United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Frozen Plums

Effective date March 6, 1956
This is the first issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Plums published

in the FEDERAL REGISTER of February 4, 1956 (21 FR 781) to become effective March

6, 1956.

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 Frozen Plums

Section Page No.

§52.2911 Product description. ....................................... 2

§52.2912 Color types of frozen plums. ................................. 2

§52.2913 Styles of frozen plums. ..................................... 2

§52.2914 Grades of frozen plums. .................................... 2

§52.2915 Ascertaining the grade. ..................................... 3

§52.2916 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ........... 4

§52.2917 Color. .................................................. 4

§52.2918 Size. ................................................... 4

§52.2919 Defects. ................................................. 5

§52.2920 Character. ............................................... 7

§52.2921 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ............................... 7

§52.2922 Score sheet for frozen plums. ............................... 8

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

§52.2911 Product description.

Frozen plums means the frozen product prepared from clean, sound, fresh fruit of any

commercial variety of plums, exclusive of Damson variety, which are sorted, washed,

drained, and pitted; which may be packed with or without the addition of a nutritive

sweetening ingredient; and which are frozen in accordance with good commercial practice

and maintained at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product.

§52.2912 Color types of frozen plums.

(a) Purple or Blue (such as Italian Prune plum variety).

(b) Red (such as Satsuma variety or Santa Rosa variety).

(c) Yellow-Green (such as Yellow Egg variety, Jefferson variety and Reine

Claude variety.

§52.2913 Styles of frozen plums.

(a) Halved means frozen plums that have been prepared by cutting whole plums

longitudinally into approximate halves.

(b) Whole pitted means frozen plums that have been prepared from whole

plums in a manner that the plums are not excessively crushed or excessively

broken in removing the pits.

(c) Crushed and broken means frozen plums that have been prepared from

whole plums in a manner that most of the plums are crushed or broken in

removing the pits.

§52.2914 Grades of frozen plums.

(a) U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of frozen plums that possess

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

good color; that are practically uniform in size for the applicable styles; that

are practically free from defects; that possess a good character; and that for

those factors which are scored in accordance with the scoring system

outlined in this subpart, the total score is not less than 85 points: Provided,

that frozen plums may be only reasonably uniform in size for the applicable

styles, if the total score is not less than 85 points.
3

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

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

reasonably good color; that are reasonably uniform in size for the applicable

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

character; and that for those factors which are scored in accordance with the

scoring system outlined in this subpart, the total score is not less than 70

points: Provided, that the frozen plums may vary in size if the total score is

not less than 70 points.

(c) Substandard is the quality of frozen plums that fail to meet the requirements

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

§52.2915 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) General. The grade of frozen plums is determined immediately after thawing

to the extent that the units may be separated easily and are free from ice

crystals. In addition to considering other requirements outlined in the

standards, the following quality factors are evaluated:

(1) Factors not rated by score points.

(i) Varietal characteristics.

(ii) Flavor.

(2) Factors rated by score points. The relative importance of each

factor which is scored is expressed numerically on the scale of 100.

The maximum number of points that may be given such factors are:

Factors Points

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

Size .........................

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

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

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

20

10

 30

 40

100

(b) Normal flavor means that the product has a normal, characteristic flavor and

odor for the varietal type and is free from objectionable flavors and

objectionable odors of any kind.
4

§52.2916 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 such factors and expressed numerically. The numerical range

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

19, or 20 points).

§52.2917 Color.

(a) "A" classification. Frozen plums that possess a good color may be given

a score of 17 to 20 points. Good color means that the frozen plums,

internally and externally, possess a practically uniform, bright, typical color

of well ripened, properly prepared, and properly processed frozen plums of

similar varietal characteristics and that the frozen plums are practically free

from any brown color due to oxidation, improper processing, or other causes,

which color may affect no more than slightly the appearance or edibility of

the product.

(b) "B" classification. Frozen plums that possess a reasonably good color may

be given a score of 14 to 16 points. Frozen plums 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 color means that the frozen plums, internally and

externally, possess a reasonably uniform, reasonably bright, typical color or

reasonably well ripened, properly prepared, and properly processed frozen

plums of similar varietal characteristics and that the frozen plums are

reasonably free from any brown color due to oxidation, improper processing,

or other causes, which color may not materially affect the appearance or

edibility of the product.

(c) "SStd" classification. Frozen plums that fail to meet the requirements of

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

not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the

product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.2918 Size.

(a) General. The factor of uniformity of size for crushed and broken frozen

plums is not based on any detailed requirements and is not scored; the other

three factors (color, defects, and character, as applicable) are scored and

the total is multiplied by 100 and divided by 90, dropping any fractions to

determine the total score.
5

(b) "A" classification. Halved or whole pitted styles of frozen plums that are

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

Practically uniform in size in halved or whole pitted styles means that in 90

percent, by count, of the units which have the most uniform size, the weight

of the largest unit does not exceed the weight of the smallest unit by more

than 50 percent.

(c) "B" classification. Halved or whole pitted styles of frozen plums that are

reasonably uniform in size may be given a score of 7 or 8 points.

Reasonably uniform is size in halved or whole pitted styles means that in

90 percent, by count, of the units which have the most uniform size, the

weight of the largest unit is not more than twice the weight of the smallest

unit.

(d) "SStd" classification. Halved or whole pitted styles of frozen plums that fail

to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a

score of 0 to 6 points and 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).

§52.2919 Defects.

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

harmless extraneous matter; units that are crushed or broken with respect to

halved and whole pitted styles; pit material; blemished and seriously

blemished units; and any other defects which detract from the appearance

and eating quality of the product.

(1) Harmless extraneous matter means any vegetable substance

(including, but not limited to, a leaf, stem, or portions thereof) that is

harmless.

(2) Crushed or broken unit means a unit in halved or whole pitted styles

that is torn, ragged, or otherwise mutilated to the extent that the unit

does not retain its normal shape. In halved style, halves of plums that

are slightly split are not considered crushed or broken. In whole

pitted style, plums that are slit or perforated by pitting operation are

not considered crushed or broken unless the unit is ragged or

otherwise mutilated to the extent that the appearance of the unit does

not have the approximate shape of a whole pitted plum. 

(3) Pit material means any whole pit or any piece of pit material

regardless of size.
6

(4) Blemished means blemished by sunburn, scab, or blemished by

discoloration or by other means to the extent that the appearance and

eating quality of the unit is materially affected.

(5) Seriously blemished means blemished by sunburn, scab, or

blemished by discoloration or by other means to the extent that the

appearance and eating quality of the unit is seriously affected.

(6) Other defects means growth cracks, doubles, or other abnormalities

which materially affect the appearance or eating quality of the unit

(shriveled areas are not considered defects).

(b) "A" classification. Frozen plums that are practically free from defects may

be given a score of 25 to 30 points. Practically free from defects means

that the product is practically free from pit material and that, individually and

collectively, harmless extraneous matter; crushed and broken units with

respect to halved and whole pitted styles; blemished and seriously blemished

units; and other defects do not materially affect the appearance and eating

quality of the product; and that there may be present:

(1) Not more than 5 percent, by weight, of crushed or broken units in

halved and whole pitted styles;

(2) Not more than 10 percent, by weight, of blemished and seriously

blemished units: Provided, that not more than 5 percent, by weight,

of all the units may be seriously blemished.

(c) "B" classification. Frozen plums that are reasonably free from defects may

be given a score of 21 to 24 points. Frozen plums 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 the product is practically free

from pit material and that, individually and collectively, harmless extraneous

matter; crushed and broken units with respect to halved and whole pitted

styles; blemished and seriously blemished units; and other defects do not

seriously affect the appearance and eating quality of the product; and that

there may be present:

(1) Not more than 10 percent, by weight, of crushed or broken units in

halved and whole pitted styles;

(2) Not more than 20 percent, by weight, of blemished and seriously

blemished units: Provided, that not more than 10 percent, by weight,

of all the units may be seriously blemished.
7

(d) "SStd" classification. Frozen plums that fail to meet the requirements of

paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall

not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the

product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.2920 Character.

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

and tenderness of the frozen plums, and to shriveled areas of skin.

(b) "A" classification. Frozen plums that possess a good character may be

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

possess a tender, fleshy texture, typical of well ripened, properly processed

frozen plums; and that not more than 15 percent, by weight, of the units may

possess a reasonably good character or possess shriveled areas that

materially affect the appearance of the unit.

(c) "B" classification. Frozen plums that possess a reasonably good character

may be given a score of 28 to 33 points. Frozen plums 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 units possess the texture of

reasonably well ripened frozen plums that are properly processed; the

texture is reasonably fleshy and the units reasonably tender, or the

tenderness may be variable from slightly soft to slightly firm; and that not

more than 30 percent, by weight, of the units may fail to meet at least a

reasonably good character or possess shriveled areas that materially affect

the appearance of the unit. 

(d) "SStd" classification. Frozen plums that fail to meet the requirements of

paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 27 points and shall

not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the

product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.2921 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of the processed product 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).
8

§52.2922 Score sheet for frozen plums.

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

Label; style of pack; fruit-sugar ratio (if shown) .............................

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

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

Type ..............................................................

Style ..............................................................

Count .............................................................

Factors Score Points

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

Size ............................

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

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

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

20 "B" 14-16 _1/

10 "B" 7- 8

30 "B" 21-24 _1/

40 "B" 28-33 _1/

 100 

"A" 17-20

"SStd" 0-13 _1/

"A" 9-10

"SStd" 0- 6 _2/

"A" 25-30

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

"A" 34-40

"SStd" 0-27 _1/

Normal flavor .......................................................

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

1/ Indicates limiting rule

2/ Indicates partial limiting rule

The United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Plums (which is the first issue)

contained in this subpart shall become effective 30 days after publication hereof in the

Federal Register.

Dated: February 1, 1956.

[SEAL] Roy W. Lennartson, 

Deputy Administrator,

Marketing Services.

Published in the Federal Register, February 4, 1956 (21 F.R. 781)

§52.2921 amended, May 22, 1957 (22 F.R. 3547)