Grades of Apple Butter
1. U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of apple butter that possesses a good color; that possesses a good consistency; that possesses a good finish; that is practically free from defects; that possesses a good flavor, and that scores not less than 85 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
2. U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard is the quality of apple butter that possesses a fairly good color; that possesses a fairly good consistency; that possesses a fairly good finish; that is fairly free from defects; that possesses a fairly good flavor, and that scores not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
3. Substandard is the quality of apple butter that fails to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard.
Color Standards
- Color Standard for Canned Apple Butter is available for purchase. See How to Purchase Color Standards for more details.
Inspection Aid
- Inspection Aid 104 - USDA Defect Grading Plate for Tomato Catsup and Apple Butter is available for purchase. See How to Purchase Inspection Aids for more details.
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:
- U.S. Grade Standards for Apple Butter (pdf)
- Inspection Instructions for Apple Butter (pdf)
- Foreign Material Manual (pdf)
- Instructions for Use and Care of the Visual Color Standards for Canned Apple Butter found in the Equipment Catalog for Fresh and Processed Inspections (pdf)
- FDA Food Defect Action Levels
- A-457 Determining Compliance with Requirements for Soluble Solids Content, April 1975
- 21 CFR 150.110, Federal Food and Drug Definitions and Standards of Identity for Fruit Butters
- FV 364-2 Score Sheet for Apple Butter