United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Program

Specialty Crops

Inspection

Division

United States Standards 

for Grades of

Frozen Lima Beans

Effective date DRAFT

DRAFT
Discussion draft for the revision of the U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen 

Lima Beans November 2012

Information about this draft may be obtained from:

Brian E. Griffin

Standardization Branch

Specialty Crops Inspection Division

STOP 0247

1400 Independence Ave. SW

Washington, DC 20250-0247

Telephone: 202 720-5021

Fax: 202 690-1527

Email: brian.griffin@ams.usda.gov

THIS DRAFT IS FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY AND HAS NOT BEEN 

APPROVED FOR USE BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DRAFT
This is the tenth issue, as amended, of the United States Standards for Grades of 

Frozen Lima Beans published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of ________________to 

become effective _______________ . This issue supersedes the ninth issue, which 

was published in the Federal Register May 22, 1957 has been in effect since May 22, 

1957. 

Voluntary U.S. grade standards are issued under the authority of the Agricultural 

Marketing Act of 1946, which provides for the development of official U.S. grades to 

designate different levels of quality. These grade standards are available for use by 

producers, suppliers, buyers, and consumers. As in the case of other standards for 

grades of processed fruits and vegetables, these standards are designed to facilitate 

orderly marketing by providing a convenient basis for buying and selling, for establishing 

quality control programs, and for determining loan values.

The standards also serve as a basis for the inspection and grading of commodities by 

the Federal inspection service, the only activity authorized to approve the designation of 

U.S. grades as referenced in the standards, as provided under the Agricultural 

Marketing Act of 1946. This service, available as on-line (in-plant) or lot inspection and 

grading of all processed fruit and vegetable products, is offered to interested parties, 

upon application, on a fee-for-service basis. The verification of some specific 

recommendations, requirements, or tolerances contained in the standards can be 

accomplished only by the use of on-line inspection procedures. In all instances, a grade 

can be assigned based on final product factors or characteristics.

In addition to the U.S. grade standards, grading manuals or instructions for inspection of 

several processed fruits and vegetables are available upon request for a nominal 

fee. These manuals or instructions contain detailed interpretations of the grade 

standards and provide step-by-step procedures for grading the product.

Grade standards are issued by the Department after careful consideration of all data 

and views submitted, and the Department welcomes suggestions which might aid in 

improving the standards in future revisions. Comments may be submitted to, and 

copies of standards and grading manuals obtained from:

Director, Specialty Crops Inspection Division

Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0240

DRAFT

Washington, D.C. 20250
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans

Section Page No.

§52.501 Product description........................................................................ 2 

§52.502 Types of frozen lima beans. .......................................................... 2 

§52.503 Grades of frozen lima beans.......................................................... 2 

§52.504 Ascertaining the grade................................................................... 2 

§52.505 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored................ 3 

§52.506 Color. ............................................................................................ 3 

§52.507 Defects. ......................................................................................... 6 

§52.508 Ascertaining the grade of a lot........................................................ 9 

§52.509 Score sheet for frozen lima beans................................................ 10

Authority: Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, Secs. 203, 205, 60 Stat. 1087, as 

amended, 1090, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624).

Note: Compliance with the provisions of these standards shall not excuse failure to 

comply with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 

or with applicable State laws and regulations.

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2

§52.501 Product description.

Frozen lima beans means the frozen product prepared from the clean, sound, 

succulent seed of the lima bean plant without soaking, by shelling, washing, blanching, 

and properly draining, and is then frozen in accordance with good commercial practice 

and maintained at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product.

§52.502 Types of frozen lima beans.

(a) Thin-seeded such as Henderson, Bush and Thorogreen varieties.

(b) Thick-seeded Baby Potato such as Baby Potato, Baby Fordhook, and 

Evergreen.

(c) Thick-seeded, such as Fordhook variety.

§52.503 Grades of frozen lima beans.

(a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of frozen lima beans that possess similar 

varietal characteristics; that possess a good flavor; that are tender; that 

possess a good color; that are practically free from defects; and that score 

not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system 

outlined in this subpart.

(b) U.S. Grade B is the quality of frozen lima beans that possess similar 

varietal characteristics; that possess a good flavor; that are reasonably 

tender; that possess a reasonably good color; that are reasonably free from 

defects; and that score not less than 80 points when scored in accordance 

with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(c) U.S. Grade C is the quality of frozen lima beans that possess similar 

varietal characteristics; that possess a fairly good flavor; that are fairly 

tender; that possess a fairly good color; that are fairly free from defects; 

and that score not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the 

scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(d) Substandard is the quality of frozen lima beans that fail to meet the 

requirements of U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard.

§52.504 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) General. In addition to considering other requirements outlined in the 

standards, the following quality factors are evaluated:

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3

(1) Factors not rated by score points.

(i) Varietal characteristics.

(ii) Flavor.

(iii) Tenderness.

(2) Factors rated by score points. The relative importance of each 

factor which is scored is expressed numerically on the scale of 100. 

The maximum number of points that may be given each such factor 

is:

Factors Points

Color .....................................................................................

Defects..................................................................................

Total Score ..................................................................

60

40

100

(b) The scores for the factors of color and absence of defects are determined 

immediately after thawing to the extent that the product is substantially free 

from ice crystals and can be handled as individual units. The evaluation of 

the factors of tenderness and flavor of frozen lima beans is made after 

thawing and after the product is cooked.

(c) Good flavor means that the product has a good, characteristic, normal 

flavor and odor and is free from objectionable flavors and objectionable 

odors of any kind.

(d) Fairly good flavor means that the product may be lacking in good flavor 

and odor but is free from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of 

any kind.

§52.505 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored.

The essential variations within each factor which is scored are so described that the 

value may be ascertained for such factors and expressed numerically. The numerical 

range within each factor which is scored is inclusive (for example, 54 to 60 points

means 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60 points).

§52.506 Color. 

(a) General. The color of frozen lima beans has reference to the color 

characteristic of the individual lima bean.

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4 

(1) Green means that not less than 50 percent of the surface area of 

the individual lima bean possesses as much or more green color 

than U.S.D.A. lima bean green color standard for frozen lima beans.

(2) White means that more than 50 percent of the surface area of the 

individual lima bean is lighter in color than U.S.D.A. lima bean white 

color standard for frozen lima beans.

(3) The U.S.D.A. frozen lima bean color standards conform to the I.C.I. 

and other color requirements as specified in Table No. I of this 

section.

Table No. 1 - Color Requirements for U.S.D.A. Color Standards for

Frozen Lima Beans

Color designation Daylight directional 

reflectance

Chromaticity coordinates

Y x y

U.S.D.A. lima bean 

green color standard.

U.S.D.A. lima bean 

white color standard

40.4

63.5

.3715

.3731

.4576

.4016

 (4) Information regarding these color standards may be obtained by 

contacting the Specialty Crops Inspection Division. 

(b) "A" classification. Frozen lima beans that possess a good color may be 

given a score of 54 to 60 points. Good color means that the lima beans, 

regardless of type, possess a bright typical color and meet the following 

additional color requirements for the respective types:

(1) Thin-seeded type (with skins removed); Thick-seeded Baby 

Potato type (with skins on).

(i) Not less than 93 percent, by count, of the lima beans are 

green and not more than 7 percent by count, may be lighter 

in color: Provided, that not more than 1 percent, by count, of 

all the lima beans are white, or

(ii) Not less than 97 percent, by count, of the lima beans are 

green and not more than 3 percent, by count, may be lighter 

DRAFT

in color or white lima beans.
5 

(2) Thick-seeded type (with skins on). Not less than 85 percent, by 

count, of the lima beans are green and not more than 15 percent, by 

count, may be lighter in color: Provided, that not more than 

1 percent, by count, of all the lima beans are white.

(c) "B" classification. If the frozen lima beans possess a reasonably good 

color a score of 48 to 53 points may be given. Frozen lima beans that fall 

into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B regardless 

of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Reasonably good 

color means that the lima beans, regardless of type, possess a typical 

color and meet the following additional requirements for the respective 

types:

(1) Thin-seeded type (with skins removed); Thick-seeded Baby 

Potato type (with skins on). Not less than 65 percent, by count, of 

the lima beans are green and not more than 35 percent, by count, 

may be lighter in color or white lima beans.

(2) Thick-seeded type (with skins on). Not less than 60 percent, by 

count, of the lima beans are green and not more than 40 percent, by 

count, may be lighter in color: Provided, that not more than 

5 percent, by count, of all the lima beans are white.

(d) "C" classification. If the frozen lima beans possess a fairly good color a 

score of 42 to 47 points may be given. Frozen lima beans that fall into this 

classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C regardless of the 

total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Fairly good color means 

that the lima beans, regardless of type, possess a typical color and meet 

the following additional requirements for the respective types:

(1) Thin-seeded type (with skins removed); Thick-seeded Baby 

Potato type (with skins on). Less than 65 percent, by count, of the 

lima beans are green and all of the lima beans may be white.

(2) Thick-seeded type (with skins on). Less than 60 percent, by 

count, of the lima beans are green: Provided, that not more than 

20 percent, by count, of all the lima beans are white.

(e) "SStd" classification. Frozen lima beans that are definitely off color or fail 

to meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a 

score of 0 to 41 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, 

regardless of the total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

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6 

§52.507 Defects.

(a) General. The factor of defects refers to the degree of freedom from 

harmless extraneous vegetable material, from pieces of beans, shriveled 

beans, sprouted beans, light discoloration, and from beans that are 

blemished or seriously blemished.

(1) Harmless extraneous vegetable material means:

(i) Predominantly flat or predominantly cylindrical, green, tender 

vegetable material, such as pieces of pods or leaves and 

stems of the lima bean plant; and

(ii) Predominantly spherical vegetable material, such as seeds 

from other plants.

(2) Piece of bean (broken bean) means:

(i) A whole bean from which one-half or more of a cotyledon or 

the equivalent thereof has become detached;

(ii) Two detached whole cotyledons;

(iii) Pieces of detached broken cotyledons aggregating the 

equivalent of one average size whole cotyledon; and

(iv) A whole detached skin or portions of detached skin 

aggregating the equivalent of an average size whole skin.

(3) Shriveled means lima beans that are materially wrinkled and are not 

of normal plumpness.

(4) Sprouted means lima beans that show an external shoot protruding 

prominently beyond the cotyledon or skin.

(5) Light discoloration means light discoloration of the hilum or other 

light discoloration which slightly affects but does not materially affect 

the appearance or eating quality of the bean.

(6) Blemished means blemished by discoloration or blemished by other 

means to the extent that the appearance or eating quality of the 

bean is materially affected.

(7) Seriously blemished means blemished to such an extent that the 

appearance or eating quality of the bean is seriously affected.

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7 

(b) "A" classification. Frozen lima beans that are practically free from 

defects may be given a score of 36 to 40 points. Practically free from 

defects means that:

(1) There may be present:

(i) For each 10 ounces, net weight, one piece, or pieces, of 

predominantly flat, harmless extraneous vegetable material 

having an aggregate area of 3/16 square inch (1/2 inch by 3/8 

inch) on one surface of the piece, or pieces, and one 

predominantly cylindrical piece, or pieces, of harmless 

extraneous vegetable material not exceeding 1/2 inch in 

length in the aggregate; or

(ii) For each 30 ounces, net weight, one predominantly spherical 

piece of harmless extraneous vegetable material measuring 

not more than 1/4 inch in diameter.

(2) There may be present:

(i) 5 percent, by count, of pieces of beans; 1

(ii) 1 percent, by count, of shriveled and sprouted beans;

(iii) 2 percent, by count, of blemished and seriously blemished 

beans, and of such 2 percent, not more than 1/4 thereof or 

1/2 of 1 percent, by count, of all the beans may be seriously 

blemished; and that

(3) The presence of harmless extraneous vegetable material, pieces of 

beans, shriveled and sprouted beans, light discoloration, and 

blemished and seriously blemished beans, individually or 

collectively, does not more than slightly affect the appearance or 

eating quality of the product.

(c) "B" classification. If the frozen lima beans are reasonably free from 

defects, a score of 32 to 35 points may be given. Frozen lima beans that 

fall into this classification on account of the presence of shriveled or 

sprouted beans and of blemished or seriously blemished beans, shall not 

be graded above U.S. Grade B regardless of the total score for the product 

 

 1 The percent, by count, of pieces of beans in the sample is determined by dividing the total number 

of pieces of beans by the total number of beans and pieces of beans and multiplying the quotient 

by 100.

DRAFT
8 

(this is a partial limiting rule). Reasonably free from defects means that:

(1) There may be present:

(i) For each 10 ounces, net weight, one piece, or pieces, of 

predominantly flat, harmless extraneous vegetable material 

having an aggregate area of 3/8 square inch (1/2 inch by 3/4 

inch) on one surface of the piece, or pieces, and one 

predominantly cylindrical piece, or pieces, of harmless 

extraneous vegetable material not exceeding 3/4 inch in 

length in the aggregate; or

(ii) For each 30 ounces, net weight, two predominantly spherical 

pieces of harmless extraneous vegetable material measuring 

not more than 1/4 inch in diameter.

(2) There may be present:

(i) 10 percent, by count, of pieces of beans;1

(ii) 4 percent, by count, of shriveled and sprouted beans;

(iii) 3 percent, by count, of blemished and seriously blemished 

beans, and of such 3 percent, not more than 1/3 thereof or 1 

percent, by count, of all the beans may be seriously 

blemished; and that

(3) The presence of harmless extraneous vegetable material, pieces of 

beans, shriveled and sprouted beans, light discoloration, and 

blemished and seriously blemished beans, individually or 

collectively, does not materially affect the appearance or eating 

quality of the product.

(d) "C" classification. Frozen lima beans that are fairly free from defects may 

be given a score of 28 to 31 points. Frozen lima beans that fall into this 

classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C regardless of the 

total score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Fairly free from defects

means that:

 

 1 The percent, by count, of pieces of beans in the sample is determined by dividing the total number 

of pieces of beans by the total number of beans and pieces of beans and multiplying the quotient 

by 100.

DRAFT
9 

(1) There may be present:

(i) For each 10 ounces, net weight, one piece, or pieces, of 

predominantly flat, harmless extraneous vegetable material 

having an aggregate area of 3/4 square inch (1/2 inch by 1-

1/2 inch) on one surface of the piece, or pieces, and one 

predominantly cylindrical piece, or pieces, of harmless 

extraneous vegetable material not exceeding 1 inch in length 

in the aggregate; or

(ii) For each 30 ounces, net weight, three predominantly 

spherical pieces of harmless extraneous vegetable material 

measuring not more than 1/4 inch in diameter.

(2) There may be present:

(i) 15 percent, by count, of pieces of beans;1

(ii) 8 percent, by count, of shriveled and sprouted beans;

(iii) 4 percent, by count, of blemished and seriously blemished 

beans, and of such 4 percent, not more than 1/2 thereof or 2 

percent, by count, of all the beans may be seriously 

blemished; and that

(3) The presence of harmless extraneous vegetable material, pieces of 

beans, shriveled and sprouted beans, light discoloration, and 

blemished and seriously blemished beans, individually or 

collectively, does not seriously affect the appearance or eating 

quality of the product.

(e) "SStd" classification. Frozen lima beans that fail to meet the 

requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 

27 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the 

total score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.508 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of frozen lima beans covered by these standards is determined by the 

procedures set forth in the regulations governing inspection and certification of 

processed products thereof, and certain other processed food products (7 CFR 52.1 

through 52.83).

 

 1 The percent, by count, of pieces of beans in the sample is determined by dividing the total number 

of pieces of beans by the total number of beans and pieces of beans and multiplying the quotient 

by 100.

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10

§52.509 Score sheet for frozen lima beans.

Size and kind of container.............................................................................

Container marks or identification................................................................... 

Label............................................................................................................. 

Net weight (ounces)...................................................................................... 

Type ............................................................................................................. 

Size ............................................................................................................. 

Color:

Percent Green ....................................................................................................

Percent White .....................................................................................................

Factors Score Points

Color................................................

Defects ............................................

Total Score............................

60

40

100

“A”

“B” 

“C”

“SStd” 

“A” 

“B” 

“C”

“SStd” 

54-60

48-53

42-47

0-41

36-40

32-35

28-31

0-27

1/ 

1/ 

1/ 

2/ 

1/ 

1/ 

Grade............................................................................................................

Flavor............................................................................................................ 

Tenderness...................................................................................................

1/ Indicates limiting rule.

2/ Indicates partial limiting rule.

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