Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing 

Service

Specialty

Crops

Program

Specialty

Crops

Inspection

Division

United States Standards

for Grades of Brussels 

Sprouts

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Brussels Sprouts

(81 FR 51297) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since 

January 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 

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 Brussels Sprouts (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Brussels Sprouts

Section Page No.

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

§51.2250 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.2251 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

Reserved........................................................................................................................ 2

§51.2252 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 2

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 2

§51.2253 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 2

§51.2254 Basis for calculating percentages. ............................................................... 3

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 3

§51.2255 Well colored................................................................................................. 3

§51.2256 Firm. ............................................................................................................ 3

§51.2257 Seedstems................................................................................................... 3

§51.2258 Damage....................................................................................................... 3

§51.2259 Diameter...................................................................................................... 3

§51.2260 Fairly well colored........................................................................................ 4

§51.2261 Fairly firm..................................................................................................... 4

§51.2262 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 4
United States Standards for Grades of Brussels Sprouts (September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.2250 U.S. No. 1.

U.S. No. 1 consists of Brussels sprouts which are well colored, firm, not withered or 

burst, which are free from soft decay and seedstems, and free from damage caused by 

discoloration, dirt or other foreign material, freezing, disease, insects, or mechanical or 

other means. 

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each Brussels sprout shall be not 

less than one inch, and the length shall be not more than 2-3/4 inches.

(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, other than 

for size, not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of the Brussels sprouts in 

any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the grade: Provided, That not more 

than one-fifth of this amount, or 2 percent, shall be allowed for soft decay. In 

addition, not more than a total of 5 percent, by weight, of the Brussels sprouts in 

any lot may be smaller than the specified minimum diameter, and not more than 

10 percent may be longer than the specified maximum length.

§51.2251 U.S. No. 2.

U.S. No. 2 consists of Brussels sprouts which are fairly well colored, fairly firm, not 

withered or burst, which are free from soft decay and seedstems, and free from damage 

caused by insects, and free from serious damage caused by discoloration, dirt or other 

foreign material, freezing, disease or mechanical or other means.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each Brussels sprout shall be not 

less than one inch, and the length shall be not more than 2-3/4 inches.

(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, other than 

for size, not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of the Brussels sprouts in 

any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the grade: Provided, That not more 

than one-fifth of this amount, or 2 percent, shall be allowed for soft decay. In 

addition, not more than a total of 5 percent, by weight, of the Brussels sprouts in 

any lot may be smaller than the specified minimum diameter, and not more than 

10 percent may be longer than the specified maximum length.

Reserved

§51.2252 Reserved.

Application of Tolerances

§51.2253 Application of tolerances.

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

subject to the following limitations: Provided, That the averages for the entire lot 

are within the tolerances specified for the grade:
United States Standards for Grades of Brussels Sprouts (September 6, 2016)

3

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

contain not more than one and one-half times the tolerance specified; and,

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

contain not more than double the tolerance specified, except that at least 

one defective and one off-size specimen may be permitted in any 

package.

§51.2254 Basis for calculating percentages.

Percentages shall be calculated on the basis of weight or an equivalent basis.

Definitions

§51.2255 Well colored.

“Well colored” means that the Brussels sprout has a light green or a darker shade of 

green color characteristic of well-grown Brussels sprouts.

§51.2256 Firm.

“Firm” means that the Brussels sprout is of reasonable solidity and is fairly compact but 

may yield slightly to moderate pressure.

§51.2257 Seedstems.

“Seedstems” means Brussels sprouts which have seedstalks showing or in which the 

formation of seedstalks has plainly begun.

§51.2258 Damage.

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

shipping quality of the Brussels sprout. 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) Discoloration when the appearance is materially affected by discolored leaves or 

parts of leaves; and,

(b) Insects when there is more than slight aphis infestation within the compact 

portion of the head, or when the outer leaves are badly infested by them; or when 

slugs, worms or worm frass are present, or when the appearance is materially 

affected by slug or worm injury.

§51.2259 Diameter.

“Diameter” means the greatest dimension measured at right angles to a line running 
United States Standards for Grades of Brussels Sprouts (September 6, 2016)

4

from the stem to the apex of the Brussels sprout.

§51.2260 Fairly well colored.

“Fairly well colored” means that the Brussels sprout shall not be lighter than 

yellowish-green color.

§51.2261 Fairly firm.

“Fairly firm” means that the Brussels sprout is not soft or puffy and is of reasonable 

weight for its size but may have considerable open spaces between the leaves in the 

lower portion of the head.

§51.2262 Serious damage.

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

edible or shipping quality of the Brussels sprout.