[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8573-8579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3784]



 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 15, 1995 / 
Proposed Rules  
[[Page 8573]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 52

[FV-95-326]


United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Green and Frozen Wax 
Beans

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In response to a petition from the National Food Processors 
Association, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has reviewed and 
proposes to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen 
Green and Frozen Wax Beans (hereinafter referred to as ``frozen green 
beans''). The proposed rule would change the U.S. grade standards for 
frozen green beans by: Providing for the ``individual attributes'' lot 
acceptance procedure for product grading with sample sizes, acceptable 
quality levels (AQL's), tolerances and acceptance numbers (number of 
allowable defects); establishing AQL's and acceptance numbers based on 
a specified sample size of 13 sample units; and making minor editorial 
changes.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 17, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this proposal. Comments must be sent in duplicate to the 
Office of the Branch Chief, Processed Products Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 0709, South Building, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, 
D.C. 20090-4693. Comments should reference the date and page number of 
this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for 
public inspection in the Office of the Branch Chief during regular 
business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James R. Rodeheaver, Processed 
Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 0709, South Building, 
P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456, Telephone (202) 720-4693.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) is issuing this proposed rule in conformance with Executive 
Order 12866.
    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778, 
Civil Justice Reform. This action is not intended to have retroactive 
effect. This proposed 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 
this rule.
    The AMS Administrator has certified that this action will not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, P.L. 96-354 (5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), because it reflects current marketing practices. 
In addition, these standards are voluntary. A small entity may avoid 
incurring any additional economic impact by not employing the 
standards.
    USDA received a petition from the National Food Processors 
Association (NFPA), requesting that the U.S. grade standards for frozen 
green beans be revised. NFPA is a trade association representing over 
450 food industry companies.
    NFPA's grade standards review subcommittee is responsible for 
reviewing the existing U.S. grade standards for canned and frozen 
fruits and vegetables to ascertain whether the standards remain current 
and reflect processing and marketing practices. Based on the 
subcommittee's recommendation, NFPA requested that the U.S. grade 
standards for frozen green beans, which are currently based on ``full 
attributes,'' where defects are grouped into four categories (minor, 
major, severe, and critical) with acceptable quality levels (AQL's) for 
each grouping, be revised.
    Their recommendation was to convert the U.S. grade standards to 
statistically-based individual attributes grade standards, similar to 
the recently revised U.S. grade standards for canned green and wax 
beans (58 FR 4295, January 14, 1993) where each defect has its own AQL. 
Canned green beans and frozen green beans standards would be similar in 
design and format.
    This proposal is based on the discussion drafts provided to the 
industry in December 1993, March 1994, and April 1994 through their 
major trade associations, the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and 
NFPA. The drafts incorporated a grading system where individual 
tolerances would be assigned to each individual defect. This proposal 
would provide statistically derived acceptable quality levels (AQL's) 
based on the tolerances in the current standards (except some 
tolerances were changed to be similar to the tolerances in canned green 
beans). The proposal also includes minor editorial changes and provides 
a uniform format consistent with recent revisions of other U.S. grade 
standards. The format is designed to provide industry personnel and 
agricultural commodity graders with simpler and more comprehensive 
standards. Definitions of terms and easy-to-read tables have been 
incorporated to assure a better understanding and uniform application 
of the standards. USDA believes that this proposed rule would 
facilitate trade between processors and buyers and improve the 
marketing of frozen green beans.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 52

    Food grades and standards, Food labeling, Frozen foods, Fruit 
juices, Fruits, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vegetables.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture proposes to revise Subpart--United States Standards for 
Grades of Frozen Green Beans and Frozen Wax Beans of 7 CFR Part 52 as 
follows:

PART 52--PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, PROCESSED PRODUCTS 
THEREOF, AND CERTAIN OTHER PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS

    1. The authority citation for Part 52 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624.

    2. Part 52, Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Frozen 
Green Beans and Frozen Wax Beans is revised to read as follows: 
[[Page 8574]] 

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Green Beans 
and Frozen Wax Beans

Sec.
52.2321  Product description.
52.2322  Styles.
52.2323  Types.
52.2324  Kinds of pack.
52.2325  Definitions of terms.
52.2326  Grades.
52.2327  Factors of quality.
52.2328  Allowances for defects.
52.2329  Sample size.
52.2330  Quality requirements criteria.


Sec. 52.2321  Product description.

    ``Frozen green beans'' and ``frozen wax beans,'' hereinafter called 
``frozen beans,'' means the frozen product prepared from the clean, 
sound, succulent pods of the bean plant. The pods are stemmed, washed, 
blanched, sorted, and properly drained. The product is frozen in 
accordance with good commercial practice and maintained at temperatures 
necessary for the preservation of the product.


Sec. 52.2322  Styles.

    (a) Whole means frozen beans consisting of whole pods, which after 
removal of either or both ends, are not less than 44 mm (1.75 in) in 
length.
    (b) Cut or cuts means frozen beans consisting of pods that are cut 
transversely into pieces less than 70 mm (2.75 in) but not less than 19 
mm (0.75 in) in length.
    (c) Short cut or short cuts means frozen beans consisting of pieces 
of pods of which 75 percent or more are less than 19 mm (0.75 in) in 
length and not more than 1 percent are more than 32 mm (1.25 in) in 
length.
    (d) Mixed means a mixture of two or more of the following styles of 
frozen beans: whole, cut, or short cut.
    (e) Sliced lengthwise, or French style means frozen green beans 
consisting of pods that are sliced lengthwise.


Sec. 52.2323  Types.

    The type of frozen beans is not incorporated in the grades of 
finished product, since it is not a factor of quality. The types of 
frozen beans are described as ``round type'' and ``Romano or Italian 
type.''
    (a) Round type means frozen beans having a width not greater than 
1\1/2\ times the thickness of the beans.
    (b) Romano or Italian type means frozen beans having a width 
greater than 1\1/2\ times the thickness of the beans.


Sec. 52.2324  Kinds of pack.

    The kind of pack of frozen beans is not incorporated in the grades 
of finished product, since it is not a factor of quality. The kinds of 
pack of frozen beans are described as ``regular process,'' ``extended 
blanch process,'' and ``special pack.''
    (a) Regular process means the frozen beans are processed in such a 
manner that the brightness is not affected by the process.
    (b) Extended blanch process means the frozen beans are 
intentionally processed in such a manner that the brightness is 
affected by the process.
    (c) Special pack means the frozen bean pack intentionally contains 
beans of two or more varietal characteristics (such as a mixture of 
green and wax beans).


Sec. 52.2325  Definitions of terms.

    (a) Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) means the maximum percent of 
defective units or the maximum number of defects per hundred units of 
product that, for the purpose of acceptance sampling, can be considered 
satisfactory as a process average.
    (b) Blemish.
    (1) Minor blemish means any unit which is affected by scars, 
pathological injury, insect injury or other means in which the 
aggregate area affected exceeds the area of a circle 3 mm (0.125 in) in 
diameter or the appearance or eating quality of the unit is slightly 
affected.
    (2) Major blemish means any unit which is affected or damaged by 
discoloration or any other means to the extent that the appearance or 
eating quality of the unit is more than slightly affected.
    (3) Total blemish means the total of the major and minor blemishes.
    (c) Brightness means the extent that the overall appearance of the 
sample unit as a mass is affected by dullness. (Applies to ``regular 
process'' only).
    (1) Grade A: Not affected.
    (2) Grade B: Slightly affected.
    (3) Grade C: Materially affected.
    (4) Substandard: Seriously affected.
    (d) Character.
    (1) Round type--Green Beans.
    (i) Good character means the pods are full fleshed; after cooking, 
the pods are tender and the seeds are not mealy.
    (ii) Reasonably good character means the pods are reasonably 
fleshy; after cooking, the pods are tender and the seeds are not mealy.
    (iii) Fairly good character means the pods have not entirely lost 
their fleshy structure; after cooking, the pods are fairly tender and 
the seeds may be slightly mealy.
    (iv) Poor character means the beans fail the requirements for 
``fairly good character.''
    (2) Round type--Wax Beans.
    (i) Good character means the pods are full fleshed and may show 
slight breakdown of the flesh between seed cavities; after cooking, the 
pods are tender and the seeds are not mealy.
    (ii) Reasonably good character means the pods are reasonably fleshy 
and may show substantial breakdown of the flesh between the seed 
cavities; after cooking, the pods are tender and the seeds are not 
mealy.
    (iii) Fairly good character means the pods may show total breakdown 
of the flesh between the seed cavities with no definite seed pocket, 
but still retain flesh on the inside pod wall; after cooking, the pods 
are fairly tender and the seeds may be slightly mealy.
    (iv) Poor character means the beans fail the requirements for 
``fairly good character.''
    (3) Romano or Italian type.
    (i) Good character means the pods have a full inner membrane, 
typical of the variety and are tender after cooking.
    (ii) Reasonably good character means the pods have a reasonably 
well developed inner membrane and are reasonably tender after cooking.
    (iii) Fairly good character means the pods may lack an inner 
membrane; and are fairly tender after cooking.
    (iv) Poor character means the beans fail the requirements for 
``fairly good character.''
    (e) Color defective means a unit that varies markedly from the 
color that is normally expected for the variety and grade.
    (f) Defect means any nonconformance of a unit of product from a 
specified requirement of a single quality characteristic.
    (g) Extraneous vegetable material (EVM) means harmless vegetable 
material (other than the bean pods) including, but not limited to, 
stalk, vine material, [vine material with stem(s) attached], leaves of 
the bean plant, and leaves or portions of other harmless plants.
    (h) Flavor and odor.
    (1) Good flavor and odor means the product, after cooking, has a 
characteristic green bean or wax bean flavor and odor typical of the 
varietal type and is free from objectionable flavors and odors.
    (2) Fairly good flavor and odor means the product, after cooking, 
may be lacking in characteristic flavor and odor for the varietal type 
but is free from objectionable flavors and odors.
    (i) Fiber.
    (1) Edible fiber means fiber developed in the wall of the bean pod 
that, after cooking, is noticeable upon chewing, but can be consumed 
with the rest of the bean material without objection.
    (2) Inedible fiber means fiber developed in the wall of the bean 
pod [[Page 8575]] that, after cooking, is objectionable upon chewing 
and tends to separate from the rest of the bean material.
    (j) Mechanical damage means a unit, in all styles except French, 
that is broken or split into two parts (equals 1 defect), is crushed, 
or is damaged by mechanical means to such an extent that the appearance 
is seriously affected; and for whole and cut styles has very ragged 
edges that are greater than 8 mm (\5/16\ in).
    (k) Short piece means a unit in cut style, that is less than 13 mm 
(0.50 in) in length, and a unit in whole style that is less than 44 mm 
(1.75 in) in length, measured along the longest dimension parallel to 
the bean suture line.
    (l) Single sample unit means the amount of product specified (500 
grams for French style and 400 units for all other styles) to be used 
for unofficial inspection. It may be:
    (1) The entire contents of a container;
    (2) A portion of the contents of a container; or
    (3) A combination of the contents of two or more containers.
    (m) Sloughing means the separation of the outer surface layer of 
tissue from the pod.
    (n) Small pieces and odd cuts, in French style only, mean pieces of 
pod less than 19 mm (0.75 in) in length or pieces of pod not conforming 
to the normal appearance of a sliced lengthwise bean unit.
    (o) Stem means any part or portion (loose or attached) of the hard 
or tough fibrous material that attaches the bean pod to the vine.
    (p) Tolerance means the percentage of defective units allowed for 
each quality factor for a specified sample size.
    (q) Unit means a bean pod or any individual portion thereof.


Sec. 52.2326  Grades.

    (a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of frozen beans that:
    (1) Meets the following prerequisites in which the beans:
    (i) Have similar varietal characteristics (except special packs);
    (ii) Have a good flavor and odor;
    (iii) Have a good overall brightness that is not affected by 
dullness (regular process only);
    (iv) Are not materially affected by sloughing;
    (v) Are practically free from small pieces.
    (2) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Sec. 52.2328, 
as applicable for the style.
    (b) U.S. Grade B is the quality of frozen beans that:
    (1) Meets the following prerequisites in which the beans:
    (i) Have similar varietal characteristics (except special packs);
    (ii) Have a good flavor and odor;
    (iii) Have a reasonably good overall brightness (regular process 
only);
    (iv) Are not materially affected by sloughing;
    (v) Are reasonably free from small pieces.
    (2) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Sec. 52.2328, 
as applicable for the style.
    (c) U.S. Grade C is the quality of frozen beans that:
    (1) Meets the following prerequisites in which the beans:
    (i) Have similar varietal characteristics (except special packs);
    (ii) Have a fairly good flavor and odor;
    (iii) Have a fairly good overall brightness (regular process only);
    (iv) Are not seriously affect by sloughing;
    (v) Are fairly free from small pieces.
    (2) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Sec. 52.2328, 
as applicable for the style.
    (d) Substandard is the quality of frozen beans that fail the 
requirements of U.S. Grade C.


Sec. 52.2327  Factors of quality.

    The grade of frozen beans is based on requirements for the 
following quality factors:

(a) Prerequisite quality factors.
(1) Varietal characteristics (except special packs);
(2) Flavor and odor;
(3) Brightness (regular process only);
(4) Sloughing; and
(5) Small pieces.
(b) Classified quality factors.
(1) Extraneous vegetable material (EVM);
(2) Stems;
(3) Major blemishes;
(4) Total blemished;
(5) Mechanical damage;
(6) Short pieces;
(7) Color defectives;
(8) Character;
(9) Inedible fiber; and
(10) Edible fiber.


Sec. 52.2328  Allowances for defects.

 Table I.--Prerequisite Factors for Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans\1\ 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Factors            Grade A            Grade B           Grade C    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Varietal           Similar..........  Similar.........  Similar.        
 Characteristics.                                                       
Flavor and Odor..  Good.............  Good............  Fairly Good.    
Brightness.......  Good.............  Reasonably Good.  Fairly Good.    
Sloughing........  Not Materially     Not Materially    Not Seriously   
                    Affected.          Affected.         Affected.      
Small Pieces.....  Practically Free.  Reasonably Free.  Fairly Free.    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Determined container-by-container.                                   


                             Table II.--Acceptance Numbers for Whole, and Cut Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans Grade A                            
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
Sample Units  x  Sample     ..........................  ..........................   1 x 400  1.5 x 40   3 x 400   6 x 400  13 x 400  21 x 400  29 x 400
 Unit Size.                                                                                          0                                                  
Units of Product..........  ..........................  ..........................    \1\400    \2\600      1200      2400      5200      8400     11600
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOL                         AQL\3\....................        Quality Factors                                                                           
(6)Acceptance Numbers                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.25......................  0.162.....................  Extraneous Vegetable               2         2         4         7        13        19        26
                                                         Material.                                                                                      
0.75......................  0.58......................  Stems.....................         5         6        11        20        39        60        81
1.25......................  1.02......................  Major Blemishes...........         7        10        18        33        65       101       136
3.75......................  3.30......................  Total Blemishes                   19        27        50        94       193       304       415
                                                         (Major+Minor).                                                                                 
3.00......................  2.60......................  Mechanical Damage.........        16        22        40        75       154       242       330
[[Page 8576]]                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                        
20.00.....................  19.10.....................  Short Pieces, Whole Style.        89       130       251       490      1040      1664      2285
8.50......................  7.90......................  Short Pieces, Cut Style...        41        59       111       212       444       706       966
1.75......................  1.48......................  Edible Fiber..............        10        14        25        45        91       142       193
0.10......................  0.05......................  Inedible Fiber............         1         1         2         3         5         7        10
5.50......................  5.00......................  Color Defectives..........        27        39        73       138       286       454       620
10.75.....................  10.10.....................  Character--``B''..........        50        72       138       266       561       894      1225
1.25......................  1.02......................  Character--``C''..........         7        10        18        33        65       101       136
0.10......................  0.05......................  Character--``SStd''.......         1         1         2         3         5         7       10 
\1\For unofficial samples.                                                                                                                              
\2\For use with small container sizes only.                                                                                                             
\3\AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 5200.                                                                                                         


                            Table IIa.--Acceptance Numbers for Whole, and Cut Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans--Grade B                           
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
Sample Units  x  Sample     ..........................  ..........................   1 x 400  1.5 x 40   3 x 400   6 x 400  13 x 400  21 x 400  29 x 400
 Unit Size.                                                                                          0                                                  
Units of Product..........  ..........................  ..........................    \1\400    \2\600      1200      2400      5200      8400     11600
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOL                                   AQL\3\                  Quality Factors                                                                           
(6) Acceptance Numbers                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.50.......................  0.366.....................  Extraneous Vegetable               3         4         8        13        26        40        53
                                                         Material.                                                                                      
1.50......................  1.25......................  Stems.....................         8        12        21        39        78       122       165
2.50......................  2.17......................  Major Blemishes...........        13        19        34        64       130       204       278
6.75......................  6.20......................  Total Blemishes (Major +          33        47        88       169       352       559       763
                                                         Minor).                                                                                        
6.00......................  5.50......................  Mechanical Damage.........        30        42        79       151       314       498       680
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Short Pieces, Whole Style.       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
12.50.....................  11.80.....................  Short Pieces, Cut Style...        58        84       160       309       652      1040      1426
4.50......................  4.00......................  Edible Fiber..............        22        32        59       112       232       366       500
1.50......................  1.25......................  Inedible Fiber............         8        12        21        39        78       122       165
10.75.....................  10.10.....................  Color Defectives..........        50        72       138       266       561       894      1225
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Character--``B''..........       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
10.75.....................  10.10.....................  Character--``C''..........        50        72       138       266       561       894      1225
1.25......................  1.02......................  Character--``SStd''.......         7        10        18        33        65       101       136
\1\For unofficial samples.                                                                                                                              
\2\For use with small container sizes only.                                                                                                             
\3\AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 5200.                                                                                                         


                            Table IIb.--Acceptance Numbers for Whole, and Cut Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans--Grade C                           
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
Sample Units  x  Sample     ..........................  ..........................   1 x 400  1.5 x 40   3 x 400   6 x 400  13 x 400  21 x 400  29 x 400
 Unit Size.                                                                                          0                                                  
Units of Product..........  ..........................  ..........................    \1\400    \2\600      1200      2400      5200      8400     11600
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOL                                   AQL\3\                  Quality Factors                                                                           
(6) Acceptance Numbers                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.00......................  0.80......................  Extraneous Vegetable               6         8        15        26        52        80       108
                                                         Material.                                                                                      
3.00......................  2.60......................  Stems.....................        16        22        40        75       154       242       330
3.75......................  3.30......................  Major Blemishes...........        19        27        50        94       193       304       415
12.75.....................  12.00.....................  Total Blemishes (Major +          58        85       162       314       663      1057      1449
                                                         Minor).                                                                                        
10.75.....................  10.10.....................  Mechanical Damage.........        50        72       138       266       561       894      1225
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Short Pieces, Whole Style.       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
18.25.....................  17.40.....................  Short Pieces, Cut Style...        82       119       230       448       950      1519      2085
8.50......................  7.90......................  Edible Fiber..............        41        59       111       212       444       706       966
3.75......................  3.30......................  Inedible Fiber............        19        27        50        94       193       304       415
17.75.....................  16.90.....................  Color Defectives..........        80       116       224       435       923      1476      2027
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Character--``B''..........       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Character--``C''..........       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
10.75.....................  10.10.....................  Character--``SStd''.......        50        72       138       266       561       894     1225 
\1\For unofficial samples.                                                                                                                              
\2\For use with small container sizes only.                                                                                                             
[[Page 8577]]                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                        
\3\AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 5200.                                                                                                         


                       Table III.--Acceptance Numbers for Short Cut, and Mixed Cut Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans--Grade A                      
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
Sample Units  x  Sample     ..........................  ..........................   1 x 400  1.5 x 40   3 x 400   6 x 400  13 x 400  21 x 400  29 x 400
 Unit Size.                                                                                          0                                                  
Units of Product..........  ..........................  ..........................    \1\400    \2\600      1200      2400      5200      8400     11600
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOL                                   AQL\3\                  Quality Factors                                                                           
(6) Acceptance Numbers                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.25......................  0.162.....................  Extraneous Vegetable               2         2         4         7        13        19        26
                                                         Material.                                                                                      
0.75......................  0.58......................  Stems.....................         5         6        11        20        39        60        81
1.25......................  1.02......................  Major Blemishes...........         7        10        18        33        65       101       136
3.75......................  3.30......................  Total Blemishes (Major +          19        27        50        94       193       304       415
                                                         Minor).                                                                                        
3.00......................  2.60......................  Mechanical Damage.........        16        22        40        75       154       242       330
1.75......................  1.48......................  Edible Fiber..............        10        14        25        45        91       142       193
0.10......................  0.05......................  Inedible Fiber............         1         1         2         3         5         7        10
5.50......................  5.00......................  Color Defectives..........        27        39        73       138       286       454       620
10.75.....................  10.10.....................  Character--``B''..........        50        72       138       266       561       894      1225
1.25......................  1.02......................  Character--``C''..........         7        10        18        33        65       101       136
0.10......................  0.05......................  Character--``SStd''.......         1         1         2         3         5         7        10
\1\For unofficial samples.       \2\For use with small container sizes only.                                                                            
\3\AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 5200.                                                                                                         


                      Table IIIa.--Acceptance Numbers for Short Cut, and Mixed Cut Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans--Grade B                      
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
Sample Units  x  Sample     ..........................  ..........................   1 x 400  1.5 x 40   3 x 400   6 x 400  13 x 400  21 x 400  29 x 400
 Unit Size.                                                                                          0                                                  
Units of Product..........  ..........................  ..........................    \1\400    \2\600      1200      2400      5200      8400     11600
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOL                                   AQL\3\                  Quality Factors                                                                           
(6)Acceptance Numbers                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.50......................  0.366.....................  Extraneous Vegetable               3         4         8        13        26        40        53
                                                         Material.                                                                                      
1.50......................  1.25......................  Stems.....................         8        12        21        39        78       122       165
2.50......................  2.17......................  Major Blemishes...........        13        19        34        64       130       204       278
6.75......................  6.20......................  Total Blemishes (Major +          33        47        88       169       352       559       763
                                                         Minor).                                                                                        
6.00......................  5.50......................  Mechanical Damage.........        30        42        79       151       314       498       680
4.50......................  4.00......................  Edible Fiber..............        22        32        59       112       232       366       500
1.50......................  1.25......................  Inedible Fiber............         8        12        21        39        78       122       165
10.75.....................  10.10.....................  Color Defectives..........        50        72       138       266       561       894      1225
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Character--``B''..........       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
10.75.....................  10.10.....................  Character--``C''..........        50        72       138       266       561       894      1225
1.25......................  1.02......................  Character--``SStd''.......         7        10        18        33        65       101      136 
\1\For unofficial samples.                                                                                                                              
\2\For use with small container sizes only.                                                                                                             
\3\AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 5200.                                                                                                         


                      Table IIIb.--Acceptance Numbers for Short Cut, and Mixed Cut Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans--Grade C                      
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
Sample Units  x  Sample     ..........................  ..........................   1 x 400  1.5 x 40   3 x 400   6 x 400  13 x 400  21 x 400  29 x 400
 Unit Size.                                                                                          0                                                  
Units of Product..........  ..........................  ..........................    400\1\    600\2\      1200      2400      5200      8400     11600
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOL                         AQL\3\....................        Quality Factors                                                                           
(6)Acceptance Numbers                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.00......................  0.80......................  Extraneous Vegetable               6         8        15        26        52        80       108
                                                         Material.                                                                                      
3.00......................  2.60......................  Stems.....................        16        22        40        75       154       242       330
3.75......................  3.30......................  Major Blemishes...........        19        27        50        94       193       304       415
8.50......................  7.90......................  Total Blemishes (Major +          41        59       111       212       444       706       966
                                                         Minor).                                                                                        
10.75.....................  10.10.....................  Mechanical Damage.........        50        72       138       266       561       894      1225
8.50......................  7.90......................  Edible Fiber..............        41        59       111       212       444       706       966
3.75......................  3.30......................  Inedible Fiber............        19        27        50        94       193       304       415
17.75.....................  16.90.....................  Color Defectives..........        80       116       224       435       923      1476      2027
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Character--``B''..........       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A      N/A 
[[Page 8578]]                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                        
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Character--``C''..........       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
10.75.....................  10.10.....................  Character--``SStd''.......        50        72       138       266       561       894     1225 
\1\For unofficial samples.                                                                                                                              
\2\For use with small container sizes only.                                                                                                             
\3\AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 5200.                                                                                                         


                                Table IV.--Acceptance Numbers for French Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans--Grade A                                
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
Sample Units  x  Sample     ..........................  ..........................   1 x 200  1.5 x 20   3 x 200   6 x 200  13 x 200  21 x 200  29 x 200
 unit Size.                                                                            x 2.5         0     x 2.5     x 2.5     x 2.5     x 2.5     x 2.5
                                                                                                 x 2.5                                                  
Grams of Product..........  ..........................  ..........................    \1\500    \2\750      1500      3000      6500     10500     14500
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOL                                   AQL\3\                  Quality Factors                                                                           
(6) Acceptance Numbers                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.25......................  0.153.....................  Extraneous Vegetable               1         1         2         4         7        10        14
                                                         Material (No. of Pieces).                                                                      
0.75......................  0.541.....................  Stems (No. of stems)......         3         4         6        11        20        30        41
1.25......................  0.961.....................  Major Blemishes (Grams)...        10        15        25        43        83       128       170
2.50......................  2.05......................  Total Blemishes [(Grams)          18        25        45        83       163       253       343
                                                         Major +Minor].                                                                                 
5.50......................  4.80......................  Color Defectives (Grams)..        38        50        95       175       358       563       765
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Character--``B'' (Grams)..       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
6.75......................  6.00......................  Character--``C'' (Grams)..        45        63       115       215       440       695       945
1.75......................  1.40......................  Character--``SStd''               13        18        33        58       115       178      240 
                                                         (Grams).                                                                                       
\1\For unofficial samples.                                                                                                                              
\2\For use with small container sizes only.                                                                                                             
\3\AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 2600.                                                                                                         


                                Table IVa.--Acceptance Numbers for French Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans--Grade B                               
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
Sample Units  x  Sample     ..........................  ..........................   1 x 200  1.5 x 20   3 x 200   6 x 200  13 x 200  21 x 200  29 x 200
 Unit Size.                                                                            x 2.5         0     x 2.5     x 2.5     x 2.5     x 2.5     x 2.5
                                                                                                 x 2.5                                                  
Grams of Product..........  ..........................  ..........................    500\1\    750\2\      1500      3000      6500     10500     14500
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOL                                   AQL\3\                  Quality Factors                                                                           
(6)Acceptance Numbers                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.50......................  0.325.....................  Extraneous Vegetable               2         2         4         7        13        20        26
                                                         Material (No. of Pieces).                                                                      
1.50......................  1.16......................  Stems (No. of stems)......         5         6        11        20        39        60        81
2.50......................  2.05......................  Major Blemishes (Grams)...        18        25        45        83       163       253       343
3.75......................  3.20......................  Total Blemishes [(Grams)          25        38        65       120       245       383       520
                                                         Major + Minor].                                                                                
10.75.....................  9.80......................  Color Defectives (Grams)..        68        95       178       338       703      1113      1520
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Character--``B''..........       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
20.00.....................  18.80.....................  Character--``C'' (Grams)..       118       168       320       620      1305      2078      2848
5.50......................  4.80......................  Character--``SStd''               38        50        95       175       358       563      765 
                                                         (Grams).                                                                                       
\1\For unofficial samples.                                                                                                                              
\2\For use with small container sizes only.                                                                                                             
\3\AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 2600.                                                                                                         


                                                                                                                                                        
[[Page 8579]]                                                                                                                                           
                                Table IVb.--Acceptance Numbers for French Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans--Grade C                               
                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
Sample Units  x  Sample     ..........................  ..........................   1 x 200  1.5 x 20   3 x 200   6 x 200  13 x 200  21 x 200  29 x 200
 unit Size.                                                                            x 2.5         0     x 2.5     x 2.5     x 2.5     x 2.5     x 2.5
                                                                                                 x 2.5                                                  
Grams of Product..........  ..........................  ..........................    \1\500    \2\750      1500      3000      6500     10500     14500
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOL                                   AQL\3\                  Quality Factors                                                                           
(6)Acceptance Numbers                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.00......................  0.733.....................  Extraneous Vegetable               3         4         8        13        26        40        53
                                                         Material (No. of Pieces).                                                                      
3.00......................  2.50......................  Stems (No. of stems)......         8        12        21        39        78       122       165
3.75......................  3.20......................  Major Blemishes (Grams)...        25        38        65       120       245       383       520
10.75.....................  9.80......................  Total Blemishes                   68        95       178       338       703      1113      1520
                                                         [(Grams)Major + Minor].                                                                        
17.75.....................  16.60.....................  Color Defectives (Grams)..       105       150       285       550      1158      1843      2523
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Character--``B'' (Grams)..       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
N/A.......................  N/A.......................  Character--``C'' (Grams)..       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
12.50.....................  11.50.....................  Character--``SStd''               75       108       205       390       813      1293     1768 
                                                         (Grams).                                                                                       
\1\For unofficial samples.                                                                                                                              
\2\For use with small container sizes only.                                                                                                             
\3\AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 2600.                                                                                                         

Sec. 52.2329  Sample size.

    The sample size used to determine whether the requirements of these 
standards are met shall be as specified in the sampling plans and 
procedures in the ``Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification 
of Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and 
Certain Other Processed Food Products'' (7 CFR 52.1 through 52.83).


Sec. 52.2330  Quality requirement criteria.

    (a) Lot inspection. A lot of frozen beans is considered as meeting 
the requirements for quality if:
    (1) The prerequisite requirements specified in Sec. 52.2326 and 
Sec. 52.2328, Table I, are met; and
    (2) None of the allowances for the individual quality factors 
specified in Tables II, IIa, IIb, III, IIIa, IIIb, IV, IVa, and IVb of 
Sec. 52.2328, as applicable for the style, are exceeded.
    (b) Single sample unit. Each unofficial sample unit submitted for 
quality evaluation will be treated individually and is considered as 
meeting the requirements for quality if:
    (1) The prerequisites requirements specified in Sec. 52.2326 and 
Sec. 52.2328, Table I, are met; and
    (2) The Acceptable Quality Levels in Tables II, IIa, IIb, III, 
IIIa, IIIb, IV, IVa, and IVb of Sec. 52.2328, as applicable for the 
style, are not exceeded.

    Dated: February 8, 1995.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-3784 Filed 2-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P