Marketing and

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Specialty

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Inspection

Division

United States Standards

for Grades of 

Cabbage

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

supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since September 1, 1945.

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 Cabbage (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Cabbage

Section Page No.

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

§51.450 U.S. No. 1. ...................................................................................................... 2

§51.451 U.S. Commercial............................................................................................. 2

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

§51.452 Reserved. ....................................................................................................... 2

Size................................................................................................................................. 3

§51.453 Size................................................................................................................. 3

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

§51.454 Application of tolerances................................................................................. 3

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

§51.455 Similar varietal characteristics. ....................................................................... 3

§51.456 Reasonable solidity......................................................................................... 4

§51.457 Puffy................................................................................................................ 4

§51.458 Seedstems...................................................................................................... 4

§51.459 Damage. ......................................................................................................... 4

§51.460 Well trimmed................................................................................................... 4

§51.461 Fairly well trimmed.......................................................................................... 4

§51.462 Wrapper leaves............................................................................................... 4

§51.463 Reasonably firm.............................................................................................. 4

§51.464 Serious damage.............................................................................................. 5
United States Standards for Grades of Cabbage (September 6, 2016)

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Grades

§51.450 U.S. No. 1.

U.S. No. 1 shall consist of heads of cabbage of one variety or similar varietal 

characteristics, which are of reasonable solidity, and are not withered, puffy, or burst 

and which are free from soft rot, seedstems, and from damage caused by discoloration, 

freezing, disease, insects or mechanical or other means. Stems shall be cut so that 

they do not extend more than one-half inch beyond the point of attachment of the 

outermost leaves.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, each head shall be well trimmed. However, cabbage

which has fairly good green color and is specified as “U.S. No. 1 Green,'' and red 

cabbage which is specified as “U.S. No. 1 New Red'' need be only fairly well 

trimmed.

(b) In order to allow for variations, other than excess number of wrapper leaves, 

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

weight, of the heads in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, 

but not more than one-fifth of this amount, or 2 percent, shall be allowed for soft 

decay. In addition, not more than 10 percent, by weight, may not meet the 

requirements as to number of wrapper leaves. (See §51.454.)

§51.451 U.S. Commercial.

U.S. Commercial shall consist of heads of cabbage which meet the requirements for 

U.S. No. 1 grade except for the increased tolerance for defects specified below, and 

except that the heads shall be reasonably firm.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, each head shall be well trimmed. However, cabbage 

which has fairly good green color and is specified as “U.S. Commercial Green,'' 

and red cabbage which is specified as “U.S. Commercial New Red'' need be only 

fairly well trimmed.

(b) In order to allow for variations, other than excess number of wrapper leaves, 

incident to proper grading and handling, not more than a total of 25 percent, by 

weight, of the heads in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, 

but not more than two-fifths of this amount, or a total of 10 percent, shall be 

allowed for defects causing serious damage, but not more than 2 percent shall 

be allowed for soft decay. In addition, not more than 10 percent, by weight, may 

not meet the requirements as to number of wrapper leaves. (See §51.454.)

Reserved

§51.452 Reserved.
United States Standards for Grades of Cabbage (September 6, 2016)

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Size

§51.453 Size.

The minimum size or minimum and maximum sizes may be specified in connection with 

the grades as “U.S. No. 1, 1 pound min.,'' or “U.S. No. 1, 2 to 4 pounds,'' or any lot may 

be classified as Small, Medium, Large, Small to Medium, or Medium to Large in 

accordance with the facts. 

Small Medium Large

Pointed, under 1-1/2 lbs. 1-1/2 to 3 lbs. Over 3 lbs.

Danish and Domestic 

under 2 lbs.

2 to 5 lbs. Over 5 lbs.

(a) In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing, not more than a total of 

15 percent, by weight, of the heads in any lot may vary from the size 

specifications, but not more than 10 percent may be either above or below the 

size specified. This tolerance is in addition to the tolerance for grade defects. 

(See §51.454.)

Application of Tolerances

§51.454 Application of tolerances.

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:

(a) 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-sized cabbage may be permitted in a container.

(b) 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-sized cabbage may be permitted in a container.

Definitions

§51.455 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the cabbage in each container shall 

have the same general characteristics.
United States Standards for Grades of Cabbage (September 6, 2016)

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§51.456 Reasonable solidity.

“Reasonable solidity” means fairly firm for pointed type cabbage and southern 

Domestic type cabbage. Northern Domestic type cabbage and Danish or Hollander 

type cabbage shall be firm. “Reasonable solidity'' as applied to Savoy cabbage means 

not soft or puffy; Savoy type cabbage is characteristically loosely formed and rather light 

in weight.

§51.457 Puffy.

“Puffy” means that the heads are very light in weight in comparison to size, or have 

excessive air spaces in the central portion. They normally feel firm at time of harvesting 

but often soften quickly. They are known as “Balloon Heads'' in certain sections.

§51.458 Seedstems.

“Seedstems” means those heads which have seed stalks showing or in which the 

formation of seed stalks has plainly begun.

§51.459 Damage.

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

edible or shipping quality. Worm injury on the outer head leaves or wrapper leaves 

which materially affects the appearance of the head or worm holes which extend deeply 

into the compact portion of the head shall be considered as damage.

§51.460 Well trimmed.

“Well trimmed” means that the head shall not have more than four wrapper leaves.

§51.461 Fairly well trimmed.

“Fairly well” trimmed means that the head shall not have more than seven wrapper 

leaves.

§51.462 Wrapper leaves.

“Wrapper leaves” means leaves which do not enfold the head fairly tightly more than 

two-thirds the distance from the base to the top.

§51.463 Reasonably firm.

“Reasonably firm” means that the head is not soft and is of reasonable weight for its 

size but may have considerable open spaces between the leaves in the lower portion of 

the head.
United States Standards for Grades of Cabbage (September 6, 2016)

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§51.464 Serious damage.

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

or the edible or shipping quality. Cabbage which is affected by soft rot or which is 

seriously puffy, badly burst, or seriously injured by seedstems, discoloration, freezing, 

disease, insects, mechanical or other means shall be considered as seriously damaged. 

Worm injury on the outer head leaves or wrapper leaves which seriously affects the 

appearance of the heads, or worm holes which seriously affect the compact portion of 

the head shall be regarded as serious damage.