Sec. 162.9. Cauliflower standards

(a) General.

New York State Seal of Quality cauliflower shall be heads of cauliflower which meet the following requirements. Basic requirements for curds are: clean, compact, color—white, size—not less than six inches in diameter. Heads are required to be fairly uniform in size—which means that variation of curd size in individual containers does not exceed two inches in diameter. Basic requirements for jacket leaves: fresh, closely trimmed, fairly clean. Free from: soft or wet decay. Free from damage caused by: bruising, cuts, discoloration, enlarged bracts, fuzziness, hollow stem, insects, mold, riciness, wilting and other means. Free from serious damage by any cause.

(b) Definitions.

(1) Damage means any specific defects as outlined in the United States Standards for grades of cauliflower with the following exception:

(i) Discoloration means when yellow or other abnormal color materially detracts from the appearance of the curd, or slightly detracts from the appearance of the jacket leaves (in the case of closely trimmed cauliflower).

(c) Tolerances.

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling in each of the foregoing grades, the following tolerances, by count, are provided as specified:

(1) For defects. Ten percent for heads of cauliflower in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of the grade, but not more than one-half of this tolerance or five percent shall be allowed for defects causing serious damage, including in this latter amount not more than one percent for soft or wet decay affecting the curd or butt.

(2) For off-size. Five percent for heads of cauliflower smaller than the specified minimum curd size and five percent for heads of cauliflower larger than the two inch size variation.

(d) Application of tolerances.

The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample inspection, are subject to the following limitations:

(1) A package may contain not more than double any specified tolerance except that at least two defective and two off-size specimens may be permitted in any package: provided, that not more than one specimen which is affected by soft or wet decay occurring on the curd or butt portion of the head may be permitted in any package: and provided further, that the averages for the lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade.

(2) In order to allow for variations in regard to proper packing, not more than 10 percent (by count) of the containers in any lot may fail to meet the requirements for fairly uniform size.

(e) Packing.

Cauliflower must be packed in new standard crates or cartons or other new standard packages which are subject to approval by the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Package approval shall be based upon the ability of the package to maintain the quality standards and integrity of the product.

(f) Markings.

(1) In addition to grower number and count, cauliflower packaged and offered for sale under the Seal of Quality program shall have the official seal designation.

(2) In addition pack should conform to count as marked. Also, require the type of pack to be tight—meaning that the container is sufficiently filled and that the heads are placed tightly enough so that there is no movement within the container.

(3) Individually wrapped cauliflower shall have Seal of Quality attached.