United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural 

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Fresh

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Fresh Tomatoes

Effective October 1, 1991

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

Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or with applicable State laws and regulations.

1

United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Tomatoes 1

Grades 

51.1855 U.S. No. 1.

51.1856 U.S. Combination.

51.1857 U.S. No. 2.

51.1858 U.S. No. 3.

Size

51.1859 Size.

Color Classification

51.1860 Color classification.

Tolerances

51.1861 Tolerances.

Application of Tolerances

51.1862 Application of tolerances.

Standard Weight

51.1863 Standard weight.

Definitions

51.1864 Similar varietal characteristics.

51.1865 Mature.

51.1866 Soft.

51.1867 Clean.

51.1868 Well developed.

51.1869 Fairly well formed.

51.1870 Fairly smooth.

51.1871 Damage.

51.1872 Reasonably well formed.

51.1873 Slightly rough.

51.1874 Serious damage.

51.1875 Misshapen.

51.1876 Very serious damage.

51.1877 Classification of defects.

Grades 

§51.1855 U.S. No. 1. 

''U.S. No. 1'' consists of tomatoes which meet the following requirements: 

(a) Basic requirements: 

(1) Similar varietal characteristics; 
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(2) Mature; 

(3) Not overripe or soft; 

(4) Clean; 

(5) Well developed; 

(6) Fairly well formed; and, 

(7) Fairly smooth. 

(b) Free from: 

(1) Decay; 

(2) Freezing injury; and 

(3) Sunscald. 

(c) Not damaged by any other cause. 

(d) For tolerances see §51.1861. 

§51.1856 U.S. Combination. 

''U.S. Combination'' consists of a combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2 tomatoes: Provided,

That at least 60 percent, by count, meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade. 

(a) For tolerances see §51.1861. 

§51.1857 U.S. No. 2. 

''U.S. No. 2'' consists of tomatoes which meet the following requirements: 

(a) Basic requirements: 

(1) Similar varietal characteristics; 

(2) Mature; 

(3) Not overripe or soft; 

(4) Clean; 

(5) Well developed; 

(6) Reasonably well formed; and, 

(7) Not more than slightly rough. 

(b) Free from: 

(1) Decay; 

(2) Freezing injury; and, 

(3) Sunscald. 

(c) Not seriously damaged by any other cause. 

(d) For tolerances see §51.1861. 

§51.1858 U.S. No. 3.

''U.S. No. 3'' consists of tomatoes which meet the following requirements: 

(a) Basic requirements: 

(1) Similar varietal characteristics; 

(2) Mature; 

(3) Not overripe or soft; 

(4) Clean; 

(5) Well developed; and, 

(6) May be misshapen. 

(b) Free from: 

(1) Decay; and, 
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(2) Freezing injury. 

(c) Not seriously damaged by: 

(1) Sunscald. 

(d) Not very seriously damaged by any other cause. 

(e) For tolerances see §51.1861. 

Size 

§51.1859 Size.

(a) The size of tomatoes packed in any standard type shipping container shall be specified and

marked according to one of the size designations set forth in Table I. Individual containers shall

not be marked with more than one size designation. Consumer packages and their master

container are exempt; however, if they are marked, the same requirements would apply.

(1) When containers are marked in accordance with Table I, the markings on at least 85 percent

of the containers in a lot must be legible.

(2) In determining compliance with the size designations, the measurement for minimum diameter

shall be the largest diameter of the tomato measured at right angles to a line from the stem end to

the blossom end. The measurement for maximum diameter shall be the smallest dimension of the

tomato determined by passing the tomato through a round opening in any position.

(b) In lieu of marking containers in accordance with (a) above or specifying size in accordance

with the dimensions defined in Table I, for Cerasiforme type tomatoes commonly referred to as

cherry tomatoes and Pyriforme type tomatoes commonly referred to as pear shaped tomatoes, and

other similar types, size may be specified in terms of minimum diameter or minimum and

maximum diameter expressed in whole inches, and not less than thirty-second inch fractions

thereof, or millimeters in accordance with the facts.

(1) Tomatoes of these types are exempt from marking requirements. However, when marked to a

minimum or minimum and maximum diameter, the markings on at least 85 percent of the

containers in a lot must be legible.

(c) For tolerances see §51.1861.

Table I

Size

Designations

Inches

Minimum Maximum

Diameter Diameter 1 2

Small 2-4/32 2-9/32

Medium 2-8/32 2-17/32

Large 2-16/32 2-25/32

Extra Large 2-24/32

 Will not pass through a round opening of the designated diameter when tomato is placed with the greatest 1

transverse diameter across the opening.

 Will pass through a round opening of the designated diameter in any position. 2
 Shipping point, as used in these standards, means the point of origin of the shipment in producing area or at port of 2

loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or in the case of shipments from outside the continental United States, the

port of entry into the United States.

4

Color Classification 

§51.1860 Color classification. 

(a) The following terms may be used, when specified in connection with the grade statement, in

describing the color as an indication of the stage of ripeness of any lot of mature tomatoes of a

red fleshed variety: 

(1) Green. ''Green'' means that the surface of the tomato is completely green in color. The shade

of green color may vary from light to dark; 

(2) Breakers. ''Breakers'' means that there is a definite break in color from green to

tannish-yellow, pink or red on not more than 10 percent of the surface; 

(3) Turning. ''Turning'' means that more than 10 percent but not more than 30 percent of the

surface, in the aggregate, shows a definite change in color from green to tannish-yellow, pink, red,

or a combination thereof; 

(4) Pink. ''Pink'' means that more than 30 percent but not more than 60 percent of the surface, in

the aggregate, shows pink or red color; 

(5) Light red. ''Light red'' means that more than 60 percent of the surface, in the aggregate,

shows pinkish-red or red: Provided, That not more than 90 percent of the surface is red color;

and, 

(6) Red. ''Red'' means that more than 90 percent of the surface, in the aggregate, shows red color. 

(b) Any lot of tomatoes which does not meet the requirements of any of the above color

designations may be designated as ''Mixed Color''. 

(c) For tolerances see §51.1861. 

(d) Tomato color standards U.S.D.A. Visual Aid TM- L-1 consists of a chart containing twelve

color photographs illustrating the color classification requirements, as set forth in this section.

This visual aid may be examined in the Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250; in any field office of the Fresh Fruit and

Vegetable Inspection Service; or upon request of any authorized inspector of such Service.

Duplicates of this visual aid may be purchased from The John Henry Co., Post Office Box 1410,

Lansing, Michigan 48904. 

Tolerances 

§51.1861 Tolerances. 

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

grades, the following tolerances, by count, are provided as specified: 

(a) U.S. No. 1 - (1) For defects at shipping point. Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot which 2

fail to meet the requirements for this grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of this

tolerance, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, including

therein not more than 1 percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; and, 

(2) For defects en route or at destination. Fifteen percent for tomatoes in any lot which fail to

meet the requirements for this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the

following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed: 
 Shipping point, as used in these standards, means the point of origin of the shipment in producing area or at port of 2

loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or in the case of shipments from outside the continental United States, the

port of entry into the United States.

5

(i) Five percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; 

(ii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are damaged by shoulder bruises or by discolored or sunken

scars on any parts of the tomatoes; and, 

(iii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are otherwise defective: And provided further, That not

more than 5 percent shall be allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by any

cause, exclusive of soft or decayed tomatoes. 

(b) U.S. Combination - (1) For defects at shipping point. Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot 2

which fail to meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade: Provided, That not more than

one-half of this tolerance, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage,

including 1 percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; and,

(2) For defects en route or at destination. Fifteen percent for tomatoes in any lot which fail to

meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more

than the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed: 

(i) Five percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; 

(ii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are seriously damaged by shoulder bruises or by discolored or

sunken scars on any parts of the tomatoes; and, 

(iii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are otherwise defective: And provided further, That not

more than 5 percent shall be allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by any

cause, exclusive of soft or decayed tomatoes. 

(c) U.S. No. 2 - (1) For defects at shipping point. Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot which 2

fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of this

tolerance, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, including

therein not more than 1 percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; and, 

(2) For defects en route or at destination. Fifteen percent for tomatoes in any lot which fail to

meet the requirements for this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the

following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed: 

(i) Five percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; 

(ii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are seriously damaged by shoulder bruises or by discolored or

sunken scars on any parts of the tomatoes; and, 

(iii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are otherwise defective: And provided further, That not

more than 5 percent shall be allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by any

cause, exclusive of soft or decayed tomatoes. 

(d) U.S. No. 3 - (1) For defects at shipping point. Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot which 2

fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of this

tolerance, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by insects

and not more than one-tenth of the tolerance, or 1 percent, for tomatoes which are soft or

affected by decay; and, 

(2) For defects en route or at destination. Fifteen percent for tomatoes in any lot which fail to

meet the requirements for this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the
6

following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed: 

(i) Five percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; 

(ii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by shoulder bruises or by

discolored or sunken scars on any parts of the tomatoes; and, 

(iii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are otherwise defective: And provided further, That not

more than 5 percent shall be allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by insects. 

(e) For off-size. Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot which are smaller than the specified minimum

diameter, or larger than the specified maximum diameter. 

(f) For off color. Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot which fail to meet the color specified,

including therein not more than 5 percent for tomatoes which are green in color, when any term

other than ''Green'' is specified. 

Application of Tolerances 

§51.1862 Application of tolerances. 

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

following limitations: 

(a) For packages which contain more than 5 pounds (2.27 kg), and a tolerance of 10 percent or

more is provided, individual packages shall have not more than 1-1/2 times the tolerance

specified, and for a tolerance of less than 10 percent individual packages shall have not more than

double the tolerance specified, except that at least one defective and one off-size specimen may be

allowed in any package: Provided, That the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances

specified for the grade; and, 

(b) For packages which contain 5 pounds (2.27 kg) or less individual packages shall have not

more than 4 times the tolerance specified, except that at least one tomato which is soft, or

affected by decay, and one off-size specimen may be permitted in any package: Provided, That

the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade. 

Standard Weight 

§51.1863 Standard weight. 

(a) When packages are marked to a net weight of 15 pounds (6.80 kg) or more, the net weight of

the contents shall not be less than the designated net weight and shall not exceed the designated

weight by more than 2 pounds (0.91 kg). 

(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing, not more than 15 percent, by count,

of the packages in any lot may fail to meet the requirements for standard weight. 

Definitions 

§51.1864 Similar varietal characteristics. 

''Similar varietal characteristics'' means that the tomatoes are alike as to firmness of flesh and

shade of color (for example, soft-fleshed, early maturing varieties are not mixed with firmfleshed, midseason or late varieties, or bright red varieties mixed with varieties having a purplish 

tinge). 

§51.1865 Mature. 

''Mature'' means that the tomato has reached the stage of development which will insure a proper

completion of the ripening process, and that the contents of two or more seed cavities have

developed a jelly-like consistency and the seeds are well developed. 
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§51.1866 Soft. 

''Soft'' means that the tomato yields readily to slight pressure. 

§51.1867 Clean. 

''Clean'' means that the tomato is practically free from dirt or other foreign material. 

§51.1868 Well developed. 

''Well developed'' means that the tomato shows normal growth. Tomatoes which are ridged and

peaked at the stem end, contain dry tissue, and usually contain open spaces below the level of the

stem scar, are not considered well developed. 

§51.1869 Fairly well formed. 

''Fairly well formed'' means that the tomato is not more than moderately kidney-shaped, lop-sided,

elongated, angular, or otherwise moderately deformed. 

§51.1870 Fairly smooth. 

''Fairly smooth'' means that the tomato is not conspicuously ridged or rough. 

§51.1871 Damage. 

''Damage'' means any specific defect described in §51.1877, Table II; 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 the edible or marketing quality of the tomato. 

§51.1872 Reasonably well formed. 

''Reasonably well formed'' means that the tomato is not decidedly kidney-shaped, lop-sided,

elongated, angular, or otherwise decidedly deformed. 

§51.1873 Slightly rough. 

''Slightly rough'' means that the tomato is not decidedly ridged or grooved. 

§51.1874 Serious damage. 

''Serious damage'' means any specific defect described in §51.1877, Table II; 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 of the

tomato. 

§51.1875 Misshapen.

''Misshapen'' means that the tomato is decidedly kidney-shaped, lop-sided, elongated, angular or

otherwise decidedly deformed: Provided, That the shape is not affected to an extent that the

appearance or the edible quality of the tomato is very seriously affected. 

§51.1876 Very serious damage.

''Very serious damage'' means any specific defect described in §51.1877, Table II; or an equally

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

defects, which very seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of

the tomato. 
8

§51.1877 Classification of defects. 

Table II

References to Area, Aggregate Area, Length or Aggregate Length are based on a tomato having a

diameter of 2-1/2 inches (64 mm)1

Factor Damage Serious Damage Very serious damage

Cuts and broken skins Not shallow or not well Not shallow or not well Fresh or healed and

healed, or shallow, well

healed cut more than 1/2

inch (13 mm) in length, or

other shallow, well healed

skin breaks aggregating

more than a circle 3/8 inch

(10 mm) in diameter.

healed, or shallow, well extending through the

healed cut more than 1/2 tomato wall.

inch (13 mm) in length,

or other shallow, well

healed skin breaks

aggregating more than a

circle 1/2 inch (13 mm)

in diameter.

Puffiness Open space in 1 or more Open space in 1 or more Open space in 2 or more

locules materially detracts locules seriously locules very seriously

from appearance of tomato detracts from detracts from appearance

cut through center at right appearance of tomato of tomato cut through

angles to a line from stem to cut through center at center at right angles to a

blossom end. right angles to a line line from stem to blossom

from stem to blossom end.

end.

Catfaces Scars are rough or deep, Scars are rough or deep, Channels extend into the

channels are very deep or channels are very deep locule, wall has been

wide, channels extend into a or wide, channels extend weakened to the extent

locule, or a fairly smooth into a locule, or a fairly that slight pressure will

catface aggregating more smooth catface cause a tomato to leak, or

than a circle 1/2 inch (13 aggregating more than a a fairly smooth catface

mm) in diameter. circle 3/4 inch (19 mm) aggregating more than a

in diameter. circle 1 inch (25 mm) in

diameter.

Scars (other than No depth and aggregating No depth and No depth and aggregating

catfaces). more than a circle 3/8 (10 aggregating more than a more than a circle 1 inch

mm) in diameter. circle 5/8 (16 mm) in (25 mm) in diameter.

diameter.

Conversion to metric equivalent, made to nearest whole millimeter.

1
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Growth cracks (radiating Not well healed, more than Not well healed, more Not well healed, more than

from or concentric to stem 1/8 inch (3 mm) in depth, than 1/8 inch (3 mm) in 1/4 inch (6 mm) in depth,

scar). individual radial cracks more depth, individual radial individual radial cracks

than 1/2 inch (13 mm) in cracks more than 3/4 more than 1 inch

length, aggregate length of inch (19 mm) in length, (25 mm) in length,

all radial cracks more than 1 aggregate length of all aggregate length of all

inch (25 mm) measured from radial cracks more than radial cracks more than 

edge of stem scar. Any lot of 1-3/4 inch (44 mm) 2-7/8 inches (73 mm)

tomatoes which are at least measured from edge of measured from edge of

turning may have cracks stem scar. Any lot of stem scar. Any lot of

which are not well healed tomatoes which are at tomatoes which are at least

provided they are not least turning may have turning may have cracks

leaking. cracks which are not which are not well healed

well healed provided provided they are not

they are not leaking. leaking, not more than 1/8

inch (3 mm) in depth,

individual radial cracks

are not more than 3/4 inch

(19 mm) in length.

Hail Deep, rough, not well healed Deep, rough, not well Fresh, very deep or fairly

and corked over, or fairly healed and corked over, smooth, shallow hail

smooth, shallow hail marks or fairly smooth, marks aggregating more

aggregating more than a shallow hail marks than a circle 1 inch (25

circle 3/8 inch (10 mm) in aggregating more than a mm) in diameter.

diameter. circle 5/8 inch (16 mm)

in diameter.

Insect Injury Materially detracts from the Seriously detracts from Very seriously detracts

appearance or any insect is the appearance or any from the appearance or

present in the fruit. insect is present in the any insect is present in the

fruit. fruit.

Conversion to metric equivalent, made to nearest whole millimeter.

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