Frozen apricots are prepared from sound, mature, fresh, peeled or unpeeled fruit of any
commercial variety of apricot which are sorted, washed, and may be trimmed to assure a
clean and wholesome product. The apricots are properly drained of excess water before
filling into containers; may be packed with the addition of nutritive sweetening ingredient(s) (including syrup and/or syrup containing pureed apricots) and/or suitable antioxidant ingredient(s) and/or any other ingredients(s) permissible under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The apricots are prepared and frozen in accordance with good commercial practice; and are maintained at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product.
Grades of Frozen Apricots
- U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of frozen apricots that:
a. Have similar varietal characteristics,
b. Have a normal flavor and odor,
c. Have a good color,
d. Are practically uniform in size and symmetry for the style of halves,
e. Are practically free of defects,
f. Have a good character, and
g. Score not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart: Provided, that frozen apricots may have a reasonably good character, and in the style of halves may be reasonably uniform in size and symmetry, if the total score is not less than 90 points.
- U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice is the quality of frozen apricots that:
a. Have similar varietal characteristics,
b. Have a normal flavor and odor,
c. Have a reasonably good color,
d. Are reasonably uniform in size and symmetry for the style of halves,
e. Are reasonably free of defects,
f. Have a reasonably good character, and
g. Score not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart: Provided, that frozen apricots in the style of halves may be only fairly uniform in size and symmetry if the total score is not less than 80 points.
- U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard is the quality of frozen apricots that:
a. Have similar varietal characteristics,
b. Have a normal flavor and odor,
c. Have a fairly good color,
d. Are fairly uniform in size and symmetry for the style of halves,
e. Are fairly free of defects,
f. Have a fairly good character, and
g. Score not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart: Provided, that frozen apricots in the style of halves may vary in size if the total score is not less than 70 points.
- U.S. Grade D or Substandard is the quality of frozen apricots that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C.
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: