Every now and then you may see some golden brown to dark brown discoloration affecting strawberries. You have to remember strawberries are harvested and packed right in the strawberry fields, with the picker also quickly verifying the quality of the berry before placing it in the clamshell. Although the strawberries are grown on plastic they […]
As many of you know by know, I am always quick to point out ways the USDA could improve their inspection procedures and clear up and misconceptions. Pineapples and internal breakdown could use some help. To begin with let’s first explain what internal breakdown is. As seen above, you can clearly see the discolored flesh of […]
During my 35 plus years involved in the inspection of fresh fruit and vegetables I never came across Black Dot on potatoes. Not one potato shipper or receiver ever complained or mentioned Black Dot to me. But during the past two years, the USDA has made it a point to include Black Dot as a […]
Last week, while in a training class, we came upon some tomatoes showing moldy clayxes and stems. Of course the question came up about the scoring guideline, for moldy stems on tomatoes and on cluster tomatoes. The class and I thought it may go a few ways, for instance: Score the defect as serious damage, […]
In many of these past posts I have referenced the defect “growth cracks” quite a few times. There may be few of you that are not really clear on what a growth crack is, or how it is different from a scar. To begin with, both scars and growth cracks are considered to be quality […]
Every now and then I disagree with a specific USDA sampling procedure, especially when it involves cutting (destroying) produce. When it comes to eggplant, the USDA seems to go overboard with their cutting procedure instructions. Their own inspection instructions state: Sampling for Internal Defects When inspecting eggplant for internal defects, randomly select and cut, a minimum of […]
Every now and then you may come across some problems with pineapples in a shipment. Common defects are bruising and decay, which are easily identified. Recently an inspector came across some pineapples that were showing a brown discoloration around the eyes. It was correctly identified as gummosis. He shared with me the following images. As shown […]
The number one question that I hear over and over, is to explain what is considered a good/bad pressure test reading. To begin with, using a penetrometer is a useful tool to determine how hard or how ripe the fruit is that you are inspecting. Industry uses penetrometers on a daily basis when storing or […]
Although you may come across some onions with a green color, caused by sunburn, the scoring guidelines will most likely prevent you from scoring sunburn as a defect. We will discuss northern grown onions (onions grown in Idaho, Oregon Northern California, New York, etc) as the scoring guideline for Bermuda Granex Grao type onions is […]
You will sometimes come across carrots that show definitive cracks running the length of the carrot. Many inspectors confuse this defect with bruising or mechanical damage, or may think these are growth cracks. But no, these are not caused by rough harvesting or due to sudden growth while in the ground. This defect is called “air […]