Asparagus Defects
Do not pack asparagus with the following defects:
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Asparagus that is wilted, crushed or badly broken;
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Asparagus that is badly spreading, or with badly seeding tips;
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Asparagus that is decayed;
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Asparagus that is damaged by dirt, disease, insects, or mechanical injury.
Asparagus Size
Designations Asparagus, which is classified according to the following size designations, shall be graded to comply with the following individual stalk size designations:
A) Colossal size means stalks that are not less than 16/16 of an inch in diameter.
B) Jumbo size means stalks that are not less than 13/16 of an inch in diameter.
C) Extra Large size means stalks that are not less than 10/16 of an inch in diameter.
D) Large size means stalks that are not less than 7/16 of an inch in diameter.
E) Standard size means stalks that are not less than 5/16 of an inch in diameter
F) Small size means stalks that are not less than 3/16 of an inch in diameter.
"Diameter" measurements shall mean the widest portion of the cross section measured at the largest point of the stalk.
The size designation requirements, as herein established, shall apply to all stalks of asparagus in each container. However, in the case of the Colossal, Jumbo, Extra Large, Large, Standard, and Small sizes, 10% by count of the stalks in any container may be smaller than the size designation specified.
Color Requirements
Not more than 1 ½ inches of white may show, beginning at the cut end. No more than 20% in any container may have more than 1 ½ inches of white providing not more than 5% of this amount exceeds 3 inches of white by length (based on a 9" spear measured from tip). Containers of asparagus marked with the word "white" may not have more than 5% of the stalks with more than 1 ½ inches of color other than white. Containers marked "long green" and "tall green" or similar descriptive terms would indicate 80% of the stalks could have no more than one inch of white. Containers marked "all green" would indicate that 80% of the stalks should have no white showing.
Marking Requirements
Each container shall be marked with the following on the principal display panel (Principal display panel would mean one end of each container):
A) Name and Address, including zip code;
B) Product identity statement;
C) Quantity statement net weight;
D) Proper size (the word "size" must accompany the size designation);
E) Color-designation shall be on principal display panel.
Asparagus, which is badly crooked and marked with a designation "crooked", need not bear any bunch or size designation terms.
Deceptive Pack
Growers and packers are warned to guard against deceptive packing on asparagus. A properly packed crate of asparagus has all the various sizes and quality represented in the face or outside layer. Do not face the pack with larger stalks of asparagus than there are in the interior of the pack. Remember the exposed layer of asparagus or facing should always be a true representation of the unexposed asparagus in every respect. |
