[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 116 (Thursday, June 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32666-32703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15290]



[[Page 32665]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part III





Department of Agriculture





_______________________________________________________________________



Agricultural Marketing Service



_______________________________________________________________________



Grading Standards; Oranges (California and Arizona); Grapefruit 
(California and Arizona); Tangerines; and Lemons; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 116 / Thursday, June 17, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 32666]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[FV-98-305]


United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (California and 
Arizona), United States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit (California 
and Arizona), United States Standards for Grades of Tangerines and the 
United States Standards for Grades of Lemons

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to change the 
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges, United States Standards 
for Grades of Grapefruit, United States Standards for Grades of 
Tangerines and the United States Standards for Grades of Lemons. 
Specifically, AMS is proposing to change the standards in order to 
provide a minimum 25-count sample to be applied to tolerances for 
defects. These changes are being requested by industry to promote 
greater uniformity and consistency in the standards. In addition, AMS 
proposes to further improve the standards and promote consistency by 
reviewing the standards in their entirety. These standards have not 
been changed within the last 34 to 50 years, depending on the commodity 
in question. Revisions are needed to bring them into conformity with 
current cultural and marketing practices.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to Frank O'Sullivan, Fresh 
Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 2065, South Building, 
STOP 0240, PO Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456; faxed to (202) 720-
8871; or e-mailed to [email protected].
    Comments should reference the date and page number of this issue of 
the Federal Register. All comments received will be made available for 
public inspection at the above address during regular business hours.
    The current U.S. grade standards for these citrus crops, along with 
proposed changes, are available either through the above addresses or 
by accessing AMS's Home Page on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/
standards/frutmrkt.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank O'Sullivan at (202) 720-2185.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, as amended, directs and authorizes the Secretary of 
Agriculture ``to develop and improve standards of quality, condition, 
quantity, grade, and packaging and recommend and demonstrate such 
standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in 
commercial practices * * *''. AMS is committed to carrying out this 
authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural 
commodities and make copies of official standards available upon 
request. The United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (California 
and Arizona), United States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit 
(California and Arizona), United States Standards for Grades of 
Tangerines and the United States Standards for Grades of Lemons no 
longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations but are maintained by 
USDA.
    AMS is proposing to change the United States Standards for Grades 
of Oranges (California and Arizona), United States Standards for Grades 
of Grapefruit (California and Arizona), United States Standards for 
Grades of Tangerines and the United States Standards for Grades of 
Lemons using the procedures it published in the August 13, 1997, 
Federal Register and that appear in part 36 of title 7 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).
    AMS received a request from Sunkist Growers to change the standards 
to allow for a minimum 25-count sample. In addition, AMS has 
recommended other changes to bring the standards into conformity with 
current cultural and marketing practices. This notice provides for a 60 
day comment period which affords sufficient time for interested persons 
to comment on the revisions to the standards. The following is an 
outline of these changes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Current standard                              Proposed                           Discussion
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (California and Arizona)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``U.S. Fancy'' consists of oranges of      No change.                                N/A.
 similar varietal characteristics which
 are mature, well colored, firm, well
 formed, of smooth texture, and which are
 free from decay, broken skins which are
 not healed, hard or dry skins,
exanthema, growth cracks, bruises (except  exanthema, growth cracks, dryness or      We propose to change the
 those incident to proper handling and      mushy condition, and free from injury     phrase ``free from
 packing), dryness or mushy condition,      caused by bruises, split, rough, wide     bruises'' to ``free from
 and free from injury caused by split,      or protruding navels, creasing, scars,    injury by bruises'' to
 rough, wide or protruding navels,          oil spots, scale                          standardize with other
 creasing, scars, oil spots, scale,                                                   fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards. Typically,
                                                                                      bruising is defined under
                                                                                      the definitions for
                                                                                      injury, damage, and
                                                                                      serious damage. The
                                                                                      definitions for injury and
                                                                                      damage are the same in
                                                                                      this standard, therefore,
                                                                                      when bruising occurs it
                                                                                      will be considered as
                                                                                      damage.
sunburn, dirt or other foreign material,   skin breakdown, sunburn, dirt or other    We propose to add ``free
 disease, insects or mechanical or other    foreign material disease, insects or      from injury caused by skin
 means. (See ``Tolerances'')                mechanical or other means. (See           breakdown.'' This defect
                                            ``Tolerances'')                           is currently being scored
                                                                                      based on the ``general
                                                                                      definition'' and is not
                                                                                      specified in the current
                                                                                      standards.
``U.S. No. 1'' consists of oranges of      No change.                                N/A.
 similar varietal characteristics which
 are mature, firm, well formed, of fairly
 smooth texture, and which are free from
 decay, broken skins which are not
 healed, hard or dry skins,

[[Page 32667]]

 
exanthema, growth cracks, bruises (except  exanthema, growth cracks, and free from   We propose to change the
 those incident to proper handling and      damage caused by bruises, dryness or      phrase ``free from
 packing), and free from damage caused by   mushy condition, split, rough, wide or    bruises'' to ``free from
 dryness or mushy condition, split,         protruding navels, creasing, scars, oil   damage by bruises'' to
 rough, wide or protruding navels,          spots, scale,                             standardize with other
 creasing, scars, oil spots, scale,                                                   fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards. Typically,
                                                                                      bruising is defined under
                                                                                      the definitions for
                                                                                      injury, damage, and
                                                                                      serious damage. The
                                                                                      definitions for injury and
                                                                                      damage are the same in
                                                                                      this standard, therefore,
                                                                                      when bruising occurs it
                                                                                      will be considered as
                                                                                      damage.
sunburn, dirt or other foreign material,   skin breakdown, sunburn, dirt or other    We propose to add ``free
 disease, insects or mechanical or other    foreign material, disease, insects or     from damage caused by skin
 means.                                     mechanical or other means.                breakdown.'' This defect
                                                                                      is currently being scored
                                                                                      based on the ``general
                                                                                      definition'' and is not
                                                                                      specified in the current
                                                                                      standards.
Each fruit shall be well colored except    No change.                                N/A.
 Valencia oranges which shall be at least
 fairly well colored:
Provided, That navel oranges in any lot    No change.                                N/A.
 which is destined for export and which
 is certified as meeting the standards
 for export need be only fairly well
 colored. (See ``Tolerances'')
``U.S. Combination'' consists of a         ``U.S. Combination'' consists of a        We propose to change the
 combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2   combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No.    word ``container'' to
 oranges: Provided, That at least 40        2 oranges: Provided, That at least 40     ``lot'' to remain
 percent, by count, of the oranges in       percent, by count, of the oranges in      consistent with the
 each container meet the requirements of    each lot shall meet the requirements of   proposed sampling method.
 U.S. No. 1 grade. (See ``Tolerances'')     the U.S. No. 1 grade. (See                For tolerances on
                                            ``Tolerances'')                           individual samples please
                                                                                      refer to the
                                                                                      ``Tolerances'' section on
                                                                                      page 7.
``U.S. No. 2'' consists of oranges of      No change.                                N/A.
 similar varietal characteristics which
 are mature, fairly well colored, fairly
 firm, fairly well formed, which may be
 of slightly rough texture, and which are
 free from decay, broken skins which are
 not healed, hard or dry skins,
 exanthema, growth cracks, and free from
 serious damage caused by bruises,
 dryness or mushy condition, split or
 protruding navels, creasing, scars, oil
 spots, scale,
sunburn, dirt or other foreign material,   skin breakdown, sunburn, dirt or other    We propose to add ``free
 disease, insects or mechanical or other    foreign material, disease, insects or     from serious damage caused
 means. (See ``Tolerances'')                mechanical or other means. (See           by skin breakdown.'' This
                                            ``Tolerances'')                           defect is currently being
                                                                                      scored based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition'' and
                                                                                      is not specified in the
                                                                                      current standards.
``Unclassified'' consists of oranges       Delete.                                   When changing or updating
 which have not been classified in                                                    standards in recent years,
 accordance with any of the foregoing                                                 references to
 grades. The term ``unclassified'' is not                                             ``Unclassified'' have been
 a grade within the meaning of these                                                  removed in an attempt to
 standards but is provided as a                                                       eliminate the confusion
 designation to show that no grade has                                                this term creates. People
 been applied to the lot.                                                             have incorrectly assumed
                                                                                      that ``Unclassified'' is
                                                                                      an actual grade name; it
                                                                                      is not. To avoid further
                                                                                      confusion, it is proposed
                                                                                      that all references to
                                                                                      this term be
                                                                                      eliminated.4703
``Tolerances.'' In order to allow for      ``Tolerances.'' In order to allow for     The proposed addition of
 variations incident to proper grading      variations incident to proper grading     the phrase ``a minimum 25
 and handling in each of the foregoing      and handling in each of the foregoing     count sample'' establishes
 grades, the tolerances set forth in the    grades, the tolerances, by count, based   a basis for sampling
 U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2, and    on a minimum 25 count sample, set forth   uniformity. Other citrus
 U.S. Combination grades are provided as    in the U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No.   standards (Florida), at
 specified.                                 2, and U.S. Combination grades are        industry's request, have
                                            provided as specified.                    recently been changed to
                                                                                      include the minimum 25
                                                                                      count sample. This would
                                                                                      make the citrus standards
                                                                                      more uniform regarding
                                                                                      sampling. This change is
                                                                                      also consistent with the
                                                                                      industry's request.

[[Page 32668]]

 
``U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, and U.S. No. 2   ``U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades.''     We propose to establish
 grades.'' Not more than 10 percent, by     For defects at shipping point. Not more   separate ``Shipping
 count, of the oranges in any lot may       than 10 percent, by count, of the         Point'' tolerances to be
 fail to meet the requirements relating     oranges in any lot may fail to meet the   more consistent with other
 to color. In addition, not more than 10    requirements relating to color. In        fruit and vegetable
 percent, by count, of the oranges in any   addition, not more than 10 percent, by    standards. A tolerance for
 lot may fail to meet the remaining         count, of the oranges in any lot may      serious damage and a
 requirements of the specified grade, but   fail to meet the remaining requirements   ``whole number'' decay
 not more than one-twentieth of this        of the specified grade, included in       tolerance are proposed.
 amount, or one-half of 1 percent, shall    this amount not more than 5 percent       Separate tolerances for
 be allowed for decay at shipping point:    shall be allowed for defects causing      serious damage and the
 Provided, That an additional tolerance     serious damage, included in this latter   whole number decay
 of 2\1/2\ percent, or a total of not       amount not more than 1 percent for        tolerance at shipping
 more than 3 percent, shall be allowed      decay.                                    point are included in
 for decay en route or at destination.                                                practically all other
                                                                                      fresh fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      grade standards. The
                                                                                      current decay tolerance of
                                                                                      ``not more than one-
                                                                                      twentieth of (10%), or one-
                                                                                      half of 1 percent'' may be
                                                                                      a confusing concept to an
                                                                                      industry which is
                                                                                      accustomed to ``whole''
                                                                                      percentage numbers on
                                                                                      inspection certificates.
                                                                                      Normally, when dealing
                                                                                      with defect percentages
                                                                                      ending in fractional
                                                                                      amounts, AMS inspectors
                                                                                      ``round up'' percentages
                                                                                      ending in .5 or more and
                                                                                      ``round down'' those less
                                                                                      than .5. The current
                                                                                      citrus standards included
                                                                                      in this Notice are an
                                                                                      exception to this
                                                                                      procedure. Changing the
                                                                                      one-half of 1 percent
                                                                                      tolerance to 1 percent
                                                                                      will eliminate industry's
                                                                                      confusion on this issue
                                                                                      and mirror what is
                                                                                      currently contained in
                                                                                      many fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards.
                                           ``U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades.''     We propose to establish
                                            For defects en route or at destination.   ``En Route or At
                                            Not more than 10 percent, by count, of    Destination'' tolerances
                                            the oranges in any lot may fail to meet   to be more consistent with
                                            the requirements relating to color. In    other fruit and vegetable
                                            addition, not more than 12 percent, by    standards. This proposal
                                            count, of the oranges in any lot may      includes adding separate
                                            fail to meet the remaining requirements   tolerances for permanent
                                            of the specified grade: Provided, that    defects; for any defects
                                            included in this amount not more than     causing serious damage;
                                            the following percentages shall be        and for total defects. The
                                            allowed for defects listed: 10 percent    decay tolerance, which
                                            for fruit having permanent defects; or    remains at 3 percent, is
                                            7 percent for defects causing serious     re-worded for clarity.4703
                                            damage, including therein not more than
                                            5 percent for serious damage by
                                            permanent defects and not more than 3
                                            percent for decay.
                                           ``U.S. No. 2 grade.'' For defects at      We propose to establish
                                            shipping point. Not more than 10          separate tolerances at
                                            percent, by count, of the oranges in      ``Shipping Point'' and
                                            any lot may fail to meet the              ``En Route or At
                                            requirements relating to color. In        Destination'' to be more
                                            addition, not more than 10 percent, by    consistent with other
                                            count, of the oranges in any lot may      fruit and vegetable
                                            fail to meet the remaining requirements   standards. Also proposed
                                            of the specified grade, included in       is a 1 percent decay
                                            this amount not more than 1 percent for   tolerance at shipping
                                            decay.                                    point. The decay tolerance
                                                                                      en route or at destination
                                                                                      would remain at 3 percent.
                                           ``U.S. No. 2 grades.'' For defects en     We propose to establish
                                            route or at destination. Not more than    ``En Route or At
                                            10 percent, by count, of the oranges in   Destination'' tolerances
                                            any lot may fail to meet the              to be more consistent with
                                            requirements relating to color. In        other fruit and vegetable
                                            addition, not more than 12 percent, by    standards. This proposal
                                            count, of the oranges in any lot may      includes adding separate
                                            fail to meet the remaining requirements   tolerances for permanent
                                            of the specified grade: Provided, that    defects and for total
                                            included in this amount not more than     defects. The decay
                                            the following percentages shall be        tolerance, which remains
                                            allowed for defects listed: 10 percent    at 3 percent, is re-worded
                                            for fruit having permanent defects; or    for clarity.
                                            not more than 3 percent for decay.

[[Page 32669]]

 
``U.S. Combination grade.'' Not more than  ``U.S. Combination grade.'' For defects   We propose to establish
 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in    at shipping point. Not more than 10       separate ``Shipping
 any lot may fail to meet the               percent, by count, of the oranges in      Point'' tolerances to be
 requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade       any lot may fail to meet the              more consistent with other
 relating to color. In addition, not more   requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade      fruit and vegetable
 than 10 percent, by count, of the          relating to color. In addition, not       standards. A tolerance for
 oranges in any lot may fail to meet the    more than 10 percent, by count, of the    serious damage and a
 remaining requirements of the U.S. No. 2   oranges in any lot may fail to meet the   ``whole number'' decay
 grade, but not more than one-twentieth     remaining requirements of the U.S. No.    tolerance are proposed.
 of this amount, or one-half of 1           2 grade, included in this amount not      Separate tolerances for
 percent, shall be allowed for decay at     more than 1 percent for decay.            serious damage and the
 shipping point: Provided, That an                                                    whole number decay
 additional tolerance of 2\1/2\ percent,                                              tolerance at shipping
 or a total of 3 percent, shall be                                                    point are included in
 allowed for decay en route or at                                                     practically all other
 destination.                                                                         fresh fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      grade standards. The
                                                                                      current decay tolerance of
                                                                                      ``not more than one-
                                                                                      twentieth of (10%), or one-
                                                                                      half of 1 percent'' may be
                                                                                      a confusing concept to an
                                                                                      industry which is
                                                                                      accustomed to ``whole''
                                                                                      percentage numbers on
                                                                                      inspection certificates.
                                                                                      Normally, when dealing
                                                                                      with defect percentages
                                                                                      ending in fractional
                                                                                      amounts, AMS inspectors
                                                                                      ``round up'' percentages
                                                                                      ending in .5 or more and
                                                                                      ``round down'' those less
                                                                                      than .5. The current
                                                                                      citrus standards included
                                                                                      in this Notice are an
                                                                                      exception to this
                                                                                      procedure. Changing the
                                                                                      one-half of 1 percent
                                                                                      tolerance to 1 percent
                                                                                      will eliminate industry's
                                                                                      confusion on this issue
                                                                                      and mirror what is
                                                                                      currently contained in
                                                                                      many fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards.
                                           ``U.S. Combination grade.'' For defects   We propose to establish
                                            en route or at destination. Not more      ``En Route or At
                                            than 10 percent, by count, of the         Destination'' tolerances
                                            oranges in any lot may fail to meet the   to be more consistent with
                                            requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade      other fruit and vegetable
                                            relating to color. In addition, not       standards. This proposal
                                            more than 12 percent, by count, of the    includes adding separate
                                            oranges in any lot may fail to meet the   tolerances for permanent
                                            remaining requirements of the U.S. No.    defects; for any defects
                                            2 grade: Provided, that included in       causing serious damage;
                                            this amount not more than the following   and for total defects. The
                                            percentages shall be allowed for          decay tolerance, which
                                            defects listed: 10 percent for fruit      remains at 3 percent, is
                                            having permanent defects; or not more     re-worded for clarity.
                                            than 3 percent for decay.
(a) No part of any tolerance shall be      ``U.S. Combination grade.'' For defects   We propose to change the
 allowed to reduce for the lot as a whole   at shipping point and en route or at      word ``container'' to
 the percentage of U.S. No. 1 required in   destination. No part of any tolerance     ``sample'' to be
 the combination, but individual            shall be allowed to reduce for the lot    consistent with the
 containers may have not more than a        as a whole, the 40 percent of U.S. No.    proposed sampling method
 total of 10 percent less than percentage   1 oranges required in the U.S.            for grade determination.
 of U.S. No. 1 required: Provided, That     Combination grade, but individual         We also propose to re-word
 the entire lot averages within the         samples may have not less than 30         this section to make it
 percentage required.                       percent of U.S. No. 1 required:           consistent with other
                                            Provided, That the entire lot averages    fruit and vegetable
                                            within the percentage required.           standards including those
                                                                                      listed in this Notice.4703
``Application of tolerances.'' (a) Except  ``Application of tolerances.''            We propose to change the
 when applying the tolerances for           Individual samples, based on a minimum    standards to include
 standards for export, the contents of      25 count, are subject to the following    minimum 25 count samples,
 individual packages in the lot, based on   limitations, unless otherwise             not ``packages.'' This is
 sample inspection, are subject to the      specified. Individual samples shall       consistent with the
 following limitations: Provided, That      have not more than one and one-half       recently-changed Florida
 the averages for the entire lot are        times a specified tolerance of 10         Citrus Standards.
 within the tolerances specified for the    percent or more, and not more than        Individual sample
 grade:                                     double a specified tolerance of less      tolerances are also
                                            than 10 percent: Provided, that at        proposed to reflect the
                                            least one decayed fruit may be            language and tolerances
                                            permitted in any sample: And provided     widely used in other fruit
                                            further, that the averages for the        and vegetable standards.
                                            entire lot are within the tolerances
                                            specified for the grade.
(1) For packages which contain more than   Delete.                                   We propose this deletion
 10 pounds, and a tolerance of 10 percent                                             because the reference to
 or more is provided, individual packages                                             various size package
 in any lot shall have not more than one                                              restrictions from the
 and one-half times the tolerance                                                     current standard would no
 specified. For packages which contain                                                longer be valid with a
 more than 10 pounds and a tolerance of                                               minimum 25 count sample.
 less than 10 percent is provided,
 individual packages in any lot shall
 have not more than double the tolerance
 specified, except that at least one
 decayed orange may be permitted in any
 package.

[[Page 32670]]

 
(2) For packages which contain 10 pounds   Delete.                                   We propose this deletion
 or less, individual packages in any lot                                              because the reference to
 are not restricted as to the percentage                                              various size package
 of defects: Provided, That not more than                                             restrictions listed in the
 one orange which is seriously damaged by                                             current standard would no
 dryness or mushy condition may be                                                    longer be valid with a
 permitted in any package and, in                                                     minimum 25 count sample.
 addition, en route or at destination not
 more than 10 percent of the packages may
 have more than one decayed orange.
``Standard pack.'' (a) Oranges shall be    ``Standard pack.'' (a) Oranges shall be   We propose to delete the
 fairly uniform in size and shall be        fairly uniform in size and shall be       reference to ``wrapped
 packed in boxes or cartons and arranged    packed in boxes or cartons and arranged   fruit'' because the
 according to the approved and recognized   according to the approved and             industry no longer packs
 methods. Each wrapped fruit shall be       recognized methods.                       fruit in this manner.
 fairly well enclosed by its individual
 wrapper.
(b) All such containers shall be tightly   (b) All such containers shall be tightly  We propose to delete the
 packed and well filled but the contents    packed and well filled but the contents   reference to ``nailed
 shall not show excessive or unnecessary    shall not show excessive or unnecessary   boxes'' because they are
 bruising because of overfilled             bruising because of overfilled            no longer used by the
 containers. When oranges are packed in     containers. When oranges are packed in    industry.
 standard nailed boxes, each box shall      cartons or in wire-bound boxes, each
 have a minimum bulge of 1\1/4\ inches;     container shall be at least level full
 when packed in cartons or in wire-bound    at time of packing.
 boxes, each container shall be at least
 level full at time of packing.
(c) ``Fairly uniform in size'' means that  (c) ``Fairly uniform in size'' means      We propose to change the
 when oranges are packed for 113 carton     that when oranges are packed for 113      word ``container'' to
 count or smaller size, or equivalent       carton count or smaller size, or          ``sample'' to be
 sizes when packed in other containers,     equivalent sizes when packed in other     consistent with the
 not more than 10 percent, by count, of     containers, not more than 10 percent,     proposed sampling method
 the oranges in any container may vary      by count, of the oranges in any sample    for grade determination.
 more than five-sixteenths inch in          may vary more than five-sixteenths inch
 diameter; when packed for sizes larger     in diameter; when packed for sizes
 than 113 carton count or equivalent        larger than 113 carton count or
 sizes packed in other containers, not      equivalent sizes packed in other
 more than 10 percent, by count, of the     containers, not more than 10 percent,
 oranges in any container may vary more     by count, of the oranges in any sample
 than seven-sixteenths inch in diameter.    may vary more than seven-sixteenths
                                            inch in diameter.
(1) ``Diameter'' means the greatest        No change.                                N/A.
 dimension measured at right angles to a
 line from stem to blossom end of the
 fruit.
(d) In order to allow for variations       (d) In order to allow for variations      We propose to delete the
 incident to proper packing, when oranges   incident to proper packing, not more      reference to ``wrapped
 are wrapped not more than 10 percent of    than 5 percent of the samples in any      fruit'' because industry
 the wrapped fruit in any container may     lot may fail to meet the requirements     no longer packs fruit in
 fail to meet the requirements pertaining   for standard pack.                        this manner; and to change
 to wrapping; and, not more than 5                                                    the word ``container'' to
 percent of the containers in any lot may                                             ``sample'' to be
 fail to meet the requirements for                                                    consistent with the
 standard pack.                                                                       proposed sampling
                                                                                      method.4703
``Standard sizing and fill.'' (a) Boxes    ``Standard sizing and fill.'' (a) Boxes   We propose to change the
 or cartons in which oranges are not        or cartons in which oranges are not       word ``container'' to
 packed according to a definite pattern     packed according to a definite pattern    ``sample'' to be
 do not meet the requirements of standard   do not meet the requirements of           consistent with the
 pack, but may be certified as meeting      standard pack, but may be certified as    proposed sampling method.
 the requirements of standard sizing and    meeting the requirements of standard
 fill: Provided, That the oranges in the    sizing and fill: Provided, That the
 containers are fairly uniform in size as   oranges in the samples are fairly
 defined in the standard pack section:      uniform in size as defined in the
 And provided further, That the contents    standard pack section: And provided
 have been properly shaken down and the     further, That the contents have been
 container is at least level full at time   properly shaken down and the container
 of packing.                                is at least level full at time of
                                            packing.
(b) In order to allow for variations       (b) In order to allow for variations      We propose to change the
 incident to proper packing, not more       incident to proper packing, not more      word ``container'' to
 than 5 percent of the containers in any    than 5 percent of the samples in any      ``sample'' to be
 lot may fail to meet the requirements of   lot may fail to meet the requirements     consistent with the
 standard sizing and fill.                  of standard sizing and fill.              proposed sampling method.
``Standards for export.'' (a) Not more     ``Standards for export.'' (a) Not more    We propose to change the
 than a total of 10 percent, by count, of   than a total of 10 percent, by count,     word ``container'' to
 the oranges in any container may be        of the oranges in any sample may be       ``sample'' to be
 soft, affected by decay, have broken       soft, affected by decay, have broken      consistent with the
 skins, which are not healed, growth        skins, which are not healed, growth       proposed sampling method.
 cracks, or be damaged by creasing or       cracks, or be damaged by creasing or
 skin breakdown, or seriously damaged by    skin breakdown, or seriously damaged by
 split or protruding navels, or by          split or protruding navels, or by
 dryness or mushy condition, except that:   dryness or mushy condition, except
                                            that:

[[Page 32671]]

 
(1) Not more than one-half of 1 percent    No change.                                N/A.
 shall be allowed for oranges affected by
 decay;
(2) Not more than 3 percent shall have     No change.                                N/A.
 broken skins which are not healed;
(3) Not more than 3 percent shall have     No change.                                N/A.
 growth cracks;
(4) Not more than 5 percent shall be       No change.                                N/A.
 soft;
(5) Not more than 5 percent shall be       No change.                                N/A.
 damaged by creasing;
(6) Not more than 5 percent shall be       No change.                                N/A.
 seriously damaged by split or protruding
 navels;
(7) Not more than 5 percent shall be       No change.                                N/A.
 seriously damaged by dryness or mushy
 condition; and,
(8) Not more than 5 percent shall be       No change.                                N/A.
 damaged by skin breakdown.
(b) Any lot of oranges shall be            (b) Any lot of oranges shall be           We propose to change the
 considered as meeting the standards for    considered as meeting the standards for   word ``container'' to
 export if the entire lot averages within   export if the entire lot averages         ``sample'' to be
 the requirements specified: Provided,      within the requirements specified:        consistent with the
 That no sample from the containers in      Provided, That no sample from the         proposed sampling method.
 any lot shall have not more than double    containers in any lot shall have not
 the percentage specified for any one       more than double the percentage
 defect, and that not more than a total     specified for any one defect, and that
 of 10 percent, by count, of the oranges    not more than a total of 10 percent, by
 in any container has any of the defects    count, of the oranges in any sample has
 enumerated in the standards for export.    any of the defects enumerated in the
                                            standards for export.
``Similar varietal characteristics''       No change.                                N/A.
 means that the oranges in any container
 are similar in color and type.
``Well colored'' means that the fruit is   No change.                                N/A.
 at least light orange in color, with not
 more than a trace of green at the stem
 end, and not more than 15 percent of the
 remainder of the surface of the fruit
 shows green color.
``Firm'' means that the fruit does not     No change.                                N/A.
 yield more than slightly to moderate
 pressure.
``Well formed'' means that fruit shows     No change.                                N/A.4703
 the normal shape characteristic of the
 variety.
``Smooth texture'' means that the skin is  No change.                                N/A.
 of fairly fine grain for the variety,
 the ``pebbling'' is not pronounced, and
 any furrows radiating from the stem end
 are shallow.
``Injury'' means any defect which more     No change.                                N/A.
 than slightly affects the appearance, or
 the edible or shipping quality of the
 fruit. Any one of the following defects,
 or any combination of defects the
 seriousness of which exceeds the maximum
 allowed for any one defect, shall be
 considered as injury:
(a) Split, rough, wide or protruding       No change.                                N/A.
 navels when a split is unhealed or is
 more than one-eighth inch in length; or
 when the navel protrudes beyond the
 general contour of the fruit; or when
 flush with the contour but with the
 opening so wide, considering the size of
 the fruit, or the navel growth so folded
 and ridged that it detracts noticeably
 from the appearance of the fruit;
(b) Slight creasing which is more than     No change.                                N/A.
 barely visible, or which extends over
 more than 20 percent of the fruit
 surface;
(c) Scars (including sprayburn and         No change.                                N/A.
 fumigation injury) which exceed the
 following aggregate areas of different
 types of scars, or a combination of two
 or more types of scars the seriousness
 of which exceeds the maximum allowed for
 any one type:
(1) Scars which are very dark and which    No change.                                N/A.
 have an aggregate area exceeding that of
 a circle one-eighth inch in diameter;
(2) Scars which are dark, rough or deep    No change.                                N/A.
 and which have an aggregate area
 exceeding that of a circle one-fourth
 inch in diameter;

[[Page 32672]]

 
(3) Scars which are fairly light in        No change.                                N/A.
 color, slightly rough, or with slight
 depth and which have an aggregate area
 exceeding that of a circle one-half inch
 in diameter; and,
(4) Scars which are light in color,        No change.                                N/A.
 fairly smooth, with no depth and which
 have an aggregate area of more than 5
 percent of the fruit surface;
(d) Oil spots (oleocellosis or similar     No change.                                N/A.
 injuries) which are depressed or soft,
 or which have an aggregate area of more
 than 2\1/2\ percent of the fruit
 surface, or which are green and more
 than 4 in number;
(e) Scale when medium or large and more    No change.                                N/A.
 than 5 are present; and,
(f) Sunburn which appreciably changes the  No change.                                N/A.
 normal color or shape of the fruit, or
 which affects more than 10 percent of
 the fruit surface.
                                           (g) Skin breakdown when exceeding that    This defect is currently
                                            of a circle \1/8\ inch in diameter.       being scored using the
                                                                                      ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
                                           (h) Bruising when segment walls are       This defect is currently
                                            collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are   being scored using the
                                            ruptured.                                 ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.4703
``Fairly smooth texture'' means that the   No change.                                N/A.
 skin does not feel noticeably rough or
 coarse for the variety. The size of the
 fruit should be considered in judging
 texture, as large fruit is not usually
 as smooth as smaller fruit. It is common
 for the fruit to show larger and coarser
 ``pebbling'' on the stem end portion
 than on the blossom end. The presence of
 furrows or grooves on the stem end
 portion of the fruit is a common
 condition in certain varieties, and the
 fruit shall not be considered as
 slightly rough unless the furrows or
 grooves are of sufficient depth, length,
 and number as to materially affect the
 appearance and smoothness of the orange.
``Damage'' means any defect which          No change.                                N/A.
 materially affects the appearance, or
 the edible or shipping quality of the
 fruit. Any one of the following defects,
 or any combination of defects the
 seriousness of which exceeds the maximum
 allowed for any one defect, shall be
 considered as damage:
(a) Dryness or mushy condition when        No change.                                N/A.
 affecting all segments more than one-
 fourth inch at stem end, or the
 equivalent of this amount, by volume,
 when occurring in other portions of the
 fruit;
(b) Split, rough, wide or protruding       No change.                                N/A.
 navels when there are more than three
 splits, or when any split is unhealed or
 is more than one-fourth inch in length;
 or navels which flare, bulge, or
 protrude materially beyond the general
 contour of the fruit; or when the navel
 opening is so wide, considering the size
 of the fruit, or the navel growth so
 folded and ridged that it detracts
 materially from the appearance of the
 fruit;
(c) Creasing which materially weakens the  No change.                                N/A.
 skin, or which extends over more than
 one-third of the fruit surface;
(d) Scars (including sprayburn and         No change.                                N/A.
 fumigation injury) which exceed the
 following aggregate areas of different
 types of scars, or a combination of two
 or more types of scars the seriousness
 of which exceeds the maximum allowed for
 any one type:

[[Page 32673]]

 
(1) Scars which are very dark, with        No change.                                N/A.
 slight depth, and which have an
 aggregate area exceeding that of a
 circle one-fourth inch in diameter;
(2) Scars which are very dark, with no     No change.                                N/A.
 depth, and which have an aggregate area
 exceeding that of a circle one-half inch
 in diameter;
(3) Scars which are dark, and rough or     No change.                                N/A.
 deep, and which have an aggregate area
 exceeding that of a circle one-half inch
 in diameter;
(4) Scars which are dark, and slightly     No change.                                N/A.
 rough or with slight depth, and which
 have an aggregate area exceeding that of
 a circle three-fourths inch in diameter;
(5) Scars which are fairly light in        No change.                                N/A.
 color, slightly rough or with slight
 depth, and which have an aggregate area
 of more than 5 percent of the fruit
 surface; and,
(6) Scars which are light in color,        No change.                                N/A.4703
 fairly smooth, with no depth, and which
 have an aggregate area of more than 10
 percent of the fruit surface;
(e) Oil spots (oleocellosis or similar     No change.                                N/A.
 injuries) which are depressed or soft,
 or which have an aggregate area of more
 than 5 percent of the fruit surface, or
 which are green and more than 7 in
 number;
(f) Scale when medium or large and more    (f) Scale when medium or large and more   We propose to change the
 than 3 scales are present in each of 3     than 7 are present, or when medium or     scoring criteria of this
 circular areas 1 inch in diameter,         large scale, outside the stem button      defect to simplify the
 selected as the worst infested areas, or   area, aggregate more than a circle 5/8    scoring of scale and
 when more than 7 scales are present in     inch in diameter.                         provide uniformity with
 one of these areas: Provided, That scale                                             other citrus standards.
 within a circle five-eighths inch in
 diameter centered at the stem button or
 button socket shall not be considered in
 determining whether an orange is
 damaged; and;
(g) Sunburn which causes appreciable       No change.                                N/A.
 flattening of the fruit, drying or
 darkening of the skin, or affects more
 than 25 percent of the fruit surface.
                                           (h) Skin breakdown when exceeding that    This defect is currently
                                            of a circle \1/4\ inch in diameter.       being scored using the
                                                                                      ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
                                           (i) Bruising when segment walls are       This defect is currently
                                            collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are   being scored using the
                                            ruptured.                                 ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
``Fairly well colored'' means that the     No change.                                N/A.
 yellow or orange color predominates on
 the fruit.
``Fairly firm'' means that the fruit may   No change.                                N/A.
 yield to moderate pressure but is not
 soft.
``Fairly well formed'' means that the      No change.                                N/A.
 fruit is not of the shape characteristic
 of the variety but is not decidedly
 flattened, pointed, extremely elongated,
 or otherwise badly deformed.
Slightly rough texture'' means that the    No change.                                N/A.
 skin is not decidedly rough, badly
 folded, badly ridged, or decidedly
 lumpy. Heavily ``pebbled'' skin shall be
 considered as slightly rough.
``Serious damage'' means any defect which  No change.                                N/A.
 seriously affects the appearance, or the
 edible or shipping quality of the fruit.
 Any one of the following defects, or any
 combination of defects the seriousness
 of which exceeds the maximum allowed for
 any one defect, shall be considered as
 serious damage:
(a) Dryness or mushy condition when        No change.                                N/A.
 affecting all segments more than one-
 half inch at stem end, or the equivalent
 of this amount, by volume, when
 occurring in other portions of the
 fruit;

[[Page 32674]]

 
(b) Split or protruding navels when any    No change.                                N/A.
 split is unhealed or is more than one-
 half inch in length, or when two or more
 splits aggregate more than 1 inch in
 length; or navels which protrude
 seriously beyond the general contour of
 the fruit; or when the navel opening is
 so wide, considering the size of the
 fruit, or the navel growth so badly
 folded and ridged that it detracts
 seriously from the appearance of the
 fruit;
(c) Creasing which seriously weakens the   No change.                                N/A.4703
 skin, or which is distributed over
 practically the entire fruit surface;
(d) Scars (including sprayburn and         No change.                                N/A.
 fumigation injury) which exceed the
 following aggregate areas of different
 types of scars, or a combination of two
 or more types of scars the seriousness
 of which exceeds the maximum allowed for
 any one type:
(1) Scar which are very dark, very rough   No change.                                N/A.
 or very deep, and which have an
 aggregate area of more than 5 percent of
 the fruit surface;
(2) Scars which are dark, rough or deep,   No change.                                N/A.
 and which have an aggregate area of more
 than 10 percent of the fruit surface;
(3) Scars which are fairly light in        No change.                                N/A.
 color, slightly rough or of slight depth
 and which have an aggregate area of more
 than 15 percent of the fruit surface;
 and,
(4) Scars which are light in color,        No change.                                N/A.
 fairly smooth, with no depth, and which
 have an aggregate area of more than 25
 percent of the fruit surface;
(e) Oil spots (oleocellosis or similar     No change.                                N/A.
 injuries) which are depressed or soft,
 or which have an aggregate area of more
 than 10 percent of the fruit surface;
(f) Scale when medium or large and more    (f) Scale when medium or large and when   We propose to change the
 than 9 scales are present in each of 3     aggregating more than a circle \3/4\      scoring criteria of this
 circular areas 1 inch in diameter,         inch in diameter.                         defect to simplify the
 selected as the worst infested areas, or                                             scoring of scale and
 if more than 19 scales are present in                                                provide uniformity with
 one of these areas: Provided, That scale                                             other citrus standards.
 within a circle five-eighths inch in
 diameter centered at the stem button or
 button socket shall not be considered in
 determining whether an orange is
 seriously damaged; and,
(g) Sunburn which causes decided           No change.                                N/A.
 flattening of the fruit, drying or dark
 discoloration of the skin, or which
 affects more than one-third of the fruit
 surface.
                                           (h) Skin breakdown when exceeding that    This defect is currently
                                            of a circle \5/8\ inch in diameter.       being scored using the
                                                                                      ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
                                           (i) Bruising when fruit has been split    This defect is currently
                                            open, peel is badly watersoaked           being scored using the
                                            following bruising or albedo and juice    ``general definition.'' We
                                            sacs are ruptured causing a mushy         propose to add specific
                                            condition affecting all segments more     scoring criteria for
                                            than \3/4\ inch at bruised area or the    objective treatment of
                                            equivalent of this amount, by volume,     this defect.
                                            when affecting more than one area on
                                            the fruit.

[[Page 32675]]

 
                                           Note: All references in this standard to  Currently, the standard
                                            area, aggregating area, or length are     does not state whether
                                            based on an orange 2\7/8\ inches in       defects are based on a
                                            diameter, allowing proportionately        specific size fruit; or if
                                            greater areas on larger fruit and         greater defective areas
                                            lesser areas on smaller fruit.            are allowed on larger
                                                                                      fruit and lesser areas on
                                                                                      smaller fruit. Many fruit
                                                                                      and vegetable standards
                                                                                      contain this distinction.
                                                                                      To clarify the issue and
                                                                                      to standardize with other
                                                                                      fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards, we propose to
                                                                                      include this statement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    United States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit (California and Arizona)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``U.S. Fancy'' shall consist of            No change.                                N/A.
 grapefruit of similar varietal
 characteristics which are mature, well
 colored, firm, well formed, of smooth
 texture for the variety, and fairly thin
 skinned; free from decay, broken skins
 which are not healed, hard or
dry skins, bruises (except those incident  dry skins, dryness or mushy condition,    We propose to change the
 to proper handling and packing), dryness   and free from injury caused by bruises,   phrase ``free from
 or mushy condition, and from injury        sprayburn, fumigation, exanthema,         bruises'' to ``free from
 caused by sprayburn, fumigation,           scars, green spots, scale, sunburn,       injury by bruises'' to be
 exanthema, scars, green spots, scale,                                                more consistent with other
 sunburn,                                                                             fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards. Typically,
                                                                                      bruising is defined under
                                                                                      the definitions of injury,
                                                                                      damage and serious damage.
                                                                                      As proposed, when bruising
                                                                                      is encountered in the U.S.
                                                                                      Fancy grade, it will be
                                                                                      considered injury.
sprouting, dirt or other foreign           oil spots, skin breakdown, sprouting,     We propose to add ``free
 materials, disease, insects or             dirt or other foreign materials,          from injury by'' to the
 mechanical or other means. Stems shall     disease, insects or mechanical or other   defects skin breakdown and
 be properly clipped. (See                  means. (See ``Tolerances'')               oil spots to be more
 ``Tolerances'')                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards. These defects
                                                                                      are currently scored based
                                                                                      on the ``general
                                                                                      definition.'' We also
                                                                                      propose to delete the
                                                                                      phrase ``stems shall be
                                                                                      properly clipped.''
                                                                                      Present harvesting and
                                                                                      packing techniques remove
                                                                                      all stems from the fruit,
                                                                                      making this requirement
                                                                                      unnecessary.4703
``U.S. No. 1'' shall consist of            No change.                                N/A.
 grapefruit of similar varietal
 characteristics which are mature, fairly
 well colored, firm, well formed, of
 fairly smooth texture for the variety,
 and not excessively thick skinned; free
 from decay, broken skins which are not
 healed, hard or
dry skins, bruises (except those incident  dry skins, and free from damage caused    We propose to change the
 to proper handling and packing), and       by bruises, dryness or mushy condition,   phrase ``free from
 from damage caused by dryness or mushy     sprayburn, fumigation, exanthema,         bruises'' to ``free from
 condition, sprayburn, fumigation,          scars, green spots, scale, sunburn        damage by bruises'' which
 exanthema, scars, green spots, scale,                                                is more consistent with
 sunburn                                                                              other fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards. Typically,
                                                                                      bruising is defined under
                                                                                      the definitions of injury,
                                                                                      damage and serious damage.
                                                                                      As proposed, when bruising
                                                                                      is encountered in the U.S.
                                                                                      No. 1 grade, it will be
                                                                                      considered damage.
sprouting, dirt or other foreign           oil spots, skin breakdown, sprouting,     We propose to add ``free
 materials, disease, insects, or            dirt or other foreign materials,          from damage by'' to the
 mechanical or other means. Stems shall     disease, insects or mechanical or other   defects skin breakdown and
 be properly clipped. (See                  means. (See ``Tolerances'')               oil spots to be more
 ``Tolerances'')                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards. These defects
                                                                                      are currently scored based
                                                                                      on the ``general
                                                                                      definition.'' We also
                                                                                      propose to delete the
                                                                                      phrase ``stems shall be
                                                                                      properly clipped.''
                                                                                      Present harvesting and
                                                                                      packing techniques remove
                                                                                      all stems from the fruit,
                                                                                      making this requirement
                                                                                      unnecessary.
``U.S. No. 2'' shall consist of            No change.                                N/A.
 grapefruit of similar varietal
 characteristics which are mature,
 slightly colored, fairly firm, fairly
 well formed, and not decidedly rough;
 free from decay, broken skins which are
 not healed, hard or dry skins, and from
 serious damage caused by bruises,
 dryness or mushy condition, sprayburn,
 fumigation, exanthema, scars, green
 spots, scale, sunburn

[[Page 32676]]

 
sprouting, dirt or other foreign           oil spots, skin breakdown, sprouting,     We propose to add ``free
 materials, disease, insects, or            dirt or other foreign materials,          from serious damage by''
 mechanical or other means. Stems shall     disease, insects or mechanical or other   to the defects skin
 be properly clipped. (See                  means. (See ``Tolerances'')               breakdown and oil spots.
 ``Tolerances'')                                                                      These defects are
                                                                                      currently scored based on
                                                                                      the ``general
                                                                                      definition.'' We propose
                                                                                      to add specific scoring
                                                                                      criteria for objective
                                                                                      treatment of these
                                                                                      defects. We also propose
                                                                                      to delete the phrase
                                                                                      ``stems shall be properly
                                                                                      clipped.'' Present
                                                                                      harvesting and packing
                                                                                      techniques remove all
                                                                                      stems from the fruit,
                                                                                      making this requirement
                                                                                      unnecessary.
``U.S. Combination grade.'' Any lot of     ``U.S. Combination grade'' shall consist  We propose to re-word the
 grapefruit may be designated ``U.S.        of a combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S.   requirements of this grade
 Combination'' when not less than 40        No. 2 grapefruit: Provided, That at       to make it consistent with
 percent, by count, of the fruits in each   least 40 percent, by count, of the        other commodities
 container meet the requirements of U.S.    grapefruit in each lot shall meet the     containing a Combination
 No. 1 grade and the remainder U.S. No. 2   requirements of the U.S. No. 1 grade.     grade.
 grade. (See ``Tolerances'')                (See ``Tolerances'')
``U.S. No. 3'' shall consist of            No change.                                N/A.
 grapefruit of similar varietal
 characteristics which are mature,
 slightly colored, which may be slightly
 spongy, misshapen, and rough but not
 seriously lumpy; which are free from
 decay, broken skins which are not
 healed, hard or dry
skins, and from serious damage caused by   skins, and free from very serious damage  We propose to change the
 bruises, dryness or mushy condition, and   caused by bruises, dryness or mushy       phrases ``free from
 from very serious damage caused by         condition, sprayburn, fumigation,         serious damage by
 sprayburn, fumigation, exanthema, scars,   exanthema, scars, green spots, scale,     bruises'' and ``free from
 green spots, scale, sunburn                sunburn, oil spots, skin breakdown,       dryness or mushy
                                                                                      condition'' to ``free from
                                                                                      very serious damage by
                                                                                      bruises, dryness or mushy
                                                                                      condition.'' In other
                                                                                      citrus standards, defects
                                                                                      scored against the U.S.
                                                                                      No. 3 grade are typically
                                                                                      ``very serious damage.''
                                                                                      This revision will make it
                                                                                      more consistent with those
                                                                                      standards. We also propose
                                                                                      to add the phrase ``free
                                                                                      from very serious damage
                                                                                      by skin breakdown and oil
                                                                                      spots.'' These defects are
                                                                                      currently being scored
                                                                                      based on the ``general
                                                                                      definition.'' We propose
                                                                                      to add specific scoring
                                                                                      criteria for objective
                                                                                      treatment of these
                                                                                      defects.''
sprouting, dirt or other foreign           sprouting, dirt or other foreign          We propose to delete the
 materials, disease, insects or             materials, disease, insects or            phrase ``stems shall be
 mechanical or other means. Stems shall     mechanical or other means. (See           properly clipped.''
 be properly clipped. (See                  ``Tolerances'')                           Present harvesting and
 ``Tolerances'')                                                                      packing techniques remove
                                                                                      all stems from the fruit,
                                                                                      making this requirement
                                                                                      unnecessary.4703
``Unclassified'' shall consist of          Delete.                                   When changing or updating
 grapefruit which have not been                                                       standards in recent years,
 classified in accordance with any of the                                             references to
 foregoing grades. The term                                                           ``Unclassified'' have been
 ``unclassified'' is not a grade within                                               removed in an attempt to
 the meaning of these standards but is                                                eliminate the confusion
 provided as a designation to show that                                               this term creates. People
 no definite grade has been applied to                                                have incorrectly assumed
 the lot.                                                                             that ``Unclassified'' is
                                                                                      an actual grade name; it
                                                                                      is not. To avoid further
                                                                                      confusion, it is proposed
                                                                                      that all references to
                                                                                      this term be eliminated.
``Tolerances.'' In order to allow for      ``Tolerances.'' In order to allow for     The proposed addition of
 variations incident to proper grading      variations incident to proper grading     the phrase ``a minimum 25
 and handling in each of the foregoing      and handling in each of the foregoing     count sample'' establishes
 grades, the tolerances set forth in the    grades, the tolerances, by count, based   a basis for uniform
 U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2, U.S.   on a minimum 25 count sample, set forth   sampling. Other citrus
 No. 3 and U.S. Combination grades are      in the U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No.   standards (Florida), at
 provided as specified:                     2, U.S. No. 3 and U.S. Combination        industry's request, have
                                            grades are provided as specified:         recently been changed to
                                                                                      include the minimum 25
                                                                                      count sample. This would
                                                                                      make the citrus standards
                                                                                      more uniform regarding
                                                                                      sampling. This change also
                                                                                      is consistent with the
                                                                                      industry's request.

[[Page 32677]]

 
``U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2 and   ``U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, and U.S. No. 2  We propose to establish
 U.S. No. 3 grades.'' Not more than 10      grades.'' For defects at shipping         separate ``Shipping
 percent, by count, of the fruit in any     point. Not more than 10 percent, by       Point'' tolerances to
 lot may fail to meet the requirements of   count, of the grapefruit in any lot may   standardize them with
 the specified grade, other than for        fail to meet the requirements relating    other fruit and vegetable
 color, but not more than one-twentieth     to color. In addition, not more than 10   standards. A tolerance for
 of this amount, or one-half of 1           percent, by count, of the grapefruit in   very serious damage and a
 percent, shall be allowed for decay at     any lot may fail to meet the remaining    ``whole number'' decay
 shipping point: Provided, That an          requirements of the specified grade,      tolerance are also
 additional tolerance of 2\1/2\ percent,    included in this amount not more than 5   proposed. Tolerances for
 or a total of not more than 3 percent,     percent shall be allowed for defects      very serious damage are
 shall be allowed for decay en route or     causing very serious damage, included     part of all other
 at destination. In addition, not more      in this latter amount not more than 1     standards that contain a
 than 10 percent, by count, of the fruit    percent for decay.                        No. 3 grade and a whole
 in any lot may not meet the requirements                                             number decay tolerance at
 relating to color.                                                                   shipping point is included
                                                                                      in practically all other
                                                                                      fresh fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      grade standards. The
                                                                                      current decay tolerance of
                                                                                      ``not more than one-
                                                                                      twentieth of (10%), or one-
                                                                                      half of 1 percent'' may be
                                                                                      a confusing concept to an
                                                                                      industry which is
                                                                                      accustomed to ``whole''
                                                                                      percentage numbers on
                                                                                      inspection certificates.
                                                                                      Normally, when dealing
                                                                                      with defect percentages
                                                                                      ending in fractional
                                                                                      amounts, AMS inspectors
                                                                                      ``round up'' percentages
                                                                                      ending in .5 or more and
                                                                                      ``round down'' those less
                                                                                      than .5. The current
                                                                                      citrus standards included
                                                                                      in this Notice are an
                                                                                      exception to this
                                                                                      procedure. Changing the
                                                                                      one-half of 1 percent
                                                                                      tolerance to 1 percent
                                                                                      will eliminate industry's
                                                                                      confusion on this issue
                                                                                      and mirror what is
                                                                                      currently contained in
                                                                                      many fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards.
                                           ``U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, and U.S. No. 2  We propose to establish
                                            grades.'' For defects en route or at      ``En Route or At
                                            destination. Not more than 10 percent,    Destination'' tolerances
                                            by count, of the grapefruit in any lot    to be more consistent with
                                            may fail to meet the requirements         other fruit and vegetable
                                            relating to color. In addition, not       standards. This proposal
                                            more than 12 percent, by count, of the    includes adding separate
                                            grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet    tolerances for permanent
                                            the remaining requirements of the         defects; for any defects
                                            specified grade: Provided, that           causing very serious
                                            included in this amount not more than     damage; and for total
                                            the following percentages shall be        defects. The decay
                                            allowed for defects listed: 10 percent    tolerance, which remains
                                            for fruit having permanent defects; or    at 3 percent, is re-worded
                                            7 percent for defects causing very        for clarity.4703
                                            serious damage, including therein not
                                            more than 5 percent for very serious
                                            damage by permanent defects and not
                                            more than 3 percent for decay.
                                           ``U.S. No. 3 grade.'' For defects at      We propose to establish
                                            shipping point. Not more than 10          separate tolerances at
                                            percent, by count, of the grapefruit in   ``Shipping Point'' to be
                                            any lot may fail to meet the              more consistent with other
                                            requirements relating to color. In        fruit and vegetable
                                            addition, not more than 10 percent, by    standards. Also included
                                            count, of the grapefruit in any lot may   is a 1 percent shipping
                                            fail to meet the remaining requirements   point decay tolerance
                                            of the specified grade, included in       which is commonly found in
                                            this amount not more than 1 percent for   other citrus standards.
                                            decay
                                           ``U.S. No. 3 grade.'' For defects en      We propose to establish
                                            route or at destination. Not more than    separate tolerances ``En
                                            10 percent, by count, of the grapefruit   Route or at Destination''
                                            in any lot may fail to meet the           to be more consistent with
                                            requirements relating to color. In        other fruit and vegetable
                                            addition, not more than 12 percent, by    standards. Included is a
                                            count, of the grapefruit in any lot may   tolerance for permanent
                                            fail to meet the remaining requirements   defects and a total
                                            of the specified grade: Provided, that    defects tolerance. The
                                            included in this amount not more than     decay tolerance would
                                            the following percentages shall be        remain at 3 percent.
                                            allowed for defects listed: 10 percent
                                            for fruit having permanent defects; or
                                            not more than 3 percent for decay.

[[Page 32678]]

 
``U.S. Combination grade.'' Not more than  ``U.S. Combination grade.'' For defects   We propose to establish
 10 percent, by count, of the fruit in      at shipping point. Not more than 10       separate tolerances at
 any lot may fail to meet the               percent, by count, of the grapefruit in   ``Shipping Point'' to be
 requirements of this grade, other than     any lot may fail to meet the              more consistent with other
 for color, but not more than one-          requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade      fruit and vegetable
 twentieth of this amount, or one-half of   relating to color. In addition, not       standards. This proposal
 1 percent, shall be allowed for decay at   more than 10 percent, by count, of the    includes adding separate
 shipping point: Provided, That an          grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet    tolerances for permanent
 additional tolerance of 2\1/2\ percent,    the remaining requirements of the U.S.    defects; for any defects
 or a total of not more than 3 percent,     No. 2 grade, included in this amount      causing very serious
 shall be allowed for decay en route or     not more than 5 percent for very          damage; and for total
 at destination. This 3 percent tolerance   serious damage, included in this latter   defects. The decay
 may be used to reduce the percentage of    amount not more than 1 percent for        tolerance is also changed
 U.S. No. 1 grade required in the           decay.                                    to 1 percent. These
 combination, provided the affected                                                   tolerances are commonly
 fruits meet the requirements of the U.S.                                             found in other citrus
 No. 1 grade in other respects. In                                                    standards.
 addition, not more than 10 percent, by
 count, of the fruit in any lot may not
 meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 2
 grade for color.
                                           ``U.S. Combination grade.'' For defects   We propose to establish
                                            en route or at destination. Not more      ``En Route or At
                                            than 10 percent, by count, of the         Destination'' tolerances
                                            grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet    to be more consistent with
                                            the requirements of the U.S. No. 2        other fruit and vegetable
                                            grade relating to color. In addition,     standards. The decay
                                            not more than 12 percent, by count, of    tolerance, which remains
                                            the grapefruit in any lot may fail to     at 3 percent, is re-worded
                                            meet the remaining requirements of the    for clarity.
                                            U.S. No. 2 grade: Provided, that
                                            included in this amount not more than
                                            the following percentages shall be
                                            allowed for defects listed: 10 percent
                                            for fruit having permanent defects; or
                                            7 percent for defects causing very
                                            serious damage, including therein not
                                            more than 5 percent for very serious
                                            damage by permanent defects and not
                                            more than 3 percent for decay.
No part of any tolerance, other than that  ``U.S. Combination grade.'' For defects   We propose to change the
 for decay, shall be allowed to reduce      at shipping point and en route or at      word ``container'' to
 for the lot as a whole the percentage of   destination. No part of any tolerance     ``sample'' to be
 U.S. No. 1 in the combination, but         shall be allowed to reduce for the lot    consistent with the
 individual containers may have not more    as a whole, the 40 percent of U.S. No.    proposed sampling method
 than a total of 10 percent less than the   1 grapefruit required in the U.S.         for grade determination.
 percentage of U.S. No. 1 specified:        Combination grade, but individual         We also propose to re-word
 Provided, That the entire lot averages     samples may have not less than 30         this section to make it
 within the percentage specified.           percent less of U.S. No. 1 required:      consistent with other
                                            Provided, That the entire lot averages    fruit and vegetable
                                            within the percentage specified.          standards including those
                                                                                      listed in this Notice.4703
``Application of tolerances to individual  ``Application of tolerances.''            We propose to change the
 packages.'' (a) The contents of            Individual samples, based on a minimum    standards to include
 individual packages in the lot, based on   25 count, are subject to the following    minimum 25 count samples,
 sample inspection, are subject to the      limitations, unless otherwise             not ``packages.'' This is
 following limitation: Provided, That the   specified. Individual samples shall       consistent with the
 averages for the entire lot are within     have not more than one and one-half       recently-changed Florida
 the tolerances specified for the grade.    times a specified tolerance of 10         Citrus Standards.
                                            percent or more, and not more than        Individual sample
                                            double a specified tolerance of less      tolerances are also
                                            than 10 percent: Provided, that at        proposed to reflect the
                                            least one decayed fruit may be            language and tolerances
                                            permitted in any sample: And provided     widely used in other fruit
                                            further, that the averages for the        and vegetable standards.
                                            entire lot are within the tolerances
                                            specified for the grade.
(1) For packages which contain more than   Delete.                                   We propose this deletion
 25 pounds, and a tolerance of 10 percent                                             because the reference to
 or more is provided, individual packages                                             various size package
 in any lot shall have not more than one                                              restrictions from the
 and one-half times the tolerance                                                     current standard would no
 specified. For packages which contain                                                longer be valid with a
 more than 25 pounds and a tolerance of                                               minimum 25 count sample.
 less than 10 percent is provided,
 individual packages in any lot shall
 have not more than double the tolerance
 specified, except that at least one
 decayed or very seriously damaged fruit
 may be permitted in any package.

[[Page 32679]]

 
(2) For packages which contain 25 pounds   Delete.                                   We propose this deletion
 or less, individual packages in any lot                                              because the reference to
 are not restricted as to the percentage                                              various size package
 of defects: Provided, That not more than                                             restrictions from the
 one grapefruit which is seriously                                                    current standard would no
 damaged by dryness or mushy condition or                                             longer be valid with a
 very seriously damaged by other means                                                minimum 25 count sample.
 may be permitted in any package and, in
 addition, en route or at destination not
 more than 10 percent of the packages may
 have more than one decayed fruit.
``Standard pack.'' (a) Grapefruit shall    ``Standard pack.'' (a) Grapefruit shall   We propose to delete the
 be fairly uniform in size, and, when       be fairly uniform in size, and, when      reference to ``wrapped
 packed in boxes, shall be arranged         packed in boxes, shall be arranged        fruit'' because the
 according to the approved and recognized   according to the approved and             industry no longer packs
 methods. Each wrapped fruit shall be       recognized methods.                       fruit in this manner.
 fairly well wrapped.
(b) All packages shall be tightly packed   No change.                                N/A.
 and well filled but the contents shall
 not show excessive or unnecessary
 bruising because of overfilled packages.
(c) When packed in standard nailed boxes,  Delete.                                   We propose to delete the
 grapefruit shall show a minimum bulge of                                             reference to ``nailed
 2 inches, except that grapefruit of a                                                boxes'' as they are no
 size 80 size or smaller need only show a                                             longer used by the
 bulge of 1\1/2\ inches.                                                              industry.
(d) ``Fairly uniform in size'' means that  (d) ``Fairly uniform in size'' means      We propose to change the
 not more than 5 percent, by count, of      that not more than 5 percent, by count,   word ``container'' to
 the fruit in any container may be more     of the fruit in any sample may be more    ``sample'' to be
 than one standard size larger or smaller   than one standard size larger or          consistent with the
 than the standard size for the count       smaller than the standard size for the    proposed sampling method
 packed.                                    count packed.                             for grade determination.
(e) Example of standard size grapefruit:   No change.                                N/A.
 The standard size grapefruit for a 64
 count is that size grapefruit which will
 pack tightly 64 grapefruit of uniform
 size when packed according to the
 approved and recognized method.
(f) In order to allow for variations,      (f) In order to allow for variations,     We propose to change the
 incident to proper packing, not more       incident to proper packing, not more      word ``container'' to
 than 5 percent of the packages in any      than 5 percent of the samples in any      ``sample'' to be
 lot may not meet the requirements of       lot may fail to meet the requirements     consistent with the
 standard pack.                             of standard pack.                         proposed sampling method
                                                                                      for grade determination.
``Standards for export.'' (a) Not more     ``Standards for export.'' (a) Not more    We propose to change the
 than a total of 10 percent, by count, of   than a total of 10 percent, by count,     word ``container'' to
 the grapefruit in any container may be     of the grapefruit in any sample may be    ``sample'' to be
 soft, affected by decay, damaged by skin   soft, affected by decay, damaged by       consistent with the
 breakdown, have broken skins which are     skin breakdown, have broken skins which   proposed sampling method
 not healed, or be seriously damaged by     are not healed, or be seriously damaged   for grade determination.
 dryness or mushy condition, except that:   by dryness or mushy condition, except
                                            that:
(1) Not more than one-half of 1 percent    No change.                                N/A.4703
 shall be allowed for grapefruit affected
 by decay.
(2) Not more than 3 percent shall have     No change.                                N/A.
 broken skins which are not healed.
(3) Not more than 5 percent shall be       No change.                                N/A.
 soft.
(4) Not more than 5 percent shall be       No change.                                N/A.
 seriously damaged by dryness or mushy
 condition.
(5) Not more than 5 percent shall be       No change.                                N/A.
 damaged by skin breakdown.
(b) Any lot of grapefruit shall be         (b) Any lot of grapefruit shall be        We propose to change the
 considered as meeting the standards for    considered as meeting the standards for   word ``container'' to
 export if the entire lot averages within   export if the entire lot averages         ``sample'' to be
 the requirements specified: Provided,      within the requirements specified:        consistent with the
 That no sample from the containers in      Provided, That no sample from the         proposed sampling method
 any lot shall have more than double the    containers in any lot shall have more     for grade determination.
 percentage specified for any one defect,   than double the percentage specified
 and that not more than a total of 10       for any one defect, and that not more
 percent, by count, of the grapefruit in    than a total of 10 percent, by count,
 any container has any of the defects       of the grapefruit in any sample has any
 enumerated in the standards for export.    of the defects enumerated in the
                                            standards for export.
``Similar varietal characteristics''       No change.                                N/A.
 means that the fruits in any container
 are similar in color and type.
``Well colored'' means that the fruit is   No change.                                N/A.
 yellow in color, with not more than a
 trace of green.

[[Page 32680]]

 
``Firm'' means that the fruit is not soft  No change.                                N/A.
 or noticeably wilted or flabby. The skin
 may feel slightly springy or spongy.
``Well formed'' means that the fruit       No change.                                N/A.
 shows the normal shape characteristic of
 the variety.
``Smooth'' means that the skin is of       ``Smooth texture'' means that the skin    We propose to change
 fairly fine grain, the ``pebbling'' is     is of fairly fine grain, the              ``Smooth'' to ``Smooth
 not pronounced, and any furrows            ``pebbling'' is not pronounced, and any   texture'' to make it
 radiating from the stem end are short      furrows radiating from the stem end are   consistent with the other
 and shallow.                               short and shallow.                        citrus standards.
``Fairly thin skinned'' means that the     ``Fairly thin skinned'' means that the    We propose to change the
 skin thickness does not average more       skin thickness does not average more      size reference from ``100
 than three-eighths of an inch, on a        than \1/2\ of an inch, on a central       size'' to ``4\1/8\
 central cross section, in sizes 100 or     cross section, on a grapefruit 4\1/8\     inches'' in diameter.''
 smaller, or more than seven-sixteenths     inches in diameter.                       This will provide a
 of an inch in sizes larger than 100.                                                 standard measurement for
                                                                                      determining defects.
``Injury'' means any defect which more     No change.                                N/A.
 than slightly affects the appearance, or
 edible or shipping quality of the fruit.
 Any one of the following defects, or any
 combination of defects, the seriousness
 of which exceeds the maximum allowed for
 any one defect, shall be considered as
 injury:
(a) Sprayburn which changes the color to   No change.                                N/A.
 such an extent that the appearance of
 the fruit is noticeably injured, or
 which causes scarring that aggregates
 more than one-half inch in diameter.
(b) Fumigation injury which noticeably     No change.                                N/A.
 detracts from the appearance of the
 fruit, or which occurs as small, thinly
 scattered spots over more than 10
 percent of the fruit surface, or as
 solid or depressed scarring which
 aggregates more than one-half of an inch
 in diameter.
(c) Exanthema which noticeably detracts    No change.                                N/A.
 from the appearance of the fruit, or
 which occurs as small, thinly scattered
 spots over more than 10 percent of the
 fruit surface, or as solid scarring
 which aggregates more than one-half of
 an inch in diameter.
(d) Scars which are very rough or very     No change.                                N/A.
 deep; or scars which are very dark when
 more than one-fourth of an inch in
 diameter.
(e) Scars which are dark, rough, or deep   No change.                                N/A.4703
 and aggregate more than one-half of an
 inch in diameter.
(f) Scars which are fairly light in        No change.                                N/A.
 color, slightly rough, or of slight
 depth and aggregate more than 5 percent
 of the fruit surface.
(g) Scars which are light in color,        No change.                                N/A.
 fairly smooth, with no depth and
 aggregate more than 10 percent of the
 fruit surface.
(i) Scale, when more than 5 medium to      No change.                                N/A.
 large California red or purple scale are
 adjacent to the ``button'' at the stem
 end, or scattered over the fruit, or any
 scale which affects the appearance of
 the fruit to a greater extent.
(j) Sunburn which appreciably changes the  No change.                                N/A.
 normal color or shape of the fruit, or
 affects more than 10 percent of the
 fruit surface.
                                           (k) Green spots, oil spots                This defect is currently
                                            (oleocellosis) or other similar           being scored based on the
                                            injuries which are depressed or soft,     ``general definition.'' We
                                            or which have an aggregate area of more   propose to add specific
                                            than 2\1/2\ percent of the fruit          scoring criteria for
                                            surface, or which are green and more      objective treatment of
                                            than \1/4\ in number.                     this defect.
                                           (l) Skin breakdown when exceeding that    This defect is currently
                                            of a circle \1/4\ inch in diameter.       being scored based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
                                           (m) Bruising when segment walls are       This defect is currently
                                            collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are   being scored based on the
                                            ruptured.                                 ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.

[[Page 32681]]

 
``Fairly well colored'' means that yellow  No change.                                N/A.
 color predominates on the fruit and that
 the fruit is free from distinctly green
 streaks and distinctly green blotches.
``Fairly smooth'' means that the skin      ``Fairly smooth texture'' means that the  We propose to change
 does not feel noticeably rough or          skin does not feel noticeably rough or    ``Fairly smooth'' to
 coarse. The size of the fruit should be    coarse. The size of the fruit should be   ``Fairly smooth texture''
 considered in judging the texture, as      considered in judging the texture, as     to make it consistent with
 large fruit is not usually as smooth as    large fruit is not usually as smooth as   the other citrus
 the small. It is common for the fruit to   the small. It is common for the fruit     standards.
 show larger and coarser ``pebbling'' on    to show larger and coarser ``pebbling''
 the stem end portion than on the blossom   on the stem end portion than on the
 end. Slight furrows or grooves which may   blossom end. Slight furrows or grooves
 be present on the stem end portion of      which may be present on the stem end
 the fruit shall not be considered as       portion of the fruit shall not be
 slightly rough unless they are of          considered as slightly rough unless
 sufficient depth, length, and number to    they are of sufficient depth, length,
 materially affect the appearance and       and number to materially affect the
 smoothness of the grapefruit.              appearance and smoothness of the
                                            grapefruit.
``Excessively thick skinned'' means that   ``Excessively thick skinned'' means that  We propose to change the
 the skin thickness averages more than      the skin thickness averages more than     size reference from ``100
 seven-sixteenths of an inch, on a          \5/8\ of an inch, on a central cross      size'' to ``4\1/8\
 central cross section, in sizes 100 or     section, on a grapefruit 4\1/8\ inches    inches'' in diameter. This
 smaller, or more than one-half of an       in diameter.                              will provide a standard
 inch in sizes larger than 100.                                                       measurement for
                                                                                      determining defects.
``Damage'' means any injury which          No change.                                N/A.
 materially affects the appearance, or
 the edible or shipping quality of the
 fruit. Any one of the following defects,
 or any combination of defects, the
 seriousness of which exceeds the maximum
 allowed for any one defect, shall be
 considered as damage:
(a) Dryness or mushy condition, when       No change.                                N/A.
 affecting all segments more than one-
 fourth of an inch at the stem end, or
 the equivalent of this amount by volume,
 when occurring in other portions of the
 fruit.
(b) Sprayburn which changes the color to   No change.                                N/A.4703
 such an extent that the appearance of
 the fruit is materially injured, or
 which causes scarring that aggregates
 more than three-fourths of an inch in
 diameter.
(c) Fumigation injury which materially     No change.                                N/A.
 detracts from the appearance of the
 fruit, or which occurs as small, thinly
 scattered spots over more than 25
 percent of the fruit surface, or as
 solid scarring or depressions which
 aggregate more than three-fourths of an
 inch in diameter.
(d) Exanthema which material detracts      No change.                                N/A.
 from the appearance of the fruit, or
 which occurs as small, thinly scattered
 spots over more than 25 percent of the
 fruit surface, or as solid scarring,
 that is not cracked, which aggregates
 more than three-fourths of an inch in
 diameter.
(e) Scars which are very deep; or scars    No change.                                N/A.
 which are very rough or very dark and
 aggregate more than one-half of an inch
 in diameter.
(f) Scars which are dark, rough or deep    No change.                                N/A.
 and aggregate more than three-fourths of
 an inch in diameter.
(g) Scars which are fairly light in        No change.                                N/A.
 color, slightly rough, or of slight
 depth and aggregate more than 10 percent
 of the fruit surface.
(h) Scars which are light colored, fairly  No change.                                N/A.
 smooth, with no depth and aggregate more
 than 15 percent of the fruit surface.
(i) Green spots which are depressed or     (i) Green spots, oil spots                We propose to score Green
 soft, or more than seven in number, or     (oleocellosis) or other similar           spots and oil spots using
 which aggregate more than 5 percent of     injuries which are depressed or soft,     the same criteria. These
 the fruit surface.                         or which have an aggregate area of more   are similar defects and
                                            than 5 percent of the fruit surface, or   scoring is comparable in
                                            which are green and more than 7 in        other citrus standards.
                                            number.

[[Page 32682]]

 
(j) Scale, when more than 10 medium to     No change.                                N/A.
 large California red or purple scale are
 adjacent to the ``button'' at the stem
 end, or scattered over the fruit, or any
 scale which affects the appearance of
 the fruit to a greater extent.
(k) Sunburn which causes appreciable       No change.                                N/A.
 flattening of the fruit, drying or
 darkening of the skin, or affects more
 than 25 percent of the fruit surface.
                                           (l) Skin breakdown when exceeding that    This defect is currently
                                            of a circle \3/8\ inch in diameter.       being scored based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
                                           (m) Bruising when segment walls are       This defect is currently
                                            collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are   being scored based on the
                                            ruptured.                                 ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
``Slightly colored'' means that            No change.                                N/A.
 sufficient yellow color is distributed
 over the fruit surface and, when blended
 with the green color present, is
 equivalent to 25 percent of full yellow
 color characteristic of the variety.
``Fairly firm'' means that the fruit may   No change.                                N/A.
 be slightly soft but is not decidedly
 flabby. The skin may be thick and
 slightly puffy.
``Fairly well formed'' means that the      No change.                                N/A.
 fruit is not materially flattened,
 materially pointed, extremely elongated,
 or otherwise decidedly deformed.
``Decidedly rough'' means that the skin    No change.                                N/A.
 is materially rough, materially lumpy,
 decidedly folded, or decidedly ridged.
``Serious damage'' means any injury which  No change.                                N/A.4703
 seriously affects the appearance, or the
 edible or shipping quality of the fruit.
 Any one of the following defects, or any
 combination of defects, the seriousness
 of which exceeds the maximum allowed for
 any one defect; shall be considered as
 serious damage:
(a) Dryness or mushy condition, when       No change.                                N/A.
 affecting all segments more than one-
 half of an inch at the stem end, or the
 equivalent of this amount, by volume,
 when occurring in other portions of the
 fruit.
(b) Sprayburn which changes the color to   No change.                                N/A.
 such an extent that the appearance of
 the fruit is seriously injured, or which
 causes scarring that aggregates more
 than 10 percent of the fruit surface.
(c) Fumigation injury which occurs as      No change.                                N/A.
 small, thinly scattered spots over more
 than one-half of the fruit surface, or
 solid scarring of depressions which
 aggregate more than 5 percent of the
 fruit surface.
(d) Exanthema which occurs as small,       No change.                                N/A.
 thinly scattered spots over more than
 one-half of the fruit surface, or solid
 scarring that is not cracked, which
 aggregates more than 5 percent of the
 fruit surface.
(e) Scars which are very deep; or scars    No change.                                N/A.
 which are very rough or very dark and
 aggregate more than one inch in
 diameter.
(f) Scars which are dark, rough, or deep   No change.                                N/A.
 and aggregate more than 5 percent of the
 fruit surface.
(g) Scars which are fairly light in        No change.                                N/A.
 color, slightly rough or of slight depth
 and aggregate more than 15 percent of
 the fruit surface.
(h) Scars which are light colored, fairly  No change.                                N/A..
 smooth, with no depth and aggregate more
 than 25 percent of the fruit surface.

[[Page 32683]]

 
(i) Green spots which are soft or          (i) Green spots, oil spots                We propose to score Green
 aggregate more than 2 inches in            (oleocellosis) or other similar           spots and oil spots using
 diameter.                                  injuries which are soft, or which have    the same criteria. These
                                            an aggregate area of more than 10         are similar defects and
                                            percent of the fruit surface.             scoring is comparable in
                                                                                      other citrus standards.
(j) Scale, when California red or purple   No change.                                N/A.
 scale is concentrated as a ring or
 blotch, or which is more than thinly
 scattered over the fruit surface, or any
 scale which affects the appearance of
 the fruit to a greater extent.
(k) Sunburn which causes decided           No change.                                N/A.
 flattening of the fruit, drying or dark
 discoloration of the skin, or which
 affects more than one-third of the fruit
 surface.
                                           (l) Skin breakdown when exceeding that    This defect is currently
                                            of a circle \5/8\ inch in diameter        being scored based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
                                           (m) Bruising when segment walls are       This defect is currently
                                            collapsed, or albedo is ruptured and      being scored based on the
                                            juice sacs are ruptured.                  ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
``Slightly spongy'' means that the fruit   No change.                                N/A.
 is puffy or slightly wilted but not
 decidedly flabby.
``Misshapen'' means that the fruit is      No change.                                N/A.
 materially flattened, materially
 pointed, extremely elongated or
 otherwise decidedly deformed.
``Very serious damage'' means any injury   No change.                                N/A.
 which very seriously affects the
 appearance, or the edible or shipping
 quality of the fruit. Any one of the
 following defects, or any combination of
 defects, the seriousness of which
 exceeds the maximum allowed for any one
 defect, shall be considered as very
 serious damage:
(a) Sprayburn which seriously affects      No change.                                N/A.4703
 more than 25 percent of the fruit
 surface.
(b) Fumigation injury which causes deep,   No change.                                N/A.
 rough, or dark scarring which aggregates
 more than 25 percent of the fruit
 surface.
(c) Exanthema which aggregates more than   No change.                                N/A.
 10 percent of the fruit surface or
 causes serious cracks.
(d) Scars which are very dark, very        No change.                                N/A.
 rough, or very deep and aggregate more
 than 10 percent of the fruit surface.
(e) Scars which are dark, rough or deep    No change.                                N/A.
 and aggregate more than 25 percent of
 the fruit surface.
(f) Green spots which are badly sunken or  (f) Green spots, oil spots                We propose to score Green
 soft.                                      (oleocellosis) or other similar           spots and oil spots using
                                            injuries which are badly sunken or        the same criteria. These
                                            soft, or which have an aggregate area     are similar defects and
                                            of more than 25 percent of the fruit      scoring is comparable in
                                            surface.                                  other citrus standards.
(g) Scale so numerous or large that the    No change.                                N/A.
 appearance of the fruit is very
 seriously affected.
(h) Sunburn which seriously affects more   No change.                                N/A.
 than one-third of the fruit surface.
                                           (i) Skin breakdown when exceeding that    This defect is currently
                                            of a circle 1\1/4\ inches in diameter.    being scored based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
                                           (j) Bruising when fruit has been split    This defect is currently
                                            open, peel is badly watersoaked           being scored based on the
                                            following bruising or albedo is           ``general definition.'' We
                                            ruptured and juice sacs are ruptured      propose to add specific
                                            causing a mushy condition affecting all   scoring criteria for
                                            segments more than \3/4\ inch at          objective treatment of
                                            bruised area or the equivalent of this    this defect.
                                            amount, by volume, when affecting more
                                            than one area on the fruit.

[[Page 32684]]

 
                                           (k) Dryness or mushy condition, when      We propose to change the
                                            affecting all segments more than three-   phrase ``free from serious
                                            fourths of an inch at the stem end, or    damage by dryness or mushy
                                            the equivalent of this amount, by         condition'' to ``free from
                                            volume, when occurring in other           very serious damage by
                                            portions of the fruit.                    dryness or mushy
                                                                                      condition.'' In other
                                                                                      citrus standards, defects
                                                                                      scored against the U.S.
                                                                                      No. 3 grade are typically
                                                                                      ``very serious damage.''
                                                                                      This change will make it
                                                                                      consistent with those
                                                                                      standards.
                                           Note: All references in this standard to  Currently, the standard
                                            area, aggregating area, or length are     does not state whether
                                            based on a grapefruit 4\1/8\ inches in    defects are based on a
                                            diameter, allowing proportionately        specific size fruit; or if
                                            greater areas on larger fruit and         greater defective areas
                                            lesser areas on smaller fruit.            are allowed on larger
                                                                                      fruit and lesser areas on
                                                                                      smaller fruit. Many fruit
                                                                                      and vegetable standards
                                                                                      contain this distinction.
                                                                                      To clarify the issue and
                                                                                      to standardize with other
                                                                                      fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards, we propose to
                                                                                      include this statement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              4703United States Standards for Grades of Tangerines
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``General.'' (a) The tolerances for the    Delete.                                   We propose to delete this
 standards are on a container basis.                                                  section and add an
 However, individual packages in any lot                                              ``Application of
 may vary from the specified tolerances                                               Tolerances'' section after
 as stated below, provided the averages                                               ``Tolerances.'' This will
 for the entire lot, based on sample                                                  maintain consistency with
 inspection, are within the tolerances                                                other standards.
 specified.
(b) For packages which contain more than   Delete.                                   We propose to delete this
 10 pounds and a tolerance of 10 percent                                              section and add an
 or more is provided, individual packages                                             ``Application of
 in any lot shall have not more than one                                              Tolerances'' section after
 and one-half times the tolerance                                                     ``Tolerances.'' This will
 specified. For packages which contain                                                maintain consistency with
 more than 10 pounds and a tolerance of                                               other standards.
 less than 10 percent is provided,
 individual packages in any lot shall
 have not more than double the tolerance
 specified except that at least one
 decayed or very seriously damaged fruit
 may be permitted in any package.
(c) For packages which contain 10 pounds   Delete.                                   We propose to delete this
 or less, individual packages in any lot                                              section and add an
 are not restricted as to the percentage                                              ``Application of
 of defects except that not more than one                                             Tolerance'' section after
 fruit which is decayed or very seriously                                             ``Tolerances.'' This will
 damaged shall be allowed in any package.                                             maintain consistency with
                                                                                      other standards.
``U.S. Fancy'' shall consist of            ``U.S. Fancy'' shall consist of           We propose to delete the
 tangerines which are mature, firm, and     tangerines which are mature, firm, and    phrase ``free from soft
 well formed; free from soft bruises,       well formed; free from unhealed skin      bruises'' and add ``free
 bird pecks, unhealed skin breaks, and      breaks, dryness or mushy condition,       from injury by bruises''
 decay;                                     hard or dry skins and decay;              to the listing of ``free
                                                                                      from injury'' defects. It
                                                                                      is consistent with other
                                                                                      standards to define
                                                                                      bruising separately under
                                                                                      the definitions for
                                                                                      injury, damage, serious
                                                                                      damage, and very serious
                                                                                      damage. We also propose to
                                                                                      delete ``free from bird
                                                                                      pecks.'' Advances in
                                                                                      agricultural techniques
                                                                                      have virtually eliminated
                                                                                      this defect. Also proposed
                                                                                      is the addition of the
                                                                                      ``free from dryness or
                                                                                      mushy condition'' and
                                                                                      ``hard or dry skins''
                                                                                      requirements. These
                                                                                      requirements are
                                                                                      consistent with those
                                                                                      contained in other citrus
                                                                                      standards.
free from damage by ammoniation,           free from injury caused by ammoniation,   We propose to delete the
 creasing, dryness or mushy condition,      bruising, creasing, green spots or oil    term ``pitting'' and
 green spots or oil spots, pitting,         spots, skin breakdown, scale,             replace it with the term
 scale, sprouting, sprayburn, sunburn,      sprouting, sprayburn, and sunburn, and    ``skin breakdown.'' Skin
 unsightly discoloration, buckskin,         free from damage caused by buckskin,      breakdown is a defect
 melanose, scars, scab, dirt or other       melanose, scars, scab, dirt or other      included in other citrus
 foreign materials, disease, insects,       foreign materials, disease, insects,      standards to encompass
 mechanical or other means.                 mechanical or other means.                several similarly
                                                                                      appearing defects,
                                                                                      including ``pitting.'' We
                                                                                      also propose to delete the
                                                                                      term ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' to
                                                                                      eliminate the confusion
                                                                                      with ``discoloration''.
                                                                                      The defect
                                                                                      ``discoloration'' is
                                                                                      defined in Section
                                                                                      51.1785. No definition for
                                                                                      ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' exists in
                                                                                      the standards.

[[Page 32685]]

 
(a) Each fruit in this grade shall be      (a) Each fruit in this grade shall be     We propose this change to
 highly colored.                            well colored.                             be more consistent with
                                                                                      other citrus standards
                                                                                      containing this
                                                                                      requirement.
(b) In this grade not more than \1/10\ of  No change.                                N/A.4703
 the surface in the aggregate of each
 fruit may have a light shade of brown
 discoloration caused by rust mite, or an
 equivalent in appearance to this amount
 when the fruit is discolored by any
 cause. (See ``Tolerances'')
``U.S. No. 1'' shall consist of            ``U.S. No. 1'' shall consist of           We propose to delete the
 tangerines which are mature, firm, and     tangerines which are mature, firm, and    phrase ``free from soft
 well formed; free from soft bruises,       well formed; free from unhealed skin      bruises'' and add ``free
 bird pecks, unhealed skin breaks, and      breaks, hard or dry skins, and decay;     from damage by bruises''
 decay;                                                                               to the listing of ``free
                                                                                      from damage by'' defects.
                                                                                      It is consistent with
                                                                                      other standards to define
                                                                                      bruising separately under
                                                                                      the definitions for
                                                                                      injury, damage, serious
                                                                                      damage, and very serious
                                                                                      damage. We also propose to
                                                                                      delete the phrase ``free
                                                                                      from bird pecks.''
                                                                                      Advances in agricultural
                                                                                      techniques have virtually
                                                                                      eliminated this defect.
                                                                                      Also proposed is the
                                                                                      addition of the
                                                                                      requirement ``free from
                                                                                      hard or dry skins.'' This
                                                                                      requirement is consistent
                                                                                      with those contained in
                                                                                      other citrus standards.
free from damage by ammoniation,           free from damage by ammoniation,          We propose to delete the
 creasing, dryness or mushy condition,      bruising, creasing, dryness or mushy      term ``pitting'' and
 green spots or oil spots, pitting,         condition, green spots or oil spots,      replace it with the term
 scale, sprouting, sprayburn, sunburn,      skin breakdown, scale, sprouting,         ``skin breakdown.'' Skin
 unsightly discoloration, buckskin,         sprayburn, sunburn, buckskin, melanose,   breakdown is a defect
 melanose, scars, scab, dirt or other       scars, scab, dirt or other foreign        included in other citrus
 foreign materials, disease, insects,       materials, disease, insects, mechanical   standards to encompass
 mechanical or other means.                 or other means.                           several similarly
                                                                                      appearing defects,
                                                                                      including ``pitting.'' We
                                                                                      also propose to delete the
                                                                                      term ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' to
                                                                                      eliminate the confusion
                                                                                      with ``discoloration''.
                                                                                      The defect
                                                                                      ``discoloration'' is
                                                                                      defined in Section
                                                                                      51.1785. No definition for
                                                                                      ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' exists in
                                                                                      the standards.
(a) Each fruit of this grade shall be      No change.                                N/A.
 fairly well colored.
(b) In this grade not more than one-third  No change.                                N/A.
 of the surface in the aggregate of each
 fruit may have a light shade of brown
 discoloration caused by rust mite, or an
 equivalent in appearance to this amount
 when the fruit is discolored by any
 cause. (See ``Tolerances'')
``U.S. No. 1 Bronze.'' The requirements    No change.                                N/A.
 for this grade are the same as for U.S.
 No. 1 except for discoloration. In this
 grade at least 75 percent, by count, of
 the fruit shall show some discoloration,
 and more than 20 percent, by count, of
 the fruit shall have more than one-third
 of the surface of each fruit affected
 with bronzed russeting: Provided, That
 no discoloration that exceeds the amount
 allowed in the U.S. 1 grade shall be
 permitted unless such discoloration is
 caused by thrip or wind scars, or rust
 mite. (See ``Tolerances'')
                                           ``U.S. Combination'' consists of a        We propose the addition of
                                            combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No.    the Combination grade to
                                            2 tangerines: Provided, That at least     make it consistent with
                                            40 percent, by count, of the tangerines   other standards.
                                            in each lot shall meet the requirements
                                            of the U.S. No. 1 grade. (See
                                            ``Tolerances'')

[[Page 32686]]

 
``U.S. No. 2'' shall consist of            ``U.S. No. 2'' shall consist of           We propose to delete the
 tangerines which are mature, fairly        tangerines which are mature, fairly       phrase ``free from soft
 firm, and fairly well formed; free from    firm, and fairly well formed; free from   bruises'' and add ``free
 soft bruises, bird pecks, unhealed skin    unhealed skin breaks, hard or dry         from serious damage by
 breaks, and decay;                         skins, and decay;                         bruises'' to the listing
                                                                                      of ``free from serious
                                                                                      damage by'' defects. It is
                                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      standards to define
                                                                                      bruising separately under
                                                                                      the definitions for
                                                                                      injury, damage, serious
                                                                                      damage, and very serious
                                                                                      damage. We also propose to
                                                                                      delete the phrase ``free
                                                                                      from bird pecks.''
                                                                                      Advances in agricultural
                                                                                      techniques have virtually
                                                                                      eliminated this defect.
                                                                                      Also proposed is the
                                                                                      addition of the
                                                                                      requirement ``free from
                                                                                      hard or dry skins.'' This
                                                                                      requirement is consistent
                                                                                      with those contained in
                                                                                      other citrus
                                                                                      standards.4703
free from serious damage by ammoniation,   free from serious damage by ammoniation,  We propose to delete the
 creasing, dryness or mushy condition,      bruising, creasing, dryness or mushy      term ``pitting'' and
 green spots or oil spots, pitting,         condition, green spots or oil spots,      replace it with the term
 scale, sprouting, sprayburn, sunburn,      skin breakdown, scale, sprouting,         ``skin breakdown.'' Skin
 unsightly discoloration, buckskin,         sprayburn, sunburn, buckskin, melanose,   breakdown is a defect
 melanose, scars, scab, dirt or other       scars, scab, dirt or other foreign        included in other citrus
 foreign materials, disease, insects,       materials, disease, insects, mechanical   standards to encompass
 mechanical or other means.                 or other means.                           several similarly
                                                                                      appearing defects,
                                                                                      including ``pitting.'' We
                                                                                      also propose to delete the
                                                                                      term ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' to
                                                                                      eliminate the confusion
                                                                                      with ``discoloration''.
                                                                                      The defect
                                                                                      ``discoloration'' is
                                                                                      defined in Section
                                                                                      51.1785. No definition for
                                                                                      ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' exists in
                                                                                      the standards.
(a) Each fruit of this grade shall be      No change.                                N/A.
 reasonably well colored.
(b) In this grade not more than two-       No change.                                N/A.
 thirds of the surface in the aggregate
 of each fruit may be affected with light
 brown discoloration, or may have the
 equivalent to this amount in appearance
 when the fruit has lighter or darker
 shades of discoloration. (See
 ``Tolerances'')
``U.S. No 2. Russet.'' The requirements    No change.                                N/A.
 for this grade are the same as for U.S.
 No. 2 except that more than 20 percent,
 by count, of the fruits shall have in
 excess of two-thirds of the surface in
 the aggregate affected with light brown
 discoloration. (See ``Tolerances'')
``U.S. No. 3'' shall consist of            ``U.S. No. 3'' shall consist of           We propose to delete the
 tangerines which are mature, not flabby    tangerines which are mature, not flabby   phrase ``free from
 and not seriously lumpy; which are free    and not seriously lumpy; which are free   unhealed bird pecks.''
 from unhealed bird pecks, unhealed skin    from unhealed skin breaks, hard or dry    Advances in agricultural
 breaks and decay;                          skins, and decay;                         practices have virtually
                                                                                      eliminated this defect. We
                                                                                      also propose to add the
                                                                                      phrase ``free from hard or
                                                                                      dry skins.'' This
                                                                                      requirement is consistent
                                                                                      with those contained in
                                                                                      other citrus standards.
free from very serious damage by bruises,  free from very serious damage by          We propose to delete the
 ammoniation, creasing, dryness or mushy    bruises, ammoniation, creasing, dryness   term ``pitting'' and
 condition, pitting, scale, sprouting,      or mushy condition, oil spots or green    replace it with the term
 sprayburn, sunburn, unsightly              spots, skin breakdown, scale,             ``skin breakdown.'' Skin
 discoloration, melanose, scars, scab,      sprouting, sprayburn, sunburn,            breakdown is a defect
 dirt or other foreign materials,           buckskin, melanose, scars, scab, dirt     included in other citrus
 disease, insects, mechanical or other      or other foreign materials, disease,      standards to encompass
 means. (See ``Tolerances'')                insects, mechanical or other means.       several similarly
                                            (See ``Tolerances'')                      appearing defects,
                                                                                      including ``pitting.'' We
                                                                                      also propose to delete the
                                                                                      term ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' to
                                                                                      eliminate the confusion
                                                                                      with ``discoloration''.
                                                                                      The defect
                                                                                      ``discoloration'' is
                                                                                      defined in Section
                                                                                      51.1785. No definition for
                                                                                      ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' exists in
                                                                                      the standards.
``Tolerances.'' In order to allow for      ``Tolerances.'' In order to allow for     The proposed addition of
 variations incident to proper grading      variations incident to proper grading     the phrase ``a minimum 25
 and handling in each of the foregoing      and handling in each of the foregoing     count sample'' establishes
 grades, the tolerances set forth in the    grades, the tolerances, by count, based   a basis for uniform
 U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1         on a minimum 25 count sample, set forth   sampling. Other citrus
 Bronze, U.S. No. 2, U.S. No. 2 Russet,     in the U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No.   standards (Florida), at
 and U.S. No. 3 are provided as             1 Bronze, U.S. Combination, U.S. No. 2,   industry's request, have
 specified.                                 U.S. No. 2 Russet, and U.S. No. 3 are     recently been changed to
                                            provided as specified.                    include the minimum 25
                                                                                      count sample. This would
                                                                                      make the citrus standards
                                                                                      more uniform regarding
                                                                                      sampling. This change is
                                                                                      also consistent with the
                                                                                      industry's request.4703

[[Page 32687]]

 
``U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1       ``U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1      We propose to establish
 Bronze, U.S. No. 2 and U.S. No. 2          Bronze, U.S. No. 2 and U.S. No. 2         separate ``Shipping
 Russet.'' Not more than a total of 10      Russet.'' For defects at shipping         Point'' tolerances to
 percent, by count, of the fruit in any     point. Not more than 10 percent, by       standardize them with
 container may be below the requirements    count, of the tangerines in any lot may   other fruit and vegetable
 of the grade other than for                fail to meet the requirements relating    standards. A ``whole
 discoloration but not more than 5          to discoloration. In addition, not more   number'' decay tolerance
 percent shall be allowed for very          than 10 percent, by count, of the         is also proposed, which is
 serious damage other than by dryness or    tangerines in any lot may fail to meet    included in practically
 mushy condition and not more than one-     the remaining requirements of the         all other fresh fruit and
 half of 1 percent shall be allowed for     specified grade, included in this         vegetable grade standards.
 decay at shipping point: Provided, That    amount not more than 5 percent shall be   The current decay
 a total tolerance of not more than 3       allowed for defects causing very          tolerance of ``not more
 percent shall be allowed for decay en      serious damage, included in this latter   than one-half of 1 percent
 route or at destination. In addition,      amount not more than 1 percent for        may be a confusing concept
 not more than a total of 10 percent, by    decay.                                    to an industry which is
 count, of the fruit in any container may                                             accustomed to ``whole''
 not meet the requirements relating to                                                percentage numbers on
 discoloration but not more than 2                                                    inspection certificates.
 percent shall be allowed for serious                                                 Normally, when dealing
 damage by unsightly discoloration.                                                   with defect percentages
                                                                                      ending in fractional
                                                                                      amounts, AMS inspectors
                                                                                      ``round up'' percentages
                                                                                      ending in .5 or more and
                                                                                      ``round down'' those less
                                                                                      than .5. The current
                                                                                      citrus standards included
                                                                                      in this Notice are an
                                                                                      exception to this
                                                                                      procedure. Changing the
                                                                                      one-half of 1 percent
                                                                                      tolerance to 1 percent
                                                                                      will eliminate industry's
                                                                                      confusion on this issue
                                                                                      and mirror what is
                                                                                      currently contained in
                                                                                      many fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards. We have also re-
                                                                                      worded the entire section
                                                                                      for clarity.
                                           ``U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1      We propose to establish
                                            Bronze, U.S. No. 2 and U.S. No. 2         ``En Route or At
                                            Russet.'' For defects en route or at      Destination'' tolerances
                                            destination. Not more than 10 percent,    to be more consistent with
                                            by count, of the tangerines in any lot    other fruit and vegetable
                                            may fail to meet the requirements         standards. This proposal
                                            relating to discoloration. In addition,   includes adding separate
                                            not more than 12 percent, by count, of    tolerances for permanent
                                            the tangerines in any lot may fail to     defects; for any defects
                                            meet the remaining requirements of the    causing very serious
                                            specified grade: Provided, that           damage; and for total
                                            included in this amount not more than     defects. The decay
                                            the following percentages shall be        tolerance, which remains
                                            allowed for defects listed: 10 percent    at 3 percent, is re-worded
                                            for fruit having permanent defects; or    for clarity.
                                            7 percent for defects causing very
                                            serious damage, including therein not
                                            more than 5 percent for very serious
                                            damage by permanent defects and not
                                            more than 3 percent for decay.
``U.S. No. 3.'' Not more than a total of   ``U.S. No. 3.'' For defects at shipping   We propose to establish
 15 percent, by count, of the fruit in      point. Not more than 10 percent, by       separate tolerances at
 any container may be below the             count, of the tangerines in any lot may   ``Shipping Point'' and
 requirements of this grade but not more    fail to meet the requirements of the      ``En Route or at
 than 5 percent shall be allowed for        specified grade, included in this         Destination'' to
 defects other than dryness or mushy        amount not more than 1 percent for        standardize them with
 condition, and not more than 1 percent     decay.                                    other fruit and vegetable
 shall be allowed for decay at shipping                                               standards. Also proposed
 point: Provided, That a total tolerance                                              is a total defects
 of not more than 3 percent shall be                                                  tolerance of 10 percent at
 allowed for decay en route or at                                                     shipping point. A 12
 destination.                                                                         percent total defects
                                                                                      tolerance and a 10 percent
                                                                                      permanent defects
                                                                                      tolerance en route or at
                                                                                      destination is also
                                                                                      proposed. These tolerances
                                                                                      are consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards. The
                                                                                      decay tolerances in this
                                                                                      remain unchanged.
                                           ``U.S. No. 3.'' For defects en route or   4703
                                            at destination. Not more than 12
                                            percent, by count, of the tangerines in
                                            any lot may fail to meet the remaining
                                            requirements of the specified grade:
                                            Provided, that included in this amount
                                            not more than the following percentages
                                            shall be allowed for defects listed: 10
                                            percent for fruit having permanent
                                            defects; or not more than 3 percent for
                                            decay.

[[Page 32688]]

 
                                           ``U.S. Combination grade.'' For defects   We propose the addition of
                                            at shipping point. Not more than 10       this grade to provide
                                            percent, by count, of the tangerines in   industry the option of
                                            any lot may fail to meet the              packing to a certified
                                            requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade      combination grade. In this
                                            relating to discoloration. In addition,   ``new'' grade, the format
                                            not more than 10 percent, by count, of    and percentages are
                                            the tangerines in any lot may fail to     consistent with those
                                            meet the remaining requirements of the    found in other citrus
                                            U.S. No. 2 grade, included in this        standards. Separate
                                            amount not more than 5 percent for very   tolerances at ``Shipping
                                            serious damage, included in this latter   Point'' are included as
                                            amount not more than 1 percent for        well as a separate
                                            decay.                                    tolerance for very serious
                                                                                      damage and a 1 percent
                                                                                      decay tolerance.
                                           ``U.S. Combination grade.'' For defects   We propose the addition of
                                            en route or at destination. Not more      this grade to provide
                                            than 10 percent, by count, of the         industry the option of
                                            tangerines in any lot may fail to meet    packing to a certified
                                            the requirements of the U.S. No. 2        combination grade. In this
                                            grade relating to discoloration. In       ``new'' grade, the format
                                            addition, not more than 12 percent, by    and percentages are
                                            count, of the tangerines in any lot may   consistent with those
                                            fail to meet the remaining requirements   found in other citrus
                                            of the U.S. No. 2 grade: Provided, that   standards. Separate
                                            included in this amount not more than     tolerances ``En Route or
                                            the following percentages shall be        at Destination'' are
                                            allowed for defects listed: 10 percent    included as well as
                                            for fruit having permanent defects; or    separate permanent defects
                                            7 percent for defects causing very        tolerances, a tolerance
                                            serious damage, including therein not     for very serious damage
                                            more than 5 percent for very serious      and a 3 percent decay
                                            damage by permanent defects, included     tolerance.
                                            in the latter amount not more than 3
                                            percent for decay.
                                           ``U.S. Combination grade.'' For defects   We propose the addition of
                                            at shipping point and en route or at      this section to make it
                                            destination. No part of any tolerance     consistent with other
                                            shall be allowed to reduce for the lot    fruit and vegetable
                                            as a whole, the 40 percent of U.S. No.    standards including those
                                            1 tangerines required in the U.S.         listed in this Notice. Use
                                            Combination grade, but individual         of the term ``sample'' is
                                            samples may have not less than 30         continued in this section
                                            percent of U.S. No. 1 required:           to reflect the proposed
                                            Provided, That the entire lot averages    change from ``container''
                                            within the percentage required.           as listed throughout this
                                                                                      Notice.
                                           ``Application of tolerances.''            We propose the addition of
                                            Individual samples, based on a minimum    this section to be
                                            25 count sample, are subject to the       consistent with other
                                            following limitations, unless otherwise   fruit and vegetable
                                            specified. Individual samples shall       standards. It contains
                                            have not more than one and one-half       language and format
                                            times a specified tolerance of 10         commonly found in most
                                            percent or more, and not more than        standards. This is also a
                                            double a specified tolerance of less      change of the ``General''
                                            than 10 percent: Provided, that at        section located at the
                                            least one decayed fruit may be            beginning of this standard
                                            permitted in any sample: And provided     and includes the phrase
                                            further, that the averages for the        ``minimum 25 count
                                            entire lot are within the tolerances      sample'' that is found
                                            specified for the grade.                  throughout this Notice.
``Standard pack.'' (a) The tangerines in   No Change.                                N/A.
 each container shall be packed in
 accordance with recognized methods. Each
 container shall be well filled and
 properly marked to indicate the size of
 the fruit. When the figures used to
 indicate size of the fruit vary from the
 actual number of tangerines in the
 container, as in the case of fractional
 parts of boxes, the figures indicating
 size shall be followed by the letter
 ``s'' or the word ``size,'' as, for
 example, ``210s,'' or ``210 size.''
 Containers which are not so marked shall
 not be regarded as meeting requirements
 of ``standard pack.''
(b) Fruit in each container shall be of a  (b) Fruit in each sample shall be of a    We propose to change the
 size not less than the minimum diameters   size not less than the minimum            word ``container'' to
 specified below for the various packs.     diameters specified below for the         ``sample'' to be
 Packs other than those listed shall have   various packs. Packs other than those     consistent with the
 a minimum size not less than specified     listed shall have a minimum size not      proposed sampling method
 for the nearest count.                     less than specified for the nearest       for grade
                                            count.                                    determination.4703

[[Page 32689]]

 
Diameter in inches:                        Diameter in inches:
Pack                        Minimum        Pack                        Minimum
100......................................  100.....................................
 ............ 2\15/16\                      ............. 2\15/16\
120......................................  120.....................................
 ............ 2\11/16\                      ............. 2\11/16\
150......................................  150.....................................
 ............ 2\8/16\                       ............. 2\8/16\
176......................................  176.....................................
 ............ 2\6/16\                       ............. 2\6/16\
210......................................  210.....................................
 ............ 2\4/16\                       ............. 2\4/16\
246......................................  246.....................................
 ............ 2\2/16\                       ............. 2\2/16\
294......................................  294.....................................
 ............ 2                             ............. 2
(c) In order to allow for variations       (c) In order to allow for variations      We propose to change the
 incident to proper sizing, not more than   incident to proper sizing, not more       word ``container'' to
 10 percent, by count, of the fruit in      than 10 percent, by count, of the fruit   ``sample'' to be
 any container may be below the minimum     in any sample may be below the minimum    consistent with the
 size for the count as specified.           size for the count as specified.          proposed sampling method
                                                                                      for grade determination.
``Firm'' means that the flesh is not soft  No change.                                N/A
 and the fruit is not badly puffy, and
 that the skin has not become materially
 separated from the flesh of the
 tangerine.
``Well formed'' means that the fruit has   No change                                 N/A.
 the characteristic tangerine shape and
 is not deformed.
                                           ``Injury'' means any defect which more    We propose to add
                                            than slightly affects the appearance,     definitions of injury for
                                            or edible or shipping quality of the      the U.S. Fancy grade in an
                                            fruit. Any one of the following           effort to establish an
                                            defects, or any combination of defects,   objective scoring base. It
                                            the seriousness of which exceeds the      is consistent with other
                                            maximum allowed for any one defect,       fruit and vegetable
                                            shall be considered as injury:            standards, as well as the
                                                                                      citrus standards included
                                                                                      in this Notice, to provide
                                                                                      objective scoring criteria
                                                                                      whenever practicable.
                                           (a) Ammoniation which does not occur as
                                            light speck type;
                                           (b) Creasing which is more than barely
                                            visible, or which extends over more
                                            than 20 percent of the fruit surface;
                                           (c) Green spot or oil spots
                                            (oleocellosis or similar injuries)
                                            which are depressed or soft, or which
                                            have an aggregate area of a circle more
                                            than 3/8 inch in diameter, or which are
                                            green and more than 4 in number;
                                           (d) Skin breakdown when exceeding that
                                            of a circle 1/8 inch in diameter;
                                           (e) Sprayburn when causing the skin to
                                            become hard, or when aggregating more
                                            than a circle 3/8 inch in diameter;
                                           (f) Sunburn when causing the skin to
                                            become hard and affecting more than 10
                                            percent of the fruit surface.
                                           (g) Scale when medium or large and more
                                            than 4 are present;
                                           (h) Bruising when segment walls are
                                            collapsed, or albedo is ruptured and
                                            juice sacs are ruptured.
``Damage'' means any defect or blemish     No change.                                N/A.
 which more than slightly affects the
 appearance, or edible or shipping
 quality of the fruit. Any one of the
 following defects, the seriousness of
 which exceeds the maximum allowed for
 any one defect shall be considered as
 damage:
(a) Ammoniation, when not occurring as     (a) Ammoniation, when not occurring as    We propose to change this
 speck-type similar to melanose:            light speck type, or which occurs as      definition to be more
 Provided, That no ammoniation shall be     small, thinly scattered spots over more   consistent with other
 permitted that detracts from the           than 10 percent of the fruit surface,     citrus standards.4703
 appearance of the individual fruit to a    or as solid scarring which aggregates
 greater extent than the amount of          more than one-fourth of an inch in
 discoloration allowed for the grade.       diameter.
(b) Creasing, when it materially affects   (b) Creasing, when it materially weakens  We propose to change this
 the appearance or shipping quality of      the skin, or extends over more than one-  definition to be more
 the fruit.                                 third of the fruit surface.               consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
(c) Dryness or mushy condition, when       (c) Dryness or mushy condition when       We propose to change this
 mushy or distinctly dry to a depth of      affecting all segments more than one-     definition to be more
 more than one-eighth inch in all           eighth inch at stem end, or the           consistent with other
 segments at the stem end, or the           equivalent of this amount, by volume,     citrus standards.
 equivalent of this amount, by volume, of   when occurring in other portions of the
 mushy condition or dryness when            fruit.
 occurring in any portion of the fruit.

[[Page 32690]]

 
(d) Green spots or oil spots, when the     (d) Green spots or oil spots              We propose to change this
 appearance is affected to a greater        (oleocellosis) or similar injuries        definition to be more
 extent than 10 green spots caused by       which are depressed or soft, or which     consistent with other
 scale, each of which is approximately      have an aggregate area of more than 5     citrus standards.
 one-eighth inch in diameter.               percent of the fruit surface, or which
                                            are green and more than 10 in number;
(e) Pitting when materially affecting the  (e) Skin breakdown when aggregating more  We propose to delete the
 appearance or shipping quality of the      than a circle \1/4\ inch in diameter.     term ``pitting'' and
 individual fruit.                                                                    replace it with ``skin
                                                                                      breakdown.'' Skin
                                                                                      breakdown is a defect
                                                                                      included in other citrus
                                                                                      standards to encompass
                                                                                      several similarly
                                                                                      appearing defects,
                                                                                      including ``pitting.'' We
                                                                                      also propose to include an
                                                                                      objective scoring guide
                                                                                      for this defect, rather
                                                                                      than retain the scoring
                                                                                      guide based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition.''
(f) Scale, when occurring as a blotch      No change.                                N/A.
 which averages more than three-eighths
 inch in diameter or any scale that
 detracts from the appearance of the
 individual fruit to a greater extent
 than a three-eighths inch blotch.
 ``Blotch'' refers to actual scale and
 not the discolored area caused by scale.
(g) Sprayburn, when causing the skin to    (g) Sprayburn, when causing the skin to   We propose to change this
 become hard or when it materially          become hard, or when aggregating more     definition to be more
 affects the appearance of the fruit.       than 5 percent of the fruit surface.      consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
(h) Sunburn, when causing the skin to      (h) Sunburn, when causing the skin to     We propose to change this
 become hard or when it materially          become hard and affecting more than 5     definition to be more
 affects the appearance of the fruit.       percent of the fruit surface.             consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
                                           (i) Bruising when segment walls are       This defect is currently
                                            collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are   being scored based on the
                                            ruptured.                                 ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
(i) Unsightly discoloration, when the      Delete.                                   We propose to delete the
 color or the pattern, or a combination                                               term ``unsightly
 of color and pattern, causes the fruit                                               discoloration'' to
 to have an unattractive appearance.                                                  eliminate the confusion
                                                                                      with ``discoloration''.
                                                                                      The defect
                                                                                      ``discoloration'' is
                                                                                      defined in Section
                                                                                      51.1785. No definition for
                                                                                      ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' exists in
                                                                                      the standards.
(j) Buckskin, when it detracts from the    (j) Buckskin when aggregating more than   We propose to change this
 appearance of the fruit to a greater       5 percent of the fruit surface.           definition to be more
 extent than the amount of discoloration                                              consistent with other
 allowed for the grade.                                                               citrus standards.
(k) Melanose, when not small smooth speck- No change.                                N/A.
 type, or any speck-type that detracts
 from the appearance of the fruit to a
 greater extent than the amount of
 discoloration allowed in the grade.
 Melanose that exceeds the amount allowed
 in the U.S. No. 1 grade is not permitted
 in the U.S. No. 1 Bronze grade.
(l) Scars, when not smooth, or when        (l) Scars, when deep or rough             We propose to change this
 causing any noticeable depression or       aggregating more than a circle 1/4 inch   definition to be more
 when detracting from the appearance of     in diameter; slightly rough with slight   consistent with other
 the fruit to a greater extent than the     depth aggregating more than a circle 3/   citrus standards.
 amount of discoloration allowed for the    4 inch in diameter; smooth or fairly
 grade.                                     smooth with slight depth aggregating
                                            more than a circle 1-1/8 inches in
                                            diameter.
(m) Scab, when not smooth, or when it      (m) Scab, when it materially detracts     We propose to change this
 affects shape or when it detracts from     from the shape or texture, or             definition to be more
 the appearance of the fruit to a greater   aggregates more than 5 percent of the     consistent with other
 extent than the amount of discoloration    fruit surface.                            citrus standards.4703
 allowed for the grade. Scab injury that
 exceeds the amount allowed in the U.S.
 No. 1 grade is not permitted in the U.S.
 No. 1 Bronze grade.
``Highly colored'' means that the ground   ``Well colored'' means that the ground    We propose to change this
 color of each fruit is a deep tangerine    color of each fruit is a deep tangerine   definition to be more
 color with practically no trace of         color with practically no trace of        consistent with other
 yellow color.''                            yellow color.                             citrus standards.

[[Page 32691]]

 
``Discoloration'' includes discoloration   No change.                                N/A.
 caused by rust mite, melanose, scars,
 scab, or any other means. Shades of
 discoloration which blend with the
 ground color of the fruit may be allowed
 on a larger area than that specified in
 the grade for light brown discoloration,
 and shades of discoloration which are
 more in contrast with the ground color
 shall be restricted to a lesser area,
 provided no discoloration may affect the
 appearance to a greater extent than the
 amount light brown discoloration
 specified for the grade. Tangerines
 which show discoloration caused by
 melanose, scab, or any cause other than
 by thrip, or wind scars, or by rust mite
 shall not be permitted in the U.S. No. 1
 Bronze grade when such discoloration
 exceeds the amount allowed in the U.S.
 No. 1 grade. (See ``Bronzed Russeting'')
Fairly well colored'' means that each      No change.                                N/A.
 fruit may have not over one inch of
 green color in the aggregate and the
 remainder of the surface shall show a
 good tangerine color with some portion
 of the surface showing a reddish
 tangerine blush.
``Bronzed russeting'' means russeting      No change.                                N/A.
 caused by thrip, or wind scars, or by
 rust mite or similar russeting which is
 not readily distinguishable from that
 caused by melanose, scab, etc., are not
 considered as ``bronzed russeting''
 within the meaning of these standards
 but are regarded as defects when they
 exceed the amount permitted in the U.S.
 No. 1 grade and are not permitted in the
 U.S. No. 1 Bronze grade.
``Fairly firm'' means that the flesh may   No change.                                N/A.
 be slightly soft but is not bruised or
 badly puffy, and that the skin has not
 become seriously separated from the
 flesh of the tangerine.
``Fairly well formed'' means that the      No change.                                N/A.
 fruit may not have the shape
 characteristic of the variety but that
 it is not badly deformed.
``Serious damage'' means any defect or     No change.                                N/A.
 blemish which seriously affects the
 appearance, or edible or shipping
 quality of the fruit. Any one of the
 following defects, or any combination of
 defects, the seriousness of which
 exceeds the maximum allowed for any one
 defect shall be considered as serious
 damage:
(a) Ammoniation, when scars are cracked,   No change.                                N/A.
 or dark and aggregating more than one-
 half inch in diameter or when light-
 colored and aggregating more than 1 inch
 in diameter.
(b) Creasing, when it causes the skin to   (b) Creasing, when it seriously weakens   We propose to change this
 be seriously weakened.                     the skin, or extends over more than one-  definition to be more
                                            half of the fruit surface.                consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
                                           (c) Bruising when segment walls are       This defect is currently
                                            collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are   being scored based on the
                                            ruptured.                                 ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
(c) Dryness or mushy condition, when       (d) Dryness or mushy condition when       We propose to change this
 mushy or distinctly dry to a depth of      affecting all segments more than one-     definition to be more
 more than one-quarter inch in all          quarter inch at stem end, or the          consistent with other
 segments at the stem end, or the           equivalent of this amount, by volume,     citrus standards. This
 equivalent of this amount, by volume, of   when occurring in other portions of the   section is re-designated
 mushy condition or dryness when            fruit.                                    ``(d)'' due to the
 occurring in any portion of the fruit.                                               addition of ``(c)
                                                                                      Bruising.''4703
(d) Green spots or oil spots, when the     (e) Green spots or oil spots              We propose to change this
 appearance is affected to a greater        (oleocellosis) or similar injuries        definition to be more
 extent than 25 green spots, caused by      which are depressed or soft, or which     consistent with other
 scale, each of which is approximately      have an aggregate area of more than 10    citrus standards. This
 one-eighth inch in diameter.               percent of the fruit surface.             section is re-designated
                                                                                      ``(e)'' due to the
                                                                                      addition of ``(c)
                                                                                      Bruising.''

[[Page 32692]]

 
(e) Pitting, when seriously affecting the  (f) Skin breakdown, when aggregating      We propose to delete the
 appearance or shipping quality of the      more than a circle \5/8\ inch in          term ``pitting'' and
 fruit.                                     diameter.                                 replace it with ``skin
                                                                                      breakdown.'' Skin
                                                                                      breakdown is a defect
                                                                                      included in other citrus
                                                                                      standards to encompass
                                                                                      several similarly
                                                                                      appearing defects,
                                                                                      including ``pitting.'' We
                                                                                      also propose to include an
                                                                                      objective scoring guide
                                                                                      for this defect, rather
                                                                                      than retain the scoring
                                                                                      guide based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition.''
                                                                                      This section is re-
                                                                                      designated ``(f)'' due to
                                                                                      the addition of ``(c)
                                                                                      Bruising.''
(f) Scale, when occurring as a blotch      (g) Scale, when occurring as a blotch     This section is re-
 which averages more than one-half inch     which averages more than one-half inch    designated ``(g)'' due to
 in diameter, or any scale that detracts    in diameter, or any scale that detracts   the addition of ``(c)
 from the appearance of the fruit to a      from the appearance of the fruit to a     Bruising.''
 greater extent than a one-half inch        greater extent than a one-half inch
 blotch. ``Blotch'' refers to actual        blotch. ``Blotch'' refers to actual
 scale and not the discoloration caused     scale and not the discoloration caused
 by scale.                                  by scale.
(g) Sprayburn, when it has caused the      (h) Sprayburn, when causing the skin to   We propose to change this
 skin to become hard, or when it            become hard, or when aggregating more     definition to be more
 seriously affects the appearance of the    than 10 percent of the fruit surface.     consistent with other
 fruit.                                                                               citrus standards. This
                                                                                      section is re-designated
                                                                                      ``(h)'' due to the
                                                                                      addition of ``(c)
                                                                                      Bruising.''
(h) Sunburn, when it has caused the skin   (i) Sunburn, when causing the skin to     We propose to change this
 to become hard, or when it seriously       become hard and affecting more than 10    definition to be more
 affects the appearance of the fruit.       percent of the fruit surface.             consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards. This
                                                                                      section is re-designated
                                                                                      ``(i)'' due to the
                                                                                      addition of ``(c)
                                                                                      Bruising.''
(i) Unsightly discoloration when the       Delete.                                   We propose to delete the
 color or the pattern, or a combination                                               term ``unsightly
 of both, causes the fruit to have a                                                  discoloration'' to
 distinctly unattractive appearance.                                                  eliminate the confusion
                                                                                      with ``discoloration''.
                                                                                      The defect
                                                                                      ``discoloration'' is
                                                                                      defined in Section
                                                                                      51.1785. No definition for
                                                                                      ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' exists in
                                                                                      the standards.
(j) Buckskin, when it detracts from the    (j) Buckskin when aggregating more than   We propose to change this
 appearance of the fruit to a greater       10 percent of the fruit surface.          definition to be more
 extent than the amount of discoloration                                              consistent with other
 allowed for the grade.                                                               citrus standards.
(k) Melanose, when badly caked and         No change.                                N/A.
 aggregating more than \1/2\ inch in
 diameter or when lightly caked and
 aggregating more than 1 inch in
 diameter, or when unsightly or when it
 detracts from the appearance of the
 fruit to a greater extent than the
 amount of discoloration allowed for the
 grade.
(l) Scars, when not fairly smooth, or      (l) Scars, when deep or rough             We propose to change this
 when causing any materially depressed      aggregating more than a circle \1/2\      definition to be more
 areas, or when detracting from the         inch in diameter; slightly rough with     consistent with other
 appearance to a greater extent than the    slight depth aggregating more than a      citrus standards.
 amount of discoloration allowed for the    circle 1\1/8\ inches in diameter;
 grade. Scars which are not fairly          smooth or fairly smooth with slight
 smooth, or which are materially            depth aggregating more than 10 percent
 depressed, are not permitted in either     of the fruit surface.
 U.S. No. 2 or U.S. No. 2 Russet grades.
(m) Scab, when not fairly smooth, or when  (m) Scab, when it materially detracts     We propose to change this
 materially affects the shape of the        from the shape or texture, or             definition to be more
 fruit, or when it detracts from the        aggregates more than 10 percent of the    consistent with other
 appearance to a greater extent than the    fruit surface.                            citrus standards.
 maximum amount of discoloration allowed
 for the grade.
``Reasonably well colored'' means that a   No change.                                N/A.4703
 good yellow or reddish tangerine color
 shall predominate over the green color
 on at least one-half of the fruit
 surface in the aggregate, and that each
 fruit shall show practically no lemon
 color.
``Very serious damage'' means any defect   No change.                                N/A.
 or blemish which very seriously affects
 the appearance, or edible or shipping
 quality of the fruit. Any one of the
 following defects, or any combination of
 defects, the seriousness of which
 exceeds the maximum allowed for any one
 defect shall be considered as very
 serious damage:

[[Page 32693]]

 
(a) Ammoniation, when scars are badly      No change.                                N/A.
 cracked, or when dark and aggregating
 more than 1 inch in diameter, or when
 light-colored and detracting from the
 appearance of the fruit to a greater
 extent than 1 inch of dark ammoniation.
(b) Creasing, when causing the skin to be  (b) Creasing, when it very seriously      We propose to change this
 seriously weakened.                        weakens the skin, or extends over         definition to be more
                                            practically entire fruit surface.         consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
(c) Dryness or mushy condition, when       (c) Dryness or mushy condition when       We propose to change this
 mushy or distinctly dry to a depth of      affecting all segments more than one-     definition to be more
 more than one-quarter inch in all          half inch at stem end, or the             consistent with other
 segments at the stem end or the            equivalent of this amount, by volume,     citrus standards.
 equivalent of this amount, by volume, of   when occurring in other portions of the
 mushy condition or dryness when            fruit.
 occurring in any portion of the fruit.
(d) Pitting, when it very seriously        (d) Skin breakdown, when aggregating      We propose to delete the
 affects the appearance or the shipping     more than 25 percent of the fruit         term ``pitting'' and
 quality of the fruit.                      surface.                                  replace it with ``skin
                                                                                      breakdown.'' Skin
                                                                                      breakdown is a defect
                                                                                      included in other citrus
                                                                                      standards to encompass
                                                                                      several similarly
                                                                                      appearing defects,
                                                                                      including ``pitting.'' We
                                                                                      also propose to include an
                                                                                      objective scoring guide
                                                                                      for this defect, rather
                                                                                      than retain the scoring
                                                                                      guide based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition.''
(e) Scale, when it very seriously affects  (e) Scale, when aggregating more 25       We propose to change this
 the appearance of the fruit.               percent of the fruit surface.             definition to be more
                                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
(f) Sprayburn, when it very seriously      (f) Sprayburn, when aggregating more      We propose to change this
 affects the appearance of the fruit.       than 25 percent of the fruit surface.     definition to be more
                                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
(g) Sunburn, when it very seriously        (g) Sunburn, when aggregating more than   We propose to change this
 affects the appearance of the fruit.       25 percent of the fruit surface.          definition to be more
                                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
(h) Unsightly discoloration, when the      Delete.                                   We propose to delete the
 fruit has a very objectionable                                                       term ``unsightly
 appearance caused by any means. The                                                  discoloration'' to
 color or the pattern of the                                                          eliminate the confusion
 discoloration, or a combination of both,                                             with ``discoloration''.
 or a combination of defects may cause                                                The defect
 the fruit to have a very unsightly                                                   ``discoloration'' is
 appearance.                                                                          defined in Section
                                                                                      51.1785. No definition for
                                                                                      ``unsightly
                                                                                      discoloration'' exists in
                                                                                      the standards.
(i) Melanose, when caked to the extent     No change.                                N/A.
 that the appearance of the fruit is very
 seriously affected.
(j) Scars, when so deep, rough, or so      No change.                                N/A.
 unsightly that the appearance of the
 fruit is very seriously injured.
                                           (k) Buckskin, when aggregating more than  We propose to add this
                                            25 percent of the fruit surface.          definition to be more
                                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
                                           (l) Scab, when aggregating more than 25   We propose to add this
                                            percent of fruit surface.                 definition to be more
                                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
                                           (m) Green spots or oil spots, when the    We propose to add this
                                            appearance aggregates more than 25        definition to be more
                                            percent of the fruit surface.             consistent with other
                                                                                      citrus standards.
                                           (n) Bruising when fruit has been split    We propose to add this
                                            open, peel is badly watersoaked           definition to be more
                                            following bruising or albedo and juice    consistent with other
                                            sacs are ruptured causing a mushy         citrus standards.
                                            condition affecting all segments more
                                            than \1/2\ inch at bruised area or the
                                            equivalent of this amount, by volume,
                                            when affecting more than one area on
                                            the fruit.
Sec.  51.1793 Cull. A cull is a fruit      No Change                                 N/A.
 which does not meet the requirements of
 U.S. No. 3 grade.
                                           Note: All references in this standard to  In the current standard, it
                                            area, aggregating area, or length are     is unclear whether defects
                                            based on a tangerine 2\1/2\ inches in     are based on a specific
                                            diameter, allowing proportionately        size fruit, or if greater
                                            greater areas on larger fruit and         areas on larger fruit and
                                            lesser areas on smaller fruit.            lesser areas on smaller
                                                                                      fruit are allowed. We
                                                                                      propose the addition of
                                                                                      this statement to clarify
                                                                                      the issue. This procedure
                                                                                      is in place in most fruit
                                                                                      and vegetable
                                                                                      standards.4703

[[Page 32694]]

 
                                  United States Standards for Grades of Lemons
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``U.S. No. 1'' consists of lemons which    ``U.S. No. 1'' consists of lemons which   We propose to add the term
 are firm, fairly well formed (unless       are mature, firm, fairly well formed,     ``mature'' to coincide
 specified as well formed), reasonably      fairly smooth, which are free from        with the proposed deletion
 smooth (unless specified as smooth),       decay, contact spot, internal evidence    of the juice content
 which have stems which are properly        of Alternaria development, unhealed       requirements. Please refer
 clipped, and which are free from decay,    broken skins, hard or dry skins,          to the section on Juice
 contact spot, internal evidence of         exanthema, growth cracks, internal        Content found on page 104.
 Alternaria development, unhealed broken    decline (endoxerosis), red blotch,        ``Mature'' is the accepted
 skins, hard or dry skins, exanthema,       membranous stain or other internal        term used to describe a
 growth cracks, internal decline            discoloration, and free from damage       stage of development
 (endoxerosis), red blotch, membranous      caused by bruises, dry or mushy           desired by industry. This
 stain or other internal discoloration,     condition, scars, oil spots, scale,       definition is consistent
 and free from damage caused by bruises,    sunburn, hollow core, peteca, scab,       with other citrus
 dry or mushy condition, scars, oil         skin breakdown, melanose, dirt, or        standards.
 spots, scale, sunburn, hollow core,        other foreign material, other disease,
 peteca, scab, melanose, dirt, or other     insects or other means.
 foreign material, other disease, insects
 or other means.
                                           ........................................  We propose to delete the
                                                                                      phrase ``unless specified
                                                                                      as well formed'', and to
                                                                                      delete the reference to
                                                                                      ``stems which are properly
                                                                                      clipped.'' These terms are
                                                                                      obsolete and do not
                                                                                      reflect what is grown and
                                                                                      packed for today's
                                                                                      marketplace.
                                           ........................................  We propose to change the
                                                                                      term ``reasonably smooth
                                                                                      (unless specified as
                                                                                      smooth)'' to ``fairly
                                                                                      smooth'' to be consistent
                                                                                      with other standards.
                                                                                      Generally speaking, the
                                                                                      modifier ``fairly'' when
                                                                                      used in fruit and
                                                                                      vegetable standards,
                                                                                      denotes a more stringent
                                                                                      or higher requirement than
                                                                                      ``reasonably.''
                                           ........................................  We also propose to add
                                                                                      ``free from damage by skin
                                                                                      breakdown.'' This defect
                                                                                      is currently being scored
                                                                                      based on the ``general
                                                                                      definition'' and is not
                                                                                      specified in the current
                                                                                      standards.
(a) Color: The lemons are fairly well      (a) Color: The lemons are fairly well     We propose to delete the
 colored (unless specified as well          colored. (See ``Tolerances'')             term ``unless specified as
 colored): Provided, That any lot of                                                  well colored.'' Current
 lemons which meets all the requirements                                              industry practice is to
 of this grade except those relating to                                               pack at least fairly well
 color may be designated as ``U.S. No. 1                                              colored fruit in all
 Green'' if the lemons are of a full                                                  grades. We also propose to
 green color, or as ``U.S. No. 1 Mixed                                                delete the reference to
 Color'' if the lemons fail to meet the                                               ``U.S. No. 1 Green'' and
 color requirements of either ``U.S. No.                                              ``U.S. No. 1 Mixed
 1'' or ``U.S. No. 1 Green.'' (See                                                    Color.'' These grades are
 ``Tolerances'')                                                                      obsolete and no longer
                                                                                      packed by industry.
(b) Lemons have the juice content          Delete.                                   We propose this deletion
 specified in ``Juice Content'' section.                                              because it will no longer
                                                                                      be needed due to the
                                                                                      proposed addition of
                                                                                      ``mature.'' Please refer
                                                                                      to the section on Juice
                                                                                      Content found on page 104.
``U.S. Export No. 1'' consists of lemons   ``U.S. Export No. 1'' consists of lemons  We propose to add the term
 which are firm, fairly well formed,        which are mature, firm, fairly well       ``mature'' to coincide
 reasonably smooth and which are free       formed, fairly smooth and which are       with the proposed deletion
 from decay, contact spot, internal         free from decay, contact spot, internal   of the juice content
 evidence of Alternaria development,        evidence of Alternaria development,       requirements. Please refer
 unhealed broken skins, exanthema, growth   unhealed broken skins, exanthema,         to the section on Juice
 cracks, internal discoloration and free    growth cracks, internal discoloration     Content found on page 104.
 from damage caused by bruises and          and free from damage caused by bruises    ``Mature'' is the accepted
 dryness or mushy condition.                and dryness or mushy condition.           term used to describe a
                                                                                      stage of development
                                                                                      desired by industry. This
                                                                                      definition is consistent
                                                                                      with other citrus
                                                                                      standards. We also propose
                                                                                      to change the term
                                                                                      ``reasonably smooth'' to
                                                                                      ``fairly smooth'' to be
                                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      standards. Generally
                                                                                      speaking, the modifier
                                                                                      ``fairly'', when used in
                                                                                      fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards, denotes a more
                                                                                      stringent or higher
                                                                                      requirement than
                                                                                      ``reasonably.''
(a) At least 50 percent of the lemons are  (a) At least 50 percent of the lemons     We propose to add ``free
 free from damage caused by scars, oil      are free from damage caused by scars,     from damage by skin
 spots, scale, sunburn, peteca, scab,       oil spots, scale, sunburn, peteca,        breakdown.'' This defect
 melanose, dirt or other foreign            scab, skin breakdown, melanose, dirt or   is currently being scored
 material, other disease, insects or        other foreign material, other disease,    based on the ``general
 other means, and the remainder of the      insects or other means, and the           definition'' and is not
 lemons are free from serious damage by     remainder of the lemons are free from     specified in the current
 any cause.                                 serious damage by any cause.              standards.
(b) Color: Lemons are moderately well      No change.                                N/A.
 colored. (See ``Tolerances'')

[[Page 32695]]

 
(c) Lemons have a juice content of not     Delete.                                   We propose this deletion
 less than 28 percent by volume.                                                      because it will no longer
                                                                                      be needed due to the
                                                                                      proposed addition of
                                                                                      ``mature.'' Please refer
                                                                                      to the section on Juice
                                                                                      Content found on page 104.
``U.S. Combination'' consists of a         ``U.S. Combination'' consists of a        We have re-worded this
 combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2   combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No.    section to include the
 lemons: Provided, That at least 40         2 lemons: Provided, That at least 40      phrase ``* * * in each lot
 percent, by count, of the lemons meet      percent, by count, of the lemons in       * * *'' to be consistent
 the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade.      each lot shall meet the requirements of   with other standards in
                                            the U.S. No. 1 grade. (See                this Notice.4703
                                            ``Tolerances'')
(a) Color: The lemons are fairly well      (a) Color: The lemons are fairly well     We propose to delete the
 colored (unless specified as well          colored. (See ``Tolerances'')             term ``unless specified as
 colored): Provided, That any lot of                                                  well colored.'' Current
 lemons which meets all the requirements                                              industry practice is to
 of this grade except those relating to                                               pack at least fairly well
 color may be designated as ``U.S.                                                    colored fruit all grades.
 Combination Green'' if the lemons are of                                             We also propose to delete
 a full green color, or as ``U.S.                                                     the reference to ``U.S.
 Combination Mixed Color'' if the lemons                                              Combination Green'' and
 fail to meet the color requirements of                                               ``U.S. Combination Mixed
 either ``U.S. Combination'' or ``U.S.                                                Color.'' These grades are
 Combination Green.'' (See                                                            obsolete and no longer
 ``Tolerances'')                                                                      packed by industry.
(b) Lemons have the juice content          Delete.                                   We propose this deletion
 specified in ``Juice Content'' section.                                              because it will no longer
                                                                                      be needed due to the
                                                                                      proposed addition of
                                                                                      ``mature.'' Please refer
                                                                                      to the section on Juice
                                                                                      Content found on page 104.
``U.S. No. 2'' consists of lemons which    ``U.S. No. 2'' consists of lemons which   We propose to add the term
 are fairly firm, which are reasonably      are mature, fairly firm, which are        ``mature'' to coincide
 well formed and fairly smooth, which       reasonably well formed and reasonably     with the proposed deletion
 have stems which are properly clipped,     smooth, which are free from decay,        of the juice content
 and which are free from decay, contact     contact spot, internal evidence of        requirements. Please refer
 spot, internal evidence of Alternaria      Alternaria development, unhealed broken   to the section on Juice
 development, unhealed broken skins, hard   skins, hard or dry skins, exanthema,      Content found on page 104.
 or dry skins, exanthema, internal          internal decline (endoxerosis), and red   ``Mature'' is the accepted
 decline (endoxerosis), and red blotch,     blotch, and free from serious damage      term used to describe a
 and free from serious damage caused by     caused by bruises, membranous stain or    stage of development
 bruises, membranous stain or other         other internal discoloration, dryness     desired by industry. This
 internal discoloration, dryness or mushy   or mushy condition, scars, oil spots,     definition is consistent
 condition, scars, oil spots, scale,        scale, sunburn, hollow core, peteca,      with other citrus
 sunburn, hollow core, peteca, growth       growth cracks, scab, skin breakdown,      standards.
 cracks, scab, melanose, dirt or other      melanose, dirt or other foreign
 foreign material, other diseases,          material, other diseases, insects or
 insects or other means.                    other means.
                                           ........................................  We propose to change the
                                                                                      term ``fairly smooth'' to
                                                                                      ``reasonably smooth'' to
                                                                                      be consistent with other
                                                                                      standards. Generally
                                                                                      speaking, the modifier
                                                                                      ``fairly'' when used in
                                                                                      fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards, denotes a more
                                                                                      stringent or higher
                                                                                      requirement than
                                                                                      ``reasonably.'' It is
                                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      standards to place the
                                                                                      less stringent requirement
                                                                                      in the lower grade.
                                           ........................................  We propose to delete the
                                                                                      reference to ``stems which
                                                                                      are properly clipped.''
                                                                                      This reference is obsolete
                                                                                      and does not reflect what
                                                                                      is packed for today's
                                                                                      marketplace.
                                           ........................................  We propose to add ``free
                                                                                      from serious damage by
                                                                                      skin breakdown.'' This
                                                                                      defect is currently being
                                                                                      scored based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition'' and
                                                                                      is not specified in the
                                                                                      current standards.
(a) Color: The lemons are fairly well      (a) Color: The lemons are fairly well     We propose to delete the
 colored (unless specified as well          colored. (See ``Tolerances'')             term ``unless specified as
 colored): Provided, That any lot of                                                  well colored.'' Current
 lemons which meets all of the above                                                  industry practice is to
 requirements of this grade except those                                              pack at least fairly well
 relating to color may be designated as                                               colored fruit in all
 ``U.S. No. 2 Green'' if the lemons are                                               grades. We also propose to
 of a full green color, or as ``U.S. No.                                              delete the reference to
 2 Mixed Color'' if the lemons fail to                                                ``U.S. No. 2 Green'' and
 meet the color requirements of either                                                ``U.S. No. 2 Mixed
 ``U.S. No. 2'' or ``U.S. No. 2 Green.''                                              Color.'' These grades are
 (See ``Tolerances'')                                                                 obsolete and no longer
                                                                                      packed by industry.
(b) Lemons have the juice content          Delete.                                   We propose this deletion
 specified in''Juice Content'' section.                                               because it will no longer
                                                                                      be needed due to the
                                                                                      proposed addition of
                                                                                      ``mature.'' Please refer
                                                                                      to the section on Juice
                                                                                      Content found on page 104.

[[Page 32696]]

 
``Unclassified'' consists of lemons which  Delete.                                   When changing or updating
 have not been classified in accordance                                               standards in recent years,
 with any of the foregoing grades. The                                                references to
 term ``unclassified'' is not a grade                                                 ``Unclassified'' have been
 within the meaning of these standards                                                removed in an attempt to
 but is provided as a designation to show                                             eliminate the confusion
 that no grade has been applied to the                                                this term creates. People
 lot.                                                                                 have incorrectly assumed
                                                                                      that ``Unclassified'' is
                                                                                      an actual grade name; it
                                                                                      is not. To avoid further
                                                                                      confusion, it is proposed
                                                                                      that all references to
                                                                                      this term be
                                                                                      eliminated.4703
``Tolerances.'' In order to allow for      ``Tolerances.'' In order to allow for     The proposed addition of
 variations incident to proper grading      variations incident to proper grading     the phrase ``a minimum 25
 and handling in each of the foregoing      and handling in each of the foregoing     count sample'' establishes
 grades, the following tolerances, by       grades, the following tolerances, by      a basis for uniform
 count, are provided as specified:          count, based on a minimum 25 count        sampling. Other citrus
                                            sample, are provided as specified:        standards (Florida), at
                                                                                      industry's request, have
                                                                                      recently been changed to
                                                                                      include the minimum 25
                                                                                      count sample. This would
                                                                                      make the citrus standards
                                                                                      more uniform regarding
                                                                                      sampling. This change is
                                                                                      also consistent with the
                                                                                      industry's request.
(a) U.S. No. 1 grade--(1) For defects.     (a) U.S. No. 1 grade--(1) For defects at  We propose to establish
 Not more than 10 percent of the lemons     shipping point. Not more than 10          separate ``Shipping
 in any lot may fail to meet the            percent, by count, of the lemons in any   Point'' tolerances to be
 requirements of this grade, but not more   lot may fail to meet the requirements     consistent with other
 than one-half of this tolerance, or 5      relating to color. In addition, not       fruit and vegetable
 percent, shall be allowed for decay,       more than 10 percent, by count, of the    standards. A ``whole
 contact spot, internal evidence of         lemons in any lot may fail to meet the    number'' decay tolerance
 Alternaria development, internal decline   remaining requirements of the grade,      is also proposed, which is
 (endoxerosis), unhealed broken skins,      included in this amount not more than 5   included in practically
 growth cracks, and other defects causing   percent shall be allowed for defects      all other fresh fruit and
 serious damage, including not more than    causing serious damage, included in       vegetable grade standards.
 one-tenth of this latter amount, or one-   this latter amount not more than 1        The current decay
 half of 1 percent, for lemons affected     percent for decay.                        tolerance of ``not more
 by decay at shipping point: Provided,                                                than one-half of 1% may be
 That an additional tolerance of 2\1/2\                                               a confusing concept to an
 percent, or a total of not more than 3                                               industry which is
 percent, shall be allowed for lemons                                                 accustomed to ``whole''
 affected by decay en route or at                                                     percentage numbers on
 destination.                                                                         inspection certificates.
                                                                                      Normally, when dealing
                                                                                      with defect percentages
                                                                                      ending in fractional
                                                                                      amounts, AMS inspectors
                                                                                      ``round up'' percentages
                                                                                      ending in .5 or more and
                                                                                      ``round down'' those less
                                                                                      than .5. The current
                                                                                      citrus standards included
                                                                                      in this Notice are an
                                                                                      exception to this
                                                                                      procedure. Changing the
                                                                                      one-half of 1 percent
                                                                                      tolerance to 1 percent
                                                                                      will eliminate industry's
                                                                                      confusion on this issue
                                                                                      and mirror what is
                                                                                      currently contained in
                                                                                      many fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards. We have also re-
                                                                                      worded the entire section
                                                                                      for clarity.
(2) For color. Not more than 10 percent    ``U.S. No. 1 grade.'' For defects en      We propose to establish
 of the lemons in any lot may fail to       route or at destination. Not more than    ``En Route or At
 meet the requirements relating to color.   10 percent, by count, of the lemons in    Destination'' tolerances
                                            any lot may fail to meet the              to be more consistent with
                                            requirements relating to color. In        other fruit and vegetable
                                            addition, not more than 12 percent, by    standards. This proposal
                                            count, of the lemons in any lot may       includes adding separate
                                            fail to meet the remaining requirements   tolerances for permanent
                                            of the grade: Provided, that included     defects; for any defects
                                            in this amount not more than the          causing serious damage;
                                            following percentages shall be allowed    and for total defects. The
                                            for defects listed: 10 percent for        decay tolerance, which
                                            fruit having permanent defects; or 7      remains at 3 percent, is
                                            percent for defects causing serious       re-worded for clarity.
                                            damage, including therein not more than
                                            5 percent for serious damage by
                                            permanent defects and not more than 3
                                            percent for decay.

[[Page 32697]]

 
(b) U.S. No. 2 and U.S. Combination        U.S. No. 2 grade--(1) For defects at      We propose to establish
 grades--(1) For defects. Not more than     shipping point. Not more than 10          separate ``Shipping
 10 percent of the lemons in any lot may    percent, by count, of the lemons in any   Point'' tolerances to be
 fail to meet the requirements of the       lot may fail to meet the requirements     consistent with other
 U.S. No. 2 grade, but not more than one-   relating to color. in addition, not       fruit and vegetable
 half of this tolerance, or 5 percent,      more than 10 percent, by count, of the    standards A ``whole
 shall be allowed for decay, contact        lemons in any lot may fail to meet the    number'' decay tolerance
 spot, internal evidence of Alternaria      remaining requirements of the grade,      is also proposed, which is
 development, and internal decline          included in this amount not more than 5   included in practically
 (endoxerosis), including not more than     percent shall be allowed for decay,       all other fresh fruit and
 one-fifth of this latter amount, or 1      contact spot, internal evidence of        vegetable grade standards.
 percent, for lemons affected by decay at   alternaria development, and internal      The current decay
 shipping point: Provided, That an          decline (endoxerosis), included in this   tolerance of ``not more
 additional tolerance of 2 percent, or a    latter amount not more than 1 percent     than one-half of 1% may be
 total of not more than 3 percent, shall    for decay.                                a confusing concept to an
 be allowed for lemons affected by decay                                              industry which is
 en route or at destination.                                                          accustomed to ``whole''
                                                                                      percentage numbers on
                                                                                      inspection certificates.
                                                                                      Normally, when dealing
                                                                                      with defect percentages
                                                                                      ending in fractional
                                                                                      amounts, AMS inspectors
                                                                                      ``round up'' percentages
                                                                                      ending in .5 or more and
                                                                                      ``round down'' those less
                                                                                      than .5. The current
                                                                                      citrus standards included
                                                                                      in this Notice are an
                                                                                      exception to this
                                                                                      procedure. changing the
                                                                                      one-half of 1 percent
                                                                                      tolerance to 1 percent
                                                                                      will eliminate industry's
                                                                                      confusion on this issue
                                                                                      and mirror what is
                                                                                      currently contained in
                                                                                      many fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards. We have also re-
                                                                                      worded the entire section
                                                                                      for clarity.4703
(2) For color. Not more than 10 percent    ``U.S. No. 2 grade.'' For defects en      We propose to establish
 of the lemons in any lot may fail to       route or at destination. Not more than    ``En Route or At
 meet the requirements relating to color.   10 percent, by count, of the lemons in    Destination'' tolerances
                                            any lot may fail to meet the              to be consistent with
                                            requirements relating to color. In        other fruit and vegetable
                                            addition, not more than 12 percent, by    standards. This proposal
                                            count, of the lemons in any lot may       includes adding separate
                                            fail to meet the remaining requirements   tolerances for permanent
                                            of the grade: Provided, that included     defects and for total
                                            in this amount not more than the          defects. The decay
                                            following percentages shall be allowed    tolerance, which remains
                                            for defects listed: 10 percent for        at 3 percent, is re-worded
                                            fruit having permanent defects; or not    for clarity.
                                            more than 7 percent shall be allowed
                                            for decay, contact spot, internal
                                            evidence of Alternaria development, and
                                            internal decline (endoxerosis),
                                            included in this latter amount, not
                                            more than 3 percent for decay.
                                           U.S. Combination grade. For defects at    We propose to establish
                                            shipping point. Not more than 10          separate ``Shipping
                                            percent, by count, of the lemons in any   Point'' tolerances to be
                                            lot may fail to meet the requirements     consistent with other
                                            of the U.S. No. 2 grade relating to       fruit and vegetable
                                            color. In addition, not more than 10      standards. A ``whole
                                            percent, by count, of the lemons in any   number'' decay tolerance
                                            lot may fail to meet the remaining        is also proposed, which is
                                            requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade,     included in practically
                                            included in this amount not more than 5   all other fresh fruit and
                                            percent shall be allowed for decay,       vegetable grade standards.
                                            contact spot, internal evidence of        The current decay
                                            Alternaria development, and internal      tolerance of ``not more
                                            decline (endoxerosis), included in this   than one-half of 1% may be
                                            latter amount not more than 1 percent     a confusing concept to an
                                            for decay.                                industry which is
                                                                                      accustomed to ``whole''
                                                                                      percentage numbers on
                                                                                      inspection certificates.
                                                                                      Normally, when dealing
                                                                                      with defect percentages
                                                                                      ending in fractional
                                                                                      amounts, AMS inspectors
                                                                                      ``round up'' percentages
                                                                                      ending in .5 or more and
                                                                                      ``round down'' those less
                                                                                      than .5. The current
                                                                                      citrus standards included
                                                                                      in this Notice are an
                                                                                      exception to this
                                                                                      procedure. Changing the
                                                                                      one-half of 1 percent
                                                                                      tolerance to 1 percent
                                                                                      will eliminate industry's
                                                                                      confusion on this issue
                                                                                      and mirror what is
                                                                                      currently contained in
                                                                                      many fruit and vegetable
                                                                                      standards. We have also re-
                                                                                      worded the entire section
                                                                                      for clarity.

[[Page 32698]]

 
                                           ``U.S. Combination grade.'' For defects   We propose to establish
                                            en route or at destination. Not more      ``En Route or At
                                            than 10 percent, by count, of the         Destination'' tolerances
                                            lemons in any lot may fail to meet the    to be consistent with
                                            requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade      other fruit and vegetable
                                            relating to color. In addition, not       standards. This proposal
                                            more than 12 percent, by count, of the    includes adding separate
                                            lemons in any lot may fail to meet the    tolerances for permanent
                                            remaining requirements of the U.S. No.    defects; for any defects
                                            2 grade: Provided, that included in       causing serious damage;
                                            this amount not more than the following   and for total defects. The
                                            percentages shall be allowed for          decay tolerance, which
                                            defects listed: 10 percent for fruit      remains at 3 percent, is
                                            having permanent defects; or not more     re-worded for clarity.
                                            than 7 percent shall be allowed for
                                            decay, contact spot, internal evidence
                                            of Alternaria development, and internal
                                            decline (endoxerosis), included in this
                                            latter amount, not more than 3 percent
                                            for decay.
(3) When applying the tolerance for U.S.   ``U.S. Combination.'' For defects at      We propose to re-word this
 Combination grade individual packages      shipping point and en route or at         section to make it
 may have not more than 10 percent less     destination. No part of any tolerance     consistent with other
 than the percentage of U.S. No. 1          shall be allowed to reduce for the lot    fruit and vegetable
 required: Provided, That the entire lot    as a whole, the 40 percent of U.S. No.    standards including those
 averages within the required percentage.   1 lemons required in the U.S.             listed in this Notice.4703
                                            Combination grade, but individual
                                            samples may have not less than 30
                                            percent of U.S. No. 1 required:
                                            Provided, That the entire lot averages
                                            within the percentage required.
(c) U.S. Export No. 1. (1) For defects:    No change.                                N/A.
 10 percent for lemons which fail to meet
 the requirements of the grade: Provided,
 That not more than the following
 percentages of the defects enumerated
 shall be allowed: 1 percent for decay; 3
 percent for contact spot; 3 percent for
 broken skins which are not healed; 3
 percent for growth cracks; 3 percent for
 internal evidence of Alternaria
 development; 3 percent for internal
 discoloration; 5 percent for soft; and,
 5 percent for damage by dryness or mushy
 condition.
(2) For color: 10 percent for lemons       No change.                                N/A.
 which fail to meet the requirements
 relating for color.
(3) The contents of individual containers  (3) The contents of samples may have not  Use of the term ``sample''
 may have not more than 10 percentage       more than 10 percentage points less       is used in this section to
 points less than the percentage            than the percentage specified to meet     reflect the proposed
 specified to meet the requirements in      the requirements in the ``U.S. Export     revision from
 ``U.S. Export No. 1 grade:'' Provided,     No. 1 grade:'' Provided, That no sample   ``container'' as listed
 That no container shall have more than     shall have more than double the           throughout this Notice.
 double the percentage specified for any    percentage specified for any one of the
 one of the defects enumerated in U.S.      defects enumerated in U.S. Export No. 1
 Export No. 1 tolerances for defects        tolerances for defects section above.
 section above.
``Juice content.'' Lemons in the U.S. No.  Delete.                                   We propose to delete all
 1, U.S. Combination and U.S. No. 2                                                   references to ``Juice
 grades shall have a juice content of not                                             Content.'' Due to advances
 less than 30 percent, by volume, except                                              in agricultural practices
 when designated as ``U.S. No. 1 Green                                                this is no longer a
 for Export,'' U.S. Combination Green for                                             concern. We propose to
 Export,'' or ``U.S. No. 2 Green for                                                  substitute the term
 Export.'' When so designated, the lemons                                             ``Mature'' to define a
 shall have a juice content not less than                                             stage of desirable
 28 percent, by volume.                                                               ripeness and
                                                                                      marketability. Use of this
                                                                                      term is consistent with
                                                                                      practically all fruit and
                                                                                      vegetable standards.
``Application of tolerances.'' (a) Except  ``Application of tolerances.''            We propose to change the
 when applying the tolerances for           Individual samples, based on a minimum    standards to include
 ``Condition Standards for Export,'' and    25 count sample, are subject to the       minimum 25 count samples,
 the tolerances set forth in the U.S.       following limitations, unless otherwise   not ``packages.'' This is
 Export No. 1 defect tolerances, the        specified. Individual samples shall       consistent with the
 contents of individual packages in the     have not more than one and one-half       recently-changed Florida
 lot, based on sample inspection, are       times a specified tolerance of 10         Citrus Standards.
 subject to the following limitations:      percent or more, and not more than        Individual sample
 Provided, That the averages for the        double a specified tolerance of less      tolerances are also
 entire lot are within the tolerance        than 10 percent: Provided, that at        proposed to reflect the
 specified for the grade:                   least one decayed fruit may be            language and tolerances
                                            permitted in any sample: And provided     widely used in other fruit
                                            further, that the averages for the        and vegetable standards.
                                            entire lot are within the tolerances
                                            specified for the grade.

[[Page 32699]]

 
(1) For packages which contain more than   Delete.                                   We propose this deletion
 10 pounds, and a tolerance of 10 percent                                             because the reference to
 or more is provided, individual packages                                             various size package
 in any lot shall have not more than one                                              restrictions from the
 and one-half times the tolerance                                                     current standard would no
 specified. For packages which contain                                                longer be valid with a
 more than 10 pounds and a tolerance of                                               minimum 25 count sample.
 less than 10 percent is provided,
 individual packages in any lot shall
 have not more than double the tolerance
 specified, except that at least one
 decayed lemon may be permitted in any
 package.
(2) For packages which contain 10 pounds   Delete.                                   We propose this deletion
 or less, individual packages in the lot                                              because the reference to
 are not restricted as to the percentage                                              various size package
 of defects: Provided, That not more than                                             restrictions from the
 one lemon which is seriously damaged by                                              current standard would no
 dryness or mushy condition may be                                                    longer be valid with a
 permitted in any package and, in                                                     minimum 25 count sample.
 addition, en route or at destination not
 more than 10 percent of the packages may
 have more than one decayed lemon.
``Standard pack.'' (a) Lemons shall be     ``Standard pack.'' (a) Lemons shall be    We propose to delete the
 fairly uniform in size and shall be        fairly uniform in size and shall be       reference to ``wrapped
 packed in boxes or cartons and arranged    packed in boxes or cartons and arranged   fruit'' because the
 according to the approved and recognized   according to the approved and             industry no longer packs
 methods. Each wrapped fruit shall be       recognized methods.                       fruit in this manner.4703
 fairly well enclosed by its individual
 wrapper.
(b) All such containers shall be tightly   (b) All such containers shall be tightly  We propose to delete the
 packed as well filled but the contents     packed as well filled but the contents    reference to ``nailed
 shall not show excessive or unnecessary    shall not show excessive or unnecessary   boxes'' because they are
 bruising because of overfilled             bruising because of overfilled            no longer used by the
 containers. When lemons are packed in      containers. When packed in cartons each   industry.
 standard nailed boxes, each box shall      container shall be at least level full
 have a minimum bulge of 1\1/4\ inches;     at time of packing.
 when packed in cartons or in wirebound
 boxes, each container shall be at least
 level full at time of packing.
(c) ``Fairly uniform in size'' means that  No change.                                N/A.
 when lemons are packed for 165 carton
 count or smaller size, or equivalent
 sizes when packed in other containers,
 not less than 90 percent, by count, of
 the lemons in any container shall be
 within a diameter range of four-
 sixteenths inch; when packed for sizes
 larger than 165 carton count, or
 equivalent sizes packed in other
 containers, not less then 90 percent, by
 count, of the lemons in any container
 shall be within a diameter range of six-
 sixteenths inch.
(1) ``Diameter'' means the greatest        No change.                                N/A.
 dimension measured at right angles to a
 line from stem to blossom end of the
 fruit.
(d) In order to allow for variations       No change.                                N/A.
 incident to proper packing the following
 tolerances are provided:
(1) 10 percent for wrapped fruit in any    Delete.                                   We propose to delete the
 container which fails to meet the                                                    reference to ``wrapped
 requirement pertaining to wrapping; and,                                             fruit'' because the
                                                                                      industry no longer packs
                                                                                      fruit in this manner.
(2) 5 percent for containers in any lot    (2) 5 percent for samples in any lot      We propose to change the
 which fail to meet the requirements for    which fail to meet the requirements for   word ``containers'' to
 standard pack.                             standard pack.                            ``samples'' to be
                                                                                      consistent with the
                                                                                      proposed sampling method
                                                                                      for grade determination.
(b) In order to allow for variations       (b) In order to allow for variations      We propose to change the
 incident to proper packing, not more       incident to proper packing, not more      word ``containers'' to
 than 5 percent of the containers in any    than 5 percent of the samples in any      ``samples'' to be
 lot may fail to meet the requirements of   lot may fail to meet the requirements     consistent with the
 standard sizing and fill.                  of standard sizing and fill.              proposed sampling method
                                                                                      for grade determination.

[[Page 32700]]

 
``Condition standards for export.'' (a)    ``Condition standards for export.'' (a)   We propose to change the
 Not more than a total of 10 percent, by    Not more than a total of 10 percent, by   word ``container'' to
 count, of the lemons in any container      count, of the lemons in any sample may    ``sample'' to be
 may be soft, affected by decay or          be soft, affected by decay or contact     consistent with the
 contact spot, or have broken skins which   spot, or have broken skins which are      proposed sampling method
 are not healed, growth cracks, internal    not healed, growth cracks, internal       for grade determination.
 evidence of Alternaria development,        evidence of Alternaria development,
 internal decline (endoxerosis), or         internal decline (endoxerosis), or
 serious damage by membranous stain or      serious damage by membranous stain or
 other internal discoloration, or dryness   other internal discoloration, or
 or mushy condition, except that not more   dryness or mushy condition, except that
 than the following percentages of the      not more than the following percentages
 defects enumerated shall be allowed:       of the defects enumerated shall be
                                            allowed:
(1) one-half of 1 percent for decay;       (1) one-half of 1 percent for decay;
(2) 3 percent for contact spot;            (2) 3 percent for contact spot;
(3) 3 percent for broken skins which are   (3) 3 percent for broken skins which are
 not healed;                                not healed;
(4) 3 percent for growth cracks;           (4) 3 percent for growth cracks;
(5) 3 percent for internal evidence of
 Alternaria development;
(6) 3 percent for internal decline
 (endoxerosis);
(7) 5 percent for soft;
(8) 5 percent for serious damage by
 membranous stain or other internal
 discoloration; and,
(9) 5 percent for serious damage by        No change.                                N/A.4703
 dryness or mushy condition.
``(b) Any lot of lemons shall be           (b) Any lot of lemons shall be            We propose to change the
 considered as meeting the condition        considered as meeting the condition       word ``container'' to
 standards for export if not more than a    standards for export if not more than a   ``sample'' to be
 total of 10 percent, by count, of the      total of 10 percent, by count, of the     consistent with the
 lemons in any container have defects       lemons in any sample have defects         proposed sampling method
 enumerated in the condition standards      enumerated in the condition standards     for grade determination.
 for export: Provided, That no sample       for export: Provided, That no sample
 shall have more than double the            shall have more than double the
 percentage specified for any one of the    percentage specified for any one of the
 defects enumerated.                        defects enumerated.
``Firm'' means that the fruit does not     No change.                                N/A.
 yield more than slightly to moderate
 pressure.
``Fairly well formed'' means that the      No change.                                N/A.
 fruit shows normal characteristic lemon
 shape and is not materially flattened on
 one side. Lemons having moderately
 thickened necks at the stem end shall be
 considered as fairly well formed unless
 the appearance is materially affected.
``Well formed'' means that the fruit is    No change.                                N/A.
 typically normal in shape with well
 centered stem and stylar ends.
``Reasonably smooth'' means that the       ``Fairly smooth'' means that the          We propose to change the
 appearance of the lemon is not             appearance of the lemon is not            definition of ``Reasonably
 materially affected by protrusions or      materially affected by protrusions or     smooth'' to ``Fairly
 lumpiness of the skin or by grooves or     lumpiness of the skin or by grooves or    smooth'' to be consistent
 furrows. Coarse pebbling is an             furrows. Coarse pebbling is an            with other fruit and
 indication of good keeping quality and     indication of good keeping quality and    vegetable standards.
 is not objectionable.                      is not objectionable.                     Generally speaking, the
                                                                                      modifier ``fairly'' when
                                                                                      used in fruit and
                                                                                      vegetable standards,
                                                                                      denotes a more stringent
                                                                                      or higher requirement than
                                                                                      ``reasonably.''
``Smooth'' means that the skin is of       No change.                                N/A.
 fairly fine grain and that there are no
 more than slight furrows radiating from
 the stem end.
``Contact spot'' means an area on the      No change.                                N/A.
 lemon which bears evidence of having
 been in contact with decay or mold.
``Internal evidence of Alternaria          No change.                                N/A.
 development'' includes red or brown
 staining of the tissue under the button
 in the core, or in the fibro-vascular
 bundles.
``Membranous stain'' is a brown or dark    No change.                                N/A.
 discoloration of the walls of the fruit
 segment.

[[Page 32701]]

 
``Damage'' means any specific defect       No change.                                N/A.
 described in this section; or an equally
 objectionable variation of any one of
 these defects, any other defect, or any
 combination of defects, which materially
 detracts from the appearance, or edible
 or shipping quality of the fruit. The
 following specific defects shall be
 considered damage:
``(a) Dryness or mushy condition when      No change.                                N/A.
 affecting all segments of the fruit more
 than one-fourth inch at the stem end, or
 more than the equivalent of this amount,
 by volume, when occurring in other
 portions of the fruit;
``(b) Scars (including sprayburn and       No change.                                N/A.
 fumigation injury) which exceed the
 following aggregate areas of different
 types of scars, or a combination of two
 or more types of scars the seriousness
 of which exceeds the maximum allowed for
 any one type;
``(1) Scars which are very dark and which  No change.                                N/A.
 have an aggregate area exceeding that of
 a circle one-fourth inch in diameter;
``(2) Scars which are dark, rough or deep  No change.                                N/A.
 and which have an aggregate area
 exceeding that of a circle one-half inch
 in diameter;
``(3) Scars which are fairly light in      No change.                                N/A.
 color, slightly rough, or with slight
 depth and which have an aggregate area
 exceeding that of a circle 1 inch in
 diameter; and,
``(4) Scars which are light in color,      No change.                                N/A.
 fairly smooth, with no depth and which
 have an aggregate area of more than 20
 percent of the fruit surface.
``(c) Oil spots (Oleocellosis or similar   No change.                                N/A.4703
 injuries) which are more than slightly
 depressed, soft, or which have an
 aggregate area exceeding that of a
 circle one-half inch in diameter;
(d) Scale when more than ten medium to     No change.                                N/A.
 large California red or purple scale
 adjacent to button at stem end or
 scattered over fruit or any scale which
 affects the appearance of the fruit to a
 greater extent;
(e) Sunburn which causes appreciable       No change.                                N/A.
 flattening of the fruit, drying of the
 skin, material change in color of the
 skin, appreciable drying of the flesh
 underneath the affected area or affects
 more than 25 percent of the fruit
 surface;
(f) Hollow core which causes the fruit to  No change.                                N/A.
 feel distinctly spongy; and,
(g) Peteca when more than two spots or     No change.                                N/A.
 when having an aggregate area exceeding
 that of a circle one-fourth inch in
 diameter.
                                           Bruising when segment walls are           This defect is currently
                                            collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are   being scored based on the
                                            ruptured.                                 ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
                                           Skin breakdown when exceeding that of a   This defect is currently
                                            circle \1/4\ inch in diameter.            being scored based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
``Fairly well colored'' means that the     No change.                                N/A.
 area of yellow color exceeds the area of
 green color on the fruit.
``Well colored'' means that the fruit is   No change.                                N/A.
 yellow in color with not more than a
 trace of green color. Fruit of a decided
 bronze color shall not be considered
 well colored.
``Fairly firm'' means that the fruit may   No change.                                N/A.
 yield to moderate pressure but is not
 soft.

[[Page 32702]]

 
``Reasonably well formed'' means that the  No change.                                N/A.
 fruit is not decidedly flattened, does
 not have a very long or large neck and
 is not otherwise decidedly misshapen.
``Fairly smooth'' means that the skin is   ``Reasonably smooth'' means that the      We propose to change the
 not badly folded, badly ridged, or very    skin is not badly folded, badly ridged,   definition of ``fairly
 decidedly lumpy.                           or very decidedly lumpy.                  smooth'' to ``reasonably
                                                                                      smooth'' to be consistent
                                                                                      with other standards.
                                                                                      Generally speaking, the
                                                                                      modifier ``fairly,'' when
                                                                                      used in fruit and
                                                                                      vegetable standards,
                                                                                      denotes a more stringent
                                                                                      or higher requirement than
                                                                                      ``reasonably.'' It is
                                                                                      consistent with other
                                                                                      standards to place the
                                                                                      less stringent requirement
                                                                                      in the lower grade.
``Serious damage'' means any specific      No change.                                N/A.
 defect described in this section; or an
 equally objectionable variation of any
 of these defects, any other defect, or
 any combination of defects, which
 seriously detracts from the appearance,
 or the edible or shipping quality of the
 fruit. The following specific defects
 shall be considered as serious damage:
(a) Membranous stain, or other internal    No change.                                N/A.
 discoloration which seriously affects
 the appearance of the cut fruit;
(b) Dryness or mushy condition when        No change.                                N/A.
 affecting all segments of the fruit more
 than one-half inch at the stem end or
 more than the equivalent of the amount,
 by volume, when occurring in other
 portions of the fruit;
(c) Scars (including sprayburn and         No change.                                N/A.
 fumigation injury) which exceed the
 following aggregate area of different
 types of scars, or a combination of two
 or more types of scars the seriousness
 of which exceeds the maximum allowed for
 any one type:
(1) Scars which are very dark and which    No change.                                N/A4703
 have an aggregate area of more than 5
 percent of the fruit surface;
(2) Scars which are dark, rough or deep,   No change.                                N/A.
 and which have an aggregate area of more
 than 10 percent of the fruit surface;
(3) Scars which are fairly light in        No change.                                N/A.
 color, slightly rough or of slight
 depth, and which have an aggregate area
 of more than 25 percent of the fruit
 surface; and,
(4) Scars which are light in color,        No change.                                N/A.
 fairly smooth, with no depth, and which
 have an aggregate area of more than 50
 percent of the fruit surface;
(d) Oil spots (Oleocellosis or similar     No change.                                N/A.
 injuries) which are soft, or which have
 an aggregate area exceeding that of a
 circle 1 inch in diameter;
(e) Scale when California red or purple    No change.                                N/A.
 scale is concentrated as a ring or
 blotch, or more than thinly scattered
 over the fruit surface, or any scale
 which affects the appearance of the
 fruit to a greater extent;
(f) Sunburn which causes decided           No change.                                N/A.
 flattening of the fruit, marked drying
 or dark discoloration of the skin,
 material drying of the flesh underneath
 the affected area, or which affects more
 than one-third of the fruit surface;
(g) Hollow core which causes the fruit to  No change.                                N/A.
 feel excessively spongy;
(h) Peteca when more than five small       No change.                                N/A.
 spots, or when having an aggregate area
 exceeding that of a circle three-fourths
 inch in diameter; and,
(i) Growth cracks that are leaking, gummy  No change.                                N/A.
 or not well healed.

[[Page 32703]]

 
                                           Bruising when fruit has been split open,  This defect is currently
                                            peel is badly watersoaked following       being scored based on the
                                            bruising or albedo is ruptured causing    ``general definition.'' We
                                            a mushy condition affecting all           propose to add specific
                                            segments more than 1/2 inch at the        scoring criteria for
                                            bruised area or the equivalent of this    objective treatment of
                                            amount, by volume, when affecting more    this defect.
                                            than one area on the fruit.
                                           Skin breakdown when exceeding that of a   This defect is currently
                                            circle 5/8 inch in diameter.              being scored based on the
                                                                                      ``general definition.'' We
                                                                                      propose to add specific
                                                                                      scoring criteria for
                                                                                      objective treatment of
                                                                                      this defect.
``Moderately well colored'' means that     No change.                                N/A.
 the area of greenish-yellow or yellow
 color exceeds the area of green color on
 the fruit.
                                           Note: All references in this standard to  In the current standard, it
                                            area, aggregating area, or length are     is unclear whether defects
                                            based on a lemon 2 inches in diameter,    are based on a specific
                                            allowing proportionately greater areas    size fruit, or if greater
                                            on larger fruit and lesser areas on       areas on larger fruit and
                                            smaller fruit.                            lesser areas on smaller
                                                                                      fruit are allowed. We
                                                                                      propose the addition of
                                                                                      this statement to clarify
                                                                                      the issue. This procedure
                                                                                      is in place in most fruit
                                                                                      and vegetable standards.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    Dated: June 8, 1999.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-15290 Filed 6-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P