20-34.013. Tests May be Made Anywhere

(1) Every inspector, at his option, may make tests of citrus fruit, taking samples from coloring rooms, from the floor of the packinghouses, from precooling rooms, from trucks or from field boxes in the groves or elsewhere; for the purpose of detecting immature fruit in advance of its preparation for shipment or sale.

(2) Upon receipt of citrus fruit at a packinghouse, a composite test for ratio may be made and if the ratio fails the minimum requirements by more than 1/2 point, two additional such tests shall be made. If the average of the three composite tests fails by more than 1/2 point, the fruit shall be condemned and destroyed. However, any variety of fruit which fails by more than 1/2 ratio point may be diverted to a processing plant if it meets all requirements for citrus fruit for processing. In selecting samples for composite tests, diameters of fruit which are not permitted to be shipped under regulations issued pursuant to Federal Marketing Agreements and Orders covering Florida citrus fruits shall not be included.

(3) The application of subsection 20-34.013(2), F.A.C., shall be optional with the Division of Fruit and Vegetables, as a method of determining attempts to conceal immature fruit.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), (7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.25, 601.38, 601.46(2) FS. History–Formerly 105-1.01(10), Amended 1-1-75, Formerly 20-34.13, Amended 10-20-96, 6-24-18.