Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing 

Service

Specialty

Crops

Program

Specialty

Crops

Inspection

Division

United States Standards

for Grades of Bunched 

Shallots

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Shallots (81 FR 51297) 

supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since December 16, 1946.

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 Bunched Shallots (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Shallots

Section Page No.

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

§51.1630 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.1631 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

Reserved........................................................................................................................ 3

§51.1632 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 3

Size; Bunches................................................................................................................ 3

§51.1633 Size.............................................................................................................. 3

§51.1634 Standard bunches. ...................................................................................... 3

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

§51.1635 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 3

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

§51.1636 Similar varietal characteristics. .................................................................... 3

§51.1637 Fairly well formed. ....................................................................................... 4

§51.1638 Firm. ............................................................................................................ 4

§51.1639 Well trimmed................................................................................................ 4

§51.1640 Fairly clean. ................................................................................................. 4

§51.1641 Damage....................................................................................................... 4

§51.1642 Fresh. .......................................................................................................... 4

§51.1643 Good green color......................................................................................... 5

§51.1644 Diameter...................................................................................................... 5

§51.1645 Not badly misshapen. .................................................................................. 5

§51.1646 Fairly firm..................................................................................................... 5

§51.1647 Fairly young and tender............................................................................... 5

§51.1648 Fairly well trimmed....................................................................................... 5

§51.1649 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 5

§51.1650 Fairly good green color................................................................................ 5
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Shallots (September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.1630 U.S. No. 1.

U.S. No. 1 shall consist of shallots of similar varietal characteristics, which are fairly well 

formed, firm, young and tender, well trimmed, fairly clean, free from decay, and from 

damage caused by seedstems, foreign material, disease, insects, mechanical or other 

means. The tops shall be fresh, of good green color, and free from damage caused by 

broken or bruised leaves.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the overall length (roots excepted) of the shallots 

shall not exceed 22 inches and the shallots shall be not less than one-fourth of 

an inch or more than three-fourths of an inch in diameter.

(b) Tolerance for defects. In order to allow for variations, other than size, incident 

to proper grading and handling, not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of 

the shallots in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, but not 

more than 5 percent shall be allowed for defects causing serious damage, 

including not more than 2 percent for shallots affected by decay.

(c) Tolerance for size. Not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of the shallots 

in any lot may fail to meet the requirements as to the specified length, minimum 

diameter, or maximum diameter, but not more than 5 percent shall be allowed for 

any one of the requirements for size.

§51.1631 U.S. No. 2.

U.S. No. 2 shall consist of shallots which are not badly misshapen, and which are fairly 

firm, fairly young and tender, fairly well trimmed, fairly clean, free from decay and from 

serious damage caused by seedstems, foreign material, disease, insects, mechanical or 

other means. The tops shall be fresh, of fairly good green color, and free from serious 

damage caused by broken or bruised leaves.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the minimum size of the shallots shall be not less 

than one-fourth of an inch in diameter.

(b) Tolerance for defects. In order to allow for variations, other than size, incident 

to proper grading and handling, not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of 

the shallots in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, including 

not more than 2 percent for shallots affected by decay.

(c) Tolerance for size. Not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of the shallots 

in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the specified minimum or 

maximum diameter, but not more than 5 percent shall be allowed for either of the 

requirements for size.
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Shallots (September 6, 2016)

3

Reserved

§51.1632 Reserved.

Size; Bunches

§51.1633 Size.

The following terms and definitions are provided for describing the diameters of any lot:

 “Small” means less than 3/8 inch.

 “Medium” means 3/8 to 3/4 inch, inclusive.

 “Large” means over 3/4 inch.

§51.1634 Standard bunches.

(a) Bunches shall be fairly uniform in size and the shallots in the individual bunches 

shall also be of fairly uniform size. The weight of the bunches shall be not less 

than 4 pounds per dozen bunches. The weight of the bunched shallots shall be 

determined after they have been wet and shaken or drained to remove excess 

water.

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

percent, by count, of the bunches in any lot may fail to meet the requirements for 

standard bunches.

Application of Tolerances

§51.1635 Application of tolerances.

(a) The contents of individual containers 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:

(1) When a tolerance is 10 percent or more, individual containers 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 any container.

(2) When a tolerance is less than 10 percent, individual containers 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 any 

container.

Definitions

§51.1636 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the shallots shall be generally of one 

type, as stiff-leaved or broad-leaved type.
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Shallots (September 6, 2016)

4

§51.1637 Fairly well formed.

“Fairly well formed” means that the shallot is not more than slightly curved, crooked, 

or otherwise slightly misshapen and does not show more than slight bulb formation.

§51.1638 Firm.

“Firm” means that the edible portion of the shallot is not soft.

§51.1639 Well trimmed.

“Well trimmed” means that the shallots are separated so that not more than two are 

attached together; that the individual bulbs are not broken above the point of root 

attachment and are practically free from dead, discolored or slick outer skins. Fresh, 

clean, loose skins which do not materially affect the appearance of the individual shallot 

or the bunch are permitted. The tops of shallots are sometimes clipped (pinched) back 

to remove discolored or otherwise injured leaves. An individual plant shall be 

considered as well trimmed when only the tips of the leaves have been clipped back. 

However, a plant or a lot shall not be considered as well trimmed when more than half 

of the leaves have been clipped back to the extent that the appearance of the plant, or 

the lot as a whole is materially injured.

§51.1640 Fairly clean.

“Fairly clean” means that the appearance of the shallot is not materially injured by dirt.

§51.1641 Damage.

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

or shipping quality.

(a) Seedstems: A shallot with a seedstem shall be considered as damaged if the 

seedstem has been broken at a point other than at the top, or is coarse, fibrous, 

hollow or soft, or has separated naturally from the sheath or skin. Shallots often 

show flower buds while the seedstem is still tender. Such shallots are not 

objectionable if the flower buds have been removed, or if present, are not 

noticeably protruding; however, a shallot with a seedstem which, after the flower 

bud has been removed, exceeds the length of the longest leaves of the plant, 

shall be considered as damaged.

§51.1642 Fresh.

“Fresh” means that the tops are not withered or badly wilted.
United States Standards for Grades of Bunched Shallots (September 6, 2016)

5

§51.1643 Good green color.

“Good green color” means that the tops have a normal green color characteristic of 

healthy plants. A slight discoloration of the extreme tips is not objectionable.

§51.1644 Diameter.

“Diameter” means the greatest dimension of the shallot taken at right angles to the 

longitudinal axis. If the shallots are attached together only at the base (not enclosed in 

a single parchment-like sheath or skin) they shall be considered as separate shallots 

when determining size.

§51.1645 Not badly misshapen.

“Not badly misshapen” means that the shallot is not badly curved or crooked and 

does not show excessive bulb formation.

§51.1646 Fairly firm.

“Fairly firm” means that the edible portion of the shallot is not more than slightly soft.

§51.1647 Fairly young and tender.

“Fairly young and tender” means that the shallot is not tough, stringy, or advanced to 

the stage where the neck is flabby.

§51.1648 Fairly well trimmed.

“Fairly well trimmed” means that the shallots are separated so that not more than 

three are attached together; that the individual bulbs are not broken above the point of 

root attachment and are reasonably free from dead, discolored, or slick outer skins. 

Fresh, fairly clean, loose skins which do not seriously affect the appearance of the 

individual shallot or the bunch are permitted. An individual plant with all the tops clipped 

(pinched) back shall be considered as “fairly well trimmed” Provided, That not more than 

half of the leaves have been clipped (pinched) back to less than 8 inches in length.

§51.1649 Serious damage.

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

or the edible or shipping quality.

§51.1650 Fairly good green color.

“Fairly good green color” means that the tops are pale or yellowish green or 

otherwise slightly discolored.