United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards for

Grades of

Frozen Sweet Cherries

Effective date March 1, 1958
This is the second issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Sweet

Cherries published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of January 29, 1958 (23 FR 559) to

become effective March 1, 1958. This issue supersedes the first issue, which has

been in effect since June 1, 1946.

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 Sweet Cherries

Section Page No.

§52.3161 Product description. ................................... 2

§52.3162 Types of frozen sweet cherries. .......................... 2

§52.3163 Styles of frozen sweet cherries. .......................... 2

§52.3164 Grades of frozen sweet cherries. ......................... 2

§52.3165 Ascertaining the grade. ................................ 3

§52.3166 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ....... 3

§52.3167 Color. .............................................. 4

§52.3168 Size and symmetry. ................................... 4

§52.3169 Defects. ............................................ 5

§52.3170 Character. ........................................... 8

§52.3171 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. .......................... 8

§52.3172 Score sheet for frozen sweet cherries. ..................... 9

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

§52.3161 Product description.

Frozen sweet cherries are prepared from the clean, sound, properly matured fresh

fruit of any commercial variety of sweet cherries, which are sorted, washed, and

drained; which may be packed with or without the addition of nutritive sweetening

ingredient(s), and which are frozen in accordance with good commercial practice

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

§52.3162 Types of frozen sweet cherries.

(a) Light Sweet Type such as Napoleon or Royal Ann variety.

(b) Dark Sweet Type such as Bing or Lambert variety.

§52.3163 Styles of frozen sweet cherries.

(a) Pitted means frozen sweet cherries that are whole, stemmed cherries

with pits removed.

(b) Unpitted means frozen sweet cherries that are whole, stemmed

cherries without the pits removed.

§52.3164 Grades of frozen sweet cherries.

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

possess similar varietal characteristics; that possess a normal flavor;

that possess good color; that possess a good appearance with respect

to size and symmetry; that are practically free from defects; that

possess a good character; and that for those factors which are rated in

accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart, the total

score is not less than 85 points: Provided, That frozen sweet cherries

may have a reasonably good appearance with respect to size and

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

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

possess similar varietal characteristics; that possess a normal flavor;

that possess a reasonably good color; that possess a reasonably good

appearance with respect to size and symmetry; that are reasonably

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

for those factors which are rated in accordance with the scoring system

outlined in this subpart, the total score is not less than 70 points:

Provided, That frozen sweet cherries may vary in size and symmetry,

if the total score is not less than 70 points.
3

(c) Substandard is the quality of frozen sweet cherries that fail to meet the

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

§52.3165 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) General. The grade of frozen sweet cherries 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 and Symmetry ........................... Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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

30

10

30

 30

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.

§52.3166 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 25 to

30 points means 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 points).
4

§52.3167 Color.

(a) A classification. Frozen sweet cherries that possess a good color may

be given a score of 25 to 30 points. Good color means that the sweet

cherries possess a reasonably uniform color that is bright and typical

of well-ripened sweet cherries and not more than 10 percent, by count,

of cherries may vary markedly from this color because of discoloration

due to oxidation, improper processing, or other causes, or because of

not well-ripened sweet cherries.

(b) B classification. Frozen sweet cherries that possess a reasonably

good color may be given a score of 21 to 24 points. Frozen sweet

cherries 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 sweet

cherries possess a color that is reasonably bright and typical of wellripened sweet cherries and that not more than 20 percent, by count, of

cherries may vary markedly from this color because of discoloration

due to oxidation, improper processing, or other causes, or because of

sweet cherries that are not well-ripened.

(c) SStd classification. Frozen sweet cherries that fail to meet the

requirements of paragraph (b) 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).

§52.3168 Size and symmetry.

(a) General. The factor of size and symmetry refers to the shape and

uniformity of diameter of the frozen cherries.

(1) Diameter of a cherry is determined on the basis of the diameter

of a rigid round hole through which the cherry will just pass

without using force. In pitted cherries, the diameter is

determined as that which approximates the apparent original

size had the cherry not been pitted.

(2) Well formed means that the cherries, including halves of

doubles, have the shape characteristic of the variety.

(b) "A" classification. Frozen sweet cherries that possess a good

appearance with respect to size and symmetry may be given a score

of 9 or 10 points. Good appearance with respect to size and symmetry

has the following meanings:
5

(1) No unseparated doubles are present;

(2) 95 percent, by count, of the cherries are well formed; and

(3) The diameter of the cherry with the greatest diameter may

exceed the diameter of the cherry with the smallest diameter by

not more than 1/4 inch; and in 90 percent, by count, of all the

cherries which are most uniform in diameter, the diameters do

not vary by more than 1/16 inch.

(c) "B" classification. Frozen sweet cherries that possess a reasonably

good appearance with respect to size and symmetry may be given a

score of 7 or 8 points. Reasonably good appearance with respect to

size and symmetry has the following meanings:

(1) Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the cherries may be

unseparated doubles;

(2) 85 percent, by count, of the cherries are well formed;

(3) In 90 percent, by count, of all the cherries which are most

uniform in diameter the diameters do not vary more than 1/4

inch.

(d) "SStd" classification. Frozen sweet cherries 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).

§52.3169 Defects.

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

harmless extraneous material, pits, and from damaged and seriously

damaged cherries.

(1) Cherry means a whole cherry, whether or not pitted, or portions

of such cherries which in the aggregate approximate the average

size of the cherries.

(2) Harmless extraneous material means any vegetable substance

(including, but not being limited to, a leaf or a stem and any

portions thereof) that is harmless.

(3) Pit means a whole pit or portions of pits computed as follows:
6

(i) A single piece of pit shell, whether or not within or

attached to a whole cherry, that is larger than one-half pit

shell is considered as one pit;

(ii) A single piece of pit shell, whether or not within or

attached to a whole cherry, that is not larger than one-half

pit shell is considered as one-half pit;

(iii) Pieces of pit shell, within or attached to a whole cherry,

when their combined size is larger than one-half pit shell

are considered as one pit; and

(iv) Pieces of pit shell, within or attached to a whole cherry,

when their combined size is not larger than one-half pit

shell are considered as one-half pit.

(4) Damaged means any injury which materially affects the

appearance or eating quality of the cherry and includes, but is

not limited to:

(i) Blemished cherries that are affected by:

(a) Any surface blemish having an aggregate area

equivalent to that of a circle 9/32 inch in diameter

but not exceeding that of a circle 12/32 (3/8) inch in

diameter and not extending into the tissue of the

fruit.

(b) Any blemish having an aggregate area less than

that of a circle 9/32 inch in diameter and extending

into the tissue of the fruit.

(ii) Checks or cracks with slight discoloration and equivalent

to 9/32 inch in length but not more than 12/32 (3/8) inch in

length.

(5) Seriously damaged means any injury which seriously affects the

appearance or eating quality of the cherry and includes, but is

not limited to:

(i) Blemished cherries that are affected by:

(a) Any surface blemish having an aggregate area

exceeding that of a circle 12/32 (3/8) inch in

diameter and not extending into the tissue of the

fruit.
7

(b) Any blemish having an aggregate area exceeding

that of a circle 9/32 inch in diameter and extending

into the tissue of the fruit.

(ii) Checks or cracks with discoloration and more than 12/32

(3/8) inch in length.

(b) "A" classification. Frozen sweet cherries that are practically free from

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

defects means that:

(1) For each 20 ounces net weight there may be present not more

than:

(i) 1 piece harmless extraneous material;

(ii) 1 pit in pitted cherries.

(2) Not more than 7 percent, by count, of the cherries may be

damaged and seriously damaged: Provided, that not more than

3 percent, by count, of all of the cherries are seriously damaged.

(c) "B" classification. Frozen sweet cherries that are reasonably free from

defects may be given a score of 21 to 24 points. Frozen cherries that

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

U.S. Choice, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a

limiting rule). Reasonably free from defects means that:

(1) For each 20 ounces net weight there may be present not more

than:

(i) 2 pieces of harmless extraneous material;

(ii) 1 pit in pitted cherries.

(2) Not more than 15 percent, by count, of the cherries may be

damaged and seriously damaged: Provided, that not more than

5 percent, by count, of all the cherries are seriously damaged.

(d) "SStd" classification. Frozen sweet cherries that fail 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).
8

§52.3170 Character.

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

texture and tenderness, and the relative thickness of flesh of the frozen

sweet cherries.

(b) "A" classification. Frozen sweet cherries that possess a good

character may be given a score of 26 to 30 points. Good character

means that the cherries possess a tender, fleshy texture, typical of wellripened, properly processed frozen sweet cherries; and that not more

than 10 percent, by count, of the cherries may possess a reasonably

good character.

(c) "B" classification. Frozen sweet cherries that possess a reasonably

good character may be given a score of 21 to 25 points. Frozen sweet

cherries 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

cherries possess the texture of reasonably well-ripened frozen sweet

cherries that are properly precessed; the texture is reasonably fleshy

and the cherries reasonably tender, or the tenderness may be variable

from slightly soft to slightly firm; and that not more than 15 percent, by

count, of the cherries may be overripe or immature or otherwise fail to

meet at least a reasonably good character.

(d) "SStd" classification. Frozen sweet cherries 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).

§52.3171 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of frozen sweet cherries 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 to 52.83).
9

§52.3172 Score sheet for frozen sweet cherries.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Factors Score Points

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

Size and symmetry ..............

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

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

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

30

10

30

30

100

"A" 25-30

"B" 21-24 _1/

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

"A" 9-10

"B" 7-08

"SStd" 0-06 _2/

"A" 25-30

"B" 21-24 _1/

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

"A" 25-30

"B" 21-24 _1/

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

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

U.S. Grade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

_1/ Indicates limiting rule.

_2/ Indicates partial limiting rule.

Dated: January 24, 1958.

[SEAL] Roy W. Lennartson,

Deputy Administrator,

Marketing Services.