United

States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing Service

Fruit and

Vegetable Division

Processed

Products 

Branch

United States

Standards for 

Grades of Canned

Green Beans and

Canned Wax Beans

Effective February 16, 1993
This is the eighth issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Green Beans

and Canned Wax Beans published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of January 14, 1993 (58

FR 4295) to become effective February 16, 1993.

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 GREEN BEANS AND CANNED WAX BEANS

Effective February 16, 1993

Sec. Page No.

52.441 Product description. 2 

52.442 Styles. 2 

52.443 Definitions of terms. 3 

52.444 Recommended fill of container. 6 

52.445 Recommended minimum drained weights. 6 

52.446 Types. 10 

52.447 Sizes. 10 

52.448 Kinds of pack. 11 

52.449 Grades. 11 

52.450 Factors of quality. 13 

52.451 Allowances for defects. 14 

52.452 Sample size. 24 

52.453 Quality requirements criteria. 24 

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

§52.441 Product description. 

Canned green beans and canned wax beans are the products defined in the Food and

Drug Standard of Identity for canned green beans and canned wax beans

(21 CFR 155.120). For the purposes of these standards and unless the text indicates

otherwise, the terms "canned beans" or "beans" referred to in this text mean canned green

beans or canned wax beans. 

§52.442 Styles.

(a) Whole means canned beans that consist of whole pods, including pods which

after removal of either or both ends are not less than 44 mm (1.75 in) in length

or transversely cut pods not less than 70 mm (2.75 in) in length and, except

for "vertical pack" or "asparagus" style, are not arranged in any definite

position in the container. 

(b) Whole vertical pack means canned beans that are "whole" and are packed

parallel to the sides of the container. 

(c) Whole asparagus style means canned beans that are "whole" and consist

of pods that are cut at both ends, are of substantially equal lengths, and are

packed parallel to the sides of the container. 

(d) Sliced lengthwise, Shoestring, Julienne, or French style means canned

beans consisting of pods that are sliced lengthwise. 

(e) Cut or cuts means canned beans consisting of pods that are cut transversely

into pieces less than 70 mm (2.75 in), but not less than 19 mm (0.75 in), in

length, and may contain shorter end pieces which result from cutting. 

(f) Short cut or short cuts means canned beans consisting of pieces of pods of

which not less than 75 percent are less than 19 mm (0.75 in) in length and not

more than 1 percent are more than 32 mm (1.25 in) in length. 

(g) Mixed or mixture means a mixture of two or more of the following styles of

canned beans: "whole;" "sliced lengthwise;" "cuts;" or "short cuts". 
3

§52.443 Definitions of terms.

(a) Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) means the maximum percent of defective

units or the maximum number of defects per hundred units of product that, for

the purpose of acceptance sampling, can be considered satisfactory as a

process average.

(b) Blemish. 

(1) Minor blemished means any unit which is affected by scars,

pathological injury, insect injury or other means in which the aggregate

area affected exceeds the area of a circle 3 mm (0.125 in) in diameter

or the appearance or eating quality of the unit is slightly affected. 

(2) Major blemished means any unit which is affected or damaged by

discoloration or any other means to the extent that the appearance or

eating quality of the unit is more than slightly affected. 

(c) Character.

(1) Round type -- Green Beans.

(i) Good character ("A") means the pods are full fleshed; the

pods are tender. 

(ii) Reasonably good character ("B") means the pods are

reasonably fleshy; the pods are tender. 

(iii) Fairly good character ("C") means the pods have not entirely

lost their fleshy structure; the pods are fairly tender. 

(iv) Poor character ("Sstd") means the beans fail the requirements

for "fairly good character." 

(2) Round type -- Wax Beans.

(i) Good character ("A") means the pods are full fleshed and may

show slight breakdown of the flesh between seed cavities; the

pods are tender. 
4

(ii) Reasonably good character ("B") means the pods are

reasonably fleshy and may show substantial breakdown of the

flesh between the seed cavities; the pods are reasonably

tender. 

(iii) Fairly good character ("C") means the pods may show total

breakdown of the flesh between the seed cavities with no

definite seed pocket, but still retain flesh on the inside pod wall;

the pods are fairly tender.

(iv) Poor character ("Sstd") means the beans fail the requirements

for "fairly good character." 

(3) Romano or Italian type.

(i) Good character ("A") means the pods have a full inner

membrane, typical of the variety and are tender. 

(ii) Reasonably good character ("B") means the pods have a

reasonably well developed inner membrane and are reasonably

tender. 

(iii) Fairly good character ("C") means the pods may lack an inner

membrane; the pods are fairly tender. 

(iv) Poor character ("Sstd") means the beans fail the requirements

for "fairly good character." 

(d) Color defective means any unit that varies markedly from the color that is

normally expected for the variety and grade.

(e) Defect means any nonconformance of a unit(s) of product from a specified

requirement of a single quality characteristic. 

(f) Extraneous vegetable material (EVM) means any harmless vegetable

material (other than the bean pods) including, but not limited to, stalk, vine

material, stem material attached to vine, leaves of the bean plant, and leaves

or portions of other harmless plants.

 (g) Flavor and odor. Good flavor and odor means the product has a good

characteristic flavor and odor and is free from objectionable flavors and

odors. 
5

(h) Fiber.

(1) Edible fiber means fiber developed in the wall of the bean pod that is

noticeable upon chewing, but may be consumed with the rest of the

bean material without objection. 

(2) Inedible fiber means fiber developed in the wall of the bean pod that

is objectionable upon chewing and tends to separate from the rest of

the bean material. 

(i) Mechanical damage means any unit that is broken or split into two parts,

(equals 1 defect) or has ragged edges that are greater than 5/16 inch, or is

crushed or is damaged by mechanical means to such an extent that the

appearance is seriously affected.

 (j) Single sample unit means the amount of product specified (1200 grams for

french style and 400 units for all other styles) to be used for unofficial

inspection. It may be: 

(1) The entire contents of a container;

(2) A portion of the contents of a container; or

(3) A combination of the contents of two or more containers.

(k) Short piece means any unit in cut style, mixed style or short cut style that is

less than 13 mm (0.50 in) in length, and any unit in whole style that is less

than 32 mm (1.25 in) in length, measured along the longest dimension parallel

to the bean suture line.

 (l) Sloughing means the separation of the outer surface layer of tissue from the

pod.

(m) Small pieces and odd cuts, in french style, mean pieces of pod less than

13 mm (0.50 in) in length or pieces of pod not conforming to the normal

appearance of a sliced lengthwise bean unit. 
6

(n) Stem means any part or portion (loose or attached) of the hard or tough

fibrous material that attaches the bean pod to the vine and is objectionable

upon eating. 

(o) Tolerance means the percentage of defective units allowed for each quality

factor. 

(p) Tough strings mean strings or pieces of strings, removed from the cooked

bean pod, that will support a 227 g (1/2 lb) weight for not less than five (5)

seconds. 

(q) Unit means a bean pod or any individual portion thereof.

§52.444 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 beans be filled with beans as full as

practicable without impairment of quality and that the product and packing medium occupy

not less than 90 percent of the total capacity of the container.

§52.445 Recommended minimum drained weights.

(a) The drained weight recommendations in Tables No. I and Ia of this section 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.

(b) The drained weight of beans 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 slightly to

facilitate drainage, and allowing to drain for 2 minutes. A sieve 8 inches in

diameter is used for No. 2-1/2 size cans (401 x 411) and smaller sizes, and

a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for containers larger than the No. 2-1/2

size can. 
7

(c) Compliance with the recommended minimum drained weights for canned

beans in Table I and Table Ia of this section is determined by averaging the

drained weights from all of the containers in the sample which is

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 in the

sample meets the recommended minimum drained weight for the

applicable style.

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

recommended minimum drained weight are not more than:

(i) 19.9 g (0.7 oz) lower than the recommended minimum average

for No. 3 cylinder can size and smaller.

(ii) 56.7 g (2.0 oz) lower than the recommended minimum average

for No. 10 cans.

(3) The number of containers in the sample which do not meet the

requirements of paragraph (c) (2) of this section does not exceed the

acceptance numbers prescribed for the sample size as outlined in 7

CFR 52.1 through 52.83.
8

Table I 

Recommended Minimum Drained Weights for

Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Ounces - English (Avoirdupois System)

Container size or

designation

Whole Whole vertical

pack and whole

asparagus

style

Short cuts and

cuts less than 

1-1/2 inches

Cuts - 1-1/2

inches and

longer

Mixed-cuts and

short cuts

Sliced length

wise or

French style.

8 oz tall 4.0 4.6 4.5 4.1 4.5 3.9

8 oz glass 3.9 4.5 4.4 4.0 4.4 4.0

No. 1 (picnic) 5.6 6.1 6.0 5.7 6.0 5.7

No. 300 7.2 8.6 8.3 7.8 8.3 7.4

No. 300 glass 8.2 9.2 8.5 8.2 8.5 8.2

No. 1 tall 8.5 9.5 9.2 8.7 9.2 8.7

No. 303 8.0 9.5 9.2 8.7 9.2 8.25

No. 303 glass 9.0 10.0 9.7 9.2 9.7 9.2

No. 2 10.5 11.9 11.2 11.0 11.2 11.0

No. 2-1/2 16.0 17.0 16.4 16.2 16.4 16.2

No. 2-1/2 glass 15.8 16.8 16.2 16.0 16.2 16.0

No. 3 cylinder 26.6 N/A 27.3 27.0 27.3 27.0

No. 10 57.5 N/A 63.0 60.0 63.0 59.0
9

Table Ia

Recommended Minimum Drained Weights for

Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Grams - Metric (Systeme International)

Container size or

designation

Whole Whole vertical

pack and whole

asparagus

style

Short cuts and

cuts less than 

1-1/2 inches

Cuts - 1-1/2

inches and

longer

Mixed-cuts and

short cuts

Sliced length

wise or

French style.

8 oz tall 113.4 130.4 127.6 116.2 127.6 110.6

8 oz glass 110.6 127.6 124.7 113.4 124.7 113.4

No. 1 (picnic) 158.8 172.9 170.1 161.6 170.1 161.6

No. 300 204.1 243.8 235.3 221.1 235.3 209.8

No. 300 glass 232.5 260.8 241.0 232.5 241.0 232.5

No. 1 tall 241.0 269.3 260.8 246.6 260.8 246.6

No. 303 226.8 269.3 260.8 246.6 260.8 233.9

No. 303 glass 255.2 283.5 275.0 260.0 275.0 260.8

No. 2 297.7 337.4 317.5 311.9 317.5 311.9

No. 2-1/2 453.6 482.0 464.9 459.3 464.9 459.3

No. 2-1/2 glass 447.9 476.3 459.3 453.6 459.3 453.6

No. 3 cylinder 745.1 N/A 774.0 765.5 774.0 765.5

No. 10 1630.1 N/A 1786.1 1701.0 1786.1 1672.7
10

§52.446 Types.

The type of canned beans is not incorporated in the grades of finished product, since it is

not a factor of quality. The types of canned beans are described as "round type" and

"Romano or Italian type." 

 (a) Round type means canned beans having a width not greater than 1-1/2 times

the thickness of the beans. 

 (b) Romano or Italian type means canned beans having a width greater than

1-1/2 times the thickness of the beans. 

§52.447 Sizes.

The size of canned beans is not a factor of quality for the purposes of these grades. The

size of a whole, cut, or short cut bean is determined by measuring the thickness at the

shorter diameter of the bean transversely to the long axis at the thickest portion of the

pod. The designations of the various sizes of round type and flat type (Romano or Italian)

beans are shown in Tables II and IIa below. 

Table II 

Sizes of Round Type Beans

Word Designation

Number Designation Whole Cut or short Thickness in 1/64 inch Thickness in Millimeters

Size 1 Tiny Small Less than 14-1/2 Less than 5.8

Size 2 Small Small 14-1/2 but less than 18-1/2 5.8 but less than 7.3

Size 3 Medium Small 18-1/2 but less than 21 7.3 but less than 8.3

Size 4 Medium large Medium 21 but less than 24 8.3 but less than 9.5

Size 5 Large Large 24 but less than 27 9.5 but less than 10.7

Size 6 Extra large Extra large 27 or more 10.7 or more
11

Table IIa 

Sizes of Romano or Italian Type Beans

Word Designation

Number Designation Whole Cut or short Thickness in 1/64 inch Thickness in Millimeters

Size 2 Small Small Less than 14-1/2 Less than 5.8

Size 3 Medium Medium 14-1/2 but less than 18-1/2 5.8 but less than 7.3

Size 4 Medium large Medium large 18-1/2 but less than 21 7.3 but less than 8.3

Size 5 Large Large 21 but less than 24 8.3 but less than 9.5

Size 6 Extra large Extra large 24 or more 9.5 or more

§52.448 Kinds of pack

The kind of pack of canned beans is not incorporated in the grades of finished product,

since it is not a factor of quality. The kinds of pack of canned beans are described as

"regular pack" and "special pack." 

(a) Regular pack means canned beans that are packed containing single varietal

characteristics. 

(b) Special pack means canned beans that are intentionally packed containing

two or more varietal characteristics (such as a mixture of green and wax

beans). 

§52.449 Grades.

(a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned green and canned wax beans that: 

(1) Meets the following prerequisites in which the beans:

(i) Have similar varietal characteristics (except "special packs"); 

(ii) Have a good flavor and odor;

(iii) Have a good appearance;

(iv) Are not materially affected by sloughing; 
12

(v) Are practically free from small pieces [units less than 13 mm

(0.50 in) in length] and odd cut units (units not representative of

the intended shape of cut) for the style of "sliced lengthwise."

(2) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Tables IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa,

or VIIa in §52.451 as applicable for the style. 

(b) U.S. Grade B is the quality of canned green beans and canned wax beans

that: 

(1) Meets the following prerequisites in which the beans:

(i) Have similar varietal characteristics (except "special packs"); 

(ii) Have a good flavor and odor;

(iii) Have a reasonably good appearance;

(iv) Are not materially affected by sloughing; 

(v) Are reasonably free from small pieces [units less than 13 mm

(0.50 in) in length] and odd cut units (units not representative of

the intended shape of cut) for the style of "sliced lengthwise." 

(2) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Tables IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa,

or VIIa in §52.451 as applicable for the style. 

(c) U.S. Grade C is the quality of canned green beans and canned wax beans

that: 

(1) Meets the following prerequisites in which the beans:

(i) Have similar varietal characteristics (except "special packs");

(ii) Have a good flavor and odor;

(iii) Have a fairly good appearance;

(iv) Are not seriously affected by sloughing.

(2) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Tables IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa,

or VIIa in §52.451 as applicable for the style. 
13

(d) Substandard is the quality of canned green beans and canned wax beans

that fail the requirements of U.S. Grade C. 

§52.450 Factors of quality.

The grade of canned green and canned wax beans is based on requirements for the

following quality factors: 

(a) Varietal characteristics (except "special packs"); 

(b) Flavor and odor;

(c) Sloughing;

(d) Small pieces and odd cuts (sliced lengthwise style only);

(e) Appearance;

(f) Extraneous vegetable material (EVM);

(g) Stems;

(h) Major blemished;

(i) Total blemished (includes major blemished and minor blemished);

(j) Mechanical damage;

(k) Short pieces (except sliced lengthwise style);

(l) Color;

(m) Character;

(n) Tough strings;

(o) Inedible fiber;

(p) Edible fiber.
14

§52.451 Allowances for defects.

Table III

Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL's) and Tolerances

for

 Whole Style Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Quality Factor

Grade A Grade B Grade C

AQL Tolerance AQL Tolerance AQL Tolerance

EVM 0.40 1.00 0.65 1.25 2.50 3.75

Stems 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75 4.00 5.50

Blemished-Major 0.65 1.25 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75

Blemished-Total 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75 6.50 8.50

Mechanical Damage 4.00 5.50 6.50 8.50 8.50 10.75

Short Pieces 20.00 23.25 N/A N/A N/A N/A

Tough Strings 1.00 1.75 2.50 3.75 8.50 10.75

Color Defectives 4.00 5.50 8.50 10.75 15.00 17.75

Character - "B" 8.50 10.75 N/A N/A N/A N/A

Character - "C" 1.00 1.75 8.50 10.75 N/A N/A

Character - "Sstd" 0.40 1.00 1.00 1.75 8.50 10.75

Edible Fiber 1.00 1.75 4.00 5.50 8.50 10.75

Inedible Fiber 0.04 0.10 1.00 1.75 4.00 5.50
15

Table IIIa

Acceptance Numbers for Whole Style Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Units of Product

Grade A Grade B Grade C

1200 2400 5200 8400 11600 1200 2400 5200 8400 11600 1200 2400 5200 8400 11600

Extraneous Vegetable Material 8 15 28 43 57 12 22 43 67 89 39 73 149 234 318

Stems 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318 59 112 232 366 499

Major Blemishes 12 22 43 67 89 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318

Total Blemishes (Major + Minor) 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318 92 176 368 584 799

Mechanical Damage 59 112 232 366 499 92 176 368 584 799 118 227 476 758 1037

Short Pieces 262 512 1087 1740 2391 NO LIMIT

Tough Strings 18 32 64 99 134 39 73 149 234 318 118 227 476 758 1037

Edible Fiber 18 32 64 99 134 39 73 149 234 318 118 227 476 758 1037

Inedible Fiber 1 2 4 6 8 18 32 64 99 134 59 112 232 366 499

Color Defectives 59 112 232 366 499 118 227 476 758 1037 200 388 822 1314 1803

"B" Character 118 227 476 758 1037 NO LIMIT

"C" Character 18 32 64 99 134 118 227 476 758 1037 NO LIMIT

"Sstd" Character 8 15 28 43 57 18 32 64 99 134 118 227 476 758 1037
16

Table IV

Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL's) and Tolerances

for

 Cut Style Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Quality Factor

Grade A Grade B Grade C

AQL Tolerance AQL Tolerance AQL Tolerance

EVM 0.40 1.00 0.65 1.25 1.50 2.50

Stems 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75 4.00 5.50

Blemished-Major 0.65 1.25 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75

Blemished-Total 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75 6.50 8.50

Mechanical Damage 2.50 3.75 4.00 5.50 8.50 10.75

Short Pieces 6.50 8.50 10.00 12.50 15.00 18.25

Tough Strings 1.00 1.75 2.50 3.75 6.50 8.50

Color Defectives 4.00 5.50 8.50 10.75 15.00 17.75

Character - "B" 8.50 10.75 N/A N/A N/A N/A

Character - "C" 1.00 1.75 8.50 10.75 N/A N/A

Character - "Sstd" 0.40 1.00 1.00 1.75 8.50 10.75

Edible Fiber 1.00 1.75 2.50 3.75 6.50 8.50

Inedible Fiber 0.04 0.125 0.65 1.25 2.50 3.75
17

Table IVa

Acceptance Numbers for Cut Style Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Units of Product

Grade A Grade B Grade C

1200 2400 5200 8400 11600 1200 2400 5200 8400 11600 1200 2400 5200 8400 11600

Extraneous Vegetable Material 8 15 28 43 57 12 22 43 67 89 25 46 92 144 195

Stems 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318 59 112 232 366 499

Major Blemishes 12 22 43 67 89 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318

Total Blemishes (Major + Minor) 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318 92 176 368 584 799

Mechanical Damage 39 73 149 234 318 59 112 232 366 499 118 227 476 758 1037

Short Pieces 92 176 368 584 799 138 265 557 887 1216 200 388 822 1314 1803

Tough Strings 18 32 64 99 134 39 73 149 234 318 92 176 368 584 799

Edible Fiber 18 32 64 99 134 39 73 149 234 318 92 176 368 584 799

Inedible Fiber 1 2 4 6 8 12 22 43 67 89 39 73 149 234 318

Color Defectives 59 112 232 366 499 118 227 476 758 1037 200 388 822 1314 1803

"B" Character 118 227 476 758 1037 NO LIMIT

"C" Character 18 32 64 99 134 118 227 476 758 1037 NO LIMIT

"Sstd" Character 8 15 28 43 57 18 32 64 99 134 118 227 476 758 1037
18

Table V

Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL's) and Tolerances

for

Short Cut Style Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Quality Factor

Grade A Grade B Grade C

AQL Tolerance AQL Tolerance AQL Tolerance

EVM 0.15 0.50 0.40 1.00 0.65 1.25

Stems 0.65 1.25 1.00 1.75 1.50 2.50

Blemished-Major 0.65 1.25 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75

Blemished-Total 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75 6.50 8.50

Mechanical Damage 12.50 15.25 15.00 17.75 20.00 23.25

Short Pieces 12.50 15.25 15.00 17.75 20.00 23.25

Tough Strings 1.00 1.75 2.50 3.75 2.50 3.75

Color Defectives 4.00 5.50 8.50 10.75 15.00 17.75

Character - "B" 8.50 10.75 N/A N/A N/A N/A

Character - "C" 1.00 1.75 8.50 10.75 N/A N/A

Character - "Sstd" 0.40 1.00 1.00 1.75 8.50 10.75

Edible Fiber 1.00 1.75 2.50 3.75 6.50 8.50

Inedible Fiber 0.04 0.10 0.65 1.25 2.50 3.75
19

Table Va

Acceptance Numbers for Short Cut Style Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Units of Product

Grade A Grade B Grade C

1200 2400 5200 8400 11600 1200 2400 5200 8400 11600 1200 2400 5200 8400 11600

Extraneous Vegetable Material 4 7 12 18 24 8 15 28 43 57 12 22 43 67 89

Stems 12 22 43 67 89 18 32 64 99 134 25 46 92 144 195

Major Blemishes 12 22 43 67 89 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318

Total Blemishes (Major + Minor) 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318 92 176 368 584 799

Mechanical Damage 169 326 689 1100 1508 200 388 822 1314 1803 262 512 1087 1740 2391

Short Pieces 169 326 689 1100 1508 200 388 822 1314 1803 262 512 1087 1740 2391

Tough Strings 18 32 64 99 134 39 73 149 234 318 39 73 149 234 318

Edible Fiber 18 32 64 99 134 39 73 149 234 318 92 176 368 584 799

Inedible Fiber 1 2 4 6 8 12 22 43 67 89 39 73 149 234 318

Color Defectives 59 112 232 366 499 118 227 476 758 1037 200 388 822 1314 1803

"B" Character 118 227 476 758 1037 NO LIMIT

"C" Character 18 32 64 99 134 118 227 476 758 1037 NO LIMIT

"Sstd" Character 8 15 28 43 57 18 32 64 99 134 118 227 476 758 1037
20

Table VI

Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL's) and Tolerances

for

Mixed Cut Style Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Quality Factor

Grade A Grade B Grade C

AQL Tolerance AQL Tolerance AQL Tolerance

EVM 0.40 1.00 0.65 1.25 1.00 1.75

Stems 0.65 1.25 1.00 1.75 2.50 3.75

Blemished-Major 0.65 1.25 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75

Blemished-Total 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75 6.50 8.50

Mechanical Damage 12.50 15.00 15.00 17.75 20.00 23.25

Short Pieces 12.50 15.00 15.00 17.75 20.00 23.25

Tough Strings 1.00 1.75 2.50 3.75 5.00 6.75

Color Defectives 4.00 5.50 8.50 10.75 15.00 17.75

Character - "B" 8.50 10.75 N/A N/A N/A N/A

Character - "C" 1.00 1.75 8.50 10.75 N/A N/A

Character - "Sstd" 0.40 1.00 1.00 1.75 8.50 10.75

Edible Fiber 1.00 1.75 2.50 3.75 6.50 8.50

Inedible Fiber 0.04 0.10 0.65 1.25 2.50 3.75
21

Table VIa 

Acceptance Numbers for Mixed Cut Style Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Revised May 1997

Units of Product

Grade A Grade B Grade C

1200 2400 5200 8400 11600 1200 2400 5200 8400 11600 1200 2400 5200 8400 11600

Extraneous Vegetable Material 8 15 28 43 57 12 22 43 67 89 18 32 64 99 134

Stems 12 22 43 67 89 18 32 64 99 134 39 73 149 234 318

Major Blemishes 12 22 43 67 89 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318

Total Blemishes (Major + Minor) 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318 92 176 368 584 799

Mechanical Damage 169 326 689 1100 1508 200 388 822 1314 1803 262 512 1087 1740 2391

Short Pieces 169 326 689 1100 1508 200 388 822 1314 1803 262 512 1087 1740 2391

Tough Strings 18 32 64 99 134 39 73 149 234 318 73 138 286 453 619

Edible Fiber 18 32 64 99 134 39 73 149 234 318 92 176 368 584 799

Inedible Fiber 1 2 4 6 8 12 22 43 67 89 39 73 149 234 318

Color Defectives 59 112 232 366 499 118 227 476 758 1037 200 388 822 1314 1803

"B" Character 118 227 476 758 1037 NO LIMIT

"C" Character 18 32 64 99 134 118 227 476 758 1037 NO LIMIT

"Sstd" Character 8 15 28 43 57 18 32 64 99 134 118 227 476 758 1037
22

Table VII

Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL's) and Tolerances 

for

 French Style Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Quality Factor

Grade A Grade B Grade C

AQL Tolerance AQL Tolerance AQL Tolerance

EVM 0.40 1.00 0.65 1.25 2.50 3.75

Stems 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75 4.00 5.50

Blemished-Major 0.65 1.25 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75

Blemished-Total 1.50 2.50 2.50 3.75 8.50 10.75

Tough Strings 1.50 2.50 4.00 5.50 8.50 10.75

Color Defectives 4.00 5.50 8.50 10.75 15.00 17.75

Character - "B" 40.00 44.40 N/A N/A N/A N/A

Character - "C" 5.00 6.75 20.00 23.75 N/A N/A

Character - "Sstd" 1.00 1.75 4.00 5.50 10.00 12.50

Edible Fiber 1.00 1.75 4.00 5.50 8.50 10.75

Inedible Fiber 0.04 0.10 1.00 1.75 4.00 5.50
23

Table VIIa

Acceptance Numbers for French Style Canned Green Beans and Wax Beans

Grams of Product

Grade A Grade B Grade C

3600 7200 15600 25200 34800 3600 7200 15600 25200 34800 3600 7200 15600 25200 34800

Extraneous Vegetable Material

(No. of pieces)

 8 15 28 43 57 12 22 43 67 89 39 73 149 234 318

Stems (No. of stems) 25 46 92 144 195 39 73 149 234 318 59 112 232 366 499

Major Blemishes (Grams) 36 66 129 201 267 75 138 276 432 585 117 219 447 702 954

Total Blemishes = Maj+Min

(Grams)

 75 138 276 432 585 177 219 447 702 954 354 681 1428 2274 3111

Tough Strings (No. of strings) 25 46 92 144 195 59 112 232 366 499 118 227 476 758 1037

Edible Fiber (No. of pieces) 18 32 64 99 134 59 112 232 366 499 118 227 476 758 1037

Inedible Fiber (No. of pieces) 1 2 4 6 8 18 32 64 99 134 59 112 232 366 499

Color Defectives (Grams) 177 336 696 1098 1497 354 681 1428 2274 3111 600 1164 2466 3942 5409

"B" Character (Grams) 1521 2997 6414 10299 14178 NO LIMIT

"C" Character (Grams) 219 414 858 1359 1857 786 1537 3261 5220 7173 NO LIMIT

"Sstd" Character (Grams) 54 96 192 297 402 177 336 696 1098 1497 414 795 1671 2661 3648
24

§52.452 Sample size. 

The sample size used to determine whether the requirements of these standards are met

shall be as specified in the sampling plans and procedures 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). 

§52.453 Quality requirements criteria.

(a) Lot Inspection. A lot of canned beans is considered as meeting the

requirements for quality if: 

(1) The prerequisite requirements specified in §52.449 are met; and

(2) None of the allowances for the individual quality factors specified in

Table IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, or VIIa in §52.451 as applicable for the style,

are exceeded.

(b) Single sample unit. Each unofficial sample unit submitted for quality

evaluation will be treated individually and is considered as meeting the

requirements for quality if:

(1) The prerequisites requirements specified in §52.449 are met; and

(2) The Acceptable Quality Levels in Table III, IV, V, VI, or VII in §52.451

as applicable for the style are not exceeded.

dated: January 8, 1993

/s/ Daniel Haley, 

Administrator