United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards for

Grades of

Frozen Berries

Effective date May 24, 1967
This is the first issue, as amended, of the Unites States Standards for Grades of Frozen

Berries published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of May 24, 1967 (32 FR 7576) to become

effective May24, 1967. This issue supersedes the first issue, which has been in effect since

August 15, 1946.

Voluntary U.S. grade standards are issued under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing

Act of 1946, which provides for the development of officialU.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 fruitand vegetable products, is offered to interested parties, uponapplication, 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

severalprocessed fruits and vegetables are available uponrequest for a nominalfee. 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 whichmightaidinimproving the

standards in future revisions. Comments may be submitted to, and copies ofstandards 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 Berries

Section Page No.

§52.5881 Product description. ............................................. 2

§52.5882 Types of frozen berries. .......................................... 2

§52.5883 Grades of frozen berries. ......................................... 2

§52.5884 Grades of frozen berries for manufacturing. ......................... 2

§52.5885 Types of pack. ................................................. 3

§52.5886 Ascertaining the grade. .......................................... 4

§52.5887 Ascertaining the rating of each factor. .............................. 4

§52.5888 Color. ......................................................... 4

§52.5889 Absence of defects. ............................................. 6

§52.5890 Character. ..................................................... 7

§52.5891 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. .................................... 9

§52.5892 Score sheet for frozen berries. .................................... 10

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

§52.5881 Product description.

Frozenberries are prepared from the properly ripened fresh fruit of the plant (Genus Rubus);

are stemmed and cleaned;maybe packed with or without packing media;and arefrozenand

stored at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product.

§52.5882 Types of frozen berries.

(a) Blackberries.

(b) Boysenberries.

(c) Dewberries.

(d) Loganberries.

(e) Youngberries.

(f) Other similar types, such as Nectarberries.

§52.5883 Grades of frozen berries.

(a) U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy frozen berries are berries of similar varietal

characteristics whichpossess a practically uniform typicalcolor; are practically

freefromdefects;possessa good character; possess a normalflavorand odor;

and score not less than 85 points when scored inaccordance with the scoring

system outlined herein.

(b) U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice frozen berries are berries of similar varietal

characteristics which possess a reasonably uniform typical color; are

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

a normal flavor and odor; and score not less than 70 points when scored in

accordance with the scoring system outlined herein.

(c) U.S. Grade D or Substandard frozen berries are berries thatfail to meet the

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

§52.5884 Grades of frozen berries for manufacturing.

(a) U.S. Grade A for Manufacturing or U.S. Fancy Grade for Manufacturing

frozen berries are berries of similar varietal characteristics which possess a

practicallyuniformtypicalcolor;possessareasonablygood character; possess

a normal flavor and odor; and there may be present:
3

(1) Not more than 4 sepal-like bracts per 16 ounces of net weight;

(2) Notmore thanone stem or one leafor a piece ofleafor the approximate

equivalent of not full cap per 48 ounces of net weight; and

(3) Notmore than5 percent, by weight, of berries thatmaybe undeveloped

or damaged.

(b) U.S. Grade B for Manufacturing or U.S.Choice Grade for Manufacturing

frozen berries are berries of similar varietal characteristics which possess a

reasonably uniform typicalcolor; maypossess a fairly good character typicalof

fairly well-ripened to very ripe berries with notmore than30 percent, byweight,

for blackberries and not more than 40 percent, by weight, for boysenberries,

dewberries, loganberries, youngberries, and other similar types that may be

crushed; possess a normal flavor and odor; and there may be present:

(1) Not more than 10 sepal-like bracts per 16 ounces of net weight;

(2) Notmore thanone stem or one leafor a piece of leafor the approximate

equivalent of one full cap per 16 ounces of net weight; and

(3) Notmorethan10percent,byweight, of berries thatmaybe undeveloped

or damaged.

(c) U.S.Grade D forManufacturingorSubstandardforManufacturing frozen

berries are berries that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B for

Manufacturing or U.S. Choice Grade for Manufacturing.

§52.5885 Types of pack.

(a) Frozen berries are often packed with added sugar or added sugar and

water. Sugar packs are usually designated by the amount of fruit to sugar; for

example, 6+1 means that at the time of packing, 1 pound of sugar was added

to 6 pounds of berries.

(b) It is recommended that the quantity of liquid packing medium, if used, is not in

excess of the amount normally required by good commercial practice.
4

§52.5886 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) The grade of frozen berries is determined immediately after thawing to the

extent that the units may be separated easily.

(b) Normalflavor and odor means thatthe berries are free from objectionable or

off flavors or objectionable odors of any kind.

(c) The grade of frozen berries may be ascertained by considering in addition to

the foregoing requirements, the following factors: Color, absence of defects,

and character.

(d) The relative importance of each factor has been expressed numerically on a

scale of 100. The maximum number of points that may be given for each factor

is:

Factors Points

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

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

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

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

30

40

 30

100

§52.5887 Ascertaining the rating of each factor.

The essentialvariations withineachfactor are sodescribedthatthe value maybe ascertained

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

inclusive. For example, the range 25 to 30 means 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30.

§52.5888 Color.

(a) "A" classification. To receive a score of 25 to 30 points the frozen berries

must possess a practically uniform typical color. Practically uniform typical

color means that not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of the berries

mayvarymarkedly fromthe intensityand lusterof the characteristic color of wellripened berries, provided notmore than5percent,byweight, of the berries vary

markedly from the intensity and luster of the characteristic color of reasonably

well-ripened berries.
5

(b) "B" classification. If the frozen berries possess a reasonably uniform typical

color, a score of 21 to 24 points maybe given. Frozen berries 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. Reasonably uniform typical

color means that not more than 15 percent, by weight, of the berries mayvary

markedly from the intensity and luster of the characteristic color of reasonably

well-ripenedberries, provided notmore than5 percent, byweight, ofthe berries

are definitely off color for any reason.

(c) "D" classification. Frozen berries that fail to meet the requirements of

paragraph (b) of this section or that are definitely off color for any reason 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.

(d) The evaluation of the score points for the factor of color may be determined

from the following table which denotes the variation in color allowed for the

score indicated:

Classification Score Points

Marked variation from

color of well-ripened

berries

Marked variation from

color of reasonably

well-ripened berries

Definitely off

color for any

reason

Maximum (by weight)

A

30 None None

29 2% including not more than 1%

28 4% including not more than 2%

27 6% including not more than 3%

26 8% including not more than 4%

25 10% including not more than 5%

B

24 ..................... 6% including not more than 1%

23 ..................... 9% including not more than 2%

22 ..................... 12% including not more than 3%

21 ..................... 15% including not more than 5%

D 20 or less More than allowances permitted in (B) classification.
6

§52.5889 Absence of defects.

(a) General. The factor of absence of defects refers to the degree offreedomfrom

harmless extraneous vegetable material; from leaves, pieces of leaves, stems,

and caps; fromundeveloped berries; and from berries damaged byblemishes,

insect, pathological, or other similar injury.

(b) Definitions of defects:

(1) A berryis considered undeveloped if it is shriveled or ifmore thanonefourth of the berry possesses hard, undeveloped drupelets.

(2) Damage includes any surface blemish having an aggregate area

exceeding that ofa circle 1/4 inchin diameter or any noticeable blemish

that extends into the fruit tissue.

(c) "A" classification. To receive a score of 34 to 40 points the frozen berries

must be practically free from defects. Practically free from defects means

thattheremaybepresentnotmore than2 sepal-like bracts per 16 ounces of net

weight; not more thanone stem or one leaf or piece of leaf or the approximate

equivalent of one full cap per 48 ounces of net weight; and thatnotmore than5

percent, by weight, of berries may be undeveloped or damaged.

(d) "B" classification. If the frozen berries are reasonably free from defects, a

score of 28 to 33 points may be given. Frozen berries 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. Reasonably free from defects

means that there may be present not more than 5 sepal-like bracts and not

more than one stem or one leaf or piece of leaf or the approximate equivalent

of one full cap per 16 ounces of net weight; and thatnot more than 10 percent,

by weight, of berries may be undeveloped or damaged.

(e) "D" classification. Frozen berries that fail to meet the requirements of

paragraph(d) of this sectionmaybe givena score ofzero to 27 points and shall

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

score for the product.

(f) The evaluation of the score for the factor of absence of defects may be

determined from the following table which denotes the maximum allowance for

each type of defect for the score indicated:
7

Classification Score Points

Harmless extraneous material Undeveloped or

damaged

Sepal-like berries

bracts

Leaves, stems,

full caps

Maximum

Per 16 ounces

net weight

Per 48 ounces net

weight

(by weight)

A

40 0 None 0%

39 1 None 1%

38 1 1 2%

37 1 1 3%

36 2 1 3%

35 2 1 4%

34 2 1 5%

Per 16 ounces net

weight

B

33 3 None 6%

32 3 1 6%

31 4 1 7%

30 4 1 8%

29 5 1 9%

28 5 1 10%

D 27 or less More than allowances permitted in B Classification

§52.5890 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the maturity, texture, and

appearance, as well as to the degree of disintegration of the berries. A berry

is considered crushed if more than 50 percent of the drupelets are crushed,

broken, or detached, or if the normalshape of the berry is otherwise materially

affected or destroyed.
8

(b) "A" classification. To receive a score of 26 to 30 points the frozen berries

must possess a good character. Good character means that the berries are

mature and ripe but not overripe, are fleshy and tender, and are practically

intact; that the berries and accompanying liquor are practically free from

detached seed cells; and that not more than 5 percent, by weight, of

blackberries may be crushed and not more than 10 percent, by weight, of

dewberries, boysenberries, loganberries, youngberries, or other similar types

may be crushed. 

(c) "B" classification. If the frozenberries possessareasonablygood character,

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

means thatthe berries are reasonably mature and maybe notmore thanslightly

immature nor slightly overmature; that the berries maybe notmore thanslightly

lacking in fleshy texture; that the berries and any accompanying liquor are

reasonably free from detached seed cells; and that not more than 15 percent,

by weight, of blackberries may be crushed and not more than 20 percent, by

weight, of dewberries, boysenberries, loganberries, youngberries, or other

similar types may be crushed.

(d) "D" classification. Frozen berries that fail to meet the requirements of

paragraph(c) of this sectionmaybe givena score of zero to 20 points and shall

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

score for the product.

(e) The evaluationof the score for character may be determined from the following

table which denotes the maximum allowances for berries that are crushed.
9

Classification Score Points Maturity and texture Detached seed

cells

Crushed

Blackberries

Dewberries,

Boysenberries,

Loganberries,

Youngberries,

and other similar

types

Maximum (by weight)

A

30

Ripe but not over-ripe;

fleshy and tender.

Berries and

accompanying

liquor-practically

free.

1% 2%

29 2% 4%

28 3% 6%

27 4% 8%

26 5% 10%

B

25

Not more than slightly

immature nor slightly

 overmature; not more

than slightly lacking in

fleshy texture.

Berries and

accompanying

liquor-reasonably

free.

7% 12%

24 9% 14%

23 11% 16%

22 13% 18%

21 15% 20%

D 20 or less More than allowances permitted in B Classification.

§52.5891 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of frozen berries covered by these standards is determined by the

procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspectionand Certification of Processed

Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed Food

Products (§52.1 through §52.83).
10

§52.5892 Score sheet for frozen berries.

No. size and kind of container ...............................................

Label: Style of pack: Fruit-sugar ratio (If shown) ...............................

Container mark or identification

Container or sample

Cases

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

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

Factors Score points

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

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

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

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

30

40

30

100

"A" 25-30

"B" 21-24 _1/

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

"A" 34-40

"B" 28-33 _1/

"SStd" 0-27 _1/

"A" 26-30

"B" 21-25 _1/

"SStd" 0-20 _1/

Normal flavor and odor ....................................................

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

_1/ Limiting rule.

Published in the Federal Register of May 24, 1967 (32 F.R. 7576)

Dated: May 16, 1967

G.R. Grange,

Deputy Administrator,

Marketing Services.