Grades of Frozen Red Tart Pitted Cherries
- U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of frozen red tart pitted cherries of which not more than five (5) cherries per sample unit may be less than 9/16 inch (14 mm) in diameter, and that:
a. possess a good red color;
b. are practically free from pits;
c. are practically free from defects;
d. have a good character;
e. possess a normal flavor; and
f. scores 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 frozen red tart pitted cherries of which not more than ten (10) cherries per sample unit may be less than 9/16 inch (14 mm) in diameter, and that:
a. possess a reasonably good red color;
b. are reasonably free from pits;
c. are reasonably free from defects;
d. have a reasonably good character;
e. possess a normal flavor; and
f. scores not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
- U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard is the quality of frozen red tart pitted cherries that:
a. possess a fairly good red color;
b. are fairly free from pits;
c. are fairly free from defects;
d. have a fairly good character;
e. possess a normal flavor; and
f. scores not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
- Substandard is the quality of frozen red tart pitted cherries that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C.
Color Standards
To purchase the color standards for Red Tart Pitted Cherries, see How to Purchase Visual Aids for more details.
Inspection Aid
To purchase Inspection Aid 106 – Universal Sizer, see How to Purchase Visual Aids for more details.
- IA #30A Area Measurement Guide, 8 x 10 in English Units
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:
- U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Red Tart Pitted Cherries (pdf)
- Inspection Instructions for Frozen Red Tart Pitted Cherries (pdf)
- Inspection Aid 58 Guide for Scoring Pits Canned RTP Cherries (pdf)
- Certification Manual
- Condition of Container Manual
- FDA Food Defect Action Levels
- Foreign Material Manual (pdf)
- General Procedures Manual
- Safety Manual
- Sampling Manual
- Sanitation Manual
- SC-364-95 Score Sheet for Frozen Red Tart Pitted Cherries
- Technical Procedures Manual