United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Dates

Effective date August 26, 1955
This is the third issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Dates. This issue

contains all of the requirements of the second issue, effective October 20, 1949. The third

issue was published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of August 10, 1955 (20 FR 5755) to

become effective August 26, 1955.

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 Dates

Section Page No.

§52.1001 Product description. ....................................... 2

§52.1002 Styles of dates. ............................................ 2

§52.1003 Grades of dates. ........................................... 2

§52.1004 Ascertaining the grade. ...................................... 3

§52.1005 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ........... 3

§52.1006 Color. ................................................... 4

§52.1007 Uniformity of size. .......................................... 5

§52.1008 Absence of defects. ......................................... 6

§52.1009 Character. ............................................... 13

§52.1010 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ............................... 14

§52.1011 Score Sheet. ............................................. 15

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

§52.1001 Product description. 

Dates are the properly cured fresh fruit of the date tree (Phoenix dactylifera) which may

or may not be softened by hydration. For the purposes of the standards in this subpart,

dates, when referred to as dry dates for processing, means that the dates are dry and

have not been softened by hydration.

§52.1002 Styles of dates.

(a) Whole or whole dates means whole unpitted dates from which the pits have

not been removed and which may be slit longitudinally.

(b) Pitted or pitted dates means whole dates from which the pits have been

removed.

(c) Pieces or date pieces means dates that have been cut or sliced into small

pieces and that can be handled as individual units.

(d) Macerated or macerated dates means dates that have been ground,

chopped, mashed, or broken or that have been cut or sliced into small pieces

and that cannot be handled as individual units.

§52.1003 Grades of dates.

(a) U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of whole or pitted dates that are

of one variety, that possess a good color, that are practically uniform in size,

that are practically free from defects, that possess a good character, and that

score not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring

system outlined in this subpart.

(b) U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice is the quality of whole or pitted dates, other

bthan whole dry dates for processing that are of one variety, that possess a

reasonably good color, that are reasonably uniform in size, that are

reasonably free from defects, that possess a reasonably good character, and

that score not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the

scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(c) U.S. Grade B (Dry) or U.S. Choice (Dry) is the quality of whole dry dates for

processing that are of one variety, that possess a reasonably good color,

that are reasonably uniform in size, that are reasonably free from defects,

that possess a reasonably good character, and that score not less than 80

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

subpart.
3

(d) U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard is the quality of whole or pitted dates other than

whole dry dates for processing that are of one variety or of date pieces or macerated

dates that possess a fairly good color, that are fairly uniform in size except for date

pieces or macerated dates, that are fairly free from defects, that possess a fairly good

character, and that score not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the

scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(e) U.S. Grade C (Dry) or U.S. Standard (Dry) is the quality of whole dry dates for

processing that are of one variety, that possess a fairly good color, that are fairly

uniform in size, that are fairly free from defects, that possess a fairly good character,

and that score not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring

system outlined in this subpart.

(f) Substandard is the quality of dates that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade

C or U.S. Standard or U.S. Grade C (Dry) or U.S. Standard (Dry), whichever is

applicable.

§52.1004 Ascertaining the grade.

In addition to considering other requirements outlined in the standards, the following quality factors

are evaluated:

(a) Factor not rated by score points.

(1) Varietal requirement.

(b) Factors rated by score points. The relative importance of each factor which is

scored is expresses numerically on the scale of 100. The maximum number of points

that may be given such factors are:

Factors Points

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

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

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

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

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

20

10

30

 40

100

§52.1005 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, 18 to 20 points means 18, 19, or 20 points).
4

§52.1006 Color.

(a) "A" classification. Whole or pitted dates that possess a good color may be

given a score of 18 to 20 points. Good color means that the color of the

dates is practically uniform; and, with respect to dates that are predominantly

light amber in color, there may be not more than 5 percent by count of dates

that are dark amber in color; and, with respect to dates that are

predominantly dark amber in color, there may be not more than 5 percent by

count of dates that are light amber in color.

(b) "B" classification. If the whole or pitted dates or whole dry dates for

processing possess a reasonably good color, a score of 16 or 17 points may

be given. Dates that fall into this classification shall not be graded above

U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice or U.S. Grade B (Dry) or U.S. Choice (Dry),

whichever is applicable, regardless of the total score for the product (this is

a limiting rule). Reasonably good color means that the color of the whole

or pitted dates or whole dry dates for processing is reasonably uniform for

the type; and, with respect to dates that are predominantly light amber in

color, there may be not more than 10 percent by count of dates that are dark

amber in color; and with respect to dates that are predominantly dark amber

in color, there may not be more than 10 percent by count of dates that are

light amber in color.

(c) "C" classification. If the whole or pitted dates, whole dry dates for

processing, date pieces, or macerated dates possess a fairly good color, a

score of 14 or 15 points may be given. Dates that fall into this classification

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

(Dry) or U.S. Standard (Dry), whichever is applicable, regardless of the total

score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Fairly good color has the

following meanings with respect to the following styles:

(1) Whole; pitted. The color of the whole or pitted dates or whole dry

dates for processing is fairly uniform for the type; and, with respect to

dates that are predominantly light amber in color, there may be not

more than 20 percent by count of dates that are dark amber in color;

and, with respect to dates that are predominantly dark amber in color,

there may be not more than 20 percent by count of dates that are light

amber in color.

(2) Pieces; macerated. The color may be variable throughout the units

or mass, may be slightly dull but not off-color, and is typical of

properly prepared dates of these styles.
5

(d) "SStd" classification. Dates that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph

(c) 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).

§52.1007 Uniformity of size.

(a) General. The factor of uniformity of size applies only to whole and pitted

styles. The factor of uniformity of size in the styles of date pieces and

macerated dates is not based on any detailed requirements and is not

scored; the other three factors (color, absence of 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.

(b) "A" classification. Whole or pitted dates that are practically uniform in size

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

that not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of the whole or pitted

dates may be conspicuously larger or smaller than the approximate average

size of the dates in the container.

(c) "B" classification. If the whole or pitted dates or whole dry dates for

processing are reasonably uniform in size, a score of 8 points may be given.

Dates that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade

B or U.S. Choice or U.S. Grade B (Dry) or U.S. Choice (Dry), whichever is

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

rule). Reasonably uniform in size means that not more than a total of 15

percent, by weight, of the whole or pitted dates may be conspicuously larger

or smaller than the approximate average size of the dates in the container.

(d) "C" classification. If the whole or pitted dates or whole dry dates for

processing are fairly uniform in size, a score of 7 points may be given. Dates

that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C or

U.S. Standard or U.S. Grade C (Dry) or U.S. Standard (Dry),whichever is

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

rule). Fairly uniform in size means that not more than a total of 20 percent,

by weight, of the whole or pitted dates may be conspicuously larger or

smaller than the approximate average size of the dates in the container.

(e) "SStd" classification. Whole or pitted dates or whole dry dates for

processing 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

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

rule).
6

§52.1008 Absence of defects.

(a) Definitions of defects. Unless otherwise stated specifically, the following

definitions of defects or defective units apply only to whole or pitted dates or

whole dry dates for processing, as applicable for the type:

(1) Damaged by discoloration is the presence of a dark area in the

flesh of the date, which the dark area is visible through the skin and

is more than one-fourth (1/4) inch in width and extends more than the

equivalent of half the length of the date, such darkening being of

natural origin and not caused by mold or other organisms.

(2) Damaged by broken skin is any rupture of the skin in a manner to

expose the flesh of the date, the shortest dimension of such exposed

area being not less than three-sixteenths (3/16) inch.

(3) Damaged by checking is the presence of fine lines, resulting from

water injury, affecting the surface of the skin over an area not less

than one-fourth of the total surface of the date.

(4) Seriously damaged by checking is the presence of heavy lines,

resulting from water injury, seriously affecting the surface of the skin

over an area not less than one-fourth of the total surface of the date.

(5) Damaged by deformity is any abnormal shape sufficient to produce

an appearance discernibly at variance with the normal shape that is

typical of the variety.

(6) Damaged by puffiness is the condition of a date of which the skin is

soft and pliable and from which the skin is separated from the flesh in

a balloon-like fashion, over an area not less than one-half of the total

surface of the date. Soft skins which have returned and adhere to the

flesh of the date are not considered damaged by puffiness.

(7) Seriously damaged by puffiness is the condition of a date of which

the skin is dry, hard, and brittle and from which the skin is separated

from the flesh over an area not less than one-half of the total surface

of the date.

(8) Damaged by scars are any blemishes that affect the exterior of the

date and which are not less than three-sixteenths (3/16) inch in the

shortest dimension.
7

(9) Damaged by sunburn is an area, usually light in color, scarred by

the heat of the sun, such area being not less than three-sixteenths

(3/16) inch in the shortest dimension.

(10) Damaged by insect injury is any blemish, resulting from the activity

of insects or mites, distributed over an area of not less than one-fourth

of the total surface of the date or any similar blemish that materially

affects the appearance or edibility of the unit, regardless of the area

affected.

(11) Damaged by improper hydrating means that the date has been

injured by excessive heat or that the hydrating process is incomplete.

(12) Damaged by mashing means any physical injury to the flesh and

skin of the date leaving the date partially mangled but otherwise

whole.

(13) Damaged by mechanical injury means excessive trimming or similar

injury that damages the appearance or that damages or affects the

eating quality of the whole date.

(14) Damaged by lack of pollination means, with respect to whole dates,

that pollination of the date was not accomplished, such condition

being manifested by the absence of a pit in the whole dates or by thin,

immature appearance of the date.

(15) Damaged by blacknose is severe checking in which the flesh

becomes dark, crusty, and dry and which severe checking affects an

area greater than one-eighth of the total surface of the date.

(16) Damaged by side spot means a very dark area, which generally is

circular in appearance, extending into the flesh of the date, and when

decayed tissue or mold is not present, affecting in the aggregate an

area not less than the area of a circle three-sixteenth (3/16) inch in

diameter.

(17) Damaged by black scald means the collapse, death, and blackening

of the flesh along the side of the date, usually accompanied by a bitter

taste in the affected area.

(18) Damage by improper ripening means pronounced evidence of

green shrivel of the date or that the date possesses a puffy flesh or

a decidedly rubbery texture resulting from failure of the tissue of the

date to reach a desirable state of maturity due to climatic or cultural

injury, or both.
8

(19) Damaged by other defects means any injury or defect or group of

defects not defined in this section (such as, but not limited to, heavy

sugaring, and excessive scars not described in the definition

damaged by scars,) which materially affect the appearance,

edibility, or keeping quality of the dates.

(20) Affected by souring is evidenced by the breakdown of the sugars

into alcohol and acetic acid by yeasts and bacteria.

(21) Affected by mold is the presence of visible mold.

(22) Affected by dirt is the presence of any quantity of such substance.

(23) Affected by insect infestation is the presence of dead insects,

insect parts, or excreta. (No live insects are permitted.)

(24) Affected by foreign material is the presence of any quantity of such

substance.

(25) Affected by decay is the state of decomposition.

(b) "A" classification. Whole or pitted dates that are practically free from

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

defects means that in pitted dates there may be present not more than one

whole pit or two pit fragments for each 25 ounces of pitted dates; and that the

whole or pitted dates do not exceed the total allowances and limitations

shown in Chart I of this subpart.

(c) "B" classification. If the whole or pitted dates or whole dry dates for

processing are reasonably free from defects, a score of 24 to 26 points may

be given. Dates that fall into this classification shall not be graded above

U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice or U.S. Grade B (Dry) or U.S. Choice (Dry),

whichever is applicable, regardless of the total score for the product (this is

a limiting rule). Reasonably free from defects means that in pitted dates

there may be present not more than one whole pit or two pit fragments for

each 25 ounces of pitted dates; and that the whole or pitted dates or whole

dry dates for processing do not exceed the total allowances and limitations

shown in Chart II of this subpart.
9

(d) "C" classification. If the whole or pitted dates, whole dry dates for

processing, date pieces, or macerated dates are fairly free from defects, a

score of 21 to 23 points may be given. Dates that fall into this classification

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

(Dry) or U.S. Standard (Dry), whichever is applicable, regardless of the total

score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Fairly free from defects has the

following meanings with respect to the following styles:

(1) Whole. The defects or defective units in whole dates or whole dry

dates for processing do not exceed the total allowances and

limitations shown in Chart III of this subpart.

(2) Pitted. Not more than one whole pit or two pit fragments for each 25

ounces of pitted dates may be present; and the defects or defective

units in pitted dates do not exceed the total allowances and limitations

shown in Chart III of this subpart.

(3) Pieces; macerated. Not more than one whole pit or two pit

fragments for each 25 ounces of pitted dates may be present; and the

units or mass consists of clean and sound date material, fairly free

from defects that seriously affect the appearance, edibility, or keeping

quality of the product.

(e) "SStd" classification. Dates 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).
10

Chart No. I-Allowances and Limitations for Defects in Whole and Pitted Dates 

(Other than Whole Dry Dates for Processing); U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy.

Total Allowance Limitations

Not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight of the dates, may be the Not more than 3/5 of the total allowance, or 6 percent, by weight of the

following: dates, may be the following:

Damaged by: Damaged by:

Discoloration.

Broken skin. Side spot.

Checking. Black scald.

Deformity. Improper ripening.

Puffiness. Other defects.

Scars.

Sunburn. Affected by:

Insect injury.

Improper hydrating. Souring.

Mashing. Mold.

Mechanical injury. Dirt.

Lack of pollination. Insect Infestation.

Blacknose. Foreign material.

Side spot. Decay.

Black scald.

Improper ripening.

Other defects.

Seriously damaged by checking. Not more than 2/5 of the total allowance, or 4 percent, by weight of the

Seriously damaged by puffiness. dates, may be the following:

Affected by: Damaged by:

Souring. Improper ripening.

Mold. Other defects.

Dirt.

Insect Infestation. Affected by:

Foreign material.

Decay. Souring.

Mold.

Dirt.

Insect infestation.

Foreign material.

Decay.

Not more than 1/10 of the total allowance, or 1 percent, by weight of

the dates, may be:

Affected by decay.
11

Chart No. II-Allowances and Limitations for Defects in Whole and Pitted Dates or

in Whole Dry Dates for Processing; U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice and

U.S. Grade B (Dry) or U.S. Choice (Dry)

Limitations

Not more than 15 percent, by weight of the dates, may be seriously Not more than 2/3 of the additional allowance, or 10 percent, by weight

damaged by checking. of the dates, may be the following:

Not more than 20 percent, by weight of the dates, may be damaged by

broken skin.

Additional Allowance Damaged by:

Not more than a total of 15 percent, by weight of the dates, may be the Lack of pollination.

following: Blacknose.

Damaged by: Black scald.

Deformity. Other defects.

Puffiness.

Scars. Affected by:

Sunburn.

Insect injury. Souring.

Improper hydrating. Mold.

Mashing. Dirt.

Mechanical injury. Insect Infestation.

Lack of pollination. Foreign material.

Blacknose. Decay.

Side spot.

Black scald.

Improper ripening.

Other defects.

Side spot.

Improper ripening.

Seriously damaged by puffiness. Not more than 1/3 of the additional allowance, or 5 percent, by weight

Affected by:

Souring.

Mold. Improper ripening.

Dirt. Other defects.

Insect Infestation.

Foreign material. Affected by:

Decay.

of the dates, may be the following:

Damaged by:

Souring.

Mold.

Dirt.

Insect infestation.

Foreign material.

Decay.

Not more than 1/15 of the additional allowance, or 1 percent, by weight

of the dates, may be:

Affected by decay.
12

Chart No. III-Allowances and Limitations for Defects in Whole and Pitted Dates 

or in Whole Dry Dates for Processing; U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard and 

U.S. Grade C (Dry) or U.S. Standard (Dry)

Total Allowance Limitations

Not more than a total of 20 percent, by weight of the dates, may be the Not more than 1/2 of the total allowance, or 10 percent, by weight of

following: the dates, may be the following:

Damaged by: Damaged by:

Deformity. Lack of pollination.

Scars. Blacknose.

Sunburn. Side spot.

Insect injury. Black scald.

Improper hydrating. Improper ripening.

Mashing. Other defects.

Mechanical injury.

Lack of pollination. Affected by:

Blacknose.

Side spot. Souring.

Black scald. Mold.

Improper ripening. Dirt.

Other defects. Insect infestation.

Foreign material.

Decay.

Seriously damaged by puffiness. Not more than 1/4 of the total allowance, or 5 percent, by weight of the

Affected by:

Souring.

Mold. Souring.

Dirt. Mold.

Insect Infestation. Dirt.

Foreign material. Insect infestation.

Decay. Foreign material.

dates, may be the following:

Affected by:

Decay.

Not more than 1/10 of the total allowance, or 2 percent, by weight of

the dates, may be:

Affected by decay.
13

§52.1009 Character.

(a) "A" classification. Whole or pitted dates that possess a good character

may be given a score of 36 to 40 points. Good character means that not

less than 75 percent, by weight, of the dates are well developed, well

fleshed, and soft, or at the time of packing are in a state of ripeness that

within 15 days will develop into such character; and the remainder may

possess a reasonably good character including not more than a total of 2

percent, by weight, of the dates that may possess semi-dry calyx ends and

none may possess dry calyx ends.

(b) "B" classification. If the whole or pitted dates or whole dry dates for

processing possess a reasonably good character, a score of 32 to 35 points

may be given. Dates that fall into this classification shall not be graded

above U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice or U.S. Grade B (Dry) or U.S. Choice

(Dry), whichever is applicable, regardless of the total score for the product

(this is a limiting rule).

(1) Reasonably good character with respect to whole or pitted dates

other than whole dry dates for processing means that the dates are

pliable; that not less than 75 percent, by weight, of the dates are

reasonably well developed and reasonably well fleshed, or at time of

packing are in a state of ripeness that within 15 days will develop into

such character and the remainder may possess a fairly good

character including not more than 10 percent, by weight, of the dates

that may possess semi-dry calyx ends and dry calyx ends: Provided,

that not more than 2 percent, by weight, of the dates may possess dry

calyx ends.

(2) Reasonably good character with respect to whole dry dates for

processing means that the dates may be firm and dry; that not less

than 75 percent, by weight, of the dates are reasonably well

developed and reasonably well fleshed and that the remainder are

fairly well developed and fairly well fleshed.

(c) "C" classification. If the whole or pitted dates, whole dry dates for

processing, date pieces, or macerated dates possess a fairly good character,

a score of 28 to 31 points may be given. Dates that fall into this classification

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

(Dry) or U.S. Standard (Dry), whichever is applicable, regardless of the total

score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Fairly good character has the

following meanings with respect to the following styles: 
14

(1) Whole; pitted. 

(i) In whole or pitted dates other than whole dry dates for

processing the dates may be firm but are pliable; may possess

semi-dry calyx ends; and not less than 80 percent, by weight,

of the dates are fairly well developed and are fairly well

fleshed, or at time of packing are in a state of ripeness that

within 15 days will develop into such character and the

remainder may fail to possess such fairly good character or

may possess dry calyx ends.

(ii) In whole dry dates for processing the dates may be firm and

dry but are fairly well developed and fairly well fleshed.

(2) Pieces; macerated. The character may be variable throughout the

units or mass but not seriously affected by dry calyx end material or

inedible portions of dates.

(d) "SStd" classification. Dates 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).

§52.1010 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of processed products 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 (7 CFR 52.1 through 52.83).
15

§52.1011 Score Sheet.

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

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

Label or brand .........................................................................

Net weight ............................................................................

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

Count (per lb.) .........................................................................

Moisture content (if determined) ...........................................................

One variety ( ) Yes ( ) No ................................................................

Factors Score points

Color ..................... 20 (C) (C-Dry) 14 - 15 1/

(A) 18 - 20

(B) (B-Dry) 16 - 17 1/

(SStd) 0 - 13 1/

Uniformity of size ............ 10 (B) (B-Dry) 8 1/

(A) 9 - 10

(C) (C-Dry) 7 1/

(SStd) 0 - 6 1/

Absence of defects .......... 30 (C) (C-Dry) 21 - 23 1/

(A) 27 - 30

(B) (B-Dry) 24 - 26 1/

(SStd) 0 - 20 1/

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

 40 (C) (C-Dry) 28 - 31 1/

(A) 36 - 40

(B) (B-Dry) 32 - 35 1/

(SStd) 0 - 27 1/

Total score ....... 100

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

1/ Limiting rule. 

The United States Standards for Grades of Dates (which is the third issue) contained in

this subpart shall become effective 15 days after the date of publication hereof in the

Federal Register and thereupon will supersede the United States Standards for Grades

of Dates (7 CFR §52.1001 to §52.1009) which have been in effect since October 20, 1949.

Dated: August 5, 1955.

[SEAL]

Roy W. Lennartson,

Deputy Administrator,

Marketing Services.