Section 001-125-VII - TOLERANCESTo allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling in each of the foregoing grades, the following tolerances, by weight or equivalent basis, are provided as specified.
A. For Defects 1. Baby Maine Grade, Maine Grade, Maine Long White Grade and Maine Russet Grade.a. A total of 8 percent of the potatoes in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade; provided that included in this tolerance not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed: 1. 5 percent for external defects,2. 5 percent for internal defects,3. 3 percent for potatoes which are affected by freezing, late blight, ring rot, soft rot, southern bacterial wilt or wet breakdown, including therein not more than 1 percent for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown.2. Maine Chef's Specials and Premium Maine Grade:a. A total of 8 percent of the potatoes in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade; provided that included in this tolerance not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed: 1. 4 percent for external defects,2. 4 percent for internal defects,3. 2 percent for potatoes which are affected by freezing, late blight, ring rot, soft rot or wet breakdown, including therein not more than 1 percent for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot southern bacterial wilt or wet breakdown.3. Processing Grade a. A total of 11 percent of the potatoes in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade; provided that included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed:1 6 percent for external defects, 2. 5 percent for internal defects,3. 3 percent for potatoes which are affected by freezing, late blight, ring rot, soft rot, Southern bacterial wilt or wet breakdown, including therein not more than 1 percent for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown.4. Unclassifieda. A total of 10 percent of the potatoes in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, provided that included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed:1. 10 per cent for defects including not more than 5% for blackheart,2. 3 percent for potatoes which are affected by freezing, late blight, ring rot, soft rot, Southern bacterial wilt or wet breakdown, including therein not more than 1 percent for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown.B. For Off-Size Not more than 3 percent of the potatoes in any lot may be smaller than the required or specified minimum size except that a tolerance of 5 percent shall be allowed for potatoes packed to meet a minimum size of 2 1/14 inches or larger in diameter or 5 ounces or more in weight. In addition, not more than 10 percent may be larger than any required or specified maximum size.
C. Application of Tolerances Individual samples shall have not more than double the tolerances specified, except that at least one defective and one off-size potato may be permitted in any sample: Provided, that en route or at destination one-tenth of the samples may contain three times the tolerance permitted for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown: and provided further, that the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade.
01-001 C.M.R. ch. 125, § VII