United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Canned Freestone Peaches

Effective date June 22, 1979
This is the fourth issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Freestone

Peaches. This issue was published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of June 22, 1979 to

become effective June 22, 1979.

Previous issues of these standards were:

First Issue: Effective July 1, 1940

Second Issue: Effective July 1, 1942

Third Issue:

 Codified: Effective July 22, 1957

 Amended: Effective June 1, 1969

 Amended: Effective June 20, 1973

 Amended: Effective May 12, 1976

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 issues 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 Freestone Peaches

Section Page No.

§52.2601 Product Description. ....................................... 2

§52.2602 Styles. .................................................. 2

§52.2603 Definitions of Terms. ....................................... 2

§52.2604 Recommended Sample Unit Sizes. ............................ 7

§52.2605 Liquid Media and Brix Measurements. ......................... 7

§52.2606 Fill of Container. .......................................... 8

§52.2607 Recommended Fill of Container for Canned Solid-Pack. ........... 8

§52.2608 Recommended Minimum Drained Weights. ..................... 9

§52.2609 Recommended Minimum Fill Weight. .......................... 12

§52.2610 Grades. ................................................. 14

§52.2611 Factors of Quality. ......................................... 17

§52.2612 Classification of Defects. .................................... 18

§52.2614 Sample Size. ............................................. 24

§52.2615 Compliance with Quality Requirements. ........................ 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

§52.2601 Product Description.

Canned freestone peaches is the product represented as defined in the Standards of

Identity for canned peaches (21 CFR 145.170 and 145.171) issued under the Federal

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. For the purposes of the standards in this subpart, and

unless the text indicates otherwise, the terms canned peaches or canned freestone

peaches include canned yellow freestone peaches, canned spiced yellow freestone

peaches, canned 'solid-pack' yellow freestone peaches and canned artificially

sweetened yellow freestone peaches as defined in the Standards of Identity.

§52.2602 Styles.

(a) Whole consists of peeled, whole peaches with or without stems removed.

(b) Halves or Halved consists of peeled and pitted peaches cut approximately

in half along the suture from stem to apex.

(c) Quarters or Quartered consists of halved peaches cut into two

approximately equal parts.

(d) Slices or Sliced consists of peeled and pitted peaches cut into wedgedshaped sectors.

(e) Dice or Diced consists of peeled and pitted peaches cut into cube-like parts.

(f) Halves and pieces consists of peeled and pitted peaches in which more

than 50 percent, by weight, of the peaches are halves.

(g) Pieces, Irregular pieces, or Mixed pieces of irregular sizes and shapes,

consists of peeled, pitted peaches of irregular sizes and shapes or peaches

that do not conform to any of the foregoing styles.

§52.2603 Definitions of Terms.

(a) Acceptable Quality Level (AQL). 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) Blemished means any unit that is affected by scab, hail injury, or

discoloration to the extent that the appearance or eating quality is affected
3

(1) slightly;

(2) materially;

(3) seriously.

(c) Brightness means the extent that the overall appearance of the sample unit

as a mass is dulled by oxidation, pigmentation, or other causes.

(1) Grades A and B - slightly affected.

(2) Grade C - materially affected.

(3) Substandard - fails Grade C.

(d) Character refers to the texture and tenderness of the product as follows:

(1) Good character.

(i) Whole. The units have a texture typical of properly prepared

and processed peaches; the units are at least reasonably

tender or the tenderness may be variable within the unit; the

units may be slightly hard or slightly soft.

(ii) Halves; halves and pieces; quarters; slices; pieces or

irregular pieces. The units have at least a reasonably tender

texture typical of properly prepared and processed freestone

peaches and may be soft and materially frayed. The peach

halves may have a tendency to flatten.

(iii) Diced. The product generally has at least a reasonably tender

texture typical of properly prepared and processed peaches;

the units are intact and not excessively frayed.

(2) Fairly good character.

(i) Whole. The units have a fairly tender texture typical of

properly prepared and processed peaches; the units may be

lacking in uniformity of tenderness and may be substantially

hard or very soft.
4

(ii) Halves; halves and pieces; quarters; slices; pieces or

irregular pieces. The units have at least a fairly tender

texture typical of properly prepared and processed freestone

peaches and may lack uniformity of tenderness. The units may

be very soft but not frayed to the extent that their normal shape

is destroyed; the units may also be substantially firm.

(iii) Diced. The product generally has a fairly tender texture

typical of properly prepared and processed peaches. The

units are intact and may be frayed.

(3) Poor character.

All styles. The units fail the requirements for fairly good character.

(e) Color.

(1) General. The color of canned yellow freestone peaches, other than

canned spiced peaches, refers to the predominant and characteristic

color on the surface of whole units, and the outside surfaces of other

units. The cut surfaces of such units are also considered when

adversely affected by discoloration.

(2) Individual unit color classifications.

(i) Good color means peach units that are equal to or better than

light orangish-yellow.

(ii) Fairly good color means peach units that fail to meet

minimum color requirements for good color but are equal to

or better than greenish-yellow.

(iii) Poor color means peach units that fail to meet minimum color

requirements for fairly good color.

(f) Crushed or broken in the styles of whole, halves, and quarters means:

(1) A unit is crushed if it has definitely lost its normal shape and is

crushed not due to ripeness;

(2) A unit is broken if severed into definite parts. Any unit in halves style

that is split from the edge to the pit cavity is not considered broken.
5

(g) Defect. Any nonconformance of a unit(s) of product from a specified

requirement of a single quality characteristic.

(h) Extraneous vegetable material.

(1) Small pieces mean long stems, pieces of twigs not more than 51 mm

(2.0 in) in length, or leaf material or portions thereof.

(2) Short stem means the woody stem that attaches the peach to the

twig of the tree and is 3 mm (0.12 in) to 10 mm (0.39 in) in

length. Dark brown stems less than 3 mm (0.12 in) in length are also

considered as short stems.

(i) Flavor and odor. Normal flavor and odor means that the canned peaches

are free from objectionable flavors and odors of any kind.

(j) Mechanical damage.

(1) Partial slice, in the style of slices, is a unit that has a semblance of

a slice with respect to thickness and shape but is less than threefourths of an apparent full slice and that does not bear marks of

crushing. Pieces are reassembled to equal an average full size slice

and counted as one unit.

(2) Detached piece, in the style of halves and quarters, is a piece that

has the appearance of a slice resulting from an off-suture cut or other

improper cutting.

(3) Gouges mean holes or gouges that do not destroy the normal

configuration of the unit but affect the appearance of the unit:

(i) slightly;

(ii) materially;

(iii) seriously.

(4) Off-suture cut, in the styles of halves and quarters, is a unit that has

been cut at a distance from the suture greater than 10 mm (0.39 in)

at the widest measurement and the appearance is affected:

(i) slightly;

(ii) materially;
6

(iii) seriously;

(5) Partially detached piece, in the styles of halves and quarters, is a

piece that has the appearance of a slice resulting from an off-suture

cut or other improper cutting. The defect is attached to the half or

quarter from which cut, but must be detached more than one-third of

the length of the half or quarter along the suture approximately

parallel with the suture.

(6) Other mechanical damage means a unit, in the styles of whole,

halves, and quarters, that is damaged to the extent that the shape of

the unit is affected:

(i) slightly;

(ii) materially;

(iii) seriously;

(k) Peel means all of the outer layer of the peach that is normally removed

during processing.

(l) Sample unit size means the amount of product specified to be used for

inspection. It may be:

(1) The entire contents of a container;

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

(3) A combination of the contents of 2 or more containers;

(4) A portion of unpacked product.

(m) Shelly, in the styles of halves, quarters, and slices, means a unit in which the

pit cavity has been trimmed to such an extent as to leave the unit only fairly

fleshy.

(n) Slab, in the style of slices, means an irregularly shaped unit resulting from

the slicing operation that materially deviates from the normal shape of a

wedge-shaped sector.

(o) Sliver, in the style of slices, means any unit that weighs 3 g (0.12 oz) or less

and has the symmetry of a full slice.
7

(p) Unit means one whole, half, quarter, slice, dice, or piece of peach as

applicable for the style.

§52.2604 Recommended Sample Unit Sizes.

Compliance with requirements for factors of quality is based on the following sample unit

sizes for the respective style.

(1) Halves; Quarters -- 25 units.

(2) Whole -- 25 units.

(3) Slices -- 50 units or 100 units.

(4) Diced -- 200 g (7 oz).

(5) Halves and pieces; Pieces or irregular pieces -- 1000 g (35.3 oz).

§52.2605 Liquid Media and Brix Measurements.

Cut-out requirements for liquid media in canned freestone peaches are not incorporated

in the grades of the finished product since sirup or any other liquid medium is not a factor

of quality for the purposes of these grades. The cut-out Brix measurements for the

respective designations are as follows:
8

Designations Brix measurements

Extra heave sirup; 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 juices(s) and water; or Heavily

sweetened fruit juices(s).

18E or more but less than 22E

Light sirup; or Lightly sweetened fruit

juice(s) and water; or Lightly

sweetened fruit juices(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 juices(s).

10E or more but less than 14E

In water

In fruit juice(s) and water

In fruit juice(s)

Artificially sweetened

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

§52.2606 Fill of Container.

The standard of fill of container for canned freestone peaches is the maximum quantity of

peach units that can be sealed in a container and processed by heat to prevent spoilage,

without crushing or breaking such units. Canned freestone peaches that do not meet this

requirement are Below Standard in Fill.

§52.2607 Recommended Fill of Container for Canned Solid-Pack.

The recommended fill of container for canned solid-pack freestone peaches 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 solid-pack freestone peaches be as full of peaches as practicable without impairment

of quality and that the product (including liquid, if any) occupy not less than 90 percent of

the volume of the container.
Xd

LL

Xd

9

§52.2608 Recommended Minimum Drained Weights.

(a) General.

(1) The minimum drained weight recommendations for the various styles

in Table I of this subpart are not incorporated in the grades of the

finished product since drained weight 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.

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

freestone peaches and canned solid-pack freestone peaches is determined

by emptying the contents of the container, turning the pit cavities down in

halves, 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 an angle of 17 to

20 degrees to facilitate drainage, and allowing to drain for 2 minutes. The

drained weight is 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.

(1) means the average drained weight of all the sample units in

the sample.

(2) means the lower limit for drained weights of individual sample

units.

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

canned freestone peaches is considered as meeting the minimum drained

weight recommendations if the following criteria are met:

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

sample meet the recommended minimum average drained weight

(designated as in Table I); and
LL

XdLL XdLL

10

(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.

Table I. Recommended Minimum Drained Weights for Canned Freestone Peaches

Container (overall capacity

designation dimensions) (fluid

(metal, unless ounces)

otherwise

stated)

Container size flow Halves

OverDiameter Height In extra In any other

(inches) (inches) heavy sirup liquid medium

(ounces) (ounces)

8Z tall ...... 211 304 ....... 4.8 4.1 5.0 4.3

No. 300 300 407 ...... 8.6 7.8 8.8 8.0

No. 303 .... 303 406 ....... 9.5 8.6 9.8 8.9

No. 303 glass ....... ...... 17.0 9.5 8.6 9.8 8.9

No. 2 ....... 307 409 ....... 11.5 10.4 11.9 10.8

No. 2 1/2 glass ....... ...... 28.35 16.1 14.7 16.6 15.2

No. 2 1/2, 7

count or more 401 411 ....... 16.6 15.2 17.1 15.7

No. 2-1/2, 6

count or less . 401 411 ....... 16.2 14.8 16.7 15.3

No. 10, 24

count or more 603 700 ....... 61.0 58.5 62.5 60.0

No. 10, 23

count or less . 603 700 ....... 60.0 57.5 61.5 59.0
Xd

LL XdLL XdLL XdLL

XdLL XdLL

11

Table I. (Continued)

Container size pieces or irregular pieces

(metal, unless

otherwise stated)

Quarters, halves and pieces Sliced

In extra In any other In extra heavy In any other

heavy sirup liquid medium sirup liquid medium

(ounces) (ounces)

8Z tall ........ 4.9 4.2 5.1 4.4 4.7 4.1 4.9 4.3

No. 300 ....... 8.8 8.0 9.0 8.2 8.5 7.8 8.7 8.0

No. 303 glass . . 9.7 8.8 10.0 9.1 9.4 8.6 9.7 8.9

No. 303 ....... 9.7 8.8 10.0 9.1 9.4 8.6 9.7 8.9

No. 2 ......... 11.7 10.6 12.1 11.0 11.3 10.4 11.7 10.8

No. 2 1/2 glass . 16.4 15.0 16.9 15.5 15.8 14.7 16.3 15.2

No. 2 1/2 ...... 16.9 15.5 17.4 16.0 16.3 15.2 16.8 15.7

No. 10 ........ 63.0 60.5 64.5 62.0 60.0 58.0 61.0 59.0

Table I. (Continued)

Container size (metal, unless In extra heavy sirup In any other liquid

otherwise stated) medium (ounces)

No. 2 1/2 ................... ........ ....... 24.0 22.6

Y 70.0 67.5 90.0 87.5

YNNo. 10

Table II

Single Sampling Plan for Drained Weight

Sample size (number of sample units) ... 3 6 13 21 29

Acceptance No. .................... 0 1 2 3 4
X

)

min

LWLX ̄

LRLX ̄

LWL

LRL

R

)

Rmax

12

§52.2609 Recommended Minimum Fill Weight.

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

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

a factor of quality for the purposes of these grades.

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

with the U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variable and the U.S. Standards

for Determination of Fill Weights.

(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 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 on the Sampling Allowance

Chart of the U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables. This letter identifies

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

specification average for fill weights in order to determine compliance with

requirements for fill weight averages for a sample.

(d) Subgroup size. The subgroup size for determination of fill weights shall be

five (5) sample units.

(e) 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 for Determination of Fill Weights.
X

)

min LWLX ̄ LRLX ̄ LWL LRL R

) Rmax

13

Table III - Recommended Fill Weight Values for Canned Freestone Peaches

Container size (metal, unless Fill weight values (ounces)

otherwise designated)

Halves

allowance

Sampling

code

8Z tall ...................... 5.6 5.1 4.9 4.6 4.1 1.2 2.5 I

No. 300 ..................... 9.9 9.3 8.9 8.5 7.8 1.6 3.4 M

No. 303 .................... 11.0 10.3 10.0 9.5 8.7 1.7 3.7 N

No. 303 glass ................ 11.0 10.3 10.0 9.5 8.7 1.7 3.7 N

No. 2 ....................... 13.3 12.5 12.1 11.5 10.6 2.1 4.4 Q

No. 2 1/2 glass ............... 18.9 17.9 17.4 16.7 15.6 2.6 5.4 T

No. 2 1/2, 7 count or more ...... 19.4 18.4 17.9 17.2 16.1 2.6 5.4 T

No. 2 1/2, 6 count or less ....... 19.0 18.0 17.5 16.8 15.7 2.6 5.4 T

No. 10, 24 count or more ....... 73.0 71.0 70.4 69.2 67.3 4.4 9.3 B1

No. 10, 23 count or less ........ 72.0 70.3 69.4 68.2 66.3 4.4 9.3 B1
X

)

min LWLX ̄ LRLX ̄ LWL LRL R

) Rmax

14

Table III. Continued

Container size (metal, Fill weight values (ounces)

unless otherwise

designated)

Sliced

Sampling

allowance

code

8Z tall ............ 5.6 5.2 5.0 4.7 4.2 1.1 2.2 H

No. 300 ........... 10.0 9.4 9.1 8.7 8.0 1.5 3.2 L

No. 303 .......... 11.1 10.5 10.1 9.7 9.0 1.6 3.4 M

No. 303 glass ...... 11.1 10.5 10.1 9.7 9.0 1.6 3.4 M

No. 2 ............. 13.4 12.6 12.2 11.7 10.8 2.0 4.2 P

No. 2 1/2 .......... 19.6 18.7 18.2 17.6 16.6 2.3 4.9 S

No. 2 1/2 glass ..... 19.1 18.2 17.7 17.1 16.1 2.3 4.9 S

No. 10 ............ 74.0 72.5 71.7 70.6 68.9 4.0 8.4 Z

Quarters; Halves and pieces -- Pieces or irregular pieces --

fill weight values

8Z tall ............ 5.7 5.3 5.1 4.8 4.3 1.1 2.2 H

No. 303 ........... 11.3 10.7 10.3 9.9 9.2 1.6 3.4 M

No. 2 ............. 13.6 12.8 12.4 11.9 11.0 2.0 4.2 P

No. 2 1/2 .......... 19.9 19.0 18.5 17.9 16.9 2.3 4.9 S

No. 10 ............ 76.0 74.5 73.7 72.6 70.9 4.0 8.4 Z

§52.2610 Grades.
15

(a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned freestone peaches that:

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

(i) Have a similar varietal characteristics;

(ii) Have a normal flavor and odor;

(iii) Have overall brightness of the sample unit as a mass and may

be slightly affected by dullness;

(iv) Have units that are practically uniform in size and shape in

sliced style;

(v) Are practically free from pit material, except for whole style;

(vi) Are practically free from crushed and broken units in the styles

of whole, halves, and quarters;

(vii) Do not exceed the aggregate area of peel specified for the

style as follows:

(A) Whole - 5.5 cm (0.85 in or 1 x .85); 2 2

(B) Halves - 4.5 cm (0.7 in or 1 x .7); 2 2

(C) Quarters - 2.25 cm (0.34 in or 1 x 34); 2 2

(D) Slices - 50 count - 1.8 cm (0.28 in or 1 x .28); 2 2

100 count - 3.5 cm (0.54 in or 1 x.54); 2 2

(E) Dice - 0.5 cm (0.08 in or 1 x .08); 2 2

(F) Halves and pieces; Pieces; or Irregular pieces - 3.25

cm (0.5 in or 1 x .5); 2 2

(viii) Have a good character such that the number of units that have

fairly good character does not exceed the following:

(A) Whole; Halves; and Quarters - 1 unit;

(B) Slices - 50 count - 3 units; 100 count - 5 units;
16

(C) Halves and pieces; and Pieces or irregular pieces - 50

grams;

(D) Dice - 10 grams.

(2) Is within the limits for defects as classified in Table IV and specified

in Tables V, VI, VII, VIII, or IX.

(b) U.S. Grade B is the quality of canned freestone peaches that:

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

(i) Have a similar varietal characteristics;

(ii) Have a normal flavor and odor;

(iii) Have overall brightness of the sample unit as a mass and may

be slightly affected by dullness;

(iv) Have units that are practically uniform in size and shape in

sliced style;

(v) Are practically free from pit material, except for whole style;

(vi) Are practically free from crushed and broken units in the styles

of whole, halves, and quarters;

(vii) Do not exceed the aggregate area of peel specified for the

style as follows:

(A) Whole - 22.5 cm (3.5 in or 1 x 3.5); 2 2

(B) Halves - 19 cm (3 in or 1 x 3); 2 2

(C) Quarters - 9.5 cm (1.5 in or 1 x 1.5); 2 2

(D) Slices - 50 count - 7 cm (1.1 in or 1 x 1.1); 2 2

100 count - 14 cm (2.2 in or 1 x 2.2); 2 2

(E) Dice - 1.5 cm (0.23 in or 1 x .23); 2 2

(F) Halves and pieces; Pieces; or Irregular pieces - 12 cm2

(1.9 in or 1 x 1.9); 2
17

(viii) Have a reasonably good character such that the number of

units that have fairly good character does not exceed the

following:

(A) Whole; Halves; and Quarters - 3 units;

(B) Slices - 50 count - 5 units; 100 count - 10 units;

(C) Halves and pieces; and Pieces or irregular pieces - 100

grams;

(D) Dice - 20 grams.

(2) Is within the limits for defects as classified in Table IV and specified

in Tables V, VI, VII, VIIi, or IX.

(c) U.S. Grade C is the quality of canned freestone peaches that:

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

(i) Have a similar varietal characteristics;

(ii) Have a normal flavor and odor;

(iii) Have overall brightness of the sample unit as a mass and may

be materially affected by dullness;

(iv) Have units that mare practically uniform in size and shape in

sliced style;

(v) Are practically free from pit material, except for whole style;

(vi) Are practically free from crushed and broken units in the styles

of whole, halves, and quarters;

(vii) Do not exceed the aggregate area of peel specified for the

style as follows;

(A) Whole - 45 cm (7 in or 1 x 7); 2 2

(B) Halves - 38 cm (5.9 in or 1 x 5.9); 2 2

(C) Quarters - 19 cm (3 in or 1 x 3); 2 2
18

(D) Slices - 50 count - 15 cm (2.3 in or 1 x 2.3); 2 2

100 count - 30 cm (4.6 in or 1 x 4.6); 2 2

(E) Dice - 3 cm (0.5 in or 1 x .5); 2 2

(F) Halves and pieces; Pieces; or Irregular pieces - 27 cm2

(4.2 in or 1 x 4.2); 2

(viii) Have a fairly good character such that the number of units that

have poor character does not exceed the following:

(A) Whole; Halves; and Quarters - 3 unit;

(B) Slices - 50 count - 5 units; 100 count - 10 units;

(C) Halves and pieces; and Pieces or irregular pieces - 100

grams;

(D) Dice - 20 grams.

(2) Is within the limits for defects as classified in Table IV and specified

in Tables V, VI, VII, VIIi, or IX.

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

the requirements for U.S. Grade C.

§52.2611 Factors of Quality.

The grade of canned freestone peaches is based on compliance with the requirements for

the following quality factors:

(a) Prerequisite quality factors:

(1) Similar varietal characteristics;

(2) Flavor and odor;

(3) Brightness;

(4) Uniformity of size of slices;

(5) Pit material;

(6) Crushed and broken units;
19

(7) Peel; and

(8) Character.

(b) Classified quality factors;

(1) Individual unit color;

(2) Workmanship;

(3) Blemishes;

(4) Uniformity of size of whole, halves and quarters;

(5) Mechanical damage; and

(6) Extraneous vegetable material.

§52.2612 Classification of Defects.

Defects are classified as minor, major, severe, or critical. Each X mark in Table IV

represents one (1) defect.
20

Table IV

Classification of Defects

Quality Defects Classification

Factor Min Maj Sev Crit

WHOLE

Individual Fairly good (in grade A & B only) ......

Unit Color

X

Poor (in grade A, B, & C) ............ X

Blemished

Slightly .......................... X

Materially ........................ X

Seriously ......................... X

Uniformity Excessive variation (each unit) ........

of Size

X

Mechanical

Damage

Gouged:

 Slightly ......................... X

 Materially ....................... X

 Seriously ........................ X

Other mechanical damage;

 Slightly ......................... X

 Materially ....................... X

 Seriously ........................ X

Extraneous Small piece (each piece) ............

Vegetable

Material

X
21

Table IV Continued

Quality Defects Classification

Factor Min Maj Sev Crit

HALVES AND QUARTERS

Individual Fairly good (in grade A & B only) ......

Unit Color

X

Poor (in grade A, B, & C) ............ X

Blemished Slightly .......................... X

Materially ........................ X

Seriously ......................... X

Uniformity Excessive variation (each unit) ........

of Size

X

Mechanical Off-suture;

Damage Slightly ......................... X

 Materially ....................... X

 Seriously ........................ X

Partially detached piece ............. X

Detached piece .................... X

Shelly unit (in grade A & B only) ....... X

Gouged:

 Slightly ......................... X

 Materially ....................... X

 Seriously ........................ X

Other mechanical damage;

 Slightly ......................... X

 Materially ....................... X

 Seriously ........................ X

Extraneous Short stem (each stem) .............

Vegetable

Material

X

Small piece (each piece) ............ X
22

Table IV Continued

Quality Factor Defects Classification

Min Maj Sev Crit

SLICED

Individual Fairly good (in grade A & B only) ....

Unit Color

X

Poor (in grade A, B, & C) .......... X

Workmanship

Sliver ......................... X

Slab .......................... X

Blemished

Slightly ........................ X

Materially ...................... X

Seriously ....................... X

Mechanical

Damage

Shelly unit (in grade A & B only) ..... X

Gouged:

 Slightly ....................... X

 Materially ..................... X

 Seriously ...................... X

Partial slice .................... X

Extraneous Short stem (each stem) ...........

Vegetable

Material

X

Small piece (each piece) .......... X
23

Table IV Continued

Quality Defects Classification

Factor Min Maj Sev Crit

DICED

Individual Fairly good (in grade A & B only-each 8 g)

Unit Color

X

Poor (in grade A, B, & C-each 8 g) X

Workmanship

Units more than 20 mm (0.79 in) on one

edge plus the units that pass through a

5/16 in (8 mm) sieve. 3/ (each 8 g) ....... X

Blemished

Materially (each 8 g) ................. X

Seriously (each 8 g) .................. X

Extraneous Short stem and small piece (each stem) . .

Vegetable

Material

X

Quality Defects Classification

Factor Min Maj Sev Crit

HALVES AND PIECES; 

PIECES OR IRREGULAR PIECES

Individual Fairly good (in grade A & B only-each 40 g)

Unit Color

X

Poor (in grade A, B, & C-each 40 g) ...... X

Blemished Slightly (each 40 g) ................... X

Materially (each 40 g) ................. X

Seriously (each 40 g) ................. X

Extraneous Short stem and small piece (each stem) . .

Vegetable

Material

X

3/ Sieve to be used is a five-sixteenths inch sieve as listed in Table I of Standard

Specifications for Sieves, published March 1, 1940, in L.C. 584 of the National

Bureau of Standards, U.S. Department of Commerce.
24

Table V

Whole

Grade A Grade B Grade C

Total Maj Sev Crit Total Maj Sev Crit Total Maj Sev Crit

2/ 2/ 2/

AQL 10.0 2.5 1.0 0.4 15.0 10.0 2.5 1.0 25.0 15.0 10.0 2.5

1/

Table VI

Halves; Quarters

Grade A Grade B Grade C

Total Maj Sev Crit Total Maj Sev Crit Total Maj Sev Crit

2/ 2/ 2/

AQL 15.0 8.5 2.5 0.4 25.0 15.0 5.0 1.0 40.0 25.0 15.0 2.5

1/

Table VII

Slices

Grade A Grade B Grade C

Total Maj Sev Crit Total Maj Sev Crit Total Maj Sev Crit

2/ 2/ 2/

AQL 12.5 5.0 1.5 0.65 25.0 12.5 5.0 1.5 40.0 20.0 12.5 2.5

1/

Table VIII

Diced

Grade A Grade B Grade C

Total Maj Sev Crit Total Maj Sev Crit Total Maj Sev Crit

2/ 2/ 2/

AQL 12.5 6.5 2.5 0.4 15.0 8.5 4.0 0.65 20.0 10.0 8.5 1.0

1/

Table IX

Halves and Pieces; Pieces or Irregular Pieces

Grade A Grade B Grade C

Total Maj Sev Crit Total Maj Sev Crit Total Maj Sev Crit

2/ 2/ 2/

AQL 10.0 2.5 1.0 0.4 15.0 6.5 2.5 1.0 25.0 15.0 6.5 2.5

1/

1/ AQL expressed as defects per hundred units.

2/ Total = Minor + Major + Severe + Critical.
25

§52.2614 Sample Size.

The sample size to determine compliance with requirements of these standards shall be

as specified in the sampling plans and procedures in the Regulation Governing

Inspection and Certification of Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed

Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed Food Products (7 CFR 52.1 - 52.83)

for lot inspection and on-line inspection, as applicable.

§52.2615 Compliance with Quality Requirements.

(a) Lot inspection. A lot of canned freestone peaches is considered as

meeting the requirements for quality if:

(1) The prerequisite requirements specified in §52.2610 are met;

(2) The Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) in Table V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX,

as applicable for the style, are not exceeded.

(b) On-line inspection. A portion of production is considered as meeting the

requirements for quality if:

(1) The prerequisite requirements specified in §52.2610 are met;

(2) The Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) in Table V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX,

as applicable for the style, are not exceeded.

(c) 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 prerequisite requirements specified in §52.2610 are met;

(2) The Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) in Table V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX,

as applicable for the style, are not exceeded.
26

Effective date: The United States Standards for Grades of Canned Freestone Peaches

shall become effective June 22, 1979, and thereupon will supersede United States

Standards for Grades of Canned Freestone Peaches which have been in effect since May

12, 1976.

NOTE: This final rule has been reviewed under the USDA criteria established to

implement Executive Order 12044, Improving Government Regulations. A

determination has been made that this action shall not be classified

significant under those criteria. A Final Impact Statement has been

prepared and is available from Processed Products Branch, Fruit and

Vegetable Quality Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department

of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.

Done at Washington, D.C. on: June 19, 1979

/s/

Donald L. Houston

Administrator

Food Safety and Quality Service