[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 27, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43939-43943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21783]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each 
week.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 167 / Tuesday, August 27, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 43939]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 52

[FV-91-329]


United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Cauliflower

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The purpose of this final rule is to revise the current 
voluntary U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Cauliflower. This rule 
was developed by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the request of 
the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and the National Food 
Processors Association (NFPA). Its effect will be to improve the 
standards by: bringing the standards in line with current marketing 
practices and innovations in processing techniques; 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) being published in the standards; 
replacing dual grade nomenclature with single letter grade 
designations, such as ``U.S. Grade A'' or ``U.S. Fancy,'' with ``U.S. 
Grade A;'' and providing a uniform format consistent with other 
recently revised U.S. grade standards by adopting definitions for terms 
and replacing textual descriptions with easy-to-read tables. This rule 
also includes conforming and editorial changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 26, 1996.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USDA is issuing this rule in conformance 
with Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Agricultural Marketing 
Service, has considered the economic impact on small entities.
    The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 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. 
The proposed changes reflect current marketing practices. The use of 
these standards is voluntary. A small entity may avoid incurring any 
additional economic impact by not employing the standards.
    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, 
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.
    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.
    The Western Technical Advisory Committee of the American Frozen 
Food Institute (AFFI) and the USDA Grade Standards Review Subcommittee 
of the National Food Processors Association (NFPA), requested that the 
USDA prepare a draft revision of the U.S. grade standards for frozen 
cauliflower in 1992. They requested that the draft allow for the use of 
mechanical trimming devices in cauliflower processing by de-emphasizing 
the importance of uniform shape and symmetry of cauliflower clusters in 
the standards because mechanical trimmers now perform processing 
operations previously done by hand. The mechanical trimming devices 
produce clusters which are less uniform in size, shape, and symmetry 
and remove, partially or completely, the bud portion of the unit. The 
absence of a uniform shape does not significantly affect the eating 
quality or nutritional value of frozen cauliflower.
    They also requested that the revised standards assign individual 
tolerances to each individual quality factor. The system of grading, 
referred to as ``individual attributes,'' will provide statistically 
derived acceptable quality levels (AQL's) based on the tolerances in 
the current grade standards.
    The discussion draft incorporated the changes recommended by AFFI 
and NFPA. The draft also incorporated USDA's policy of replacing dual 
grade nomenclature with single letter grade designations.
    In the revision, ``U.S. Grade A'' (or ``U.S. Fancy'') and ``U.S. 
Grade B'' (or ``U.S. Extra Standard'') will have simply become ``U.S. 
Grade A,'' and ``U.S. Grade B.''
    The USDA prepared a discussion draft, incorporating the requested 
and editorial changes, and submitted it to AFFI and NFPA for comment. 
Minor changes were recommended for the draft revision.
    In addition to these changes, the revision will modify the 
standards to present them in a simplified easy-to-use format. 
Consistent with recent revisions of other U.S. grade standards, 
definitions of terms and easy-to-read tables will replace the textual 
descriptions. These changes were intended to facilitate better 
understanding and more uniform application of the grade standards.

Proposed Rule

    A proposed rule to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen 
Cauliflower was published in the Federal Register on November 24, 1995 
(60 FR 57958). A proposal to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of 
Frozen Cauliflower was previously published in the Federal Register on 
January 11, 1993 (58 FR 3816). A reopening and extension of the comment 
period to December 31, 1993, for the at proposal was published in the 
Federal Register on May 25, 1993 (58 FR 29985).
    There were no public comments received during the comment period 
for the first proposal. However, USDA received comments from Patterson 
Frozen Foods, Inc. and AFFI regarding the proposal, after the extended 
comment period closed.
    The two commenters suggested that the style name ``Nuggets or Small 
Clusters'' should be used instead of ``Clusters for Limited Use'' due 
to the terms familiarity in the industry and the

[[Page 43940]]

marketplace. USDA agreed with the comment to change in style names to 
incorporate familiar names.
    Both commenting parties requested a change in the proposed method 
of determining style in frozen cauliflower and the requirements. Both 
agreed that the method for determining style should be based on 
``weight'' instead of ``count'' and Patterson Frozen Foods also 
suggested that the six millimeter minimum requirement for ``Nuggets or 
Small Clusters'' style be removed since there is no maximum size 
requirement for ``Clusters'' style.
    Both parties suggested that determining ``style'' by ``weight'' 
instead of by ``count'' will make the standards more compatible with 
the industry's practice of using mechanical trimming devices which 
produce clusters that are less uniform in size, shape, and symmetry.
    USDA conducted a study using imported and domestic samples in 10, 
16, 20, 32 and 35 ounce package sizes to determine the average counts 
and weights of cauliflower clusters.
    Based on the information collected, USDA agreed with the suggested 
change to determine style ``by weight'' instead of ``by count'' for 
``Clusters Style'' and with the recommended tolerance of 10 percent by 
weight to better reflect industry practices.
    USDA disagreed with the elimination of the minimum size requirement 
in ``Nuggets or Small Clusters'' style. The prerequisite of 
``appearance'' was incorporated into the reproposal to maintain present 
tolerances for small pieces of cauliflower (chaff) that affect the 
appearance and edibility of ``Nuggets or Small Clusters'' and 
``Clusters'' style cauliflower. A definition for ``chaff'' was also 
incorporated into the reproposal.
    The study conducted by USDA showed that the average unit weight of 
``Nuggets or Small Clusters'' was closer to two grams per unit than to 
three grams per unit as published in the initial proposal. The AQL's 
and acceptance numbers in Table II were adjusted to reflect the 
finding.
    AFFI and Patterson Frozen Foods asked that the definitions for 
``ricey'' and ``fuzzy'' character in the current standards be retained 
in the revision. USDA agreed that maintaining the same definitions for 
``ricey'' and ``fuzzy'' will reduce confusion within the industry. It 
was also requested that the term ``mushy'' character should be deleted 
and that its definition be incorporated into the definition for 
``soft'' character. The industry believed this change will be less 
confusing and more accurate. USDA agreed and made these changes to 
clarify the standards based on industry practices.
    A change in the definition of ``color defect'' was recommended by 
the commenters. It was suggested that a definition differentiating 
``minor'' and ``major'' color defects based on existing USDA inspection 
criteria should be incorporated into the ``color defect'' definition of 
the revision. USDA agreed with the change and incorporated it. The 
incorporated changes from the inspection criteria will accurately 
reflect the method used in the food industry to evaluate color defects.
    Minor changes were suggested for the definitions of the terms 
``blemished, fragments, and mechanical damage'' to help clarify their 
meaning. Both commenters suggested the term ``discoloration'' should be 
removed from the definition of ``blemished,'' and the phrase, ``in the 
aggregate,'' should be added to the ``minor blemished and major 
blemished'' definition.
    AFFI and Patterson Frozen Foods also suggested that the words 
``tough or fibrous'' should be added to the definition of ``fragments'' 
and the words ``seriously'' and ``excessive or'' should be deleted from 
the definition of ``mechanical damage.'' USDA agreed with these changes 
and incorporated them into the revision.
    It was requested that the classified quality factor, ``mushy 
character,'' should be deleted from the standards since its definition 
has been incorporated into the definition of ``soft character.'' The 
USDA deleted the classified quality factor for ``mushy character'' and 
adjusted the tolerance for the quality factor, ``soft character'' to 
reflect the change.
    Changes in the tolerances of several ``classified quality factors'' 
were suggested. For the quality factor of ``ricey character,'' 
tolerances of 15 percent for ``Grade A'' and 30 percent for ``Grade B'' 
were preferred by AFFI and Patterson Frozen Foods because this defect 
is more common and less objectionable. For ``soft character'', a 
tolerance of 5 percent rather than 10 percent was preferred because it 
is more preventable and more objectionable. The USDA has adjusted the 
tolerances for ``soft character'' and ``ricey character'' and 
incorporated them into the revision.
    It was suggested that the quality factor of ``color defect'' be 
divided into ``major color defects'' and ``total color defects.'' The 
comments suggested tolerances for the new factors should reflect this 
change with 3 percent for ``major'' and 8 percent for ``total.'' We 
agreed with the changes in the quality factor for color defects and 
with the 8 percent tolerance for ``total color defects.'' We did not 
agree, however, with the change in the tolerance for ``major color 
defects.'' Such a change will present a significant deviation from the 
tolerance in the existing U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen 
Cauliflower without valid justification as to why it should be changed.
    It was also suggested that the tolerance for mechanical damage, in 
Nuggets style, should be increased to 10 percent for ``Grade A'' and 20 
percent for ``Grade B'' to better reflect the use of mechanical 
trimming devices. USDA agreed with this change and incorporated it in 
the revision.
    A copy of the initial proposed rule was provided to the 
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for help in identifying studies, 
data collection or other information relevant to the possible effect of 
the revision on pesticide use. ARS reported that they were unable to 
find much information on the subject. The information that was found by 
ARS proved not to be relevant.
    The changes and issues raised by the comments regarding the first 
proposed rule supported publishing another proposed rule that was 
published in the Federal Register (60 FR 57958) on November 24, 1995, 
with a 60 day comment period. In response to that proposed rule the 
only comment received was from AFFI, which agreed with this revision. 
Accordingly, this final rule will modify the standards to a simplified 
easy-to-use format, consistent with recent revisions of other U.S. 
grade standards, with definitions of terms and easy-to-read tables that 
will replace the textual descriptions. This final rule is intended to 
facilitate better understanding and more uniform application of the 
grade standards.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 52

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

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 52 is amended 
to read as follows:

PART 52--PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, PROCESSED PRODUCTS 
THEREOF, AND CERTAIN OTHER PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Among such other processed food products are the following: 
Honey; molasses, except for stockfeed; nuts and nut products, except 
oil; sugar (cane, beet, and maple); sirups (blended), sirups, except 
from grain; tea, cocoa, coffee, spices, condiments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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


[[Page 43941]]


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

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

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Cauliflower

Sec.
52.721  Product description.
52.722  Styles.
52.723  Requirements for style.
52.724  Definitions of terms.
52.725  Grades.
52.726  Factors of quality.
52.727  Requirements for classified quality factors.
52.728  Sample size.
52.729  Acceptance criteria.

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Cauliflower


Sec. 52.721  Product description.

    Frozen cauliflower is prepared from fresh flower heads of the 
cauliflower plant (Brassica oleracea botrytis) by trimming, washing, 
and blanching and is frozen and maintained at temperatures necessary 
for preservation of the product.


Sec. 52.722  Styles.

    (a) Clusters mean individual segments of trimmed and cored 
cauliflower heads, which measure not less than 20 mm (0.75 in) in the 
greatest dimension across the top of the unit.
    (b) Nuggets or Small Clusters mean individual segments of trimmed 
and cored cauliflower heads, which measure from 6 mm (0.25 in) to less 
than 20 mm (0.75 in) in the greatest dimension across the top of the 
unit.


Sec. 52.723  Requirements for style.

    (a) Clusters style. A maximum of 10%, by weight, of clusters less 
than 20 mm (0.75 in) in the greatest dimension across the top of the 
unit are allowed.
    (b) Nuggets style. A maximum of 20%, by weight, of clusters, 20 mm 
(0.75 in) or greater, and a maximum of 10%, by weight, of clusters less 
than 6 mm (0.25 in) in the greatest dimension across the top of the 
unit are allowed.


Sec. 52.724  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) Appearance. Good appearance means that the overall appearance 
or edibility of the cauliflower is not materially affected and; for 
clusters style, a maximum of 5%, by weight, of chaff is allowed for the 
sample unit. For nuggets style, a maximum of 10%, by weight, of chaff 
is allowed for the sample unit.
    (c) Blemished means the cluster is affected or damaged by 
pathological injury, insect injury, or any other injury, which singly 
or in combination, affects the appearance or eating quality of the 
unit.
    (1) Minor blemished means a unit with a dark blemish(s), which in 
the aggregate, exceeds the area of a circle 4 mm (0.16 in) in diameter 
but not 6 mm (0.25 in) or a light blemish(s), which in the aggregate, 
exceeds the area of a circle 6 mm (0.25 in) in diameter.
    (2) Major blemished means a unit with a dark blemish(s), which in 
the aggregate, exceeds the area of a circle 6 mm (0.25 in) in diameter.
    (d) Chaff mean individual segments of trimmed and cored cauliflower 
material, with and without head material, which measure less than 6 mm 
(0.25 in) in its greatest dimension.
    (e) Character means the extent of firmness and compactness of the 
cluster and its degree of freedom from fuzzy, ricey and soft units.
    (1) Fuzzy character means a cluster with sections of head that have 
elongated individual flowers (or pedicels) that result in a very fuzzy 
appearance.
    (2) Ricey character means a cluster with sections of head on which 
the ultimate branches have become elongated, causing the flower 
clusters to separate and present a loose or open and sometimes granular 
appearance.
    (3) Soft character means a cluster that is limp and flabby and the 
flesh yields readily when handled.
    (f) Color defect.
    (1) Minor means that after cooking, the cluster possesses a color 
that is more than slightly darker than light cream to dark cream.
    (2) Major means that after cooking, the cluster possesses a color 
that is seriously darkened or discolored.
    (g) Core material means the loose or attached center portion of the 
cauliflower head which is tough or fibrous.
    (h) Defect means any nonconformance of a unit(s) of product from a 
specified requirement of a single quality characteristic.
    (i) Fragment means a stem or other cauliflower material without 
head material that is 6 mm (0.25 in) or greater in the greatest 
dimension (excluding tough or fibrous core material, loose leaves, and 
chaff).
    (j) Loose leaves mean leaf material, exclusive of small tender 
leaves, that are detached from the stem.
    (k) Mechanical damage means that the appearance of the unit is 
affected by trimming, or the unit is crushed or broken to the extent 
that the appearance is materially affected.
    (l) Normal flavor and odor means that the cauliflower, before and 
after cooking, has a flavor and odor that is normal and is free from 
objectionable flavors and odors.
    (m) Sample unit means the amount of product specified to be used 
for grading. For varietal characteristics, flavor and odor and 
appearance, a sample unit is the entire container. For blemishes, 
character, color, core material, fragments, mechanical damage and loose 
leaves, a sample unit is 100 grams for Nuggets Style and 50 units for 
Clusters Style. 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.
    (n) Tolerance (TOL.) means the percentage of defective units 
allowed for each quality factor for a specific sample size.
    (o) Unit means one cluster or piece of cauliflower.


Sec. 52.725  Grades.

    (a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of frozen cauliflower that meets 
the following prerequisites in which the cauliflower:
    (1) Has similar varietal characteristics,
    (2) Has a normal flavor and odor;
    (3) Has a good appearance; and
    (4) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Tables I and 
II, of this subpart, as applicable for the style in Sec. 52.727.
    (b) U.S. Grade B is the quality of frozen cauliflower that meets 
the following prerequisites in which the cauliflower:
    (1) Has similar varietal characteristics;
    (2) Has a normal flavor and odor;
    (3) Has a good appearance; and
    (4) Is within the limits for defects as specified in Tables I and 
II, of this subpart as applicable for the style in Sec. 52.727.
    (c) Substandard is the quality of frozen cauliflower that fails to 
meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B.


Sec. 52.726  Factors of quality.

    The grade of frozen cauliflower is based on meeting the 
requirements for the following factors:
    (a) Prerequisites;
    (1) Varietal characteristics;
    (2) Flavor and odor; and

[[Page 43942]]

    (3) Appearance.
    (b) Classified Quality Factors;
    (1) Major blemished;
    (2) Total blemished (Major and Minor);
    (3) Fuzzy character;
    (4) Ricey character;
    (5) Soft character;
    (6) Major color defects;
    (7) Total color defects (Major and Minor);
    (8) Core material;
    (9) Fragments;
    (10) Loose leaves; and
    (11) Mechanical damage.


Sec. 52.727  Requirements for classified quality factors.

 Table I.--AQL's and Tolerances (Tol.) for Defects in Clusters Style Based on 50 Units of Product for 13 Sample 
                                            Units, 50 x 13=650 Units                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample Units  x  Sample Unit Size                  1 x 50     3 x 50     6 x 50    13 x 50    21 x 50    29 x 50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units of Product                                       50        150        300        650       1050       1450
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
                             Defects                                 AQL        TOL                                                                     
(5)                                                                                                                                                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                        
(1)Grade A                                                                                                                                              
(5)Acceptance numbers                                                                                                                                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Blemished.................................................        3.8        5.0          4          9         17         33         50         67
Total Blemished (Major & Minor).................................        8.2       10.0          7         18         33         65        101        137
Fuzzy Characteer................................................        1.3        2.0          2          4          7         13         20         26
Ricey Character.................................................        8.2       10.0          7         18         33         65        101        137
Soft Character..................................................      0.612        1.0          1          2          4          7         10         14
Major Color Defect..............................................      0.612        1.0          1          2          4          7         10         14
Total Color Defect (Major & Minor)..............................        6.4        8.0          6         15         26         52         80        108
Core Material...................................................       2.17        3.0          3          6         11         20         31         41
Fragments.......................................................        3.8        5.0          4          9         17         33         50         67
Mechanical Damage...............................................        8.2       10.0          7         18         33         65        101        137
Loose Leaves (each piece).......................................       2.17        3.0          3          6         11         20         31         41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                        
(1)Grade B                                                                                                                                              
(5)Acceptance numbers                                                                                                                                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Blemished.................................................        8.2       10.0          7         18         33         65        101        137
Total Blemished (Major & Minor).................................       13.0       15.0         10         26         48         98        154        209
Fuzzy Character.................................................        6.4        8.0          6         15         26         52         80        108
Ricey Character.................................................       13.0       15.0         10         26         48         98        154        209
Soft Character..................................................        2.9        4.0          3          8         13         26         39         53
Major Color Defect..............................................        3.8        5.0          4          9         17         33         50         67
Total Color Defect (Major & Minor)..............................       13.8       16.0         11         27         51        104        163        221
Core Material...................................................        3.8        5.0          4          9         17         33         50         67
Fragments.......................................................        8.2       10.0          7         18         33         65        101        137
Mechanical Damage...............................................       17.6       20.0         13         34         63        130        205        279
Loose Leaves (each piece).......................................        6.4        8.0          6         15         26         52         80        108


   Table II.--AQL's and Tolerances (Tol.) for Defects in Nuggets or Small Clusters Style Based on 100 Grams of  
                                Product for 13 Sample Units, 100 x 13=1300 Units                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample Units  x  Sample Unit Size                 1 x 100    3 x 100    6 x 100   13 x 100   21 x 100   29 x 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grams of Product                                      100        300        600       1300       2100       2900
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                        
                             Defects                                 AQL        TOL                                                                     
(5)                                                                                                                                                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                        
(1)Grade A                                                                                                                                              
(5)Acceptance numbers (grams)                                                                                                                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Blemished.................................................        3.8        5.0          7         17         31         61         94        127
Total Blemished (Major & Minor).................................        8.2       10.0         13         33         61        123        194        263
Fuzzy Character.................................................        1.3        2.0          3          7         12         23         36         48
Ricey Character.................................................        8.2       10.0         13         33         61        123        194        263
Soft Character..................................................      0.612        1.0          2          4          7         12         19         24
Major Color Defect..............................................       2.17        3.0          4         11         19         37         56         76
Total Color Defect (Major & Minor)..............................        8.2       10.0         13         33         61        123        194        263
Core Material...................................................       2.17        3.0          4         11         19         37         56         76
Fragments.......................................................        3.8        5.0          7         17         31         61         94        127
Mechanical Damage...............................................        8.2       10.0         13         33         61        123        194        263
Loose Leaves (each piece).......................................        3.8        5.0          7         17         31         61         94        127
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                        
(1)Grade B                                                                                                                                              
(5)Acceptance numbers (grams)                                                                                                                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Blemished.................................................        8.2       10.0         13         33         61        123        194        263
Total Blemished (Major & Minor).................................       13.0       15.0         18         48         91        189        298        407
Fuzzy Character.................................................        6.4        8.0         10         26         48         98        153        208
Ricey Character.................................................       13.0       15.0         18         48         91        189        298        407
Soft Character..................................................        2.9        4.0          6         13         24         48         74         99
Major Color Defect..............................................        6.4        8.0         10         26         48         98        153        208

[[Page 43943]]

                                                                                                                                                        
Total Color Defect (Major & Minor)..............................       13.8       16.0         19         51         96        200        316        430
Core Material...................................................       2.17        3.0          4         11         19         37         56         76
Fragments.......................................................        3.8        5.0          7         17         31         61         94        127
Mechanical Damage...............................................       17.6       20.0         24         63        121        251        398        544
Loose Leaves (each piece).......................................        6.4        8.0         10         26         48         98        153        208

Sec. 52.728  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 Products'' (7 CFR 52.1 through 52.83).


Sec. 52.729  Acceptance criteria.

    (a) Style. A lot of frozen cauliflower, is considered as meeting 
the requirements for style if the requirements in Sec. 52.723, as 
applicable, are not exceeded.
    (b) Quality Factors. A lot of frozen cauliflower is considered as 
meeting the requirements for quality if:
    (1) The prerequisites specified in Sec. 52.726 are met; and
    (2) The Acceptance Numbers in Table I or II in Sec. 52.727, as 
applicable, are not exceeded.
    (c) Single Sample Unit. Each unofficial sample unit submitted for 
quality evaluation will be treated individually and is considered as 
meeting requirements for quality and style if:
    (1) The prerequisites specified in Sec. 52.726 are met; and
    (2) The requirements for style in Sec. 52.723 and the Acceptable 
Quality Levels (AQL's) in Tables I & II in Sec. 52.727, as applicable, 
are not exceeded.

    Dated: August 21, 1996.
Robert C. Keeney,
Director, Fruit and Vegetable Division.
[FR Doc. 96-21783 Filed 8-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P