Rule 40-7-7-.17 - Terms Used in Interpreting the Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell(1) "Fairly uniform in color" means that the shells do not show sufficient variation in color to materially detract from the general appearance of the lot.(2) "Loose extraneous or foreign material" means loose hulls, empty broken shells, or any substance other than pecans in the shell or pecan kernels.(3) "Well developed" means that the kernel has a large amount of meat in proportion to its width and length. (See Figure 1).(4) "Fairly well developed" means that the kernel has at least a moderate amount of meat in proportion to its width and length. Shriveling and hollowness shall be considered only to the extent that they have reduced the meatiness of the kernel. (See Figure 1.)(5) "Poorly developed" means that the kernel has a small amount of meat in proportion to its width and length. (See Figure 1.)(6) "Well cured" means that the kernel separates freely from the shell, breaks cleanly when bent, without splintering, shattering, or loosening the skin; and the kernel appears to be in good shipping or storage condition as to moisture content.(7) "Damage" means any specific defect described in this section; or any equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, or any other defect, or any combination of defects, which materially detracts from the appearance or the edible or marketing quality of the individual pecan or the general appearance of the pecans in the lot. The following defects shall be considered as damage: (a) Adhering hull material or dark stains affecting an aggregate of more than 5 percent of the surface of the individual shell.(b) Split or cracked shells when the shell is spread apart or will spread upon application of slight pressure.(c) Broken shells when any portion of the shell is missing.(d) Kernels which are not well cured.(e) Poorly developed kernels.(f) Kernels which are dark amber in color.(g) Kernel spots when more than one dark spot is present on either half of the kernel, or when any such spot is more than one eighth inch in greatest dimension.(h) Adhering material from the inside of the shell when firmly attached to more than one-third of the outer surface of the kernel and contrastive in color with the skin of the kernel.(i) Internal flesh discoloration of a medium shade of gray or brown extending more than one-fourth inch lengthwise beneath the center ridge, or an equally objectionable amount in other portions of the kernel; or lesser areas of dark discoloration affecting the appearance to an equal or greater extent.(8) "Serious damage" means any specific defect described in this section; or an equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, or any other defect, or any combination of defects, which seriously detracts from the appearance or the edible or marketing quality of the individual pecan. The following defects shall be considered as serious damage: (a) Adhering hull material or dark stains affecting an aggregate of more than 20 percent of the surface of the individual shell.(b) Broken shells when the missing portion of shell is greater in area than a circle one-fourth inch in diameter.(c) Worm holes when penetrating the shell.(d) Rancidity when the kernel is distinctly rancid to the taste. Staleness of flavor shall not be classed as rancidity.(e) Mold, on the surface or inside the kernel, which is plainly visible without magnification.(f) Decay affecting any portion of the kernel.(g) Insect injury when the insect, web or frass is present inside the shell, or the kernel shows distinct evidence of insect feeding.(h) Kernel spots when more than three dark spots are on either half of the kernel, or when any spot or the aggregate of two or more spots on one of the halves of the kernel affects more than 10 percent of the surface.(i) Dark discoloration of the skin which is darker than dark amber over more than 25 percent of the outer surface of the kernel.(j) Internal flesh discoloration of a dark shade extending more than one-third the length of the kernel beneath the ridge, or an equally objectionable amount of dark discoloration in other portions of the kernel.(k) Undeveloped kernels having practically no food value, or which are black (complete shell containing no kernel).Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-7-7-.17
Ga. L. 1956 as amended; O.C.G.A. Sec. 26-2-1et seq.
Original Rule entitled "Terms Used in Interpreting the Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell" adopted. F. Apr. 30, 1996; eff. May 20, 1996.