<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 15.17.01.04" title_num="15" subtitle_num="17" chapter_num="01" heading="Standards for “MD-CA” Certified Fruits.">
  <text>The Secretary shall certify and mark fruit as “MD-CA” certified if it conforms to all of the following standards:</text>
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Fruit shall be refrigerated immediately after harvesting and shall be sealed in a controlled atmosphere storage facility within 30 days after harvesting.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The oxygen content of a facility shall be reduced to 5 percent of the facility's volume within 20 cumulative calendar days after the facility's initial sealing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The maximum amount of oxygen retained in a sealed “MD-CA” facility may not exceed 5 percent by volume.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>While fruit is stored in a facility, the temperature shall be maintained within a range normal for each variety without significant deviation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Fruit shall be stored for a minimum of 90 days in a facility, except 60 days for Jonathan variety apples. However, fruit may not be stored for more than 10 months or later than August 1 following harvest. All fruit shall be sealed in a facility with not more than 5 percent oxygen content.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>