Comments on: Strawberries- Wet From Leaking Juice http://www.ipt.us.com/produce-defects-and-grade-standard-changes/strawberries-wet-from-leaking-juice Fresh produce inspection training Thu, 03 May 2012 13:13:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Theresa http://www.ipt.us.com/produce-defects-and-grade-standard-changes/strawberries-wet-from-leaking-juice/comment-page-1#comment-879 Theresa Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:29:04 +0000 http://www.ipt.us.com/?p=1903#comment-879 Transporters/truckers should also be concerned as they will undoubtedly be blamed for the “rough ride” the berries got on their way to market, causing bruising, which led to leaking onto sound berries. This is true, but if the berries are not at the rear of the trailer and at a temp of 34 this will not happen. Transporters/truckers should also be concerned as they will undoubtedly be blamed for the “rough ride” the berries got on their way to market, causing bruising, which led to leaking onto sound berries. This is true, but if the berries are not at the rear of the trailer and at a temp of 34 this will not happen.

]]> By: Paul Manol http://www.ipt.us.com/produce-defects-and-grade-standard-changes/strawberries-wet-from-leaking-juice/comment-page-1#comment-847 Paul Manol Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:07:50 +0000 http://www.ipt.us.com/?p=1903#comment-847 Why am I not surprised? Yet another "phantom" defect created by the Fresh Products Branch (FPB) brain trust. As a former FPB inspector, standardization specialist, assistant section head, international standards coordinator, and TDC training instructor, I'm appalled by this decision and agree that no one that I've ever encountered has ever considered this a defect! NO ONE Scoring this defect will cause practically every lot of strawberries inspected by USDA inspectors to be out of grade and subject to rejection (or steep discounts). Strawberry growers and shippers should be up in arms over this decision. Transporters/truckers should also be concerned as they will undoubtedly be blamed for the "rough ride" the berries got on their way to market, causing bruising, which led to leaking onto sound berries. Again, what on earth is FPB "management" thinking about? Perhaps it would be easier if inspectors simply gave an applicant a book of certificates (or one of those near-worthless FIERS computers they use)and let them produce their own out-of-grade certificates with which to put the screws to their shippers and transporters. Unbelievable.....but not really...considering the current state of the inspection service. Why am I not surprised? Yet another “phantom” defect created by the Fresh Products Branch (FPB) brain trust. As a former FPB inspector, standardization specialist, assistant section head, international standards coordinator, and TDC training instructor, I’m appalled by this decision and agree that no one that I’ve ever encountered has ever considered this a defect! NO ONE

Scoring this defect will cause practically every lot of strawberries inspected by USDA inspectors to be out of grade and subject to rejection (or steep discounts). Strawberry growers and shippers should be up in arms over this decision. Transporters/truckers should also be concerned as they will undoubtedly be blamed for the “rough ride” the berries got on their way to market, causing bruising, which led to leaking onto sound berries.

Again, what on earth is FPB “management” thinking about? Perhaps it would be easier if inspectors simply gave an applicant a book of certificates (or one of those near-worthless FIERS computers they use)and let them produce their own out-of-grade certificates with which to put the screws to their shippers and transporters.

Unbelievable…..but not really…considering the current state of the inspection service.

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