Wis. Admin. Code Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection ATCP 87.36 - Description and use of grade designations, terminology, and geographical designations to label containers of maple syrup

(1) GRADING REQUIREMENT AND USE OF GRADING TERMINOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHICAL DESIGNATIONS. A person processing maple syrup, who is required under s. ATCP 87.12(1) to hold a food processing plant license, shall label maple syrup containers for sale, with the grade designation in subs. (3) to (5), accurately describing the maple syrup in the containers. Other persons processing maple syrup may label maple syrup containers for sale with the grade designation in subs. (3) to (5) or the term ungraded that accurately describes the maple syrup in the containers. If the label on containers of maple syrup contains one or more of the Grade A color class terms or flavor descriptors in sub. (6), then the label must include the grade designation in subs. (3) to (5) or the term ungraded that accurately describes the maple syrup in the containers. The Wisconsin geographical designation may precede the grade designations in subs. (3) to (5) or the term ungraded, if all maple syrup in the container was produced in Wisconsin by concentrating maple sap. If some of the maple syrup in the container was produced by concentrating maple sap outside of Wisconsin, the U.S. geographical designation may precede the grade designation in sub. (3), but shall not precede the grade designations in subs. (4) and (5). If some of the maple syrup in the container was produced by concentrating maple sap outside of Wisconsin but the container was filled and sealed in Wisconsin, the container may be labeled "Bottled in Wisconsin" or "Packaged in Wisconsin".

(2) STANDARDS. The following grade designations shall be used to label containers of maple syrup, when such labeling is required under sub. (1), provided the product in the container is accurately described by the definition of one of the stated grade designations in subs. (3) to (5) and the grade A color class in sub. (6), if applicable. The grade of a lot of maple syrup shall be determined by using the procedures in 7 CFR parts 52.1 to 52.83.

(3) GRADE A. No deviants for damage shall be labeled as Grade A. The grade designation Grade A may be applied to maple syrup that has all of the following characteristics:

(a) Is not more than 68.9 percent solids content by weight, or 68.9 degrees Brix.

(b) Has good uniform color.

(c) Has good flavor and odor, and intensity of flavor, or maple taste, normally associated with the color class in sub. (6).

(d) Is free from off flavors and odors considered as damage.

(e) Is free from cloudiness, turbidity, sediment, and is clean.

(4) MAPLE SYRUP FOR PROCESSING (PROCESSING GRADE). Maple syrup bearing the grade designation maple syrup for processing, or processing grade, shall be packed in containers holding at least 5 gallons (18.925 liters) and shall not be packaged in containers smaller than 5 gallons (18.925 liters) for retail sale. Processing grade syrup is maple syrup that has all of the following characteristics:

(a) Fails to meet the requirements for grade A maple syrup.

(b) Possesses a fairly good characteristic maple taste.

(c) Is fairly clean and fairly free of damage, turbidity, or cloudiness.

(d) May be in any color class and have any percent light transmittance.

(e) Has not more than 68.9 percent solids content by weight, or not more than 68.9 degrees Brix.

(f) May contain off flavors and odors.

(g) May have a very strong taste.

(5) SUBSTANDARD. Maple syrup bearing the grade designation substandard is syrup that fails to meet the requirements in sub. (4) for processing grade maple syrup.

(6) COLOR CLASSES FOR GRADE A MAPLE SYRUP. The color class of grade A maple syrup is determined by the percent of transmittance of light at a wavelength of 560 nanometers through the syrup, as measured with a spectrophotometer using matched square optical cells having a 10 mm light path. The color value is expressed as percent of light transmission, as compared to analytical grade glycerol fixed at 100 percent. Percent transmittance is denoted by %Tc. Any method that provides equivalent results may be used to determine grade A maple syrup color class. Grade A maple syrup color classes and corresponding flavor descriptors are shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Grade A Color Class	Flavor Descriptor	Percent light transmittance
Golden	Delicate	At least 75.0
Amber	Rich	50.0 - 74.9
Dark	Robust	25.0 - 49.9
Very Dark	Strong	less than 25.0

Notes

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection ATCP 87.36

Adopted by, EmR 1704: emerg. cr., eff. 3-7-17; CR 16-044: cr. Register May 2017 No. 737, eff. 6-1-17; correction in (title), (1), (2), (4) (c) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2017 No. 737, eff. 6/1/2017