United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Canned Dried Prunes

Effective date May 12, 1976
This is the first issue, as amended, of the United States Standards for Grades of Canned

Dried Prunes published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of April 9, 1976 (41 FR 15016) to

become 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 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 Canned Dried Prunes

Section Page No.

52.5601 Product description. ........................................ 5

52.5602 Types and varieties of canned dried prunes. ..................... 5

52.5603 Grades of canned dried prunes. ............................... 5

52.5604 Liquid media and brix measurements. .......................... 6

52.5605 Recommended fill of container. ................................ 6

52.5606 Recommended minimum drained weight. ........................ 6

52.5607 Count of prunes. ........................................... 8

52.5608 Ascertaining the grade. ...................................... 8

52.5609 Ascertaining the rating of each factor. .......................... 8

52.5610 Color. ................................................... 8

52.5611 Uniformity of size. .......................................... 9

52.5612 Absence of defects. ........................................ 10

52.5613 Character of fruit. ......................................... 12

52.5614 Explanation of terms. ...................................... 12

52.5615 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ............................... 12

52.5616 Score sheet for canned dried prunes. .......................... 13

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
§52.5601 Product description.

Canned dried prunes is the product represented as defined in the Standards of Identity

for canned prunes (21 CFR 145.190) issued pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and

Cosmetic Act and are either pitted or unpitted.

§52.5602 Types and varieties of canned dried prunes.

(a) Sweet types includes such varieties as French, Imperials, Sugar, and Robe

de Sergeant varieties.

(b) Tart type including the Italian variety.

§52.5603 Grades of canned dried prunes.

(a) U. S. Grade A or U. S. Fancy canned dried prunes are dried prunes of

similar varietal characteristics; which possess a normal flavor and are of such quality with

respect to color, uniformity of size, absence of defects, and character of fruit as to score

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

herein.

(b) U. S. Grade B or U. S. Choice canned dried prunes are dried prunes of

similar varietal characteristics which possess a reasonably uniform typical color; are

reasonably free from defects; possess a reasonably good, tender, fleshy texture; possess

a normal flavor; and are of quality with respect to uniformity of size as to score not less

than 75 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined herein.

(c) U. S. Grade C or U. S. Standard canned dried prunes are dried prunes

which possess a fairly uniform, fairly good typical color; are fairly free from defects;

possess a fairly good texture; possess a normal flavor; and are of such quality with respect

to uniformity of size as to score not less than 60 points when scored in accordance with

the scoring system outlined herein.

(d) U.S. Grade D or Substandard canned dried prunes are dried prunes that

are wholesome and edible but fail to meet the requirements of U. S. Grade C or U. S.

Standard.
§52.5604 Liquid media and brix measurements.

Cut - out requirements for liquid media in canned dried prunes are not incorporated in the

grades of the finished product since sirup or any other liquid medium as such, is not a

factor of quality for the purposes of these grades. The designations of liquid packing

media and the Brix measurements, where applicable, are as follows:

Designations Brix Measurements

Extra heavy sirup; or Extra heavily

sweetened fruit juice(s) and water or

Extra heavily sweetened fruit juice(s).

30E or more but not more than 45E

Heavy sirup or Heavily sweetened fruit

juices(s) and water; or Heavily

sweetened fruit juice(s).

24E or more but less than 30E

Light sirup or Lightly sweetened fruit

juice(s) and water; or Lightly

sweetened fruit juice(s).

20E or more but less than 24E

Slightly sweetened water; or Extra

light sirup; or Slightly sweetened fruit

juice(s) and water; or Slightly

sweetened fruit juice(s).

Less than 20E

In water Not applicable

In fruit juice(s) and water Not applicable

In fruit juice(s) Not applicable

§52.5605 Recommended fill of container.

The container shall be filled with dried prunes as full as practicable without impairment of

quality. The product and packing medium occupies not less than 90 percent of the total

volume capacity of the container.

§52.5606 Recommended minimum drained weight.

(a) General.

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

in Table II are not incorporated in the grades of the finished product

since drained weight, as such, 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 ascertaining drained weight. The drained weight is

determined by emptying the contents of the container upon a U. S. Standard

No. 8 circular sieve of proper diameter containing 8 meshes to the inch

(0.0937 + 3 percent, square openings) so as to distribute the product evenly,

inclining the sieve to a 17 to 20 degree angle to facilitate drainage, and

allowing the product to drain for two minutes. The drained weight is the

weight of the sieve and prunes less the weight of the dry sieve. A sieve 8

inches in diameter is used for No. 3 size cans (404 x 414) and smaller sizes,

and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for containers larger than the No.

3 size can.

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

canned prunes is considered as meeting the minimum drained weight

recommendations if the following criteria are met:

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

sample meet the recommended minimum drained weight specified in

Table I; and

(2) Any sample unit(s) which fail to meet the recommended minimum

drained weight is within the range of good commercial practice.

TABLE I

CONTAINER SIZE OR

NAME

Recommended drained weight

Metal containers Glass containers

Regular pack Heavy pack Regular pack

8 oz. ................ 5 - 1/2 oz. ............................

No. 1 Tall ............ 10 - 3/4 oz. ............................

No. 2 ................ 13 oz. .......... ..................

No. 2 - 1/2 ............ 19 oz. 29 oz. 18 oz.

No. 10 ............... 70 oz. 110 oz. ..................
(e) Canned dried prunes that meet recommended drained weight requirements

for Heavy Pack will be certified as Heavy Pack in addition to the grade

statement.

§52.5607 Count of prunes.

Federal inspection certification will indicate the count of prunes found upon examination.

§52.5608 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) The grade of canned dried prunes may be ascertained by considering, in

addition to the foregoing requirements, the following factors: Color, uniformity of size,

absence of defects, and character of fruit. The relative importance of each factor which

is scored is expressed numerically on a scale of 100. The maximum number of points that

may be given each factor is:

Factor: Points

Color ...................................................... 20 

Uniformity of size ............................................. 15 

Absence of defects ............................................ 30 

Character of fruit ............................................. 35 

Total score ................................................. 100 

§52.5609 Ascertaining the rating of each factor.

The essential variations within each factor are so described that the value may be

ascertained for each factor and expressed numerically. The numerical ranges within each

factor are inclusive. For example, the range 18 to 20 points means 18, 19, or 20 points.

§52.5610 Color.

(a) "A"Classification. Canned dried prunes that possess a practically uniform,

typical color may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. Practically uniform,

typical color means that the color of the skins of the prunes is typical and

may be black, blue - black, or reddish brown; and that not more than 5

percent by count of the prunes may possess a dull chocolate brown surface

color or may possess abnormal darkening of the flesh due to carmelization

or fermentation.
(b) "B" Classification. If the canned dried prunes possess a reasonably

uniform, typical color a score of 15 to 17 points may be given. Reasonably

uniform, typical color means that the color of the skins of the prunes is

typical and may be black, blue - black, or reddish brown; and that not more

than 10 percent by count of the prunes may possess a dull chocolate brown

surface color or may possess abnormal darkening of the flesh due to

carmelization or fermentation.

(c) "C" Classification. If the canned dried prunes possess a fairly uniform,

fairly good typical color, a score of 12 to 14 points may be given. Canned

dried prunes that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U. S.

Grade C or U. S. Standard, regardless of the total score for the product (this

is a limiting rule). Fairly uniform, fairly good typical color means that the

skins of the prunes may vary in shades of typical colors and that not more

than 15 percent by count of the prunes may possess a dull chocolate brown

surface color or may possess abnormal darkening of the flesh due to

carmelization or fermentation.

(d) "D"Classification. Canned dried prunes that are definitely off color for any

reason or that otherwise fail to meet requirements of paragraph (c) of this

section may be given a score of 0 to 11 points and shall not be graded above

U. S. Grade D or Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product

(this is a limiting rule).

§52.5611 Uniformity of size.

(a) "A" Classification. Canned dried prunes that are practically uniform in size

may be given a score of 14 or 15 points. Practically uniform in size means

that the weight of the largest prune may not exceed the weight of the

smallest prune by more than 75 percent.

(b) "B" Classification. If the canned dried prunes are reasonably uniform in

size, a score of 12 or 13 points may be given. Reasonably uniform in size

means that the weight of the largest prune may not be more than twice the

weight of the smallest prune.

(c) "C" Classification. Canned dried prunes that vary in size may be given a

score of 10 or 11 points.
§52.5612 Absence of defects.

(a) Definitions of defects. The factor of absence of defects refers to the

degree of freedom from the following:

(1) Prunes that possess growth cracks, splits, breaks in the skin, or skin

damage of the following descriptions:

(i) Calloused growth cracks aggregating more than 3/8 inch in

length.

(ii) Splits or breaks not having calloused edges when the flesh is

mashed out beyond the protecting skin so as to affect

materially the normal appearance of the prunes.

(iii) Any cracks, splits, or breaks open to the pit.

(iv) Skin damage caused by overdipping, rain, processing or other

causes which materially affects the appearance of the prunes.

(2) Prunes that possess area of scab of the following descriptions:

(i) Tough or thick scab exceeding in the aggregate the area of a

circle 3/8 inch in diameter.

(ii) Scab of other character exceeding in the aggregate the area

of a circle 3/4 inch in diameter

(3) Prunes that are so affected by burning or scorching in the sun, or in

dehydration, as to damage materially the skin or flesh.

(4) Prunes that are damaged by insect injury or other similar defects.

(5) Tough or thick scab means thick leathery area on the skin frequently

formed as the result of thrip injury, mildew, leaf chafing, limb rubs, or

other means. Such scab is to be distinguished from scab of other

character which is more or less inconsequential and practically

blends in color with the skin on the portion of the prune not affected.
(6) Damaged by insect injury means healed or unhealed surface

blemishes, and healed or unhealed blemishes in the flesh which

materially affect the appearance, edibility, or keeping quality of the

fruit but which do not possess evidence of insect infestation.

(7) Damaged by other similar defects means any injury or defect or

group of defects not mentioned herein which materially affect the

appearance, edibility, or keeping quality of the fruit.

(b) "A" Classification. Canned dried prunes that are practically free from

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

defects means that there may be present not more than 5 percent by count

of prunes affected by any defect or any combination of defects mentioned in

paragraph (a) (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section. One prune that is defective

is permitted if it exceeds 5 percent by count.

(c) "B" Classification. If the canned dried prunes are reasonably free from

defects, a score of 22 to 26 points may be given. Reasonably free from

defects means that there may be present not more than 10 percent by count

of prunes affected by any defect or any combination of defects mentioned in

paragraph (a) (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section. One prune that is defective

is permitted if it exceeds 10 percent by count.

(d) "C" Classification. If the canned dried prunes are fairly free from defects,

a score of 17 to 21 points may be given. Canned dried prunes that fall into

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

Standard, regardless of the total score for the product. Fairly free from

defects means that there may be present not more than 15 percent by count

of prunes affected by any defect or combination of defects mentioned in

paragraph (a) (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section.

(e) "D" Classification. Canned dried prunes that fail to meet the requirements

of paragraph (d) of this section, may be given a score of 0 to 16 points and

shall not be graded above U. S. Grade D or Substandard, regardless of the

total score for the product.
§52.5613 Character of fruit.

(a) "A" Classification. Canned dried prunes that possess a good, tender,

fleshy texture may be given a score of 31 to 35 points. Good tender, fleshy

texture means that the prunes are thick - fleshed; that not more than 5

percent by count of prunes have fibrous or tough skins; and that not more

than 10 percent by count of prunes may be soft or hard in texture. One

prune that possesses a tough skin, is soft, or is hard, is permitted, if one

prune exceeds 5 percent or 10 percent by count.

(b) "B" Classification. If canned dried prunes possess a reasonably good,

tender, fleshy texture, a score of 26 to 30 points may be given. Reasonably

good, tender, fleshy texture means that the prunes are reasonably thick -

fleshed; that not more than 10 percent by count of prunes may have fibrous

or tough skins; and that not more than 15 percent by count of prunes may be

soft or hard in texture.

(c) "C" Classification. If the canned dried prunes possess a fairly good

texture, a score of 21 to 25 points may be given. Canned dried prunes that

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

Standard, regardless of the total score for the product. Fairly good texture

means that the prunes may vary in thickness and texture of flesh or may

possess fibrous or tough skins; and that not more than 20 percent by count

of prunes may be soft or hard in texture.

(d) "D" Classification. Canned dried prunes 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 U. S. Grade D or Substandard, regardless of the

total score for the product.

§52.5614 Explanation of terms.

(a) 24E Brix means that the packing medium surrounding the fruit tests 24

degrees when tested with a Brix spindle, or hydrometer, or with

refractometer, read at the proper temperature for the instrument used.

(b) Normal canned dried prune flavor means that the product is free from

objectionable odors or objectionable flavors of any kind.

§52.5615 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned dried prunes 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).
§52.5616 Score sheet for canned dried prunes.

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

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

Label ..........................................................................................

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

Vacuum (inches) ................................................................................

Drained weight (ounces) ..........................................................................

Sirup (Degree Brix) ..............................................................................

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

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

Factors Score points

Color ......................... 20 (C) 12 - 14 1/

(A) 18 - 20

(B) 15 - 17

(D) 0 - 11

Uniformity of size ............... 15 (B) 12 - 13

(A) 14 - 15

(C) 10 - 11

Absence of defects ............. 30 (C) 17 - 21 1/

(A) 27 - 30

(B) 22 - 26

(D) 0 - 16 1/

Character ..................... 35 (C) 21 - 25 1/

(A) 31 - 35

(B) 26 - 30

(D) 0 - 20 1/

Total score ......... 100

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

Flavor .........................................................................................

1/ Indicates limiting rules within classification. 

The U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Dried Prunes as herein amended, shall become effective May 12, 1976, and

thereupon will supersede the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Dried Prunes which have been in effect since May 24,

1967.

Dated: April 6, 1976

/s/ 

Donald E> Wilkinson

Administrator

Agricultural Marketing Service