the establishments which have been or are to be graded or examined for compliance with specifications or which bear any marks of grade or compli

ance.

(b) Grading service will only be furnished for meat that a USDA grader determines is chilled so that grade factors are developed to the extent that a proper grade determination can be made in accordance with the official standards (Subpart B of Part 54 (7 CFR 54.102 et seq.)). To be eligible for grading, beef carcasses must be ribbed at least 10 minutes prior to being offered for grading. Meat that is presented in a frozen condition shall not be eligible for a grade determination. Meat of all eligible species shall be graded only in the establishment where the animal was slaughtered or initially chilled (except for veal and calf carcasses, which shall be graded only after the hide is removed and only in the establishment where such removal occurs). The Director may grant prior approval for grading at a location other than the establishment of slaughter or initial chill upon notifi

cation to the Division if the Branch was unable to provide grading service in a timely manner and that the meat can be identified in conformance with the standards.

[42 FR 53921, Oct. 4, 1977, as amended at 45 FR 51762, Aug. 5, 1980. Redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981]

§ 54.14 Official certificates.

an

(a) Required; exception. The official grader shall prepare, sign, and issue either (1) official Agricultural Products Grading Certificate for products graded by him, or (2) an official Agricultural Products Acceptance Certificate covering products for which he has determined compliance except in the Beef Carcass Data Service as provided for in § 54.4. In the latter case, complete records of the services shall be furnished to the office of grading.

(b) Form. The following forms (Figures 1 and 2) constitute forms of official certificates for products under the regulations. Where weight is certified, the word "Not" shall be deleted from the phrase "Wts. Not Verified."

I CERTIFY that in compliance with the Federal Meat Grading Regulations
(7 CFR 54 Subpart A, as amended) under the Agricultural Marketing Act
of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), I examined the product or
products described above, at the time and place stated, and found that at
said time and place the class, grade, and other quality thereof were as stated
above and such product or products complied with any specifications listed,
with any qualifications noted above.

The conduct of all services and the licensing of grading personnel under the regulations governing such services shall be accomplished without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

CHARGES

(c) Distribution. The original certificate, and not to exceed two copies, shall be delivered or mailed to the applicant or other person designated by him. The remaining copies shall be forwarded as required by agency, division, and branch instructions. Additional copies will be furnished to any person financially interested in the products involved with the concurrence of the applicant and upon payment of fees, as provided in § 54.27.

[42 FR 53921, Oct. 4, 1977. Redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981, and amended at 51 FR 590, Jan. 7, 1986]

§ 54.15 Advance information concerning service rendered.

Upon request of any applicant, all or any part of the contents of any certificate issued to him under the regulations, or other notification concerning the determination of class, grade, other quality, or compliance of products for such applicant may be transmitted by telegraph or telephone to him, or to any person designated by him, at his expense.

§ 54.16 Marking of products.

All products for which class and grade under the standards in Subpart B of this part, or compliance, is determined under the regulations, or the immediate and shipping containers thereof, shall be stamped, branded, or otherwise marked with an appropriate official identification: Provided, That except as otherwise directed by the Chief, such marking will not be required when an applicant only desires official certificates. The marking of products, or their containers, as required by this section shall be done by official graders or under their immediate supervision.

USDA U F

Figure 1.

(b) A shield enclosing the letters "USDA" as shown below with the appropriate quality grade designation "Prime," "Choice," "Good," "Standard," "Commerical," “Utility,” "Cutter," "Canner," or "Cull," as provided in the standards in Subpart B of this part and accompanied when necessary by the class designation “Bullock," "Veal," "Calf," "Lamb," "Yearling Mutton," or "Mutton," constitutes a form of official identification under the regulations to show the quality grade, and where necessary the class, under said standards, of steer, heifer, and cow beef, bullock beef, veal, calf, lamb, yearling mutton and mutton. The code identification letters of the grader performing the service will appear intermittently outside the shield.

USDA

U F

Figure 2.

(c) A shield enclosing the letters "USDA" and the words "Yield Grade," as shown below, with the appropriate yield grade designation "1," "2," "3," "4," or "5" as provided in the standards in Subpart B of this part constitutes a form of official identification under the regulations to show the yield grade under said standards. When yield graded, bull and bullock carcasses will be identified with the class designation "Bull" and "Bullock," respectively. The code identification letters of the grader performing