[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 140 (Friday, July 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37663-37670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18176]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 140 / Friday, July 19, 1996 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 37663]]



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, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: In response to a petition from the National Food Processors 
Association (NFPA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
is revising the United States Standards for Grades of frozen green and 
frozen wax beans. The revision changes the U.S. grade standards for 
frozen green and frozen wax beans by providing for the ``individual 
attributes'' 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 19, 1996.

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 Department of Agriculture is issuing 
this rule in conformance with Executive Order 12866.
    This 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 
this rule.
    Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Administrator, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, has determined that this action will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities because the changes to the standards are made to reflect 
current marketing practices. In addition, under the Agricultural 
Marketing Act of 1946, the use of these standards is voluntary. A small 
entity may avoid incurring any additional economic impact by not 
employing the standards.
    Agencies periodically review existing regulations. An objective of 
the regulatory 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.
    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 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.
    The proposal was based on 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 were assigned to each individual defect. The proposal 
provided 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 included 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.

Proposed Rule

    The proposal to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of frozen 
green and frozen wax beans was published in the Federal Register on 
February 15, 1995, (60 FR 8573) with a sixty-day comment period. The 
comment period closed on April 17, 1995. USDA received one comment from 
the National Food Processor's Association (NFPA), one comment from 
Lakeside Foods, Incorporated, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, one comment from 
the American Frozen Food Institute, and one comment from Twin City 
Foods, Incorporated, Stanwood, Washington.
    NFPA represents the $400 billion food processing industry on 
scientific and public policy involving issues of food safety, 
nutrition, and regulatory and consumer affairs. Most of their members 
are in the canning industry, while many members operate both canning 
and freezing facilities. NFPA's review of the proposed rule generally 
agreed with the rule but pointed out four areas where the grade 
standards for frozen green and frozen wax beans were not consistent 
with the grade standards for canned green and canned wax beans. NFPA 
urged that these differences be closely examined and that USDA 
promulgate

[[Page 37664]]

grade standards that are consistent with, as much as possible, the 
canned green and wax beans grade standards. The first point NFPA raised 
was the definition of ``Short piece'' in whole style is 44 mm (1.75 in) 
in the proposal and the same definition in the canned green and wax 
beans is 32 mm (1.25 in). The second point was the AQL for Extraneous 
Vegetable Material in Grade A in the proposal was 0.162 and that the 
AQL in the canned green and wax beans standards for the same quality 
factor and grade was 0.40. The lower the AQL, the more restrictive the 
tolerance is for the defect. The third point raised was the AQL for 
stems in Grade A Whole and Cut styles is 0.58 in the proposal and the 
AQL in the canned green beans standards for the same factors is 1.50. 
And the fourth point raised by NFPA was that the AQL for ``Mechanical 
damage'' in Grade A in Whole style is 2.60 for frozen green and wax 
beans and is 4.0 in the canned green beans standards. Lakeside Foods 
basically cited the same four points in their comment, believing that 
USDA ``misunderstands'' the industry's request that these grade 
standards be similar for both canned and frozen green beans, whenever 
possible. Lakeside Foods believed these differences will have an 
unjustified economic impact on the frozen green and wax bean industry.
    The American Frozen Food Institute, representing its 560 member 
companies and accounting for over 90 percent of frozen food production 
in the United States, also commented on the proposal. AFFI's Western 
Technical Advisory Committee includes almost all frozen green and wax 
bean processors in the United States. The comment supported the 
proposed revision since most frozen green and wax bean processors' 
recommendations were incorporated into the proposal. The Institute 
argued however, that ``small pieces'' should be a classified defect 
instead of a prerequisite as specified in the proposal citing that if a 
``small piece'' continues to be included as a prerequisite, the 
potential exists for one failing sample unit to down-grade an entire 
lot, resulting in an inappropriate rejection of the overall quality of 
the lot.
    Twin City Foods, Incorporated, also commented on the proposal, 
opposing the increased sample unit sizes as more time-consuming when 
grading, and opposing ``small pieces and odd cuts'' in lengthwise style 
only, being considered as a Prerequisite quality factor. In their 
comment, Twin City Foods compared the sample unit sizes in the existing 
frozen green and wax bean grade standards (250 g, 100 units, 200 units) 
with the sample sizes in the proposal (500 g, 400 units). As stated in 
their comment, ``One of the operational requirements of Twin City 
Foods, Inc. is to have each tote bin of product be USDA Grade 
Certifiable (in our plants processing under Continuous U.S.D.A. 
Inspection). In order to establish a grade, the U.S.D.A. must grade a 
minimum of three samples per Lot, or in this case, per tote bin. When 
we are processing green beans, we fill a tote bin (1450 lbs for cut 
green beans, 900 lbs. for sliced lengthwise, and 800 lbs. for whole 
beans) about every 5 minutes. With the defect grading sample size twice 
as large for cut and sliced lengthwise green beans, and four times 
larger for whole green beans, accurate grade checks could not be 
completed in time.'' Twin City Foods also opposed ``small pieces and 
odd cuts'' in lengthwise style only, being categorized as a 
Prerequisite quality factor in the proposal, agreed with AFFI that 
``small pieces and odd cuts'' in lengthwise style only should be a 
Classified quality factor, and the AQL/Tolerance for this factor should 
be in terms of weight, not count.
    The published proposal incorporated the positions of both canning 
and freezing segments of the green and wax bean industry. With regard 
to NFPA's comments, USDA agrees in principle that AQL's and tolerances 
found in the frozen green and wax bean standards should be consistent 
with the canned green and wax beans standards ``whenever possible.'' In 
practice there will reasonably be certain differences. For each point 
raised by NFPA, which note instances where the tolerances for defects 
in the grade standards for canned green and wax beans and the proposed 
grade standards for frozen green and wax beans differ, USDA has 
received comments from AFFI which support making these specific changes 
in the tolerances. AFFI, in these specific instances, is favoring 
tighter tolerances for frozen green and wax beans than those for the 
same defects in the canned green beans. This is consistent with the 
position of the frozen food industry has taken in the past relative to 
developing and revising grade standards.
    Taking all the comments into account, USDA believes that effective 
marketing of frozen bean and wax beans will be best served by 
incorporating the provisions with respect the sample sizes set forth in 
the proposed rule.
    USDA agrees with AFFI's comment to make ``small pieces'' a 
classified defect with an AQL to represent overall lot quality for 
small pieces and has incorporated this change in the final rule. In 
addition to this change, USDA makes ``small pieces and odd cuts'' in 
French Style only a classified defect with an AQL to represent overall 
lot quality in this rule as well.
    Regarding the comment from Twin City Foods, Incorporated, they have 
adopted a sampling rate that is higher than USDA minimum sampling 
rates. For most of the industry, which tends to use USDA minimum 
sampling rates, the increased sample unit sizes would have minimal 
impact while the impact would be greater on the operations of a frozen 
processor with higher sampling rates. Nonetheless, for most processors, 
the proposed change would be beneficial to the industry as a whole, and 
accordingly, it has been included in the final rule.
    USDA found, upon additional review, that definitions for ``flavor 
and odor'' were different in the current grade standards for canned and 
frozen green and wax beans. USDA believes commodity graders and the 
industry will apply the standards more uniformly if flavor and odor 
definitions are similar for both commodities. USDA is removing ``fairly 
good flavor and odor'' from the definitions of terms to make the terms 
similar for both agricultural products.
    Accordingly, based on all the information collected and to promote 
efficient marketing of this product, USDA revises the United States 
Standards for Grades of Frozen Green and Frozen Wax 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, 7 CFR part 52 is amended 
as follows:

PART 52--[AMENDED]

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

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

    2. In part 52, Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of 
Frozen Green Beans and Frozen Wax Beans is revised to read as follows:
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.

[[Page 37665]]

52.2329  Sample size.
52.2330  Quality requirements criteria.

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


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) 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 that, after cooking, is objectionable upon chewing and tends to 
separate from the rest of the bean material.
    (i) Flavor and odor. 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.
    (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).

[[Page 37666]]

    (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); and
    (iv) Are not materially affected by sloughing.
    (2) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Section 
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); and
    (iv) Are not materially affected by sloughing.
    (2) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Section 
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 good flavor and odor;
    (iii) Have a fairly good overall brightness (regular process only); 
and
    (iv) Are not seriously affected by sloughing.
    (2) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Section 
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); and
    (4) Sloughing.
    (b) Classified quality factors. (1) Extraneous vegetable material 
(EVM);
    (2) Stems;
    (3) Major blemishes;
    (4) Total blemishes;
    (5) Mechanical damage;
    (6) Short pieces (Cut, Whole Style);
    (7) Small pieces and odd cuts (French Style);
    (8) Color defectives;
    (9) Character;
    (10) Inedible fiber; and
    (11) 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 characteristics.............  Similar................  Similar................  Similar.               
Flavor and odor......................  Good...................  Good...................  Good.                  
Brightness...........................  Good...................  Reasonably good........  Fairly good.           
Sloughing............................  Not materially affected  Not materially affected  Not seriously affected.
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 Unit                                                                                    
 Size.......................    1 x 400   1.5 x 400     3 x 400     6 x 400    13 x 400    21 x 400    29 x 400 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units of Product............    \1\ 400     \2\ 600        1200        2400        5200        8400       11600 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  TOL    AQL \3\                       Quality factors                                                                                                  
(6)Acce                                                                                                                                                 
 ptance                                                                                                                                                 
 number                                                                                                                                                 
 s                                                                                                                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.25...    0.162  Extraneous Vegetable Material............................          2          2          4          7         13         19         26
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 + Minor)..........................         19         27         50         94        193        304        415
3.00...    2.60   Mechanical Damage........................................         16         22         40         75        154        242        330
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.                         


[[Page 37667]]



       Table IIa.--Acceptance Numbers for Whole, and Cut Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans (Grade B)       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample Units  x  Sample Unit                                                                                    
 Size.......................    1 x 400   1.5 x 400     3 x 400     6 x 400    13 x 400    21 x 400    29 x 400 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units of Product............    \1\ 400     \2\ 600        1200        2400        5200        8400       11600 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  TOL    AQL \3\                       Quality factors                                                                                                  
(6)                                                                                                                                                     
 Accept                                                                                                                                                 
 ance                                                                                                                                                   
 number                                                                                                                                                 
 s                                                                                                                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.50....    0.366  Extraneous Vegetable Material............................          3          4          8         13         26         40         53
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 + Minor)..........................         33         47         88        169        352        559        763
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 Unit                                                                                    
 Size.......................    1 x 400   1.5 x 400     3 x 400     6 x 400    13 x 400    21 x 400    29 x 400 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units of Product............    \1\ 400     \2\ 600        1200        2400        5200        8400       11600 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  TOL    AQL \3\                       Quality factors                                                                                                  
(6)Acce                                                                                                                                                 
 ptance                                                                                                                                                 
 number                                                                                                                                                 
 s                                                                                                                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.00...     0.80  Extraneous Vegetable Material............................          6          8         15         26         52         80        108
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 + Minor)..........................         58         85        162        314        663       1057       1449
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.                                                                                                            
\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 Unit                                                                                    
 Size.......................    1 x 400   1.5 x 400     3 x 400     6 x 400    13 x 400    21 x 400    29 x 400 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units of Product............    \1\ 400     \2\ 600        1200        2400        5200        8400       11600 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  TOL    AQL \3\                       Quality factors                                                                                                  
(6)Acce                                                                                                                                                 
 ptance                                                                                                                                                 
 number                                                                                                                                                 
 s                                                                                                                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.25...    0.162  Extraneous Vegetable Material............................          2          2          4          7         13         19         26
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 + Minor)..........................         19         27         50         94        193        304        415
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
                                                                                                                                                        

[[Page 37668]]

                                                                                                                                                        
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 Unit                                                                                    
 Size.......................    1 x 400   1.5 x 400     3 x 400     6 x 400    13 x 400    21 x 400    29 x 400 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units of Product............    \1\ 400     \2\ 600        1200        2400        5200        8400       11600 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


   TOL   AQL \3\                       Quality factors                                                                                                  
(6)Acce                                                                                                                                                 
 ptance                                                                                                                                                 
 number                                                                                                                                                 
 s                                                                                                                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.50...    0.366  Extraneous Vegetable Material............................          3          4          8         13         26         40         53
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 + Minor)..........................         33         47         88        169        352        559        763
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 Unit                                                                                    
 Size.......................    1 x 400   1.5 x 400     3 x 400     6 x 400    13 x 400    21 x 400    29 x 400 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units of Product............    \1\ 400     \2\ 600        1200        2400        5200        8400       11600 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  TOL    AQL \3\                       Quality factors                                                                                                  
(6)                                                                                                                                                     
 Accept                                                                                                                                                 
 ance                                                                                                                                                   
 number                                                                                                                                                 
 s                                                                                                                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.00 ..     0.80  Extraneous Vegetable Material............................          6          8         15         26         52         80        108
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 + Minor)..........................         41         59        111        212        444        706        966
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
N/A ...      N/A  Character--``C''.........................................        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A
10.725.    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 Unit Size.....................  1 x 200 x 2.                                                                                    
                                                                  5   1.5 x 200 x                                                                       
                                                                              2.5   3 x 200 x 2.                                                        
                                                                                              5   6 x 200 x 2.                                          
                                                                                                            5   13 x 200 x 2                            
                                                                                                                         .5   21 x 200 x .              
                                                                                                                                        5   29 x 00 x .5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grams of Product......................................      \1\ 500       \2\ 750          1500          3000          6500         10500         14500 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  TOL    AQL \3\                Quality factors                                                                                                         
(6)                                                                                                                                                     
 Accept                                                                                                                                                 
 ance                                                                                                                                                   
 number                                                                                                                                                 
 s                                                                                                                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.25...    0.153  Extraneous Vegetable Material (No. of                                                                                                 
                   Pieces)...................................            1            1            2            4            7           10           14
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) Major + Minor]....           18           25           45           83          163          253          343
10.0 ..     9.0   Small pieces & odd cuts (Grams)............           63           88          165          313          648         1025         1400

[[Page 37669]]

                                                                                                                                                        
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'' (Grams).................           13           18           33           58          115          178         240 
\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 Unit Size.....................  1 x 200 x 2.                                                                                    
                                                                  5   1.5 x 200 x                                                                       
                                                                              2.5   3 x 200 x 2.                                                        
                                                                                              5   6 x 200 x 2.                                          
                                                                                                            5   13 x 200 x 2                            
                                                                                                                         .5   21 x 200 x 2              
                                                                                                                                       .5   29 x 200 x 2
                                                                                                                                                     .5 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grams of Product......................................      \1\ 500       \2\ 750          1500          3000          6500         10500         14500 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  TOL    AQL \3\                Quality factors                                                                                                         
(6)Acce                                                                                                                                                 
 ptance                                                                                                                                                 
 number                                                                                                                                                 
 s                                                                                                                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.50...    0.325  Extraneous Vegetable Material (No. of                                                                                                 
                   Pieces)...................................            2            2            4            7           13           20           26
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...   53.20   Total Blemishes [(Grams) Major + Minor]....           25           38           65          120          245          383          520
15.0 ..    13.9   Small pieces & odd cuts (Grams)............           90          128          243          465          978         1553         2125
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'' (Grams)................           38           50           95          175          358          563         765 
\1\ For unofficial samples.                                                                                                                             
\2\ For use with small container sizes only.                                                                                                            
\3\ AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 2600.                                                                                                        


                               Table IVb.--Acceptance Numbers for French Style Frozen Green Beans and Wax Beans (Grade C)                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample Units  x  Sample Unit Size.....................  1 x 200 x 2.                                                                                    
                                                                  5   1.5 x 200 x                                                                       
                                                                              2.5   3 x 200 x 2.                                                        
                                                                                              5   6 x 200 x 2.                                          
                                                                                                            5   13 x 200 x 2                            
                                                                                                                         .5   21 x 200 x 2              
                                                                                                                                       .5   29 x 200 x 2
                                                                                                                                                     .5 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grams of Product......................................      \1\ 500       \2\ 750          1500          3000          6500         10500         14500 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  TOL    AQL \3\                Quality factors                                                                                                         
(6)Acce                                                                                                                                                 
 ptance                                                                                                                                                 
 number                                                                                                                                                 
 s                                                                                                                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.00...    0.733  Extraneous Vegetable Material (No. of                                                                                                 
                   Pieces)...................................            3            4            8           13           26           40           53
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 [(Grams)Major + Minor].....           68           95          178          338          703         1113         1520
20.0...    18.8   Small pieces & odd cuts (Grams)............          118          168          320          620         1305         2078         2848
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'' (Grams)................           75          108          205          390          813         1293        1768 
\1\ For unofficial samples.                                                                                                                             
\2\ For use with small container sizes only.                                                                                                            
\3\ AQL calculated from tolerance (TOL) at 2600.                                                                                                        


[[Page 37670]]




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 contained in Secs. 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: July 11, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-18176 Filed 7-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P