United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Frozen Concentrated

Apple Juice

Effective date May 15, 1975
This is the first issue, of the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Concentrated

Apple Juice published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of March 25, 1975 (40 FR 13195) to

become effective May 15, 1975.

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 fruit 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 Concentrated Apple Juice

Section Page No.

§52.6321 Product description. ........................................ 2

§52.6322 Brix requirements. .......................................... 2

§52.6323 Grades. .................................................. 2

§52.6324 Recommended fill of container. ................................ 3

§52.6325 Ascertaining the grade. ...................................... 3

§52.6326 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ............ 4

§52.6327 Color and clarity. ........................................... 4

§52.6328 Defects. .................................................. 4

§52.6329 Flavor and aroma. .......................................... 5

§52.6330 Explanation of terms. ....................................... 6

§52.6331 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ................................ 7

§52.6332 Score sheet. .............................................. 7

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

§52.6321 Product description.

Frozen concentrated apple juice is prepared from the unfermented, unsweetened,

unacidified liquid obtained from the first pressing of properly prepared, sound, clean,

mature, fresh apples, and/or parts thereof by good commercial processes. The juice is

clarified and concentrated to at least 22.9 degrees Brix. The apple juice concentrate so

prepared, with or without the addition of ingredients permissible under the Federal Food,

Drug, and Cosmetic Act, is packed and frozen in accordance with good commercial

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

§52.6322 Brix requirements.

Brix value of the finished concentrate shall not be less than the following for the respective

dilution factor of frozen concentrated apple juice:

Dilution Factor Value of Concentrate

Minimum Brix

(Degrees)

1 plus 1 22.9

2 plus 1 33.0

3 plus 1 42.2

4 plus 1 50.8

5 plus 1 58.8

6 plus 1 66.3

7 plus 1 73.3

§52.6323 Grades.

(a) U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of frozen concentrated apple juice

which, when reconstituted according to §52.6325 (b), has the following

attributes:

(1) Good color and clarity;

(2) Is practically free from defects;

(3) Very good flavor and aroma; and 
3

(4) Scores 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 frozen concentrated apple

juice which, when reconstituted according to §52.6325 (b), has at least the

following attributes:

(1) reasonably good color and clarity;

(2) Is reasonably free from defects;

(3) Good flavor and aroma; and

(4) Scores not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the

scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(c) Substandard is the quality of frozen concentrated apple juice that fails to

meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B.

§52.6324 Recommended fill of container.

Recommended fill of container is not incorporated in the grades of the finished product

since the fill of the container, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purposes of these

grades. It is recommended that the container be filled with frozen concentrated apple juice

to not less than 90 percent of the capacity of the container.

§52.6325 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) The grade of frozen concentrated apple juice is ascertained by considering,

in conjunction with the requirements of the respective grade, the respective

ratings for the factors which are scored. The relative importance of each

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

maximum number of points which may be given such factors are:

Factors Points

Color and clarity .......................

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

Flavor and aroma ......................

Total score .......................

20

20

60

 

100
4

(b) The scores for the factors of color and clarity, defects, and flavor and aroma

are determined immediately after reconstituting according to label directions

or other appropriate directions.

§52.6326 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored.

The essential variations, within each scoreable factor, 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).

§52.6327 Color and clarity.

(a) "A" classification. Frozen concentrated apple juice which has a good color

and clarity may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. Good color and clarity

means that the color, of the frozen concentrated apple juice after

reconstitution, is bright and transparent and of a light golden appearance,

but not darker than USDA Honey Color Standards White designation.

(b) "B" classification. Frozen concentrated apple juice which has a

reasonably good color and clarity may be given a score of 16 or 17 points.

Reasonably good color and clarity means the color, of the frozen

concentrated apple juice after reconstitution, is slightly dull or slightly turbid;

may be light golden to light amber in appearance but not darker than USDA

Honey Color Standards Light Amber designation. Frozen concentrated

apple juice that falls into this classification shall not be graded above U.S.

Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

(c) "SStd" classification. Frozen concentrated apple juice that is dull, turbid

or otherwise fails the requirements of U.S. Grade B may be given a score of

0 to 15 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the

total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.6328 Defects.

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

sediment or other residues, dark specks, or any other defects which affect

the appearance or palatability of the product.
5

(b) "A" classification. Frozen concentrated apple juice which is practically free

from defects may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. Practically free from

defects means that the frozen concentrated apple juice after reconstitution

may have a slight amount of sediment or residue of an amorphous nature;

may have not more than a trace of dark specks or of sediment or residue of

a non-amorphous nature, or any other defects: Provided, that all defects

present do not more than slightly affect the appearance or palatability of the

product.

(c) "B" classification. Frozen concentrated apple juice which is reasonably

free from defects may be given a score of 16 or 17 points. Reasonably free

from defects means that the frozen concentrated apple juice after

reconstitution may have a slight amount of sediment or residue of an

amorphous or non-amorphous nature, of dark specks, or of any other

defects: Provided, that all defects present do not materially affect the

appearance or palatability of the product. Frozen concentrated apple juice

that falls into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B,

regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

(d) "SStd" classification. Frozen concentrated apple juice which fails to meet

the requirements for U.S. Grade B may be given a score of 0 to 15 points

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

the product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.6329 Flavor and aroma.

(a) General. The factor of flavor and aroma refers to the degree of excellence

and palatability of a distinct apple juice flavor and aroma typical of apple

juice that has been properly processed.

(b) "A" classification. Frozen concentrated apple juice which has a very good

flavor and aroma may be given a score of 54 to 60 points. Very good flavor

and aroma means that the frozen concentrated apple juice after

reconstitution has a fine, distinct fruity flavor and bouquet, that is free from

astringent flavors, flavors due to overripe apples, oxidation, caramelization,

or ground or musty flavors, and is free from objectionable flavors or

objectionable aromas of any kind; and in addition, meets the following

requirement:

Brix-Acid Ratio Minimum 21:1

Maximum 53:1
6

(c) "B" classification. Frozen concentrated apple juice which has a good

flavor and aroma may be given a score of 48 to 53 points. Good flavor and

aroma means that the frozen concentrated apple juice after reconstitution

has a normal flavor and bouquet, may be slightly astringent; or may be

slightly affected by overripe apples, oxidation, caramelization, or ground or

musty flavors, but is free from objectionable flavors or objectionable aromas

of any kind; and, in addition, meets the following requirement:

Brix-Acid Ratio Minimum 18:1

Maximum 60:1

Frozen concentrated apple juice that falls into this classification shall not be

graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total score for the product

(this is a limiting rule).

(d) "SStd" classification. Frozen concentrated apple juice that fails to meet

the requirements of U.S. Grade B may be given a score of 0 to 47 points and

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

product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.6330 Explanation of terms.

(a) Brixmeans soluble solids of the concentrated apple juice as measured on

the Refractometer, expressed as percent by weight sucrose (degrees Brix)

with correction for temperature to the equivalent at 20E C (68E F), but without

correction for invert sugar or other substances. The Brix of frozen

concentrated apple juice may be determined by any other method which

gives equivalent results.

(b) Acid means grams of acid (calculated as malic acid) per 100 grams of

concentrated juice determined by titration with a standard sodium hydroxide

solution, using phenolphthalein as an indicator or any other satisfactory

indicator and using an acid factor of 0.067.

(c) Brix-Acid ratio means the ratio of the Brix of the concentrated juice in

degrees Brix to the grams of acid (calculated as malic acid) per 100 grams

of concentrated juice.
7

(d) The USDA Honey Color Standards, referenced in §52.6327, and information

concerning procurement and use is available 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

§52.6331 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of frozen concentrated apple juice 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).

§52.6332 Score sheet.

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

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

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

Net contents (fluid ounces) ...............................................................

Brix (degrees) .........................................................................

Acid (malic grams/100 grams) ............................................................

Brix-Acid ratio ..........................................................................

Factors Score Points

Color and clarity .............................

"A" 18-20 

20 "B" 16-17 _1/

"SStd" 0-15 _1/

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

"A" 18-20 

20 "B" 16-17 _1/

"SStd" 0-15 _1/

Flavor and aroma ............................

"A" 54-60 

60 "B" 48-53 _1/

"SStd" 0-47 _1/

Total Score 100

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

1/ Indicates limiting rule.
8

Effective date. These grade standards, which are the first issue by the Department for

frozen concentrated apple juice, shall become effective May 15, 1975.

Dated: March 19, 1975

E. L. Peterson

Administrator

Agricultural Marketing Service

Published in the Federal Register of March 25, 1975 (40 F.R. 13195).