Washington Administrative Code

In addition to meeting the general standards under WAC 16-403-034, Washington fancy grade red, partial red, or blushed variety apples must also be free from damage as specified in WAC 16-403-164(2) and 16-403-174(2).[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.17.030, [15.17.]050, [15.17.]060, a…

(1) Faded brown stripes may not be considered as color.(2) The color requirements for any variety may not be less than those required under the United States standards for the varieties and the respective variety grades of apples under 7 C.F.R. Sec. 51.305 (effective December 19,…

Washington green or yellow variety extra fancy apples must meet the following standards in addition to meeting the general standards under WAC 16-403-034. The apples must be free from:(1) Slightly rough and rough russeting: Provided, that russeting other than rough or bark-like r…

In addition to meeting the general standards under WAC 16-403-034, green or yellow variety fancy apples must be free from damage as specified in WAC 16-403-164(2) and 16-403-174(2).[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.17.030, [15.17.]050, [15.17.]060, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 17-03-002…

The requirements for Washington C grade green or yellow variety apples include the conditions for Washington fancy grade apples under WAC 16-403-054. In addition, apples of this grade must be free from excessive damage caused by russeting as defined under the definitions of "dama…

Combination grades apply to all varieties of apples except red or partial red varieties which may only be packed in the combination extra fancy and fancy grade. Gift grade applies to a combination of apples and pears.(1) Combination extra fancy and fancy. When extra fancy and fan…

(1) Apples which are not graded in conformity with any of the grade standards in this chapter and which contain no more than five percent serious insect damage may be designated as "culls."(2) Culls must be packed and labeled as specified in RCW 15.17.080.[Statutory Authority: RC…

The director may approve and register a private grade or brand of apple. The private grade or brand may not be lower than the second grade or classification established under chapter 15.17 RCW or under this chapter.[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.17.030, [15.17.]050, [15.17.]060, an…

(1) Red Delicious and Delicious varieties may not be shipped prior to October 1st of the current growing season unless they have at least eleven percent soluble solids as determined by refractometer.(2) Golden Delicious varieties may not be shipped prior to September 20th of the …

At time of shipment the following firmness standards must be met:(1) Red Delicious and Delicious varieties must pressure test at least twelve pounds. However, apples failing to pressure test twelve pounds may be considered as meeting the requirements of this section when the indi…

Washington extra fancy consists of apples of one variety (except when more than one variety is printed on the container) which are mature but not overripe, clean, fairly well formed; free from decay, internal browning, internal breakdown, scald, scab, freezing injury, visible wat…

Washington fancy consists of apples of one variety (except when more than one variety or commodity is printed on the container) which are mature but not overripe, clean, fairly well formed; free from decay, internal browning, internal breakdown, scald, freezing injury, visible wa…

Granny Smith variety may not be shipped prior to October 10th unless ninety percent or more of any lot of apples meets the stage of maturity as indicated by starch-iodine rating of 1.2 using a starch-iodine rating scale from Cascade Analytical, Inc. or any equivalent rating scale…

Washington extra fancy consists of apples of one variety (except when more than one variety or commodity is printed on the container) which are mature but not overripe, clean, fairly well formed; free from decay, internal browning, internal breakdown, scald, scab, freezing injury…

(1) "Injury" means any specific defect defined in this section, or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects which more than slightly detracts from the appearance or the edible or shipping quality of the apple.…

Washington fancy consists of apples of one variety (except when more than one variety or commodity is printed on the container) which are mature but not overripe, clean, fairly well formed; free from decay, internal browning, internal breakdown, scald, freezing injury, visible wa…

The requirements of this grade are the same as for Washington fancy except for russeting and invisible watercore. Apples of this grade are free from excessive damage caused by russeting which means that apples meet the russeting requirements for Washington fancy as defined under …

The standard for bruises under the categories of injury, damage or serious damage is as follows:(1) Injury consists of bruises which are not slight and incident to proper handling and packing, and which are greater than:(a) One-eighth inch in depth;(b) Five-eighths inch in diamet…

(1) Combination extra fancy and fancy. When extra fancy and fancy apples are packed together, the boxes may be marked "Washington combination extra fancy and fancy" and shall contain at least 80 percent extra fancy apples, except Newtowns, which shall contain at least 50 percent …

Invisible water core will be considered as "damage" when existing around the core and extending to water core in the vascular bundles, or surrounding the vascular bundles when the affected areas surrounding three or more vascular bundles meet or coalesce, or existing in more than…

(1) Apples which are not graded in conformity with the foregoing grades and which contain not more than 5 percent serious insect damage shall be designated as "culls."(2) Following is a quotation from RCW 15.17.080 - Fresh fruits—Culls—Container markings—Designation on bills of l…

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading, sizing and firmness in each of the foregoing grades, the following tolerances are provided as specified:(1) Defects: Washington extra fancy, Washington fancy and Washington C grade.Ten percent of the apples in any lot m…

The contents of individual samples in the lot are subject to the following limitations: Provided, that the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade in WAC 16-403-190.(1) Packages which contain more than ten pounds may not have more than one an…

When the numerical count is marked on the container, or when containers are packed to weigh ten pounds or less, or in any container where the minimum diameter of the smallest apple does not vary more than one-half inch from the minimum diameter of the largest apple, percentages s…

Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper packing, not more than ten percent of the containers in any lot may fail to meet the following requirements:(1) Apples tray packed or cell packed in cartons shall be arranged according to approved and recognized meth…

(1) Individual destination states or countries may have specific requirements for letter heights and placement of markings.(2) All required markings must be displayed together on the principal display panel of the containers.(3) All required markings must be a minimum of one-quar…

Apples from the previous year's crop that are packed and shipped on or after October 1st must be marked with the crop year on each carton or shipping container at the time of shipment. The markings must be displayed on the principal display panel with letters of a minimum of one-…

At the shipping point all defects are considered quality factors at the time of packing: Provided, that if the apples have been in storage for more than seven days after packing, factors listed as condition in the USDA Apples Shipping Point and Market Inspection Instructions hand…

Except as otherwise modified in this chapter and under this section, WSDA adopts the United States standards for grades of apples, 7 C.F.R. Part 51, Subpart "United States Standards for Grades of Apples" (effective December 19, 2002), as the standards apply to U.S. extra fancy, U…

"Aggregate" means that injury areas on an apricot's surface may be combined into one circular area with a diameter equal to the maximum diameter specified for the particular injury."Damage" means an injury to an apricot that is readily apparent during grading and handling."Depart…

WASHINGTON APRICOT GRADESCHARACTERISTICSWashington No. 1Washington No. 1 consist of apricots of one variety that are:•Mature but not soft;•Not overripe or shriveled;•Well formed;•Free from decay and worm holes;•Free from damage caused by dirt, limb rubs, growth cracks, bruises, s…

Damage:Serious damage:(1)Well-healed growth cracks over 3/8 of an inch in length.(1)Well-healed growth cracks that are more than 1/2 inch in length.(2)Punctures over 3/16 of an inch in diameter. Riland variety exceeding 1/2 inch.(2)Any deformity or injury causing the skin to brea…

Numerical count may be used to determine percent of grade tolerances.(1) When containers are marked with a numerical count, the apricots in any container must not vary more than one-quarter inch in diameter.(2) To allow for variations incident to proper sizing, no more than ten p…

Individual samples are subject to the following tolerances, provided the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerance specified in WAC 16-406-020.Package Weight and Apricot GradeWith a Tolerance of:Sample Tolerance:Defects Allowedin a Sample(1)Packages containing more tha…

(1) The following information must be clearly marked on each container:(a) Variety;(b) Grade;(c) Packer's, grower's or shipper's name and address; and(d) Count; or(e) Net weight and minimum diameter.(2) Open catch weight bags are not required to meet the container marking require…

The following table explains which Washington fresh asparagus is exempt from some of the requirements of this chapter:If an individual shipment of fresh Washington asparagus:Then the shipment is exempt from the requirements in:(1)Consists of asparagus for home use and not for res…

The following definitions are important to this chapter:"Badly misshapen" means the stalk is so badly flattened, crooked or otherwise so badly deformed that its appearance is seriously affected."Clean" means the asparagus is free from excessive dirt, dust, residue or foreign matt…

Any lot of fresh asparagus, including "culls," marketed within Washington state must have no more than ten percent of the stalks that have white in excess of two inches.[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.17 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 07-06-047, § 16-409-020, filed 3/1/07, effective 4/1/07…

(1) The following table identifies and describes the asparagus grades used in Washington state:Washington Asparagus Grades:Stalk Characteristics:"Extra Fancy GradeAsparagus""Extra Fancy Grade Asparagus Tips""Fancy Grade Asparagus""Consumer PackAsparagus""Culls"Stalks must be: (a)…

The following size designations apply to all grades of asparagus in Washington state.(1) Jumbo: Stalks at least 13/16 inch in diameter.(2) Extra large: Stalks at least 10/16 inch in diameter.(3) Large: Stalks at least 7/16 inch in diameter.(4) Standard: Stalks at least 5/16 inch …

(1) In addition to the Washington state fresh asparagus standards contained in this chapter, the Washington state department of agriculture has adopted, as Washington state standards, modified United States fresh asparagus standards for U.S. grades No. 1 and No. 2 as specified un…

The following table identifies and explains the tolerances adopted for Washington asparagus:Washington Asparagus Grades to Which Tolerances ApplyDefect, color and trim tolerances adopted for Washington asparagusDiameter and length tolerances adopted for Washington asparagusWashin…

(1) If the averages for an entire lot are within the tolerances specified in WAC 16-409-030, the limitations in this section, based upon sample inspections, apply to the contents of individual containers in the lot.(2) Individual containers:(a) May contain one decayed or otherwis…

(1) All fresh asparagus must be marketed in containers that are clean and free from dirt, trash, and visible contaminates.(2) All fresh asparagus must not be marketed in field containers.(3) For testing or trial marketing purposes, the director may allow the use of any experiment…

(1) All required markings must be placed on one end of the container, but may be duplicated on the opposite end.(2) Containers must be conspicuously and legibly marked with the:(a) Name and address of the grower, packer, or distributor;(b) Grade;(c) Net weight; and(d) Size design…

"Clean" means cherries are practically free from dirt, dust, spray residue, or other foreign material. For example, clean means the product is practically free from leaves, fruit spurs, bark, twigs, dirt or foreign material."Condition defects" means defects that may develop or ch…

(1) Washington No. 1 grade and Northwest No. 1 grade sweet cherries are cherries with similar varietal characteristics that are:(a) Mature;(b) Not soft, overripe or shriveled;(c) Fairly well colored;(d) Well formed;(e) Clean;(f) Free from underdeveloped doubles, decay, or sunscal…

(1) The minimum diameter of each cherry must be at least 54/64 inch.(2) The maximum diameter of the cherries in any lot may be specified according to the facts.(3) For the Rainier variety and similar varieties commonly referred to as "light colored sweet cherries," at least ninet…

(1) Washington No. 1:(a) To allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling at the shipping point, the following tolerances, by count, are established:(i) Eight percent of cherries that fail to meet the requirements of the grade are allowed.(ii) Of the total toleranc…

To allow for variations in size incident to proper grading and handling, the following tolerances, by count, are established for off-size grade sweet cherries:(1) No more than ten percent of the cherries in any inspection lot must measure less than 54/64 inches in diameter.(2) Te…