Dried prunes are prepared from sound, properly matured prune plums from which the greater portion of moisture is removed by drying. The dried prunes are cleaned to assure a wholesome product; they may be treated with water or steam; and a safe and suitable preservative may be added.

(a) Type I. French; or Robe; or a mixture of French and Robe.

(b) Type II. Italian.

(c) Type III. Imperial; or Sugar; or a mixture of Imperial and Sugar.

(d) Type IV. Any other types; or mixtures of any types other than mixtures in Type I and Type III of this section.

(a) Whole Unpitted—from which pits have not been removed.

(b) Whole Pitted—from which pits have been removed.

(a) Count-sizes. Except for U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy, the count-sizes of dried prunes are not incorporated in the grades of dried prunes. The count-sizes of dried prunes in this subpart refer to the count (or number) of prunes per pound of dried prunes. The various sizes of dried prunes for the respective varietal types are commonly designated as follows, but may be designated by other numerical expressions:

(1) Type I; Type IV. 30/40, 40/50, 50/60, 60/70, 70/80, 80/90, 90/100, 100/120, 120 and over.

(2) Type II. 25/35, 35/45, 30/40, 40/50, 50/60, 60/70, 70/80, 80/90, 90/100.

(3) Type III. 15/20, 18/24, 20/30, 30/40, 40/50, 50/60, 60/70.

(b) Recommended size nomenclature. The following size nomenclature is recommended for the respective “countsizes” of dried prunes:

(a) “U.S. Grade A” or “U.S. Fancy” is the quality of dried prunes that, except for mixed types, possess similar varietal characteristics; that are fairly uniform in size and average 85 prunes or less per pound; that meet the applicable moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but regardless of size and kind of packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture; and that do not exceed the total allowances and limitations for defects shown in Table I of this subpart.

(b) “U.S. Grade B” or “U.S. Choice” is the quality of dried prunes that, except for mixed types, possess similar varietal characteristics; that are fairly uniform in size; that meet the applicable moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but regardless of size and kind of packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture; and that do not exceed the total allowances and limitations for defects shown in Table II of this subpart.

(c) “U.S. Grade C” or “U.S. Standard” is the quality of dried prunes that, except for mixed types, possess similar varietal characteristics; that are fairly uniform in size; that meet the applicable moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but regardless of size and kind of packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture; and that do not exceed the total allowances and limitations for defects shown in Table III of this subpart

(d) “Substandard” is the quality of dried prunes that meet the applicable moisture limits in Table IV of this subpart but regardless of size and kind of packaging are reasonably uniform in moisture; and that may fail to meet other requirements for U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard, but not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the dried prunes may be affected by mold, dirt, foreign material, insect infestation, or decay: Provided, That not more than 1 percent, by weight, of the dried prunes may be affected by decay.

Dried prunes shall not exceed the moisture limits for the applicable grades and kind and size of packaging as designated in Table IV of this subpart except there is no moisture limit when safe and suitable preservatives have been added. “Moisture” means the percentage by weight of the finished dried prunes, exclusive of pits, that is moisture when determined by the Dried Fruit Moisture Tester Method or in accordance with methods that give equivalent results. The moisture limits in Table IV apply only to so-called “bulk packs” of dried prunes packaged in non-hermetically sealed containers holding 10 pounds or more of dried prunes when safe and suitable preservatives have not been added. Such containers include, but are not limited to, wood boxes or fiber boxes.

(a) Fairly uniform in size. “Fairly uniform in size” means that in a sample of 100 ounces:

(1) For prunes that average 53 prunes or less per pound, the count per pound of 10 ounces of the smallest prunes does not vary from the count per pound of 10 ounces of the largest prunes by more than 25 points; or

(2) For prunes that average 54 prunes or more per pound, the count per pound of 10 ounces of the smallest prunes does not vary from the count per pound of 10 ounces of the largest prunes by more than 45 points.

Dried prunes damaged or affected by the following are scorable as defects:

(a) Off-color. “Off-color” means a skin color different from characteristic black, blue-black, reddish-purple, or other characteristic skin color for the type.

(b) Poor texture. “Poor texture” means porous, woody, or fibrous flesh or immature prunes or prunes possessing flesh interspersed with excessive air pockets in which the texture of the flesh is noticeably different from the flesh of mature prunes which have been properly dried, handled, and processed. “Excessive air pockets” means that the prunes are affected by air pockets to the extent that the appearance and eating quality is seriously affected.

(c) End cracks. “End cracks” means callous apex-end cracks which, singly or in the aggregate on a prune, are more than 3/8 inch in length but not more than 1/2 inch in length.

(d) Skin or flesh damage. “Skin or flesh damage” in the case of “Whole Unpitted” style means:

(1) Callous growth cracks (other than callous apex-end cracks) which, singly or in the aggregate on a prune, exceed 3/8 inch in length; and callous apex-end cracks which, singly or in the aggregate on a prune, exceed 1/2 inch in length.

(2) Splits or skin breaks not having callous edges when the flesh is mashed out beyond the protecting skin so as to affect materially the normal appearance of the prune;

(3) Any cracks, splits, or skin breaks open to the pit;

(4) Any skin damage from multiple short skin breaks giving a very “rough” appearance to the prune such as may result from over-dipping, rain damage, processing, or other causes which in Type I dried prunes affect materially the appearance or edibility of the prune, or which in other types or other mixtures affect markedly the appearance or edibility of the prune.

(e) Fermentation. “Fermentation” means that the prune is fermented as evidenced by a distinct sour taste or odor or by darkening in color characteristic of fermentation or souring.

(f) Scars. “Scars” mean:

(1) Tough or thick scab which, singly or in combination on a prune, exceeds the area of a circle 3/8 inch in diameter such as may result from thrip injury, mildew, leaf chafing, limb rubs, or other means; or

(2) Scab which is not tough or thick and which, singly or in combination on a prune, exceeds the area of a circle 3/4 inch in diameter and which is inconsequential but unsightly though practically blending in color with the skin on the portion of the prune not affected.

(g) Heat damage. “Heat damage” means burning or scorching from the sun or in dehydration so as to damage materially the skin or flesh, or both, of the prune.

(h) Insect injury. “Insect injury” means healed or unhealed surface blemishes and healed or unhealed blemishes extending into the flesh which affect materially the appearance, edibility, or keeping quality of the prune but which do not possess evidence of insect infestation.

(i) Other means. “Other means” includes damage by any injury or defect or group of defects not specifically mentioned in this section which materially affects the appearance, edibility, or keeping quality of the fruit, but “other means” does not include defects of a nature such as defined in paragraph (j), (k), (l), (m), or (n) of this section.

(j) Mold. “Mold” means a characteristic fungus growth as evidenced by a moldy or smutty condition and which, singly or in the aggregate on a prune, is equal to or exceeds the area of a circle 3/16 inch in diameter.

(k) Dirt. “Dirt” means the presence of any quantity of such substance, whether imbedded or adhering to the prune, which gives the prune a dirty, smudgy appearance and which may not be removed readily by washing.

(l) Foreign material. “Foreign material” means leaves, twigs, pieces of wood, and similar extraneous materials which are objectionable.

(m) Insect infestation. “Insect infestation” means the presence of dead insects, insect fragments, or insect remains. (No live insects are permitted).

(n) Decay. “Decay” means a state of decomposition, wholly or in part, of the prune.