United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

U.S. Standards November 27, 2009

Distribution: FGIS, OSP, Industry Originating Office: FMD PPMAB

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UNITED STATES STANDARDS FOR BROWN RICE FOR PROCESSING

Note to the Subpart: Compliance with the provisions of these standards does not excuse failure to 

comply with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or other Federal laws.

Source: 42 FR 40869, Aug. 12, 1977; 42 FR 64356, Dec. 23, 1977, unless otherwise noted.

Contents

UNITED STATES STANDARDS FOR BROWN RICE FOR PROCESSING 1

Terms Defined 2

Principles Governing the Application of Standards 4

Grades, Grade Requirements, and Grade Designations 6

Special Grades, Special Grade Requirements, and Special Grade Designations 7
United States Standards for 

Brown Rice for Processing

November 27, 2009

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Terms Defined

§868.251 Definition of brown rice for processing.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) which consists of more than 50.0 percent of kernels of brown rice, 

and which is intended for processing to milled rice.

§868.252 Definition of other terms.

For the purposes of these standards, the following terms shall have the meanings stated 

below:

(a) Broken kernels. Kernels of rice which are less than three-fourths of whole kernels.

(b) Brown rice. Whole or broken kernels of rice from which the hulls have been 

removed.

(c) Chalky kernels. Whole or broken kernels of rice which are one-half or more chalky.

(d) Classes. There are four classes of brown rice for processing.

Long Grain Brown Rice for Processing.

Medium Grain Brown Rice for Processing.

Short Grain Brown Rice for Processing.

Mixed Brown Rice for Processing.

Classes shall be based on the percentage of whole kernels, broken kernels, and types 

of rice.

(1) “Long-grain brown rice for processing” shall consist of brown rice for processing 

which contains more than 25.0 percent of whole kernels of brown rice and not more 

than 10.0 percent of whole or broken kernels of medium or short-grain rice.

(2) “Medium-grain brown rice for processing” shall consist of brown rice for processing 

which contains more than 25.0 percent of whole kernels of brown rice and not more 

than 10.0 percent of whole or broken kernels of long-grain rice or whole kernels of shortgrain rice.

(3) “Short-grain brown rice for processing” shall consist of brown rice for processing 

which contains more than 25.0 percent of whole kernels of brown rice and not more 

than 10.0 percent of whole or broken kernels of long-grain rice or whole kernels of 

medium-grain rice.

(4) “Mixed brown rice for processing” shall be brown rice for processing which contains 

more than 25.0 percent of whole kernels of brown rice and more than 10.0 percent of 

``other types’’ as defined in paragraph (i) of this section.

(e) Damaged kernels. Whole or broken kernels of rice which are distinctly discolored 

or damaged by water, insects, heat, or any other means (including parboiled kernels in 

nonparboiled rice and smutty kernels). “Heat-damaged kernels” (see paragraph (f) of 

this section) shall not function as damaged kernels.
United States Standards for 

Brown Rice for Processing

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(f) Heat-damaged kernels. Whole or broken kernels of rice which are materially 

discolored and damaged as a result of heating and parboiled kernels in nonparboiled 

rice which are as dark as, or darker in color than, the interpretive line for heat-damaged 

kernels.

(g) Milling yield. An estimate of the quantity of whole kernels and total milled rice 

(whole and broken kernels combined) that is produced in the milling of brown rice for 

processing to a well-milled degree.

(h) Objectionable seeds. Whole or broken seeds other than rice, except seeds of 

Echinochloa crusgalli (commonly known as barnyard grass, watergrass, and Japanese 

millet).

(i) Other types. (1) Whole kernels of: (i) Long grain rice in medium or short grain rice 

and medium or short grain rice in long grain rice, (ii) medium grain rice in long or short 

grain rice, (iii) short grain rice in long or medium grain rice, (2) broken kernels of long 

grain rice in medium or short grain rice and broken kernels of medium or short grain rice 

in long grain rice.

Note: Broken kernels of medium grain rice in short grain rice and broken kernels of short 

grain rice in medium grain rice shall not be considered other types.

(j) Paddy Kernels. Whole or broken unhulled kernels and whole or broken kernels of rice 

having a portion or portions of the hull remaining which cover one-half (1/2) or more of 

the whole or broken kernel.

(k) Red rice. Whole or broken kernels of rice on which the bran is distinctly red in color.

(l) Related material. All by-products of a paddy kernel, such as the outer glumes, 

lemma, palea, awn, embryo, and bran layers.

(m) Seeds. Whole or broken seeds of any plant other than rice.

(n) Smutty kernels. Whole or broken kernels of rice which are distinctly infected by smut.

(o) Types of rice. There are three types of brown rice for processing:

Long grain

Medium grain

Short grain

Types shall be based on the length/width ratio of kernels of rice that are unbroken and 

the width, thickness, and shape of kernels of rice that are broken as prescribed in FGIS 

instructions.

(p) Ungelantinized kernels. Whole or broken kernels of parboiled rice with distinct white 

or chalky areas due to incomplete gelatinization of the starch.
United States Standards for 

Brown Rice for Processing

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(q) Unrelated material. All matter other than rice, related material, and seeds.

(r) Well-milled kernels. Whole or broken kernels of rice from which the hulls and 

practically all of the embryos and the bran layers have been removed.

(s) Whole kernels. Unbroken kernels of rice and broken kernels of rice which are at least 

threefourths of an unbroken kernel.

(t) 6 plate. A laminated metal plate 0.142-inch thick, with a top lamina 0.051-inch thick,

perforated with rows of round holes 0.0938 (6/64) inch in diameter, and a bottom lamina

0.091-inch thick, without perforations.

(u) 6 1/2 sieve. A metal sieve 0.032-inch thick, perforated with rows of round holes 

0.1016 (6 1/2 /64) inch in diameter.

[13 FR 9479, Dec. 31, 1948, as amended at 44 FR 73008, Dec. 17, 1979; 47 FR 34516,

Aug. 10, 1982; 54 FR 21403, 21406, May 18, 1989; 54 FR 51344, Dec. 14, 1989]

Principles Governing the Application of Standards

§868.253 Basis of determination.

The determination of kernels damaged by heat, heat-damaged kernels, parboiled 

kernels in nonparboiled rice, and the special grade Parboiled brown rice for processing 

shall be on the basis of the brown rice for processing after it has been milled to a wellmilled degree. All other determinations shall be on the basis of the original sample. 

Mechanical sizing of kernels shall be adjusted by handpicking as prescribed in FGIS 

instructions, or by any method which gives equivalent results.

[42 FR 40869, Aug. 12, 1977; 42 FR 64356, Dec. 23, 1977, as amended at 47 FR 

34516, Aug. 10, 1982; 54 FR 21403, 21406, May 18, 1989]

§868.254 Broken kernels determination.

Broken kernels shall be determined by the use of equipment and procedures prescribed 

in FGIS instructions, 2/ or by any method which gives equivalent results.

[42 FR 40869, Aug. 12, 1977; 42 FR 64356, Dec. 23, 1977, as amended at 47 FR 34516, 

Aug. 10, 1982; 54 FR 21403, May 18, 1989. Redesignated at 54 FR 21406, May 18, 1989]

§868.255 Interpretive line samples.

Interpretive line samples showing the official scoring line for factors that are determined 

by visual observation shall be maintained by the Federal Grain Inspection Service, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, and shall be available for reference in all inspection offices 

that inspect and grade rice.

[42 FR 40869, Aug. 12, 1977; 42 FR 64356, Dec. 23, 1977, as amended at 47 FR 34516, 

Aug.10, 1982; 54 FR 21403, May 18, 1989. Redesignated at 54 FR 21406, May 18, 1989]
United States Standards for 

Brown Rice for Processing

November 27, 2009

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§868.256 Milling requirements.

In determining milling yield (see §868.252(g)) in brown rice for processing, the degree 

of milling shall be equal to, or better than, that of the interpretive line sample for “wellmilled” rice.

[42 FR 40869, Aug. 12, 1977. Redesignated at 21406, May 18, 1989]

§868.257 Milling yield determination.

Milling yield shall be determined by the use of an approved device in accordance 

with procedures prescribed in FGIS instructions. For the purpose of this paragraph, 

“approved device” shall include the McGill Miller No. 3 and any other equipment that is 

approved by the Administrator as giving equivalent results.

Note: Milling yield shall not be determined when the moisture content of the brown rice 

for processing exceeds 18.0 percent.

[42 FR 40869, Aug. 12, 1977; 42 FR 64356, Dec. 23, 1977, as amended at 47 FR 34516, 

Aug.10, 1982; 54 FR 21403, May 18, 1989. Redesignated at 54 FR 21406, May 18, 1989]

§868.258 Moisture.

Water content in brown rice for processing as determined by an approved device in 

accordance with procedures prescribed in FGIS instructions. For the purpose of this 

paragraph, “approved device” shall include the Motomco Moisture Meter and any other 

equipment that is approved by the Administrator as giving equivalent results.

[42 FR 40869, Aug. 12, 1977; 42 FR 64356, Dec. 23, 1977, as amended at 47 FR 34516, 

Aug. 10, 1982; 54 FR 21403, May 18, 1989. Redesignated at 54 FR 21406, May 18, 1989]

§868.259 Percentages.

(a) Rounding. Percentages are determined on the basis of weight and are rounded as 

follows:

(1) When the figure to be rounded is followed by a figure greater than or equal to 5, 

round to the next higher figure; e.g., report 6.36 as 6.4, 0.35 as 0.4, and 2.45 as 2.5.

(2) When the figure to be rounded is followed by a figure less than 5, retain the figure, 

e.g., report 8.34 as 8.3 and 1.22 and 1.2.

(b) Recording. All percentages, except for milling yield, are stated in whole and tenth 

percent to the nearest tenth percent. Milling yield is stated to the nearest whole percent.

[54 FR 21406, May 18, 1989]
United States Standards for 

Brown Rice for Processing

November 27, 2009

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§868.260 Information.

Requests for the Rice Inspection Handbook, Equipment Handbook, or for information 

concerning approved devices and procedures, criteria for approved devices, and 

requests for approval of devices should be directed to the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Federal Grain Inspection Service, P.O. Box 96454, Washington, DC 20090-

96454, or any field office or cooperator.

[54 FR 21406, May 18, 1989]

Grades, Grade Requirements, and Grade Designations

§868.261 Grade and grade requirements for the classes of brown rice for processing.

(See also §868.263.)

Grade

Maximum limits of--

Paddy kernels Seeds and heat-damaged kernels Red rice and

damaged 

kernels

(singly or

combined)

(Percent)

Chalky

kernels 1,2

Broken

kernels

removed by a

6 plate or a 

6 1⁄2 sieve 3

(percent)

Other

Types 4

Well-milled

kernels

Percent (percent)

Number

in 500

grams

Total 

(singly or

combined)

(number in 

500 grams)

Heat

damaged

kernels

(number in

500 grams)

Objectionable

seeds 

(number

in 500 grams)

U.S. No.1

U.S. No.2

U.S. No.3

U.S. No.4

U.S. No.5

---

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

20

---

---

---

---

10

40

70

100

150

1

2

4

8

15

2

10

30

35

50

1.0

2.0

4.0

8.0

15.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

15.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

6.0

1.0

2.0

5.0

10.0

10.0

1.0

3.0

10.0

10.0

10.0

U.S. Sample grade

U.S. Sample grade shall be brown rice for processing which (a) does not meet the requirements for any of the grades from 

U.S. No. 1 to U.S. No. 5, inclusive; (b) contains more than 14.5 percent of moisture; (c) is musty, or sour, or heating; (d) 

has any commercially objectionable foreign odor; or (g) is otherwise of distinctly low quality.

 

1

 For the special grade Parboiled brown rice for processing, see 868.263(a).

2

 For the special grade Glutinous brown rice for processing, see 868.263(c).

3

 Plates should be used for southern production rice and sieves should be used for western production rice, but any device

 or method which gives equivalent results may be used.

4

 These limits do not apply to the class Mixed Brown Rice for Processing.

 [56 FR 55979, Oct. 31, 1991]

§868.262 Grade designation.

(a)The grade designation for all classes of brown rice for processing shall include in the 

following order: (1) The letters “U.S.”’; (2) the number of the grade or the words “Sample 

grade,” as warranted; (3) the words “or better,” when applicable and requested by the 

applicant prior to inspection; (4) the class; and (5) each applicable special grade (see 

§868.264).

(b) Mixed Brown rice for Processing information. For the class Mixed Brown rice for 

processing, the following information shall be included in the Results section of the 

certificate in the following order:

(1) The percentage of whole kernels of each type in the order of predominance;

(2) The percentage of broken kernels of each type in the order of predominance, when

applicable; and
United States Standards for 

Brown Rice for Processing

November 27, 2009

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(3) The percentage of seeds, related material, and unrelated material.

Note: Broken kernels other than long grain, in Mixed Brown Rice for Processing, shall 

be certificated as “medium or short grain.” [74 FR 55442, Oct. 28, 2009]

Special Grades, Special Grade Requirements, and Special Grade Designations

§868.263 Special grades and special grade requirements.

A special grade, when applicable, is supplemental to the grade assigned under 

§868.262. Such special grades for brown rice for processing are established and 

determined as follows:

(a) Parboiled brown rice for processing. Parboiled brown rice for processing shall be rice 

in which the starch has been gelatinized by soaking, steaming, and drying. Grades U.S. 

Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, shall contain not more than 10.0 percent of ungelatinized kernels. 

Grades U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2 shall contain not more than 0.1 percent, grades U.S. 

No. 3 and U.S. No. 4 not more than 0.2 percent, and grade U.S. No. 5 not more than 

0.5 percent of nonparboiled rice. 

Note: The maximum limits for “Chalky kernels,” “Heat-damaged kernels,” and “Kernels

damaged by heat” shown in §868.261 are not applicable to the special grade “Parboiled 

brown rice for processing.”

(b) Smutty brown rice for processing. Smutty brown rice for processing shall be rice 

which contains more than 3.0 percent of smutty kernels.

(c) Glutinous brown rice for processing. Glutinous brown rice for processing shall be 

special varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L. glutinosa) which contain more than 50 percent 

chalky kernels. Grade U.S. No. 1 shall contain not more than 1.0 percent of nonchalky 

kernels, grade U.S. No. 2 not more than 2.0 percent of nonchalky kernels, grade U.S. 

No. 3 not more than 4.0 percent of nonchalky kernels, grade U.S. No. 4 not more than 

6.0 percent of nonchalky kernels, and grade U.S. No. 5 not more than 10.0 percent of 

nonchalky kernels.

Note: The maximum limits for “Chalky kernels” in §868.261 are not applicable to the 

special grade “Glutinous brown rice for processing.”

(d) Aromatic brown rice for processing. Aromatic brown rice for processing shall 

be special varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L. scented) that have a distinctive and 

characteristic aroma; e.g., basmati and jasmine rice.

[42 FR 40869, Aug. 12, 1977; 42 FR 64356, Dec. 23, 1977, as amended at 56 FR 

55979, Oct.31, 1991; 58 FR 68016, Dec. 23, 1993]
United States Standards for 

Brown Rice for Processing

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Page 8

§868.264 Special grade designation.

The grade designation for parboiled, smutty, glutinous, or aromatic brown rice for 

processing shall include, following the class, the word(s) “Parboiled,” “Smutty,” 

“Glutinous,” or “Aromatic,” as warranted, and all other information prescribed in 

1A68.262.

[58 FR 68016, Dec. 23, 1993]