7 CFR § 51.1272 - Mature.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t7/s51.1272"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "7 CFR § 51.1272 - Mature."
title_number: 7
title_name: "Agriculture"
section_number: "51.1272"
section_name: "Mature."
chapter_name: "AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (STANDARDS, INSPECTIONS, MARKETING PRACTICES), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946 AND THE EGG PRODUCTS INSPECTION ACT"
part_number: "51"
part_name: "FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND OTHER PRODUCTS (INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS)"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "7 U.S.C. 1621-1627."
cfr_part: "51"
---


# 51.1272 Mature.

(a) *Mature* means that the pear has reached the stage of maturity which will insure the proper completion of the ripening process.

(b) Before a mature pear becomes overripe it will show varying degrees of firmness, depending upon the stage of the ripening process. Therefore, a statement of firmness should be given in order to indicate the stage of the ripening process. A description of the ground color should also be given.

(1) The following terms should be used for describing the ground color: *Green, Light Green, Yellowish Green,* and *Yellow.*

(2) The following terms should be used for describing the firmness of pears:

(i) *Hard* means that the flesh of the pear is solid and does not yield appreciably even to considerable pressure.

(ii) *Firm* means that the flesh of the pear is fairly solid but yields somewhat to moderate pressure.

(iii) *Firm ripe* means that the flesh of the pear yields readily to moderate pressure.

(iv) *Ripe* means that the pear is at the stage where it is in its most desirable condition for eating.