7 CFR § 52.1006 - Color.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t7/s52.1006"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "7 CFR § 52.1006 - Color."
title_number: 7
title_name: "Agriculture"
section_number: "52.1006"
section_name: "Color."
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: "52"
part_name: "PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, PROCESSED PRODUCTS THEREOF, AND CERTAIN OTHER PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS"
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: "52"
---


# 52.1006 Color.

(a) (*A*) *classification.* Whole or pitted dates that possess a good color may be given a score of 18 to 20 points. “Good color” means that the color of the dates is practically uniform; and, with respect to dates that are predominantly light amber in color, there may be not more than 5 percent by count of dates that are dark amber in color; and, with respect to dates that are predominantly dark amber in color, there may be not more than 5 percent by count of dates that are light amber in color.

(b) (*B*) *classification.* If the whole or pitted dates or whole dry dates for processing possess a reasonably good color, a score of 16 or 17 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). “Reasonably good color” means that the color of the whole or pitted dates or whole dry dates for processing is reasonably uniform for the type; and, with respect to dates that are predominantly light amber in color, there may be not more than 10 percent by count of dates that are dark amber in color; and, with respect to dates that are predominantly dark amber in color, there may be not more than 10 percent by count of dates that are light amber in color.

(c) (*C*) *classification.* If the whole or pitted dates, whole dry dates for processing, date pieces, or macerated dates possess a fairly good color, a score of 14 or 15 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 color” has the following meanings with respect to the following styles:

(1) *Whole; pitted.* The color of the whole or pitted dates or whole dry dates for processing is fairly uniform for the type; and, with respect to dates that are predominantly light amber in color, there may be not more than 20 percent by count of dates that are dark amber in color; and, with respect to dates that are predominantly dark amber in color, there may be not more than 20 percent by count of dates that are light amber in color.

(2) *Pieces; macerated.* The color may be variable throughout the units or mass, may be slightly dull but not off-color, and is typical of properly prepared dates of these 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 13 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).