from defects

means that:

(1) There may be present not more than one main stem (or portion

thereof) or one piece of other harmless extraneous vegetable material

for each 100 ounces, on an average, of total contents;

(2) There may be present not more than one capstem (either attached or

loose) for each 4 ounces of total contents;

(3) Not more than a total of 5 percent, by weight, of the drained grapes

may be mutilated, blemished, or seriously blemished: Provided, that

not more than 3 percent, by weight, of the drained grapes may be

seriously blemished; and

(4) The presence of main stems (or portions thereof), other harmless

extraneous vegetable material, loose or attached capstems, mutilated

grapes, blemished or seriously blemished grapes, and any other

defects, individually or collectively does not materially affect the

appearance or edibility of the product.

(d) "B" classification. Canned grapes that are reasonably free from defects

may be given a score of 21 to 25 points. Canned grapes 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 defects

means that:

(1) There may be present not more than a total of three main stems (or

portions thereof) or pieces of other harmless extraneous vegetable

material for each 100 ounces, on an average, of total contents;

(2) There may be present not more than one capstem (either attached or

loose) for each two ounces of total contents;

(3) Not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of the drained grapes

may be mutilated, blemished, or seriously blemished: Provided, that

not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the drained grapes may be

seriously blemished; and
11

(4) The presence of main stems (or portions thereof), other harmless

extraneous vegetable material, loose or attached capstems, mutilated

grapes, blemished or seriously blemished grapes, and any other

defects, individually or collectively does not seriously affect the

appearance or edibility of the product.

(e) "SStd" classification. Canned grapes that fail to meet the requirements of

paragraph (d) 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). 

§52.4032 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the fleshiness and texture of the

canned grapes and to the presence of serious processing cracks.

(1) Serious processing crack means a crack without any discoloration

that is split to or beyond the approximate center of the grape but is not

a mutilated grape. Processing cracks that are not serious are not

scored.

(b) "A" classification. Canned grapes that possess a good character may be

given a score of 25 to 30 points. Good character means that the grapes are

reasonably uniform in texture and are generally thick-fleshed and tender but

not soft or flabby; and that not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the drained

grapes may be affected by serious processing cracks.

(c) "B" classification. If the canned grapes possess a reasonably good

character, a score of 21 to 24 points may be given. Canned grapes 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 grapes are fairly uniform in texture and may be

slightly soft but are not flabby; and that no more than 10 percent, by weight,

of the drained grapes may be affected by serious processing cracks.

(d) "SStd" classification. Canned grapes that fail to meet the requirement 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).
12

§52.4033 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned grapes 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 to 52.83).
13

§52.4034 Score sheet.

Number, size and kind of container ......................................

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

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

Net Weight (ounces) ..................................................

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

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

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

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

Factors Score points

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

 Uniformity ..................

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

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

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

20 (A) 17-20

20 (A) 17-20

30 (A) 26-30

 30 (A) 25-30

100 (SStd) 0-20 1/

 (B) 14-16 2/

 (SStd) 0-13 1/

 (B) 14-16

 (SStd) 0-13 2/

 (B) 21-25 1/

 (SStd) 0-20 1/

 (B) 21-24 1/

Flavor ( ) Normal ( ) Off ......................................

U.S. Grade .........................................................

1/ Indicates partial limiting rule.

2/ Indicates limiting rule.

These U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Grapes as herein amended, shall become

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

Canned Grapes which have been in effect since June 20, 1973.

Dated: April 6, 1976

DONALD E. WILKINSON

Administrator

Agricultural Marketing Service