22 MISC. PUBLICATION 5 9 8, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



PMA 14553 



Figure 16. — Can with lid bearing the embossed shield which denotes that the 

 product was packed under continuous inspection of the Department of 

 Agriculture. 



of glass containers. This shield means that the foods have been packed 

 under continuous inspection, but it does not indicate the quality. 



Labels, too, often indicate that processed products have been so 

 packed by carrying the following statement : "Packed under continu- 

 ous inspection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture." Such prod- 

 ucts can also be recognized by consumers through the quality state- 

 ment on the label in which the letters "U. S." appear before the grade 

 name, as — 



U. S. Grade A or U. S. Fancy 

 U. S. Grade B or U. S. Choice 



or U. S. Extra Standard 

 U. S. Grade C or U. S. Standard 



These letters before the grade name on a label mean that the product 

 was — 



(1) packed under continuous Government inspection; 



(2) inspected and certified as the grade states. 



In other words, the prefix "U. S." with a grade name on canned or 

 other processed fruits and vegetables identifies a product as one packed 

 under continuous inspection. Labels on other processed fruits and 

 vegetables may carry Grade A, B, or C, or Fancy, Choice or Extra 



