Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions and Onions (Other Than Bermuda- Granex-Grano and Creole Type); Grade Standards

Federal RegisterSep 8, 1995

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SUMMARY: This final rule revises the United States Standards for Grades

of Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions and United States Standards for

Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Type). The

revision sets a minimum sample size for consumer size packages,

provides a ``Colossal'' size classification and eliminates Export size

classifications. It also includes other technical revisions to update

the standards in accord with current handling and marketing practices.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 10, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank O'Sullivan, Fresh Products

Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Division, Agricultural Marketing Service,

U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96456, Room 2049 South

Building, Washington, DC 20090-6456, (202) 720-2185.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is

issuing this rule in conformance with Executive Order 12866.

Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Regulatory

Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et. seq.), the Administrator of the

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has determined that this action

will not have a significant economic impact on substantial number of

small entities. This final rule for the revision of U.S. Standards for

Grades of Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions and U.S. Standards for

Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Type) will

not impose substantial direct economic cost, recordkeeping, or

personnel workload changes on small entities, and will not alter the

market share or competitive position of these entities relative to

large businesses. In addition, under the Agricultural Marketing Act of

1946, the use of these standards is voluntary.

This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778,

Civil Justice Reform. This action is not intended to have retroactive

effect. This rule will not preempt any State or local laws,

regulations, or policies, unless they present an irreconcilable

conflict with this rule. There are no administrative procedures which

must be exhausted prior to any judicial challenge to the provisions of

this rule.

Agencies periodically review existing regulations. An objective of

the review is to ensure that the grade standards are serving their

intended purpose, the language is clear, and the standards are

consistent with AMS policy and authority.

The United States Standards for Grades of Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type

Onions was last revised February 20, 1985, and the United States

Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and

Creole Types) was last revised October 1, 1971. In general, the

Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type (BGG) standard is applied to southern grown

onions that have thin papery outer scales, are harvested in the spring

and summer and are not typically kept in storage. The Other Than

Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Types (Other Than) standard is

generally applied to northern grown onions that have thick outer papery

scales, are harvested in the fall and are more commonly stored. The

major distinction between the two standards for grades of these onions

is the lot tolerances; 10 percent for BGG and 5 percent for Other Than.

Although separated by type and tolerances, many similarities exist in

the grading of these onions. The different types of onions are affected

by most of the same defects. The procedures for sampling and performing

grading activities are essentially the same regardless of which

standard is being applied. The standards were established and have been

revised separately over the years to reflect the needs of their

respective industries.

A broad spectrum of growers and shippers of onions who utilize both

standards, represented by The National Onion Association (NOA),

requested that the minimum sample size for consumer size packages be

designated at 20 pounds in each standard. While considering the NOA's

request the Agency, through a periodic review, decided to take the

opportunity to bring the standards into closer uniformity with each

other and conformity to current harvesting, handling and marketing

practices by proposing additional revisions including a grade for

peeled onions, an additional size designation for colossal onions and

technical revisions to promote uniformity and clarity wherever

possible.

The proposed rule, United States Standards for Grades of Bermuda-

Granex Grano Type Onions and United States Standards for Grades of

Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Type), was published

in the Federal Register on February 16, 1995, (60, FR 8973-8981). The

60 day comment period ended April 17, 1995, and a total of eleven

comments were received from six individual growers/packers/shippers,

four associations and committees and one from an individual consumer.

Three of these comments, which included two growers/packers/

shippers and the NOA, were in full support of the proposal. One

commentor expressed that, ``Since we market onions of both types, we

feel the changes to (the) standard are needed and will make the

inspection and marketing of onions much easier.'' The NOA agreed with

the agency's effort to modernize and update the standards because it

would encourage improved marketing practices and business conditions

for U.S. onion producers, shippers, and handlers. Another comment

simply stated agreement with the proposed rule.

Three comments were received which were in general support of the

proposed changes but which expressed some disagreement on one or two of

the specific revisions.

A grower/packer/shipper suggested that the medium size designation

be changed from 2 inch minimum to 2\1/4\ inch minimum and be called

large/medium or medium/large. In regards to the new colossal size

designation this commentor also stated that ``colossal in the trade is

generally 4'' and larger not 3\3/4\.'' Size designations in the

standards are not requirements of the grades but provide reasonable

guidelines that may be specified in connection with the grades. These

guidelines provide the basis for a common trading language. However,

industry members may specify any size qualifications they agree to in

their contracts. AMS believes that the consolidation of the separate

size classifications from each standard into one has achieved the

intended purpose of uniformity and clarity. The colossal size

designation provides specifications (3\3/4\ inches minimum) that would

allow for a lot of onions that are packed to 4 inches minimum yet still

maintains a reasonable distinction from the next smaller size

designation. Therefore, AMS has decided to leave the sizes as

designated in the proposal.

Two produce organization groups sent in identical comments in

regards to the proposed U.S. No. 1 Peeled grade. They suggested the

grade be substantially rewritten as a ``U.S. Peeled grade'' and

[[Page 46977]]

specified basic requirements, free from defects, free from serious

damage defects and other requirements. The comments suggested a grade

for peeled onions that was substantially different than the one

proposed. Having considered these comments and other comments that give

general agreement to the proposal as written or make no specific

comment to this issue, AMS has decided to not include the proposed U.S.

No. 1 Peeled grade in this standard change. AMS believes further

investigation of the need for a peeled onion grade and what

requirements would best serve the industry should be undertaken based

on these comments.

Two comments were received that addressed specific points they

wished to see changed from the proposal.

One grower/packer/shipper commented that ``we would like to see the

tolerance for decay increased to 4% and total defects allowed to 7% for

the other than Bermuda-Grano-Granex type onions. This would save

millions of dollars in food claims each year that would go to the

farmers and not adversely affect the ultimate return to the receiver

with consumer prices eventually falling.'' The tolerances in the

``Other Than'' standard have been in place since the inception of the

standard in 1920. Changes to the tolerances were not included in the

proposed rule because there was no request to do so and AMS saw no need

to change that which has been working successfully for the life of this

standard. Accordingly, AMS will not be changing any tolerance

percentages in this final rule.

A grower/packer/shipper of pearl and boiler onions had some

comments in regards to the proposed 20 pound minimum sample size for

consumer size packages. In the proposal, Samples for grade and size

determination (sections 51.3201 in ``BGG'' and 51.2839 in ``Other

Than'') states in part ``When individual packages contain less than 20

pounds, a sufficient number of adjoining packages are opened to provide

at least a twenty pound sample.'' This commentor pointed out that for

the very small pearl or boiler onions which are packed in packages from

10 to 16 ounces this minimum sample size would impose severe hardship.

The commentor points out that ``the proposed minimum sampling

requirement of twenty pounds will necessitate the opening and

examination of 32 packages of pearl onions and 20 packages of boiler

onions per sample * * * Therefore, for a full semi-trailer load of

these consumer size packages, a minimum of 256 packages (approximately

9,600 bulbs) of pearls and a minimum of 160 packages (approximately

3,025 bulbs) of boilers would need to be examined under this proposed

sampling requirement. We believe this is an excessively large number of

bulbs, and the cost of inspection would be prohibitive.'' AMS believes

that this comment has merit. There would be an unnecessary burden to

both industry and the inspection service to sample and inspect as many

packages as needed for these smaller size onions under the proposed

sampling guidelines. Therefore, AMS has decided to provide an exemption

from the 20 pound sample size for onions packed to meet 2\1/4\ inch and

smaller maximum size. For these onions the samples may consist of

either 20 pounds or the individual package. Samples for grade and size

determination will now read: ``Individual samples shall consist of at

least 20 pounds for onions packed to meet larger than 2\1/4\ inches

maximum diameter. When individual packages contain 20 pounds or more

and the onions are packed for Large or Jumbo size or larger the package

shall be the sample. When individual packages contain less than 20

pounds, a sufficient number of adjoining packages are opened to provide

at least a 20 pound sample, except that for onions packed to meet 2\1/

4\ inches maximum diameter or smaller, the sample may consist of either

20 pounds or the individual package.''

One comment received from a major receiver's association was

opposed to the proposal in general. They recommend that AMS retain the

existing standards unchanged citing that ``Increasing the tolerance of

any grade and/or condition factors as well as increasing the defect

percentage of any specific grade and/or condition factors or a

combination thereof will result in a reduction of the existing quality

standards.'' However, no tolerance changes are included in this

standard revision. Further, the revisions to these onion standards are

strictly for clarification, uniformity and conformity to current

harvesting, handling, and marketing practices. Accordingly, no changes

to the proposed standards are being made based on this comment.

Two comments received did not address the provisions of the

proposal. One was from an individual consumer and the other was from a

grower/packer/shipper.

A copy of the proposed rule was provided to the Agricultural

Research Service (ARS) for help in identifying studies, data collection

or other information relevant to the possible effect of the proposed

revision on pesticide use. ARS reported that they were unable to find

much information on the subject. The information that was found by ARS

proved not to be relevant.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) develops and improves

standards of quality, condition, grade, and packaging to enhance the

marketing of agricultural commodities by fostering consistency in

commercial practices. The Agency has determined this final rule will

enhance the marketing of onions. The provisions of this final rule are

the same as those in the proposed rule except for the changes noted

above in response to the comments received, and several minor editorial

changes made for clarity.

Accordingly, this revision shall become effective 30 days after

publication in the Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 51

Agricultural commodities, Food grades and standards, Fruits, Nuts,

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vegetables.

PART 51--[AMENDED]

For reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR Part 51 is amended as

follows:

1. The authority citation for 7 CFR Part 51 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624.

2. In Part 51, Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of

Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Types) is revised to

read as follows:

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than

Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Types)

Grades

Sec.

51.2830 U.S. No. 1.

51.2831 U.S. Export No. 1.

51.2832 U.S. Commercial.

51.2833 U.S. No. 1 Boilers.

51.2834 U.S. No. 1 Picklers.

51.2835 U.S. No. 2.

Size Classifications

51.2836 Size classifications.

Tolerances

51.2837 Tolerances.

Samples for Grade and Size Determination

51.2838 Samples for grade and size determination.

Application of Tolerances

51.2839 Application of tolerances.

Export Packing Requirements

51.2840 Export packing requirements.

Definitions

51.2841 Mature.

51.2842 Dormant.

51.2843 Fairly firm.

[[Page 46978]]

51.2844 Fairly well shaped.

51.2845 Wet sunscald.

51.2846 Doubles.

51.2847 Bottlenecks.

51.2848 Scallions.

51.2849 Damage.

51.2850 Diameter.

51.2851 Badly misshapen.

51.2852 Serious damage.

51.2853 One type.

Metric Conversion Table

51.2854 Metric conversion table.

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than

Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Types)

Grades

Sec. 51.2830 U.S. No. 1.

U.S. No. 1 consists of onions which meet the following

requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Similar varietal characteristics;

(2) Mature;

(3) Fairly firm; and,

(4) Fairly well shaped.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay;

(2) Wet sunscald;

(3) Doubles;

(4) Bottlenecks; and,

(5) Scallions.

(1) Seedstems;

(2) Splits;

(3) Tops;

(4) Roots;

(5) Dry sunken areas;

(6) Sunburn;

(7) Sprouts;

(8) Freezing;

(9) Peeling;

(10) Cracked fleshy scales;

(11) Watery scales;

(12) Dirt or staining;

(13) Foreign matter;

(14) Mechanical;

(15) Translucent scales;

(16) Disease;

(17) Insects; and,

(18) Other means.

(d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.2837.

(e) Size. Unless otherwise specified the diameter shall be not less

than 1\1/2\ inches, and yellow, brown, or red onions shall have 40

percent or more, and white onions shall have 30 percent or more, by

weight, of the onions in any lot 2 inches or larger in diameter.

(f) When a percentage of the onions is specified to be of any

certain size or larger, no part of any tolerance shall be allowed to

reduce the specified percentage, but individual packages in a lot may

have as much as 25 percentage points less than the percentage

specified, except that individual packages containing 10 pounds or less

shall have no requirements as to percentage of a certain size or

larger: Provided, that any lot, regardless of package size, shall

average within the percentage specified. (See Secs. 51.2836 and

51.2837) 1

\1\ Any lot of onions quoted as being of size smaller than 1\1/

2\ inches minimum, such as ``U.S. No. 1, 1\1/4\ inches min.'' is not

required to meet the percentages which shall be 2 inches or larger

as specified in the U.S. No. 1 grade.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 51.2831 U.S. Export No. 1.

U.S. Export No. 1 consists of onions which meet the following

requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Similar varietal characteristics;

(2) Mature;

(3) Dormant;

(4) Fairly firm; and,

(5) Fairly well shaped.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay;

(2) Wet sunscald;

(3) Doubles;

(4) Bottlenecks; and,

(5) Scallions.

(1) Seedstems;

(2) Splits;

(3) Tops;

(4) Roots;

(5) Dry sunken areas;

(6) Sunburn;

(7) Sprouts;

(8) Freezing;

(9) Peeling;

(10) Cracked fleshy scales;

(11) Watery scales;

(12) Dirt or staining;

(13) Foreign matter;

(14) Mechanical;

(15) Translucent scales;

(16) Disease;

(17) Insects; and,

(18) Other means.

(d) Unless otherwise specified onions are packed in accordance with

Export Packing Requirements set forth in Sec. 51.2840. (See

Sec. 51.2837.)

Sec. 51.2832 U.S. Commercial.

U.S. Commercial consists of onions which meet the following

requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Similar varietal characteristics;

(2) Mature;

(3) Not soft or spongy; and,

(4) Not badly misshapen.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay;

(2) Wet sunscald;

(3) Doubles;

(4) Bottlenecks; and,

(5) Scallions.

(1) Seedstems;

(2) Tops;

(3) Roots;

(4) Dry sunken areas;

(5) Sunburn;

(6) Sprouts;

(7) Freezing;

(8) Cracked fleshy scales;

(9) Watery scales;

(10) Mechanical;

(11) Translucent scales;

(12) Disease;

(13) Insects; and,

(14) Other means.

(d) Free from serious damage caused by:

(1) Staining;

(2) Dirt; and,

(3) Other foreign matter.

(e) For tolerances see Sec. 51.2837.

(f) Size. Unless otherwise specified, the diameter shall be not

less than 1\1/2\ inches. (See Secs. 51.2836 and 51.2837.)

Sec. 51.2833 U.S. No. 1 Boilers.

U.S. No. 1 Boilers consists of onions which meet all the

requirements for the U.S. No. 1 grade except for size. (See

Sec. 51.2830.) Size: The diameter of onions of this grade shall be not

less than 1 inch nor more than 1\7/8\ inches. (See Sec. 51.2837.)

Sec. 51.2834 U.S. No. 1 Picklers.

U.S. No. 1 Picklers consists of onions which meet all the

requirements for the U.S. No. 1 grade except for size. (See

Sec. 51.2830.) Size: The maximum diameter of onions of this grade shall

be not more than 1 inch. (See Sec. 51.2837.)

Sec. 51.2835 U.S. No. 2.

U.S. No. 2 consists of onions which meet the following

requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) One type;

(2) Mature; and,

(3) Not soft or spongy.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay;

(2) Wet sunscald; and,

(3) Scallions.

(1) Watery scales;

(2) Dirt or Staining;

(3) Foreign Matter;

(4) Seedstems;

(5) Sprouts;

(6) Mechanical;

(7) Dry sunken areas;

(8) Disease;

(9) Freezing;

(10) Insects; and,

(11) Other means.

(d) For tolerances see Sec. 51.2837.

(e) Size. Unless otherwise specified, the diameter shall not be

less than 1\1/2\ inches. (See Secs. 51.2836 and 51.2837.)

Size Classifications

Sec. 51.2836 Size classifications.

The size of onions may be specified in accordance with one of the

following classifications.

[[Page 46979]]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minimum diameter Maximum diameter

Size designation ---------------------------------------------------

Inches Millimeters Inches Millimeters

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Small............... 1 25.4 2\1/4\ 57.2

Repacker/Prepacker

\1\................ 1\3/4\ 44.5 3 76.2

Medium.............. 2 50.8 3\1/4\ 82.6

Large or Jumbo...... 3 76.2 (\2\) ...........

Colossal............ 3\3/4\ 95.3 (\2\) ...........

------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ In addition to the sizes specified, a lot of onions designated as

Repacker or Prepacker shall contain at least 60 percent or more 2

inches or larger in diameter.

\2\ No requirement.

Tolerances

Sec. 51.2837 Tolerances.

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and

handling in each of the foregoing grades the following tolerances, by

weight, are provided as specified:

(a) For defects:

(1) U.S. No. 1, U.S. Export No. 1, U.S. No. 1 Boilers and U.S. No.

1 Picklers grades.

(i) Not more than 10 percent of the onions in a lot may be damaged

by peeling; and,

(ii) Not more than 5 percent of the onions in a lot may be below

the remaining requirements of these grades, but not more than two-

fifths of this tolerance, or 2 percent, may be allowed for onions which

are affected by decay or wet sunscald (see Sec. 51.2839.)

(2) U.S. Commercial and U.S. No. 2 grades.

(i) Not more than 5 percent of the onions in a lot may be below the

requirements of these grades, but not more than two-fifths of this

tolerance, or 2 percent, may be allowed for onions which are affected

by decay or wet sunscald. (See Sec. 51.2839.)

(b) For off-size:

(1) U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1 Boilers, U.S. Commercial, and U.S. No. 2

grades. Not more than 5 percent of the onions in a lot may be below the

specified minimum size, and not more than 10 percent may be above any

specified maximum size. (See Sec. 51.2839.)

(2) U.S. No. 1 Pickler grade. Not more than 10 percent of the

onions in a lot may be above the maximum size specified for this grade.

(See Sec. 51.2839.)

Samples for Grade and Size Determination

Sec. 51.2838 Samples for grade and size determination.

Individual samples shall consist of at least 20 pounds for onions

packed to meet larger than 2\1/4\ inches maximum diameter. When

individual packages contain 20 pounds or more and the onions are packed

for Large or Jumbo size or larger the package shall be the sample. When

individual packages contain less than 20 pounds, a sufficient number of

adjoining packages are opened to provide at least a 20 pound sample,

except that for onions packed to meet 2\1/4\ inches maximum diameter or

smaller, the sample may consist of either 20 pounds or the individual

package.

Application of Tolerances

Sec. 51.2839 Application of tolerances.

Individual samples are subject to the following limitations:

(a) Samples which contain more than 20 pounds shall have not more

than one and one half times a specified tolerance of 10 percent or

more, and not more than double a specified tolerance of less than 10

percent, except that at least one defective and one off-size onion may

be permitted in any sample: Provided, that en-route or at destination

when onions in containers of 50 pounds or more are packed to a minimum

size of 3 inches or larger not more than three onions or more than 4

percent (whichever is the larger amount) may be affected by decay or

wet sunscald: And provided further, that the averages for the entire

lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade; and,

(b) Samples which contain 20 pounds or less shall have not more

than double the tolerance specified, except that at least one defective

and one off-size onion may be permitted in any sample: Provided, that

the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified for

the grade.

Export Packing Requirements

Sec. 51.2840 Export packing requirements.

Onions specified as meeting Export Packing Requirements shall be

packed in containers having a net capacity of 25 kilograms

(approximately 56 pounds).

Definitions

Sec. 51.2841 Mature.

Mature means well cured. Midseason onions which are not customarily

held in storage shall be considered mature when harvested in accordance

with good commercial practice at a stage which will not result in the

onions becoming soft or spongy.

Sec. 51.2842 Dormant.

Dormant means that at least 90 percent of the onions in any lot

show no evidence of growth as indicated by distinct elongation of the

growing point or distinct yellow or green color in the tip of the

growing point.

Sec. 51.2843 Fairly firm.

Fairly firm means that the onion may yield slightly to moderate

pressure but is not appreciably soft or spongy.

Sec. 51.2844 Fairly well shaped.

Fairly well shaped means having the shape characteristic of the

variety, but onions may be slightly off-type or slightly misshapen.

Sec. 51.2845 Wet sunscald.

Wet sunscald means sunscald which is soft, mushy, sticky or wet.

Sec. 51.2846 Doubles.

Doubles means onions which have developed more than one distinct

bulb joined only at the base.

Sec. 51.2847 Bottlenecks.

Bottlenecks are onions which have abnormally thick necks with only

fairly well developed bulbs.

Sec. 51.2848 Scallions.

Scallions are onions which have thick necks and relatively small

and poorly developed bulbs.

Sec. 51.2849 Damage.

Damage means any specific defect described in this section; or any

equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any other

defect, or any combination of defects, which materially detracts from

the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the onions. The

following specific defects shall be considered as damage:

(a) Seedstems which are tough or woody, or which are more than \1/

4\ inch in diameter;

(b) Splits when onions with two or more hearts are not practically

covered by one or more outer scales;

[[Page 46980]]

3 inches or more in length;

(d) New roots when most roots on an individual onion have grown to

a length of 1 inch or more in length;

(e) Dry roots when more than 20 percent of the onions in a lot have

practically all roots 2 inches or more in length;

(f) Dry sunken areas when the affected areas exceed the equivalent

to that of a circle \1/2\ inch in diameter on an onion 2\3/4\ inches in

diameter which does not have the outer papery scale covering the

affected areas or when the affected areas exceed the equivalent to that

of a circle \3/4\ inch in diameter on an onion 2\3/4\ inches in

diameter which has the outer papery scale covering the affected areas.

Correspondingly lesser or greater areas are allowed on smaller or

larger onions;

(g) Sunburn when more than 33 percent of the onions in a lot have a

medium green color on one-third of the surface;

(h) Sprouts when visible, or when concealed within the dry top and

more than \3/4\ inch in length on an onion 2 inches or larger in

diameter, or proportionately shorter on smaller onions;

(i) Peeling when more than one-half of the thin papery skin is

missing, leaving the underlying fleshy scale unprotected;

(j) Cracked fleshy scales when one or more of the fleshy scales are

cracked;

(k) Watery scales when more than the equivalent of the entire outer

fleshy scale is affected by an off-color, watersoaked condition. The

off-color must be of some shade of brown or yellow;

(l) Dirt, staining or other foreign matter when more than 20

percent of the onions in a yellow, brown or red lot, or more than 15

percent of the onions in a white lot are appreciably stained. Onions

with adhering dirt or other foreign matter shall be judged on the same

basis as stained onions;

(m) Mechanical when any cut extends deeper than one fleshy scale,

or when any bruise breaks a fleshy scale; and,

(n) Translucent scales when more than the equivalent of two entire

outer fleshy scales have a watersoaked condition.

Sec. 51.2850 Diameter.

Diameter means the greatest dimension measured at right angles to a

straight line running from the stem to the root.

Sec. 51.2851 Badly misshapen.

Badly misshapen means that the onion is so misshapen that its

appearance is seriously affected.

Sec. 51.2852 Serious damage.

Serious damage means any specific defect described in this section;

or any equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any

other defect, or any combination of defects, which seriously detracts

from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the onions.

The following specific defects shall be considered as serious damage:

(a) Watery scales when more than the equivalent of two entire outer

fleshy scales are affected by an off-colored, watersoaked condition.

The off-color must be of some shade of brown or yellow;

(b) Dirt, staining or other foreign matter when more than 25

percent of the onions in a lot are badly stained. Onions with adhering

dirt or other foreign matter shall be judged on the same basis as

stained onions;

(d) Sprouts when the visible length is more than \1/2\ inch;

(e) Mechanical when any cut extends deeper than two fleshy scales,

or when cuts seriously damage the appearance of the onion; and,

(f) Dry sunken areas when extending deeper than one fleshy scale,

or when affecting an area equivalent to that of a circle 1 inch in

diameter on an onion 2\3/4\ inches in diameter, or correspondingly

lesser or greater areas on smaller or larger onions.

Sec. 51.2853 One type.

One type means that the onions are within the same general color

category.

Metric Conversion Table

Sec. 51.2854 Metric conversion table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Millimeters

Inches (mm)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1/8\...................................................... 3.2

\1/4\...................................................... 6.4

\3/8\...................................................... 9.5

\1/2\...................................................... 12.7

\5/8\...................................................... 15.9

\3/4\...................................................... 19.1

\7/8\...................................................... 22.2

1.......................................................... 25.4

1\1/4\..................................................... 31.8

1\1/2\..................................................... 38.1

1\3/4\..................................................... 44.5

2.......................................................... 50.8

2\1/2\..................................................... 63.5

2\3/4\..................................................... 69.9

3.......................................................... 76.2

3\1/2\..................................................... 88.9

4.......................................................... 101.6

------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. In Part 51, Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of

Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions is revised to read as follows:

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Bermuda-Granex-Grano

Type Onions

Grades

Sec.

51.3195 U.S. No. 1.

51.3196 U.S. Combination.

51.3197 U.S. No. 2.

Size Classifications

51.3198 Size classifications.

Tolerances

51.3199 Tolerances.

Samples for Grade and Size Determination

51.3200 Samples for grade and size determination.

Application of Tolerances

51.3201 Application of tolerances.

Definitions

51.3202 Similar varietal characteristics.

51.3203 Mature.

51.3204 Fairly firm.

51.3205 Fairly well shaped.

51.3206 Wet sunscald.

51.3207 Doubles.

51.3208 Bottlenecks.

51.3209 Damage.

51.3210 Serious damage.

51.3211 Diameter.

Metric Conversion Table

51.3212 Metric conversion table.

Subpart--United States Standards for Grades of Bermuda-Granex-Grano

Type Onions

Grades

Sec. 51.3195 U.S. No. 1.

U.S. No. 1 consists of onions which meet the following

requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Similar varietal characteristics;

(2) Mature;

(3) Fairly firm; and,

(4) Fairly well shaped.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay;

(2) Wet sunscald;

(3) Doubles; and,

(4) Bottlenecks.

(1) Seedstems;

(2) Splits;

(3) Dry sunken areas;

(4) Sunburn;

(5) Sprouting;

(6) Staining;

(7) Dirt or foreign material;

(8) Mechanical;

(9) Tops;

(10) Roots;

(11) Translucent scales;

(12) Watery scales;

(13) Moisture;

(14) Disease;

(15) Insects; and,

(16) Other means.

[[Page 46981]]

(d) For size and tolerances see Secs. 51.3198 and 51.3199.

Sec. 51.3196 U.S. Combination.

U.S. Combination consists of a combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S.

No. 2 onions: Provided, That at least 50 percent, by weight, of the

onions in each lot meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade. (See

Secs. 51.3198 and 51.3199.)

Sec. 51.3197 U.S. No. 2.

U.S. No. 2 consists of onions which meet the following

requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Similar varietal characteristics; and,

(2) Not soft or spongy.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay;

(2) Wet sunscald; and,

(3) Bottlenecks.

(1) Seedstems;

(2) Dry sunken areas;

(3) Sprouting;

(4) Staining;

(5) Dirt or other foreign material;

(6) Mechanical;

(7) Watery scales;

(8) Insects;

(9) Disease; and,

(10) Other means.

(d) For size and tolerances see Secs. 51.3198 and 51.3199.

Size Classifications

Sec. 51.3198 Size classifications.

Size shall be specified in connection with the grade in terms of

minimum diameter, range in diameter, minimum diameter with a percentage

of a certain size or larger, or in accordance with one of the size

classifications listed below: Provided, that unless otherwise

specified, onions shall not be less than 1\1/2\ inches in diameter,

with 60 percent or more 2 inches or larger in diameter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minimum diameter Maximum diameter

Size designation ---------------------------------------------------

Inches Millimeters Inches Millimeters

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Small............... 1 25.4 2\1/4\ 57.2

Repacker/Prepacker

\1\................ 1\3/4\ 44.5 3 76.2

Medium.............. 2 50.8 3\1/4\ 82.6

Large or Jumbo...... 3 76.2 (\2\) ...........

Colossal............ 3\3/4\ 95.3 (\2\) ...........

------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ In addition to the sizes specified, a lot of onions designated as

Repacker or Prepacker shall contain at least 60 percent or more 2

inches or larger in diameter.

\2\ No requirement.

Tolerances

Sec. 51.3199 Tolerances.

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and

handling in each of the foregoing grades the following tolerances, by

weight, are provided as specified:

(a) For defects:

(1) U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2 grades. Not more than 10 percent of

the onions in a lot may fail to meet the requirements of these grades,

but not more than one-fifth of this tolerance, or 2 percent, may be

allowed for onions which are affected by decay or wet sunscald.

(2) U.S. Combination grade. When applying the foregoing tolerances

to this grade no part of any tolerance shall be allowed to reduce, for

the lot as a whole, the 50 percent of onions of the U.S. No. 1 grade,

but individual containers shall have not less than 40 percent of the

U.S. No. 1 grade.

(b) For size:

(1) Not more than 5 percent of the onions in a lot may be smaller

than the minimum diameter specified. In addition, not more than 10

percent of the onions in a lot may be larger than the maximum diameter

specified.

(2) When a percentage of the onions is specified to be a certain

size and larger, individual packages containing more than 10 pounds may

have not less than one-half of the percentage specified: Provided, that

the entire lot averages within the percentage specified.

Samples for Grade and Size Determination

Sec. 51.3200 Samples for grade and size determination.