United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural 

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Fresh

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Spinach Plants

Effective November 19, 1956

(Reprinted - January 1997)
 Packing of the product in conformity with the requirements of these standards shall not excuse failure to comply 1 

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

1

United States Standards for Grades of Spinach Plants 1

Grades 

51.2880 U.S. No. 1.

51.2881 U.S. Commercial.

Unclassified

51.2882 Unclassified.

Application of Tolerances

51.2883 Application of tolerances.

Definitions

51.2884 Similar varietal characteristics.

51.2885 Well grown.

51.2886 Fresh.

51.2887 Fairly clean.

51.2888 Well trimmed.

51.2889 Damage.

51.2890 Serious damage.

Grades 

§51.2880 U.S. No. 1. 

''U.S. No. 1'' consists of spinach plants of similar varietal characteristics which are well grown,

fresh, fairly clean, well trimmed, and which are free from decay, and free from damage caused by

coarse stalks or seed stems, discoloration, foreign material, second growth, freezing, disease,

insects or mechanical or other means. 

(a) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not more than a total

of 10 percent, by weight, of the spinach plants in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the

grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of this amount, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for

serious damage, including therein not more than 1 percent for decay. 

§51.2881 U.S. Commercial. 

''U.S. Commercial'' consists of spinach plants which meet all the requirements for U.S. No. 1

grade except that the spinach plants need only be free from damage by dirt and except for the

increased tolerances specified in this section. 

(a) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not more than a total

of 20 percent, by weight, of the spinach plants in any lot may fail to meet, the requirements of the

grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of this amount, or 10 percent, shall be allowed for

serious damage, including therein not more than 1 percent for decay. 
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Unclassified 

§51.2882 Unclassified.

''Unclassified'' consists of spinach plants which have not been classified in accordance with either

of the foregoing grades. The term ''unclassified'' is not a grade within the meaning of these

standards but is provided as a designation to show that no grade has been applied to the lot. 

Application of Tolerances 

§51.2883 Application of tolerances. 

(a) The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample inspection, are subject to the

following limitations: Provided, That the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances

specified for the grades: 

(1) For a tolerance of 10 percent or more, individual packages in any lot may contain not more

than one and one-half times the tolerance specified; and, 

(2) For a tolerance of less than 10 percent, individual packages in any lot may contain not more

than double the tolerance specified. 

Definitions 

§51.2884 Similar varietal characteristics. 

''Similar varietal characteristics'' means that the spinach shall be of one type, such as crinkly leaf

type or flat leaf type. No mixture of types shall be permitted which materially affects the

appearance of the spinach in the container. 

§51.2885 Well grown. 

''Well grown'' means that the plants are not stunted or poorly developed. 

§51.2886 Fresh. 

''Fresh'' means that the spinach is not more than slightly wilted. 

§51.2887 Fairly clean. 

''Fairly clean'' means that the individual spinach plant is reasonably free from dirt or other adhering

foreign matter, and that the general appearance of the spinach plants in the container is not

materially affected. 

§51.2888 Well trimmed. 

''Well trimmed'' means that the spinach plant is cut at the crown of the root, or cut so that the root

is not longer than 1 inch. 

§51.2889 Damage. 

''Damage'' means any defect which materially affects the appearance, or the edible or shipping

quality of the individual plant, or the general appearance of the spinach in the container. Any one

of the following defects, or any combination of defects the seriousness of which exceeds the

maximum allowed for any one defect, shall be considered as damage: 

(a) Coarse central stalks or seedstems when causing more than 10 percent waste of the individual

plant; or when the flower buds are plainly visible; 

(b) Discoloration when materially affecting the general appearance of the plant, except that heart

leaves which are yellow or partially blanched shall not be considered as damaging the plant; and 

(c) Foreign material when materially affecting the edible quality, or the general appearance of the

spinach in the container. Foreign material means weeds, grass, or any loose material other than

spinach. 
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§51.2890 Serious damage. 

''Serious damage'' means any defect which seriously affects the appearance, or the edible or

shipping quality of the individual plant, or the general appearance of the spinach in the container.

Any one of the following defects, or any combination of defects the seriousness of which exceeds

the maximum allowed for any one defect, shall be considered as serious damage: 

(a) Discoloration when the plants are badly discolored; 

(b) Insects when the plant is noticeably infested, or when it is seriously damaged by them; 

(c) Mildew, white rust or similar diseases when seriously affecting the edible quality or

appearance of the plant; and, 

(d) Decay.