United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Dried Prunes

Effective date October 11, 1965
This is the fourth issue, as amended, of the United States Standards for Grades of Dried

Prunes. These standards are issued by the Department after careful consideration of all

data and views submitted.

These standards were published in the Federal Register on October 25, 1956, (21

FR 8177), to become effective November 26, 1956.

In 1965 the standards were amended (30 FR 11595) by:

(1) providing that safe and suitable preservatives may be added;

(2) adding a style of Whole Pitted prunes; and

(3) waiving the moisture limits in bulk packs when safe and suitable

preservatives have been added.

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 Dried Prunes

Section Page No.

§52.3181 Product description. ........................................ 2

§52.3182 Varietal types of dried prunes. ................................ 2

§52.3183a Styles of dried prunes. ...................................... 2

§52.3183b Count-sizes of whole unpitted dried prunes. ...................... 2

§52.3184 Grades of dried prunes. ..................................... 3

§52.3185 Moisture limits. ............................................ 6

§52.3186 Definitions for uniformity of size. ............................... 6

§52.3187 Definitions and explanations of defects. ......................... 7

§52.3188 Work sheet for dried prunes. ................................. 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

§52.3181 Product description.

Dried prunes are prepared from sound, properly matured prune plums from which the

greater portion of moisture is removed by drying. The dried prunes are cleaned to assure

a wholesome product; they may be treated with water or steam; and a safe and suitable

preservative may be added.

§52.3182 Varietal types of dried prunes.

(a) Type I. French; or Robe; or a mixture of French and Robe.

(b) Type II. Italian.

(c) Type III. Imperial; or Sugar; or a mixture of Imperial and Sugar.

(d) Type IV. Any other types; or mixtures of any types other than mixtures in

Type I and Type III of this section.

§52.3183a Styles of dried prunes.

(a) Whole Unpitted--from which pits have not been removed.

(b) Whole Pitted--from which pits have been removed.

§52.3183b Count-sizes of whole unpitted dried prunes.

(a) Count-sizes of whole unpitted dried prunes. Count-sizes. Except for

U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy, the count-sizes of dried prunes are not

incorporated in the grades of dried prunes. The count-sizes of dried prunes

in this subpart refer to the count (or number) of prunes per pound of dried

prunes. The various sizes of dried prunes for the respective varietal types

are commonly designated as follows, but may be designated by other

numerical expressions:

(1) Type I; Type IV. 30/40, 40/50, 50/60, 60/70, 70/80, 80/90, 90/100,

100/120. 120 and over.

(2) Type II. 25/35, 35/45, 30/40, 40/50, 50/60, 60/70, 70/80, 80/90,

90/100.

(3) Type III. 15/20, 18/24, 20/30, 30/40, 40/50, 50/60, 60/70.

(b) Recommended size nomenclature. The following size nomenclature is

recommended for the respective count-sizes of dried prunes:

Extra large ................. Average: Not more than 43 prunes per pound.

Large ..................... Average: Not more than 53 prunes per pound.

Medium .................... Average: Not more than 67 prunes per pound.

Small ..................... Average: Not more than 85 prunes per pound.
3

§52.3184 Grades of dried prunes.

(a) U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of dried prunes that, except for

mixed types, possess similar varietal characteristics; that are fairly uniform

in size and average 85 prunes or less per pound; that meet the applicable

moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but regardless of size and kind of

packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture; and that do not exceed the

total allowances and limitations for defects shown in Table I of this subpart.

(b) U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice is the quality of dried prunes that, except for

mixed types, possess similar varietal characteristics; that are fairly uniform

in size; that meet the applicable moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but

regardless of size and kind of packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture;

and that do not exceed the total allowances and limitations for defects shown

in Table II of this subpart.

(c) U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard is the quality of dried prunes that, except for

mixed types, possess similar varietal characteristics; that are fairly uniform

in size; that meet the applicable moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but

regardless of size and kind of packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture;

and that do not exceed the total allowances and limitations for defects shown

in Table III of this subpart.

(d) Substandard is the quality of dried prunes that meet the applicable moisture

limits in Table IV of this subpart but regardless of size and kind of packaging

are reasonably uniform in moisture; and that may fail to meet other

requirements for U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard, but not more than 5

percent, by weight, of the dried prunes may be affected by mold, dirt, foreign

material, insect infestation, or decay: Provided, that not more than 1

percent, by weight, of the dried prunes may be affected by decay.
4

Table I--U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy; Allowances for Defects.

Total allowance Limitations

Not more than a total of 10 Not more than 6 percent, by Not more than 3 Not more than 1

percent, by weight, may be weight, may be damaged or percent, by weight, percent, by weight,

damaged or affected by: affected by: may be affected by: may be affected by:

Off-color.

Poor texture. Poor texture.

End cracks. End cracks.

Skin or flesh damage. 2/ Skin or flesh damage. 2/

Fermentation. Fermentation.

Scars. Scars.

Heat damage. Heat damage.

Insect injury. Insect injury.

Other means. Other means.

Mold. Mold. Mold.

Dirt. Dirt. Dirt.

Foreign material. Foreign material. Foreign material.

Insect infestation. Insect infestation. Insect infestation.

Decay. Decay. Decay. Decay.

Table II--U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice; Allowances for Defects.

Total allowance Limitations

Not more than a total of 15 Not more than 8 percent, by Not more than 4 Not more than 1

percent, by weight, may be weight, may be damaged or percent, by weight, percent, by weight,

damaged or affected by: affected by: may be affected by: may be affected by:

Off-color.

Poor texture. Poor texture.

End cracks. End cracks.

Skin or flesh damage. 2/ Skin or flesh damage. 2/

Fermentation. Fermentation.

Scars. Scars.

Heat damage. Heat damage.

Insect injury. Insect injury.

Other means. Other means.

Mold. Mold. Mold.

Dirt. Dirt. Dirt.

Foreign material. Foreign material. Foreign material.

Insect infestation. Insect infestation. Insect infestation.

Decay. Decay. Decay. Decay.

_1/ Except that each 1 percent of end cracks to, and including, 8 percent, by weight, shall be considered as 1/2

percent damaged by end cracks; and any additional end cracks shall be calculated as true percentage, by

weight.

_2/ Not applicable to Whole Pitted style.
5

Table III--U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard; Allowances for Defects

Total allowance Limitations

Not more than a total of 20 Not more than 10 percent, by Not more than 8 percent, Not more than 5

percent, by weight, may be weight, may be damaged or by weight, may be affected percent, by weight, may

damaged or affected by: affected by: by: be affected by:

Off-color.

Poor texture.

End cracks. _1/ End cracks. _1/

Skin or flesh damage. 2/ Skin or flesh damage. 2/ Skin or flesh damage. _2/

Fermentation. Fermentation. Fermentation.

Scars. Scars. Scars.

Heat damage. Heat damage. Heat damage.

Insect injury. Insect injury. Insect injury.

Other means. Other means. Other means.

Mold. Mold. Mold. Mold.

Dirt. Dirt. Dirt. Dirt.

Foreign material. Foreign material. Foreign material. Foreign Material.

Insect infestation. Insect infestation. Insect infestation. Insect infestation.

Decay. Decay. Decay. Decay.

Provided, that not more

than 1 percent, by

weight, may be affected

by decay.

_1/ Except that each 1 percent of end cracks to, and including, 8 percent, by weight, shall be considered as 1/2

percent damaged by end cracks; and any additional end cracks shall be calculated as true percentage, by

weight.

_2/ Not applicable to Whole Pitted style.
6

§52.3185 Moisture limits.

Dried prunes shall not exceed the moisture limits for the applicable grades and kind and

size of packaging as designated in Table IV of this subpart except there is no moisture limit

when safe and suitable preservatives have been added. Moisture means the percentage

be weight of the finished dried prunes, exclusive of pits, that is moisture when determined

by the Dried Fruit Moisture tester Method or in accordance with methods that give

equivalent results. The moisture limits in Table IV apply only to so-called bulk packs of

fried prunes packaged in non-hermetically sealed containers holding 10 pounds or more

of dried prunes when safe and suitable preservatives have not been added. Such

containers include, but are limited to, wood boxes or fiber boxes.

Table IV - Moisture Allowances for Dried Prunes

(Non-hermetically sealed containers; 10 pounds or more)

Grades

Maximum moisture limits

Counts averaging 60 or Counts averaging 61 or

less per pound more per pound

Percent Percent

U.S. Grade A or

U.S. Fancy ........... 25 24

U.S. Grade B or

U.S. Choice .......... 25 24

U.S. Grade C or

U.S. Standard ......... 25 24

Substandard .......... 25 24

§52.3186 Definitions for uniformity of size.

(a) Fairly uniform in size. Fairly uniform is size means that in a sample of

100 ounces:

(1) For prunes that average 53 prunes or less per pound, the count per

pound, the count per pound of 10 ounces of the smallest prunes does

not vary from the count per pound of 10 ounces of the largest prunes

by more than 25 points; or

(2) For prunes that average 54 prunes or more per pound, the count per

pound of 10 ounces of the smallest prunes does not vary from the

count per pound of 10 ounces of the largest prunes by more than 45

points.
7

§52.3187 Definitions and explanations of defects.

Dried prunes damaged or affected by the following are scorable as defects:

(a) Off-color. Off-color means a skin color different from characteristic black,

blue-black, reddish-purple, or other characteristic skin color for the type.

(b) Poor texture. Poor texture means porous, woody, or fibrous flesh or

immature prunes or prunes possessing flesh interspersed with excessive air

pockets in which the texture of the flesh is noticeably different from the flesh

of mature prunes which have been properly dried, handled, and processed.

Excessive air pockets means that the prunes are affected by air pockets to

the extent that the appearance and eating quality is seriously affected.

(c) End cracks. End cracks means callous apex-end cracks which, singly or

in the aggregate on a prune, are more than 3/8 inch in length but not more

than 1/2 inch in length.

(d) Skin or flesh damage. Skin or flesh damage in the case of Whole

Unpitted style means:

(1) Callous growth cracks (other than callous apex-end cracks) which,

singly or in the aggregate on a prune, exceed 3/8 inch in length; and

callous ape-end cracks which, singly or in the aggregate on a prune,

exceed 1/2 inch in length.

(2) Splits or skin breaks not having callous edges when the flesh is

mashed out beyond the protecting skin so as to affect materially the

normal appearance of the prune;

(3) Any cracks, splits, or skin breads open to the pit;

(4) Any skin damage from multiple short skin breaks giving a very rough

appearance to the prune such as may result from over-dipping, rain

damage, processing, or other causes which in Type I dried prunes

affect materially the appearance or edibility of the prune, or which in

other types or other mixtures affect markedly the appearance or

edibility of the prune.

(e) Fermentation. Fermentation means that the prune is fermented as

evidenced by a distinct sour taste or odor or by darkening in color

characteristic of fermentation or souring.

(f) Scars. Scars means:
8

(1) Tough or thick scab which, singly or in combination on a prune,

exceeds the area of a circle 3/8 inch in diameter such as may result

from thrip injury, mildew, leaf chafing, limb rubs, or other means; or

(2) Scab which is not tough or thick and which, singly or in combination

on a prune, exceeds the area of a circle 3/4 inch in diameter and

which is inconsequential but un sightly though practically blending in

color with the skin on the portion of the prune not affected.

(g) Heat damage. Heat damage means burning or scorching from the sun or

in dehydration so as to damage materially the skin or flesh, or both, of the

prune.

(h) Insect injury. Insect injury means healed or unhealed surface blemishes

and healed or unhealed blemishes extending into the flesh which affect

materially the appearance, edibility, or keeping quality of the prune but which

do not possess evidence of insect infestation.

(i) Other means. Other means includes damage by any injury or defect or

group of defects not specifically mentioned in this section which materially

affects the appearance, edibility, or keeping quality of the fruit, but other

means does not include defects of a nature such as defined in paragraph (j),

(k), (l), (m), or (n) of this section.

(j) Mold. Mold means a characteristic fungus growth as evidenced by a moldy

or smutty condition and which, singly or in the aggregate on a prune, is equal

to or exceeds the area of a circle 3/16 inch in diameter.

(k) Dirt. Dirt means the presence of any quantity of such substance, whether

imbedded or adhering to the prune, which gives the prune a dirty, smudgy

appearance and which may not be removed readily by washing.

(l) Foreign material. Foreign material means leaves, twigs, pieces of wood,

and similar extraneous materials which are objectionable.

(m) Insect infestation. Insect infestation means the presence of dead insects,

insect fragments, or insect remains. (No live insects are permitted).

(n) Decay. Decay means a state of decomposition, wholly or in part, of the

prune.
9

§52.3188 Work sheet for dried prunes.

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

Container mark or identification ...........................................................

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

Varietal type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Style ............................................

Size: Count per pound (Average). . . . . . .Uniformity ..........................................

( ) Extra large. ( ) Large.

( ) Medium. ( ) Small.

Moisture content. . . . percent; Uniformity ..................................................

Varietal characteristics: ( ) Similar ( ) Dissimilar ...........................................

Defects and summary of Grade A Grade B Grade C Substandard

allowances 1/ maximum maximum maximum maximum

Total of all defects, including off- No limit

color .......................

Total of all defects, including off- below.

color and poor texture .........

10 percent 15 percent ............

........... ............ 20 percent

except as

indicated

Poor texture, end cracks, skin or

flesh damage, 3/ fermentation,

scars, heat damage, insect injury,

other means, mold, dirt, foreign But no more But no more

material, insect infestation, decay than 6 than 8

percent. percent. ............

End cracks, 2/ skin or flesh

damage, 3/ fermentation, scars,

heat damage, insect injury, other

means, mold, dirt, foreign

material, insect infestation, decay ........... ............ 10 percent 2/

Skin or flesh damage, 3/

fermentation, scars, heat

damage, insect injury, other But no more

means, mold, dirt, foreign than 8

material, insect infestation, decay ........... ............ percent.

Mold, dirt, foreign material, insect

infestation, decay ............. 3 percent 4 percent 5 percent 5 percent

Decay ...................... But no more But no more But no more But no more

than 1 than 1 percent than 1 percent than 1

percent percent

Total .................................................................................

U.S. Grade (including all factors) ..........................................................

1/ Percentage of defects are by weight.

2/ Except that each 1 percent of end cracks to, and including 8 percent, by weight,

shall be considered as 1/2 percent damaged by end cracks; and any additional end

cracks shall be calculated as true percentage by weight.

3/ Allowances for skin or flesh damage apply only to Whole Unpitted style.
10

The United States Standards for Grades of Dried Prunes (which is the fourth issue)

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

hereof in the Federal Register and thereupon will supersede the United States Standards

for Grades of Dried Prunes which have been in effect since June 30, 1945.

Dated: October 19, 1956.

[SEAL]

Frank E. Blood

Acting Deputy Administrator,

Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 56-8600; Filed, Oct. 24, 1956, 8:45 a.m.]

Published in the Federal Register October 25, 1956 (21 F.R. 8177)

Amended in the Federal Register September 10, 1965 (30 F.R. 11595)