Grades and Standards
California peaches, plums and nectarines are subject to mandatory standards for quality and maturity. Fruit is inspected to ensure itmeets a modified U.S. No. 1 grade standard and one of two basic maturity standards:
- U.S. Mature. This allows for minimal maturity and states only that fruit must be “mature,” which means the fruit has reached a stage of growth which will ensure proper completion of the ripening process.
- California Well Matured. This requires a higher maturity level as determined by background color of the fruit, “spring” of the fruit for plums, among other tests. Inspectors grade fruit based on color standards determined for each variety by the government.
- Tree Ripe. Although not an official marketing order standard, fruit marked “tree ripe” must at least meet the minimum maturity standards of California Well Matured. As with mandatory marketing
order standards, suppliers are free to pack at a higher quality and /or maturity level if they so desire. - Utility Grade. The peach, plum and nectarine industries allow for the packing and sale of fruit known as “utility grade.” This grade was implemented to allow for the sale of cosmetically damaged fruit that would not normally be allowed under either of the marketing order grades or the U.S. No. 1 grade.