Frozen Sweet Cherries Grades and Standards

Grades of Frozen Sweet Cherries

1. U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of frozen sweet cherries that possess similar varietal characteristics; that possess a normal flavor; that possess good color; that possess a good appearance with respect to size and symmetry; that are practically free from defects; that possess a good character; and that for those factors which are rated in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart, the total score is not less than 85 points: Provided, That frozen sweet cherries may have a reasonably good appearance with respect to size and symmetry, if the total score is not less than 85 points.
2. U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice is the quality of frozen sweet cherries that possess similar varietal characteristics; that possess a normal flavor; that possess a reasonably good color; that possess a reasonably good appearance with respect to size and symmetry; that are reasonably free from defects; that possess a reasonably good character; and that for those factors which are rated in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart, the total score is not less than 70 points: Provided, That frozen sweet cherries may vary in size and symmetry, if the total score is not less than 70 points.
3. Substandard is the quality of frozen sweet cherries that fail to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice.

Inspection Aid

• IA #30A Area Measurement Guide, 8 x 10 in English Units
• IA #30C Area Measurement Guide
• Inspection Aid 11 Drained Weight for Frozen Sweet Cherries (pdf)

See How to Purchase Inspection Aids (pdf) for more details.

Detailed Standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:

• U.S. Grade Standards for Frozen Sweet Cherries (pdf)
• Certification Manual
• Condition of Container Manual
• Foreign Material Manual
• General Processed Procedures Manual(pdf)
• Safety Manual
• Sampling Manual
• Sanitation Manual
• SC-364-96 Score Sheet for Frozen Sweet Cherries
• Technical Procedures Manual