The following defects are considered damage to fresh, sweet cherries:
(1) Cracks within the stem cavity when they are deep or not well healed, or when the cherry's appearance is affected to a greater extent than a cherry that has a superficial well healed crack 1/16 inch in width and extending one-half the greatest circumference of the stem cavity.
(2) Cracks outside the stem cavity when they are deep or not well healed, or when they materially affect the cherry's appearance, or when the crack has weakened the cherry to the extent that it is likely to split or break in the process of proper grading, packing and handling.
(3) Hail marks when they are deep or not well healed, or when the aggregate area exceeds 3/16 inch in diameter.
(4) Evidence of insects when scale is present, or when any insect materially affects the cherry's appearance.
(5) Limb rubs when they affect the cherry's appearance more than the amount of scarring that is allowed.
(6) Pulled stems when the skin or flesh is slightly torn.
(7) Russeting when it affects the cherry's appearance more than the amount of scarring that is allowed.
(8) Blemishes including bird pecks, sunburn, other blemishes or combinations of blemishes that materially affect the appearance of the cherry, or any materially discolored flesh.
(9) Scars when excessively deep or rough or dark colored and when the aggregate area exceeds 3/16 inch in diameter, or when smooth or fairly smooth, light colored, superficial, and the aggregate area exceeds 1/4 inch in diameter.
(10) Skin breaks when they are not well healed, or when the cherry's appearance is materially affected.
(11) Sutures when they are excessively deep or cause the cherry's shape to be less than well formed.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters
15.17 and
34.05 RCW. WSR 07-12-076, § 16-414-045, filed 6/5/07, effective 7/6/07; WSR 05-12-037, § 16-414-045, filed 5/25/05, effective 6/25/05.]