QUALITY OF PREPACKAGED McINTOSH APPLES 
in New York City Retail Stores 
By-M. J. Ceponis,..J. ‘Kaufman, ands. M. Ringel 
Horticultural Crops Branch, Market Cuality Research Division 
Agricultural Marketing Service 
SUMMARY 
The quality of McIntosh apples in retail stores in New York City was seriously im- 
paired by numerous punctures and unsightly bruises within | to 3 days after they had 
been prepackaged in polyethylene bags in a packinghouse 60 miles away. 
Seven lots of McIntosh apples were surveyed at progressive steps in their marketing 
during 1959-60 and 1960-61. Punctures, caused mostly by stems, and large bruises 
were the most damaging conditions found, 
Skin breaks or punctures increased at each stage of marketing. Graded samples 
picked up at the packing plant showed more punctures than samples of orchard-run fruit; 
puncturing continued to increase during transport of fruit to stores and while it was on 
display in the stores. 
The pattern of bruising closely followed that of puncturing. Few of the displayed 
apples inspected after 2 or 3 days in the retail stores were free of noticeable bruising. 
A serious consequence of the puncturing and bruising of the fruit was the decay that 
developed within 1 week after the apples had been prepackaged. About 25 percent of the 
fruit sampled in retail stores became rotted within that time when held at 70°F. 
Several ways to reduce the damage to apples are discussed in this report. 
BACKGROUND OF STUDY 
The packaging of McIntosh apples in polyethylene bags for retail in the New York 
City area has become widespread. Some growers and merchants, however, have ex- 
pressed considerable concern over the inferior condition of the apples retailed in this 
manner. Excessive bruising, cuts and punctures, overripeness, and decay were the 
quality-affecting conditions they mentioned most frequently. To assist those segments of 
the trade interested in marketing a better quality product, a survey on McIntosh apples 
packaged in polyethylene bags was undertaken during the marketing seasons of 1959-60 
and 1960-61. The principal objectives were to determine the exact nature and extent of 
the loss in quality of the fruit and the causes contributing to this condition, and to con- 
sider possible corrective measures. 
METHODS OF STUDY 
Seven lots of McIntosh apples were surveyed, three in 1959-60 and four more in 
1960-61. Lots were sampled in December, January, and March of both seasons and in 
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