[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 8, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20702-20716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11457]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 51

[Docket Number FV-93-301]


Florida Grapefruit, Florida Oranges and Tangelos, and, Florida 
Tangerines; Grade Standards

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule revises the United States Standards for Grades 
of Florida Grapefruit, United States Standards for Grades of Florida 
Oranges and Tangelos, and, United States Standards for Grades of 
Florida Tangerines. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), in 
cooperation with industry, and other interested parties develops and 
improves standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade and packaging 
in order to facilitate commerce by providing buyers, sellers, and 
quality assurance personnel uniform language and criteria for 
describing various levels of quality and condition as valued in the 
marketplace.
    The revisions will: Redefine terms to reflect more clearly current 
cultural and marketing practices; add and revise the grades so as to 
make them uniform and consistent with each other and other recently 
revised U.S. grade standards; express defect tolerances in terms of 
percentages instead of specific numbers of defective fruit; revise the 
size sections to provide greater flexibility in marketing and packaging 
new varieties of fruit; and, delete references to a visual aid which is 
no longer available.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation is effective August 1, 1996. The 
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
August 1, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank O'Sullivan, Fresh Products 
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2056 South 
Building, Washington, DC 20090-6456, (202) 720-2185.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 
issuing this rule in conformance with Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et. seq.), AMS has determined that this 
action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. The revision of U.S. Standards for Grades of 
Florida Grapefruit, U.S. Standards for Grades of Florida Oranges and 
Tangelos, and U.S. Standards for Grades of Florida Tangerines will not 
impose substantial direct economic cost, recordkeeping, or personnel 
workload changes on small entities, and will not alter the market share 
or competitive position of these entities relative to large businesses.
    The final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778, Civil 
Justice Reform. This action is not intended to have retroactive effect. 
This final rule will not preempt any State or local laws, regulations, 
or policies, unless they present an irreconcilable conflict with this 
rule. There are no administrative procedures which must be exhausted 
prior to any judicial challenge to the provisions of the rule.
    Agencies periodically review existing regulations. An objective of 
the review is to ensure that the grade standards are serving their 
intended purpose, the language is clear, and the standards are 
consistent with AMS policy and authority.
    The proposed rule, United States Standards for Grades of Florida 
Grapefruit, Florida Orange and Tangelos, and Florida Tangerines, was 
published in the Federal Register on February 22, 1995, (60 FR 9990-
10004).
    The Florida Citrus Packers (FCP), which represents the majority of 
citrus growers and packers in Florida, requested that the standards be 
revised in order to bring them into conformity with current cultural, 
harvesting and marketing practices developed since the standards were 
last revised in December 1980.
    The 60-day comment period ended April 24, 1995, and a total of 
fourteen comments were received from growers, shippers, receivers, and 
researchers.
    Nine comments from growers, and shippers were in favor of the 
proposal in its entirety. These commentors agreed that due to changes 
in current cultural, harvesting, and marketing practices of Florida 
citrus, it was necessary to change the standards as proposed.
    A copy of the proposed rule was provided to the Agricultural 
Research Service (ARS) for help in identifying studies, data collection 
or other information concerning the possible effect of the proposed 
revision on pesticide use. ARS was unable to identify any relevant 
information.
    One comment from a broker did not address the provisions of the 
proposal, and indicated that the standards do not pertain to them.
    One comment stated that they were ``not in favor of the proposed 
changes and that there needs to be an effort to bring about 
standardization of grades of citrus.'' AMS disagrees. In light of the 
vast differences between the various citrus growing regions in the 
United States and the necessary differences in their respective citrus 
products, it would not be helpful to commerce in these commodities to 
create one U.S. standard that could not accurately identify quality and 
condition characteristics.
    Two comments were in favor of the proposal except for its 
provisions regarding size, bruising, oil spots and skin breakdown. One 
comment from a grower/shipper/marketer stated that in the proposal 
Secs. 51.762, 51.1153, and 51.1822 paragraph (a) concerning ``approved 
and recognized methods'' could be misconstrued to refer to pack 
patterns in the current size sections and therefore should reference 
the Florida Department of Citrus Code, a State regulation. AMS 
disagrees. Although

[[Page 20703]]

size and pack may be closely associated, it is not AMS's intent to 
dictate how the fruit is packed, but to create a uniform and consistent 
size for the type of pack that the marketplace demands. In light of 
this, AMS is of the view that references to Florida State regulations 
are no longer needed and that the size section remain as proposed.
    The grower/shipper/marketer also commented that the defects, oil 
spotting and skin breakdown should be scored on the same basis as they 
are often mistaken for one another. AMS agrees that these defects may 
be mistaken for each other. Nonetheless, it is AMS's experience that 
AMS Agricultural Commodity Graders and others who are familiar with 
these defects can distinguish them. Moreover, as oil spotting is a 
permanent defect and skin breakdown is a condition defect of a 
progressive nature, that it is important to identify between these two 
defects. Many who trade in these commodities need to know whether they 
have defects of a progressive nature or not, in order to market the 
fruit accordingly. Therefore, these defects will remain as proposed.
    A receiver commented that the size sections should remain as it is 
currently. It is their opinion that the present size designations 
``provide for great flexibility in the packing of numerous varieties of 
fruit in various types and sizes of containers.'' However, this is not 
the case. Due to the shapes of some of the new varieties of citrus, and 
the various sizes of containers, the current size and pack provisions 
are too stringent for growers/shippers to market these types of citrus 
fruits. Also, certain markets request that the fruit be packed in a 
specific way in order to meet their market demands. Therefore, AMS is 
of the view that proposed changes to the size section will give the 
flexibility needed to the entire citrus industry when marketing these 
new varieties of citrus.
    The receiver also commented on the proposed changes to bruising, in 
that they should remain as they are in the current standards. There 
appears to be some confusion as to how bruises would be scored based on 
the proposed changes. Bruising will be scored the same as it is in the 
current standards. The only change to the defect, bruising, is where it 
appears in the standards. Rather than being under the basic 
requirements section of the standards it will be under the ``free from 
injury, free from damage, free from serious damage, and free from very 
serious damage'' sections and defined in the classification of defects 
sections. Therefore, with no change as to how bruising will be scored, 
but only the location of the defect in the standards, no change is 
warranted.
    Further, due to an oversight the proposed Secs. 51.762, 51.1153, 
and 51.1822, are not included in this final rule. Because the standards 
are revising the tolerances from a specific number of defective fruit 
to percentages, a specified sample size is no longer needed. Also, by 
deleting a specific sample size the application of tolerance sections 
were updated to allow for defects in consumer type packages. Similar 
provisions appear currently in the California and Arizona citrus 
standards.
    As a matter of technical change and updating references, the 
paragraphs incorporating text by reference to maturity requirements for 
citrus grown in Florida have been revised. Specifically, Secs. 51.767, 
51.1158 and 51.1823 Maturity, for grapefruit, oranges and tangelos, and 
tangerines, respectively, have been revised to incorporate by reference 
the latest Florida citrus requirements. The latest edition of the State 
of Florida Citrus Fruit Laws is 1995 edition, and the latest edition of 
the Official Rules Affecting the Florida Citrus Industry is effective 
January 1, 1975, as amended. There are no apparent procedure changes as 
a result of this change, however, this does make the incorporation by 
reference current.
    AMS develops and improves standards of quality, condition, grade, 
and packaging in order to facilitate efficient marketing. The 
provisions of this final rule are the same as those in the proposed 
rule, except for the changes noted above in response to the comments 
received, and several minor editorial changes made for clarity.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 51

    Agricultural commodities, Food grades and standards, Fruits, 
Incorporation by reference, Nuts, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Trees, Vegetables.

    For reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 51 is amended as 
follows:

PART 51--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 51 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    2. In part 51, subpart--United States Standards for Grades of 
Florida Grapefruit is revised to read as follows:

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Florida Grapefruit

Grades

Sec.
51.750  U.S. Fancy.
51.751  U.S. No. 1 Bright.
51.752  U.S. No. 1.
51.753  U.S. No. 1 Golden.
51.754  U.S. No. 1 Bronze.
51.755  U.S. No. 1 Russet.
51.756  U.S. No. 2 Bright.
51.757  U.S. No. 2.
51.758  U.S. No. 2 Russet.
51.759  U.S. No. 3.

Tolerances

51.760  Tolerances.

Application of Tolerances

51.761  Application of tolerances.

Size

51.762  Size.

Definitions

51.763  Similar varietal characteristics.
51.764  Well colored.
51.765  Firm.
51.766  Well formed.
51.767  Mature.
51.768  Smooth texture.
51.769  Injury.
51.770  Discoloration.
51.771  Fairly well colored.
51.772  Fairly smooth texture.
51.773  Damage.
51.774  Fairly firm.
51.775  Slightly misshapen.
51.776  Slightly rough texture.
51.777  Serious damage.
51.778  Slightly colored.
51.779  Poorly colored.
51.780  Misshapen.
51.781  Slightly spongy.
51.782  Very serious damage.
51.783  Diameter.
51.784  Classification of defects.

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Florida Grapefruit

Grades


Sec. 51.750  U.S. Fancy.

    ``U.S. Fancy'' consists of grapefruit which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Discoloration: Not more than one-tenth of the surface, in the 
aggregate, may be affected by discoloration. (See Sec. 51.770.);
    (2) Firm;
    (3) Mature;
    (4) Similar varietal characteristics;
    (5) Smooth texture;
    (6) Well colored; and,
    (7) Well formed.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Buckskin;
    (3) Caked melanose;
    (4) Decay;
    (5) Scab;
    (6) Sprayburn;

[[Page 20704]]

    (7) Unhealed skin breaks; and,
    (8) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from injury caused by:
    (1) Bruises;
    (2) Green spots;
    (3) Oil spots;
    (4) Scale;
    (5) Scars;
    (6) Skin breakdown; and,
    (7) Thorn scratches.
    (d) Free from damage caused by:
    (1) Dirt or other foreign material;
    (2) Disease;
    (3) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (4) Hail;
    (5) Insects;
    (6) Sprouting;
    (7) Sunburn; and,
    (8) Other means.
    (e) For tolerances see Sec. 51.760.


Sec. 51.751  U.S. No. 1 Bright.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that fruit shall have not more than one-fifth of its surface, in 
the aggregate, affected by discoloration. For tolerances see 
Sec. 51.760.


Sec. 51.752  U.S. No. 1.

    ``U.S. No. 1'' consists of grapefruit which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Discoloration: Not more than one-third of the surface, in the 
aggregate, may be affected by discoloration. (See Sec. 51.770.);
    (2) Fairly smooth texture;
    (3) Fairly well colored;
    (4) Firm;
    (5) Mature;
    (6) Similar varietal characteristics; and,
    (7) Well formed.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Decay;
    (2) Unhealed skin breaks; and,
    (3) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from damage caused by:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Bruises;
    (3) Buckskin;
    (4) Caked melanose;
    (5) Dirt or other foreign material;
    (6) Disease;
    (7) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (8) Green spots;
    (9) Hail;
    (10) Insects;
    (11) Oil spots;
    (12) Scab;
    (13) Scale;
    (14) Scars;
    (15) Skin breakdown;
    (16) Sprayburn;
    (17) Sprouting;
    (18) Sunburn;
    (19) Thorn scratches; and,
    (20) Other means.
    (d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.760.


Sec. 51.753  U.S. No. 1 Golden.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that not more than 30 percent, by count, of the fruit shall have 
more than one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by 
discoloration. For tolerances see Sec. 51.760.


Sec. 51.754  U.S. No. 1 Bronze.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that at least 30 percent, by count, of the fruit shall have more 
than one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by 
discoloration. The predominating discoloration on each of these fruits 
shall be of rust mite type. For tolerances see Sec. 51.760.


Sec. 51.755  U.S. No. 1 Russet.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that at least 30 percent, by count, of the fruit shall have more 
than one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by any type 
of discoloration. For tolerances see Sec. 51.760.


Sec. 51.756  U.S. No. 2 Bright.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 2 
except that fruit shall have not more than one-fifth of its surface, in 
the aggregate, affected by discoloration. For tolerances see 
Sec. 51.760.


Sec. 51.757  U.S. No. 2.

    ``U.S. No. 2'' consists of grapefruit which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Discoloration: Not more than one-half of the surface, in the 
aggregate, may be affected by discoloration. (See Sec. 51.770.);
    (2) Fairly firm;
    (3) Mature;
    (4) Similar varietal characteristics;
    (5) Slightly colored;
    (6) Not more than slightly misshapen; and,
    (7) Not more than slightly rough texture.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Decay;
    (2) Unhealed skin breaks; and,
    (3) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from serious damage caused by:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Bruises;
    (3) Buckskin;
    (4) Caked melanose;
    (5) Dirt or other foreign material;
    (6) Disease;
    (7) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (8) Green spots;
    (9) Hail;
    (10) Insects;
    (11) Oil spots;
    (12) Scab;
    (13) Scale;
    (14) Scars;
    (15) Skin breakdown;
    (16) Sprayburn;
    (17) Sprouting;
    (18) Sunburn;
    (19) Thorn scratches; and,
    (20) Other means.
    (d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.760.


Sec. 51.758  U.S. No. 2 Russet.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 2 
except that at least 10 percent of the fruit shall have more than one-
half of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by any type of 
discoloration. For tolerances see Sec. 51.760.


Sec. 51.759  U.S. No. 3.

    ``U.S. No. 3'' consists of grapefruit which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Mature;
    (2) Misshapen;
    (3) Poorly colored;
    (4) Rough texture, not seriously bumpy;
    (5) Similar varietal characteristics; and,
    (6) Slightly spongy.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Decay;
    (2) Unhealed skin breaks; and,
    (3) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from very serious damage caused by:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Bruises;
    (3) Buckskin;
    (4) Caked melanose;
    (5) Disease;
    (6) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (7) Hail;
    (8) Insects;
    (9) Oil spotting;
    (10) Scab;
    (11) Scale;
    (12) Scars;
    (13) Skin breakdown;
    (14) Sprayburn;
    (15) Sprouting;
    (16) Sunburn; and,
    (17) Other means.
    (d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.760.

Tolerances


Sec. 51.760  Tolerances.

    In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 
handling in each of the foregoing grades, the following tolerances, by 
count, are provided as specified:
    (a) Defects. (1) U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1 Bright, U.S. No. 1, U.S. 
No. 1 Golden, U.S. No. 1 Bronze, U.S. No. 1 Russet,

[[Page 20705]]

U.S. No. 2 Bright, U.S. No. 2, and U.S. No. 2 Russet.
    (i) For defects at shipping point.\1\ Not more than 10 percent of 
the fruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the specified 
grade: Provided, that included in this amount not more than 5 percent 
shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, including in 
this latter amount not more than 1 percent for decay or wormy fruit.
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    \1\ Shipping point, as used in these standards, means the point 
of origin of the shipment in the producing area or at port of 
loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or, in the case of 
shipments from outside the continental United States, the port of 
entry into the United States.
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    (ii) For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 12 
percent of the fruit which fail to meet the requirements of the 
specified grade: Provided, that included in this amount not more than 
the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
    (A) 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or,
    (B) 7 percent for defects causing very serious damage, including 
therein not more than 5 percent for very serious damage by permanent 
defects and not more than 3 percent for decay or wormy fruit.
    (2) U.S. No. 3.
    (i) For defects at shipping point.\1\ Not more than 10 percent of 
the fruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the grade: 
Provided, that included in this amount not more than 1 percent shall be 
for decay or wormy fruit.
    (ii) For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 12 
percent of the fruit which fail to meet the requirements of the grade: 
Provided, that included in this amount not more than the following 
percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
    (A) 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or,
    (B) 3 percent for decay or wormy fruit.
    (b) Discoloration--(1) U.S. No. 1 Bright, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2 
Bright, and U.S. No. 2. Not more than 10 percent of the fruit in any 
lot may fail to meet the requirements relating to discoloration as 
specified in each grade. No sample may have more than 20 percent of the 
fruit with excessive discoloration: And provided further, that the 
entire lot averages within percentage specified.
    (2) U.S. No. 1 Golden. Not more than 30 percent of the fruit shall 
have in excess of one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, 
affected by discoloration, and no part of any tolerance shall be 
allowed to increase this percentage. No sample may have more than 40 
percent of the fruit with excessive discoloration: And provided 
further, that the entire lot averages within the percentage specified.
    (3) U.S. No. 1 Bronze, and U.S. No. 1 Russet. At least 30 percent 
of the fruit shall have in excess of one-third of the surface, in the 
aggregate, affected by discoloration, and no part of any tolerance 
shall be allowed to reduce this percentage. No sample may have less 
than 20 percent of the fruit with required discoloration: And provided 
further, that the entire lot averages within the percentage specified.
    (4) U.S. No. 2 Russet. At least 10 percent of the fruit shall have 
in excess of one-half of the surface, in the aggregate, affected by 
discoloration, and no part of any tolerance shall be allowed to reduce 
this percentage: And provided further, that the entire lot averages 
within the percentage specified.

Application of Tolerances


Sec. 51.761  Application of tolerances.

    The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample 
inspection, are subject to the following limitations, unless otherwise 
specified in Sec. 51.760: Provided, that the average for the entire lot 
are within the tolerances specified for the grade:
    (a) For packages which contain more than 15 pounds, and a tolerance 
of 10 percent or more is provided, individual packages in any lot shall 
have not more than one and one-half times the tolerance specified. For 
packages which contain more than 15 pounds, and a tolerance of less 
than 10 percent is provided, individual packages in any lot shall have 
not more than double the tolerance specified, except that at least one 
decayed or very seriously damaged fruit may be permitted in any 
package.
    (b) For packages which contain 15 pounds or less, individual 
packages in any lot are not restricted as to the percentage of defects: 
Provided, that not more than one fruit which is decayed or otherwise 
very seriously damaged may be permitted in any package and, in 
addition, en route or at destination not more than 10 percent of the 
packages may have more than one fruit which is decayed or otherwise 
very seriously damaged.

Size


Sec. 51.762  Size.

    (a) Fruits shall be fairly uniform in size and shall be packed in 
containers according to approved and recognized methods.
    (b) ``Fairly uniform in size'' means that not more than 10 percent 
of the grapefruit per sample may vary more than one-half inch in 
diameter.
    (c) In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing, not 
more than 10 percent of the samples in any lot may fail to meet the 
requirements of size.

Definitions


Sec. 51.763  Similar varietal characteristics.

    Similar varietal characteristics means that the fruits in any 
container are similar in color and shape.


Sec. 51.764  Well colored.

    Well colored means that the fruit has characteristic color for the 
variety with practically no trace of green color.


Sec. 51.765  Firm.

    Firm means that the fruit is not soft, or noticeably wilted or 
flabby, and the skin is not spongy or puffy.


Sec. 51.766  Well formed.

    Well formed means that the fruit has the shape characteristic of 
the variety.


Sec. 51.767  Mature.

    Mature shall have the same meaning assigned the term in the Florida 
Citrus Code, Chapter 601, 1995 Edition, and the Official Rules 
Affecting the Florida Citrus Industry, in effect as of February 12, 
1995. These grapefruit maturity requirements are contained in the 
Florida Citrus Code, Chapter 601, Florida Statutes, Sections 601.16, 
601.17, and 601.18, 1995 Edition, and the State of Florida Department 
of Citrus Official Rules Affecting the Florida Citrus Industry, Part 1, 
Chapter 20-13 Market Classification, Maturity Standards and Processing 
or Packing Restrictions for Hybrids in effect as of February 12, 1995. 
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Copies may be obtained from, Florida Department of Citrus, Post Office 
Box 148, Lakeland, Florida 33802 or copies of both regulations may be 
inspected at USDA, AMS, F&VD, FPB, Standardization Section, Room 2065-
S, 14th and Independence Ave., Washington, DC 20250 or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, Suite 700, 800 North Capitol Street, Washington, 
DC.


Sec. 51.768  Smooth texture.

    Smooth texture means that the skin is thin and smooth for the 
variety and size of the fruit. ``Thin'' means that the skin thickness 
does not average more than \3/8\ inch (9.5 mm), on a central cross 
section, on grapefruit 4\1/8\ inches (104.8 mm) in diameter.


Sec. 51.769  Injury.

    Injury means any specific defect described in Sec. 51.784, Table I; 
or an equally objectionable variation of any

[[Page 20706]]

one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, 
which slightly detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing 
quality of the fruit.


Sec. 51.770  Discoloration.

    Discoloration means russeting of a light shade of golden brown 
caused by rust mite or other means. Lighter shades of discoloration 
caused by smooth or fairly smooth superficial scars or other means may 
be allowed on a greater area, or darker shades may be allowed on a 
lesser area, provided no discoloration caused by speck-type melanose or 
other means may detract from the appearance of the fruit to a greater 
extent than the shade and amount of discoloration allowed in the grade.


Sec. 51.771  Fairly well colored.

    Fairly well colored means that except for an aggregate area of 
green color which does not exceed the area of a circle 1 inch (25.4 mm) 
in diameter, the characteristic color predominates over the green 
color.


Sec. 51.772  Fairly smooth texture.

    Fairly smooth texture means that the skin is fairly thin and not 
coarse for the variety and size of the fruit. ``Fairly thin'' means 
that the skin thickness does not average more than \1/2\ inch (12.7 
mm), on a grapefruit 4\1/8\ inches (104.8 mm) in diameter.


Sec. 51.773  Damage.

    Damage means any specific defect described in Sec. 51.784, Table I; 
or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any 
other defect, or any combination of defects, which materially detracts 
from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the fruit.


Sec. 51.774  Fairly firm.

    Fairly firm means that the fruit may be slightly soft, but not 
bruised, and the skin is not spongy or puffy.


Sec. 51.775  Slightly misshapen.

    Slightly misshapen means that the fruit has fairly good shape 
characteristic of the variety and is not more than slightly elongated 
or pointed or otherwise deformed.


Sec. 51.776  Slightly rough texture.

    Slightly rough texture means that the skin may be slightly thick 
but not excessively thick, materially ridged or grooved. ``Slightly 
thick'' means that the skin thickness does not average more than \5/8\ 
inch (15.9 mm), on a central cross section, on a grapefruit 4\1/8\ 
inches (104.8 mm) in diameter.


Sec. 51.777  Serious damage.

    Serious damage means any specific defect described in Sec. 51.784, 
Table I; or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these 
defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, which 
seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing 
quality of the fruit.


Sec. 51.778  Slightly colored.

    Slightly colored means that except for an aggregate area of green 
color which does not exceed the area of a circle 2 inches (50.8 mm) in 
diameter, the fruit surface shows some characteristic color.


Sec. 51.779  Poorly colored.

    Poorly colored means that not more than 25 percent of the surface 
may be of a solid dark green color.


Sec. 51.780  Misshapen.

    Misshapen means that the fruit is decidedly elongated, pointed, or 
flatsided.


Sec. 51.781  Slightly spongy.

    Slightly spongy means that the fruit is puffy or slightly wilted 
but not flabby.


Sec. 51.782  Very serious damage.

    Very serious damage means any specific defect described in 
Sec. 51.784, Table I; or an equally objectionable variation of any one 
of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, 
which very seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or 
marketing quality of the fruit.


Sec. 51.783  Diameter.

    Diameter means the greatest dimension measured at right angles to a 
line from stem to blossom end.


Sec. 51.784  Classification of defects.

                                                     Table I                                                    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Very serious   
             Factor                     Injury              Damage          Serious damage          damage      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ammoniation.....................  ..................  Not occurring as    Scars are cracked   Aggregating more  
                                                       light speck type.   or dark and         than 25 percent  
                                                                           aggregating more    of the surface.  
                                                                           than a circle 1                      
                                                                           inch (25.4 mm) in                    
                                                                           diameter.                            
Bruises.........................  Segment walls are   Segment walls are   Segment walls are   Fruit is split    
                                   collapsed, or rag   collapsed, or rag   collapsed, or rag   open, peel is    
                                   is ruptured and     is ruptured and     is ruptured and     badly            
                                   juice sacs are      juice sacs are      juice sacs are      watersoaked, or  
                                   ruptured.           ruptured.           ruptured.           rag is ruptured  
                                                                                               and juice sacs   
                                                                                               are ruptured     
                                                                                               causing a mushy  
                                                                                               condition        
                                                                                               affecting all    
                                                                                               segments more    
                                                                                               than \3/4\ inch  
                                                                                               (19.1 mm) at     
                                                                                               bruised area or  
                                                                                               the equivalent of
                                                                                               this amount, by  
                                                                                               volume, when     
                                                                                               affecting more   
                                                                                               than one area on 
                                                                                               the fruit.       
Buckskin........................  ..................  Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                                       than a circle 1-    than 25 percent     than 50 percent  
                                                       \1/4\ inches        of the surface.     of the surface.  
                                                       (31.8 mm) in                                             
                                                       diameter.                                                
Caked melanose..................  ..................  Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                                       than a circle \3/   than a circle 1     than 25 percent  
                                                       4\ inch (19.1 mm)   inch (25.4 mm) in   of the surface.  
                                                       in diameter.        diameter.                            

[[Page 20707]]

                                                                                                                
Dryness or mushy condition......  ..................  Affecting all       Affecting all       Affecting all     
                                                       segments more       segments more       segments more    
                                                       than \1/4\ inch     than \1/2\ inch     than 3/4 inch    
                                                       (6.4 mm) at stem    (12.7 mm) at stem   (19.1 mm) at stem
                                                       end, or the         end, or the         end, or the      
                                                       equivalent of       equivalent of       equivalent of    
                                                       this amount, by     this amount, by     this amount, by  
                                                       volume, when        volume, when        volume, when     
                                                       occurring in        occurring in        occurring in     
                                                       other portions of   other portions of   other portions of
                                                       the fruit.          the fruit.          the fruit.       
Green spots.....................  Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                   than a circle \1/   than a circle \3/   than a circle 1     than 1/3 of the  
                                   2\ inch (12.7 mm)   4\ inch (19.1 mm)   inch (25.4 mm) in   surface, caused  
                                   in diameter,        in diameter,        diameter, caused    by scale.        
                                   caused by scale.    caused by scale.    by scale.                            
Oil spots.......................  Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                   than a circle \1/   than a circle 1     than a circle 1\1/  than \1/3\ of the
                                   2\ inch (12.7 mm)   inch (25.4 mm) in   2\ inches (38.1     surface.         
                                   in diameter.        diameter.           mm) in diameter.                     
Scab............................  ..................  Materially          Seriously detracts  Aggregating more  
                                                       detracts from the   from the shape or   than 25 percent  
                                                       shape or texture,   texture, or         of the surface.  
                                                       or aggregating      aggregating more                     
                                                       more than a         than a circle 7/8                    
                                                       circle \3/4\ inch   inch (22.2 mm) in                    
                                                       (19.1 mm) in        diameter.                            
                                                       diameter.                                                
Scale...........................  More than a few     Blotch aggregating  Blotch aggregating  Aggregating more  
                                   adjacent to the     more than a         more than a         than 25 percent  
                                   ``button'' at the   circle \3/4\ inch   circle 1 inch       of the surface.  
                                   stem end, or more   (19.1 mm) in        (25.4 mm) in                         
                                   than 6 scattered    diameter, or        diameter, or                         
                                   on other portions   occurring as a      occurring as a                       
                                   of the fruit.       ring more than a    ring more than a                     
                                                       circle 1\3/4\       circle 1\1/2\                        
                                                       inches (31.8 mm)    inches (38.1 mm)                     
                                                       in diameter.        in diameter..                        
Scars, Hail, or Thorn scratches   Depressed, not      Very deep or very   Very deep or very   Very deep or very 
 [For smooth or fairly smooth      smooth, or          rough aggregating   rough aggregating   rough or         
 superficial scars see Sec.        detracts from       more than a         more than a         unsightly that   
 51.770.].                         appearance more     circle \1/2\ inch   circle 1 inch       appearance is    
                                   than the amount     (12.7 mm) in        (25.4 mm) in        very seriously   
                                   of discoloration    diameter; deep or   diameter; deep or   affected.        
                                   permitted in the    rough aggregating   rough aggregating                    
                                   grade.              more than a         more than 5                          
                                                       circle 1 inch       percent of fruit                     
                                                       (25.4 mm) in        surface; slight                      
                                                       diameter;           depth or slightly                    
                                                       slightly rough or   rough aggregating                    
                                                       of slight depth     more than 15                         
                                                       aggregating more    percent of fruit                     
                                                       than 10 percent     surface.                             
                                                       of fruit surface.                                        
Skin breakdown..................  Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                   than a circle \3/   than a circle \3/   than a circle 1     than 25 percent  
                                   8\ inch (9.5 mm)    4\ inch (19.1 mm)   inch (25.4 mm) in   of the surface.  
                                   in diameter.        in diameter.        diameter.                            
Sprayburn.......................  ..................  Aggregating more    Hard and            Aggregating more  
                                                       than a circle \3/   aggregating more    than 25 percent  
                                                       4\ inch (19.1 mm)   than a circle 1\1/  of the surface.  
                                                       in diameter.        2\ inches (38.1                      
                                                                           mm) in diameter.                     
Sprouting.......................  ..................  More than six       More than six       More than six     
                                                       seeds have          seeds have          seeds have       
                                                       sprouts of more     sprouts of more     sprouts of more  
                                                       than \1/4\ inch     than \1/2\ inch     than \3/4\ inch  
                                                       (6.4 mm) in         (12.7 mm) in        (19.1 mm) in     
                                                       length, or more     length, or more     length, or more  
                                                       than 3 seeds with   than 3 seeds with   than 3 seeds with
                                                       sprouts over \3/    sprouts over 1      sprouts over 1\1/
                                                       4\ inch (19.1 mm)   inch (25.4 mm) in   4\ inches (31.8  
                                                       in length.          length.             mm) in length.   
Sunburn.........................  ..................  Skin is flattened,  Skin is hard and    Aggregating more  
                                                       dry, darkened, or   affects more than   than 50 percent  
                                                       hard and the        one-third of the    of the surface.  
                                                       affected area       surface.                             
                                                       exceeds 25                                               
                                                       percent of the                                           
                                                       surface.                                                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: All references to area or aggregating area, or length in this standard are based on a grapefruit 4\1/8\   
  inches (104.8 mm) in diameter, allowing proportionately greater areas on larger fruit and lesser areas on     
  smaller fruit.                                                                                                


    3. In part 51, Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of 
Florida Oranges and Tangelos is revised to read as follows:
Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Florida Oranges and 
Tangelos

General

Sec.
51.1140  General.

Grades

51.1141  U.S. Fancy.
51.1142  U.S. No. 1 Bright.
51.1143  U.S. No. 1.
51.1144  U.S. No. 1 Golden.
51.1145  U.S. No. 1 Bronze.
51.1146  U.S. No. 1 Russet.
51.1147  U.S. No. 2 Bright.
51.1148  U.S. No. 2.
51.1149  U.S. No. 2 Russet.
51.1150  U.S. No. 3.

Tolerances

51.1151  Tolerances.

[[Page 20708]]

Application of Tolerances

51.1152  Application of tolerances.

Size

51.1153  Size.

Definitions

51.1154  Similar varietal characteristics.
51.1155  Well colored.
51.1156  Firm.
51.1157  Well formed.
51.1158  Mature.
51.1159  Smooth texture.
51.1160  Injury.
51.1161  Discoloration.
51.1162  Fairly smooth texture.
51.1163  Damage.
51.1164  Fairly well colored.
51.1165  Reasonably well colored.
51.1166  Poorly colored.
51.1167  Fairly firm.
51.1168  Slightly misshapen.
51.1169  Slightly rough texture.
51.1170  Serious damage.
51.1171  Misshapen.
51.1172  Slightly spongy.
51.1173  Very serious damage.
51.1174  Diameter.
51.1175  Classification of defects.

Standards for Internal Quality of Common Sweet Oranges (Citrus Sinensis 
(L) Osbeck)

51.1176  U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A).
51.1177  U.S. Grade A Juice.
51.1178  Maximum anhydrous citric permissible for corresponding 
total soluble solids.
51.1179  Method of juice extraction.

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Florida Oranges and 
Tangelos

General


Sec. 51.1140  General.

    The standards contained in this subpart apply only to the common or 
sweet orange group and varieties and hybrids of varieties belonging to 
the Mandarin group, except tangerines, and to the citrus fruit commonly 
known as ``tangelo''--a hybrid between tangerine or mandarin orange 
(citrus reticulata) with either the grapefruit or pomelo (C. paradisi 
and C. grandis). Separate U.S. standards apply to tangerines. The 
standards for internal quality contained in Secs. 51.1176 through 
51.1179 apply only to common sweet oranges (citrus sinensis (L) 
Osbeck).

Grades


Sec. 51.1141  U.S. Fancy.

    ``U.S. Fancy'' consists of oranges which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Discoloration: Not more than one-tenth of the surface, in the 
aggregate, may be affected by discoloration. (See Sec. 51.1161.);
    (2) Firm;
    (3) Mature;
    (4) Similar varietal characteristics;
    (5) Smooth texture;
    (6) Well colored; and,
    (7) Well formed.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Buckskin;
    (3) Caked melanose;
    (4) Creasing;
    (5) Decay;
    (6) Scab;
    (7) Split navels;
    (8) Sprayburn;
    (9) Undeveloped segments;
    (10) Unhealed skin breaks; and,
    (11) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from injury caused by:
    (1) Bruises;
    (2) Green spots;
    (3) Oil spots;
    (4) Rough, wide or protruding navels;
    (5) Scale;
    (6) Scars;
    (7) Skin breakdown; and,
    (8) Thorn scratches.
    (d) Free from damage caused by:
    (1) Dirt or other foreign material;
    (2) Disease;
    (3) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (4) Hail;
    (5) Insects;
    (6) Riciness or woodiness;
    (7) Sunburn; and,
    (8) Other means.
    (e) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1151.
    (f) Internal quality: Lots meeting the internal requirements for 
``U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A)'' or ``U.S. Grade A Juice'' may be so 
specified in connection with the grade. (See Secs. 51.1176-51.1179.)


Sec. 51.1142  U.S. No. 1 Bright.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that fruit shall have not more than one-fifth of its surface, in 
the aggregate, affected by discoloration.
    (a) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1151.
    (b) Internal quality: Lots meeting the internal requirements for 
``U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A)'' or ``U.S. Grade A Juice'' may be so 
specified in connection with the grade. (See Secs. 51.1176-51.1179.)


Sec. 51.1143  U.S. No. 1.

    ``U.S. No. 1'' consists of oranges which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Color;
    (i) Early and midseason varieties shall be fairly well colored.
    (ii) For Valencia and other late varieties, not less than 50 
percent, by count, shall be fairly well colored and the remainder 
reasonably well colored.
    (2) Discoloration: Not more than one-third of the surface, in the 
aggregate, may be affected by discoloration. (See Sec. 51.1161.);
    (3) Fairly smooth texture;
    (4) Firm;
    (5) Mature;
    (6) Similar varietal characteristics; and,
    (7) Well formed.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Decay;
    (2) Unhealed skin breaks; and,
    (3) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from damage caused by:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Bruises;
    (3) Buckskin;
    (4) Caked melanose;
    (5) Creasing;
    (6) Dirt or other foreign material;
    (7) Disease;
    (8) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (9) Green spots;
    (10) Hail;
    (11) Insects;
    (12) Oil spots;
    (13) Riciness or woodiness;
    (14) Scab;
    (15) Scale;
    (16) Scars;
    (17) Skin breakdown;
    (18) Split, rough or protruding navels;
    (19) Sprayburn;
    (20) Sunburn;
    (21) Thorn scratches; and,
    (22) Other means.
    (d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1151.
    (e) Internal quality: Lots meeting the internal requirements for 
``U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A)'' or ``U.S. Grade A Juice'' may be so 
specified in connection with the grade. (See Secs. 51.1176-51.1179.)


Sec. 51.1144  U.S. No. 1 Golden.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that not more than 30 percent, by count, of the fruit shall have 
more than one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by 
discoloration.
    (a) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1151.
    (b) Internal quality: Lots meeting the internal requirements for 
``U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A)'' or ``U.S. Grade A Juice'' may be so 
specified in connection with the grade. (See Secs. 51.1176-51.1179.)


Sec. 51.1145  U.S. No. 1 Bronze.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except at least 30 percent, by count, of the fruit shall have more than 
one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by 
discoloration. The predominating discoloration on each fruit shall be 
of rust mite type.
    (a) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1151.
    (b) Internal quality: Lots meeting the internal requirements for 
``U.S. Grade

[[Page 20709]]

AA Juice (Double A)'' or ``U.S. Grade A Juice'' may be so specified in 
connection with the grade. (See Secs. 51.1176-51.1179.)


Sec. 51.1146  U.S. No. 1 Russet.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that at least 30 percent, by count, of the fruit shall have more 
than one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by any type 
of discoloration.
    (a) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1151.
    (b) Internal quality: Lots meeting the internal requirements for 
``U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A)'' or ``U.S. Grade A Juice'' may be so 
specified in connection with the grade. (See Secs. 51.1176-51.1179.)


Sec. 51.1147  U.S. No. 2 Bright.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 2 
except that fruit shall have not more than one-fifth of its surface, in 
the aggregate, affected by discoloration.
    (a) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1151.
    (b) Internal quality: Lots meeting the internal requirements for 
``U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A)'' or ``U.S. Grade A Juice'' may be so 
specified in connection with the grade. (See Secs. 51.1176-51.1179.)


Sec. 51.1148  U.S. No. 2.

    ``U.S. No. 2'' consists of oranges which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Discoloration: Not more than one-half of the surface, in the 
aggregate, may be affected by discoloration. (See Sec. 51.1161.)
    (2) Fairly firm;
    (3) Mature;
    (4) Reasonably well colored;
    (5) Similar varietal characteristics;
    (6) Not more than slightly misshapen; and
    (7) Not more than slightly rough texture.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Decay;
    (2) Unhealed skin breaks; and
    (3) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from serious damage caused by:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Bruises;
    (3) Buckskin;
    (4) Caked melanose;
    (5) Creasing;
    (6) Dirt or other foreign material;
    (7) Disease;
    (8) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (9) Green spots;
    (10) Hail;
    (11) Insects;
    (12) Oil spots;
    (13) Riciness or woodiness;
    (14) Scab;
    (15) Scale;
    (16) Scars;
    (17) Skin breakdown;
    (18) Split, rough or protruding navels;
    (19) Sprayburn;
    (20) Sunburn;
    (21) Thorn scratches; and
    (22) Other means.
    (d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1151.
    (e) Internal quality: Lots meeting the internal requirements for 
``U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A)'' or ``U.S. Grade A Juice'' may be so 
specified in connection with the grade. (See Secs. 51.1176-51.1179.)


Sec. 51.1149  U.S. No. 2 Russet.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 2 
except that at least 10 percent of the fruit shall have more than one-
half of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by any type of 
discoloration.
    (a) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1151.
    (b) Internal quality: Lots meeting the internal requirements for 
``U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A)'' or ``U.S. Grade A Juice'' may be so 
specified in connection with the grade. (See Secs. 51.1176-51.1179.)


Sec. 51.1150  U.S. No. 3.

    ``U.S. No. 3'' consists of oranges which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Mature;
    (2) Misshapen;
    (3) Poorly colored;
    (4) Rough texture, not seriously lumpy;
    (5) Similar varietal characteristics; and
    (6) Slightly spongy.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Decay;
    (2) Unhealed skin breaks; and
    (3) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from very serious damage caused by:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Bruises;
    (3) Buckskin;
    (4) Caked melanose;
    (5) Creasing;
    (6) Disease;
    (7) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (8) Hail;
    (9) Insects;
    (10) Riciness or woodiness;
    (11) Scab;
    (12) Scale;
    (13) Scars;
    (14) Skin breakdown;
    (15) Split navels;
    (16) Sprayburn;
    (17) Sunburn; and
    (18) Other means.
    (d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1151.
    (e) Internal quality: Lots meeting the internal requirements for 
``U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A)'' or ``U.S. Grade A Juice'' may be so 
specified in connection with the grade. (See Secs. 51.1176--51.1179.)

Tolerances


Sec. 51.1151  Tolerances.

    In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 
handling in each of the foregoing grades, the following tolerances, by 
count, are provided as specified:
    (a) Defects. (1) U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1 Bright, U.S. No. 1, U.S. 
No. 1 Golden, U.S. No. 1 Bronze, U.S. No. 1 Russet, U.S. No. 2 Bright, 
U.S. No. 2, and U.S. No. 2 Russet grades.
    (i) For defects at shipping point.<SUP>1 Not more than 10 percent 
of the fruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the 
specified grade: Provided, that included in this amount not more than 5 
percent shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, 
including in this latter amount not more than 1 percent for decay or 
wormy fruit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Shipping point, as used in these standards, means the point 
of origin of the shipment in the producing area or at port of 
loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or, in the case of 
shipments from outside the continental United States, the port of 
entry into the United States.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 12 
percent of the fruit which fail to meet the requirements of the 
specified grade: Provided, that included in this amount not more than 
the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
    (A) 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or,
    (B) 7 percent for defects causing very serious damage, including 
therein not more than 5 percent for very serious damage by permanent 
defects and not more than 3 percent for decay or wormy fruit.
(2) U.S. No. 3.
    (i) For defects at shipping point.<SUP>1. Not more than 10 percent 
of the fruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the grade: 
Provided, that included in this amount not more than 1 percent shall be 
for decay or wormy fruit.
    (ii) For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 12 
percent of the fruit which fail to meet the requirements of the grade: 
Provided, that included in this amount not more than the following 
percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
    (A) 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or,
    (B) 3 percent for decay or wormy fruit.
    (b) Discoloration.--(1) U.S. No. 1 Bright, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2 
Bright, and

[[Page 20710]]

U.S. No. 2. Not more than 10 percent of the fruit in any lot may fail 
to meet the requirements relating to discoloration as specified in each 
grade. No sample may have more than 20 percent of the fruit with 
excessive discoloration: And provided further, that the entire lot 
averages within the percentage specified.
    (2) U.S. No. 1 Golden. Not more than 30 percent of the fruit shall 
have in excess of one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, and no 
part of any tolerance shall be allowed to increase this percentage. No 
sample may have more than 40 percent of the fruit with excessive 
discoloration: And provided further, that the entire lot averages 
within the percentage specified.
    (3) U.S. No. 1 Bronze, and U.S. No. 1 Russet. At least 30 percent 
of the fruit shall have in excess of one-third of the surface, in the 
aggregate, affected by discoloration, and no part of any tolerance 
shall be allowed to reduce this percentage. No sample may have less 
than 20 percent of the fruit with required discoloration: And provided 
further, that the entire lot averages within the percentage specified.
    (4) U.S. No. 2 Russet. At least 10 percent of the fruit shall have 
in excess of one-half of the surface, in the aggregate, affected by 
discoloration, and no part of any tolerance shall be allowed to reduce 
this percentage: And provided further, that the entire lot averages 
within the percentage specified.

Application of Tolerances


Sec. 51.1152  Application of tolerances.

    The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample 
inspection, are subject to the following limitations, unless otherwise 
specified in Sec. 51.1151: Provided, that the average for the entire 
lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade:
    (a) For packages which contain more than 15 pounds, and a tolerance 
of 10 percent or more is provided, individual packages in any lot shall 
have not more than one and one-half times the tolerance specified. For 
packages which contain more than 15 pounds, and a tolerance of less 
than 10 percent is provided, individual packages in any lot shall have 
not more than double the tolerance specified, except that at least one 
decayed or very seriously damaged fruit may be permitted in any 
package.
    (b) For packages which contain 15 pounds or less, individual 
packages in any lot are not restricted as to the percentage of defects: 
Provided, that not more than one fruit which is decayed or otherwise 
very seriously damaged may be permitted in any package and, in 
addition, en route or at destination not more than 10 percent of the 
packages may have more than one fruit which is decayed or otherwise 
very seriously damaged.

Size


Sec. 51.1153  Size.

    (a) Fruits shall be fairly uniform in size and shall be packed in 
containers according to approved and recognized methods.
    (b) ``Fairly uniform in size'' means that not more than 10 percent 
of the oranges per sample may vary more than one-half inch in diameter.
    (c) In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing, not 
more than 10 percent of the samples in any lot may fail to meet the 
requirements of size.

Definitions


Sec. 51.1154  Similar varietal characteristics.

    Similar varietal characteristics means that the fruits in any 
container are similar in color and shape.


Sec. 51.1155  Well colored.

    Well colored as applied to common oranges and tangelos means that 
the fruit has characteristic color for the variety with practically no 
trace of green color.


Sec. 51.1156  Firm.

    Firm as applied to common oranges and tangelos means that the fruit 
is not soft, or noticeably wilted or flabby; as applied to oranges of 
the Mandarin group (Satsumas, King, Mandarin), ``firm'' means that the 
fruit is not extremely puffy, although the skin may be slightly loose.


Sec. 51.1157  Well formed.

    Well formed means that the fruit has the shape characteristic of 
the variety.


Sec. 51.1158  Mature.

    Mature shall have the same meaning assigned the term in the Florida 
Citrus Code, Chapter 601, 1995 Edition, and the Official Rules 
Affecting the Florida Citrus Industry, in effect as of February 12, 
1995. These orange maturity requirements are contained in the Florida 
Citrus Code, Chapter 601, Florida Statutes, Sections 601.19, and 
601.20, 1995 Edition, and the State of Florida Department of Citrus 
Official Rules Affecting the Florida Citrus Industry, Part 1, Chapter 
20-13 Market Classification, Maturity Standards and Processing or 
Packing Restrictions for Hybrids in effect as of February 12, 1995. 
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. 
Copies may be obtained from, Florida Department of Citrus, Post Office 
Box 148, Lakeland, Florida 33802 or copies of both regulations may be 
inspected at USDA, AMS, F&VD, FPB, Standardization Section, Room 2065-
S, 14th and Independence Ave., Washington, DC 20250 or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, Suite 700, 800 North Capitol Street, Washington, 
DC.


Sec. 51.1159  Smooth texture.

    Smooth texture means that the skin is thin and smooth for the 
variety and size of the fruit.


Sec. 51.1160  Injury.

    Injury means any specific defect described in Sec. 51.1175, Table 
I; or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, 
any other defect, or any combination of defects which slightly detracts 
from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the fruit.


Sec. 51.1161  Discoloration.

    Discoloration means russeting of a light shade of golden brown 
caused by rust mite or other means. Lighter shades of discoloration 
caused by smooth or fairly smooth superficial scars or other means may 
be allowed on a greater area, or darker shades may be allowed on a 
lesser area, provided no discoloration caused by speck type melanose or 
other means may detract from the appearance of the fruit to a greater 
extent than the shade and amount of discoloration allowed for the 
grade.


Sec. 51.1162  Fairly smooth texture.

    Fairly smooth texture means that the skin is fairly thin and not 
coarse for the variety and size of the fruit.


Sec. 51.1163  Damage.

    Damage means any specific defect described in Sec. 51.1175, Table 
I; or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, 
any other defect, or any combination of defects, which materially 
detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the 
fruit.


Sec. 51.1164  Fairly well colored.

    Fairly well colored as applied to common oranges and tangelos means 
that except for an aggregate area of green color which does not exceed 
the area of a circle 1 inch (25.4 mm) in diameter, the characteristic 
color predominates over the green color.


Sec. 51.1165  Reasonably well colored.

    Reasonably well colored as applied to common oranges means that the 
characteristic color predominate over

[[Page 20711]]

the green color on at least two-thirds of the fruit surface, in the 
aggregate.


Sec. 51.1166  Poorly colored.

    Poorly colored as applied to common oranges means that not more 
than 25 percent of the surface may be solid dark green color.


Sec. 51.1167  Fairly firm.

    Fairly firm as applied to common oranges and tangelos, means that 
the fruit may be slightly soft, but not bruised; as applied to oranges 
of the Mandarin group (Satsumas, King, Mandarin), means that the skin 
of the fruit is not extremely puffy or extremely loose.


Sec. 51.1168  Slightly misshapen.

    Slightly misshapen means that the fruit is not of the shape 
characteristic of the variety but is not appreciably elongated or 
pointed or otherwise deformed.


Sec. 51.1169  Slightly rough texture.

    Slightly rough texture means that the skin is not of smooth texture 
but is not materially ridged, grooved, or wrinkled.


Sec. 51.1170  Serious damage.

    Serious damage means any specific defect described in Sec. 51.1175, 
Table I; or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these 
defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, which 
seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing 
quality of the fruit.


Sec. 51.1171  Misshapen.

    Misshapen means that the fruit is decidedly elongated, pointed or 
flatsided.


Sec. 51.1172  Slightly spongy.

    Slightly spongy means that the fruit is puffy or slightly wilted 
but not flabby.


Sec. 51.1173  Very serious damage.

    Very serious damage means any specific defect described in 
Sec. 51.1175, Table I; or an equally objectionable variation of any one 
of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, 
which very seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or 
marketing quality of the fruit.


Sec. 51.1174  Diameter.

    Diameter means the greatest dimension measured at right angles to a 
line from stem to blossom end.


Sec. 51.1175  Classification of defects.

                                                     Table I                                                    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Very serious   
             Factor                     Injury              Damage          Serious damage          damage      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ammoniation.....................  ..................  Not occurring as    Scars are cracked   Aggregating more  
                                                       light speck type.   or dark and         than 25 percent  
                                                                           aggregating more    of the surface.  
                                                                           than a circle \3/                    
                                                                           4\ inch (19.1 mm)                    
                                                                           in diameter.                         
Bruises.........................  Segment walls are   Segment walls are   Segment walls are   Fruit is split    
                                   collapsed, or rag   collapsed, or rag   collapsed, or rag   open, peel is    
                                   is ruptured and     is ruptured and     is ruptured and     badly            
                                   juice sacs are      juice sacs are      juice sacs are      watersoaked, or  
                                   ruptured.           ruptured.           ruptured.           rag is ruptured  
                                                                                               and juice sacs   
                                                                                               are ruptured     
                                                                                               causing a mushy  
                                                                                               condition        
                                                                                               affecting all    
                                                                                               segments more    
                                                                                               than \3/4\ inch  
                                                                                               (19.9 mm) at     
                                                                                               bruised area or  
                                                                                               the equivalent of
                                                                                               this amount, by  
                                                                                               volume, when     
                                                                                               affecting more   
                                                                                               than one area on 
                                                                                               the fruit.       
Buckskin........................  ..................  Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                                       than a circle 1     than 25 percent     than 50 percent  
                                                       inch (25.4 mm) in   of the surface.     of the surface.  
                                                       diameter.                                                
Caked melanose..................  ..................  Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                                       than a circle \5/   than a circle \3/   than 25 percent  
                                                       8\ inch (15.9 mm)   4\ inch (19.1 mm)   of the surface.  
                                                       in diameter.        in diameter.                         
Creasing........................  ..................  Materially weakens  Seriously weakens   Very seriously    
                                                       the skin, or        the skin, or        weakens the skin,
                                                       extends over more   extends over more   or is distributed
                                                       than one-third of   than one-half of    over practically 
                                                       the surface.        the surface.        the entire       
                                                                                               surface.         
Dryness or mushy condition......  ..................  Affecting all       Affecting all       Affecting all     
                                                       segments more       segments more       segments more    
                                                       than \1/4\ inch     than \1/2\ inch     than \3/4\ inch  
                                                       (6.4 mm) at stem    (12.7 mm) at stem   (19.1 mm) at stem
                                                       end, or the         end, or the         end, or the      
                                                       equivalent of       equivalent of       equivalent of    
                                                       this amount, by     this amount, by     this amount, by  
                                                       volume, when        volume, when        volume, when     
                                                       occurring in        occurring in        occurring in     
                                                       other portions of   other portions of   other portions of
                                                       the fruit.          the fruit.          the fruit.       
Green spots.....................  Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                   than a circle \3/   than a circle \5/   than a circle \7/   than \1/3\ of the
                                   8\ inch (9.5 mm)    8\ inch (15.9 mm)   8\ inch (22.2 mm)   surface, caused  
                                   in diameter,        in diameter,        in diameter,        by scale.        
                                   caused by scale.    caused by scale.    caused by scale.                     
Oil spots.......................  Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                   than a circle \3/   than a circle \7/   than a circle 1\1/  than \1/3\ of the
                                   8\ inch (9.5 mm)    8\ inch (22.2 mm)   4\ inches (31.8     surface.         
                                   in diameter.        in diameter.        mm) in diameter.                     
Scab............................  ..................  Materially          Seriously detracts  Aggregating more  
                                                       detracts from the   from the shape or   than 25 percent  
                                                       shape or texture,   texture, or         of the surface.  
                                                       or aggregating      aggregating more                     
                                                       more than a         than a circle \3/                    
                                                       circle \5/8\ inch   4\ inch (19.1 mm)                    
                                                       (15.9 mm) in        in diameter.                         
                                                       diameter.                                                

[[Page 20712]]

                                                                                                                
Scale...........................  More than a few     Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                   adjacent to the     than a circle \5/   than a circle \3/   than 25 percent  
                                   ``button'' at the   8\ inch (15.9 mm)   4\ inch (19.1 mm)   of the surface.  
                                   stem end, or more   in diameter.        in diameter.                         
                                   than 6 scattered                                                             
                                   on other portions                                                            
                                   of the fruit.                                                                
Scars, Hail, or Thorn scratches   Depressed, not      Deep or rough       Deep or rough       Deep or rough or  
 [For smooth or fairly smooth      smooth, or          aggregating more    aggregating more    unsightly that   
 superficial scars see Sec.        detracts from       than a circle \1/   than a circle \1/   appearance is    
 51.1161.].                        appearance more     4\ inch (6.4 mm)    2\ inch (12.7 mm)   very seriously   
                                   than the amount     in diameter;        in diameter;        affected.        
                                   of discoloration    slightly rough      slightly rough                       
                                   permitted in the    with slight depth   with depth                           
                                   grade.              aggregating more    aggregating more                     
                                                       than a circle \7/   than a circle 1\1/                   
                                                       8\ inch (22.2 mm)   4\ inches (31.8                      
                                                       in diameter;        mm) in diameter;                     
                                                       smooth or fairly    smooth or fairly                     
                                                       smooth with         smooth with                          
                                                       slight depth        slight depth                         
                                                       aggregating more    aggregating more                     
                                                       than a circle 1\1/  than 10 percent                      
                                                       4\ inches (31.8     of fruit surface.                    
                                                       mm) in diameter.                                         
Skin breakdown..................  Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more    Aggregating more  
                                   than a circle \1/   than a circle \1/   than a circle \7/   than 25 percent  
                                   4\ inch (6.4 mm)    2\ inch (12.7 mm)   8\ inch (22.2 mm)   of the surface.  
                                   in diameter.        in diameter.        in diameter.                         
Sprayburn.......................  ..................  Aggregating more    Hard and            Aggregating more  
                                                       than a circle \5/   aggregating more    than 25 percent  
                                                       8\ inch (15.9 mm)   than a circle 1\1/  of the surface.  
                                                       in diameter.        2\ inches (38.1                      
                                                                           mm) in diameter.                     
Split, rough, protruding navels.  Split is unhealed,  Split is unhealed,  Split is unhealed,  Split is unhealed 
                                   or more than \1/    or more than \1/    or more than \1/    or fruit is      
                                   8\ inch (3.2 mm)    4\ inch (6.4 mm)    2\ inch (12.7 mm)   seriously        
                                   in length, or       in length, or       in length, or two   weakened.        
                                   navel protrudes     more than three     or more splits                       
                                   beyond the          well healed         aggregate more                       
                                   general contour,    splits, or navel    than 1 inch (25.4                    
                                   and opening is so   protrudes beyond    mm) in length, or                    
                                   wide, folded and    the general         navel protrudes                      
                                   ridged that it      contour, and        beyond general                       
                                   detracts from the   opening is so       contour, and                         
                                   appearance.         wide, folded and    opening is so                        
                                                       ridged that it      wide, folded and                     
                                                       detracts from       ridged that it                       
                                                       appearance.         detracts from                        
                                                                           appearance.                          
Sunburn.........................  ..................  Skin is flattened,  Skin is hard and    Aggregating more  
                                                       dry, darkened, or   affects more than   than 50 percent  
                                                       hard and the        one-third of the    of the surface.  
                                                       affected area       surface.                             
                                                       exceeds 25                                               
                                                       percent of the                                           
                                                       surface.                                                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: All references to area or aggregating area, or length in this standard are based on an orange or tangelo  
  2\7/8\ inches (73.0 mm) in diameter, allowing proportionately greater areas on larger fruit and lesser areas  
  on smaller fruit.                                                                                             



Standards for Internal Quality of Common Sweet Oranges (Citrus Sinensis 
(L) Osbeck)


Sec. 51.1176  U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A).

    Any lot of oranges, the juice content of which meets the following 
requirements, may be designated ``U.S. Grade AA Juice (Double A)'':
    (a) Each lot of fruit shall contain an average of not less than 5 
gallons (18.9 liters) of juice per standard packed box of 1\3/5\ 
bushels.
    (b) The average juice content for any lot of fruit shall have not 
less than 10 percent total soluble solids, and not less than one-half 
of 1 percent anhydrous citric acid, or more than the permissible 
maximum acid specified in Table II of Sec. 51.1178.


Sec. 51.1177  U.S. Grade A Juice.

    Any lot of oranges, the juice content of which meets the following 
requirements, may be designated ``U.S. Grade A Juice'':
    (a) Each lot of fruit shall contain an average of not less than 
4\1/2\ gallons (17.0 liters) of juice per standard packed box of 1\3/5\ 
bushels.
    (b) The average juice content for any lot of fruit shall have not 
less than 9 percent total soluble solids, and not less than one-half of 
1 percent anhydrous citric acid, or more than the permissible maximum 
acid specified in Table II of Sec. 51.1178.


Sec. 51.1178  Maximum anhydrous citric acid permissible for 
corresponding total soluble solids.

    For determining the grade of juice, the maximum permissible 
anhydrous citric acid content in relation to corresponding total 
soluble solids in the fruit is set forth in the following Table II 
together with the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous 
citric acid:

                                Table II                                
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Minimum  
                                                  Maximum      ratio of 
                                                 anhydrous      total   
      Total soluble solids  (average pct)       citric acid    soluble  
                                                  (average    solids to 
                                                    pct)      anhydrous 
                                                             citric acid
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9.0..........................................        0.947       9.50-1
 9.1..........................................         .963       9.45-1
 9.2..........................................         .979       9.40-1
 9.3..........................................         .995       9.35-1
 9.4..........................................        1.011       9.30-1
 9.5..........................................        1.027       9.25-1
 9.6..........................................        1.043       9.20-1
 9.7..........................................        1.060       9.15-1
 9.8..........................................        1.077       9.10-1
 9.9..........................................        1.094       9.05-1
10.0..........................................        1.111       9.00-1
10.1..........................................        1.128       8.95-1
10.2..........................................        1.146       8.90-1
10.3..........................................        1.164       8.85-1
10.4..........................................        1.182       8.80-1
10.5..........................................        1.200       8.75-1
10.6..........................................        1.218       8.70-1
10.7..........................................        1.237       8.65-1

[[Page 20713]]

                                                                        
10.8..........................................        1.256       8.60-1
10.9..........................................        1.275       8.55-1
11.0..........................................        1.294       8.50-1
11.1..........................................        1.306       8.50-1
11.2..........................................        1.318       8.50-1
11.3..........................................        1.329       8.50-1
11.4..........................................        1.341       8.50-1
11.5..........................................        1.353       8.50-1
11.6..........................................        1.365       8.50-1
11.7..........................................        1.376       8.50-1
11.8..........................................        1.388       8.50-1
11.9..........................................        1.400       8.50-1
12.0..........................................        1.412       8.50-1
12.1..........................................        1.424       8.50-1
12.2..........................................        1.435       8.50-1
12.3..........................................        1.447       8.50-1
12.4..........................................        1.459       8.50-1
12.5..........................................        1.471       8.50-1
12.6..........................................        1.482       8.50-1
12.7..........................................        1.494       8.50-1
12.8..........................................        1.506       8.50-1
12.9..........................................        1.517       8.50-1
13.0..........................................        1.530       8.50-1
13.1..........................................        1.541       8.50-1
13.2..........................................        1.553       8.50-1
13.3..........................................        1.565       8.50-1
13.4..........................................        1.576       8.50-1
13.5..........................................        1.588       8.50-1
13.6..........................................        1.600       8.50-1
13.7..........................................        1.612       8.50-1
13.8..........................................        1.624       8.50-1
13.9..........................................        1.635       8.50-1
14.0..........................................        1.647       8.50-1
14.1..........................................        1.659       8.50-1
14.2..........................................        1.671       8.50-1
14.3..........................................        1.682       8.50-1
14.4..........................................        1.694       8.50-1
14.5..........................................        1.705       8.50-1
14.6..........................................        1.718       8.50-1
14.7..........................................        1.729       8.50-1
14.8..........................................        1.741       8.50-1
14.9..........................................        1.753       8.50-1
15.0..........................................        1.765       8.50-1
15.1..........................................        1.776       8.50-1
15.2..........................................        1.788       8.50-1
15.3..........................................        1.800       8.50-1
15.4..........................................        1.812       8.50-1
15.5..........................................        1.824       8.50-1
15.6 or more..................................  ...........       8.50-1
------------------------------------------------------------------------




Sec. 51.1179  Method of juice extraction.

    The juice used in the determining of solids, acids and juice 
content shall be extracted from representative samples as thoroughly as 
possible with a hand reamer or by such mechanical extractor or 
extractors as may be approved. The juice shall be strained through 
cheese cloth or other approved straining device of extra fine mesh to 
prevent passage of juice cells, pulp, or seeds.
    4. In part 51, Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of 
Florida Tangerines is revised to read as follows:

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Florida Tangerines

Grades

Sec.
51.1810  U.S. Fancy.
51.1811  U.S. No. 1 Bright.
51.1812  U.S. No. 1.
51.1813  U.S. No. 1 Golden.
51.1814  U.S. No. 1 Bronze.
51.1815  U.S. No. 1 Russet.
51.1816  U.S. No. 2 Bright.
51.1817  U.S. No. 2.
51.1818  U.S. No. 2 Russet.
51.1819  U.S. No. 3.

Tolerances

51.1820  Tolerances.

Application of Tolerances

51.1821  Application of tolerances.

Size

51.1822  Size.

Definitions

51.1823  Mature.
51.1824  Firm.
51.1825  Well formed.
51.1826  Damage.
51.1827  Highly colored.
51.1828  Discoloration.
51.1829  Well colored.
51.1830  Fairly well colored.
51.1831  Fairly firm.
51.1832  Fairly well formed.
51.1833  Serious damage.
51.1834  Reasonably well colored.
51.1835  Very serious damage.
51.1836  Diameter.
51.1837  Classification of defects.

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Florida Tangerines


Sec. 51.1810  U.S. Fancy.

    ``U.S. Fancy'' consists of tangerines which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Discoloration: Not more than one-tenth of the surface, in the 
aggregate, may be affected by discoloration. (See Sec. 51.1828.);
    (2) Firm;
    (3) Highly colored;
    (4) Mature; and,
    (5) Well formed.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Caked melanose;
    (2) Decay;
    (3) Unhealed skin breaks; and,
    (4) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from damage caused by:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Bruises;
    (3) Buckskin;
    (4) Creasing;
    (5) Dirt or other foreign material;
    (6) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (7) Disease;
    (8) Green spots;
    (9) Hail;
    (10) Insects;
    (11) Oil spots;
    (12) Scab;
    (13) Scale;
    (14) Scars;
    (15) Skin breakdown;
    (16) Sprayburn;
    (17) Sunburn; and,
    (18) Other means.
    (d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1820.


Sec. 51.1811  U.S. No. 1 Bright.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that fruit shall have not more than one-fifth of its surface, in 
the aggregate, affected by discoloration. For tolerances see 
Sec. 51.1820.


Sec. 51.1812  U.S. No. 1.

    ``U.S. No. 1'' consists of tangerines which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Discoloration: Not more than one-third of the surface, in the 
aggregate, may be affected by discoloration. (See Sec. 51.1828.);
    (2) Fairly well colored;
    (3) Firm;
    (4) Mature; and,
    (5) Well formed.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Decay;
    (2) Unhealed skin breaks; and,
    (3) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from damage caused by:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Bruises;
    (3) Buckskin;
    (4) Caked melanose;
    (5) Creasing;
    (6) Dirt or other foreign material;
    (7) Disease;
    (8) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (9) Green spots;
    (10) Hail;
    (11) Insects;
    (12) Oil spots;
    (13) Scab;
    (14) Scale;
    (15) Scars;
    (16) Skin breakdown;
    (17) Sprayburn;
    (18) Sunburn; and
    (19) Other means.
    (d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1820.


Sec. 51.1813  U.S. No. 1 Golden.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that not more than 30 percent, by count, of the fruit shall have 
than more one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by 
discoloration. For tolerances see Sec. 51.1820.


Sec. 51.1814  U.S. No. 1 Bronze.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that at least 30 percent, by count, of the fruit shall have more 
than one-third of their

[[Page 20714]]

surface, in the aggregate, affected by discoloration. The predominating 
discoloration on each fruit shall be of rust mite type. For tolerances 
see Sec. 51.1820.


Sec. 51.1815  U.S. No. 1 Russet.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 
except that at least 30 percent, by count, of the fruit shall have more 
than one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by any type 
of discoloration. For tolerances see Sec. 51.1820.


Sec. 51.1816  U.S. No. 2 Bright.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 2 
except that fruit shall have not more than one-fifth of its surface, in 
the aggregate, affected by discoloration. For tolerances see 
Sec. 51.1820.


Sec. 51.1817  U.S. No. 2.

    ``U.S. No. 2'' consists of tangerines which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Discoloration: Not more than one-half of the surface, in the 
aggregate, may be affected by discoloration. (See Sec. 51.1828.);
    (2) Fairly firm;
    (3) Fairly well formed;
    (4) Mature; and
    (5) Reasonably well colored.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Decay;
    (2) Unhealed skin breaks; and,
    (3) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from serious damage caused by:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Bruises;
    (3) Buckskin;
    (4) Caked melanose;
    (5) Creasing;
    (6) Dirt or other foreign material;
    (7) Disease;
    (8) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (9) Green spots;
    (10) Hail;
    (11) Insects;
    (12) Oil spots;
    (13) Scab;
    (14) Scale;
    (15) Scars;
    (16) Skin breakdown;
    (17) Sprayburn;
    (18) Sunburn; and
    (19) Other means.
    (d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1820.


Sec. 51.1818  U.S. No. 2 Russet.

    The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 2 
except that at least 10 percent of the fruit shall have more than one-
half of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by any type of 
discoloration. For tolerances see Sec. 51.1820.


Sec. 51.1819  U.S. No. 3.

    ``U.S. No. 3'' consists of tangerines which meet the following 
requirements:
    (a) Basic requirements:
    (1) Mature;
    (2) Not flabby; and
    (3) Not seriously lumpy.
    (b) Free from:
    (1) Decay;
    (2) Unhealed skin breaks; and
    (3) Wormy fruit.
    (c) Free from very serious damage caused by:
    (1) Ammoniation;
    (2) Bruises;
    (3) Caked melanose;
    (4) Creasing;
    (5) Dirt or other foreign material;
    (6) Disease;
    (7) Dryness or mushy condition;
    (8) Hail;
    (9) Insects;
    (10) Scab;
    (11) Scale;
    (12) Scars;
    (13) Skin breakdown;
    (14) Sprayburn;
    (15) Sunburn; and,
    (16) Other means.
    (d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.1820.

Tolerances


Sec. 51.1820  Tolerances.

    In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 
handling in each of the foregoing grades, the following tolerances, by 
count, are provided as specified:
    (a) Defects.
    (1) U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1 Bright, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1 Golden, 
U.S. No. 1 Bronze, U.S. No. 1 Russet, U.S. No. 2 Bright, U.S. No. 2, 
and U.S. No. 2 Russet grades.
    (i) For defects at shipping point.<SUP>1 Not more than 10 percent 
of the fruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the 
specified grade: Provided, that included in this amount not more than 5 
percent shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, 
including in this latter amount not more than 1 percent for decay or 
wormy fruit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Shipping point, as used in these standards, means the point 
of origin of the shipment in the producing area or at port of 
loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or, in the case of 
shipments from outside the continental United States, the port of 
entry into the United States.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 12 
percent of the fruit which fail to meet the requirements of the 
specified grade: Provided, that included in this amount not more than 
the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
    (A) 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or,
    (B) 7 percent for defects causing very serious damage, including 
therein not more than 5 percent for very serious damage by permanent 
defects and not more than 3 percent for decay or wormy fruit.
    (2) U.S. No. 3.
    (i) For defects at shipping point.\1\ Not more than 10 percent of 
the fruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the grade: 
Provided, that included in this amount not more than 1 percent shall be 
for decay or wormy fruit.
    (ii) For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 12 
percent of the fruit which fail to meet the requirements of the grade: 
Provided, that included in this amount not more than the following 
percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
    (A) 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or,
    (B) 3 percent for decay or wormy fruit.
    (b) Discoloration.--(1)  U.S. No. 1 Bright, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2 
Bright, and U.S. No. 2. Not more than 10 percent of the fruit in any 
lot may fail to meet the requirements relating to discoloration as 
specified in each grade. No sample may have more than 20 percent of the 
fruit with excessive discoloration: And provided further, that the 
entire lot averages within the percentage specified.
    (2) U.S. No. 1 Golden. Not more than 30 percent of the fruit shall 
have in excess of one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, 
affected by discoloration, and no part of any tolerance shall be 
allowed to increase this percentage. No sample may have more than 40 
percent of the fruit with excessive discoloration: And provided 
further, that the entire lot averages within the percentage specified.
    (3) U.S. No. 1 Bronze, and U.S. No. 1 Russet. At least 30 percent 
of the fruit shall have in excess of one-third of the surface, in the 
aggregate, affected by discoloration, and no part of any tolerance 
shall be allowed to reduce this percentage. No sample may have less 
than 20 percent of the fruit with required discoloration: And provided 
further, that the entire lot averages within the percentage specified.
    (4) U.S. No. 2 Russet. At least 10 percent of the fruit shall have 
in excess of one-half of the surface, in the aggregate, affected by 
discoloration, and no part of any tolerance shall be allowed to reduce 
this percentage: And provided further, that the entire lot averages 
within the percentage specified.

Application of Tolerances


Sec. 51.1821  Application of tolerances.

    The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample 
inspection,

[[Page 20715]]

are subject to the following limitations, unless otherwise specified in 
Sec. 51.1820: Provided, that the average for the entire lot are within 
the tolerance specified for the grade:
    (a) For packages which contain more than 15 pounds, and a tolerance 
of 10 percent or more is provided, individual packages in any lot shall 
have not more than one and one-half times the tolerance specified. For 
packages which contain more than 15 pounds, and a tolerance of less 
than 10 percent is provided, individual packages in any lot shall have 
not more than double the tolerance specified, except that at least one 
decayed or very seriously damaged fruit may be permitted in any 
package.
    (b) For packages which contain 15 pounds or less, individual 
packages in any lot are not restricted as to the percentage of defects: 
Provided, that not more than one fruit which is decayed or otherwise 
very seriously damaged may be permitted in any package and, in 
addition, en route or at destination not more than 10 percent of the 
packages may have more than one fruit which is decayed or otherwise 
very seriously damaged.

Size


Sec. 51.1822  Size.

    (a) Fruits shall be fairly uniform in size and shall be packed in 
containers according to approved and recognized methods.
    (b) ``Fairly uniform in size'' means that not more than 10 percent 
of the tangerines per sample may vary more than one-half inch in 
diameter.
    (c) In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing, not 
more than 10 percent of the samples in any lot may fail to meet the 
requirements of size.

Definitions


Sec. 51.1823  Mature.

    Mature shall have the same meaning assigned the term in the Florida 
Citrus Code, Chapter 601, 1995 Edition, and the Official Rules 
Affecting the Florida Citrus Industry, in effect as of February 12, 
1995. These tangerine maturity requirements are contained in the 
Florida Citrus Code, Chapter 601, Florida Statutes, Sections 601.21, 
and 601.22, 1995 Edition, and the State of Florida Department of Citrus 
Official Rules Affecting the Florida Citrus Industry, Part 1, Chapter 
20-13 Market Classification, Maturity Standards and Processing or 
Packing Restrictions for Hybrids in effect as of February 12, 1995. 
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. 
Copies may be obtained from, Florida Department of Citrus, Post Office 
Box 148, Lakeland, Florida 33802 or copies of both regulations may be 
inspected at USDA, AMS, F&VD, FPB, Standardization Section, Room 2065-
S, 14th and Independence Ave., Washington, DC 20250 or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, Suite 700, 800 North Capitol Street, Washington, 
DC.


Sec. 51.1824  Firm.

    Firm means that the flesh is not soft and the fruit is not badly 
puffy and that the skin has not become materially separated from the 
flesh of the tangerine.


Sec. 51.1825  Well formed.

    Well formed means that the fruit has the characteristic tangerine 
shape and is not deformed.


Sec. 51.1826  Damage.

    Damage means any specific defect described in Sec. 51.1837, Table 
I; or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, 
any other defect, or any combination of defects, which materially 
detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the 
fruit.


Sec. 51.1827  Highly colored.

    Highly colored means that the ground color of each fruit is a deep 
tangerine color, or characteristic color for the variety, with 
practically no trace of yellow color.


Sec. 51.1828 Discoloration.

    Discoloration means russeting of a light shade of golden brown 
caused by rust mite or other means. Lighter shades of discoloration 
caused by smooth or fairly smooth superficial scars or other means may 
be allowed on a greater area, or darker shades may be allowed on a 
lesser area, provided no discoloration caused by speck type melanose or 
other means may detract from the appearance of the fruit to a greater 
extent than the shade and amount of discoloration allowed in the grade.


Sec. 51.1829  Well colored.

    Well colored means that a good yellow or better ground color 
predominates over the green color on the entire fruit surface with no 
distinct green color present, and that some portion of the surface has 
a reddish tangerine blush, or characteristic color for the variety.


Sec. 51.1830  Fairly well colored.

    Fairly well colored means that the surface of the fruit may have 
green color which does not exceed the aggregate area of a circle 1-\1/
4\ inches (31.8 mm) in diameter and that the remainder of the surface 
has a yellow or better ground color with some portion of the surface 
showing reddish tangerine blush, or characteristic color for the 
variety.


Sec. 51.1831  Fairly firm.

    Fairly firm means that the flesh may be slightly soft but is not 
bruised or badly puffy, and that the skin has not become seriously 
separated from the flesh of the tangerine.


Sec. 51.1832  Fairly well formed.

    Fairly well formed means that the fruit may not have the shape 
characteristic of the variety but that it is not badly deformed.


Sec. 51.1833  Serious damage.

    Serious damage means any specific defect described in Sec. 51.1837, 
Table I; or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these 
defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, which 
seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing 
quality of the fruit.


Sec. 51.1834  Reasonably well colored.

    Reasonably well colored means that a good yellow or reddish 
tangerine color shall predominate over the green color on at least one-
half of the fruit surface in the aggregate, and that each fruit shall 
show practically no lemon color.


Sec. 51.1835   Very serious damage.

    Very serious damage means any specific defect described in 
Sec. 51.1837, Table I; or an equally objectionable variation of any one 
of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, 
which very seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or 
marketing quality of the fruit.


Sec. 51.1836  Diameter.

    Diameter means the greatest dimension measured at right angles to a 
line from stem to blossom end.

[[Page 20716]]

Sec. 51.1837  Classification of defects.

                                                     Table I                                                    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Factor                          Damage               Serious damage        Very serious damage  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ammoniation..........................  Not occurring as light   Scars are cracked or     Aggregating more than  
                                        speck type, or           dark and aggregating     25 percent of the     
                                        detracts more than       more than a circle \5/   surface.              
                                        discoloration            8\ inch (15.9 mm) in                           
                                        permitted in the grade.  diameter.                                      
Bruises..............................  Segment walls are        Segment walls are        Fruit is split open,   
                                        collapsed, or rag is     collapsed, or rag is     peel is badly         
                                        ruptured and juice       ruptured and juice       watersoaked, or rag is
                                        sacs are ruptured.       sacs are ruptured.       ruptured and juice    
                                                                                          sacs are ruptured     
                                                                                          causing a mushy       
                                                                                          condition affecting   
                                                                                          all segments more than
                                                                                          \1/2\ inch (12.7 mm)  
                                                                                          at bruised area or the
                                                                                          equivalent of this    
                                                                                          amount, by volume,    
                                                                                          when affecting more   
                                                                                          than one area on the  
                                                                                          fruit.                
Buckskin.............................  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than    Aggregating more than  
                                        circle \3/4\ inch        25 percent of the        50 percent of the     
                                        (19.1 mm) in diameter.   surface.                 surface.              
Caked melanose.......................  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than  
                                        circle \3/8\ inch (9.5   circle \5/8\ inch        25 percent of the     
                                        mm) in diameter.         (15.9 mm) in diameter.   surface.              
Creasing.............................  Materially weakens the   Seriously weakens the    Very seriously weakens 
                                        skin, or extends over    skin, or extends over    the skin, or is       
                                        more than one-third of   more than one-half of    distributed over      
                                        the surface.             the surface.             practically the entire
                                                                                          surface.              
Dryness or mushy condition...........  Affecting all segments   Affecting all segments   Affecting all segments 
                                        more than \1/8\ inch     more than \1/4\ inch     more than \1/2\ inch  
                                        (3.2 mm) at stem end,    (6.4 mm) at stem end,    (12.7 mm) at stem end,
                                        or the equivalent of     or the equivalent of     or the equivalent of  
                                        this amount, by          this amount, by          this amount, by       
                                        volume, when occurring   volume, when occurring   volume, when occurring
                                        in other portions of     in other portions of     in other portions of  
                                        the fruit.               the fruit.               the fruit.            
Green spots..........................  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than  
                                        circle \1/2\ inch        circle \5/8\ inch        25 percent of the     
                                        (12.7 mm) in diameter.   (15.9 mm) in diameter.   surface.              
Oil spots............................  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than  
                                        circle \1/2\ inch        circle \3/4\ inch        25 percent of the     
                                        (12.7 mm) in diameter.   (19.1 mm) in diameter.   surface.              
Scab.................................  Materially detracts      Seriously detracts from  Aggregating more than  
                                        from the shape or        the shape or texture,    25 percent of the     
                                        texture, or              or aggregating more      surface.              
                                        aggregating more than    than a circle \5/8\                            
                                        a circle \3/8\ inch      inch (15.9 mm) in                              
                                        (9.5 mm) in diameter.    diameter.                                      
Scale................................  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than  
                                        circle \3/8\ inch (9.5   circle \5/8\ inch        25 percent of the     
                                        mm) in diameter.         (15.9 mm) in diameter.   surface.              
Scars, Hail, and Thorn scratches [For  Deep or rough            Deep or rough            Deep or rough or       
 smooth or fairly smooth superficial    aggregating more than    aggregating more than    unsightly that        
 scars see Sec.  51.1828.].             a circle \1/4\ inch      a circle \1/2\ inch      appearance is very    
                                        (6.4 mm) in diameter;    (12.7 mm) in diameter;   seriously affected.   
                                        slightly rough with      slightly rough with                            
                                        slight depth             slight depth                                   
                                        aggregating more than    aggregating more than                          
                                        a circle \3/4\ inch      a circle 1\1/8\ inches                         
                                        (19.1 mm) in diameter;   (28.6 mm) in diameter;                         
                                        smooth or fairly         smooth or fairly                               
                                        smooth with slight       smooth with slight                             
                                        depth aggregating more   depth aggregating more                         
                                        than a circle 1\1/8\     than 10 percent of                             
                                        inches (28.6 mm) in      fruit surface.                                 
                                        diameter.                                                               
Skin breakdown.......................  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than a  Aggregating more than  
                                        circle \1/2\ inch        circle \3/4\ inch        25 percent of the     
                                        (12.7 mm) in diameter.   (19.1 mm) in diameter.   surface.              
Sprayburn............................  Skin is hard and         Skin is hard and         Aggregating more than  
                                        aggregating more than    aggregating more than    25 percent of the     
                                        a circle \3/4\ inch      a circle 1\1/4\ inches   surface.              
                                        (19.1 mm) in diameter.   (31.8 mm) in diameter.                         
Sunburn..............................  Skin is flattened, dry,  Skin is hard and         Aggregating more than  
                                        darkened, or hard and    affects more than one-   50 percent of the     
                                        the affected area        third of the surface.    surface.              
                                        exceeds 25 percent of                                                   
                                        the surface.                                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: All references to area or aggregate area, or length are based on a tangerine 2\1/2\ inches in diameter    
  (63.5 mm), allowing proportionately greater areas on larger fruit and lesser areas on smaller fruit.          

    Dated: May 2, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-11457 Filed 5-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P