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
- 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.
Inspection Aid
- Area Measurement Guide
- Headspace Gauge
- Inspection Aid 117 Scoring Guide for Canned Apricot (pdf)
See How to Purchase Inspection Aids for more details.
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:
- U.S. Grade Standards for Canned Apricots
- Sampling Manual
- Certification Manual
- 21 CFR 145.115, Federal Food and Drug Definitions and Standards of Identity for Canned Apricots
- Condition of Container Manual
- FDA Food Defect Action Levels
- Foreign Material Manual
- General Procedures Manual
- Safety Manual
- Sanitation Manual
- SC 364-5-1 Score Sheet for Canned Apricots (Except Solid Pack), SC 364-5-2 Score Sheet for Canned Apricots (Solid Pack)
- Technical Procedures Manual
- U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables
- U.S. Standards for Determination by Fill Weights