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United States Standards

for Grades of 

Canned Tomatoes and 

Okra and 

Canned Okra and 

Tomatoes

Effective January 20, 2017
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Okra and Tomatoes 

and Canned Tomatoes and Okra (81 FR 93572) supersedes the previous issue 

which has been in effect since December 24, 1957.

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 Tomatoes and Okra and 

Canned Okra and Tomatoes (January 20, 2017)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Canned Tomatoes and Okra and 

Canned Okra and Tomatoes

Section Page No.

Product Description, Proportion of Ingredients, and Grades.................................... 2

§52.3421 Product description...................................................................................... 2

§52.3422 Proportion of ingredients.............................................................................. 2

§52.3423 Grades......................................................................................................... 2

Fill of Container............................................................................................................. 3

§52.3424 Fill of container. ........................................................................................... 3

Factors of Quality.......................................................................................................... 3

§52.3425 Ascertaining the grade................................................................................. 3

§52.3426 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ............................. 3

§52.3427 Color............................................................................................................ 4

§52.3428 Flavor........................................................................................................... 4

§52.3429 Defects. ....................................................................................................... 5

§52.3430 Character..................................................................................................... 6

Lot Inspection and Certification................................................................................... 7

§52.3431 Ascertaining the grade of a lot..................................................................... 7

Score Sheet ................................................................................................................... 8

§52.3432 Score sheet for canned tomatoes and okra and.......................................... 8

canned okra and tomatoes.............................................................................................. 8
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Tomatoes and Okra and 

Canned Okra and Tomatoes (January 20, 2017)

2

Product Description, Proportion of Ingredients, and Grades

§52.3421 Product description.

Canned tomatoes and okra and canned okra and tomatoes, hereinafter called 

canned tomatoes and okra, is the product prepared from clean, sound, properly 

matured tomatoes of red or reddish varieties which may be canned, and the clean, 

sound, succulent, immature pods of either the green or white varieties of the okra plant 

which may be processed. The tomatoes have been prepared by trimming, washing, 

sorting, peeling, and coring. The okra is prepared by trimming, washing, and sorting, 

and may be whole or cut into pieces. The tomatoes and okra may be packed with or 

without a small amount of tomato juice or tomato puree and with or without such other 

ingredients permissible under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 

Act in accordance with good commercial practice. The product is sufficiently processed 

by heat to assure preservation in hermetically sealed containers.

§52.3422 Proportion of ingredients.

(a) Canned tomatoes and okra shall consist of 50 percent or more, by weight, of 

the tomato ingredient and not less than 12.5 percent nor more than 50 percent, 

by weight, of whole or cut okra.

(b) Canned okra and tomatoes shall consist of 50 percent or more, by weight, of 

whole or cut okra and not less than 12.5 percent nor more than 50 percent, by 

weight, of the tomato ingredient.

(c) Compliance with the requirement for proportions of ingredients will be determined 

by averaging the percent, by weight, of each ingredient in all of the containers in 

the sample: Provided, That any deviation from the prescribed proportion of 

ingredients in any one container is within the limits of good commercial practice.

§52.3423 Grades.

(a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned tomatoes and okra that possess a good 

flavor; that possess a good color; that are practically free from defects; that 

possess a good character; and that score not less than 85 points when scored in 

accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(b) U.S. Grade C is the quality of canned tomatoes and okra that possess a fairly 

good flavor; that possess fairly good color; that are fairly free from defects; that 

possess a fairly good character; and that score not less than 70 points when 

scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.

(c) Substandard is the quality of canned tomatoes and okra that fail to meet the 

requirements of U.S. Grade.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Tomatoes and Okra and 

Canned Okra and Tomatoes (January 20, 2017)

3

Fill of Container

§52.3424 Fill of container.

The recommended fill of container for canned tomatoes and okra 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. It is recommended that each container be filled 

as full of tomatoes and okra as practicable without impairment of quality and that the 

product shall fill the container to not less than 90 percent of its total capacity. 

Factors of Quality

§52.3425 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) General. In addition to considering other requirements outlined in the standards 

the following quality factors are evaluated in ascertaining the grade of the 

product: 

(1) Factor not rated by score points.

(i) Proportion of ingredients.

(2) Factors rated by score points.

The relative importance of each factor which is rated is expressed 

numerically on the scale of 100. The maximum number of points that may 

be given each such factor is: 

Factors: Points

Color 20

Flavor 20

Defects 30

Character 30

Total Score 100

§52.3426 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored.

The essential variations within each factor which is scored are so described that the 

value may be ascertained for each factor and expressed numerically. The numerical 

range within each factor which is scored is inclusive (for example, 26 to 30 points

means 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 points).
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Tomatoes and Okra and 

Canned Okra and Tomatoes (January 20, 2017)

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§52.3427 Color.

(a) “A” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that possess a good color may 

be given a score of 17 to 20 points.

Good color means that the tomato ingredient possesses a reasonably good red 

color that is typical of reasonably well ripened tomatoes and that the okra 

possesses the color of young tender okra, which ingredients have been properly 

prepared and properly processed and meet the following additional requirements: 

(1) Tomatoes. Not less than 50 percent, by weight, of the drained tomato 

ingredient possesses as much or more red than USDA Tomato Red Color 

Standard: Provided, That the color of not more than 10 percent, by 

weight, of the remaining portion of the drained tomato ingredient may be 

yellow and none is green in color. 

(2) Okra. The outer surface of the okra pods or pieces of pods possesses a 

color that is typical of young tender okra. 

(b) “C” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that possess a fairly good color 

may be given a score of 14 to 16 points. Canned tomatoes and okra that fall into 

this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C, regardless of the total 

score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

Fairly good color means that the tomato ingredient possesses a fairly good red 

color typical of fairly well ripened tomatoes and that the okra possesses the color 

of reasonably tender okra, which ingredients have been properly prepared and 

properly processed. 

(c) “SStd” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that fail to meet the 

requirements of paragraph (b) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 13 

points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score 

for the product (this is a limiting rule). 

§52.3428 Flavor.

(a) “A” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that possess a good flavor may 

be given a score of 17 to 20 points.

Good flavor means that the product has a characteristic flavor and odor typical 

of well ripened tomatoes and young tender okra. 

(b) “C” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that possess a fairly good flavor 

may be given a score of 14 to 16 points. Canned tomatoes and okra that fall into 

this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C, regardless of the total 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Tomatoes and Okra and 

Canned Okra and Tomatoes (January 20, 2017)

5

score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

Fairly good flavor means that the product may be lacking in good flavor and 

odor but is free from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

(c) “SStd” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that fall to meet the 

requirements of paragraph (b) of this section may be given a score 0 to 13 points 

and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the 

product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.3429 Defects.

(a) General. The factor of defects refers to the degree of freedom from sand, grit, or 

silt; harmless extraneous material; tomato peel; tomato core material; small 

pieces of okra; and from damaged or seriously damaged tomato or okra 

ingredient. 

(1) Sand, grit, or silt means any particle of earthy material. 

(2) Harmless extraneous material means any extraneous vegetable 

substance (including, but not limited to, a leaf, unattached stem, or 

portions thereof) that is harmless.

(3) Damaged means that the appearance and eating quality of the product is 

materially affected by the presence of scarred, discolored, or blemished 

tomato ingredient and/or scarred, poorly trimmed okra ingredient, and 

small pieces of pod less than 3/8 inch in length, or other damage.

(4) Seriously damaged means that the appearance and eating quality of the 

product is seriously affected by the presence of damaged ingredients.

(b) “A” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that are practically free from 

defects may be given a score of 25 to 30 points.

Practically free from defects means that the presence of sand, grit, or silt; 

harmless extraneous material; tomato peel; core material; and damaged and 

seriously damaged ingredients, individually or collectively, does not materially 

affect the appearance and eating quality of the product. 

(c) “C” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that are fairly free from defects 

may be given a score of 21 to 24 points. Canned tomatoes and okra that fall into 

this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade C, regardless of the total 

score for the product (this is a limiting rule).

Fairly free from defects means that the presence of sand, grit, or silt; harmless 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Tomatoes and Okra and 

Canned Okra and Tomatoes (January 20, 2017)

6

extraneous material; tomato peel; core material; and damaged and seriously 

damaged ingredients, individually or collectively, does not seriously affect the 

appearance and eating quality of the product.

(d) “SStd” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that fail to meet the 

requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 

points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score 

for the product (this is a limiting rule).

§52.3430 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the texture and wholeness of the 

tomato ingredient and the tenderness and texture of the okra pods or pieces of 

pods.

(1) Large piece of tomato ingredient means a piece of tomato flesh that 

weighs not less than 1 ounce.

(2) Small piece of tomato ingredient means a piece of tomato flesh that 

weighs less than 1 ounce and that does not pass through a United States 

Standard 1/2-inch sieve. 

(b) “A” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that possess a good character 

may be given a score of 26 to 30 points.

Good character means that the tomato ingredient is composed of whole, almost 

whole, or large pieces of tomato flesh and that the okra pods or pieces of pods 

are fleshy and tender and practically intact, that the okra seed is in the early 

stages of development, and that not more than 2 percent, by count, of the pods 

or pieces of pods may possess fibrous material which is materially objectionable 

upon eating. 

(c) “C” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that possess a fairly good 

character may be given a score of 21 to 25 points. Canned tomatoes and okra 

that fall into this classification on account of fibrous material shall not be graded 

above U.S. Grade C, regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial 

limiting rule).

Fairly good character means that the tomato ingredient may be predominantly 

in small pieces and that the okra pods and pieces of pods may have lost to a 

considerable extent their fleshy texture, that the units may be fairly tender but not 

excessively mushy, that the seeds may be in the later stages of maturity but are 

not hard, and that not more than 5 percent, by count, of the pods or pieces of 

pods may possess fibrous material which is materially objectionable upon eating.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Tomatoes and Okra and 

Canned Okra and Tomatoes (January 20, 2017)

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(d) “SStd” classification. Canned tomatoes and okra that fail to meet the 

requirements of paragraph (c) of this section with respect to fibrous material may 

be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, 

regardless of the total score for the product (this is a partial limiting rule).

Lot Inspection and Certification

§52.3431 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned tomatoes and okra covered by these standards is 

determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection and 

Certification of Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and 

Certain Other Processed Food Products (7CFR 52.1 to 52.87).
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Tomatoes and Okra and 

Canned Okra and Tomatoes (January 20, 2017)

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Score Sheet

§52.3432 Score sheet for canned tomatoes and okra and 

canned okra and tomatoes.

1Indicates limiting rule.

2

Indicates partial limiting rule

Number, size, and kind of container 

Container marks or identification

Label 

Net weight (ounces) 

Vacuum (inches)

Proportions of ingredients: -% Tomatoes, -% Okra

Whole or Cut Okra

Factors Grade Score Points

Color 20

“A” 17-20

“C” 14-161

“SStd” 0-131

Flavor 20

“A” 17-20

“C” 14-161

“SStd” 0-131

Defects 30

“A” 25-30

“C” 21-241

“SStd” 0-201

Character 30

“A” 26-30

“C” 21-252

“SStd” 0-202

Total Score 100

U.S. Grade