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United States Standards

for Grades of Frozen 

Lima Beans

Effective August 29, 2013
This is the ninth issue, as amended, of the United States Standards for Grades of 

Frozen Lima Beans published in the FEDERAL REGISTER of July 30, 2013 

(78 FR 45907) to become effective August 29, 2013. This issue supersedes the eighth

issue, which has been in effect since March 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 fresh and 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 U.S. grade standards, grading manuals, handbooks or instructions for inspection of 

several fresh and processed fruits and vegetables are available on the internet and 

upon request at the address below. 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

Washington, D.C. 20250

Phone: (202) 720-5870 Fax: (202) 720-0393

_______________________________________________________________________

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627. 

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.

Non-Discrimination Policy: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, 

and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and 

where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income 

is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity 

conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) To File 

an Employment Complaint: If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your agency's EEO Counselor (PDF) 

within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a personnel action. Additional information can be 

found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html. To File a Program Complaint: If you wish to file a Civil Rights 

program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may 

also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail 

at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-

9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. Persons with Disabilities: Individuals who are deaf, hard of 

hearing or have speech disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the 

Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program 

complaint, please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require alternative means of 

communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 

720-2600 (voice and TDD).
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans (August 29, 2013)

1

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. 5

§52.508 Ascertaining the Grade of a Lot. 9
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans (August 29, 2013)

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.

§52.504 Ascertaining the grade.

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

the following quality factors are evaluated:

(1) Factors not rated by score points.

(i) Varietal characteristics.
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans (August 29, 2013)

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(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 60

Defects _40

Total Score 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.

(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.
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans (August 29, 2013)

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(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 International 

Commission on Illumination (ICI) 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 in color or white lima beans.

(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.
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans (August 29, 2013)

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(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).

§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
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans (August 29, 2013)

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(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.

(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.
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans (August 29, 2013)

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(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 (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;

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.
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans (August 29, 2013)

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(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) 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.

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.
United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Lima Beans (August 29, 2013)

9

(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).