United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural 

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Fresh

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Fall and Winter Type

Squash and Pumpkin

Effective October 13, 1983

(Reprinted - January 1997)
Compliance with the provisions of these standards shall not excuse failure to comply with provisions of applicable 1

Federal or State laws.

1

United States Standards for Grades of Fall and Winter Type 

Squash and Pumpkin 1

51.4030 General.

51.4031 Grades.

51.4032 Size.

51.4033 Tolerances.

51.4034 Application of tolerances.

51.4035 Definitions.

§51.4030 General.

These grade standards apply to squash and pumpkin, both of the cucurbit family (Cucurbita pepo,

C. moshata, C. maxima, C. mixta), having a hard shell and mature seeds. 

§51.4031 Grades. 

(a) ''U.S. No. 1'' consists of squash or pumpkin which meet the following requirements:

(1) Basic requirements:

(i) Similar varietal characteristics;

(ii) Well matured; and,

(iii) Not broken or cracked. 

(2) Free from: Soft rot or wet breakdown. 

(3) Free from damage by:

(i) Scars;

(ii) Dry rot;

(iii) Freezing;

(iv) Dirt;

(v) Disease;

(vi) Insects; and,

(vii) Mechanical or other means. 

(4) Tolerances (See §51.4033).

(b) ''U.S. No. 2'' consists of squash or pumpkin which meet the following requirements: 

(1) Basic requirements: 

(i) Similar varietal characteristics;

(ii) Fairly well matured; and,

(iii) Not broken or cracked.

(2) Free from: Soft rot or wet breakdown. 

(3) Free from serious damage by:

(i) Scars;

(ii) Dry rot;

(iii) Freezing;
2

(iv) Dirt;

(v) Disease;

(vi) Insects; and,

(vii) Mechanical or other means. 

(4) Tolerances (See §51.4033). 

§51.4032 Size.

Minimum and/or maximum size of any lot of squash or pumpkin may be specified in connection

with the grade in terms of whole pounds and/or fractions thereof. 

§51.4033 Tolerances.

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling in each of the foregoing

grades, the following tolerances, by weight or by count when fairly uniform in size, are provided

as specified: 

(a) Defects. Ten percent for specimens in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of the

specified grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than 2 percent shall be allowed

for soft rot or wet breakdown or serious damage by dry rot. 

(b) Size. Five percent in any lot for specimens which are smaller than a specified minimum weight,

and 15 percent which are larger than a specified maximum weight. 

§51.4034 Application of tolerances.

When packed in containers the entire contents shall be sample or when in bulk or bulk bins, the

sample shall consist of approximately 50 pounds or 25 specimens when fairly uniform in size.

Samples are subject to the following limitations: 

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

one and one-half times the tolerance specified, except that when the individual sample contains 15

specimens or less, individual samples may contain not more than double the tolerance specified:

Provided, That at least two defective or off-size specimens may be permitted in any individual

sample: And Provided Further, That the average for the entire lot is within the tolerance

specified for the grade.

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

than double the tolerance specified: Provided, That at least one defective or off-size specimen

may be permitted in any individual sample: And Provided Further, That the average for the

entire lot is within the tolerance specified for the grade.

§51.4035 Definitions.

(a) ''Similar varietal characteristics'' means having the same general characteristics, such as shape,

texture and color.

(b) ''Well matured'' means reaching a stage of development which is indicative of good handling

and keeping quality for the variety.

(c) ''Fairly well matured'' means reaching a stage of development in which the outer skin (shell) is

not tender.

(d) ''Cracked'' means split open, exposing the flesh.

(e) ''Damage'' means any specific defect described in this section or an equally objectionable

variation of any one of these defects, any other defect or any combination of defects, which

materially detracts from the appearance or edible or marketing quality. The following specific

defects shall be considered as damage:
3

(1) Scars, except stem scars caused by rodents or other means, which are not well healed and

corked over, or which cover more than 10 percent of the surface in the aggregate, or which form

depressions or pits that materially affect the appearance.

(2) Stem scars which are unhealed on varieties which normally retain their stems after harvesting.

(3) Dry rot which affects an area more than 1 inch (2.5cm) in diameter in the aggregate on a 10

pound (4.5kg) specimen or correspondingly smaller or larger areas depending on the size of the

specimen.

(f) ''Serious damage'' means any specific defect described in this section; or an equally

objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any other defect or any combination of defects

which seriously detracts from the appearance or the edible or marketing quality. The following

specific defects shall be considered as serious damage:

(1) Scars, except stem scars, caused by rodents or other means which are not well healed or

corked over, or which cover more than 25 percent of the surface in the aggregate, or which form

depressions or pits that seriously affect the appearance.

(2) Dry rot which affects an area more than 2 inches (5cm) in diameter in the aggregate on a 10

pound (4.5kg) specimen, or correspondingly smaller or larger areas depending on the size of the

specimen.