United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Canned Raspberries

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

Canned Raspberries 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 March 1, 1958.

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. grade to

designate different levels of quality. Theses 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 Raspberries

Section Page No.

§52.3311 Product description ......................................... 2

§52.3312 Color types. ............................................... 2

§52.3313 Grades. .................................................. 2

§52.3314 Liquid media and brix measurements. .......................... 4

§52.3315 Recommended fill of container. ................................ 4

§52.3316 Recommended minimum drained weights. ....................... 4

§52.3317 Ascertaining the grade. ...................................... 6

§52.3318 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ............ 6

§52.3319 Color .................................................... 6

§52.3320 Uniformity of size. .......................................... 7

§52.3321 Defects .................................................. 8

§52.3322 Character. ............................................... 10

§52.3323 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ............................... 11

§52.3324 Score sheet for canned raspberries. ........................... 12

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

§52.3311 Product description

Canned raspberries is the product represented as defined in the Standards of Identity (21

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

Act.

§52.3312 Color types.

(a) Red (such as the New Washington, Latham, and Lloyd George varieties).

(b) Reddish purple (such as the Columbian and Sodus varieties).

(c) Black (such as the Logan and Cumberland varieties).

§52.3313 Grades.

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

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

good color; that (except for canned black raspberries) 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 out-lined in this subpart, the total score is not less than 90 points:

Provided, that canned red and reddish purple raspberries may be only

reasonably uniform in size, if the total score is not less than 90 points.

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

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

possess a reasonably good color; that (except for canned black raspberries)

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 80 points: Provided, that canned red and reddish

purple raspberries may be only fairly uniform in size, if the total score is not

less than 80 points.

(c) U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard is the quality of canned raspberries that

possess similar varietal characteristics; That possess a normal flavor that

possess a fairly good color; that (except for canned black raspberries) are

fairly uniform in size; that are fairly free from defects; that possess a fairly

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 canned red and reddish purple raspberries may vary

in uniformity of size, if the total score is not less than 70 points.
3

(d) Substandard is the quality of canned raspberries that fails to meet the

requirements of U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard.

§52.3314 Liquid media and brix measurements.

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

are not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since sirup, or any

other liquid medium, as such, is not 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 measurements

"Extra heavy sirup;" or "Extra heavily sweetened 27E 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 juice(s) 20E or more but less than 27E

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;" 11E or more but less than 15E

or "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

§52.3315 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 purposes of these grades. It

is recommended that each container of canned raspberries be filled with raspberries 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.

§52.3316 Recommended minimum drained weights.

(a) General. The minimum drained weight recommendations for canned

raspberries in Table I 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.
4

(b) Method for ascertaining drained weights. The drained weight is

determined by emptying the contents of the container upon a United States

Standard No. 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 draining,

and allowing to drain for two minutes. The drained weight is the weight of

the sieve and raspberries less the weight of the dry sieve. A sieve 8 inches

in diameter is used for containers less than 3 pounds, and a sieve 12 inches

in diameter is used for containers 3 pounds or more.

(c) Compliance with recommended drained weights. Compliance with the

recommended drained weights is determined by averaging the drained

weight from all the containers which are representative of a specific lot and

such lot is considered as meeting the recommendations if the following

criteria are met:

(1) The average of the drained weights from all of the containers meets

the recommended drained weight;

(2) One-half or more of the containers meet the recommended drained

weight; and

(3) The drained weights from the containers which do not meet the

recommended drained weight are within the range of variability for

good commercial practice.

TABLE I - Recommended Minimum Drained Weights for Canned Raspberries

Container Container size, In syrup; artificially In water, grades C and

designations over-all sweetened packing SStd.

(metal unless dimensions media; water (grades

otherwise stated A and B)

Width Height Red and Black Red and Black

Purple Purple

(Inches) (Inches) (Ounces) (Ounces) (Ounces) (Ounces)

8 oz. Tall ....... 2-11/16 3-4/16 4 5 4-1/4 5-1/4

No. 300 ....... 3 4-7/16 7 7 7-1/4 7-1/4

No. 1 Tall ...... 3-1/16 4-11/16 8 8 8-1/4 8-1/4

No. 303 ....... 3-3/16 4-6/16 8 8 8-1/4 8-1/4

No. 2 ......... 3-7/16 4-9/16 10 10 10-1/4 10-1/4

No. 2-1/2 ...... 4-1/16 4-11/16 14-1/4 14-1/4 14-1/2 14-1/2

No. 10 ......... 6-3/16 7 53 55 60 65
5

§52.3317 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 score points. This 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 ............................. 30

Uniformity of size ................... 10

Defects ........................... 30

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

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

(b) Definition of flavor.

(1) "Normal flavor' means that the canned raspberries are free from

objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

§52.3318 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, 27 to 30 points means 27, 28, 29,

or, 30 points).

§52.3319 Color

(a) General. The factor of color refers to the color typical of the varietal group

and to the intensity and brightness of such color.
6

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

given a score of 27 to 30 points. "Good color" means that the canned

raspberries possess a bright and typical color of well-ripened raspberries for

the varietal type that have been properly processed and are practically

uniform in that not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the drained raspberries

may vary markedly from this typical color.

(c) "B" classification. Canned raspberries that possess a reasonably good

color may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Canned raspberries that fall

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

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

rule). "Reasonably good color" means that the canned raspberries possess

a reasonably bright and typical color of reasonably well-ripened raspberries

for the varietal type that have been properly processed and are reasonably

uniform in that not more than 15 percent, by weight, of the drained

raspberries may vary markedly from this typical color.

(d) "C" classification. Canned raspberries that possess a fairly good color may

be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned raspberries that fall into this

classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard

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

good color" means that the canned raspberries possess a color typical of

fairly well-ripened raspberries for the varietal type that have been properly

processed and which color may be variable but not off-color.

(e) "SStd" classification. Canned raspberries 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).

§52.3320 Uniformity of size.

(a) General. The factor of uniformity of size refers to the uniformity of the

diameters and to the minimum size of the canned red and reddish purple

raspberries. The factor of uniformity of size of canned black raspberries is

not scored but the other three factors (color, defects, and character, as

applicable) are scored and the total is multiplied by 100 and divided by 80,

dropping any fractions to determine the total score.

(1) Diameter of a raspberry is determined by measuring at the widest

point across the face of the cup of the whole raspberry.
7

(b) "A" classification. Canned raspberries that are practically uniform in size

may be given a score of 9 or 10 points. Practically uniform in size means

that the variation in size of the raspberries does not materially affect the

appearance of the product and that not more than 10 percent, by weight, of

the drained raspberries may be less than 9/16 inch in diameter.

(c) "B" classification. Canned raspberries that are reasonably uniform in size

may be given a score of 8 points. Reasonably uniform in size means that

the variation in size does not materially affect the appearance of the product

and that not more than 15 percent, by weight, of the drained raspberries may

be less than 1/2 inch in diameter.

(d) "C" classification. Canned raspberries that are fairly uniform in size may

be given a score of 7 points. Canned raspberries 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 partial limiting

rule). Fairly uniform in size means that the canned raspberries may be

variable in size and that not more than 25 percent, by weight, of the drained

raspberries may be less than 7/16 inch in diameter.

(e) "SStd" classification. Canned raspberries that fail to meet the

requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 6

points and shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard,

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

§52.3321 Defects

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

harmless extraneous material, undeveloped berries, damaged berries, and

any other defects not specifically mentioned that affect the appearance or

edibility of the product.

(1) Harmless extraneous material means substances such as leaves,

caps, and stems that are harmless.

(i) Cap means a loose or attached full cap or portion of a cap to

which at least one sepal-like bract or a portion thereof is

attached.

(ii) Stem means a loose or attached stem that is longer than 1/4

inch.
8

(2) Undeveloped berry means a raspberry or a portion thereof that is

shriveled or in which more than one-fourth of the raspberry possesses

hard or undeveloped drupelets or that possesses deformed areas

which materially affect either the appearance or the eating quality of

the raspberry.

(3) Damaged berry means a raspberry or a portion thereof that is

damaged by pathological, insect, or other injury which materially

affects either the appearance or the eating quality of the raspberry.

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

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

means that:

(1) The presence of harmless extraneous material does not more than

slightly affect the appearance or edibility of the product;

(2) Not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the drained raspberries may be

undeveloped berries and damaged berries; and 

(3) The presence of harmless extraneous material, undeveloped berries

and any other defects not specifically mentioned, individually and

collectively, does not more than slightly affect the appearance or

eating quality of the product.

(c) "B" classification. Canned raspberries that are reasonably free from

defects may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Canned raspberries 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:

(1) The presence of harmless extraneous material does not materially

affect the appearance or edibility of the product;

(2) Not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the drained raspberries may

be undeveloped berries and damaged berries, and 

(3) The presence of harmless extraneous material, undeveloped berries,

damaged berries, and any other defects not specifically mentioned,

individually and collectively, does not materially affect the appearance

or eating quality of the product.
9

(d) "C" classification. Canned raspberries that are fairly free from defects may

be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned raspberries 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:

(1) The presence of harmless extraneous material does not seriously

affect the appearance or edibility of the product;

(2) Not more than 20 percent, by weight, of the drained raspberries are

undeveloped berries and damaged berries, and 

(3) The presence of harmless extraneous material, undeveloped berries,

damaged berries, and any other defects not specifically mentioned,

individually and collectively, does not seriously effect the appearance

or eating quality of the product.

(e) "SStd" classification. Canned raspberries 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.)

§52.3322 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the degree of ripeness and

fleshiness of the canned raspberries and the degree of freedom from

detached drupelets and broken or mashed berries.

(1) Broken or mashed berry means that the raspberry has more than 50

percent of the drupelets crushed, broken, or detached, or is damaged

by other means to the extent that the original conformation of the

berry is destroyed.

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

be given a score of 27 to 30 points. Good character means that:

(1) The raspberries are thick fleshed and well ripened;

(2) The presence of detached drupelets does not more than slightly affect

the appearance of the product; and 

(3) Not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the drained raspberries may

be broken or mashed.
10

(c) "B" classification. Canned raspberries that possess a reasonably good

character may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Canned raspberries 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:

(1) The raspberries are reasonably thick fleshed and reasonably well

ripened;

(2) The presence of detached drupelets does not materially affect the

appearance of the product; and

(3) Not more than 15 percent, by weight of the drained raspberries may

be broken or mashed.

(d) "C" classification. Canned raspberries that possess a fairly good character

may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned raspberries 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:

(1) The raspberries are fairly thick fleshed and fairly well ripened;

(2) The presence of detached drupelets does not seriously affect the

appearance of the product; and 

(3) Not more than 20 percent, by weight, of the drained raspberries may

be broken or mashed berries.

(e) "SStd" classification. Canned raspberries 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).

§52.3323 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned raspberries covered by this subpart is determined by the

procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of

Processed Fruits, Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed

Food Products (7 CFR 52.1 through 52.83).
11

§52.3324 Score sheet for canned raspberries.

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

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

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

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

Vacuum ............................................................

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

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

Syrup designation ....................................................

Color type ..........................................................

FACTORS SCORE POINTS

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

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

Defects .......................

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

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

30 "B" 24-26 _1/

10 "B" 8

30

30

 "C" 21-23 _1/

100 "SStd" 0-20 _1/

"A" 27-30

"C" 21-23 _1/

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

"A" 9-10

"C" 7

_2

/

"SStd" 0-06 _2/

"A" 27-30

"B" 24-26 _1/

"C" 21-23 _1/

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

"A" 27-30

"B" 24-26 1/

Flavor ( ) normal ( ) off-flavor ...........................................

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

_1/ Indicates limiting rule.

_2/ Indicates partial limiting rule.
12

The U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Raspberries shall become effective

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

Red Raspberries which have been in effect since March 1, 1958.

Dated April 6, 1976

Donald E. Wilkinson

Administrator

Agricultural Marketing Service