New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 1 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS
Chapter IV - Markets
Subchapter A - Grading of Farm Products (Article 12-A Agriculture and Markets Law)
Part 162 - Official State Brands Or Trademarks
Section 162.29 - Potato standards

Universal Citation: 1 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs ยง 162.29

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024

(a) General. New York State Seal of Quality potatoes shall be potatoes having similar varietal characteristics which are fairly well matured, firm, clean, fairly well shaped, with 50 percent or more well shaped, free from freezing, blackheart, late blight, southern bacterial wilt, ring rot, soft rot and wet breakdown and free from damage by any other cause. In addition, at shipping point, potatoes shall be free from external sprouts.

(b) Definitions. Damage means any defect as outlined in 1 NYCRR Part 165, Standards for Grades of Potatoes. Exceptions are:

(1) External sprouts means an individual potato is considered as damaged when the potato has any sprout more that 1/4 inch in length or has individual sprouts or cluster of sprouts which more than slightly detracts from the appearance of the potato.

(c) Size. The potatoes shall be not less than 2 1/8 inches nor more than 3 1/2inches in diameter. Long type potatoes shall be not less that five ounces in weight and shall not vary more than six ounces in weight.

(d) Tolerances. In order to allow for variation incident to proper grading and handling, the following tolerances by weight, are provided:

(1) For defects. A total of eight percent for potatoes in any lot which fail to meet the requirements for the specifications: provided, that included in this tolerance not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed:
(i) Five percent for external defects.

(ii) Five percent for internal defects.

(iii) Three percent for potatoes which are affected by freezing, southern bacterial wilt, ring rot, late blight, soft rot, or wet breakdown including therein not more than one percent for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown.

(iv) In addition, not more than five percent of the potatoes in any lot may be damaged by external sprouts at retail level.

(2) For size. Not more than five percent of the potatoes in any lot may be smaller than the required minimum size. In addition, not more than 10 percent may be larger than any specified maximum size. For long type potatoes not more than five percent may vary more than six ounces in weight.

(e) Application of tolerances. Individual samples shall have not more than double the tolerance, except that at least one defective and one off-size potato may be permitted in any sample; and provided that the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified.

(f) Sample for grade and size determination. Sample size shall be at least 20 pounds.

(g) Packing. In addition to packing requirements as set forth in Department of Agriculture and Markets Circular 860 entitled Potatoes, potatoes shall be packed in new containers subject to approval by the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Container approval shall be based upon the ability of the container to maintain the quality standards and integrity of the product.

(h) Markings. In addition to the marking requirements set forth in Circular 860, potatoes packaged and offered for sale under the Seal of Quality program shall have affixed the official seal designation.

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