The size designations and measurement requirements for the respective sizes are:

(a) Select size raisins means that no more than 60 percent, by weight, of all the raisins will pass through round perforations 22/64-inch in diameter, but not more than 10 percent, by weight, of all the raisins may pass through round perforations 20/64-inch in diameter.

(b) Small size raisins means that 95 percent, by weight, of all the raisins will pass through round perforations 24/64-inch in diameter, and not less than 70 percent, by weight, of all raisins will pass through round perforations 22/64-inch in diameter.

(c) Mixed size raisins means a mixture that does not meet either the requirements for “select” size or for “small” size.

(a) “U.S. Grade A” is the quality of seedless raisins that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a good typical color; that have a good characteristic flavor; that show development characteristics of raisins prepared from well-matured grapes with not less than 80 percent, by weight, of raisins that are well-matured or reasonably well-matured; that contain not more than 18 percent, by weight, of moisture for all varieties of seedless raisins except the Monukka variety, which may contain not more than 19 percent, by weight, of moisture; and that meet the additional requirements outlined in table 1 to this section.

(b) “U.S. Grade B” is the quality of seedless raisins that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a reasonably good typical color; that have a good characteristic flavor; that show development characteristics of raisins prepared from reasonably well-matured grapes with not less than 70 percent, by weight, of raisins that are well-matured or reasonably well-matured; that contain not more than 18 percent, by weight, of moisture for all varieties of seedless raisins except the Monukka variety, which may contain not more than 19 percent, by weight, of moisture; and that meet the additional requirements outlined in table 1 to this section.

(c) “U.S. Grade C” is the quality of seedless raisins that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a fairly good typical color; that have a fairly good flavor; that show development characteristics of raisins prepared from fairly well-matured grapes with not less than 55 percent, by weight, of raisins that are well-matured or reasonably well-matured; that contain not more than 18 percent, by weight, of moisture for all varieties of seedless raisins except the Monukka variety, which may contain not more than 19 percent, by weight, of moisture; and that meet the additional requirements outlined in table 1 to this section.

(d) “Substandard” is the quality of seedless raisins that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. grade C.

Processed Raisins are dried grapes of the Vinifera varieties, such as Thompson Seedless (Sultanina), Muscat of Alexandria, Muscatel Gordo Blanco, Sultana, Black Corinth or White Corinth. The processed raisins are prepared from clean, sound, dried grapes; are properly stemmed and capstemmed except for cluster or uncapstemmed raisins; are properly seeded in seeded styles; are sorted or cleaned, or both; and except for cluster or uncapstemmed raisins, are washed in water to assure a wholesome product.

Raisins with Seeds that are referred to as Layer or Cluster raisins means that the raisins have not been detached from the main bunch.

(a) Type I—Seedless Raisins.

(1) Natural.

(2) Dipped, Vine-dried, or similarly processed raisins.

(b) Type II—Golden Seedless Raisins.

(c) Type III—Raisins with Seeds.

(1) Natural.

(i) Seeded (seeds removed).

(ii) Unseeded-capstemmed (loose).

(iii) Unseeded-uncapstemmed (loose).

(iv) Layer (or Cluster).

(2) Dipped, Vine-dried, or other similarly processed raisins.

(i) Seeded (seeds removed).

(ii) Unseeded-capstemmed (loose).

(iii) Unseeded-uncapstemmed (loose).

(d) Type IV—Sultana Raisins.

(e) Type V—Zante Currant Raisins.

(1) Unseeded.

(2) Seeded.

(f) Type VI—Mixed Types or Varieties of Raisins. A mixture of two or more different types (varieties) of raisins including sub-types outlined in this section but other than: (1) Mixtures containing Layer or Cluster Raisins with seeds; (2) Mixtures containing Unseeded-capstemmed and Unseeded-uncapstemmed Raisins with Seeds; and (3) mixture of Seeded and Unseeded Raisins with Seeds.

(a) Capstems means small woody stems exceeding 1/8-inch in length which attach the raisins to the branches of the bunch.

(b) A piece of stem means a portion of the branch or main stem.

(c) Seeds refers to whole, fully developed seeds which have not been removed during the processing of seeded raisins with seeds.

(d) Damaged raisins means raisins affected by sunburn, scars, insect injury, mechanical injury, or other similar means which seriously affect the appearance, edibility, keeping quality, or shipping quality of the raisins. In seeded Raisins with Seeds, mechanical injury resulting from normal seeding operations is not considered damage.

(e) Sugared means either external or internal sugar crystals are present and the accumulation of such crystallized fruit sugars in the flesh or on the surface of the raisins is readily apparent.

(f) Grit, sand, or silt means any particle or earthy material.

(g) Moisture means the percentage by weight of the processed raisins, exclusive of branch and heavy stem material, that is moisture when determined by the “Dried Fruit Moisture Tester Method” or in accordance with other methods that give equivalent results.

(h) Slightly discolored means a raisin affected by a brown to dark brown discolored area around the capstem end of the raisin that is less than the area of a circle 1/8-inch in diameter.

(i) Discolored means a raisin affected by a brown to dark brown discolored area around the capstem end of the raisin that equals or exceeds the area of a circle 1/8-inch in diameter; Provided, That the overall appearance, keeping quality, and edibility of the product are not seriously affected.

(j) Well-matured means raisins that are full-fleshed, may have fine wrinkles and are rounded in appearance.

(k) Reasonably well-matured means raisins that are reasonably full-fleshed and may have shallow wrinkles with thick edged ridges.

(l) Fairly well-matured means raisins that are thin-fleshed and angular in appearance.

(m) Substandard development means raisins that are practically lacking in flesh.

(n) Undeveloped refers to extremely light berries that are lacking in sugary tissue indicating incomplete development; are reddish in color; are completely shriveled; have fine wrinkles on smaller units and moderately deep wrinkles on slightly larger units; and are commonly referred to as “worthless.”

The color of Golden Seedless Raisins is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades. The color requirements applicable to the respective color designations are as follows:

(a) “Well colored” means that the raisins are practically uniform in color and may range from yellow or golden to light amber color with a predominating yellow or golden color and that not more than 1/2 of 1 percent, by weight, of all the raisins may be definitely dark berries.

(b) “Reasonably well colored” means that the raisins are reasonably uniform in color and may range from yellow or golden or greenish yellow to light amber wherein the predominating color may be greenish yellow or light amber and that not more than 3 percent, by weight, of all the raisins may be definitely dark berries.

(c) “Fairly well colored” means that the raisins are fairly uniform in color and may range from yellow or greenish yellow to amber or light greenish amber and that not more than 6 percent, by weight, of all the raisins may be definitely dark berries.

(d) “Colored” means that the raisins may be variable in color and may range from yellowish green to dark amber or dark greenish amber; that not more than 20 percent, by weight, of all the raisins may be definitely dark berries.

(e) “Definitely dark berries” means raisins which are definitely darker than dark amber and characteristic of naturally “raisined” grapes.

The size designations and measurement requirements for the respective sizes of Golden Seedless Raisins are the same as for Seedless Raisins (See § 52.1845).

Except for color, the grades of Golden Seedless Raisins are the same as for Seedless Raisins (See § 52.1846 and table 1 to § 52.1846).

The sizes of Raisins with Seeds—except for Layer or Cluster Raisins with Seeds, are not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since size, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purposes of these grades. The common size designations and measurement requirements applicable thereto include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Seeded. (1) Select size raisins means that not more than 70 percent, by weight, of the raisins will pass through round perforations 34/64-inch in diameter; and not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the raisins will pass through round perforations 22/64-inch in diameter.

(2) Small size raisins means that all of the raisins will pass through round perforations 34/64-inch in diameter and not less than 90 percent, by weight, of all the raisins will pass through round perforations 22/64-inch in diameter.

(3) Mixed size raisins means a mixture does not meet either the requirements for “select” size or for “small” size.

(b) Unseeded. (1) 4 Crown means raisins that will not pass through round perforations 42/64-inch in diameter.

(2) 3 Crown means raisins that will pass through round perforations 42/64-inch in diameter but will not pass through round perforations 34/64-inch in diameter.

(3) 2 Crown means raisins that will pass through round perforations 34/64-inch in diameter but will not pass through round perforations 24/64-inch in diameter.

(4) 1 Crown means raisins that will pass through round perforations 24/64-inch in diameter.

The size of Layer or Cluster Raisins with Seeds is incorporated in the grades of the finished product. The size designation and measurement as applicable to layer or cluster raisins with seeds are:

(a) 3 Crown size or larger. “3 Crown size or larger” in Layer or Cluster Raisins with Seeds means that the raisins, exclusive of stems and branches, are such a size that they will not pass through round perforations 34/64-inch in diameter.

(a) “U.S. Grade A” is the quality of Raisins with Seeds that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a good typical color with not more than 10 percent, by weight, that may be dark reddish-brown berries; that have a good characteristic flavor; that show development characteristics of raisins prepared from well-matured grapes; with not less than 80 percent, by weight, of raisins that are well-matured or reasonably well-matured; that contain not more than 18 percent, by weight, of moisture, except that any seeded raisins may contain not more than 19 percent, by weight, of moisture; and meet the additional requirements as outlined in table 1 to this section.

(b) “U.S. Grade B” is the quality of Raisins with Seeds that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a reasonably good typical color with not more than 15 percent, by weight, that may be dark reddish-brown berries; that have a good characteristic flavor; that show development characteristics of raisins prepared from reasonably well-matured grapes; with not less than 70 percent, by weight, of raisins that are well-matured or reasonably well matured; that contain not more than 18 percent, by weight, of moisture, except that any seeded raisins may contain not more than 19 percent, by weight, of moisture; and meet the additional requirements as outlined in table 1 to this section.

(c) “U.S. Grade C” is the quality of Raisins with Seeds that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a fairly good typical color with not more than 20 percent, by weight, that may be dark reddish-brown berries; that have a fairly good flavor; that show development characteristics of raisins prepared from fairly well-matured grapes; that contain not more than 18 percent, by weight, of moisture, except that any seeded raisins may contain not more than 19 percent, by weight, of moisture; and meet the additional requirements as outlined in table 1 to this section.

(d) “Substandard” is the quality of Raisins with Seeds that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C.

(a) “U.S. Grade A” is the quality of Layer or Cluster Raisins with Seeds that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a good typical color; that have a good characteristic flavor; that are uniformly cured and show development characteristics of raisins prepared from well-matured grapes; that contain not more than 23 percent, by weight, of moisture; that not less than 30 percent, by weight, of the raisins, exclusive of stems and branches, are 3-Crown size or larger; and that meet the following additional requirements as outlined in table 1 to this section.

(b) “U.S. Grade B” is the quality of Layer or Cluster Raisins with Seeds that have similar varietal characteristics that have a reasonably good typical color; that have a good characteristic flavor; that are uniformly cured and show development characteristics of raisins prepared from reasonably well-matured grapes; that contain not more than 23 percent, by weight, of the moisture, that not less than 30 percent, by weight, of the raisins exclusive of stems and branches, are 3-Crown size or larger; and that meet the additional requirements outlined in table 1 to this section.

(c) “Substandard” is the quality of Layer or Cluster Raisins with Seeds that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B.

Size designations are not applicable to Sultana Raisins.

(a) “U.S. Grade A” is the quality of Sultana Raisins that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a good typical color; that have a good characteristic flavor; that show development characteristics of raisins prepared from well-matured grapes; with not less than 80 percent, by weight, of raisins that are well-matured or reasonably well-matured; and that contain not more than 18 percent, by weight, of moisture, and that meet the additional requirements outlined in table 1 to this section.

(b) “U.S. Grade B” is the quality of Sultana Raisins that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a reasonably good typical color; that have a good characteristic flavor; that show development characteristics of raisins prepared from reasonably well-matured grapes; with not less than 70 percent, by weight, of raisins that are well-matured or reasonably well-matured; and that contain not more than 18 percent, by weight, of moisture, and that meet the additional requirements as outlined in table 1 to this section.

(c) “U.S. Grade C” is the quality of Sultana Raisins that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a fairly good typical color; that have a fairly good flavor; that show development characteristics of raisins prepared from fairly well-matured grapes; that contain not more than 18 percent, by weight, of moisture; and that meet the additional requirements as outlined in table 1 to this section.

(d) “Substandard” is the quality of Sultana Raisins that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C.

Size designations are not applicable to Zante Currant Raisins.

(a) “U.S. Grade A” is the quality of Zante Currant Raisins that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a good typical color; that have a good characteristic flavor; that show development characteristics of raisins prepared from well-matured grapes; that have not less than 75 percent, by weight, of raisins that are well-matured or reasonably well matured; that contain not more than 20 percent, by weight, of moisture; and meet the additional requirements as outlined in table 1 to this section.

(b) “U.S. Grade B” is the quality of Zante Currant Raisins that have similar varietal characteristics; that have a reasonably good typical color; that have a good characteristic flavor; that have development characteristics of raisins prepared from reasonably well-matured and/or fairly well matured grapes; that contain not more than 20 percent, by weight, of moisture; and meet the additional requirements as outlined in table 1 to this section.

(c) “Substandard” is the quality of Zante Currant Raisins that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B.

The grade of a lot of mixed types of processed raisins shall be the lower (or lowest) grade of any varietal type in the mixture based on the respective requirements for each type, except for moisture, in accordance with this subpart. Mixed types of processed raisins of U.S. Grade A, U.S. Grade B, or U.S. Grade C may contain not more than 18 percent, by weight, of moisture. Mixed types of processed raisins that as a mixture exceed 18 percent, by weight, of moisture are “Substandard.”