Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing 

Service

Specialty

Crops

Program

Specialty

Crops

Inspection

Division

United States Standards

for Grades of Canned 

Spinach 

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

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

May 8, 1971.

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 Spinach (January 20, 2017)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach

Section Page No.

Product Description, Styles, and Grades.................................................................... 2

§52.1901 Product Description. .................................................................................... 2

§52.1902 Styles of canned spinach............................................................................. 2

§52.1903 Grades of canned spinach........................................................................... 2

Definitions of Terms and Symbols .............................................................................. 3

§52.1904 Definitions of terms and symbols................................................................. 3

Fill Of Container ............................................................................................................ 4

§52.1905 Recommended fill of container. ................................................................... 4

Recommended Drained Weights ................................................................................. 4

§52.1906 Recommended drained weights. ................................................................. 4

Factors of Quality.......................................................................................................... 5

§52.1907 Factors of quality. ........................................................................................ 5

§52.1908 Sample unit size. ......................................................................................... 5

Product Characteristics................................................................................................ 6

§52.1909 Classification of defects............................................................................... 6

Tolerances for Grade Compliance............................................................................... 9

§52.1910 Tolerances for stem material. ...................................................................... 9

§52.1911 Tolerances for color, character, damage, harmless extraneous material. . 10

Ascertaining Percentage of Stem Material................................................................ 13

§52.1912 Method for ascertaining percentage of stem material................................ 13

Lot Acceptance ........................................................................................................... 14

§52.1913 Lot acceptance for drained weights. .......................................................... 14

§52.1914 Lot acceptance for quality.......................................................................... 14

Tally Sheet ................................................................................................................... 16

§52.1915 Tally sheet for canned spinach.................................................................. 16
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

2

Product Description, Styles, and Grades

§52.1901 Product Description.

Canned Spinach as defined in the definitions and standards of identity for canned 

vegetables (21 CFR 155.200) issued pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 

Act, means the product properly prepared from the succulent leaves of the spinach 

plant and is packed with the addition of water in hermetically sealed containers and 

sufficiently processed by heat to prevent spoilage. Citric acid or vinegar may be added 

in a quantity not more than sufficient to permit effective processing by heat without 

discoloration or other impairment of the product. One or more of the optional seasoning 

ingredients specified in the aforesaid standards of identity may be added.

§52.1902 Styles of canned spinach.

(a) Whole leaf spinach consists substantially of the leaf and adjoining portion of the 

stem.

(b) Cut leaf or Sliced spinach consists of the leaf and adjoining portion of stem that 

has been cut predominantly into large pieces approximating three-fourths inch or 

more in the longest dimension or cut predominantly into approximate strips.

(c) Chopped spinach consists of the leaf and adjoining portion of stem that has 

been cut predominantly into small pieces less than approximately three-fourths 

inch in the longest dimension.

§52.1903 Grades of canned spinach.

(a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned spinach that has a good flavor and odor 

and is attractive in appearance and eating quality within the limitations set forth in this 

subpart as to:

(1) Color,

(2) Character,

(3) Stem material,

(4) Damage, and

(5) Harmless extraneous material.

(b) U.S. Grade B is the quality of canned spinach that has a good flavor and odor 

and is reasonably attractive in appearance and eating quality within the 

limitations set forth in this subpart as to:
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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(1) Color,

(2) Character,

(3) Stem material,

(4) Damage, and

(5) Harmless extraneous material.

(c) Substandard is the quality of canned spinach that fails to meet the requirements 

for U.S. Grade B.

Definitions of Terms and Symbols

§52.1904 Definitions of terms and symbols.

(a) Terms.

Defect. Any specifically defined variation from a particular requirement.

Deviant. A sample unit that exceeds an upper limit (such as for stem material or 

various defect classifications) or fails to meet a lower limit (such as drained 

weights).

Sample. Any number of sample units to be used for inspection of a lot.

Sample unit. The entire contents of a container, a portion of the contents of a 

container, or a combination of the contents of two or more containers as 

specified to be used for inspection.

Sample average value. The numerical value calculated by dividing the total 

number of applicable defects in a sample by the total number of sample units in 

that sample.

(b) Symbols.

Xd. Minimum sample average drained weight.

LL. Lower limit for individual drained weights.

UL. Upper limit is the value which represents the maximum amount of stem 

material or the maximum number of defects a sample unit may have for a 

grade classification.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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Fill Of Container

§52.1905 Recommended 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. The recommended fill of container for canned spinach is the maximum amount 

of spinach that can be sealed in a container and processed by heat without impairment 

of quality. It is recommended that the product and packing medium occupy not less 

than 90 percent of the water capacity of the container.

Recommended Drained Weights

§52.1906 Recommended drained weights.

(a) General. The recommended drained weight values in Table I of the subpart 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.

(b) Method for ascertaining drained weight.

(1) The drained weight of canned spinach is determined when the product is 

at approximately room temperature (68°F). The contents of the container 

is emptied upon a dry, previously weighed, U.S. Standard No. 8 circular 

sieve of proper diameter containing 8 meshes to the inch (0.0937 inch, ±3 

percent, square openings). With the sieve flat on the tray, the container of 

spinach is placed open end down in the sieve in an upright position. The 

container is lifted off the spinach without spreading the spinach out on the 

sieve. The spinach is allowed to drain for exactly 2 minutes. The weight 

of the spinach and sieve minus the weight of the dry sieve is the drained 

weight of the spinach.

(2) A sieve 8 inches in diameter is used for the equivalent of a No. 3 size can 

(404 x 700) and smaller and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for 

containers larger than the equivalent of a No. 3 size can.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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Table I – Recommended Minimum Drained Weights for Canned Spinach

Container designation 

(metal, unless 

otherwise stated)

Container size 

overall dimensions Capacity: weight 

H20 at 68°F. 

(avoirdupois 

ounces)

Minimum drained weight 

(avoirdupois ounces)

Diameter 

(inches)

Height 

(inches) LL Xd

8Z tall 2-11/16 3-4/16 8.65 4.8 5.2

No. 1 picnic 2-11/16 4 10.90 6.3 6.8

No. 300 3 4-7/16 15.20 8.6 9.1

No. 1 tall 3-1/16 4-11/16 16.60 9.4 10.0

No. 303 3-3/16 4-6/16 16.85 9.6 10.2

No. 303 glass -- -- 17.70 9.4 10.0

No. 2 3-7/16 4-9/16 20.50 11.9 12.6

No. 2 1/2 4-1/16 4-11/16 29.75 17.6 18.6

No. 2 1/2 glass -- -- 29.50 15.8 16.6

No. 10 6-3/16 7 109.45 54.7 58.4

Factors of Quality

§52.1907 Factors of quality.

The grade of a lot of canned spinach is based on requirements for product 

characteristics with respect to the following quality factors:

(a) Flavor and odor,

(b) Color,

(c) Character,

(d) Stem material,

(e) Damage, and

(f) Harmless extraneous material.

§52.1908 Sample unit size.

(a) Compliance with the factors of flavor and odor, color, and character may be 

determined on:
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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(1) The contents of an entire container, or

(2) A representative subsample from containers yielding more than 10 ounces 

of drained weight.

(b) Compliance with requirements for harmless extraneous material other than plant 

material is determined on the contents of an entire container.

(c) Compliance with requirements for the factors of stem material, damage, and 

extraneous plant material shall be determined on subsamples as specified in 

Table II of this subpart.

Table II – Sample Unit Size-Drained Spinach

Style Containers smaller 

than No. 2 1/2

No. 2 1/2 

Containers

No. 10 

Containers

Whole leaf; cut leaf 10 ounces 15 ounces 30 ounces

Chopped 2 ounces 3 ounces 6 ounces

Product Characteristics

§52.1909 Classification of defects.

(a) General. Scoreable defects in the factors of color, character, extraneous plant 

material, other extraneous material, and damaged spinach are outlined in Tables 

III, IV, and V.

(b) Extraneous plant material. Extraneous plant material includes root crowns, 

root stubs, and seed heads of the spinach plant and harmless grass and weeds 

of various kinds and texture.

(c) Other extraneous material. Other harmless extraneous material includes grit, 

sand, silt, or other earthy material.

(d) Damage. Damage includes discoloration or other similar injury on a leaf or stem 

or portion thereof which damage affects, materially affects, or seriously affects 

the appearance or eating quality of the portion of spinach and/or entire product.

(e) Degrees of defect classes. Defects are classified as to minor, major, or severe. 

Each X mark in Tables III, IV, and V represents one (1) defect.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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Table III – Whole Leaf; Cut Leaf; Chopped Styles

Quality Factors Defects Minor Major Severe

Color Color appearance is:

Adversely affected to a degree that is noticeable X

Adversely affected to a degree that is objectionable X

Character Appearance or eating quality, due to:

(1) A mushy texture, disintegration, ragged cutting, or shredded leaves and 

shredded stems, or portions thereof; and/or

(2) A tough texture, course, or fibrous stems 

or portions thereof; and/or

(3) Any other causes, as applicable for the style is:

Adversely, but not seriously, affected X

Seriously affected X

Extraneous Plant 

Material Root Crown:

Any significant portion of the solid area of the plant 

between the root and attached leaves X

Root Stub:

Any portion of the root whether or not the leaves 

are attached X

Seed Head-Whole leaf, Cut Leaf Styles

Longer than one (1) inch or objectionable 

regardless of length X

Seed head-Chopped Style

Pieces affecting appearance or eating qualityMore than slightly but not materially X

Materially X

Seriously X

Other Extraneous 

Material Grit, sand, silt, or other earthly material:

A trace that no more than slightly affects 

appearance or eating quality X

Presence materially affects appearance or eating 

quality X
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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Table IV – Whole Leaf; Cut Leaf; Chopped Styles 

Grass and Weeds (Aggregate Measurement)

Quality Factors Defects Minor Major Severe

Extraneous Plant 

Material

Whole Leaf and Cut Leaf Styles

Green, fine, tender, string like blades, and stems:

3 inches or less X

More than 3 inches but not more than 8 inches X

More than 8 inches X

Green and Coarse:

1/2 inch or less X

More than 1/2 inch but not more than 2 inches X

More than 2 inches X

Other than green – of any texture or kind:

1/2 inch or less X

More than 1/2 inch X

Chopped Style

Green, fine, tender, string-like blades, and stems:

3/4 inch or less X

More than 3/4 inch but not more than 2 inches X

More than 2 inches X

Green and Course:

3/4 inch or less X

More than 3/4 inch X

Other than green – of any texture or kind:

Any amount X
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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Table V – Discoloration or Other Injury 

(Affecting the Appearance or Eating Quality)

Quality Factors Defects Minor Major Severe

Damage

Whole Leaf and Cut Leaf Styles

Less than 1 square inch that more than slightly but not 

materially affects X

Less than 1 square inch that materially affects X

1 square inch or more but less than 4 square inches 

that affects to any degree X

More than 4 square inches that affects to any degree X

Chopped Style

Any area that materially affects X

Tolerances for Grade Compliance

§52.1910 Tolerances for stem material.

Stem material is that portion of the spinach plant below the point of attachment to the 

leaf. Allowances for stem material for the respective grade are shown in Table VI, 

based on the method for ascertaining the amount of stem material outlined in this 

subpart (See §52.1912).

Table VI – Tolerances for Stem Material (All styles)

Grade 

classification

Upper Limit (UL) for 

the sample unit

U.S. Grade A 25 percent by weight.

U.S. Grade B 30 percent by weight.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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§52.1911 Tolerances for color, character, damage, harmless extraneous 

material.

Table VII(a) – Whole Leaf; Cut Leaf Styles

For container sizes: less than No.

2-1/2; sample unit size - 10 ounces Number of defects permitted in a sample unit

Grade 

Classification

Defect 

Classification

Upper limit 

(UL)

Maximum 

allowed for 

deviants

Sample average 

value

U.S. Grade A

Severe 1 2 0.25

Major 4 6 1.50

Total1 8 11 4.0

U.S. Grade B

Severe 2 3 0.50

Major 8 11 4.0

Total1 18 23 12.0

1 Total – the sum of severe, major, and minor defects.

Table VII(b) – Whole Leaf; Cut Leaf Styles

For container sizes: less than No.

2-1/2; sample unit size - 15 ounces Number of defects permitted in a sample unit

Grade 

Classification

Defect 

Classification

Upper limit 

(UL)

Maximum 

allowed for 

deviants

Sample average 

value

U.S. Grade A

Severe 1 3 0.375

Major 5 8 2.25

Total1 10 14 6.0

U.S. Grade B

Severe 2 4 0.75

Major 10 14 6.0

Total1 26 32 18.0

1 Total – the sum of severe, major, and minor defects.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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Table VII(c) – Whole Leaf; Cut Leaf Styles

For container sizes: less than No.

10; sample unit size - 30 ounces Number of defects permitted in a sample unit

Grade 

Classification

Defect 

Classification

Upper Limit 

(UL)

Maximum 

allowed for 

deviants

Sample average 

value

U.S. Grade A

Severe 2 4 0.75

Major 8 12 4.5

Total1 18 23 12.0

U.S. Grade B

Severe 4 6 1.5

Major 18 23 12.0

Total1 47 55 36.0 1

Total – the sum of severe, major, and minor defects.

Table VIII(a) – Chopped Style

For container sizes: less than No.

2-1/2; sample unit size - 2 ounces Number of defects permitted in a sample unit

Grade 

Classification

Defect 

Classification

Upper limit 

(UL)

Maximum 

allowed for 

deviants

Sample average 

value

U.S. Grade A

Severe 1 2 0.25

Major 4 6 1.50

Minor (grass 

and weeds) 4 7 2.0

Total2 22 27 15.0

U.S. Grade B

Severe 2 3 0.50

Major 8 11 4.0

Minor (grass 

and weeds) 10 14 6.0

Total2 51 59 40.0 2

Total – the sum of severe, major, and minor defects including minor grass and weeds.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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Table VIII(b) – Chopped Style

For container sizes: less than No.

2-1/2; sample unit size - 3 ounces Number of defects permitted in a sample unit

Grade 

Classification

Defect

Classification

Upper limit 

(UL)

Maximum 

allowed for 

deviants

Sample average 

value

U.S. Grade A

Severe 1 3 0.375

Major 5 8 2.25

Minor (grass 

and weeds) 6 9 3.0

Total2 31 38 22.5

U.S. Grade B

Severe 2 4 0.75

Major 10 14 6.0

Minor (grass 

and weeds) 14 14 9.0

Total2 74 85 60.0 2

Total – the sum of severe, major, and minor defects including minor grass and weeds.

Table VIII(c) – Chopped Style

For container sizes: less than No.

2-1/2; sample unit size - 6 ounces Number of defects permitted in a sample unit

Grade 

Classification

Defect 

Classification

Upper limit 

(UL)

Maximum 

allowed for 

deviants

Sample average 

value

U.S. Grade A

Severe 2 4 0.75

Major 8 12 4.5

Minor (grass 

and weeds) 10 14 6.0

Total2 57 66 45.0

U.S. Grade B

Severe 4 6 1.50

Major 18 23 12.0

Minor (grass 

and weeds) 26 32 18.0

Total2 140 153 120.0 2

Total – the sum of severe, major, and minor defects including minor grass and weeds.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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Ascertaining Percentage of Stem Material

§52.1912 Method for ascertaining percentage of stem material.

(a) Method for separation.

(1) Whole leaf; cut leaf styles.

(i) Have available two dry, previously weighed U.S. standard No. 8 

circular sieves containing 8-meshes to the inch (0.0937, ±3 percent, 

square openings), not to exceed 8 inches in diameter.

(ii) Place the sample unit of spinach in water in a deep grading tray. 

With gently agitation, separate the leaves. Remove the individual 

leaves from the water and cut the attached stem off just below the 

last point of attachment of leaf material.

(iii) Place the stem material on one sieve and the leaf material on 

another sieve. Remove all detached stems and pieces of stem and 

detached leaves and pieces of leaves from the water and place on 

their respective screen.

(2) Chopped style. Place the sample unit, approximately one ounce at a 

time, in water in a deep grading tray. Remove the loose stem material 

and place on a dry sieve as mentioned under (a) (1) of this section. Pour 

the remaining leaf material on another sieve. Repeat until the stem 

material has been removed from the entire sample unit.

(b) Drained weight of separated material.

(1) Allow the leaf material and stem material to drain for 2 minutes from the 

time the separation has been completed.

(2) Weigh separately:

(i) The screen and leaf material, and 

(ii) The screen and stem material. The weight of the screen and leaf 

material minus the weight of the screen is the weight of the leaf 

material. The weight of the screen and stem material minus the 

weight of the screen is the weight of stem material.

(c) Calculations. The percent of stem material is the weight of drained stem 

material divided by the sum of the weights of drained stem material and drained 

leaf material.

Weight of stem material = Percent of Stem Material

Weight of stem material + Weight of leaf material
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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Lot Acceptance

§52.1913 Lot acceptance for drained weights.

A lot of canned spinach is considered as meeting the minimum drained weights when 

the following criteria are met:

(a) The average of the drained weights from all the containers in the sample meets 

the average drained weight in Table I of this subpart (designated as Xd); and 

(b) The number of deviants for drained weight do not exceed the applicable 

acceptance number specified in the single sampling plan in the Regulations 

Governing Inspection of Processed Fruits, Vegetables, and Related Products 

(§52.1 to §52.83).

§52.1914 Lot acceptance for quality.

A lot of canned spinach shall be considered as meeting the quality requirements for the 

applicable grade when the following criteria are met:

(a) Flavor and odor. All sample units meet the requirements for flavor and odor.

(b) Stem material.

(1) The number of sample units which exceed the upper limits (UL) for stem 

material as applicable for the grade (deviants), specified in Table VI, does 

not exceed the acceptance number specified for the sample size in the 

Single Sampling Plan of the Regulations Governing Inspection of 

Processed Fruits, Vegetables, and Related Products (§52.1 to §52.83).

(2) Deviants for stem material are permitted in addition to the deviants

allowed for other quality factors.

(c) Color, character, damage, harmless extraneous material.

(1) The number of sample units which exceed the upper limit (UL) for these 

defects for the applicable grade (deviants), specified in Tables VII(a), 

VII(b), VII(c), VIII(a), VIII(b), and VIII(c), does not exceed the acceptance 

number specified for the sample size in the Single Sampling Plan of the 

regulations Governing Inspection of Processed Fruits, Vegetables, and 

Related Products (§52.1 to §52.83); and

(2) The sample average values for the various defect classifications specified 

in Tables VII(a), VII(b), VII(c), VIII(a), VIII(b), and VIII(c) are not exceeded;

and
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

15

(3) No sample unit exceeds the maximum number of defects allowed for 

deviants as specified in Tables VII(a), VII(b), VII(c), VIII(a), VIII(b), and 

VIII(c).
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Spinach (January 20, 2017)

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Tally Sheet

§52.1915 Tally sheet for canned spinach.

NO., SIZE, AND KIND OF CONTAINER

LABEL

CONTAINER 

MARK OR 

IDENTIFICATION

PRIMARY

CASE

Net Weight (Ounces)

Vacuum (Inches)

Drained Weight (Ounces)

Headspace

Quality Factors

Sample Unit Sample Unit Sample Unit Major Minor Severe Major Minim Severe Major Minor

Severe

Color

Character

Damage

Plant

Green, fine

Green, course

Other

Harmless 

Extraneous 

Material

Seed head

Root crown

Root stub SAMPLE

AVERAGE

Other Than Plant

MajorMinor

Severe

Total 

(Each Class)

Cumulative Total 

(All Classes)

Flavor and 

Odor A, SSTD