Grades of Canned Apricots
- U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of halves, slices, and whole canned apricots, that:
- have similar varietal characteristics;
- have a normal flavor and odor;
- have at least a reasonably good color that score not less than17 points;
- Are at least reasonably uniform in size and symmetry for the applicable styles except for limits of off - suture cuts in the style of halves;
- Are practically free from defects;
- Have at least a reasonably good character; and
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Score not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
- U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice is the quality of canned apricots that:
- have similar varietal characteristics;
- have a normal flavor and odor;
- have a least a reasonably good color;
- are at least fairly uniform in size and symmetry for the applicable styles except for the limits of off-suture cuts in the style of halves;
- are at least reasonably free from defects;
- have at least a reasonably good character; and
- for those factors which are scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart the total score is not less than 80 points..
- U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard is the quality of canned apricots of any style that:
- have a similar varietal characteristics;
- have a normal flavor and odor;
- have at least a fairly good color;
- are at least fairly uniform in size and symmetry for the applicable style.
- are at least fairly free from defects;
- have at least a fairly good character; and
- for those factors which are scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart the total score is not less than 70 points.
- Substandard is the quality of canned apricots that fail to meet the requirements of U. S. Grade C.
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:
- U.S. Grade Standards for Canned Apricots
- Inspection Aid 117 Scoring Guide for Canned Apricot (pdf)
- Sampling Manual
- U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables
- U.S. Standards for Determination by Fill Weights
- FDA Food Defect Action Levels