---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 C.F.R. § 51.1272"
title: "7"
number: "51.1272"
heading: "Mature."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/7/51.1272"
---

# §51.1272. Mature.

- (a) Mature means that the pear has reached the stage of maturity which will insure the proper completion of the ripening process.
- (b) Before a mature pear becomes overripe it will show varying degrees of firmness, depending upon the stage of the ripening process. Therefore, a statement of firmness should be given in order to indicate the stage of the ripening process. A description of the ground color should also be given.
  - (1) **The following terms should be used for describing the ground color—** Green, Light Green, Yellowish Green, and Yellow.
  - (2) **The following terms should be used for describing the firmness of pears—**
    - (i) Hard means that the flesh of the pear is solid and does not yield appreciably even to considerable pressure.
    - (ii) Firm means that the flesh of the pear is fairly solid but yields somewhat to moderate pressure.
    - (iii) Firm ripe means that the flesh of the pear yields readily to moderate pressure.
    - (iv) Ripe means that the pear is at the stage where it is in its most desirable condition for eating.

## Notes

### Source

Source: 20 FR 5620, Aug. 5, 1955, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981.

### Authority

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.