2010 Pennsylvania Code
Title 3 - AGRICULTURE
Chapter 61 - Maple Products
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.