United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Frozen Concentrated

Sweetened Grape Juice

Effective date November 1, 1957
This is the first issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Concentrated

Sweetened Grape Juice published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of August 2, 1957 (22 FR

6077) to become effective November 1, 1957.

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 Concentrated Sweetened Grape Juice

Section Page No.

§52.2451 Product description. ....................................... 2

§52.2452 Types of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice. .............. 2

§52.2453 Styles of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice. .............. 2

§52.2454 Grades of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice. ............. 3

§52.2455 Recommended fill of container. ................................ 3

§52.2456 Ascertaining the grade. ...................................... 3

§52.2457 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ............ 4

§52.2458 Color .................................................... 4

§52.2459 Defects .................................................. 5

§52.2460 Flavor. ................................................... 6

§52.2461 Definition of terms used in these standards. ..................... 9

§52.2462 Methods of analysis. ....................................... 10

§52.2463 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ............................... 12

§52.2464 Score sheet for frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice. ........ 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).
2

§52.2451 Product description. 

Frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice is prepared from unfermented single-strength

grape juice from sound properly mature fresh grapes which, with or without aging, or

depectinization, is then concentrated. Single-strength grape juice or natural grape

essence or a combination of single-strength grape juice and natural grape essence may

be mixed to the concentrate, and packed with the addition of nutritive sweetening

ingredient and with or without ascorbic acid. Edible fruit acid may be added to adjust the

flavor. The product is then frozen in accordance with good commercial practice and

maintained at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product.

§52.2452 Types of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice.

(a) Type I. Frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice prepared from grapes

of the slip-skin varieties of the Concord type of the Labrusca species. Not

less than 50 percent of the total soluble solids of the finished concentrate

shall be derived from the grapes.

(b) Type II. Frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice prepared from a

mixture of Type I with one or more varieties other than Type I. Not less than

50 percent of the total soluble solids of the finished concentrate shall be

derived from the grapes, of which, not less than one-half shall be derived

from Type I grapes.

§52.2453 Styles of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice.

Brix value of the finished concentrate (including added sweetening ingredient) shall be not

less than the following for the respective dilution factor of frozen concentrated sweetened

grape juice:

Dilution factor finished concentrate

Minimum Brix value of

including added

sweetening ingredient

1 plus 1 .....................................

1 plus 2 .....................................

1 plus 3 ....................................

1 plus 4 .....................................

1 plus 5 .....................................

1 plus 6 .....................................

Degrees

24.8

35.5

45.4

54.5

62.8

70.7
3

§52.2454 Grades of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice.

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

grape juice which reconstitutes properly and of which the reconstituted

product possesses a good color; is practically free from defects; possesses

a good flavor; and scores not less than 85 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

sweetened grape juice which reconstitutes properly and of which the

reconstituted product possesses a reasonably good color; is reasonably free

from defects; possesses a reasonably good flavor; and scores not less than

70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this

subpart.

(c) Substandard is the quality of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice

that fails to meet the requirements of U. S. Grade B or U. S. Choice.

§52.2455 Recommended fill of container.

The recommended fill of container is not incorporated in the grades of the finished product

since fill of container, as such is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades.

It is recommended that the container be filled with frozen concentrated sweetened grape

juice as full as practicable without impairment of quality.

§52.2456 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) The grade of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice is ascertained by

considering the factors of quality which are not scored and those which are

scored as follows:

(1) Factors which are not scored. Ease of mixing into grape juice

beverage.

(2) 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 that may be given such factors are:
4

Factors Points

Color ...................................................... 40 

Defects ..................................................... 20 

Flavor ...................................................... 40 

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

(b) The scores for the factors of color, defects, and flavor are determined

immediately after the grape juice beverage has been prepared by thoroughly

mixing the frozen concentrate with a specific volume of water as directed by

the manufacturer.

§52.2457 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 each factor and expressed numerically. The numerical range

within each factor which is scored is inclusive. (For example, 17 to 20 points means 17,

18, 19, or 20 points).

§52.2458 Color

(a) "A" classification. Frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice of which the

prepared grape juice beverage possesses a good color may be given a score

of 34 to 40 points. Good color has the following meanings with respect to

the types of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice.

(1) Type I. A bright reddish-purple color characteristic of a grape juice

beverage properly prepared from Concord type grape juice and, in

addition, the grape juice beverage prepared conforms to the following

requirements:

Minimum absorbency at 520 millimicrons ................ 4.0 1/

Minimum absorbency ratio ........................... 1.5 1/
5

(2) Type II. A bright color characteristic of a grape juice beverage

properly prepared from Type I juice and from varietal type or varietal

types of juice other than Type I and, in addition, the grape juice

beverage prepared conforms to the following requirements:

Minimum absorbency at 520 millimicrons ................ 4.0 1/

Minimum absorbency ratio ........................... 1.5 1/

1/ Determined according to Instructions §52.2462.

(b) "B" classification. If the prepared grape juice beverage possesses a

reasonably good color a score of 28 to 33 points may be given. Frozen

concentrated sweetened grape juice that falls 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 has the

following meanings with respect to the types of frozen concentrated

sweetened grape juice:

(1) Type I. A reddish-purple color characteristic of a grape juice

beverage prepared from Concord type grape juice and

which color may be slightly dull but which is not off color

for any reason.

(2) Type II. A color that reflects to a reasonable extent the

appearance characteristic of a grape juice beverage

prepared from Type I juice and from any varietal type or

varietal types of juice other than Type I and which color

may be slightly dull but not off color for any reason.

(c) "SStd" classification. Frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice that fails

to meet the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section may be given a

score of 0 to 27 points and shall not be graded above Substandard,

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

§52.2459 Defects

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

sediment and other residue, from tartrate crystals, from particles of skin,

particles of seed, and from other defects.
6

(b) "A" classification. Frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice of which the

prepared grape juice beverage is practically free from defects may be given

a score of 17 to 20 points. Practically free from defects means that there

may be present not more than a slight amount of sediment and residue; is

practically free from tartrate crystals; and is free from particles of skin,

particles of seed, and from other defects.

(c) "B" classification. If the prepared grape juice beverage is reasonably free

from defects a score of 14 to 16 points may be given. Frozen concentrated

sweetened grape juice that falls 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

there may be present not more than a moderate amount of sediment and

residue; may possess a slight amount of tartrate crystals; may possess not

more than a trace of particles of skin, particles of seed, and other defects.

(d) "SStd" classification. If the prepared grape juice beverage fails to meet the

requirements of paragraph (c) of this section, a score of 0 to 13 points may

be given. Frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice that falls into this

classification shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total

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

§52.2460 Flavor.

(a) "A" classification. Frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice of which the

prepared grape juice beverage possesses a good flavor may be given a

score of 34 to 40 points. Good flavor means that the flavor is a fine distinct

and normal flavor, typical of well-matured grapes for the variety or varieties

and is free from any objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any

kind. To score in this classification the prepared grape juice beverage and

concentrate shall meet the following additional requirements:

BEVERAGE:

(1) Type I. Brix - not less than 13.0 degrees.

Acid - not less than 0.40 gram per 100 milliliters nor

more than 0.65 gram per 100 mL, calculated as tartaric

acid.

Brix-acid ratio - the ratio of Brix value to acid is not

less than 20 to 1 nor more than 34 to 1.
7

CONCENTRATE:

Methyl anthranilate 1/ (naturally occurring) - not less than the following for

the respective dilution factor of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice.

Dilution factor anthranilate

Minimum methyl

(naturally

occurring)

(mg/L)

1 plus 1 .....................................

1 plus 2 .....................................

1 plus 3 ....................................

1 plus 4 .....................................

1 plus 5 .....................................

1 plus 6 .....................................

0.4

0.8

1.2

1.6

1.6

1.6

1/ Determined according to instructions §52.2462

BEVERAGE:

(2) Type II. Brix - not less than 13.0 degrees.

Acid - not less than 0.40 gram per 100 milliliters nor

more than 0.65 gram per 100 mL, calculated as tartaric

acid.

Brix-acid ratio - the ratio of Brix value to acid is not

less than 20 to 1 nor more than 34 to 1.
8

CONCENTRATE:

Methyl anthranilate 1/ (naturally occurring) - not less than the following for

the respective dilution factor of frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice.

Dilution factor anthranilate

Minimum methyl

(naturally

occurring)

(mg/L)

1 plus 1 .....................................

1 plus 2 .....................................

1 plus 3 ....................................

1 plus 4 .....................................

1 plus 5 .....................................

1 plus 6 .....................................

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

0.8

0.8

1/ Determined according to instructions §52.2462

(b) "B" classification. If the prepared grape juice beverage possesses a

reasonably good flavor a score of 28 to 33 points may be given. Frozen

concentrated sweetened grape juice that falls 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 flavor means a

reasonably typical flavor of reasonably well matured grapes for the varietal

type or varietal types and is free from objectionable flavors and objectionable

odors of any kind. To score in this classification the prepared grape juice

beverage shall meet the following additional requirements:

(1) Type I. Brix - not less than 13.0 degrees.

Acid - not less than 0.30 gram per 100 milliliters nor

more than 0.65 gram per 100 milliliters, calculated as

tartaric acid.

Brix-acid ratio - the ratio of Brix value to acid is not

less than 18 to 1 nor more than 36 to 1.
9

(2) Type II. Brix - not less than 13.0 degrees.

Acid - not less than 0.30 gram per 100 milliliters nor

more than 0.65 gram per 100 milliliters, calculated as

tartaric acid.

Brix-acid ratio - the ratio of Brix value to acid is not

less than 18 to 1 nor more than 36 to 1.

(c) "SStd" classification. If the frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice

fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section a score of 0 to

27 points may be given. Frozen concentrated sweetened grape Juice that

falls into this classification shall not be graded above Substandard,

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

§52.2461 Definition of terms used in these standards.

(a) Brix means the degrees Brix of the reconstituted grape juice beverage when

tested with a Brix hydrometer calibrated at 20 degrees C. (68 degrees F.). If

used in testing grape juice beverage at a temperature other than 20 degrees

C. (68 degrees F.), the applicable temperature correction shall be made to

the reading of the scale as prescribed in: Official Methods of Analysis of

the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The degrees Brix of

grape juice beverage may be determined by any other method which gives

equivalent results.

(b) Acid means the grams of acid (calculated as tartaric acid) per 100 milliliters

of the reconstituted grape juice beverage determined by titration with

standard sodium hydroxide solution using phenolphthalein as an indicator.

(c) Brix-acid ratio means the ratio between the degrees Brix as determined in

this section and the acid in grams per 100 milliliters of reconstituted grape

juice beverage.

(d) Dilution factor is the ratio of the volumes of water to the volume of

concentrate. This factor is provided by the manufacturer's directions for

preparing the desired grape juice beverage (i.e., 3 plus 1 implies 3 volumes

of water to one volume of concentrate).

(e) Absorbency ratio means the ratio of absorbency reading at 520 millimicrons

to the absorbency reading at 430 millimicrons.
10

§52.2462 Methods of analysis.

(a) Methyl anthranilate.

(1) Reagents.

(i) Hydrochloric acid - dilute 81 milliliters (mL) of HCl to 100 mL

with 100 mL H 0. 2

(ii) Sodium nitrite solution - dissolve 3 grams (g) of NaNO2 in

200 mL of H 0. 2

(iii) Hydrazine sulfate solution - dissolve 5 g of N2H4-H2S04 in

200 mL of H 0. 2

(iv) Sodium carbonate solution - dissolve 50 g of Na2CO3 in 150

mL of H 0. 2

(v) Sodium-a-naphthol-2-sulfonate solution - dissolve 4.7 g of

the sulfonate in 100 mL of H 0. 2

(vi) Standard solution of methyl anthranilate - dissolve 0.25 g of

methyl anthranilate in 60 mL of 95 percent ethyl alcohol and

dilute with H O to 500 mL. 2

(2) Apparatus.

Kjeldahl distillation apparatus and steam generator recommended by

committee on micro-chemical apparatus, Div. Anal. Chem., A.C.S.

Illustrated 8th Edition, 1955, f1g. 77 and 78, A.0.A.C. or equals may

be used.

(3) Standard curve. 

(i) Dilute 20 mL of standard solution of methyl anthranilate to 1

liter with H 0 (equivalent to 10 micrograms per mL). 2

(ii) Prepare series of solutions for standard curve by transferring

0-5 mL of solution (i) into 100 mL volumetric flask. Dilute to ca.

80 mL with H 0. 2
11

(iii) Then add as follows:

(A) 1 mL HCl and 1 mL sodium nitrite solution. Invert flask

and let stand 2 minutes.

(B) 3 mL hydrazine sulfate solution. Invert flask and let

stand 1 minute.

(C) 2 mL sodium-a-naphthol-2-sulfonate solution. Invert

flask.

(D) Immediately add 3 mL sodium carbonate solution, dilute

to 100 mL volume with H 0, let stand 10 minutes. 2

(E) Adjust and maintain temperature of solution at 25 ±1 o o

C.

(F) Read absorbency at 490 millimicrons, in a

spectrophotometer or colorimeter, against a blank,

carried through entire procedure, set at zero

absorbency.

(iv) Plot standard curve of concentration (microgram per 100 mL of

final solution) of methyl anthranilate against absorbency of

standard solutions.

(4) Determination. Use a 100 mL volumetric flask as receiver. Add 5

mL of water to just cover or seal end of extended condenser tube.

Transfer 15-25 mL of sample concentrate into distillation flask.

Collect about (ca.) 80 mL of distillate. Treat as under subparagraph

(3) (iii) of this paragraph. Obtain concentration (micrograms/100 mL

of final solution) of methyl anthranilate from standard curve (see

subparagraph (3) (iv) of this paragraph).

Methyl anthranilate (mg/liter) = micrograms per 100 mL of final solution

mL of concentrate sample
12

(b) Absorbency and absorbency ratio. Absorbency and absorbency ratio shall

be obtained as follows:

(1) The concentrate shall be reconstituted as for beverage purposes at

25 degrees C., using MacIlavaine's pH 3.2 buffer as the diluent. (The

MacIlavaine's buffer should be absolutely clear and show no turbidity

whatsoever.)

(2) 5 mL aliquot of reconstituted sample (1) shall be further diluted to 100

mL with MacIlavaine's pH 3.2 buffer.

(3) Filter 50 mL of solution (2) through sintered glass crucible 4-cm

diameter, 4.5-cm height, medium porosity.

(4) Read absorbency of filtrate on a spectrophotometer at 520 millimicron

wavelength with a 0.025 mm width slit and at 430 millimicron

wavelength with a 0.05 mm width slit.

Absorbency = 2 - log T, where T = percentage transmittance

Corrected absorbency = observed absorbency x 20

thickness of cell (in cm)

Absorbency ratio = Corrected absorbency at 520 millimicrons

Corrected absorbency at 430 millimicrons

§52.2463 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of frozen concentrated sweetened grape 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).
13

§52.2464 Score sheet for frozen concentrated sweetened grape juice.

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

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

Label (including dilution factor) .........................................

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

Type (Concord, blended) ..............................................

Brix of the reconst. beverage ...........................................

Acid (as tartaric) (g/100 mL) ............................................

Brix-acid ratio .......................................................

Factors Score Points

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

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

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

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

40 "B" 28-33 _1/

20 "B" 14-16 _1/

40 "B" 28-33 _1/

100

"A" 34-40

"SStd" 0-27 _1/

"A" 17-20

"SStd" 0-13 _1/

"A" 34-40

"SStd" 0-27 _1/

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

_1/ Indicates limiting rule.

Effective time. The United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Concentrated

Sweetened Grape Juice (which is the first issue) contained in this subpart shall become

effective November 1, 1957.

Dated: July 29, 1957.

/s/ 

Roy W. Lennartson,

Deputy Administrator,

Agricultural Marketing Service.