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Specialty

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Division

United States Standards

for Grades of Bunched 

Carrots

Effective July 24, 2020
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Carrots (85 FR 

37820) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since September 18, 

1954.

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, vegetables, and specialty crops 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 and inspection instructions for all fresh and processed fruits,

vegetables, and specialty crops are available on the internet and upon request at the 

address below. These documents provide detailed interpretations of the grade standards 

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

Grade standards are issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after careful 

consideration of all data and views submitted during rulemaking. The Department 

welcomes suggestions for improving the standards in future revisions. Comments may be 

submitted to, and copies of standards and inspection instructions obtained from: 

Director, Specialty Crops Inspection Division

Specialty Crops Program, 

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0240 

Washington, D.C. 20250

__________________________________________________________________________

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: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and 

policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from 

discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, 

marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 

rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 

deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American 

Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA 

through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a 

Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information 

requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-

9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Carrots (July 24, 2020)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Carrots

Section Page No.

Grades............................................................................................................................ 2

§51.2455 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.2456 U.S. No. 1 Color. ......................................................................................... 2

§51.2457 U.S. Commercial. ........................................................................................ 3

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 3

§51.2458 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 3

Length of Tops .............................................................................................................. 4

§51.2459 Length of tops.............................................................................................. 4

Standard Bunches......................................................................................................... 4

§51.2460 Standard bunches. ...................................................................................... 4

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 4

§51.2461 Similar varietal characteristics. .................................................................... 4

§51.2462 Firm. ............................................................................................................ 5

§51.2463 Fairly clean. ................................................................................................. 5

§51.2464 Fairly well colored........................................................................................ 5

§51.2465 Fairly smooth............................................................................................... 5

§51.2466 Well formed. ................................................................................................ 5

§51.2467 Damage....................................................................................................... 5

§51.2468 Fresh. .......................................................................................................... 6

§51.2469 Full tops....................................................................................................... 6

§51.2470 Diameter...................................................................................................... 6

§51.2471 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 6
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Carrots (July 24, 2020) 

2 

Grades

§51.2455 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of carrots of similar varietal characteristics the roots of which are 

firm, fairly clean, fairly well colored, fairly smooth, well formed, and which are free from 

soft rot, and free from damage caused by freezing, growth cracks, sunburn, pithiness, 

woodiness, internal discoloration, oil spray, dry rot, other disease, insects or mechanical 

or other means. Bunches shall have tops which are fresh and free from decay and free 

from damage caused by freezing, seedstems, yellowing or other discoloration, disease, 

insects or mechanical or other means. Unless otherwise specified, the bunches shall 

have full tops and the length of tops shall be not more than 20 inches. (See §51.2459.)

(a) Size. Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each carrot shall be not less 

than three-fourths inch.

(b) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 

handling the following tolerances shall be permitted:

(1) For defects of roots. 10 percent, by count, for carrot roots in any lot 

which fail to meet the requirements of the grade, other than for size: 

Provided, That not more than one-half of this amount, or 5 percent, shall 

be allowed for defects causing serious damage, including therein not more 

than one percent for carrot roots affected by soft rot;

(2) For defects of tops. 10 percent, by count, for bunches in any lot which 

fail to meet the requirements of the grade, including therein not more than 

5 percent for decay;

(3) For off-length tops. 25 percent, by count, for bunches in any lot which 

have tops longer than the specified length; and,

(4) For off-size roots. 5 percent, by count, for carrot roots in any lot which 

are smaller than the specified minimum diameter, and 10 percent, by 

count, for carrot roots which are larger than any specified maximum 

diameter.

§51.2456 U.S. No. 1 Color.

“U.S. No. 1 Color” consists of carrots which meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 

except for fairly well colored. All roots must show good characteristic color, which 

means the root has a uniform characteristic color for the variety over practically the 

entire surface. Roots may be comingled with varieties of different colors, provided roots 

are of the same type. 
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Carrots (July 24, 2020)

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§51.2457 U.S. Commercial.

“U.S. Commercial” consists of carrots which meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 

except for increased tolerance for defects of the roots specified below:

(a) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 

handling the following tolerances shall be permitted:

(1) For defects of roots. 20 percent, by count, for carrot roots in any lot 

which fail to meet the requirements of the grade, other than for size:

Provided, That not more than one-half of this amount, or 10 percent, shall 

be allowed for defects causing serious damage, including therein not more 

than 1 percent for carrot roots affected by soft rot;

(2) For defects of tops. 10 percent, by count, for bunches in any lot which 

fail to meet the requirements of the grade, including therein not more than 

5 percent for decay;

(3) For off-length tops. 25 percent, by count, for bunches in any lot which 

have tops longer than the specified length; and,

(4) For off-size roots. 5 percent, by count, for carrot roots in any lot which 

are smaller than the specified minimum diameter, and 10 percent, by 

count, for carrot roots which are larger than any specified maximum 

diameter.

Application of Tolerances

§51.2458 Application of tolerances.

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

subject to the following limitations, provided the averages for the entire lot are 

within the tolerances specified for the grade:

(1) For a tolerance of 10 percent or more, individual packages in any lot shall 

have not more than one and one-half times the tolerance specified, except 

that at least one defective and one off-size specimen may be permitted in 

a package; and,

(2) For a tolerance of less than 10 percent, individual packages in any lot 

shall have not more than double the tolerance specified, except that at 

least one defective and one off-size specimen may be permitted in a 

package.
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Carrots (July 24, 2020)

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Length of Tops

§51.2459 Length of tops.

In addition to the statement of grade, the length of tops may be specified in accordance 

with the following length classifications:

Short Medium Long Extra Long

Under 12 inches 12 to 16 inches,

inclusive

Over 16 to 20 

inches, inclusive

Over 20 inches

Standard Bunches

§51.2460 Standard bunches.

(a) When specified as “standard bunches” the carrots shall meet the following 

requirements:

(1) Each bunch of carrots including tops, shall weigh not less than 1 pound 

and contain at least 4 carrots;

(2) When the diameter of the smallest carrot in the bunch is less than 1-1/4 

inches, not over one-fourth inch variation in the size of carrots in the 

bunch shall be permitted;

(3) When the diameter of the smallest carrot in the bunch is 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 

inches, inclusive, not over three-eighths inch variation in the size of carrots 

in the bunch shall be permitted; and,

(4) When the diameter of the smallest carrot in the bunch is larger than 1-3/4 

inches, not over one-half inch variation in the size of carrots in the bunch 

shall be permitted.

(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper bunching not more than 10 

percent, by count, of the bunches may fail to meet the requirements for “standard 

bunches.”

Definitions

§51.2461 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the carrots in any lot are of the same 

general type. For example, carrots with a short, but blunt growth, like the Oxheart 

variety, shall not be mixed with long or half-long carrots, like the Imperator or Danvers 

varieties.
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Carrots (July 24, 2020)

5

§51.2462 Firm.

“Firm” means that the carrot is not soft, flabby, or shriveled.

§51.2463 Fairly clean.

“Fairly clean” means that the individual carrot is reasonably free from dirt, stain or 

other foreign matter and that the general appearance of the carrots in the lot is not more 

than slightly affected.

§51.2464 Fairly well colored.

“Fairly well colored” means that the carrot has an orange, orange red, or orange 

scarlet color, but not a pale orange or distinct yellow color.

§51.2465 Fairly smooth.

“Fairly smooth” means that the carrot is not rough, ridged, or covered with secondary 

rootlets to the extent that the appearance is materially affected.

§51.2466 Well formed.

“Well formed” means that the carrot is not forked, or misshapen to the extent that the 

appearance is more than slightly affected.

§51.2467 Damage.

“Damage” means any defect which materially affects the appearance, or the edible or 

shipping quality of the individual carrot root, or the general appearance of the carrot 

roots in the container, or causes a loss of more than 3 percent, by weight, in the 

ordinary preparation for use, or which materially affects the appearance or shipping 

quality of the tops. 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) Growth cracks which are not shallow or not smooth, or which materially affect 

the appearance of the carrot;

(b) Sunburn which causes a loss of more than 3 percent, by weight, in the ordinary 

preparation for use, except that superficial light green color at the stem end 

which does not materially affect the appearance of the root shall be permitted; 

and,

(c) Yellowing or other discoloration or injury to the tops when the appearance of the 

bunch is materially affected. The appearance of the individual bunch shall be 

considered materially affected when the tops are trimmed to the extent that only 

a relatively few leaves remain. The appearance of bunches with tops having 

slight discoloration such as yellowing, browning or other abnormal color affecting 
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Carrots (July 24, 2020)

6

a few leaflets shall not be considered materially affected if the tops as a whole 

show a predominantly normal green color.

§51.2468 Fresh.

“Fresh” means that the tops are not badly wilted.

§51.2469 Full tops.

“Full tops” means that the leafstems have not been cut back, but dried or damaged 

leaves or leafstems may have been removed.

§51.2470 Diameter.

“Diameter” means the greatest dimension of the root measured at right angles to the 

longitudinal axis.

§51.2471 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means any defect which seriously affects the appearance, or the 

edible or shipping quality of the individual carrot or the general appearance of the 

carrots in the container, or causes a loss of more than 20 percent, by weight, in the 

ordinary preparation for use.