Dehydrated Prunes Grades and Standards

Dehydrated, low-moisture prunes, hereinafter referred to as "low-moisture prunes", are prepared from clean and sound fresh prune-plums or clean and sound previously dried prunes; are pitted and otherwise prepared into various sizes and shapes; are prepared to assure a clean, sound, wholesome product; are processed by dehydration whereby practically all of the moisture is removed to produce a very dry texture; and are packaged (including kind of container and proper closure) to assure retention of the low-moisture characteristics of the product.

Grades of Dehydrated Prunes

  1. U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy low-moisture prunes is the quality of low-moisture prunes that possess a normal flavor and odor, that possess a good color, that are reasonably uniform in size and count for the applicable style, that are practically free from defects, that possess a good texture and that for those factors which are scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart the total score is not less than 85 points: Provided, That the low-moisture prunes may possess a reasonably good texture, if the total score is not less than 85 points.

  2. U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice low-moisture prunes is the quality of low-moisture prunes that possess a normal flavor and odor, that possess a reasonably good color, that are fairly uniform in size and count for the applicable style, that are reasonably free from defects, that possess a reasonably good texture; and that 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.

  3. Substandard low-moisture prunes is the quality of low-moisture prunes that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B.

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: