Code of Federal Regulations Title 7. Agriculture § 7.52.1009 Character

(a) (A) classification. Whole or pitted dates that possess a good character may be given a score of 36 to 40 points. “Good character” means that not less than 75 percent, by weight, of the dates are well developed, well fleshed, and soft, or at the time of packing are in a state of ripeness that within 15 days will develop into such character;  and the remainder may possess a reasonably good character including not more than a total of 2 percent, by weight, of the dates that may possess semi-dry calyx ends and none may possess dry calyx ends.

(b) (B) classification. If the whole or pitted dates or whole dry dates for processing possess a reasonably good character, a score of 32 to 35 points may be given. Dates that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice or U.S. Grade B (Dry) or U.S. Choice (Dry), whichever is applicable, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

(c) (C) classification. If the whole or pitted dates, whole dry dates for processing, date pieces, or macerated dates possess a fairly good character, a score of 28 to 31 points may be given. Dates that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard or U.S. Grade C (Dry) or U.S. Standard (Dry), whichever is applicable, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). “Fairly good character” has the following meanings with respect to the following styles:

(d) (SStd) classification. Dates that fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 27 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).