6107 - Requirements and grades.
§ 6107. Requirements and grades. (a) General rule.-- (1) A food product shall not be described as "maple" or "maple flavored" unless it contains maple syrup as the sole source of maple flavor and color, provided that a food product which contains maple syrup as the sole source of maple flavor but which is artificially colored may be described as "maple flavored, artificially colored." (2) No person shall sell or offer for sale in this Commonwealth maple syrup which does not comply with the grades, density, flavor and other requirements of this section. (b) Processing.--Maple syrup shall not be processed in any manner which adds or removes naturally occurring soluble materials. This limitation shall not preclude the use of approved filter aids used for the sole purpose of assisting the removal of suspended material or the use of defoaming agents approved by the department. (c) Ingredients.--The only ingredients which may be added to maple sap in the production of maple syrup are: (1) Salt. (2) Chemical preservatives and defoaming agents approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (52 Stat. 1040, 21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.). (d) Density.-- (1) Unless otherwise established by regulations promulgated by the department, the minimum density of maple syrup shall be 66 degrees Brix at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), no person shall place maple syrup in retail or wholesale containers if it does not comply with the density standards of this chapter or sell, exchange, offer for sale or expose for sale packaged maple syrup which does not meet the density requirements of this chapter. (3) If the density of bulk maple syrup does not exceed the minimum density set forth in paragraph (1), the container shall be conspicuously marked: NOTICE The syrup in this container has a density of (number) degrees Brix at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. (e) Labeling.-- (1) Packaged maple syrup shall be conspicuously labeled as to grade at the time of packaging. (2) Packaged maple syrup shall be labeled in accordance with department requirements. (3) Maple products labeled as "organic" shall comply with organic food labeling laws. (4) A product or package containing a product made by combining maple sap, maple sugar or maple syrup with any other sugar or other substance shall be clearly and conspicuously marked as to indicate the accurate and descriptive name of the added substance and the amount of maple sugar, maple syrup or other substance contained in the product. (5) A product or package containing a product made by using an artificial maple flavoring or artificial coloring shall be clearly and conspicuously marked "artificially flavored" or "artificially colored," as the case may be. (f) Grade.--Unless otherwise established by regulations promulgated by the department, the grades of maple syrup shall be as follows: (1) "Grade A Light Amber" shall have a color no darker than the United States Department of Agriculture's visual color standard of light amber and a delicately sweet, original maple flavor characteristic of a light amber maple syrup. Light amber maple syrup shall be free of sugar crystals and shall not be damaged in any way. (2) "Grade A Medium Amber" shall have a color no darker than the United States Department of Agriculture's visual color standard of medium amber and a flavor which is more pronounced than that of light amber but which is not strong or unpleasant and is characteristic of medium amber maple syrup. Medium amber maple syrup shall be free of sugar crystals and shall not be damaged in any way. (3) "Grade A Dark Amber" shall have a color no darker than the United States Department of Agriculture's visual color standard of dark amber and a flavor which is stronger than that of medium amber but which is not sharp, bitter, buddy or off-flavor and is characteristic of dark amber. Dark amber maple syrup shall be free of sugar crystals and shall not be damaged in any way. (4) "Grade B" shall have a color darker than the United States Department of Agriculture's visual color standard of dark amber which nonetheless permits light transmission through standard comparator containers and a flavor which is stronger than that of medium amber but which is not sharp, bitter, buddy or off-flavor and is characteristic of dark amber. Grade B maple syrup shall be free of sugar crystals and shall not be damaged in any way. (5) "Grade C" shall be any maple syrup which does not meet the grade standards for Grade A light, medium or dark or Grade B maple syrup. Grade C maple syrup shall not be packaged for retail or wholesale sales except for sale directly between the producer and the consumer. (g) Hydrometers.--The department shall promulgate regulations to establish standards for hydrometers used to determine the density of maple sap or maple syrup. The regulations shall include a procedure for certifying the accuracy of hydrometers. Cross References. Section 6107 is referred to in sections 6103, 6112 of this title.