Juice Content in Grapefruit - Sampling and Testing, Solids-Acid Ratio Maturity Test - Drawing Sample, Tests May be Made Anywhere, Destruction of Fruit, Samples to be Taken from All Grades, Sizes or Other Division in All Lots
RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:
20-34.006Juice Content in Grapefruit - Sampling and Testing
20-34.008Solids-Acid Ratio Maturity Test - Drawing Sample
20-34.013Tests May be Made Anywhere
20-34.018Destruction of Fruit
20-34.020Samples to be Taken from All Grades, Sizes or Other Division in All Lots
NOTICE OF CHANGE
Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 44 No. 73, April 13, 2018 issue of the Florida Administrative Register.
20-34.006 Juice Content in Grapefruit -- Sampling and Testing.
(1) through (2) No change.
(3) The size of grapefruit may be determined by measuring the fruit diameter in the center and at right angles to the blossom-to-stem axis. The average diameter for testing purposes for the respective sizes specified in Section 20-39.008 shall be as follows:
Size 14 = 5 3/4 inchesSize 40 = 3 15/16 inches
Size 18 = 5 9/32 inchesSize 48 = 3 3/4 inches
Size 23 = 4 25/32 inchesSize 56 = 3 9/16 inches
Size 27 = 4 9/16 inchesSize 64 = 3 1/2 inches
Size 32 = 4 1/4 inchesSize 80 = 3 inches
Size 36 = 4 1/8 inches
(4) No change.
(5) If the initial test fails, two additional tests may be made. If the average juice content per fruit of all fruit used in the three tests fails to meet the minimum requirement, that diameter shall be condemned and destroyed, or legally diverted to other suitable use under supervision of the inspector.
(6) through (7) No change.
20-34.008 Solids-acid Ratio Maturity Test -- Drawing Sample.
(1) through (4) No change.
(5) If any one diameter fails, the applicant shall declare to the inspector all diameters in that lot. In addition, all mature diameters above and below the diameter that fails shall meet minimum and maximum maturity requirements.
(a) The method for determining compliance for grapefruit shall be the same as prescribed in subsection 20-34.006(6).
(b) Grapefruit compliance shall be based on the average diameter as listed in 20-34.006(3).
(c) Failure for all varieties of citrus shall be based upon the carton with the highest percentage of the average diameter that failed.
20-34.013 Tests May Be Made Anywhere.
(1) No change.
(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) No change.
20-34.018 Fruit Failing Maturity.
All fruit which fails to pass the fresh fruit maturity test and is subject to destruction, shall be destroyed immediately, or legally diverted for other suitable use, under the direct supervision of an inspector, and at the expense of the owner. shall not be shipped as fresh fruit.
20-34.020 Samples to Be Taken from All Grades, Diameters or Other Divisions in All Lots.
The inspector may draw samples for maturity tests from all grades, diameters, or other divisions made in any lot of fruit at the time it is run. If a test fails on any particular grade, diameter or division of fruit, two additional tests may be made, and if the average of the three tests fails to meet maturity requirements, that grade, diameter or division of fruit shall be condemned and destroyed. not be shipped.
