HAR §4-41-30. Standards for Hawaii-grown topped beets

(a) As used in this section: "Damage" means any defect or combination of defects which materially detracts from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the beets; or which causes a loss of more than five per cent, by weight, in the ordinary preparation for use. "Diameter" means the greatest dimension measured at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the beet. "Fairly smooth" means the beets are not materially affected by roughness at the crown caused by abnormal growing conditions, shedding of dead leaves, or other means. Beets with only a slight roughness or pitting at the crown shall be considered as being fairly smooth. "Fairly well shaped" means the beets are not sufficiently malformed as to materially affect appearance or cause material waste in preparation for use. "Firm" means the beets are not soft, flabby, or shriveled. "Serious damage" means any defect or combination of defects which seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the beets; or which causes a loss of more than ten per cent, by weight, in the ordinary preparation for use. "Similar varietal characteristics" means the beets in any lot are of similar shape and color. "Soft rot" means any soft, mushy, or leaky condition and does not apply to decays of the dry type. "Well trimmed" means the tops are trimmed to not more than one-half inch in length and unsightly secondary rootlets have been removed. §4-41- 41-36 (b) Hawaii No. 1 (Hawaii Grade A) topped beets consist of Hawaii-grown beets of similar varietal characteristics which are firm, fairly smooth, fairly well shaped, and well trimmed; and which are free from soft rot and from damage caused by cuts, dirt, dry rot, disease, growth cracks, insects, rodents, or mechanical or other means. Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each beet shall be not less than two inches nor more than three and one-fourth inches. The size of beets which do not meet the size requirements for Hawaii No. 1 may be specified in terms of minimum and maximum diameters. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading, sizing, and handling, the following tolerances, based on weight, are provided: (1) For defects, not more than ten per cent of the beets in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, provided not more than one-half of this amount, or five per cent, shall be allowed for beets which are seriously damaged by any cause, including not more than one per cent affected by soft rot; and (2) For off-size, not more than five per cent of the beets in any lot may be below the specified minimum diameter and not more than ten per cent may be above the specified maximum diameter. [Eff 5/29/81; am and comp 8/18/83; am and comp 3/24/86] (Auth: HRS §147-4) (Imp: HRS §147-4)