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Grade Standard Requirements for Fresh Fruits or Vegetables Imported from the United States

  1. Interpretation
    The following definitions apply to this document:
    "condition defect" means any defect that may develop in fresh fruit or vegetables during storage or transit. (défaut d'état)

    "decay" means soft, mushy or leaking breakdown of the tissue, from any cause, and commonly known as "soft rot". (pourriture)

    "diameter" means the greatest width at right angles to the longitudinal axis. (diamètre)

    "miniature vegetable" means a variety of fresh vegetable developed through plant breeding to not exceed a small size when mature but does not include immature or undersize specimens of non-miniature vegetable varieties. (mini-légume)

    "responsible Department" means the federal Department in the United States responsible for setting grades for fresh fruits or vegetables. (ministère responsable)

    "rutabagas" means that vegetable commonly known as "swede turnip" but does not include the usually smaller species commonly known as "summer turnip". (rutabaga)

    "topped beets" means fresh beets with tops removed to not more than 13 mm (1/2 inch) in length. (betterave sans fanes)

    "topped carrots" means fresh carrots with tops removed to not more than 25 mm (1 inch) in length, except that new leaves developing within the original central cluster of leaf stems, or occasional uncut leaves or leaf stems, exceeding this length which do not materially affect the appearance of the individual carrot is permitted. (carotte sans fanes)

  2. This document applies in respect of fresh fruits or vegetables imported from the United States.
  3. This document does not apply to miniature vegetables, except in the case of fresh miniature cucumbers.
  4. Fresh apples of varieties grown from Malus domestica or Malus communis must:
    • (a) meet the requirements of U.S. Extra Fancy, U.S. Fancy or U.S. No. 1 for apples, other than a processing grade, established by the responsible Department, except for minimum diameter and colour;
    • (b) have a minimum diameter of 60 mm (2 3/8 inches);
    • (c) in the case of U.S. Extra Fancy, meet the colour requirements for Canada Extra Fancy, set out in the Compendium;
    • (d) in the case of U.S. Fancy or U.S. No. 1, other than the processing grade, meet the colour requirements for Canada Fancy, set out in the Compendium; and
    • (e) meet the requirements of the condition standard for export of apples established by the responsible Department.
  5. Fresh apricots of varieties grown from Prunus armeniaca must meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 or U.S. No. 2 for apricots established by the responsible Department.
  6. Fresh blueberries of varieties grown from Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium corymbosium or Vaccinium myrtilloides must, where a grade name is applied to, or used in connection with, the fresh blueberries, meet the requirements for that grade, established by the responsible Department.
  7. Fresh cantaloups of varieties grown from Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis must, where a grade name is applied to, or used in connection with, the fresh cantaloups, meet the requirements for that grade, established by the responsible Department.
  8. Fresh sour cherries of varieties grown from Prunus cerasus and their hybrids must meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 or U.S. No. 2 for red sour cherries for manufacturing, established by the responsible Department.
  9. Fresh sweet cherries of varieties grown from Prunus avium and their hybrids must meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 or U.S. Commercial for sweet cherries, other than for canning, freezing or sulfur brining grade, established by the responsible Department.
  10. Fresh cranberries of varieties grown from Vaccinium macrocarpum or Vaccinium oxycoccos must, where a grade name is applied to, or used in connection with, the fresh cranberries, meet the requirements for that grade established by the responsible Department.
  11. Fresh grapes of varieties grown from Vitis vinifera or Vitis labrusca and their hybrids must meet the requirements of one of the grades for grapes, other than a processing or freezing grade, established by the responsible Department.
  12. Fresh peaches of varieties grown from Prunus persica must:
    • (a) meet the requirements of U.S. Fancy, U.S. Extra No. 1, U.S. No. 1 or U.S. No. 2, for peaches, other than for canning, freezing, or pulping, established by the responsible Department, except for minimum diameter;
    • (b) in the case of peaches sold prior to August 15 in any year, have a minimum diameter of 54 mm (2 1/8 inches); or
    • (c) in the case of peaches sold on or after August 15 of any year, have a minimum diameter of 57 mm (2 1/4 inches).
  13. Fresh pears of varieties grown from Pyrus communis must:
    • (a) meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1, U.S. Combination or U.S. No. 2 for summer and fall pears or U.S. Extra No. 1, U.S. No. 1, U.S. Combination or U.S. No. 2 for winter pears, established by the responsible Department;
    • (b) have not more than 5% of the pears affected by condition defects after storage or transit; and
    • (c) have not more than 3% of the condition defects referred to in paragraph (b) attributable to decay or internal breakdown.
  14. Fresh plums and fresh prunes, of varieties grown from Prunus domestica, Prunus insititia or Prunus salicina and their hybrids must meet the requirements U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. Combination or U.S. No. 2 for fresh plums and prunes, established by the responsible Department.
  15. Fresh field rhubarb of varieties grown from Rheum rhaponticum, except rhubarb grown under protective covering, must, where a grade name is applied to, or used in connection with the fresh field rhubarb, meet the requirements for that grade established by the responsible Department.
  16. Fresh strawberries of varieties grown from the genus Fragaria must, where a grade name is applied to, or used in connection with, the fresh strawberries, meet the requirements for that grade established by the responsible Department.
  17. Fresh green asparagus of varieties grown from Asparagus officinalis must:
    • (a) meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 or U.S. No. 2 for fresh asparagus, other than a processing grade, established by the responsible Department, except for colour; and
    • (b) have not more than 5% by count of the asparagus be white in colour over more than 15% of its stalk length.
  18. Fresh topped beets of varieties grown from Beta vulgaris must:
    • (a) meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 or U.S. No. 2 for topped beets, other than a processing grade, established by the responsible Department, except for minimum diameter; and
    • (b) have a minimum diameter of 32 mm (1 1/2 inches).
  19. Fresh Brussels sprouts of varieties grown from Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera, except Brussels sprouts remaining attached to the vertical stem, must meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 or U.S. No. 2 for Brussel sprouts, established by the responsible Department.
  20. Fresh cabbage of varieties grown from Brassica oleracea var. capitata or Brassica oleracea var. bullata, including red cabbages and pointed cabbages, must meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 or U.S. Commercial for cabbage, established by the responsible Department.
  21. Fresh topped carrots of varieties grown from Daucus carota must:
    • (a) meet the requirements of U.S. Extra No. 1, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1 Jumbo or U.S. No. 2 for topped carrots, other than a processing grade, established by the responsible Department, except for minimum diameter and minimum length; and
    • (b) in the case of carrots other than the "Baby", "Mini", "Finger" or "Cocktail" types, have a minimum diameter of 19 mm (3/4 inch) and a minimum length of 114 mm (4 1/2 inches).
  22. Fresh cauliflower of varieties grown from Brassica oleracea var. botrytis must meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 or U.S. Commercial for cauliflower, other than a processing grade, established by the responsible Department.
  23. Fresh celery of varieties grown from Apium graveolens var. dulce must meet the requirements of U.S. Extra No. 1, U.S. No. 1 or U.S. No. 2 for celery, established by the responsible Department.
  24. Fresh sweet corn of varieties grown from Zea mays var. rugosa must meet the requirements of U.S. Fancy or U.S. No. 1 for sweet corn, other than a processing grade, established by the responsible Department.
  25. (1) Fresh field cucumbers of varieties grown from Cucumis sativus that are not grown in artificial conditions under glass or other protective covering, except for their initial stages of growth, must meet the requirements of U.S. Fancy, U.S. Extra No. 1, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1 Small, U.S. No. 1 Large or U.S. No. 2, for cucumbers, other than a pickling grade, established by the responsible Department.

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to fresh field cucumbers for packaging in a hermetically sealed package, cooking, freezing, concentrating, pickling or otherwise to assure preservation during transport, distribution and storage.

  26. (1) Fresh greenhouse cucumbers of varieties grown from Cucumis sativus in artificial conditions under glass or other protective covering must:
    • (a) meet the requirements of U.S. Fancy or U.S. No. 1 for greenhouse cucumbers, established by the responsible Department, except for minimum length for the long seedless variety; and
    • (b) in the case of the long seedless varieties, have a minimum length of 280 mm (11 inches).

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to fresh greenhouse cucumbers for packaging in a hermetically sealed package, cooking, freezing, concentrating, pickling or otherwise to assure preservation during transport, distribution and storage.

  27. Fresh iceberg lettuce of varieties grown from Lactuca sativa var. capitata must meet the requirements of U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1 or U.S. No. 2 for lettuce established by the responsible Department.
  28. (1) Fresh onions of varieties grown from Allium cepa with the grade name U.S. No. 1 Picklers must meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 Picklers for onion, established by the responsible Department.

    (2) Fresh onions of varieties grown from Allium cepa, except U.S. No. 1 Picklers, fresh green onions and fresh onions with tops, must:

    • (a) meet the requirements of one of the grades for onions, other than a processing grade, established by the responsible Department, except for minimum diameter; and
    • (b) have a minimum diameter of 32 mm (1 1/2 inches).

    (3) Despite subsection (2), fresh onions of varieties grown from Allium cepa, except fresh green onions and fresh onions with tops, with the grade name U.S. No. 1 may have:

    • (a) a minimum diameter of 13 mm (1/2 inch) and a maximum diameter of 25 mm (1 inch) when prepackaged in 284 g (10 ounce) containers on which is labelled, or indicated on a label attached to the package, the size designation "13 mm to 25 mm" or "1/2 inch to 1 inch"; or
    • (b) a minimum diameter of 13 mm (1/2 inch) and a maximum diameter of 38 mm (1 1/2 inch) when prepackaged in 284 g (10 ounce) containers on which is labelled, or indicated on a label attached to the package, the size designation "13 mm to 38 mm" or "1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inch".
  29. Fresh parsnips of varieties grown from Pastinaca sativa, except parsnips with tops, must:
    • (a) meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 or U.S. No. 2 for parsnips, established by the responsible Department, except for minimum diameter; and
    • (b) have a minimum diameter of 25 mm (1 inch).
  30. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), and section 31, fresh potatoes of varieties grown from Solanum tuberosum must:
    • (a) meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1, established by the responsible Department, except for diameter and weight;
    • (b) with the exception of new potatoes grown and sent or conveyed on or before September 15 in any year, meet the requirements for "slightly skinned" as defined for potatoes by the responsible Department;
    • (c) meet the requirements of "fairly clean" as defined for potatoes, by the responsible Department; and
    • (d) meet the following requirements in respect of diameter or weight, namely,
      • (i) in the case of a round variety,
        • (A) if the potatoes are labelled with the size designation "38 mm to 57 mm", "1 1/2 inches to 2 1/4 inches" or with the words "Small Round", and are packaged in containers of 1.36 kg (3 lb) or less, 2.27 kg (5 lb), 22.7 kg (50 lb), 34 kg (75 lb) or 45.4 kg (100 lb), or in the case of prepackaged potatoes other than consumer prepackaged potatoes, in containers of 50 kg (110 lb), the potatoes have a minimum diameter of 38 mm (1 1/2 inches) and a maximum diameter of 57 mm (2 1/4 inches); or
        • (B) if clause (A) does not apply, the potatoes have
          • (I) a minimum diameter of 57 mm (2 1/4 inches) and a maximum diameter of 89 mm (3 1/2 inches); or
          • (II) a minimum weight of 142 g (5 ounces) and a maximum weight of 340 g (12 ounces),
      • (ii) in the case of a long variety,
        • (A) if the potatoes are labelled with the size designation "38 mm to 51 mm", "1 1/2 inches to 2 inches" or with the words "Small Long", and are packaged in containers of 1.36 kg (3 lb) or less, 2.27 kg (5 lb), 22.7 kg (50 lb), 34 kg (75 lb) or 45.4 kg (100 lb), or in the case of prepackaged potatoes other than consumer prepackaged potatoes, in containers of 50 kg (110 lb), the potatoes have a minimum diameter of 38 mm (1 1/2 inches) and a maximum diameter of 51 mm (2 inches), except that in the case of long non-russet varieties, the potatoes may have a maximum diameter of 57 mm (2 1/4 inches) if the potatoes are labelled with the words "Non-Russet" in addition and in close proximity to the size designation "38 mm to 57 mm", "1 1/2 inches to 2 1/4 inches" or to the words "Small Long"; or
        • (B) if clause (A) does not apply, the potatoes must have a minimum diameter of 51 mm (2 inches) or a minimum weight of 113 g (4 ounces) and a maximum diameter of 89 mm (3 1/2 inches) or a maximum weight of 340 g (12 ounces), except that potatoes 89 mm (3 1/2 inches) or more in length may have a minimum diameter of 44 mm (1 3/4 inches) and, in either case, at least 60%, by weight, of the potatoes in the lot have a diameter of at least 57 mm (2 1/4 inches) or a weight of at least 142 g (5 ounces); and
      • (iii) if the potatoes are of any variety and are labelled with the size designation:
        • (A) "19 mm to 41 mm", "3/4 inch to 1 5/8 inches" or with the word "Creamer", the potatoes have a minimum diameter of 19 mm (3/4 inch) and a maximum diameter of 41 mm (1 5/8 inches);
        • (B) "70 mm to 114 mm", "2 3/4 inches to 4 1/2 inches" or with the word "Chef", the potatoes have:
          • (I) a minimum diameter of 70 mm (2 3/4 inches) and a maximum diameter of 114 mm (4 1/2 inches), or
          • (II) a minimum weight of 227 g (8 ounces) and a maximum weight of 794 g (28 ounces); and
        • (C) "76 mm to 114 mm", "3 inches to 4 1/2 inches" or with the word "Large", the potatoes have:
          • (I) a minimum diameter of 76 mm (3 inches) and a maximum diameter of 114 mm (4 1/2 inches), or
          • (II) a minimum weight of 283 g (10 ounces) and a maximum weight of 794 g (28 ounces).

    (2) Where fresh potatoes have a minimum diameter of less than 57 mm (2 1/4 inches):

    • (a) not more than 3% by weight of the potatoes in the lot may have less than the minimum diameter required or specified; and
    • (b) not more than 10% by weight of the potatoes in the lot may exceed the maximum diameter set out in paragraph (1)(d).

    (3) Where, fresh potatoes have a minimum diameter of 57 mm (2 1/4 inches) or larger

    • (a) not more than 5% by weight of the potatoes in the lot may have less than the minimum diameter required or specified; and
    • (b) not more than 10% by weight of the potatoes in the lot may exceed the maximum diameter set out in paragraph (1)(d).
  31. Fresh new potatoes must meet the requirements in respect of diameter or weight set out in paragraph 30(1)(d), except that new potatoes required by clause 30(1)(d)(ii)(B) to have a minimum diameter of 51 mm (2 inches) or a minimum weight of 113 g (4 ounces), or new potatoes required by clause 30(1)(d)(i)(B) to have a minimum diameter of 57 mm (2 1/4 inches) or a minimum weight of 142 g (5 ounces), may, subject to a tolerance of 3% by weight for undersize potatoes, have a minimum diameter of 48 mm (1 7/8 inches) if the new potatoes are:
    • (a) of a round variety grown and sent or conveyed to Canada on or before September 30 in any year; or
    • (b) of a long variety grown and sent or conveyed to Canada on or before June 30 in any year.
  32. Fresh rutabagas of varieties grown from Brassica napobrassica must meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 for rutabagas, established by the responsible Department.
  33. (1) Fresh field tomatoes of varieties grown from Lycopersicum esculentum that are not grown in artificial conditions under glass or other protective covering, except for their initial stages of growth, must:
    • (a) meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2 or U.S. Combination for tomatoes, other than a canning or processing grade, established by the responsible Department, except for minimum diameter;
    • (b) in the case of field tomatoes that are a type other than pear type or plum type, have a minimum diameter of 44 mm (1 3/4 inches); and
    • (c) in the case of field tomatoes that are the pear or plum type, have a minimum diameter of 32 mm (1 1/2 inches).

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to fresh cherry tomatoes.

  34. (1) Fresh greenhouse tomatoes of varieties grown from Lycopersicum esculentum in artificial conditions under glass or other protective covering must meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 or U.S. No. 2 for greenhouse tomatoes established by the responsible Department.

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to fresh cherry tomatoes.

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