Celery

GENERAL:  USDA Grade A California celery that has been washed, blanched, cut and Individually Quick Frozen.  All product shall be of good quality and shall be prepared in accordance with good manufacturing practices under strict sanitary conditions to minimize the possibility of contamination during manufacture. 

Product shall conform to all applicable provisions of the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

SIZES:
Dice:  1/4",  3/8",  1/2"

Slice:  1/4",  3/8",  1/2",  3/4",  1-1/3" 
(Cross Cut)

Bias Cut:  3/16",  3/8",  1/2"

PHYSICAL:

Color: Typical of California celery, with normal distribution ranging between bright green to near white.

Texture: Firm and uniform in texture, practically free of objectionable tough or string units upon the completion of processing and after blanching.

Size: A predominance of size being prepared with some commercial varience to be expected (maximun 10% off size pieces).

Foreign Material: NONE.

Clusters: Frozen units are free flowing, less than 10% by weight are in clumps.

Leaf: Maximum (3) pieces of leaf per 100 pieces of diced celery not to exceed 10 pieces per 1 lb. test sample.  (Objectionable leaf is defined as dark green pieces larger than 1/4" in size.)

Defects: MAXIMUM OF 5% TOTAL DEFECTS BY WEIGHT.

Includes mechanical damage, biological breakdown (rot, brown stem, insect damage, and blemishes), and butt ends (root). Maximum 2% defects that seriously affect appearance.

CHEMICAL:

   Enzymes:  Negative peroxidase and
                    catalase tests.

   Herbicides &
   Pesticides: Meets F.D.A. and
                     U.S.D.A. tolerances,
                     information can be
                     supplied upon request.

MICROBIOLOGICAL:

Aerobic Plate Count:    
100,000 cfu/g

Coliform:                           
100 cfu/g

E. Coli:       
Negative

Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Yeast, Mold, and Staphylococcus aureus testing, available upon request.

PACKAGING:

Packing Containers:   Net weight shall be determined according to purchaser's request.

Container Sizes:   45-50 lb. corrugated cardboard cases and 1200-1300 lb. corrugated cardboard tote bins.  Cases and bins are lined with blue poly liners and taped closed along seam flap.

Container Codes:   Packages are coded with the following:    Product identification and size, Day Code (incorporates date, product description, pallet number). net and gross weights, and lot number.

Shelf Life: 4 - 6 months.