United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Sulfured Cherries

Effective date June 12, 1951
This is the second issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Sulfured Cherries

published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of May 12, 1951 (16 FR 4423) to become effective

June 12, 1951. This issue supersedes the first issue, which has been in effect since May

17, 1934.

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 Sulfured Cherries

Section Page No.

§52.741 Product description. ........................................ 2

§52.742 Styles of sulfured cherries. ................................... 2

§52.743 Recommended sizes of sulfured cherries. ....................... 3

§52.744 Grades of sulfured cherries. .................................. 3

§52.745 Definition. ................................................ 4

§52.746 Ascertaining the grade with respect to U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy and U.S.

Grade B or U.S. Choice. ..................................... 4

§52.747 Ascertaining the rating for each factor which is scored. ............. 5

§52.748 Color. ................................................... 5

§52.749 Absence of defects. ......................................... 5

§52.750 Character. ................................................ 7

§52.751 Ascertaining the grade with respect to U.S. Combination grade. ...... 8

§52.752 Tolerances for certification of officially drawn samples for U.S. Combination

grade of sulfured cherries. ................................... 8

§52.753 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. (except for Combination grade) ....... 9

§52.754 Score sheet for sulfured cherries. .............................. 9

§52.755 Work sheet for sulfured cherries for grading on the basis of the U.S.

Combination grade. ........................................ 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.
2

§52.741 Product description.

Sulfured cherries are prepared from properly matured whole cherries (Prunus avium or

Prunus cerasus) of similar varietal characteristics; are packed with or without the addition

of a hardening agent, in a solution of sulfur dioxide of sufficient strength to preserve the

product.

§52.742 Styles of sulfured cherries.

(a) Unstemmed and unpitted is the style of sulfured cherries consisting of

whole cherries (irrespective of size) with pits, and not less than 80 percent by

weight, of all the cherries have the stems attached.

(b) Stemmed and unpitted is the style of sulfured cherries consisting of whole

cherries (irrespective of size) with pits and not more than 1/2 of 1 percent, by

weight, of all the cherries are cherries with stems attached.

(c) Stemmed an pitted is the style of sulfured cherries consisting of whole

cherries of which not more than 1/2 of 1 percent, by weight, of all the cherries

are cherries with stems attached and:

(1) For each 40 ounces of all the cherries there may be present not more

than 2 cherries with pits when all cherries are of small size or extra

small size;

(2) For each 40 ounces of all the cherries there may be present not more

than 1 cherry with a pit when all cherries are of medium size, large

size, or different sizes; and

(3) For each 60 ounces of all the cherries there may be present not more

than 1 cherry with a pit when all cherries are of extra large size.

(d) Unstemmed and pitted or cocktail is the style of sulfured cherries

consisting of whole cherries of which not more than 7 percent, by weight, of

all the cherries are cherries without the stems firmly attached and:

(1) For each 40 ounces of all the cherries there may be present not more

than 2 cherries with pits when all cherries are of small size or extra

small size;

(2) For each 40 ounces of all the cherries there may be present not more

than 1 cherry with a pit when all cherries are of medium size, large

size, or different sizes; and
3

(3) For each 60 ounces of all the cherries there may be present not more

than 1 cherry with a pit when all cherries are of extra large size.

(e) Unclassified consists of sulfured cherries which do not conform to any of the

foregoing styles.

(f) Pit means an entire pit or portion thereof attached to a sulfured cherry or

within the pit cavity.

§52.743 Recommended sizes of sulfured cherries.

(a) Although size is a factor in connection with some styles of sulfured cherries,

it is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades. The size range of

sulfured cherries varies on the basis of the diameter of the fruit. The diameter

of the sulfured cherry is the minimum diameter of the fruit that will pass

through a rigid ring of the same diameter without using pressure. The name

designations of the various sizes are shown in the first column of Table No.

I of this section. Sulfured cherries will be considered as meeting a particular

designated size if not more than 10 percent, by weight, of all the cherries are

1 mm. smaller or 2 mm. smaller and not more than 10 percent, by weight, of

all the cherries are 1 mm. larger or 2 mm. larger than the diameter range of

the particular size designation: Provided, that not more than 1 percent, by

weight, of all the cherries are no more than 2 mm. smaller than the minimum

diameter for the designated size and not more than 1 percent, by weight, of

all cherries are no more than 2 mm. larger than the maximum diameter for the

designated size.

Table No. I-Sizes of Cherries in Sulfured Cherries

Name designation: Minimum and maximum diameter

Extra Small ....................... 14 mm. to, and including 16 mm.

Small ............................ 16 mm. to, and including 18 mm.

Medium .......................... 18 mm. to, and including 20 mm.

Large ........................... 20 mm. to, and including 22 mm.

Extra large ....................... 22 mm. and over

§52.744 Grades of sulfured cherries.

(a) U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of sulfured cherries that are clean;

that possess a good color; that are practically free from defects; that possess

a good character; and that score not less than 85 points when scored in

accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
4

(b) U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice is the quality of sulfured cherries that are clean;

that possess a reasonably good color; that are reasonably free from defects;

that possess a reasonably good character; and that score not less than 70

points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this

subpart.

(c) U.S. Grade D or Seconds is the quality of sulfured cherries that are clean,

but for other reasons fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B or U.S.

Choice.

(d) U.S. Combination grade is the quality of sulfured cherries that are clean;

and that with respect to color, absence of defects, and character meets the

following requirements:

(1) Not less than 90 percent, by weight, of all the cherries, possess at

least a reasonably good color and a reasonably good character and

are free from misshapen cherries, cherries seriously damaged by

mechanical injury, and seriously blemished cherries; and

(2) Unless otherwise specified, at least 50 percent, by weight, of all the

cherries, possess a good color and a good character; and are free

from blemished cherries or seriously blemished cherries, misshapen

cherries, and cherries damaged by mechanical injury or cherries

seriously damaged by mechanical injury.

§52.745 Definition.

Clean means that the product is practically free from loose pits, leaves, detached stems,

bark, fruit spurs, dirt or other foreign material.

§52.746 Ascertaining the grade with respect to U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy and

U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice.

(a) The grade of sulfured cherries is ascertained by considering, in addition to

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:
5

Factors Points

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

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

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

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

20

40

 40

100

§52.747 Ascertaining the rating for each factor which is scored.

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

may be ascertained and expressed numerically. The numerical range for the ratings of

such factors is inclusive (for example, 17 to 20 points means 17, 18, 19, or 20 points).

§52.748 Color.

(a) "A" classification. Sulfured cherries that possess a good color may be

given a score of 17 to 20 points. Good color means that the cherries posses

a practically uniform color typical of well-bleached sulfured cherries for the

variety.

(b) "B" classification. If the sulfured cherries possess a reasonably good color,

a score of 14 to 16 points may be given. Reasonably good color means

that the cherries possess a reasonably uniform in color typical of reasonably

well-bleached sulfured cherries for the variety. Sulfured cherries 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).

(c) "SStd" classification. Sulfured cherries that fail to meet the requirements

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

points. Sulfured cherries that fall into this classification shall not be graded

above U.S. Grade D or Seconds, regardless of the total score for the product

(this is a limiting rule).

§52.749 Absence of defects.

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

from misshapen cherries, cherries damaged or seriously damaged by

mechanical injury, and cherries blemished or seriously blemished by

discoloration, rain or solution cracks, bird pecks, pathological injury, insect

injury or blemished by other means.

(1) Misshapen cherries means any deformed cherries or double cherries.
6

(2) Cherries damaged by mechanical injury means any pitter tear or

pitter tears which materially affect the appearance of the cherry; any

open pitter hole measuring more than 1/8 inch across, but not more

than 3/16 inch across, or open pitter holes aggregating more than 1/8

inch across, but not more than 3/16 inch across; any pitter hole where

there is a material loss of flesh; and other mechanical injury which

materially affects the appearance of the cherry.

(3) Cherries seriously damaged by mechanical injury means any pitter

tear or pitter tears which seriously affect the appearance of the cherry;

any open pitter hole measuring more than 3/16 inch across, or open

pitter holes aggregating more than 3/16 inch across, any pitter hole

where there is a serious loss of flesh; and other mechanical injury

which seriously affects the appearance of the cherry.

(4) Blemished cherry means any cherry which is affected by:

(i) Dark surface discoloration exceeding in the aggregate the area

of a circle 3/16 inch in diameter but not exceeding in the

aggregate 1/8 of the surface of the cherry;

(ii) Any rough surface areas which slightly affect the appearance

of the cherry;

(iii) Light surface discoloration exceeding in the aggregate 1/8 of

the surface of the cherry, but not exceeding in the aggregate

1/2 of the surface of the cherry;

(iv) Rain checks or rain cracks (a) in the stem basin more than 1/4

inch in length, but not more than 1/2 inch in length, (b) any rain

checks or rain cracks outside the stem basin more than 3/16

inch in length but not more than 3/8 inch in length;

(v) Any solution cracks or other blemish or combination of any

blemishes which materially affect the appearance of the

cherry. The term blemished cherry also means any cherry the

flesh of which is materially discolored.

(5) Seriously blemished cherry means any cherry which is affected by:

(i) Dark surface discoloration exceeding in the aggregate 1/8 of

the surface of the cherry;
7

(ii) Any rough surface areas which materially affect the appearance

of the cherry;

(iii) Light surface discoloration exceeding in the aggregate 1/2 of

the surface of the cherry;

(iv) Rain checks or rain cracks (a) in the stem basin more than 1/2

inch in length, (b) any rain checks or rain cracks outside the

stem basin more than 3/8 inch in length;

(v) Any solution cracks or other blemish or combination of any

blemishes which seriously affect the appearance of the

cherry. The term seriously blemished cherry also means any

cherry the flesh of which is seriously discolored.

(b) "A" classification. Sulfured cherries that are practically free from defects

may be given a score of 34 to 40 points. Practically free from defects

means that not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of cherries are

misshapen cherries, cherries damaged by mechanical injury, seriously

damaged by mechanical injury, blemished cherries or seriously blemished

cherries of which not more than five percent, by weight, of all cherries are

misshapen cherries, cherries seriously damaged by mechanical injury or

seriously damaged by mechanical injury or seriously blemished cherries.

(c) "B" classification. Sulfured cherries that are reasonably free from defects

may be given a score of 28 to 33 points. Reasonably free from defects

means that not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of cherries are

misshapen cherries, cherries seriously damaged by mechanical injury, or

seriously blemished cherries. Sulfured cherries 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).

(d) "SStd" classification. Sulfured cherries that fail to meet the requirements

of paragraph (c) of this section for any reason may be given a score of 0 to

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

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

§52.750 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the firmness of the cherries and to

the condition of the flesh.
8

(b) "A" classification. Sulfured cherries that possess a good character may be

given a score of 34 to 40 points. Good character means that the cherries

possess a firm fleshy texture, retain their approximate original shape, are not

shriveled or watery, and do not show more than slight collapsed areas of

flesh. To score in this classification, sulfured cherries may contain not more

than five percent, by weight, of cherries which fail to meet requirements for

good character.

(c) "B" classification. If the sulfured cherries possess a reasonably good

character, a score of 28 to 33 points may be given. Sulfured cherries 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 means that the cherries possess a

reasonably firm texture, may have slightly lost their original shape, may be

slightly shriveled, or may show moderate collapsed areas of flesh. To score

in this classification, sulfured cherries may contain not more than 10 percent,

by weight, of cherries which fail to meet the requirements for reasonably

good character.

(d) "SStd" classification. Sulfured cherries that are soft, flabby, wrinkled,

leathery, or have materially lost their original shape, or show seriously

collapsed areas of flesh, or fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of

this section for any reason may be given a score of 0 to 27 points and shall

not be graded above U.S. Grade D or Seconds, regardless of the total score

for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.751 Ascertaining the grade with respect to U.S. Combination grade.

(a) The combination grade of sulfured cherries is ascertained by considering

color, absence of defects, character, and the cleanliness of the product.

(b) The definition for cleanliness and the terms defined with respect to

ascertaining U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy and U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice

outlined under the factors of color, absence of defects and character for these

grades are also applicable for ascertaining the U.S. Combination grade.

§52.752 Tolerances for certification of officially drawn samples for U.S.

Combination grade of sulfured cherries.

(a) When certifying samples that have been officially drawn and which represent

a specific lot of sulfured cherries, the percent, by weight, of cherries which

possess at least a reasonably good color and a reasonably good character,

and are free from misshapen cherries, cherries seriously damaged by

mechanical injury, and seriously blemished cherries is computed by

averaging the percent, by weight, of such cherries is all samples of the lot if:
9

(1) None of the samples in the lot contain less than 80 percent, by weight,

of such cherries.

(b) The percent, by weight, of cherries for the lot which possess a good color and

a good character, and are free from blemished cherries or seriously

blemished cherries, misshapen cherries and cherries damaged by mechanical

injury or cherries seriously damaged by mechanical injury, is computed by

averaging the percent, by weight, of such cherries in all samples of the lot if:

(1) None of the samples in the lot contains less than 35 percent, by

weight, of such cherries.

§52.753 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. (except for Combination grade)

The grade of a lot of sulfured cherries 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 (§52.1 through §52.83; 22 F.R. 3535).

§52.754 Score sheet for sulfured cherries.

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

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

Size of sample ......................................................

Size of cherries ......................................................

Style of pack ........................................................

Similar varieties .....................................................

Are clean ..........................................................

Factors Score Points

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

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

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

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

20 "B" 14-16 _1/

40 "B" 28-33 _1/

40 "B" 28-33 _1/

 

100

"A" 17-20

"D" 0-13 _1/

"A" 34-40

"D" 0-27 _1/

"A" 34-40

"D" 0-27 _1/

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

Size of lot covered ...................................................

1/ Indicates limiting rule.
10

§52.755 Work sheet for sulfured cherries for grading on the basis of the U.S.

Combination grade.

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

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

Size of sample ......................................................

Style of pack ........................................................

Similar varieties .....................................................

Are clean ..........................................................

Color Good color-reasonably Percent

good color by

weight

Absence of defects and damaged by mechanical injury.

character Fail to meet requirements

Possess a good character

and are free from blemished or seriously

blemished cherries misshapen cherries

and cherries damaged or seriously

for reasonably good character, or are

misshapen cherries, cherries seriously

damaged by mechanical injury or

seriously blemished cherries.

Grade of sample .....................................................

Grade of lot .........................................................

Size of lot ..........................................................

Codified in the Federal Register of December 9, 1953 (18 F.R. 7954)