Proposed changes to grades and requirements for grapes
This document was part of the public consultation on the Proposed changes to the Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 – Fresh Fruit or Vegetables. Each phase of the consultation will focus on a group of fresh fruit or vegetables and will be open for a 60-day period.
The consultation for Phase 2 ran from December 10, 2021 to February 11, 2022.
Grades and Requirements for Grapes
Application
54. The grades and requirements set out in sections 55 to 56 apply to grapes of varieties (cultivars) grown from Vitis vinifera or Vitis labrusca and their hybrids.
Grades and Grade Names
55. The grade and grade name for grapes is Canada No. 1.
Canada No. 1 Grade Requirements
56. (1) The following definitions apply in this section.
"fairly compact" means that the bunches are well filled but the berries are not closely spaced. (passablement serrés)
"of good colour" means that not less than 90%, by count, of the berries on a bunch are of the colour characteristic of the variety when mature. (d'une bonne couleur)
"of good size", with respect to grapes in a lot, means that not less than 90%, by count, of the berries on a bunch and not less than 90%, by weight, of the bunches are of a size characteristic of the variety when mature and variation in size is not sufficient to materially affect the general appearance of the lot. (d'une bonne grosseur)
(2) Subject to the general tolerances set out in section 57, grapes graded Canada No. 1 must
- (a) be properly packaged;
- (b) be fairly clean;
- (c) be sound and free from dried grapes;
- (d) be free from crushed, split or shattered berries;
- (e) be of one variety, of good colour and of good size;
- (f) have 90%, by weight, of the bunches in a lot of a fairly compact nature for the variety;
- (g) be free from hail marks;
- (h) be free from insects and insect larvae;
- (i) be free from insect damage;
- (j) be free from disease, mould and mildew; and
- (k) be free from any other damage, defect or combination of damage and defects that materially affects their appearance, edibility or shipping quality.
(3) Despite paragraph (2)(e), grapes of different varieties and colours packaged in approximately equal proportions and labelled "mixed varieties", that in all other respects meet the requirements of Canada No. 1 grade, may be designated Canada No. 1.
General Tolerances
57. (1) In the grading of grapes, the requirements set out in section 56 are considered to be met when up to 10% of the grapes by weight in a lot have defects, including
- (a) in the case of a lot of grapes inspected at the time of shipping or repackaging, not more than
- (i) 1% that are affected by decay, and
- (ii) 5% that have the same defect other than decay; and
- (b) in the case of a lot of grapes inspected at a time other than at the time of shipping or repackaging, not more than 5% that have the same permanent defect.
(2) Condition defects apply against the grade of a lot of grapes only when the lot is inspected at the time of shipping or repackaging.
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