United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Processed

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Frozen Melon Balls

Effective date June 25, 1962
This is the first issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Melon Balls

published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of May 24, 1962 (27 FR 4872) to become effective

June 25, 1962.

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 Melon Balls

Section Page No.

§52.5361 Product description. ........................................ 2

§52.5362 Types of frozen melon balls. .................................. 2

§52.5363 Grades for frozen melon balls. ................................ 3

§52.5364 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit. ......................... 3

§52.5365 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ............ 4

§52.5366 Color. ................................................... 4

§52.5367 Uniformity of size and shape. ................................. 6

§52.5368 Absence of defects. ......................................... 7

§52.5369 Character. ................................................ 9

§52.5370 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ............................... 10

§52.5371 Score sheet for frozen melon balls. ............................ 11

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

§52.5361 Product description.

Melon balls are spheres of melon flesh prepared from suitable varieties of sound, fresh

Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) melons and/or sound, fresh Honey Dew (indorus) melons to

which melon balls prepare from sound, fresh melons of a definitely different but suitable

variety may be added. The balls are prepared and washed in a manner to assure a clean

and wholesome product. They are properly drained before filling into containers; may

include a suitable fruit and/or vegetable garnish; may be packed with the addition of

nutritive or nonnutritive sweetening ingredient(s) including sirup and any other ingredient

permissible under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and are

prepared and frozen in accordance with good commercial practice an maintained at

temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product.

§52.5362 Types of frozen melon balls.

(a) Cantaloupe. Cantaloupe type consists entirely of frozen melon balls derived

from Cantaloupe melons.

(b) Honey Dew. Honey Dew type consists entirely of frozen melon balls derived

from Honey Dew melons.

(c) Mixed-Cantaloupe and Honey Dew. This type consists of not less than 50

percent, by weight, of units derived from Cantaloupe melons and not less

than 33-1//3 percent, by weight, of units derived from Honey Dew melons.

(d) Mixed-Honey Dew and Cantaloupe. This type consists of not less than 33-

1/3 percent, by weight, of units derived from Cantaloupe melons.

(e) Other types. Other types refer to:

(1) Melon balls derived from a single variety of melon or mixture of melon

types other than Cantaloupe or Honey Dew; or

(2) Melon balls of any single type, or any mixture, of Cantaloupe or

Honey Dew to which has been added melon balls of a different

suitable variety of melon; or

(3) Any mixture of Cantaloupe or Honey Dew melon balls that do not

meet the respective requirements of paragraph (c) or (d) of this

section.
3

§52.5363 Grades for frozen melon balls.

(a) U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of frozen melon balls that:

(1) Possess a good flavor and odor; 

(2) Have good color;

(3) Are practically uniform in size and shape;

(4) Are practically free from defects;

(5) Have good character; and

(6) Score 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 melon balls that:

(1) Possess a reasonably good flavor and odor; 

(2) Have reasonably good color;

(3) Are reasonably uniform in size and shape;

(4) Are reasonably free from defects;

(5) Have reasonably good character; and

(6) Score not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the

scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(c) Substandard is the quality of frozen melon balls that fails the requirements

of U.S. Grade B.

§52.5364 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit.

(a) General. In addition to other requirements outlined in this standard, the

following quality factors are evaluated:

(1) Factors not rated by score points.

(i) Flavor and odor.
4

(2) Factors rated by score points. 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 each factor is:

Factors Points

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

Uniformity of size and shape .....

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

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

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

20

30

30

 20

100

(b) When ascertained. The grade of frozen melon balls is determined

immediately after thawing to the extent that the units are substantially free

of ice crystals.

(c) Categories of Flavor and Odor.

(1) Good flavor and odor is the pleasant flavor and odor normally

expected of well-ripened melon units of the variety or varieties

used. Flavor and odor of any garnish use shall be normal.

(2) Reasonably good flavor and odor is the flavor and odor normally

expected of reasonably well-ripened units of the variety or varieties

used. This flavor and odor may be slightly flat, but is free from

objectionable flavors or objectionable odors of any kind. Flavor and

odor of any garnish used shall be normal.

§52.5365 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored.

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, 18 to 20 points means 18, 19, or 20 points.)

§52.5366 Color.

(a) "A" classification. Frozen melon balls of any type that possess good color

may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. Good color means that any

included garnish shall have a uniform and bright color that is typical for the

garnish and that does not detract from the overall appearance of the melon

units; and that the melon balls:

(1) Have a bright over-all appearance;
5

(2) Possess a reasonably uniform color which is typical for well-ripened

melons of the variety or varieties used; 

(3) May have present not more than 10 percent, by count, of units which

may have a reasonably bright appearance or may possess color

which is typical for reasonably well-ripened melon flesh;

(4) Are free from exceptionally pale Cantaloupe units, dark green Honey

Dew units, and units that otherwise fail reasonably good color.

(b) "B" classification. Frozen melon balls of any type that possess reasonably

good color may be given a score of 16 or 17 points. Frozen melon balls that

fall 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). Reasonably good color means that any include garnish has a

reasonably uniform and reasonably bright color that is typical for the garnish

and that does not materially detract from the over-all appearance of the

melon units; and that the melon balls:

(1) Have a reasonable bright over-all appearance;

(2) Possess a color which is typical for reasonably well-ripened melon

flesh.

(3) May have present not more than 10 percent, by count, of units which

may lack a reasonably bright appearance or may possess color which

is not typical of well-ripened or reasonably well-ripened melon flesh;

(4) In the case of Cantaloupe type, not more than 10 percent, by count,

of units may be exceptionally pale;

(5) In the case of Honey Dew type, not more than 10 percent, by count,

of units may be dark green; and

(6) In the case of either Mixed-Cantaloupe and Honey Dew or

Mixed-Honey Dew and Cantaloupe types, not more than a total of

10 percent, by count, of all units may be exceptionally pale

Cantaloupe units and/or dark green Honey Dew units.

(c) "SStd" classification. Frozen melon balls that fail to meet the requirements

of paragraph (b) of this section 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).
6

§52.5367 Uniformity of size and shape.

(a) Definitions of terms.

(1) A spherical unit in frozen melon balls means a unit which has the

appearance of three-fourths or more of a sphere.

(2) An almost spherical unit in frozen melon balls means a unit which

has the appearance of more than one-half of a sphere but less than

three-fourths of a sphere.

(3) A misshapen unit in frozen melon balls means a unit which appears

to be one-half of a sphere or less or is otherwise materially

misshapen.

(b) "A" classification. Frozen melon balls that are practically uniform in size

and shape may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. Practically uniform in

size and shape means that:

(1) The percentages, by count, of almost spherical units and

misshapen units do not exceed the allowances for "A" classification

in Table I of this subpart; and

(2) Notwithstanding the applicable allowances in Table I, the almost

spherical units or misshapen units, either individually or

collectively, do not materially affect the appearance of the product.

(c) "B" classification. Frozen melon balls that are reasonably uniform in size

and shape may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Frozen melon balls that

fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B (this is a

limiting rule). Reasonably uniform in size and shape means that:

(1) The percentages, by count, of almost spherical units and

misshapen units do not exceed the allowances for "B" classification

in Table I of this subpart; and

(2) Notwithstanding the applicable allowances in Table I, the almost

spherical units or misshapen units, either individually or

collectively, do not seriously affect the appearance of the product.

(d) "SStd" classification. Frozen melon balls that fail to meet the requirements

of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 23 points and

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

product (this is a limiting rule).
7

Table I

Allowances for Uniformity of Size and Shape in Frozen Melon Balls

"A" classification "B" classification

Spherical units ..... 80% or more (by count). 60% or more (by count).

Almost spherical units Total-20% or less (by count) Total-40% or less (by

and misshapen units. but no more than- count) but no more thanMisshapen units .... 3% (by count) -- 20% (by count).

§52.5368 Absence of defects.

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

from exterior rind, interior rind, melon seeds, membrane material, and from

any other defects which detract from the appearance or edibility of the

product.

(b) Definitions of terms and defects.

(1) The area of a rind spot is that which is equivalent to the area of a

circle of the diameter stated or defined in this section.

(2) A minor rind spot on a Cantaloupe unit is an area of light green

interior melon rind which measures 5/16 inch or less in diameter or is

an area of dark green interior melon rind which measures 1/8 inch or

less in diameter.

(3) A minor rind spot on a Honey Dew unit or on a unit of other melon

types is an area of interior melon rind which measures 5/16 inch or

less in diameter.

(4) A major rind spot on a Cantaloupe unit is an area of light green

interior melon rind exceeding 5/16 inch in diameter or is an area of

dark green interior melon rind exceeding 1/8 inch in diameter.

(5) A major rind spot on a Honey Dew unit or on a unit of other melon

types is an area of interior melon rind exceeding 5/16 inch in

diameter.
8

(6) A serious rind spot is a spot of rind on a melon ball unit, part or all

of which is exterior rind.

(7) Seeds are melon seeds which may be attacked to a melon ball unit

or may be loose.

(8) Membrane material is material other than seeds which makes up the

placenta of a melon.

(c) "A" classification. Frozen melon ball that are practically free from defects

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

means there may be present:

(1) Not more than 20 percent, by count, of units with rind spots:

Provided, that not more than 5 percent, by count, may be major rind

spots and that not more than 2-1/2 percent, by count, may be serious

rind spots. (One unit in a container is permitted to possess a minor

rind spot, major rind spot, or serious rind spot if such unit exceeds the

allowable percentage: Provided, that in all sample units comprising

the sample such units do not, on the average, exceed the allowable

percentage);

(2) Not more than an average of one seed per 16 ounces net weight:

Provided, that no individual container may contain more than one

seed per 4 ounces net weight or fraction thereof; and

(3) No membrane material or other defects which detract more than

slightly from the appearance of the product.

(d) "B" classification. Frozen melon balls that are reasonably free from

defects may be given a score of 24 to 26 points. Frozen melon balls that fall

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). Reasonably free

from defects means that there may be present:

(1) Not more than 40 percent, by count, of units with rind spots:

Provided, that not more than 10 percent, by count, may be major rind

spots and that not more than 5 percent, by count, may be serious rind

spots (one unit in a container is permitted to possess a minor rind

spot, major rind spot, or serious rind spot if such unit exceeds the

allowable percentage: Provided, that in all sample units comprising

the sample such units do not, on the average, exceed the allowable

percentage);
9

(2) Not more than an average of two seeds per 16 ounces net weight:

Provided, that no individual container may contain more than one

seed per 2 ounces net weight or fraction thereof; and

(3) No membrane material or other defects which materially detract from

the appearance of the product.

(e) "SStd" classification. Frozen melon balls that fail to meet the requirements

of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 23 points and

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

product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.5369 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the degree of ripeness, the

texture, and tenderness of the melon ball units. 

(b) "A" classification. Frozen melon balls that have good character may be

given a score of 18 to 20 points. Good character means that the melon ball

units:

(1) Possess a tender texture typical of mature, well-ripened, properly

prepared, and properly processed melon units; and

(2) Consists of not more than 10 percent, by count, of units which are

excessively soft, mushy, excessively frayed, fibrous, tough, or

rubbery: Provided, that not more than 5 percent, by count, are tough

or rubbery (one unit in a container is permitted to be excessively soft,

mushy, excessively frayed, fibrous, tough, or rubbery if such unit

exceeds the allowable percentage: Provided, that in all sample units

comprising the sample such units of fruit do not, on the average,

exceed the allowable percentages).

(c) "B" classification. Frozen melon balls that have reasonably good character

may be given a score 16 or 17 points. Frozen melon balls that fall into this

classification shall not be grade above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total

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

means that the melon ball units:

(1) Possess a reasonably tender texture typical of reasonably mature,

reasonably well-ripened, properly prepared, and 
10

(2) Consists of not more than 20 percent, by count, of units which are

excessively soft, mushy, excessively frayed, fibrous, tough, or

rubbery: Provided, that not more than 10 percent, by count, are

tough or rubbery (one unit in a container is permitted to be

excessively soft, mushy, excessively frayed, fibrous, tough, or rubbery

if such unit exceeds the allowable percentage: Provided, that in all

sample units comprising the sample such units of fruit do not, on the

average, exceed the allowable percentages).

(d) "SStd" classification. Frozen melon balls that fail to meet the requirements

of paragraph (c) of this section 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).

§52.5370 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of frozen melon balls 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).
11

§52.5371 Score sheet for frozen melon balls.

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

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

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

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

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

Diameter of units - inch; count - (per) .....................................

Factors Score Points

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

Uniformity of size and shape ........

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

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

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

20 "B" 16-17 _1/

30 "B" 24-26 _1/

30 "B" 24-26 _1/

20 "B" 16-17 _1/

 100

"A" 18-20

"SStd" 0-15 _1/

"A" 27-30

"SStd" 0-23 _1/

"A" 27-30

"SStd" 0-23 _1/

"A" 18-20

"SStd" 0-15 _1/

Flavor and odor .....................................................

U.S. Grade .........................................................

1/ Indicates limiting rule.

The United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Melon Balls (which is the first issue)

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

hereof in the Federal Register.

Dated: May 18, 1962

G.R. Grange,

Deputy Administrator,

Marketing Services.

Published in the Federal Register of May 24, 1962 (27 F.R. 4872).