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United States Standards

for Grades of 

Canned Onions

Effective January 20, 2017
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions 

(81 FR 93572) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since 

November 2, 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, 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 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html 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 Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions

Section Page No.

Product Description and Grades ................................................................................. 2

§52.3041 Product description...................................................................................... 2

§52.3042 Grades of canned onions............................................................................. 2

Recommended Fill of Container, Drained Weight, and Count of Canned Onions... 2

§52.3043 Fill of container. ........................................................................................... 2

§52.3044 Drained weights........................................................................................... 2

§52.3045 Count of onions. .......................................................................................... 3

Factors of Quality.......................................................................................................... 4

§52.3046 Ascertaining the grade................................................................................. 4

§52.3047 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ............................. 5

§52.3048 Color............................................................................................................ 5

§52.3049 Uniformity of size and shape. ...................................................................... 6

§52.3050 Defects. ....................................................................................................... 8

§52.3051 Character................................................................................................... 10

Lot Inspection and Certification................................................................................. 11

§52.3052 Ascertaining the grade of a lot................................................................... 11

Score Sheet ................................................................................................................. 12

§52.3053 Score sheet for canned onions.................................................................. 12
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

2

Product Description and Grades

§52.3041 Product description.

Canned onions means the canned product consisting of whole onions, properly 

prepared from clean, sound, succulent onion bulbs. The product is prepared and 

processed in accordance with good commercial practice and is sufficiently processed 

by heat to assure preservation of the product in hermetically sealed containers as 

defined in the standard of identity for Certain Other Canned Vegetables (21 CFR 

155.200) issued as pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

§52.3042 Grades of canned onions.

(a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned onions that possess similar varietal 

characteristics; that possess a normal flavor; that possess a good color; that are 

practically uniform in size and shape; that are practically free from defects; that 

possess a good character; and that score not less than 85 points when scored in 

accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(b) U.S. Grade C is the quality of canned onions that possess similar varietal 

characteristics; that possess a normal flavor; that possess a fairly good color; 

that are fairly uniform in size and shape; that are fairly free from defects; that 

possess a good character; and that score not less than 70 points when scored in 

accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart: Provided, that the 

canned onions may be variable in size and shape if the total score is not less 

than 70 points.

(c) Substandard is the quality of canned onions that fail to meet the requirements of 

U.S. Grade C.

Recommended Fill of Container, Drained Weight, and Count of Canned Onions

§52.3043 Fill of container.

The recommended fill of container is not incorporated in the grades of the finished 

product since fill of container, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these 

grades. It is recommended that each container be filled as full as possible with onions 

without impairment of quality and the product and packing medium occupy not less than 

90 percent of the total capacity of the container.

§52.3044 Drained weights.

(a) General. The minimum drained weight recommendations for canned onions in 

Table I of this section are not incorporated in the grades of the finished product 

since drained weight, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purpose of these 

grades.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

3

(b) Method for ascertaining drained weight. The drained weight is determined by 

emptying the contents of the container upon a United States Standard No. 8 

sieve of proper diameter so as to distribute the product evenly, inclining the sieve 

to facilitate drainage, allowing the product to drain for two minutes and then 

weighing the sieve together with the product thereon. The drained weight is the 

weight of the sieve and the drained product less the weight of the dry sieve. A 

sieve 8 inches in diameter is used for the No.3 size can (404 x 414) or equivalent 

size, and smaller sizes; and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for containers 

larger than the equivalent of the No. 3 size can.

(c) Compliance with recommended drained weights. Compliance with the 

recommended drained weights is determined by averaging the drained weights 

from all the containers which are representative of a specific lot; and such lot is 

considered as meeting the recommendations if the following criteria are met.

(1) The average of the drained weights from all of the containers meets the 

applicable recommended drained weight;

(2) One-half or more of the containers meets the recommended drained 

weight; and

(3) The drained weight of each of the containers which do not meet the 

recommended drained weight is within the range of variability for good 

commercial practice.

Table I – Recommended Drained Weights, in Ounces, for Canned Onions

Container size or 

designation 

(metal, unless 

otherwise stated)

Maximum headspace 

allowable (measured 

from top of double seam)

Sizes of canned onions

Tiny Small Medium

16th of an inch Ounces Ounces Ounces

8 ounce tall 7.6 4.5 4.5 4.5

No. 303 9.4 9.5 9 9

No. 303 glass 9.4 9 9 9

No. 10 13.6 64 63 60

§52.3045 Count of onions.

(a) General. The count recommendations in Table II of this section are not 

incorporated in the finished product since count of onions, as such, is not a factor 

of quality for the purpose if these grades.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

4

(b) Compliance with recommended count of onions. Compliance with 

recommended count of canned onions is determined by averaging the counts 

from all the containers which are representative of a specific lot; and such lot is 

considered as meeting the recommendations if the following criteria are met:

(1) The average of the counts from all of the containers is within the range of 

the applicable recommended count;

(2) The counts of not more than one-sixth of the containers fail the range of 

such recommended count; and

(3) The count from each of the containers which fails such range is not 

outside such range by more than 10 percent or more than two onion 

bulbs, whichever is the greater.

Table II – Recommended Count for Canned Onions

Container size or 

designation (metal, 

unless otherwise stated)

Tiny Small Medium

8 ounce tall 15 and over 8 to 14, inclusive --

No. 303 and No. 303 glass 30 and over 15 to 29, inclusive 8 to 14, inclusive

No. 10 200 and over 100 to 199, inclusive 80 to 99, inclusive

Factors of Quality

§52.3046 Ascertaining the grade.

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

the following quality factors are evaluated:

(1) Factors which are not scored.

(i) Varietal characteristics.

(ii) Flavor.

(2) Factors which are scored. 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 such factors are:
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

5

Factors Points

Color 20

Uniformity of size and shape 30

Defects 30

Character 20

Total score 100

(b) Normal flavor. Normal flavor means that the product is free from objectionable 

flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

§52.3047 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 each factor and expressed numerically. The numerical 

range within each factor which is scored is inclusive. (For example, 17 to 20 points

means 17, 18, 19, or 20 points).

§52.3048 Color.

(a) General. The color of canned onions has reference to the predominating and 

characteristic color of the exterior surfaces of the onion bulbs.

(b) “A” classification. Canned onions that possess a good color may be given a 

score of 17 to 20 points.

Good color means that the canned onions possess a reasonably bright, 

characteristic color which may include typical greenish areas on the surface of 

the bulbs; and that not more than 10 percent, by count, of the onions may 

individually possess such typical greenish areas, which in the aggregate, exceed 

one - half of the surface area of the bulb.

(c) “C” classification. If the canned onions possess a fairly good color, a score of 

14 to 16 points may be given. Canned onions that fall into this classification shall 

not be grade above U. S. Grade C, regardless of the total score for the product 

(this is a limiting rule).

Fairly good color means that the canned onions possess a characteristic color 

which may include typical greenish areas in the surface of the bulbs; that the 

product is not materially affected by oxidation, or dull grayish-white casts, or 

water-white casts, or other discoloration; and that not more than 20 percent, by 

count, of the onions may individually possess greenish areas, which, in the 

aggregate, exceed one-half of the surface area of the bulbs.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

6

(d) “SStd” Classification. Canned onions that fail to meet the requirements of 

paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 13 points and shall not 

be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product ( this 

is a limiting rule).

§52.3049 Uniformity of size and shape.

(a) General. Uniformity of size and shape refers to the degree of variation in size 

and shape of the individual onion bulbs in canned onions.

(1) Poorly shaped means that the length of the individual onion bulb exceeds 

the maximum length for the applicable diameter, as shown in Table III of 

this section, or that the onion bulb is otherwise misshapen to the extent 

that its appearance is seriously affected.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

7

Table III – Recommended Diameter and Maximum Length of Onions

Diameter of onion1 Maximum length of onion 

(inches)2

1/2 inch 15/16

9/16 inch 1-1/16

5/8 inch 1-3/16

11/16 inch 1-5/16

3/4 inch 1-7/16

13/16 inch 1-9/16

7/8 inch 1-11/16

15/16 inch 1-13/16

1 inch 1-15/16

1-1/8 inch 2-1/8

1-1/4 inch 2-3/8

1-3/8 inch 2-5/8

1-1/2 inch 2-7/8

1

Diameter is determined by measuring the greatest diameter at right angles to a straight line 

running from the stem end to the root end.

2

Length is determined by measuring the over-all length of the onion.

(b) “A” classification. Canned onions that are practically uniform in size or shape 

may be given a score of 26 to 30 points.

Practically uniform in size and shape means that:

(1) In a container with a count of less than 21 onions, not more than 10 

percent, by count, of the onions are poorly shaped, and the weight of the 

second largest onion is not more than three times the weight of the 

second smallest onion.

(2) In a container of a count of 21 or more onions, not more than 10 percent, 

by count, of the onions are poorly shaped, and with respect to 95 percent, 

by count, of all the onions, the weight of the largest onion is not more than 

three times the weight of the smallest onion.

(c) “C” classification. If the canned onions are fairly uniform in size and shape, a 

score of 21 to 25 points may be given. Canned onions 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).
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

8

Fairly uniform in size and shape means that:

(1) In a container with a count of less than 21 onions, not more than 25 

percent, by count, of the onions are poorly shaped, and the weight of the 

second largest onion is not more than four times the weight of the second 

smallest onion.

(2) In a container with a count of 21 or more onions, not more than 25 

percent, by count, of the onions are poorly shaped, and with respect to 95 

percent, by count, of all the onions, the weight of the largest onion is not 

more than four times the weight of the smallest onion.

(d) “SStd” classification. Canned onions that fail to meet the requirements of 

paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not 

be graded above U.S. Grade C, regardless of the total score for the product (this 

is a partial limiting rule).

§52.3050 Defects.

(a) General. The factor of defects refers to the degree of freedom from extraneous 

vegetable material and from onion bulbs that are blemished or seriously 

blemished or affected by mechanical damage, loose scales, or detached centers, 

and to the trimming of the onion bulb.

(1) Blemished means affected by surface or internal discoloration to such an 

extent that the appearance or eating quality is materially affected. Internal 

yellow sprouts which show no discoloration are not considered as being 

within the meaning of the term blemished.

(2) Seriously blemished means blemished to such an extent that the 

appearance or eating quality is seriously affected.

(3) Mechanical damage means damaged by crushing, gouging, or trimming 

to such an extent that the appearance of the onion bulb is materially 

affected.

(4) Loose scales or pieces of scales mean scales or pieces of scales that 

are not attached to an onion bulb.

(5) Detached center means an onion bulb without its center portion.

(6) Well trimmed means that the top and roots of the onion bulb have been 

removed.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

9

(b) “A” classification.

(1) Canned onions that are practically free from defects may be given a score 

of 25 to 30 points.

Practically free from defects means:

(i) With respect to the onions in all of the containers

(a) At least 95 percent, by count of the onions, are well trimmed, 

and

(b) For each 20 onions, there may be present not more than two 

loose scales or pieces of scales and one detached center; 

and

(ii) With respect to the onions in the individual containers

(a) Not more than a total of 10 percent, by count of the onions in 

the container, are affected by mechanical damage, and

(b) Not more than three percent , by count of the onions in such 

container, are blemished, including not more than one 

percent, by count of the onions in such container, that are 

seriously blemished.

(2) Notwithstanding the requirements in subparagraph (1) (ii) of this 

paragraph, one onion bulb in an individual container may be affected by 

one or more of the defects listed therein, although in excess of the 

percentages permitted for the particular defects: Provided, That the 

percentage of each such defect computed on the basis of all of the onions 

in all containers is within the percentage permitted for such defect.

(c) “C” classification.

Canned onions that are fairly free from defects may be given a score of 21 to 24 points. 

Canned onions 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:

(1) With respect to the onions in all of the containers

(i) At least 90 percent, by count of the onions, are well trimmed, and

(ii) For each 20 onions, there may be present not more than four loose 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

10

scales or pieces of scales and two detached centers, and

(iii) With respect to the onions in the individual containers

(a) Not more than a total of 20 percent, by count of the onions in 

the container, are affected by mechanical damage, and

(b) Not more than 5 percent, by count of the onions in such 

container, are blemished, including not more than 2 percent, 

by count of the onions in such container, that are seriously 

blemished.

(2) Notwithstanding the requirements in subparagraph (1) (ii) of this 

paragraph, one onion bulb in an individual container may be affected by 

one or more of the defects listed therein, although in excess of the 

percentages permitted for the particular defects: Provided, That the 

percentage of each such defect computed on the basis of all of the onions 

in all containers is within the percentage permitted for such defect.

(d) “SStd” classification. Canned onions that fail to meet the requirements of 

paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not 

be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this 

is a limiting rule).

§52.3051 Character.

(a) General. Character has reference to firmness and texture of the individual 

onion, and to the tendency to retain its conformation without becoming soft or 

spongy.

(b) “A” classification. Canned onions that possess a good character may be given 

a score of 17 to 20 points.

Good character means that the onions are reasonably firm, reasonably tender, 

and not more than 10 percent, by count, are soft and spongy.

(c) “C” classification. Canned onions that possess a fairly good character may be 

given a score of 14 to 16 points. Canned onions 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 character means that the onions are fairly firm, fairly tender, and 

not more than 20 percent, by count, are soft or spongy.

(d) “SStd” classification. Canned onions that fail to meet the requirements of 

paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 13 points and shall not 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

11

be graded above the Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product 

(this is a limiting rule).

Lot Inspection and Certification

§52.3052 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned onions covered by these standards is determined by the 

procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of 

Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other 

Processed Food Products (7 CFR 52.1 through 52.83; 22 F.R. 3535).
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Onions (January 20, 2017)

12

Score Sheet

§52.3053 Score sheet for canned onions.

Number, size, and kind of container 

Container marks or identification

Label 

Net weight (ounces) 

Vacuum (inches)

Drained weight (ounces)

Count (whole)

Varietal Type

Factors Grade Score Points

Color 20

“A” 17-20

“C” 14-161

“SStd” 0-131

Uniformity of size and shape 30

“A” 26-30

“C” 21-251

“SStd” 0-202

Defects 30

“A” 25-30

“C” 21-241

“SStd” 0-201

Character 20

“A” 17-20

“C” 14-161

“SStd” 0-131

Total Score 100

Flavor and odor

U.S. Grade

1Indicates limiting rule.

2

Indicates partial limiting rule