(1) All processing plants shall properly grade each lot of fruit to meet the requirements of wholesomeness, before attempting to process the fruit. The primary grading shall be achieved using roller-type grading belts, which shall be of sufficient size and length to allow removal of unwholesome fruit and manned by competent graders at all times when fruit is received for storage or processing.
    (2) When transferring fruit from storage bins to the extractor, a secondary grading shall be required if the fruit has remained in storage bins for more than 24 hours. The processor must provide records disclosing the time and date of all fruit being placed in and removed from bins, and additional records shall document that the secondary grading belts were manned with competent graders and the hours of operation for examination by inspectors if fruit is held in bins for more than 24 hours. This shall not apply to fruit conveyed by belt from adjacent packinghouses, if the fruit was properly graded prior to reaching the conveyor.
Rulemaking Authority 601.10(7), 601.24 FS. Law Implemented 601.11, 601.24, 601.53 FS. History-Formerly 105-1.25(1),(2), Amended 1-1-75, Formerly 20-62.03, Amended 1-24-19.