United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Agricultural 

Marketing 

Service 

Fruit and 

Vegetable 

Programs 

Fresh Products 

Branch

Citrus 

California and Arizona 

Shipping Point and Market 

Inspection Instructions

 

March 2005 

 

 
Shipping Point and Market 

Inspection Instructions for 

California and Arizona Citrus 

These inspection instructions are specifically developed by the Fresh Products 

Branch to assist officially licensed inspectors in the interpretation and application of the 

U.S. Standards for Grades of California and Arizona Oranges and California and 

Arizona Grapefruit, Sections 51.1085 and 51.925 respectively. 

These instructions do not establish any substantial rule not legally authorized by 

the official grade standards. This publication supersedes any previously issued 

inspection instructions. 

Refer to the General Inspection Instructions for additional information pertaining 

to date, inspection point, carrier, condition of carrier, lading, etc. that is not covered in 

this handbook. Reference to “General Inspection Instructions” in all Fresh Products 

Branch publications refers to any one or all of the following - General Shipping Point 

Inspection Instructions, General Market Inspection Instructions, or Fresh Fruit and 

Vegetable Certificate Writing Handbooks. 

Any portion of these instructions beginning with the section number §51.--- and 

followed by bold print are sections or portions of sections copied directly from U.S. 

standards. The U.S. Standards for Grades of Oranges (California and Arizona) and 

Grapefruit (California and Arizona) are printed in the appendix of this handbook. All 

U.S. standards are available on the Internet under the USDA homepage. 

This replaces Market Inspection Instructions dated August 2001. 

This publication may be duplicated without authorization from USDA. 

March 2005 
i 

Factors noted with (Q) are considered QUALITY only. Factors noted with (C) are 

considered CONDITION at market. Factors noted with (Q or C) may be QUALITY or 

CONDITION depending on the circumstances. Factors not designated do not pertain to 

either category. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CITRUS ILLUSTRATION ........................................................................................... 1

SECTION ONE .......................................................................................................... 2

GENERAL .................................................................................................................. 2

REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLING ............................................................................... 2

Sample Size ......................................................................................................... 2

Sampling Bulk Loads ............................................................................................ 3

Number of Samples .............................................................................................. 4

Sampling For Internal Defects .............................................................................. 4

TOLERANCES ........................................................................................................... 8

APPLICATION OF TOLERANCES ......................................................................... 10

STANDARDS FOR EXPORT ................................................................................... 11

NOTESHEET AND CERTIFICATE .......................................................................... 12

Product ............................................................................................................... 12

Number/Type of Containers ............................................................................... 12

Brands/Markings................................................................................................. 13

Origin .................................................................................................................. 13

TEMPERATURE OF PRODUCT ............................................................................. 13

CONDITION OF PACK ............................................................................................ 13

STANDARD PACK .................................................................................................. 14

STANDARD SIZING AND FILL (ORANGES ONLY) ............................................... 15

SIZE ......................................................................................................................... 15

SECTION TWO - ORANGES ................................................................................... 17

QUALITY AND CONDITION .................................................................................... 17

Alternaria (Q or C) .............................................................................................. 17

Broken Skins (Q or C) ........................................................................................ 17

Bruises (C) ......................................................................................................... 18

Color (Q) ............................................................................................................. 18

Creasing (Q) ....................................................................................................... 19

Dirt and Other Foreign Matter (Q or C) ............................................................... 19

Firmness/Puffy (C).............................................................................................. 20

Flesh Color and Seed Count .............................................................................. 20

Freezing Injury (Q or C) ...................................................................................... 21

Granulation (Tree Dryness) (Q) .......................................................................... 21

Maturity (Q) ........................................................................................................ 22

Oil Spots or Similar Injuries (Q) .......................................................................... 23

Scale (Q) ............................................................................................................ 23

Scars (Q) ............................................................................................................ 24

Skin Breakdown (C) ............................................................................................ 25

Revised, February 2007, HU-152-3(a), 

Table of Contents, Page i, Citrus, California and Arizona, Shipping 

Point and Market Inspection Instructions, March 2005 

****  
ii 

Shape (Q) ........................................................................................................... 25

Similar Varietal Characteristics (Q) ..................................................................... 26

Sooty Mold (Q) ................................................................................................... 26

Split, Rough, Wide or Protruding Navel (Q) ........................................................ 27

Stem Buttons and Attached Stems and/or Leaves ............................................. 27

Stem End Aging (C) ............................................................................................ 27

Sunburn (Q) ........................................................................................................ 28

Texture (Q) ......................................................................................................... 29

Decay (C) ........................................................................................................... 29

SECTION THREE - GRAPEFRUIT .......................................................................... 31

QUALITY AND CONDITION .................................................................................... 31

Alternaria (Q or C) .............................................................................................. 31

Blossom End Clearing (C) .................................................................................. 31

Broken Skins (Q or C) ........................................................................................ 32

Unhealed Skin Breaks ....................................................................................... 32

Healed Skin Breaks ........................................................................................... 32

Bruises (C) ......................................................................................................... 32

Cluster Rings (Q) ................................................................................................ 33

Color (Q) ............................................................................................................. 34

Dirt and Other Foreign Matter (Q or C) ............................................................... 34

Firmness (C) ....................................................................................................... 35

Flesh Color and Seed Count .............................................................................. 35

Freezing Injury (Q or C) ...................................................................................... 36

Granulation (Tree Dryness) (Q) .......................................................................... 37

Maturity (Q) ........................................................................................................ 37

Oil Spots or Similar Injuries (Q) .......................................................................... 38

Scale (Q) ............................................................................................................ 39

Scars (Q) ............................................................................................................ 39

Shape (Q) ........................................................................................................... 40

Similar Varietal Characteristics (Q) ..................................................................... 41

Skin Breakdown (C) ............................................................................................ 41

Sooty Mold (Q) ................................................................................................... 42

Sprouted Seeds (C) ............................................................................................ 42

Stem Buttons and Attached Stems and/or Leaves ............................................. 43

Sunburn (Q) ........................................................................................................ 43

Texture (Q) ......................................................................................................... 44

Decay (C) ........................................................................................................... 46

APPENDIX I - U.S. GRADE STANDARDS ............................................................. 47

United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (California and Arizona) .......... 47

United States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit (California and Arizona) ....... 53

APPENDIX II ............................................................................................................ 59

Directive on Certifying Various Varieties of Citrus .............................................. 59

Comparison of Areas of Circles Having Different Diameters .............................. 62

APPENDIX III ........................................................................................................... 63

Example 1 - Inspection Notesheet ...................................................................... 63

Example 1 - Inspection Scoresheet .................................................................... 64

Example 1 - Inspection Certificate ...................................................................... 65

Revised, February 2007, HU-152-3(b), 

Table of Contents, Page ii, Citrus, California and Arizona, Shipping 

Point and Market Inspection Instructions, March 2005 

** ** ****
iii 

Example 2 - Inspection Notesheet ...................................................................... 66

Example 2 - Inspection Scoresheet .................................................................... 67

Example 2 - Inspection Certificate ...................................................................... 68
1 

CITRUS ILLUSTRATION 
2 

SECTION ONE 

GENERAL 

These inspection instructions apply to oranges and grapefruit grown in California 

and Arizona. 

The following grade standards shall be used for import certification at ports of 

entry:

Oranges - U.S. Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than 

Florida, California and Arizona) and the Texas maturity requirements apply, except for

navel oranges in which case the U.S. Standards for Grades of Oranges (California and 

Arizona) shall apply with the Texas maturity requirements. 

Grapefruit - U.S. Standards for Grades of Florida Grapefruit and the Florida 

maturity requirements shall apply. 

For inspections requested on imported fruit other than at port of entry, or when 

import requirements are not in effect, the grade standard the fruit most closely 

resembles (texture, thickness of skin, discoloration and scarring) shall be applied. 

REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLING 

The importance of obtaining representative samples cannot be overemphasized. Accurate certification is possible only if the samples examined are truly 

representative of the entire lot or accessible portion. All portions of a lot or load shall 

receive the same attention in sampling regardless of the difficulty involved in reaching 

the more inaccessible layers or parts of a load. 

Sample Size 

The sample size for grade and size determination on all California - Arizona 

citrus shall be a minimum of 25 fruit for each sample, regardless of container size. 

SHIPPING POINT 

In-line Certification - Each sample shall consist of at least 25 fruit. If containers 

have less than 25 fruit, a composite sample of 25 fruit shall be examined. If sample 

tolerances are exceeded, examine 50 fruit when containers contain 50 or more fruit; if 

containers contain more than 25 fruit, but less than 50 fruit, examine the entire 

contents. The lot average must never exceed the lot tolerance. 
3 

The first sample examined must meet all lot tolerances. If three consecutive 

samples in a lot exceed a lot tolerance, a corrective action must be taken on the packed 

containers that are represented by the third sample. 

Stationary Lots - Sampling for all lots shall consist of at least 25 fruit. If 

containers have less than 25 fruit, a composite sample of 25 fruit or more shall be 

examined. A minimum of 3 samples must be examined to certify a lot. 

If a lot tolerance is exceeded, double the sample size for containers containing 

50 fruit or more, except for composite samples. If a sample tolerance is exceeded, 

examine the entire contents of the container, except for bulk lots or bulk bins. Sample 

size for bulk lots or bulk bins shall be limited to a maximum of 100 fruit. 

MARKET 

For packages containing 25 fruit or more, a minimum of 25 fruit shall be 

examined. When any sample tolerance is exceeded, the entire contents of at least one 

package which exceeded the sample tolerance must be examined. If impractical to run 

the entire contents (i.e., extremely large numbers of fruit and bulk lots), examine a 

minimum of 100 fruit. 

For packages containing less than 25 fruit, a sufficient number of adjoining 

packages must be opened to obtain a minimum of 25 fruit. The entire contents shall be 

used for the sample when opening an adjoining package. For example: oranges 

packed in 5 lb. consumer bags (10 fruit per bag) - open 3 bags (30 fruit sample); 18 

count cartons of grapefruit - open 2 cartons (36 fruit sample). If a sample tolerance is 

exceeded using this method, do not double the sample size. The lot is out of grade 

because of the sample tolerance being exceeded. 

Sampling Bulk Loads 

Bulk loads (volume-filled trailers, pallet boxes, bulk bins, etc.) may contain up to 

60,000 pounds of fruit. The method of reporting defective fruit in bulk shipments is 

identical to fruit packed in containers. 

When determining the minimum number of samples drawn from a bulk shipment, 

divide the loads approximate net weight by the appropriate “packed net weight” of the 

fruit (oranges, grapefruit and lemons – 40 pounds). This calculation provides a 4/5 

bushel equivalent. Use the calculated carton equivalent as a guide when determining 

the number of samples to be examined. EXAMPLE: Net weight of an orange load is 

approximately 57,000 pounds; 57,000 ÷ 40 (packed net weight) = 1425 cartons. 

Examine a minimum of 25 contiguous fruit per sample. When a sample 

tolerance is exceeded, the sample size must be at least doubled. Report range and 

averages in the appropriate sections on the certificate. 
4 

When determining size, measure the largest and smallest fruit in each sample 

and record the range on the notesheet. On the certificate, report the range and, if 

needed, include a “mostly” statement.

Number of Samples 

Due to potential variations in size, quality and condition, a specific number of 

samples per load or lot cannot be provided. It is the inspector’s responsibility to 

examine a sufficient number of samples to ensure that a complete and accurate 

depiction of the load or lot is obtained. The following information should be used for 

sampling guidelines: 

SHIPPING POINT 

In-line Certification -- A minimum of one sample for every 200 containers 

packed with at least 3 samples per lot, or 1/2 of 1% of the total containers packed, 

whichever is greater, is the recommended sampling rate. 

Stationary Lots -- A minimum of 1 percent of the packages within a load or lot 

is recommended with a minimum of three samples examined on any lot. 

MARKET 

A minimum of 1 percent of the packages within a load or lot is recommended. 

For small lots, a minimum of three samples must be examined. 

Sampling For Internal Defects 

The following plans are designed to provide efficient and accurate methods for 

sampling for internal defects in citrus. These defects include dryness-mushy condition 

(freezing injury), granulation (tree dryness), sprouted seeds, or any other defect that 

cannot be detected or determined without cutting the fruit (bruising). 

There are two specific cutting plans. Plan A is used when internal defects are 

almost certain to be present, (e.g., immediately following a freeze or in late spring and 

summer months when granulation [tree dryness] is known to be a factor). Plan B is 

used when internal defects are suspected. Plan B detects internal defects while 

destroying a minimum amount of fruit. Both plans are based on the initial sample size 

of 25 fruit. 

Plan A. After the sample has been examined for external defects, select the 10 

most suspicious fruit without regard to external defects and cut these for internal 

defects. If no defects are found, do not cut any other specimens from that sample. 

Continue to cut 10 fruit per sample provided no internal defects are found. If one or 

more internal defects are found, cut the remaining fruit in the sample to determine the 

percentage of internal defects. At Market, if sample tolerances are exceeded, the 

sample size must be at least doubled except for composite samples (50 fruit or entire 
5 

contents if less than 50 fruit in the container). Continue to cut all fruit in each sample 

until a sample is found free from internal defects. Revert to cutting 10 fruit per sample 

when no internal defects are found. This does not apply to bagged lots because the 

entire contents of the bag have already been cut. At Shipping Point, do not deviate 

from the in-line certification sampling size. 

Plan B is similar to Plan A; the only difference is that if no internal defects are 

found, Plan B requires cutting 10 fruit from every fourth sample. Cutting should start 

with the first sample and continue with every fourth sample thereafter. 

Select the 10 most suspicious fruit without regard to external defects from every 

fourth sample and cut them for internal defects. If no internal defects are found in the 

10 fruit, continue to cut the 10 most suspicious fruit from every fourth sample. If one or 

more defects are found, cut the remaining fruit in the sample (25), unless the sample 

tolerances are exceeded. When exceeded, increase sample size to 50 fruit or entire 

contents if containing less than 50 fruit, and begin using Plan A (not applicable to 

bagged lots). Cut either 10 fruit or all fruit in the sample according to Plan A until 5 

consecutive samples are free from internal defects. Revert to cutting 10 fruit from every 

fourth sample at this point. At Market, if sample tolerances are exceeded, the sample 

size must be at least doubled (50 fruit or entire contents). At Shipping Point, do not 

deviate from the in-line certification sample size.
6 
7 

Cutting Instructions and Scoring Guide 

for Dryness-Mushy Condition 

Preliminary Cut: This cut is intended to remove only the rind down to the fleshy 

portion of the fruit under the stem button and will vary in depth depending on rind 

thickness. 

1st Slice: All citrus - 1/4 inch. This slice may be totally dry or from mushy to dry in all 

segments. This is the maximum amount permitted in the U.S. No. 1 grade. If the total 

volume of this slice is affected, any dryness-mushy condition in the remaining portion 

of the fruit will be considered as damage. Any amount of dryness-mushy condition is 

scored against the U.S. Fancy grade. 

2nd Slice: All citrus - 1/4 inch. This slice, plus the first slice (totaling 1/2 inch) may be 

totally dry or from mushy to dry in all segments. This represents the maximum volume 

permitted in the U.S. No. 2 grade. If the total volume of this slice is affected, drynessmushy condition in the remaining portion of the fruit will be considered serious 

damage. 

3rd Slice: Grapefruit only - 1/4 inch in width. This 1/4 inch slice, plus the previous two 

slices (totaling 3/4 inch) may be totally dry or from mushy to dry in all segments. This 

represents the maximum volume permitted in the U.S. No. 3 grade. If the total volume 

of this slice is affected, any dryness-mushy condition in the remaining portion of the 

fruit will be considered very serious damage. 

If any portions of the segments in the slice are not mushy or affected by dryness-mushy 

condition, additional mushiness or dryness may be allowed in other portions of the fruit, 

but the total amount must not exceed the equivalent volume permitted. If this is 
8 

encountered, it will be necessary to cut several 1/4 inch slices to determine the total 

amount of dryness-mushiness present in the fruit. 

TOLERANCES 

ORANGES 

§51.1091...U.S. No. 1...For defects at shipping point. Not more than 

10 percent, by count, of the oranges in any lot may fail to meet the 

requirements relating to color. In addition, not more than 10 percent, 

by count, of the oranges in any lot may fail to meet the remaining 

requirements of the specified grade, included in this amount not 

more than 5 percent shall be allowed for defects causing serious 

damage, included in this latter amount not more than 1 percent for 

decay. 

For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 10 percent, by 

count, of the oranges in any lot may fail to meet the requirements 

relating to color. In addition, not more than 12 percent, by count, of 

the oranges in any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of 

the grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the 

following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed: 10 percent 

for fruit having permanent defects; or 7 percent for defects causing 

serious damage, including therein not more than 5 percent for 

serious damage by permanent defects and not more than 3 percent 

for decay. 

GRAPEFRUIT 

§51.932...U.S. No. 1...Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the 

grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements relating to 

color. In addition, not more than 10 percent, by count, of the 

grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of 

the specified grade, included in this amount not more than 5 percent 

shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, included 

in this latter amount not more than 1 percent for decay. 

For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 10 percent, by 

count, of the grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements 

relating to color. In addition, not more than 12 percent, by count, of 

the grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements 

of the specified grade: Provided, That included in this amount not 

more than the following percentages shall be allowed for defects 

listed: 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or 7 percent 

for defects causing very serious damage, including therein not more 
9 

than 5 percent for very serious damage by permanent defects and 

not more than 3 percent for decay. 

ORANGES 

SUMMARY OF LOT TOLERANCES FOR U.S. NO. 1 

 SPI 

(percent)

MKT 

(percent) 

A. Failing color requirements 10 10 

B. Defects other than color, including 10 12 

1. Permanent defects, (included in B) 10 10 

2. Serious damage, (included in B and 1) 5 7 

 a. Serious damage by permanent defects, 

(included in 1 and 2) 5 5 

 b. Decay (included in 2) 

1 3 

GRAPEFRUIT 

SUMMARY OF LOT TOLERANCES FOR U.S. NO. 1 

 SPI 

(percent) 

MKT 

(percent) 

A. Failing color requirements 10 10 

B. Defects other than color, including 10 12 

1. Permanent defects, (included in B) 10 10 

2. Very serious damage, (included in B and 1) 5 7 

 a. Very serious damage by permanent defects, 

(included in 1 and 2) 5 5 

 b. Decay (included in 2) 1 3 
10 

APPLICATION OF TOLERANCES 

§51.1093 and 51.934 Individual samples, based on a minimum 25 

count, are subject to the following limitations, unless otherwise 

specified. Individual samples shall have not more than one and onehalf times a specified tolerance of 10 percent or more, and not more 

than double a specified tolerance of less than 10 percent: *Provided, 

That at least one decayed fruit may be permitted in any sample: And 

provided further, that the averages for the entire lot are within the 

tolerances specified for the grade.

ORANGES 

SUMMARY OF SAMPLE TOLERANCES FOR U.S. NO. 1 

 SPI 

(percent) 

MKT 

(percent)

A. Failing color requirements 15 15 

B. Defects other than color, including 15 18 

1. Permanent defects, (included in B) 15 15 

2. Serious damage, (included in B and 1) 10 14 

a. Serious damage by permanent defects, 

(included in 1 and 2) 10 10 

b. Decay (included in 2) 2* 6*

GRAPEFRUIT 

SUMMARY OF SAMPLE TOLERANCES FOR U.S. NO. 1 

 SPI 

(percent) 

MKT 

(percent) 

A. Failing color requirements 15 15 

B. Defects other than color, including 15 18 

1. Permanent defects, (included in B) 15 15 

2. Very serious damage, (included in B and 1) 10 14 

a. Very serious damage by permanent defects, 

(included in 1 and 2) 10 10 

b. Decay (included in 2) 2* 6*

*Provided, That at least one decayed fruit may be permitted in any sample: And 

provided further, that the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified 

for the grade. 
11 

STANDARDS FOR EXPORT 

Citrus destined for export shipments are occasionally certified using the 

tolerances listed in the “Standards for Export” section of the applicable grade standard. 

Do not apply them unless requested by the applicant. 

ORANGES 

§51.1096 (a) Not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in 

any sample may be soft, affected by decay, have broken skins which are 

not healed, growth cracks, or be damaged by creasing or skin breakdown, 

or seriously damaged by split or protruding navels, or by dryness or mushy 

condition, except that: 

(1) Not more than one-half of 1 percent shall be allowed for oranges 

affected by decay; 

(2) Not more than 3 percent shall have broken skins which are not healed; 

(3) Not more than 3 percent shall have growth cracks; 

(4) Not more than 5 percent shall be soft; 

(5) Not more than 5 percent shall be damaged by creasing; 

(6) Not more than 5 percent shall be seriously damaged by split or 

protruding navels; 

(7) Not more than 5 percent shall be seriously damaged by dryness or 

mushy condition; and, 

(8) Not more than 5 percent shall be damaged by skin breakdown. 

(b) Any lot of oranges shall be considered as meeting the standards for 

export if the entire lot averages within the requirements specified: Provided, That 

no sample from the containers in any lot shall have more than double the 

percentage specified for any one defect, and that not more than a total of 10 

percent, by count, of the oranges in any sample has any of the defects 

enumerated in the standards for export. 

GRAPEFRUIT 

§51.936 (a) Not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of the grapefruit 

in any sample may be soft, affected by decay, damaged by skin breakdown, 

have broken skins which are not healed, or be seriously damaged by 

dryness or mushy condition, except that: 

(1) Not more than one-half of 1 percent shall be allowed for grapefruit 

affected by decay. 

(2) Not more than 3 percent shall have broken skins which are not healed. 

(3) Not more than 5 percent shall be soft. 

(4) Not more than 5 percent shall be seriously damaged by dryness or 

mushy condition. 

(5) Not more than 5 percent shall be damaged by skin breakdown. 
12 

(b) Any lot of grapefruit shall be considered as meeting the standards for 

export if the entire lot averages within the requirements specified: 

Provided, That no sample from the containers in any lot shall have more 

than double the percentage specified for any one defect, and that not more 

than a total of 10 percent, by count, of the grapefruit in any sample has any 

of the defects enumerated in the standards for export. 

NOTESHEET AND CERTIFICATE 

Entries on the notesheet and certificate must be kept in a legible and accurate 

manner. It is mandatory that all information which appears on the certificate be 

supported by information on the notesheet. It is the responsibility of the inspector to 

ensure that all information is properly recorded. Notations shall be recorded so that 

anyone familiar with inspection procedures can interpret them and write a certificate. 

Also remember that notesheets and certificates are prima facie evidence and must be 

able to withstand legal scrutiny. 

Detailed instructions pertaining to date, inspection point, place of inspection, type 

of carrier, lading, etc., which are not covered by these instructions may be found in the 

General Inspection Instructions. Your supervisor may give you additional information 

and instructions. 

Product 

The common name ORANGES or GRAPEFRUIT shall be used to describe this 

commodity in the product heading. Type may be reported in conjunction with 

ORANGES or GRAPEFRUIT or may be reported in the “Product/Variety” section on the 

shipping point inspection certificates or in the “Lot ID” section on market notesheet and 

certificate.

If containers are marked with the variety name, that name shall be listed in 

quotes rather than positively stated. Inspectors are not authorized to identify specific 

varieties. 

Number/Type of Containers 

The number of containers shall always be reported. In the market and at 

shipping point locations for stationary lot certification, the inspector shall always verify 

the container count provided by the applicant for each lot and report it as the 

“inspector’s count.” If the number of containers available for inspection does not match 

the application it is the inspector’s responsibility to confirm that the amount presented 

for inspection constitutes the lot. If an accurate count cannot be determined the 

inspector may report the count at someone else’s authority. However, the reason for 

doing so must be reported on the notesheet (e.g., numerous pallets with mixed 

product). 
13 

At shipping point locations for “days-run” certification the applicant generally 

provides a manifest for count and it is acceptable to use this for the number of 

containers. 

Citrus may be packed in consumer bags (5 pound, 10 pound, etc.) within master 

containers, cartons or in bulk containers. The container type shall always be reported 

under this heading. 

Brands/Markings 

The brand, variety, size, count, grade, weight, point of origin and other important 

information appearing on the container should be reported on the notesheet in the 

“Brands/Markings” section. Only the brand name and other key markings necessary to 

properly identify the lot for certification should appear in this section on the certificate. 

Origin 

The inspector, on their own authority, must not make a positive statement as to 

product origin. When container markings contain origin information, it should be quoted 

in the appropriate location on notesheets and certificates. This policy is necessary 

because firms may use one mark on the same product packed in several states. If 

packages are not marked, or citrus is in bulk, refer to the General Inspection 

Instructions for more information. 

TEMPERATURE OF PRODUCT 

Inspectors would not normally determine or report temperatures at shipping 

point. However, due to the importance of the pulp temperature of fresh fruits and 

vegetables when in transit or at destination, it is essential that the inspector accurately 

determine and report the temperature or range in temperatures on each lot. Pulp 

temperature should be reported regardless of the location of the product, whether in the 

carrier, warehouse, or stacked on the platform. Remember to pre-cool the thermometer 

in order to obtain true readings. Report all temperatures to the nearest whole degree. 

A minimum of three temperatures for each lot must be taken and recorded on 

the notesheet. More temperatures must be taken if the lot is abnormally cold, heated, 

or there is a specific request for temperature, and these must be reported in greater 

detail specifying location in lot or load. 

CONDITION OF PACK 

Condition of pack pertains to fill of containers, the tightness of fruit in placepacked containers, and net weight certification. 
14 

Citrus may be packed in a variety of ways: volume-filled containers, placepacked containers, or consumer bags. Please refer to the General Inspection 

Instructions for information on reporting condition of pack. 

If the applicant requests count of consumer bags per master container, report 

the findings in the “OTHER” section on the FV-300 with a reference under “REMARKS” 

that this factor was “determined and reported at applicant’s request.” 

Weight. If requested to certify a specified or marked net weight on a stationary 

lot sampling or in-line sampling, follow the procedures described in the General 

Inspection Instructions. If none of the containers are under marked weight (in-line 

sampling), marked weight is met. However, if any package is under marked weight, the 

markings must be corrected on that package (shipping point only). At Market, refer to 

the General Inspection Instructions for specific information pertaining to “reasonable 

shortage limit.” 

STANDARD PACK 

Each standard contains “standard pack” requirements, which basically correlates 

to size and arrangement of fruit in place-packed containers. A citrus lot may meet the 

requirements of the U.S. grades and not meet standard pack requirements, and vice 

versa. Standard pack is certified only at the request of the applicant and referenced 

under the Grade heading in connection with the grade statement. Example: U.S. 

No. 1, Standard Pack. 

ORANGES 

§51.1094 Standard pack. 

(a) Oranges shall be uniform in size and shall be packed in boxes or 

cartons and arranged according to the approved and recognized 

methods. 

(b) All such containers shall be tightly packed and well filled but the 

contents shall not show excessive or unnecessary bruising because 

of overfilled containers. When oranges are packed in cartons or in 

wire-bound boxes, each container shall be at least level full at time of 

packing. 

GRAPEFRUIT 

§51.935 Standard pack. 

(a) Grapefruit shall be fairly uniform in size, and, when packed in 

boxes, shall be arranged according to the approved and recognized 

methods. 
15 

(b) All packages shall be tightly packed and well filled but the 

contents shall not show excessive or unnecessary bruising because 

of overfilled packages. 

Not more than 5 percent of the samples in any lot may fail to meet standard pack 

requirements. If standard pack is in question, please refer to the respective standard 

for additional information. 

Jumble-pack and volume-filled containers cannot be certified under Standard 

Pack requirements (refer to following section). 

STANDARD SIZING AND FILL (ORANGES ONLY) 

When specifically requested, pack arrangements other than place-packed may 

be certified under the following specifications: 

§51.1095 (a) Boxes or cartons in which oranges are not packed 

according to a definite pattern do not meet the requirements of 

standard pack, but may be certified as meeting the requirements of 

standard sizing and fill: Provided, That the oranges in the container 

are fairly uniform in size as defined in the standard pack section: 

And provided further, that the contents have been properly shaken 

down and the container is at least level full at time of packing. 

(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper packing, not 

more than 5 percent of the samples in any lot may fail to meet the 

requirements of standard sizing and fill. 

Standard sizing and fill, like standard pack, is certified only at the request of the 

applicant and referenced under the Grade heading in connection with the grade 

statement. Example: U.S. No. 1, Standard Sizing and Fill. 

SIZE 

Conformance to size requirements is generally not a problem unless the pack is 

slack or fruit in the container appears irregularly sized. Use the term “fairly uniform” if a 

lot meets size requirements, “irregular” if size requirements are not met. Do not use the 

term “uniform” when describing size since the term is not defined. The definition of 

fairly uniform is specified in the Standard Pack section of each standard and also listed 

at the end of this handbook section. 

When determining size (e.g.,113 size oranges or 64 size grapefruit, etc.), report 

a range and average diameter. To meet the requirements of fairly uniform, the smallest 

and largest fruit in a sample must be measured using a rigid-jaw caliper. To determine 

diameter, the greatest dimension measured at right angles to a line from stem to 

blossom end shall be used. Rotate fruit in the caliper to obtain the greatest dimension. 
16 

Do not use pliable fruit that is squeezed out of shape due to tight pack for this 

measurement. 

Size on bulk shipments and fruit in consumer bags should be reported as fairly 

uniform or irregular based on the facts. Traditional size markings (64, 113, 165, etc.) 

do not apply in these instances. When reporting size on these lots, state the diameter 

range in inches. 

ORANGES 

§51.1094 Standard pack...(c) “Fairly uniform in size” means that 

when oranges are packed for 113 carton count or smaller size, or 

equivalent sizes when packed in other containers, not more than 10 

percent, by count, of the oranges in any sample may vary more than 

five-sixteenths inch in diameter; when packed for sizes larger than 

113 carton count or equivalent sizes packed in other containers, not 

more than 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in any sample may 

vary more than seven-sixteenths inch in diameter. 

GRAPEFRUIT 

§51.935 Standard pack...(c) Fairly uniform in size means that not 

more than 5 percent, by count, of the fruit in any sample may be 

more than one standard size larger or smaller than the standard size 

for the count packed. 

(d) Example of standard size grapefruit: The standard size grapefruit 

for a 64 count is that size grapefruit which will pack tightly 64 

grapefruit of uniform size when packed according to the approved 

and recognized method. 
17 

SECTION TWO - ORANGES 

QUALITY AND CONDITION

Statements pertaining to firmness, maturity, shape, color, amount and type of 

defects, and amount of decay, are shown in the appropriate sections. Factors noted 

with (Q) are considered QUALITY only. Factors noted with (C) are considered 

CONDITION at market. Factors noted with (Q or C) may be QUALITY or CONDITION 

at market, depending on the circumstances. Factors without designation do not pertain 

to either category. 

Note: All references in this standard to area, aggregating area, or length are 

based on an orange 2-7/8 inches in diameter, allowing proportionately greater areas on 

larger fruit and lesser areas on smaller fruit. 

Alternaria (Q or C) 

Alternaria, when inactive, appears very similar to scars; gray to brown circular 

spots. Score as a scar using the scar guideline (refer to the Scar section). When 

appearing as described above, report this defect as a quality factor at the market. 

Alternaria, in its active stage, also appears similar to scars. However, the 

affected area also includes a halo on the outer edges of the “scar.” The center portion 

of the scar may give the appearance of being easily removed or pulled out. If active 

Alternaria is found at the market, score as a condition factor and describe the 

appearance. Do not report as “Alternaria.” Score as serious damage unless it extends 

into the flesh of the fruit. If found in this severity, score it as decay. 

Broken Skins (Q or C) 

Broken skins may be caused by several factors; stems puncturing the fruit wall, 

mechanical damage during packing or harvesting, cuts, hail, thorn scratches, etc. 

The flesh is exposed on “unhealed” skin breaks and any amount is scorable. 

“Healed” skin breaks do not expose the flesh, but the rind is torn or punctured. 

Injury - When affecting more than the aggregate area of a circle 1/8 inch 

in diameter. 

Damage - When affecting more than the aggregate area of a circle 3/16 

inch in diameter. 

Serious damage - When affecting more than the aggregate area of a 

circle 1/4 inch in diameter. 
18 

At shipping point, score any unhealed skin break as serious damage. Score 

healed skin breaks as injury, damage, or serious damage based on the above 

guidelines. 

At the market, score any unhealed skin break as a condition factor (serious 

damage). Healed skin breaks will be considered a quality factor and scored as injury, 

damage, or serious damage based on the above guidelines. 

Bruises (C) 

Bruises generally occur because of movement in slack packs, pressure from a 

tight pack or weight from adjacent cartons. Bruises will have soft areas that, when cut, 

contain mushy areas in the underlying flesh. Affected fruit may be flattened on two or 

more sides. If the underlying flesh is not affected, these flattened areas may regain 

their shape. Do not score flattened areas unless the underlying flesh is mushy. 

§51.1102 Injury (h) and §51.1104 Damage (i) Bruising when segment 

walls are collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are ruptured. 

§51.1109 Serious Damage (i) Bruising when fruit has been split 

open, peel is badly watersoaked following bruising or albedo and 

juice sacs are ruptured causing a mushy condition affecting all 

segments more than 3/4 inch at bruised area or the equivalent of this 

amount, by volume, when affecting more than one area on the fruit. 

Note: When the definitions are identical for different severities of this defect 

(injury/damage) the most severe will be assessed in each case. When judging fruit for 

mushy condition (serious damage), apply the cutting procedures described by the 

Dryness-Mushy Condition diagram. 

Color (Q) 

“Color” refers to the degree of external yellow or orange color. It does not relate 

to discoloration caused by rust mite, speck type melanose, and smooth-fairly smooth 

superficial scars. When determining color, judge only that part of the fruit not affected 

by discoloration. 

When determining if a lot meets color requirements, examine the fruit in normal 

daylight. Fruit appears greener in poor lighting conditions or under “artificial” light. 

The U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades require well colored fruit except for the 

Valencia variety. This variety must only be fairly well colored in the U.S. No. 1 grade. 

Navel oranges, when certified for export, need only be fairly well colored. 

The U.S. No. 2 grade requires fairly well colored fruit. There is a separate 10 

percent tolerance for fruit failing to meet the color requirements of each grade. At 
19 

market, maintain a separate column on the notesheet for fruit not meeting color 

requirements. 

§51.1098 “Well colored” means that the fruit is at least light orange 

in color, with not more than a trace of green at the stem end, and not 

more than 15 percent of the remainder of the surface of the fruit 

shows green color. 

§51.1105 “Fairly well colored” means that the yellow or orange color 

predominates on the fruit. 

Creasing (Q) 

Creasing is a condition of the rind where the inner, spongy portion (albedo) 

separates and the overlaying, oil-bearing layer (flavedo) sinks. This condition appears 

as a transparent irregular pattern of the rind caused by the thinning peel. Creasing, in 

most cases, causes the skin to be materially weakened. The skin becomes susceptible 

to cracking when placed in a tight pack or during transit. 

The severity of creasing (area affected) does not increase after harvest. If fruit is 

packed too tightly or containers are stacked too high, the rind may become sunken, 

watersoaked or split, which can cause an entrance for decay. 

§51.1102 Injury...(b) Slight creasing which is more than barely 

visible, or which extends over more than 20 percent of the fruit 

surface; 

§51.1104 Damage...(c) Creasing which materially weakens the skin, 

or which extends over more than one-third of the fruit surface; 

§51.1109 Serious damage...(c) Creasing which seriously weakens 

the skin, or which is distributed over practically the entire surface; 

Note: Do not aggregate, consider only the total surface area that is affected. 

Dirt and Other Foreign Matter (Q or C) 

Cleanness will seldom be a factor due to the washing process prior to packing. 

Large amounts of dirt, adhering foreign material or residue on the fruit are scorable 

when they more than slightly, materially, seriously or very seriously affect the 

appearance, edible or shipping quality of the fruit. 

Dirt is a quality factor; wax residue is a condition factor. Wax coatings may not 

be evenly distributed over the fruit surface. Wax residue is scored when it is clumped, 

or covers a substantial portion of the surface and detracts from the appearance. This 

fact may not be readily noticeable at the time of packing because the normally clear 

wax can discolor over time, hence the condition designation. 
20 

Injury - when aggregating more than a circle 3/8 inch in diameter.

Damage - when aggregating more than a circle 5/8 inch in diameter.

Serious Damage - when aggregating more than 1-1/4 inch in diameter.

Firmness/Puffy (C) 

The U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades require firm fruit. The U.S. No. 2 grade 

requires fairly firm fruit. Fruit not meeting these requirements are scored against the 

total grade tolerance. If the fruit only shows signs of “puffy” skins, then score as 

damage (when the skin separates from more than half of the fruit) and report as “badly 

puffy.” If all the skin has separated from the fruit, then score as serious damage and 

report as “extremely puffy.” 

When testing for firmness, place the fruit in the palm of your hand and squeeze 

gently. If the fruit “bounces back,” it is considered firm. Fruit with thin skin may feel soft 

or spongy and still be considered firm. Do not score fruit if only a particular area is 

affected (refer to the Bruising section). The entire fruit must be affected (e.g., soft, 

spongy, flabby, etc.) before scoring against each grade. Report as “not firm,” “not fairly 

firm,” or “soft” based on the grade that is being certified. 

§51.1099 “Firm” means that the fruit does not yield more than 

slightly to moderate pressure. 

§51.1106 “Fairly firm” means that the fruit may yield to moderate 

pressure but is not soft. 

Flesh Color and Seed Count 

There are citrus varieties that may be identified by flesh color and number (or 

absence) of seeds, but this method is not completely reliable. The number of seeds 

per fruit may vary depending on growing conditions and the genetic makeup of the fruit. 

When determining flesh color, randomly select 10 fruit from each sample, make 

a center cut, perpendicular to a line from stem to blossom end, and examine each 

portion. Any shade of pink or red shall be considered when determining flesh color. 

When determining seed count, randomly select 10 fruit from each sample, follow 

the cutting procedures outlined in the Sprouted Seeds section, and count all seeds 

found. 

The determination of flesh color-seed count is only by applicant’s request. 

Report these factors in the “OTHER” section of the FV-300 or in the “REMARKS” 

section of the FV-184. In cut samples, 65% have orange flesh, 35% have red flesh, 

reported at applicant’s request. Example: In cut samples, fruit generally contains 3 to 

12 seeds, mostly 2 to 7 seeds per fruit, reported at applicant's request. 

Revised, February 2007, HU-152-3(c), 

Page 20, Citrus, California and Arizona, Shipping Point 

and Market Inspection Instructions, March 2005 

**** 

**** 
21 

Freezing Injury (Q or C) 

Fruit that is affected by freezing injury may exhibit the following characteristics: 

1. Segment walls have buckled at a cross section cut near the stem end; 

2. Watersoaked condition of the core; 

3. Mushy condition of segments or portions of segments; 

4. Dry portions of segments; and, 

5. Open spaces in the pulp. 

If frozen citrus is examined several days after thawing, it will usually have a white 

or colorless crystalline compound (hesperidin) on the membrane that separates the 

pulp segments. These crystals may be visible within a few hours of freezing. Several 

weeks after freezing, the crystals may not be as numerous or conspicuous. When 

freezing injury is encountered, use the same procedures and scoring guidelines as 

outlined for dryness or mushy condition. 

Dryness from freezing differs from granulation dryness that is attributed to tree 

dryness. After freezing, affected juice sacs collapse, having been emptied of juice. 

During granulation, juice sacs do not collapse; they become filled with gelatinous or 

solid matter. 

To accurately sample and determine percentages of this defect, use the 

procedures outlined in the sections; Cutting for Dryness or Mushy Condition and

Sampling To Determine Internal Defects. 

If a significant freeze occurs, inspectors will be notified, via a memorandum from 

Washington, D.C., to score freezing injury as a condition defect at the market. When it 

is felt that practically no additional change to the fruit will occur in transit, a second 

notification will be issued, instructing inspectors to score freezing injury as a quality

defect at the market. 

Granulation (Tree Dryness) (Q) 

Granulation can be either a varietal peculiarity or the result of growing conditions. 

Citrus that is harvested late in the season, or from young trees during early or midseason after a drought, may have granulation, particularly in larger sizes. Thompson 

navel oranges are susceptible to granulation regardless of when they are harvested. 

During some shipping seasons, granulation may affect varieties that do not 

normally exhibit this characteristic. In some instances, granulation may occur in larger 

sizes, while occurring in smaller sizes at other times. It may also be more prevalent at 

the blossom-end rather than the stem end. 
22 

The granulated condition may appear throughout the pulp of affected fruit, or 

more often, affecting only the stem end portion. Use the procedures and scoring 

guidelines for dryness-mushy condition, but score granulation as a quality factor against 

the applicable tolerance for permanent defects. 

Juice sacs of granulated fruit remain swollen and do not separate from each 

other or the segment walls. In such cases, the juice is displaced by yellow to grayishwhite solid matter. Affected fruit will generally feel firm, but very light in weight. 

Frequently, granulation will occur in larger sizes with very little or none in smaller 

sizes. In such instances, report according to sizes, or by the percentage found in large 

sizes versus those that do not have granulation. If certain sizes fail to grade, report 

them separately from the lots that grade. 

Granulation cannot be detected with any degree of accuracy by external 

indication alone; therefore, inspectors should cut any suspected fruit in the lot to 

determine the presence of granulation. For positive verification and percentage 

calculation, follow the procedures outlined in the section Cutting for Dryness or Mushy 

Condition. 

Maturity (Q) 

Maturity can only be determined by an analysis of the juice. Specific information 

on maturity requirements at shipping point are contained in the Agricultural Codes of 

California and Arizona. 

At market, do not mention maturity on the certificate unless a juice analysis has 

been performed. This analysis may be performed at applicant’s request. When 

requested, proper samples must be obtained and the soluble solids/acid ratio must be 

determined. If the inspection office is not equipped to perform these procedures, the 

sample must be shipped to the nearest office equipped for this test. If unfamiliar with 

the exact procedures involved, please contact your supervisor or Headquarters in 

Washington, D.C. for specific instructions. 

Samples may be officially drawn by an inspector and shipped to a designated 

inspection office for analysis and certification. Immediately after the sample is drawn, 

the inspector shall issue a Notice of Sampling (FV-187). The original and at least one 

copy of this notice shall be shipped to the designated office performing the analysis. 

One copy shall also be mailed to the designated office, with a final copy being retained 

in the office where the sample was drawn. 

If an FV-187 is not available, the following information should accompany the 

sample: date and location of sampling, name of applicant, car/truck or lot number, 

markings, type and number of containers, and name of the inspector that obtained the 

sample. 
23 

Inspectors analyzing officially drawn samples shall report the following statement 

under REMARKS: 

“The sample covered by this certificate was officially drawn by ________ on 

mm/dd/yy, at ___________ as shown on attached Notice of Sampling No.______.” 

Oil Spots or Similar Injuries (Q) 

Oil spots (“Oleocellosis”) are likely to occur on green fruit when handled roughly 

during wet conditions. Pressure on green fruit during picking and handling can also 

cause this defect. 

The most common symptom of oil spots is irregularly-shaped yellow, light green 

or brown spots where the oil glands are conspicuous. The severity of this defect 

depends upon the amount of oil released. Yellow spots will develop on fully colored, 

mature fruit; light green spots on fruit that was green when picked. Light to dark brown 

spots are a later or older stage of spots that were originally light green or more severely 

injured. Refer to the official color photographs designated ORG-CP-2-A and B for 

examples of oil spotting. 

§51.1102 Injury...(e) Oil spots (oleocellosis or similar injuries) which 

are depressed or soft, or which have an aggregate area of more than 

2-1/2 percent of the fruit surface, or which are green and more than 4 

in number; 

§51.1104 Damage...(e) Oil spots (oleocellosis or similar injuries) 

which are depressed or soft, or which have an aggregate area of 

more than 5 percent of the fruit surface, or which are green and more 

than 7 in number; 

§51.1109 Serious damage...(e) Oil spots (oleocellosis or similar 

injuries) which are depressed or soft, or which have an aggregate 

area of more than 10 percent of the fruit surface; 

Scale (Q) 

Citrus is susceptible to several types of scale, most commonly purple and red 

scale. Purple scale has a brownish-purple covering and is roughly the shape of an 

oyster shell. Red scale has a reddish color and is circular shaped. 

Oranges are affected by purple and red scale. It is not necessary to identify the 

type of scale; report only as “scale.” Refer to the official models designated No. 1 

through No. 5 and No. 7 through No. 11 for examples of scale. 

§51.1102 Injury...(e) Scale when medium or large and more than 5 are 

present; 
24 

§51.1104 Damage...(f) Scale when medium or large and more than 7 

are present, or when medium or large scale, outside the stem button 

area, aggregate more than a circle 5/8 inch in diameter. 

§51.1109 Serious Damage...(f) Scale when medium or large and 

when aggregating more than a circle 3/4 inch in diameter. 

Scars (Q) 

Citrus is very susceptible to scarring. This factor is most important when 

determining grade at shipping point. This defect can be caused by many factors while 

still on the tree (thrips and other insects, wind, hail, thorn scratches, mechanical 

injuries, etc.). Scars are judged on color, depth and smoothness. Refer to the official 

color comparator designated PL-1 for examples of scar colors. 

§51.1102 Injury...(c) Scars (including sprayburn and fumigation injury) 

which exceed the following aggregate areas of different types of scars, or a 

combination of two or more types of scars the seriousness of which 

exceeds the maximum allowed for any one type: 

(1)...very dark and which have an aggregate area exceeding that of a circle 

one-eighth inch in diameter; 

(2)...dark, rough or deep and which have an aggregate area exceeding that 

of a circle one-fourth inch in diameter; 

(3)...fairly light in color, slightly rough, or with slight depth and which have 

an aggregate area exceeding that of a circle one-half inch in diameter; and, 

(4)...light in color, fairly smooth, with no depth and which have an 

aggregate area of more than 5 percent of the fruit surface;

§51.1104 Damage...(d) Scars (including sprayburn and fumigation injury) 

which exceed the following aggregate areas of different types of scars, or a 

combination of two or more types of scars the seriousness of which 

exceeds the maximum allowed for any one type: 

(1)...very dark, with slight depth, and which have an aggregate area 

exceeding that of a circle one-fourth inch in diameter; 

(2)...very dark, with no depth, and which have an aggregate area exceeding 

that of a circle one-half inch in diameter; 

(3)...dark, and rough or deep, and which have an aggregate area exceeding 

that of a circle one-half inch in diameter; 

(4)...dark, and slightly rough or with slight depth, and which have an 

aggregate area exceeding that of a circle three-fourths inch in diameter; 

(5)...fairly light in color, slightly rough or with slight depth, and which have 

an aggregate area of more than 5 percent of the fruit surface; and, 

(6)...light in color, fairly smooth, with no depth, and which have an 

aggregate area of more than 10 percent of the fruit surface; 
25 

§51.1109 Serious Damage...(d) Scars (including sprayburn and fumigation 

injury) which exceed the following aggregate areas of different types of 

scars, or a combination of two or more types of scars the seriousness of 

which exceeds the maximum allowed for any one type: 

(1)...very dark, very rough or very deep, and which have an aggregate area 

of more than 5 percent of the fruit surface; 

(2)...dark, rough or deep, and which have an aggregate area of more than 

10 percent of the fruit surface; 

(3)...fairly light in color, slightly rough or of slight depth, and which have an 

aggregate area of more than 15 percent of the fruit surface; and, 

(4)...light in color, fairly smooth, with no depth, and which have an 

aggregate area of more than 25 percent of the fruit surface; 

Skin Breakdown (C) 

This defect category represents several factors that result in a similar-looking 

effect. Fruit can be affected by drying, darkening, or sinking of the oil cells near the 

stem end or other portions of the fruit. Stem end breakdown is a physiological condition 

caused by a loss of fruit moisture. Pitting is a physiological breakdown of the rind on 

the fruit shoulder. This contrasts with breakdown associated with aging, which occurs 

at the stem end. Storage pitting is another type of skin injury affecting citrus. When 

these or other similar-appearing injuries occur, they shall be described on the notesheet 

and certificate as “skin breakdown.” Refer to the official color photographs designated 

C-1, CIT-(FLA&TX) 2-IDENT-A, B and CIT-(FLA&TX) 3-IDENT-A, B for examples of 

skin breakdown. 

§51.1102 Injury...(g)...when exceeding that of a circle 1/8 inch in 

diameter. 

§51.1104 Damage...(h)...when exceeding that of a circle 1/4 inch in 

diameter. 

§51.1109 Serious Damage...(h)...when exceeding that of a circle 5/8 

inch in diameter. 

Shape (Q) 

Normal shape for the variety must be considered when determining the correct 

term(s) to use when describing shape. For example, Valencia oranges are slightly 

more elongated than Navel orange varieties. 

The U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades require well formed fruit. The U.S. No. 2 

grade requires fairly well formed fruit. Fruit not meeting these requirements shall be 

scored against the total grade tolerance at shipping point and the permanent defects 

tolerance at market. Refer to the official models designated S-1 and S-2 for examples 

of shape. 
26 

§51.1100 “Well formed” means that the fruit shows the normal shape 

characteristic of the variety. 

§51.1107 “Fairly well formed” means that the fruit is not of the shape 

characteristic of the variety but is not decidedly flattened, pointed, 

extremely elongated or otherwise badly deformed. 

Similar Varietal Characteristics (Q)

The Inspection Service does not certify variety. When variety is in question, the 

inspector shall inform interested parties that only the “type” may be certified. When 

type is a factor, only consider distinctly different external colors or shapes as defects. 

This defect shall be reported as “dissimilar varieties” and scored as a quality factor. At 

shipping point, score against the total tolerance for the grade. At market, score against 

the tolerance for permanent defects. Do not confuse this defect with fruit that does not 

meet shape or color requirements. Please refer to corresponding sections for further 

descriptions. 

Mixing different types in the same container is prohibited unless they are 

separated by dividers within the package or segregated into rows or layers within the 

package. If product is segregated, an inspection may be requested for one or more of 

the products in the package. Each individual product shall be inspected separately and 

the results reported as separate lots. These lots are known as “gift packs.” 

If the product is not segregated, inspectors must determine the “characteristic” 

color or shape for the lot. Fruit that is not “characteristic” for the lot shall be scored as a 

defect and reported as “dissimilar varieties.” 

§51.1097 “Similar varietal characteristics” means that the oranges in 

any container are similar in color and type. 

Sooty Mold (Q) 

Sooty Mold is caused by a fungus that adheres to excretions of the white fly and 

other insects. It may occur as light deposits scattered over the fruit surface or as 

heavily concentrated areas at the stem end. The mold can be easily scraped off with a 

fingernail or knife. Normal washing procedures do not entirely remove fungus deposits. 

Refer to the official color photograph designated CIT-(CA&AZ, FLA&TX)-CP-1 for 

scoring guidelines on citrus affected by Sooty Mold. 

Injury - More than slightly affecting the appearance of the fruit. 

Damage - Aggregating more than a circle 5/8 inch in diameter. 

Serious damage - Aggregating more than a circle 3/4 inch in diameter. 
27 

Split, Rough, Wide or Protruding Navel (Q) 

The navel, located at the blossom end of the variety for which it is named, is 

actually a partially formed secondary fruit. Any unhealed split is serious damage. Refer 

to the official models designated N-1 through N-4 for examples of protruding navels. 

§51.1102 Injury...(a) Split, rough, wide or protruding navels when a 

split is unhealed or is more than one-eighth inch in length; or when 

the navel protrudes beyond the general contour of the fruit; or when 

flush with the contour but with the opening so wide, considering the 

size of the fruit, or the navel growth so folded and ridged that it 

detracts noticeably from the appearance of the fruit; 

§51.1104 Damage...(b) Split, rough, wide or protruding navels when 

there are more than three splits, or when any split is unhealed or is 

more than one-fourth inch in length; or navels which flare, bulge, or 

protrude materially beyond the general contour of the fruit; or when 

the navel opening is so wide, considering the size of the fruit, or the 

navel growth so folded and ridged that it detracts materially from the 

appearance of the fruit; 

§51.1109 Serious Damage...(b) Split or protruding navels when any 

split is unhealed or is more than one-half inch in length, or when two 

or more splits aggregate more than 1 inch in length; or navels which 

protrude seriously beyond the general contour of the fruit; or when 

the navel opening is so wide, considering the size of the fruit, or the 

navel growth so badly folded and ridged that it detracts seriously 

from the appearance of the fruit; 

Stem Buttons and Attached Stems and/or Leaves 

Stem buttons and attached stems and/or leaves are not defects and should not 

be mentioned on the certificate unless specifically requested by the applicant. Upon 

request, the inspector may determine the percentage of fruit with stem buttons 

attached/missing or with attached/missing stems and/or leaves. Report the findings in 

percentages or general terms in the “DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTS” on the FV-184 

or in the “OTHER” section of the FV-300. Reference the applicant’s request of these 

factors under “REMARKS.” 

Stem End Aging (C) 

Stem end aging is a condition that is found primarily in late varieties. The fruit 

appears to dry out, generally at the stem end. Other characteristics may include 

discolored, bumpy or rough areas at the stem end only, or minute, concentric cracks 

around the stem scar that are gray to tan in color. 
28 

Injury - When darker than a light shade of golden brown and exceeding more 

than a circle 1/2 inch in diameter. 

Damage - When darker than a light shade of golden brown and exceeding more 

than a circle 1 inch in diameter. 

Serious damage - When darker than a light shade of golden brown and 

exceeding more than a circle 1-1/2 inches in diameter. 

Note: Do not aggregate, consider only the total surface area that is affected. 

If these areas are wilted, shriveled, pitted, or the oil glands are collapsed and 

sunken, they are to be scored as skin breakdown. Please refer to the section on skin 

breakdown for additional information. 

Sunburn (Q) 

This defect appears as a toughened area of the rind caused by exposure to 

intense sunlight. The area will usually have a bleached appearance or a deep yellow 

color and definite flattening of the fruit surface in that area. The yellow surface may 

have a brown or gray center where surface cells have died. Flesh under the affected 

area will be dried out, containing little or no juice. 

Certain varieties may have a small amount of externally-visible sunburn but can 

exhibit a great deal more when cut. 

§51.1102 Injury...which appreciably changes the normal color or 

shape of the fruit, or which affects more than 10 percent of the fruit 

surface. 

§51.1104 Damage...which causes appreciable flattening of the fruit, 

drying or darkening of the skin, or affects more than 25 percent of 

the fruit surface. 

§51.1109 Serious Damage...which causes decided flattening of the 

fruit, drying or dark discoloration of the skin, or which affects more 

than one-third of the fruit surface. 

If specimens are not scorable based on the amount of external surface affected 

by sunburn, fruit may be scored when the amount of internal dryness materially, 

seriously or very seriously detracts from the appearance, edible or marketing quality of 

the fruit. To accurately determine the extent of dryness caused by sunburn, follow the 

procedures outlined in the section Cutting for Dryness or Mushy Condition. 
29 

Texture (Q) 

“Texture” refers to smoothness or roughness of the skin. This factor will vary 

considerably with the size and variety of fruit. Larger sizes are normally rougher than 

smaller sizes of the same variety. Therefore, when reporting “smooth” or “fairly smooth” 

texture, the size and variety must be considered when determining the proper 

descriptive term. 

In most cases, the texture and thickness of skin are relative to each other, (e.g., 

fairly thin skinned fruit is fairly smooth). However, if they do not coincide (thick skin with 

fairly smooth texture or thin skin with rough texture, for example) report each factor 

separately. 

The U.S. Fancy grade requires fruit to have smooth texture. The U.S. No. 1 

grade requires fruit to have fairly smooth texture. The U.S. No. 2 grade requires fruit to 

have not more than slightly rough texture. Fruit not meeting these requirements are 

scored against the total grade tolerance at shipping point and the permanent defects 

tolerance at market. Refer to the official models designated T-4, T-5 and TT-1 for 

examples of texture. 

§51.1101 “Smooth texture” means that the skin is of fairly fine grain 

for the variety, the “pebbling” is not pronounced, and any furrows 

radiating from the stem end are shallow. 

§51.1103 “Fairly smooth texture” means that the skin does not feel 

noticeably rough or coarse for the variety. The size of the fruit 

should be considered in judging texture, as large fruit is not usually 

as smooth as smaller fruit. It is common for the fruit to show larger 

and coarser “pebbling'' on the stem end portion than on the blossom 

end. The presence of furrows or grooves on the stem end portion of 

the fruit is a common condition in certain varieties, and the fruit shall 

not be considered as slightly rough unless the furrows or grooves 

are of sufficient depth, length, and number as to materially affect the 

appearance and smoothness of the orange. 

§51.1108 “Slightly rough texture” means that the skin is not 

decidedly rough, badly folded, badly ridged, or decidedly lumpy. 

Heavily “pebbled'' skin shall be considered as slightly rough. 

Decay (C) 

Decay is a “free from” defect and any amount is scorable. The most common 

types affecting citrus include: Green Mold Rot, Blue Mold Rot, Brown Rot, Sour Rot 

and Stem End Rot. 
30 

At shipping point, do not mention the type of decay or severity (stages). At 

market, the type of decay is not required on the certificate, but a description of the 

decay stages must be reported (i.e., early, moderate, or advanced stages).
31 

SECTION THREE - GRAPEFRUIT 

QUALITY AND CONDITION

Statements pertaining to firmness, maturity, shape, color, amount and type of 

defects, and amount of decay, are shown in the appropriate sections. Factors noted 

with (Q) are considered QUALITY only. Factors noted with (C) are considered 

CONDITION at market. Factors noted with (Q or C) may be QUALITY or CONDITION 

at market, depending on the circumstances. Factors without designation do not pertain 

to either category. 

Note: All references in this standard to area, aggregating area, or length are 

based on a grapefruit 4-1/8 inches in diameter, allowing proportionately greater areas 

on larger fruit and lesser areas on smaller fruit. 

Alternaria (Q or C) 

Alternaria, when inactive, appears very similar to scars; gray to brown circular 

spots. Score as a scar using the scar guideline (refer to the Scar section). When 

appearing as described above, report this defect as a quality factor at the market. 

Alternaria, in its active stage, also appears similar to scars. However, the 

affected area also includes a halo on the outer edges of the “scar.” The center portion 

of the scar may give the appearance of being easily removed or pulled out. If active 

Alternaria is found at the market, score as a condition factor and describe the 

appearance. Do not report as “Alternaria.” Score as serious damage unless it extends 

into the flesh of the fruit. If found in this severity, score it as decay.

Blossom End Clearing (C) 

Blossom end clearing is a physiological disorder that appears as a watersoaked, 

translucent, blotchy area(s). These areas generally occur around the blossom end, but 

may appear elsewhere on the fruit. This condition develops late in the season, 

particularly following heavy rains, increasing water content of the fruit. Blossom end 

clearing is frequently followed by decay. 

Damage - When aggregating more than a circle 3/4 inch in diameter. 

Serious damage - When aggregating more than a circle 1 inch in diameter or if 

the underlying flesh is discolored or mushy. 

Very serious damage - When aggregating more than a circle 1-1/2 inches in 

diameter or if the underlying flesh is discolored and mushy. “Discolored” in this context 

means any shade of brown. 
32 

Broken Skins (Q or C) 

Broken skins may be caused by several factors, including: stems puncturing the 

fruit wall, mechanical damage during packing or harvesting, cuts, hail, thorn scratches, 

etc. 

Unhealed Skin Breaks

The flesh is exposed on “unhealed” skin breaks and any amount is scorable. 

At shipping point, score any unhealed skin break as very serious damage. 

At market, score any unhealed skin break as a condition factor (very serious 

damage). 

Healed Skin Breaks

“Healed” skin breaks do not expose the flesh, but the rind is torn or punctured. 

Damage - When affecting more than the aggregate area of a circle 1/4 

inch in diameter. 

Serious Damage - When affecting more than the aggregate area of a 

circle 5/16 inch in diameter. 

Very Serious Damage - When affecting more than the aggregate area of 

a circle 3/8 inch in diameter. 

At shipping point, score healed skin breaks as damage, serious damage or 

very serious damage based on the above guidelines. 

At market, healed skin breaks will be considered a quality factor and scored as 

damage, serious damage or very serious damage based on the above guidelines. 

Bruises (C) 

Bruises generally occur because of movement in slack packs, pressure from a 

tight pack or weight from adjacent cartons. Bruises will have soft areas that, when cut, 

contain mushy areas in the underlying flesh. Affected fruit may be flattened on two or 

more sides. If the underlying flesh is not affected, these flattened areas may regain 

their shape. Do not score flattened areas unless the underlying flesh is mushy. 

§51.943 Injury (l); §51.947 Damage (m); and, §51.952 Serious 

Damage (m) Bruising when segment walls are collapsed, or albedo 

and juice sacs are ruptured. 

§51.955 Very Serious Damage (j) Bruising when fruit has been split 

open, peel is badly watersoaked following bruising or albedo and 
33 

juice sacs are ruptured causing a mushy condition affecting all 

segments more than 3/4 inch at bruised area or the equivalent of this 

amount, by volume, when affecting more than one area on the fruit. 

Note: When the definitions are identical for different severities of this defect 

(injury/damage/serious damage) the most severe will be assessed in each case. 

When judging fruit for mushy condition (very serious damage), apply the cutting 

procedures described by the Dryness-Mushy Condition diagram. 

Cluster Rings (Q) 

Cluster rings occur as one or more smooth rings and/or roughened areas of 

various diameters generally on the stem end half of the fruit. This injury is the result of 

rust mite or orchid thrips that feed in the shaded area created where fruit are in direct 

contact with each other or where a leaf and the fruit touch. Scoring of this defect is 

based on color, smoothness or both. 

By Color

As a guide for the U.S. No. 1 grade, allow two fairly smooth dark brown to black 

halo circles, each 1-1/4 inches in diameter, which affects the appearance the same as 

one-third of the surface having a light shade of golden brown. Allow less diameter 

when the ring area is solid and more diameter when ring area is lighter in color. 

As a guide for the U.S. No. 2 grade, allow three fairly smooth dark brown to black 

halo circles, each 1-1/4 inches in diameter, which affect the appearance the same as 

one-half of the surface having a light shade of golden brown. Allow less diameter when 

the ring area is solid and more diameter when ring area is lighter in color. 

By Smoothness

Score cluster ring scars as damage when areas are raised and very rough, 

aggregating more than a circle 1/2 inch in diameter; raised and rough aggregating more 

than a circle 1 inch in diameter; raised and slightly rough aggregating more than 10 

percent of the fruit surface. 

Score cluster ring scars as serious damage when areas are raised and very 

rough, aggregating more than a circle 1 inch in diameter; raised and rough aggregating 

more than 5 percent of the fruit surface; raised and slightly rough aggregating more 

than 15 percent of the fruit surface. 

Score cluster ring scars as very serious damage when raised and very rough or 

unsightly to the point that the appearance is very seriously affected. 
34 

By Color and Smoothness

When areas occur slightly raised and rough with a grayish to light brown color; 

which will not take a sheen after the waxing-polishing process, score on the following 

basis: 

Damage - When aggregating more than a circle 1-1/4 inches in diameter. 

Serious damage - When aggregating more than 25 percent of the surface. 

Very Serious Damage - When aggregating more than 50 percent of the surface. 

Report this defect as “cluster ring scars” and score against the general lot 

tolerance at shipping point and the permanent defects tolerance at market. 

Color (Q) 

“Color” refers to the amount of external yellow color present. It does not relate to 

discoloration caused by rust mite, speck type melanose, and smooth-fairly smooth 

superficial scars. When determining color, judge only that part of the fruit not affected 

by discoloration. 

Examine fruit in normal daylight when making color determinations. Fruit 

appears greener in poor lighting conditions or under “artificial” light. 

The U.S. Fancy grade requires well colored fruit. The U.S. No. 1 grade requires 

fairly well colored fruit. Fruit not meeting these requirements are scored against the 

separate 10 percent color requirement tolerance. The U.S. No. 2 and U.S. No. 3 

grades allow slightly colored fruit. 

§51.938 “Well colored” means that the fruit is yellow in color, with 

not more than a trace of green. 

§51.944 “Fairly well colored” means that yellow color predominates 

on the fruit and that the fruit is free from distinctly green streaks and 

distinctly green blotches. 

§51.948 “Slightly colored” means that sufficient yellow color is 

distributed over the fruit surface and, when blended with the green 

color present, is equivalent to 25 percent of full yellow color 

characteristic of the variety. 

Dirt and Other Foreign Matter (Q or C) 

Cleanness will seldom be a factor due to the washing process prior to packing. 

Large amounts of dirt, adhering foreign material or residue on the fruit are scorable 
35 

when they more than slightly, materially, seriously or very seriously affect the 

appearance, edible or shipping quality of the fruit. 

Dirt is a quality factor; wax residue is a condition factor. Wax coatings may not 

be evenly distributed over the fruit surface. Wax residue is scored when it is clumped, 

or covers a substantial portion of the surface and detracts from the appearance. This 

fact may not be readily noticeable at the time of packing because the normally clear 

wax can discolor over time, hence the condition designation. 

Injury - when aggregating more than a circle 1/2 inch in diameter. 

Damage - when aggregating more than a circle 3/4 inch in diameter.

Serious Damage - when aggregating more than a circle 1-3/8 inch in 

diameter. 

Very Serious Damage - when aggregating more than 25 percent of the 

surface. 

Firmness (C) 

The U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades require firm fruit. The U.S. No. 2 grade 

requires fairly firm fruit. Fruit not meeting these requirements are scored against the 

total grade tolerance. The U.S. No. 3 grade allows slightly spongy fruit. 

When testing for firmness, place the fruit in the palm of your hand and squeeze 

gently. If the fruit “bounces back,” it is considered firm. Fruit with thin skin may feel soft 

or spongy and still be considered firm. Do not score fruit if only a particular area is 

affected (refer to the Bruising section). The entire fruit must be affected (e.g., soft, 

spongy, flabby, etc.) before scoring against each grade. Report as “not firm,” “not fairly 

firm,” “spongy” or “soft” based on the grade that is being certified. 

§51.939 “Firm” means that the fruit is not soft, or noticeably wilted or 

flabby. The skin may feel slightly springy or spongy. 

§51.949 “Fairly firm” means that the fruit may be slightly soft but is 

not decidedly flabby. The skin may be thick and slightly puffy. 

§51.953 “Slightly spongy” means that the fruit is puffy or slightly 

wilted but not decidedly flabby. 

Flesh Color and Seed Count 

There are citrus varieties that may be identified by flesh color and number (or 

absence) of seeds, but this method is not completely reliable. Some pink and red 

varieties of grapefruit can have lighter shades of red flesh color during the early part of 

the season than during mid-season. During late season, the pink or red color may fade 
36 

to a cloudy or milky appearance, showing little or no pink color. The number of seeds 

per fruit may vary depending on growing conditions and the genetic makeup of the fruit. 

When determining flesh color, randomly select 10 fruit from each sample, make 

a center cut, perpendicular to a line from stem to blossom end, and examine each 

portion. Any shade of pink or red shall be considered when determining flesh color. 

When determining seed count, randomly select 10 fruit from each sample, follow 

the cutting procedures outlined in the Sprouted Seeds section, and count all seeds 

found. 

The determination of flesh color-seed count is only by applicant’s request. 

Report these factors in the “OTHER” section of the FV-300 or in the “REMARKS” 

section of the FV-184. Example: In cut samples, 65% have white flesh, 35% have 

pink flesh, reported at applicant’s request. Example: In cut samples, fruit generally 

contains 3 to 12 seeds, mostly 2 to 7 seeds per fruit, reported at applicant’s request. 

Freezing Injury (Q or C) 

Fruit that is affected by freezing injury may exhibit the following characteristics: 

1. Segment walls have buckled at a cross section cut near the stem end; 

2. Watersoaked condition of the core; 

3. Mushy condition of segments or portions of segments; 

4. Dry portions of segments; and, 

5. Open spaces in the pulp. 

If frozen citrus is examined several days after thawing, it will usually have a white 

or colorless crystalline compound (hesperidin) on the membrane that separates the 

pulp segments. These crystals may be visible within a few hours of freezing. Several 

weeks after freezing, the crystals may not be as numerous or conspicuous. When 

freezing injury is encountered, use the same procedures and scoring guidelines as 

outlined for dryness or mushy condition. 

Dryness from freezing differs from granulation dryness that is attributed to tree 

dryness. After freezing, affected juice sacs collapse, having been emptied of juice. 

During granulation, juice sacs do not collapse; they become filled with gelatinous or 

solid matter. 

To accurately sample and determine percentages of this defect, use the 

procedures outlined in the sections; Cutting for Dryness or Mushy Condition and

Sampling To Determine Internal Defects. 
37 

If a significant freeze occurs, inspectors will be notified, via a memorandum from 

Washington, D.C., to score freezing injury as a condition defect at the market. When it 

is felt that practically no additional change to the fruit will occur in transit, a second 

notification will be issued, instructing inspectors to score freezing injury as a quality

defect at the market. 

Granulation (Tree Dryness) (Q) 

Granulation can be either a varietal peculiarity or the result of growing conditions. 

Citrus that is harvested late in the season, or from young trees during early or midseason after a drought, may have granulation, particularly in larger sizes. During some 

shipping seasons, granulation may affect varieties that do not normally exhibit this 

characteristic. In some instances, granulation may occur in larger sizes, while occurring 

in smaller sizes at other times. It may also be more prevalent at the blossom-end rather 

than the stem end. 

The granulated condition may appear throughout the pulp of affected fruit, or 

more often, affecting only the stem end portion. Use the procedures and scoring 

guidelines for dryness-mushy condition, but score granulation as a quality factor against 

the applicable tolerance for permanent defects. 

Juice sacs of granulated fruit remain swollen and do not separate from each 

other or the segment walls. In such cases, the juice is displaced by yellow to grayishwhite solid matter. Affected fruit will generally feel firm, but very light in weight. 

Frequently, granulation will occur in larger sizes with very little or none in smaller 

sizes. In such instances, report according to sizes, or by the percentage found in large 

sizes versus those that do not have granulation. If certain sizes fail to grade, report 

them separately from the lots that grade. 

Granulation cannot be detected with any degree of accuracy by external 

indication alone; therefore, inspectors should cut any suspected fruit in the lot to 

determine the presence of granulation. For positive verification and percentage 

calculation, follow the procedures outlined in the section Cutting for Dryness or Mushy 

Condition. 

Maturity (Q) 

Maturity can only be determined by an analysis of the juice. Specific information 

on maturity requirements at shipping point are contained in the Agricultural Codes of 

California and Arizona. 

At market, do not mention maturity on the certificate unless a juice analysis has 

been performed. This analysis may be performed at applicant's request. When 

requested, proper samples must be obtained and the soluble solids/acid ratio must be 

determined. If the inspection office is not equipped to perform these procedures, the 

sample must be shipped to the nearest office equipped for this test. If unfamiliar with 
38 

the exact procedures involved, please contact your supervisor or Headquarters in 

Washington, D.C. for specific instructions. 

Samples may be officially drawn by an inspector and shipped to a designated 

inspection office for analysis and certification. Immediately after the sample is drawn, 

the inspector shall issue a Notice of Sampling (FV-187). The original and at least one 

copy of this notice shall be shipped to the designated office performing the analysis. 

One copy shall also be mailed to the designated office, with a final copy being retained 

in the office where the sample was drawn. 

If an FV-187 is not available, the following information should accompany the 

sample: date and location of sampling, name of applicant, car/truck or lot number, 

markings, type and number of containers, and name of the inspector that obtained the 

sample. 

Inspectors analyzing officially drawn samples shall report the following statement 

under REMARKS: 

“The sample covered by this certificate was officially drawn by ________ on 

mm/dd/yy, at ___________ as shown on attached Notice of Sampling No.______.” 

Oil Spots or Similar Injuries (Q) 

Oil spots (“Oleocellosis”) are likely to occur on green fruit when handled roughly 

during wet conditions. Pressure on green fruit during picking and handling can also 

cause this defect. 

The most common symptom of oil spots is irregularly-shaped yellow, light green, 

or brown spots where the oil glands are conspicuous. The severity of this defect 

depends upon the amount of oil released. Yellow spots will develop on fully colored, 

mature fruit; light green spots on fruit that was green when picked. Light to dark brown 

spots are a later or older stage of spots that were originally light green or more severely 

injured. Refer to the official color photographs designated ORG-CP-2-A and ORG-CP2-B for examples of oil spotting. 

§51.943 Injury...(h) Green spots, oil spots, (oleocellosis) or other 

similar injuries which are depressed or soft, or which have an 

aggregate area of more than 2-1/2 percent of the fruit surface, or 

which are green and more than 4 in number. 

§51.947 Damage...(i) Green spots, oil spots, (oleocellosis) or other 

similar injuries which are depressed or soft, or which have an 

aggregate area of more than 5 percent of the fruit surface, or which 

are green and more than 7 in number. 
39 

§51.952...Serious damage...(i) Green spots, oil spots (oleocellosis) 

or other similar injuries which are soft, or which have an aggregate 

area of more than 10 percent of the fruit surface; 

§51.955...Very serious damage...(f) Green spots, oil spots 

(oleocellosis) or other similar injuries which are badly sunken or 

soft, or which have an aggregate area of more than 25 percent of the 

fruit surface. 

Scale (Q) 

Citrus is susceptible to several types of scale, most commonly purple and red 

scale. Purple scale has a brownish-purple covering and is roughly the shape of an 

oyster shell. Red scale has a reddish color and is circular shaped. 

Grapefruit is affected by purple and red scale. It is not necessary to identify the 

type of scale; report only as “scale.” Refer to the official models designated No. 1 

through No. 5 and No. 7 through No. 11 for examples of scale. 

§51.943 Injury...(i) Scale, when more than 5 medium to large 

California red or purple scale are adjacent to the “button” at the stem 

end, or scattered over the fruit, or any scale which affects the 

appearance of the fruit to a greater extent. 

§51.947 Damage...(j) Scale, when more than 10 medium to large 

California red or purple scale are adjacent to the “button” at the stem 

end, or scattered over the fruit, or any scale which affects the 

appearance of the fruit to a greater extent. 

§51.952 Serious Damage...(j) Scale, when California red or purple 

scale is concentrated as a ring or blotch, or which is more than 

thinly scattered over the fruit surface, or any scale which affects the 

appearance of the fruit to a greater extent. 

§51.955 Very Serious Damage...(g) Scale so numerous or large that 

the appearance of the fruit is very seriously affected. 

Scars (Q) 

Citrus is very susceptible to scarring. This factor is most important when 

determining grade at shipping point. This defect can be caused by many factors while 

still on the tree (thrips and other insects, wind, hail, thorn scratches, mechanical 

injuries, etc.). Scars are judged on color, depth and smoothness. Refer to the official 

color comparator designated PL-1 for examples of scar colors. 
40 

§51.943 Injury...(d)...very rough or very deep; or scars which are very 

dark when more than one-fourth of an inch in diameter. (e)...dark, 

rough, or deep and aggregate more than one-half of an inch in 

diameter. (f)...fairly light in color, slightly rough, or of slight depth 

and aggregate more than 5 percent of the fruit surface. (g)...light 

colored, fairly smooth, with no depth and aggregate more than 10 

percent of the fruit surface. 

§51.947 Damage...(e)...very deep; or scars which are very rough or 

very dark and aggregate more than one-half of an inch in diameter. 

(f)...dark, rough or deep and aggregate more than three-fourths of an 

inch in diameter. (g)...fairly light in color, slightly rough, or of slight 

depth and aggregate more than 10 percent of the fruit surface. 

(h)...light colored, fairly smooth, with no depth and aggregate more 

than 15 percent of the fruit surface. 

§51.952 Serious Damage...(e)...very deep; or scars which are very 

rough or very dark and aggregate more than one inch in diameter. 

(f)...dark, rough or deep and aggregate more than 5 percent of the 

fruit surface. (g)...fairly light in color, slightly rough or of slight 

depth and aggregate more than 15 percent of the fruit surface. 

(h)...light colored, fairly smooth, with no depth and aggregate more 

than 25 percent of the fruit surface. 

§51.955 Very Serious Damage...(d)...very dark, very rough, or very 

deep and aggregate more than 10 percent of the fruit surface. 

(e)...dark, rough or deep and aggregate more than 25 percent of the 

fruit surface. 

Shape (Q) 

The normal shape for a variety must be considered when determining the correct 

term(s) to use when describing shape. Fruit of a specific shape may be well formed for 

one variety and less than well formed for another. 

The U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades require well formed fruit. The U.S. No. 2 

grade requires fairly well formed fruit. Fruit not meeting these requirements is scored 

against the total grade tolerance at shipping point and the permanent defects tolerance 

at market. The U.S. No. 3 grade allows misshapen fruit. Refer to the official models 

designated S-1 through S-8 for examples of shape. 

§51.940 “Well formed” means that the fruit shows the normal shape 

characteristic of the variety. 
41 

§51.950 “Fairly well formed” means that the fruit is not materially 

flattened, materially pointed, extremely elongated, or otherwise 

decidedly deformed. 

§51.954 “Misshapen” means that the fruit is materially flattened, 

materially pointed, extremely elongated or otherwise decidedly 

deformed. 

Similar Varietal Characteristics (Q)

The Inspection Service does not certify variety. When variety is in question, the 

inspector shall inform interested parties that only the “type” may be certified. When 

type is a factor in a lot of grapefruit, only consider distinctly different external colors or 

shapes as defects. This defect shall be reported as “dissimilar varieties” and scored as 

a quality factor. At shipping point, score against the total tolerance for the grade. At 

market, score against the tolerance for permanent defects. Do not confuse this defect 

with fruit that does not meet shape or color requirements. Please refer to corresponding 

sections for further descriptions. 

Mixing different types in the same container is prohibited unless they are 

separated by dividers within the package or segregated into rows or layers within the 

package. If product is segregated, an inspection may be requested for one or more of 

the products in the package. Each individual product shall be inspected separately and 

the results reported as separate lots. These lots are known as “gift packs.” 

If the product is not segregated, inspectors must determine the “characteristic” 

color or shape for the lot. Fruit that is not “characteristic” for the lot shall be scored as a 

defect and reported as “dissimilar varieties.” 

§51.937 “Similar varietal characteristics” means that the fruits in any 

container are similar in color and type. 

Skin Breakdown (C) 

This defect category represents several factors that result in a similar-looking 

effect. Fruit can be affected by drying, darkening, or sinking of the oil cells near the 

stem end or other portions of the fruit. Stem end breakdown is a physiological condition 

caused by a loss of fruit moisture. Pitting is a physiological breakdown of the rind on 

the fruit shoulder. This contrasts with breakdown associated with aging, which occurs 

at the stem end. Storage pitting is another type of skin injury affecting citrus. When 

these or other similar-appearing injuries occur, they shall be described on the notesheet 

and certificate as “skin breakdown.” Refer to the official color photographs designated 

C-1, CIT-(FLA&TX) 2-IDENT-A, B and CIT-(FLA&TX) 3-IDENT-A, B for examples of 

skin breakdown. 
42 

§51.943 Injury...(k)...when exceeding that of a circle 1/4 inch in 

diameter. 

§51.947 Damage...(l)...when exceeding that of a circle 3/8 inch in 

diameter. 

§51.952 Serious Damage...(l)...when exceeding that of a circle 5/8 

inch in diameter. 

§51.955 Very Serious Damage...(i)...when exceeding that of a circle 

1-1/4 inches in diameter. 

Sooty Mold (Q) 

Sooty Mold is caused by a fungus that adheres to excretions of the white fly and 

other insects. It may occur as light deposits scattered over the fruit surface or as 

heavily concentrated areas at the stem end. The mold can be easily scraped off with a 

fingernail or knife. Normal washing procedures do not entirely remove fungus deposits. 

Refer to the official color photograph designated CIT-(CA&AZ, FLA&TX)-CP-1 for 

scoring guidelines on Grapefruit affected by Sooty Mold. 

Injury - More than slightly affecting the appearance of the fruit. 

Damage - Aggregating more than a circle 3/4 inch in diameter. 

Serious damage - Aggregating more than a circle 1-3/8 inches in diameter. 

Very serious damage - Aggregating more than 25 percent of the surface. 

Sprouted Seeds (C) 

During the latter part of the season, grapefruit should be cut to check for 

sprouted seeds. Seeds generally do not exhibit sprouting before the early part of 

March. 

When cutting to detect sprouting, use the following procedures: 

1. Cut a slice, approximately 1 inch in width, from both the stem and blossom 

ends. Disregard these slices. 

2. In the remaining portion, make one cut through the rind only, perpendicular to 

the stem and blossom ends. 

3. Place fingers in the slice where the last cut was made and carefully spread 

the fruit open to expose sections and/or seeds. 

4. Carefully remove the sprouted seed(s), noting if any extend to the rind. 

Measure the sprout where it exits the seed to its longest point. If there are 

two sprouts from the same seed, measure the longest sprout. 
43 

When determining the percentage of sprouted seeds, follow the sampling plans 

for internal defects in the Sampling to Determine Internal Defects section. 

Damage - When more than a total of 6 sprouts, with more than 1 

extending to the rind, and the remaining sprouts averaging over 1/4 inch in 

length. 

Serious damage - When more than a total of 6 sprouts, with more than 2 

extending to the rind, and the remaining sprouts averaging over 1/2 inch in 

length. 

Very serious damage - When more than a total of 6 sprouts, with more 

than 3 extending to the rind, and the remaining sprouts averaging over 3/4 

inch in length. 

Stem Buttons and Attached Stems and/or Leaves 

Stem buttons and attached stems and/or leaves are not defects and should not 

be mentioned on the certificate unless specifically requested by the applicant. Upon 

request, the inspector may determine the percentage of fruit with stem buttons 

attached/missing or with attached/missing stems and/or leaves. Report the findings in 

percentages or general terms in the “DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTS” on the FV-184 

or in the “OTHER” section of the FV-300. Reference the applicant’s request of these 

factors under “REMARKS.” 

Sunburn (Q) 

This defect appears as a toughened area of the rind caused by exposure to 

intense sunlight. The area will usually have a bleached appearance or a deep yellow 

color and definite flattening of the fruit surface in that area. The yellow surface may 

have a brown or gray center where surface cells have died. Flesh under the affected 

area will be dried out, containing little or no juice. 

Certain varieties may have a small amount of externally-visible sunburn but can 

exhibit a great deal more when cut. 

§51.943 Injury...(j)...which appreciably changes the normal color or 

shape of the fruit, or which affects more than 10 percent of the fruit 

surface. 

§51.947 Damage...(k)...which causes appreciable flattening of the 

fruit, drying or darkening of the skin, or affects more than 25 percent 

of the fruit surface. 

§51.952 Serious Damage...(k)...which causes decided flattening of 

the fruit, drying or dark discoloration of the skin, or which affects 

more than one-third of the fruit surface. 
44 

§51.955 Very Serious Damage...(h)...which seriously affects more 

than one-third of the fruit surface. 

If specimens are not scorable based on the amount of external surface affected 

by sunburn, fruit may be scored when the amount of internal dryness materially, 

seriously or very seriously detracts from the appearance, edible or marketing quality of 

the fruit. To accurately determine the extent of dryness caused by sunburn, follow the 

procedures outlined in the section Cutting for Dryness or Mushy Condition. 

Texture (Q) 

“Texture” refers to smoothness or roughness of the skin. This factor will vary 

considerably with the size and variety of fruit. Larger sizes are normally rougher than 

smaller sizes of the same variety. When reporting texture, the size and variety must be 

considered when determining the proper descriptive term. 

In most cases, the texture and thickness of the skin are relative to each other, 

(e.g., fairly thin-skinned fruit is fairly smooth in texture and slightly thick skin is slightly 

rough in texture). Since the California/Arizona standard contains separate texture and 

thickness of skin requirements (unlike Florida and Texas grapefruit), report each factor 

separately. 

The U.S. Fancy grade requires fruit to have smooth texture for the variety and be 

fairly thin skinned. The U.S. No. 1 grade requires fruit to have fairly smooth texture and 

not be excessively thick skinned. The U.S. No. 2 grade requires fruit to have not more 

than slightly rough texture with no skin thickness requirements. Fruit not meeting these 

requirements are scored against the total grade tolerance at shipping point and the 

permanent defects tolerance at market. The U.S. No. 3 grade allows fruit with rough 

texture. Refer to the official models designated T-1 and T-2 for examples of texture. 

§51.941 “Smooth texture” means that the skin is of fairly fine grain, 

the “pebbling” is not pronounced, and any furrows radiating from 

the stem end are short and shallow. 

§51.945 “Fairly smooth texture” means that the skin does not feel 

noticeably rough or coarse. The size of the fruit should be 

considered in judging the texture, as large fruit is not usually as 

smooth as the small. It is common for the fruit to show larger and 

coarser “pebbling” on the stem end portion than on the blossom 

end. Slight furrows or grooves which may be present on the stem 

end portion of the fruit shall not be considered as slightly rough 

unless they are of sufficient depth, length, and number to materially 

affect the appearance and smoothness of the grapefruit. 

§51.951 “Decidedly rough” means that the skin is materially rough, 

materially lumpy, decidedly folded, or decidedly ridged. 
45 

If thick-skinned fruit are suspected, make a cut in the center of the fruit, 

perpendicular from stem to blossom end. Measure rind thickness from the point where 

the flesh meets the albedo to the edge of the rind. Measure the thickest and thinnest 

portions, add these measurements together, and divide by two to obtain an “average” 

measurement. If the average is more than 1/2 inch, it fails to meet the requirement of 

“fairly thin skinned” and shall be reported as “not fairly thin skinned.” If the average is 

more than 5/8 inch, it also fails to meet fairly thin skinned and shall be reported as 

“excessively thick.” One poorly developed segment per fruit is allowed. Do not use a 

poorly developed segment when determining average measurement. Use Sample 

Plan B when sampling for this factor. 

Fruit not meeting skin-thickness requirements for the U.S. Fancy or U.S. No. 1 

grades shall be reported as “not fairly thin skinned” or “excessively thick skinned” based 

on the facts. The U.S. No. 2 and U.S. No. 3 grades do not have a skin-thickness 

requirement. 

§51.942 “Fairly thin skinned” means that the skin thickness does not 

average more than 1/2 of an inch, on a central cross section, on a 

grapefruit 4-1/8 inches in diameter. 
46 

§51.946 “Excessively thick skinned” means that the skin thickness 

averages more than 5/8 of an inch, on a central cross section, on a 

grapefruit 4-1/8 inches in diameter. 

Decay (C) 

Decay is a “free from” defect and any amount is scorable. The most common 

types affecting citrus include Green Mold Rot, Blue Mold Rot, Brown Rot, Sour Rot and 

Stem End Rot. 

At shipping point, do not mention the type of decay or severity (stages). At 

market, the type of decay is not required on the certificate, but a description of the 

decay stages must be reported (i.e., early, moderate, or advanced stages).
47 

APPENDIX I - U.S. GRADE STANDARDS 

United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (California and Arizona)1

Effective December 27, 1999

Grades 

51.1085 U.S. Fancy. 

51.1086 U.S. No. 1. 

51.1087 U.S. Combination. 

51.1088 U.S. No. 2. 

51.1089 [Reserved]. 

Tolerances 

51.1090 Tolerances. 

51.1091 U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, and U.S. No. 2 grades. 

51.1092 U.S. Combination grade. 

Application of Tolerances 

51.1093 Application of tolerances. 

Standard Pack 

51.1094 Standard pack. 

Standard Sizing and Fill 

51.1095 Standard sizing and fill. 

Standards for Export 

51.1096 Standards for export. 

Definitions 

51.1097 Similar varietal characteristics. 

51.1098 Well colored. 

51.1099 Firm. 

51.1100 Well formed. 

51.1101 Smooth texture. 

51.1102 Injury. 

51.1103 Fairly smooth texture. 

51.1104 Damage. 

51.1105 Fairly well colored. 

51.1106 Fairly firm. 

51.1107 Fairly well formed. 

51.1108 Slightly rough texture. 

51.1109 Serious damage. 

Grades 

§51.1085 U.S. Fancy. 

“U.S. Fancy” consists of oranges of similar varietal characteristics which are mature, well colored, firm, 

 well formed, of smooth texture, and which are free from decay, broken skins which are not healed, hard or 

dry skins, exanthema, growth cracks, dryness or mushy condition, and free from injury caused by bruises, 

split, rough, wide or protruding navels, creasing, scars, oil spots, scale, skin breakdown, sunburn, dirt or 

other foreign material disease, insects or mechanical or other means. (See §51.1091.) 

§51.1086 U.S. No. 1. 

“U.S. No. 1” consists of oranges of similar varietal characteristics which are mature, firm, well formed, of 

fairly smooth texture, and which are free from decay, broken skins which are not healed, hard or dry skins, 

 

1

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. 
48 

exanthema, growth cracks, and free from damage caused by bruises, dryness or mushy condition, split, 

rough, wide or protruding navels, creasing, scars, oil spots, scale, skin breakdown, sunburn, dirt or other 

foreign material, disease, insects or mechanical or other means. Each fruit shall be well colored except 

Valencia oranges which shall be at least fairly well colored: Provided, That navel oranges in any lot which 

is destined for export and which is certified as meeting the standards for export need be only fairly well 

colored. (See §51.1091.) 

§51.1087 U.S. Combination. 

“U.S. Combination” consists of a combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2 oranges: Provided, That at 

least 40 percent, by count, of the oranges in each lot shall meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 1 grade. 

(See §51.1092.) 

§51.1088 U.S. No. 2. 

“U.S. No. 2” consists of oranges of similar varietal characteristics which are mature, fairly well colored, 

fairly firm, fairly well formed, which may be of slightly rough texture, and which are free from decay, broken 

skins which are not healed, hard or dry skins, exanthema, growth cracks, and free from serious damage 

caused by bruises, dryness or mushy condition, split or protruding navels, creasing, scars, oil spots, scale, 

skin breakdown, sunburn, dirt or other foreign material, disease, insects or mechanical or other means. 

(See §51.1091.) 

§51.1089 [Reserved]. 

Tolerances 

§51.1090 Tolerances. 

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling in each of the foregoing grades, the 

tolerances, by count, based on a minimum 25 count sample, set forth in the U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. 

No. 2, and U.S. Combination grades are provided as specified. 

§51.1091 U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1 grades.

For defects at shipping point. Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in any lot may fail to 

meet the requirements relating to color. In addition, not more than 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in 

any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of the specified grade, included in this amount not 

more than 5 percent shall be allowed for defects causing serious damage, included in this latter amount 

not more than 1 percent for decay. 

For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in any lot 

may fail to meet the requirements relating to color. In addition, not more than 12 percent, by count, of the 

oranges in any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of the specified grade: Provided, That 

included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed: 10 

percent for fruit having permanent defects; or 7 percent for defects causing serious damage, including 

therein not more than 5 percent for serious damage by permanent defects and not more than 3 percent 

for decay. 

§51.1091 U.S. No. 2 grade.

For defects at shipping point. Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in any lot may fail to 

meet the requirements relating to color. In addition, not more than 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in 

any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of the specified grade, included in this amount not 

more than 1 percent for decay. 

For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in any lot 

may fail to meet the requirements relating to color. In addition, not more than 12 percent, by count, of the 

oranges in any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of the specified grade: Provided, That 

included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed: 10 

percent for fruit having permanent defects; or not more than 3 percent for decay. 

§51.1092 U.S. Combination grade.

For defects at shipping point. Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in any lot may fail to 

meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade relating to color. In addition, not more than 10 percent, by 

count, of the oranges in any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade, 

included in this amount not more than 1 percent for decay. 

For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in any lot 

may fail to meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade relating to color. In addition, not more than 12 

percent, by count, of the oranges in any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of the U.S. No. 2 

grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed 

for defects listed: 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or not more than 3 percent for decay. 
49 

(a) For defects at shipping point and en route or at destination. No part of any tolerance shall be 

allowed to reduce for the lot as a whole, the 40 percent of U.S. No. 1 oranges required in the U.S. 

Combination grade, but individual samples may have not less than 30 percent of U.S. No. 1 required: 

Provided, That the entire lot averages within the percentage required. 

Application of Tolerances 

§51.1093 Application of tolerances.

(a) Individual samples, based on a minimum 25 count, are subject to the following limitations, unless 

otherwise specified. Individual samples shall have not more than one and one-half times a specified 

tolerance of 10 percent or more, and not more than double a specified tolerance of less than 10 percent: 

Provided, That at least one decayed fruit may be permitted in any sample: And provided further, that 

the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade. 

Standard Pack 

§51.1094 Standard pack. 

(a) Oranges shall be fairly uniform in size and shall be packed in boxes or cartons and arranged according 

to the approved and recognized methods. 

(b) All such containers shall be tightly packed and well filled but the contents shall not show excessive or 

unnecessary bruising because of overfilled containers. When oranges are packed in cartons or in wirebound boxes, each container shall be at least level full at time of packing. 

(c) “Fairly uniform in size” means that when oranges are packed for 113 carton count or smaller size, or 

equivalent sizes when packed in other containers, not more than 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in 

any sample may vary more than five-sixteenths inch in diameter; when packed for sizes larger than 113 

carton count or equivalent sizes packed in other containers, not more than 10 percent, by count, of the 

oranges in any sample may vary more than seven-sixteenths inch in diameter. 

(1) “Diameter” means the greatest dimension measured at right angles to a line from stem to blossom end 

of the fruit. 

(d) In order to allow for variations incident to proper packing, not more than 5 percent of the samples in 

any lot may fail to meet the requirements for standard pack. 

Standard Sizing and Fill 

§51.1095 Standard sizing and fill.

(a) Boxes or cartons in which oranges are not packed according to a definite pattern do not meet the 

requirements of standard pack, but may be certified as meeting the requirements of standard sizing and 

fill: Provided, That the oranges in the samples are fairly uniform in size as defined in the standard pack 

section: And provided further, That the contents have been properly shaken down and the container is 

at least level full at time of packing. 

(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper packing, not more than 5 percent of the samples in 

any lot may fail to meet the requirements of standard sizing and fill. 

Standards for Export

§51.1096 Standards for export.

(a) Not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of the oranges in any sample may be soft, affected by 

decay, have broken skins which are not healed, growth cracks, or be damaged by creasing or skin 

breakdown, or seriously damaged by split or protruding navels, or by dryness or mushy condition, except 

that: 

(1) Not more than one-half of 1 percent shall be allowed for oranges affected by decay; 

(2) Not more than 3 percent shall have broken skins which are not healed; 

(3) Not more than 3 percent shall have growth cracks; 

(4) Not more than 5 percent shall be soft; 

(5) Not more than 5 percent shall be damaged by creasing; 

(6) Not more than 5 percent shall be seriously damaged by split or protruding navels; 

(7) Not more than 5 percent shall be seriously damaged by dryness or mushy condition; and, 

(8) Not more than 5 percent shall be damaged by skin breakdown. 

(b) Any lot of oranges shall be considered as meeting the standards for export if the entire lot averages 

within the requirements specified: Provided, That no sample from the containers in any lot shall have 

more than double the percentage specified for any one defect, and that not more than a total of 10 

percent, by count, of the oranges in any sample has any of the defects enumerated in the standards for 

export. 
50 

Definitions 

§51.1097 Similar varietal characteristics. 

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the oranges in any container are similar in color and type. 

§51.1098 Well colored.

“Well colored” means that the fruit is at least light orange in color, with not more than a trace of green at 

the stem end, and not more than 15 percent of the remainder of the surface of the fruit shows green color. 

§51.1099 Firm.

“Firm” means that the fruit does not yield more than slightly to moderate pressure. 

§51.1100 Well formed.

“Well formed” means that the fruit shows the normal shape characteristic of the variety. 

§51.1101 Smooth texture.

“Smooth texture” means that the skin is of fairly fine grain for the variety, the “pebbling'' is not pronounced, 

and any furrows radiating from the stem end are shallow. 

§51.1102 Injury.

“Injury” means any defect which more than slightly affects the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality 

of the fruit. 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 injury: 

(a) Split, rough, wide or protruding navels when a split is unhealed or is more than one-eighth inch in 

length; or when the navel protrudes beyond the general contour of the fruit; or when flush with the contour 

but with the opening so wide, considering the size of the fruit, or the navel growth so folded and ridged that 

it detracts noticeably from the appearance of the fruit; 

(b) Slight creasing which is more than barely visible, or which extends over more than 20 percent of the 

fruit surface; 

(c) Scars (including sprayburn and fumigation injury) which exceed the following aggregate areas of 

different types of scars, or a combination of two or more types of scars the seriousness of which exceeds 

the maximum allowed for any one type: 

(1) Scars which are very dark and which have an aggregate area exceeding that of a circle one-eighth 

inch in diameter; 

(2) Scars which are dark, rough or deep and which have an aggregate area exceeding that of a circle onefourth inch in diameter; 

(3) Scars which are fairly light in color, slightly rough, or with slight depth and which have an aggregate 

area exceeding that of a circle one-half inch in diameter; and, 

(4) Scars which are light in color, fairly smooth, with no depth and which have an aggregate area of more 

than 5 percent of the fruit surface; 

(d) Oil spots (oleocellosis or similar injuries) which are depressed or soft, or which have an aggregate 

area of more than 2-1/2 percent of the fruit surface, or which are green and more than 4 in number; 

(e) Scale when medium or large and more than 5 are present; and, 

(f) Sunburn which appreciably changes the normal color or shape of the fruit, or which affects more than 

10 percent of the fruit surface. 

(g) Skin breakdown when exceeding that of a circle 1/8 inch in diameter. 

(h) Bruising when segment walls are collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are ruptured. 

§51.1103 Fairly smooth texture.

“Fairly smooth texture” means that the skin does not feel noticeably rough or coarse for the variety. The 

size of the fruit should be considered in judging texture, as large fruit is not usually as smooth as smaller 

fruit. It is common for the fruit to show larger and coarser “pebbling'' on the stem end portion than on the 

blossom end. The presence of furrows or grooves on the stem end portion of the fruit is a common 

condition in certain varieties, and the fruit shall not be considered as slightly rough unless the furrows or 

grooves are of sufficient depth, length, and number as to materially affect the appearance and 

smoothness of the orange. 

§51.1104 Damage.

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

the fruit. 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) Dryness or mushy condition when affecting all segments more than one-fourth inch at the stem end, or 

the equivalent of this amount, by volume, when occurring in other portions of the fruit; 
51 

(b) Split, rough, wide or protruding navels when there are more than three splits, or when any split is 

unhealed or is more than one-fourth inch in length; or navels which flare, bulge, or protrude materially 

beyond the general contour of the fruit; or when the navel opening is so wide, considering the size of the 

fruit, or the navel growth so folded and ridged that it detracts materially from the appearance of the fruit; 

(c) Creasing which materially weakens the skin, or which extends over more than one-third of the fruit 

surface; 

(d) Scars (including sprayburn and fumigation injury) which exceed the following aggregate areas of 

different types of scars, or a combination of two or more types of scars the seriousness of which exceeds 

the maximum allowed for any one type: 

(1) Scars which are very dark, with slight depth, and which have an aggregate area exceeding that of a 

circle one-fourth inch in diameter; 

(2) Scars which are very dark, with no depth, and which have an aggregate area exceeding that of a circle 

one-half inch in diameter; 

(3) Scars which are dark, and rough or deep, and which have an aggregate area exceeding that of a circle 

one-half inch in diameter; 

(4) Scars which are dark, and slightly rough or with slight depth, and which have an aggregate area 

exceeding that of a circle three-fourths inch in diameter; 

(5) Scars which are fairly light in color, slightly rough or with slight depth, and which have an aggregate 

area of more than 5 percent of the fruit surface; and, 

(6) Scars which are light in color, fairly smooth, with no depth, and which have an aggregate area of more 

than 10 percent of the fruit surface; 

(e) Oil spots (oleocellosis or similar injuries) which are depressed or soft, or which have an aggregate 

area of more than 5 percent of the fruit surface, or which are green and more than 7 in number; 

(f) Scale when medium or large and more than 7 are present, or when medium or large scale, outside the 

stem button area, aggregate more than a circle 5/8 inch in diameter. 

(g) Sunburn which causes appreciable flattening of the fruit, drying or darkening of the skin, or affects 

more than 25 percent of the fruit surface. 

(h) Skin breakdown when exceeding that of a circle 1/4 inch in diameter. 

(i) Bruising when segment walls are collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are ruptured. 

§51.1105 Fairly well colored.

“Fairly well colored” means that the yellow or orange color predominates on the fruit. 

§51.1106 Fairly firm.

“Fairly firm” means that the fruit may yield to moderate pressure but is not soft. 

§51.1107 Fairly well formed.

“Fairly well formed” means that the fruit is not of the shape characteristic of the variety but is not decidedly 

flattened, pointed, extremely elongated, or otherwise badly deformed. 

§51.1108 Slightly rough texture.

“Slightly rough texture” means that the skin is not decidedly rough, badly folded, badly ridged, or decidedly 

lumpy. Heavily “pebbled'' skin shall be considered as slightly rough. 

§51.1109 Serious damage.

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

quality of the fruit. 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 serious damage: 

(a) Dryness or mushy condition when affecting all segments more than one-half inch at the stem end, or 

the equivalent of this amount, by volume, when occurring in other portions of the fruit; 

(b) Split or protruding navels when any split is unhealed or is more than one-half inch in length, or when 

two or more splits aggregate more than 1 inch in length; or navels which protrude seriously beyond the 

general contour of the fruit; or when the navel opening is so wide, considering the size of the fruit, or the 

navel growth so badly folded and ridged that it detracts seriously from the appearance of the fruit; 

(c) Creasing which seriously weakens the skin, or which is distributed over practically the entire fruit 

surface; 

(d) Scars (including sprayburn and fumigation injury) which exceed the following aggregate areas of 

different types of scars, or a combination of two or more types of scars the seriousness of which exceeds 

the maximum allowed for any one type: 

(1) Scars which are very dark, very rough or very deep, and which have an aggregate area of more than 5 

percent of the fruit surface; 
52 

(2) Scars which are dark, rough or deep, and which have an aggregate area of more than 10 percent of 

the fruit surface; 

(3) Scars which are fairly light in color, slightly rough or of slight depth, and which have an aggregate area 

of more than 15 percent of the fruit surface; and, 

(4) Scars which are light in color, fairly smooth, with no depth, and which have an aggregate area of more 

than 25 percent of the fruit surface; 

(e) Oil spots (oleocellosis or similar injuries) which are depressed or soft, or which have an aggregate 

area of more than 10 percent of the fruit surface; 

(f) Scale when medium or large and when aggregating more than a circle 3/4 inch in diameter. 

(g) Sunburn which causes decided flattening of the fruit, drying or dark discoloration of the skin, or which 

affects more than one-third of the fruit surface. 

(h) Skin breakdown when exceeding that of a circle 5/8 inch in diameter. 

(i) Bruising when fruit has been split open, peel is badly watersoaked following bruising or albedo and juice 

sacs are ruptured causing a mushy condition affecting all segments more than 3/4 inch at bruised area or 

the equivalent of this amount, by volume, when affecting more than one area on the fruit. 

Note: All references in this standard to area, aggregating area, or length are based on an orange 2-7/8 

inches in diameter, allowing proportionately greater areas on larger fruit and lesser areas on smaller fruit. 
53 

United States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit (California and Arizona)1

Effective December 27, 1999

Grades 

51.925 U.S. Fancy. 

51.926 U.S. No. 1. 

51.927 U.S. No. 2. 

51.928 U.S. Combination grade. 

51.929 U.S. No. 3. 

51.930 [Reserved].

Tolerances

51.931 Tolerances. 

51.932 U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2 and U.S. No. 3 grades. 

51.933 U.S. Combination grade. 

Application of Tolerances

51.934 Application of tolerances to individual packages. 

Standard Pack

51.935 Standard pack. 

Standards for Export

51.936 Standards for export. 

Definitions

51.937 Similar varietal characteristics. 

51.938 Well colored. 

51.939 Firm. 

51.940 Well formed. 

51.941 Smooth texture. 

51.942 Fairly thin skinned. 

51.943 Injury. 

51.944 Fairly well colored. 

51.945 Fairly smooth. 

51.946 Excessively thick skinned. 

51.947 Damage. 

51.948 Slightly colored. 

51.949 Fairly firm. 

51.950 Fairly well formed. 

51.951 Decidedly rough. 

51.952 Serious damage. 

51.953 Slightly spongy. 

51.954 Misshapen. 

51.955 Very serious damage. 

Grades 

§51.925 U.S. Fancy.

U.S. Fancy shall consist of grapefruit of similar varietal characteristics which are mature, well colored, 

firm, well formed, of smooth texture for the variety, and fairly thin skinned; free from decay, broken skins 

which are not healed, hard or dry skins, dryness or mushy condition, and, free from injury caused by 

bruises, sprayburn, fumigation, exanthema, scars, green spots, scale, sunburn, oil spots, skin breakdown, 

sprouting, dirt or other foreign materials, disease, insects or mechanical or other means. (See §51.932.) 

§51.926 U.S. No. 1.

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

firm, well formed, of fairly smooth texture for the variety, and not excessively thick skinned; free from 

 

1

Packing of the product in conformity with the requirements 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. 
54 

decay, broken skins which are not healed, hard or dry skins, and free from damage caused by bruises, 

dryness or mushy condition, sprayburn, fumigation, exanthema, scars, green spots, scale, sunburn, oil 

spots, skin breakdown, sprouting, dirt or other foreign materials, disease, insects or mechanical or other 

means. (See §51.932.) 

§51.927 U.S. No. 2.

U.S. No. 2 shall consist of grapefruit of similar varietal characteristics which are mature, slightly colored, 

fairly firm, fairly well formed, and not decidedly rough; free from decay, broken skins which are not healed, 

hard or dry skins, and from serious damage caused by bruises, dryness or mushy condition, sprayburn, 

fumigation, exanthema, scars, green spots, scale, sunburn, oil spots, skin breakdown, sprouting, dirt or 

other foreign materials, disease, insects or mechanical or other means. (See §51.932.) 

§51.928 U.S. Combination grade.

U.S. Combination grade shall consist of a combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2 grapefruit: Provided, 

That at least 40 percent, by count, of the grapefruit in each lot shall meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 

1 grade. (See §51.933.) 

§51.929 U.S. No. 3. 

U.S. No. 3 shall consist of grapefruit of similar varietal characteristics which are mature, slightly colored, 

which may be slightly spongy, misshapen, and rough but not seriously lumpy; which are free from decay, 

broken skins which are not healed, hard or dry skins, and free from very serious damage caused by 

bruises, dryness or mushy condition, sprayburn, fumigation, exanthema, scars, green spots, scale, 

sunburn, oil spots, skin breakdown, sprouting, dirt or other foreign materials, disease, insects or 

mechanical or other means. (See §51.932.) 

§51.930 [Reserved]. 

Tolerances 

§51.931 Tolerances. 

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling in each of the foregoing grades, the 

tolerances, by count, based on a minimum 25 count sample, set forth in the U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. 

No. 2, U.S. No. 3 and U.S. Combination grades are provided as specified. 

§51.932 U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2 grades. 

For defects at shipping point. Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the grapefruit in any lot may fail to 

meet the requirements relating to color. In addition, not more than 10 percent, by count, of the grapefruit 

in any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of the specified grade, included in this amount not 

more than 5 percent shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, included in this latter 

amount not more than 1 percent for decay. 

U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, and U.S. No. 2 grades. For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 

10 percent, by count, of the grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements relating to color. In 

addition, not more than 12 percent, by count, of the grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the remaining 

requirements of the specified grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following 

percentages shall be allowed for defects listed: 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or 7 

percent for defects causing very serious damage, including therein not more than 5 percent for very 

serious damage by permanent defects and not more than 3 percent for decay. 

U.S. No. 3 grade. For defects at shipping point. Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the grapefruit 

in any lot may fail to meet the requirements relating to color. In addition, not more than 10 percent, by 

count, of the grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of the specified grade, 

included in this amount not more than 1 percent for decay. 

U.S. No. 3 grade. For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the 

grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements relating to color. In addition, not more than 12 

percent, by count, of the grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the remaining requirements of the specified 

grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed 

for defects listed: 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or not more than 3 percent for decay.

§51.933 U.S. Combination grade. 

U.S. Combination grade. For defects at shipping point. Not more than 10 percent, by count, of the 

grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade relating to color. In addition, 

not more than 10 percent, by count, of the grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the remaining 

requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade, included in this amount not more than 5 percent for very serious 

damage, included in this latter amount not more than 1 percent for decay. 
55 

U.S. Combination grade. For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 10 percent, by count, 

of the grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade relating to color. In 

addition, not more than 12 percent, by count, of the grapefruit in any lot may fail to meet the remaining 

requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following 

percentages shall be allowed for defects listed: 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or 7 

percent for defects causing very serious damage, including therein not more than 5 percent for very 

serious damage by permanent defects and not more than 3 percent for decay. 

U.S. Combination grade. For defects at shipping point and en route or at destination. No part of 

any tolerance shall be allowed to reduce for the lot as a whole, the 40 percent of U.S. No. 1 grapefruit 

required in the U.S. Combination grade, but individual samples may have not less than 30 percent less of 

U.S. No. 1 required: Provided, That the entire lot averages within the percentage specified. 

Application of Tolerances

§51.934 Application of tolerances. 

Individual samples, based on a minimum 25 count, are subject to the following limitations, unless 

otherwise specified. Individual samples shall have not more than one and one-half times a specified 

tolerance of 10 percent or more, and not more than double a specified tolerance of less than 10 percent: 

Provided, That at least one decayed fruit may be permitted in any sample: And provided further, that 

the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade. 

Standard Pack 

§51.935 Standard pack. 

(a) Grapefruit shall be fairly uniform in size, and, when packed in boxes, shall be arranged according to 

the approved and recognized methods. 

(b) All packages shall be tightly packed and well filled but the contents shall not show excessive or 

unnecessary bruising because of overfilled packages. 

(c) “Fairly uniform in size” means that not more than 5 percent, by count, of the fruit in any sample may be 

more than one standard size larger or smaller than the standard size for the count packed. 

(d) Example of standard size grapefruit: The standard size grapefruit for a 64 count is that size grapefruit 

which will pack tightly 64 grapefruit of uniform size when packed according to the approved and 

recognized method. 

(e) In order to allow for variations, incident to proper packing, not more than 5 percent of the samples in 

any lot may fail to meet the requirements of standard pack. 

Standards for Export 

§51.936 Standards for export. 

(a) Not more than a total of 10 percent, by count, of the grapefruit in any sample may be soft, affected by 

decay, damaged by skin breakdown, have broken skins which are not healed, or be seriously damaged by 

dryness or mushy condition, except that: 

(1) Not more than one-half of 1 percent shall be allowed for grapefruit affected by decay. 

(2) Not more than 3 percent shall have broken skins which are not healed. 

(3) Not more than 5 percent shall be soft. 

(4) Not more than 5 percent shall be seriously damaged by dryness or mushy condition. 

(5) Not more than 5 percent shall be damaged by skin breakdown. 

(b) Any lot of grapefruit shall be considered as meeting the standards for export if the entire lot averages 

within the requirements specified: Provided, That no sample from the containers in any lot shall have 

more than double the percentage specified for any one defect, and that not more than a total of 10 

percent, by count, of the grapefruit in any sample has any of the defects enumerated in the standards for 

export. 

Definitions 

§51.937 Similar varietal characteristics. 

''Similar varietal characteristics'' means that the fruits in any container are similar in color and type. 

§51.938 Well colored. 

''Well colored'' means that the fruit is yellow in color, with not more than a trace of green. 

§51.939 Firm. 

''Firm'' means that the fruit is not soft or noticeably wilted or flabby. The skin may feel slightly springy or 

spongy. 

§51.940 Well formed. 

“Well formed” means that the fruit shows the normal shape characteristic of the variety. 
56 

§51.941 Smooth texture. 

“Smooth texture” means that the skin is of fairly fine grain, the “pebbling” is not pronounced, and any 

furrows radiating from the stem end are short and shallow. 

§51.942 Fairly thin skinned. 

“Fairly thin skinned” means that the skin thickness does not average more than 1/2 of an inch, on a central 

cross section, on a grapefruit 4-1/8 inches in diameter. 

§51.943 Injury. 

“Injury” means any defect which more than slightly affects the appearance, or edible or shipping quality of 

the fruit. 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 injury: 

(a) Sprayburn which changes the color to such an extent that the appearance of the fruit is noticeably 

injured, or which causes scarring that aggregates more than one-half inch in diameter. 

(b) Fumigation injury which noticeably detracts from the appearance of the fruit, or which occurs as small, 

thinly scattered spots over more than 10 percent of the fruit surface, or as solid or depressed scarring 

which aggregates more than one-half of an inch in diameter. 

(c) Exanthema which noticeably detracts from the appearance of the fruit, or which occurs as small, thinly 

scattered spots over more than 10 percent of the fruit surface, or as solid scarring which aggregates more 

than one-half of an inch in diameter. 

(d) Scars which are very rough or very deep; or scars which are very dark when more than one-fourth of 

an inch in diameter. 

(e) Scars which are dark, rough, or deep and aggregate more than one-half of an inch in diameter. 

(f) Scars which are fairly light in color, slightly rough, or of slight depth and aggregate more than 5 percent 

of the fruit surface. 

(g) Scars which are light colored, fairly smooth, with no depth and aggregate more than 10 percent of the 

fruit surface. 

(h) Green spots, oil spots (oleocellosis) or other similar injuries which are depressed or soft, or which have 

an aggregate area of more than 2-1/2 percent of the fruit surface, or which are green and more than 4 in 

number. 

(i) Scale, when more than 5 medium to large California red or purple scale are adjacent to the ''button'' at 

the stem end, or scattered over the fruit, or any scale which affects the appearance of the fruit to a greater 

extent. 

(j) Sunburn which appreciably changes the normal color or shape of the fruit, or affects more than 10 

percent of the fruit surface. 

(k) Skin breakdown when exceeding that of a circle 1/4 inch in diameter. 

(l) Bruising when segment walls are collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are ruptured. 

§51.944 Fairly well colored. 

''Fairly well colored'' means that yellow color predominates on the fruit and that the fruit is free from 

distinctly green streaks and distinctly green blotches. 

§51.945 Fairly smooth. 

“Fairly smooth texture” means that the skin does not feel noticeably rough or coarse. The size of the fruit 

should be considered in judging the texture, as large fruit is not usually as smooth as the small. It is 

common for the fruit to show larger and coarser “pebbling” on the stem end portion than on the blossom 

end. Slight furrows or grooves which may be present on the stem end portion of the fruit shall not be 

considered as slightly rough unless they are of sufficient depth, length, and number to materially affect the 

appearance and smoothness of the grapefruit. 

§51.946 Excessively thick skinned. 

“Excessively thick skinned” means that the skin thickness averages more than 5/8 of an inch, on a central 

cross section, on a grapefruit 4-1/8 inches in diameter. 

§51.947 Damage. 

“Damage” means any injury which materially affects the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of 

the fruit. 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) Dryness or mushy condition, when affecting all segments more than one-fourth of an inch at the stem 

end, or the equivalent of this amount by volume, when occurring in other portions of the fruit. 

(b) Sprayburn which changes the color to such an extent that the appearance of the fruit is materially 

injured, or which causes scarring that aggregates more than three-fourths of an inch in diameter. 
57 

(c) Fumigation injury which materially detracts from the appearance of the fruit, or which occurs as small, 

thinly scattered spots over more than 25 percent of the fruit surface, or as solid scarring or depressions 

which aggregate more than three-fourths of an inch in diameter. 

(d) Exanthema which materially detracts from the appearance of the fruit, or which occurs as small, thinly 

scattered spots over more than 25 percent of the fruit surface, or as solid scarring, that is not cracked, 

which aggregates more than three-fourths of an inch in diameter. 

(e) Scars which are very deep; or scars which are very rough or very dark and aggregate more than onehalf of an inch in diameter. 

(f) Scars which are dark, rough or deep and aggregate more than three-fourths of an inch in diameter. 

(g) Scars which are fairly light in color, slightly rough, or of slight depth and aggregate more than 10 

percent of the fruit surface. 

(h) Scars which are light colored, fairly smooth, with no depth and aggregate more than 15 percent of the 

fruit surface. 

(i) Green spots, oil spots (oleocellosis) or other similar injuries which are depressed or soft, or which have 

an aggregate area of more than 5 percent of the fruit surface, or which are green and more than 7 in 

number. 

(j) Scale, when more than 10 medium to large California red or purple scale are adjacent to the ''button'' at 

the stem end, or scattered over the fruit, or any scale which affects the appearance of the fruit to a greater 

extent. 

(k) Sunburn which causes appreciable flattening of the fruit, drying or darkening of the skin, or affects 

more than 25 percent of the fruit surface. 

(l) Skin breakdown when exceeding that of a circle 3/8 inch in diameter. 

(m) Bruising when segment walls are collapsed, or albedo and juice sacs are ruptured. 

§51.948 Slightly colored. 

''Slightly colored'' means that sufficient yellow color is distributed over the fruit surface and, when blended 

with the green color present, is equivalent to 25 percent of full yellow color characteristic of the variety. 

§51.949 Fairly firm. 

''Fairly firm'' means that the fruit may be slightly soft but is not decidedly flabby. The skin may be thick and 

slightly puffy. 

§51.950 Fairly well formed. 

''Fairly well formed'' means that the fruit is not materially flattened, materially pointed, extremely elongated, 

or otherwise decidedly deformed. 

§51.951 Decidedly rough. 

''Decidedly rough'' means that the skin is materially rough, materially lumpy, decidedly folded, or decidedly 

ridged. 

§51.952 Serious damage. 

''Serious damage'' means any injury which seriously affects the appearance, or the edible or shipping 

quality of the fruit. 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 serious damage: 

(a) Dryness or mushy condition, when affecting all segments more than one-half of an inch at the stem 

end, or the equivalent of this amount by volume, when occurring in other portions of the fruit. 

(b) Sprayburn which changes the color to such an extent that the appearance of the fruit is seriously 

injured, or which causes scarring that aggregates more than 10 percent of the fruit surface. 

(c) Fumigation injury which occurs as small, thinly scattered spots over more than one-half of the fruit 

surface, or solid scarring or depressions which aggregate more than 5 percent of the fruit surface. 

(d) Exanthema which occurs as small, thinly scattered spots over more than one-half of the fruit surface, 

or solid scarring that is not cracked, which aggregates more than 5 percent of the fruit surface. 

(e) Scars which are very deep; or scars which are very rough or very dark and aggregate more than one 

inch in diameter. 

(f) Scars which are dark, rough or deep and aggregate more than 5 percent of the fruit surface. 

(g) Scars which are fairly light in color, slightly rough or of slight depth and aggregate more than 15 

percent of the fruit surface. 

(h) Scars which are light colored, fairly smooth, with no depth and aggregate more than 25 percent of the 

fruit surface. 

(i) Green spots, oil spots (oleocellosis) or other similar injuries which are soft, or which have an aggregate 

area of more than 10 percent of the fruit surface. 
58 

(j) Scale, when California red or purple scale is concentrated as a ring or blotch, or which is more than 

thinly scattered over the fruit surface, or any scale which affects the appearance of the fruit to a greater 

extent. 

(k) Sunburn which causes decided flattening of the fruit, drying or dark discoloration of the skin, or which 

affects more than one-third of the fruit surface. 

(l) Skin breakdown when exceeding that of a circle 5/8 inch in diameter. 

(m) Bruising when segment walls are collapsed, or albedo is ruptured and juice sacs are ruptured. 

§51.953 Slightly spongy. 

''Slightly spongy'' means that the fruit is puffy or slightly wilted but not decidedly flabby. 

§51.954 Misshapen. 

''Misshapen'' means that the fruit is materially flattened, materially pointed, extremely elongated or 

otherwise decidedly deformed. 

§51.955 Very serious damage. 

''Very serious damage'' means any injury which very seriously affects the appearance, or the edible or 

shipping quality of the fruit. 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 very 

serious damage: 

(a) Sprayburn which seriously affects more than 25 percent of the fruit surface. 

(b) Fumigation injury which causes deep, rough, or dark scarring which aggregates more than 25 percent 

of the fruit surface. 

(c) Exanthema which aggregates more than 10 percent of the fruit surface, or causes serious cracks. 

(d) Scars which are very dark, very rough, or very deep and aggregate more than 10 percent of the fruit 

surface. 

(e) Scars which are dark, rough or deep and aggregate more than 25 percent of the fruit surface. 

(f) Green spots, oil spots (oleocellosis) or other similar injuries which are badly sunken or soft, or which 

have an aggregate area of more than 25 percent of the fruit surface. 

(g) Scale so numerous or large that the appearance of the fruit is very seriously affected. 

(h) Sunburn which seriously affects more than one-third of the fruit surface. 

(i) Skin breakdown when exceeding that of a circle 1-1/4 inches in diameter. 

(j) Bruising when fruit has been split open, peel is badly watersoaked following bruising or albedo is 

ruptured and juice sacs are ruptured causing a mushy condition affecting all segments more than 3/4 inch 

at bruised area or the equivalent of this amount, by volume, when affecting more than one area on the 

fruit. 

(k) Dryness or mushy condition, when affecting all segments more than three-fourths of an inch at the 

stem end, or the equivalent of this amount, by volume, when occurring in other portions of the fruit. 

Note: All references in this standard to area, aggregating area, or length are based on a grapefruit 4-1/8 

inches in diameter, allowing proportionately greater areas on larger fruit and lesser areas on smaller fruit. 
59 

APPENDIX II 

Directive on Certifying Various Varieties of Citrus 
60 
61 
62 

Comparison of Areas of Circles Having Different Diameters 

DIAMETER 1/16” 1/8” 1/4” 3/8” 1/2” 5/8” 3/4” 7/8” 1” 

1/16” 1 4 16 36 63 99 143 194 253 

1/8” 1 4 9 16 25 36 49 64 

1/4” 1 2-1/4 4 6-1/4 9 12-1/4 16 

3/8” 1 1-3/4 2-3/4 4 5-1/2 7 

1/2” 1 1-2/5 2-1/4 3 4 

5/8” 1 1-2/5 2 2-1/2 

3/4” 1 1-1/3 1-3/4 

7/8” 1 1-2/3 

1” 1 

 

To compare the area of a small circle with a larger one, select the diameter of 

the small circle from the vertical list on the left side. Follow the horizontal row beside 

this diameter to the right and stop under the diameter of the larger circle to be 

compared. This will show the area of the number of small circles needed to equal the 

area of the larger circle. 

Examples: 

It takes nine circles 1/8” in diameter to equal the area of a circle 3/8” in diameter; 

or 

It takes 1-2/5 circles 1/2 inch in diameter to equal the area of a circle 5/8” in 

diameter; or, 

It takes 4 circles 3/8” in diameter to equal the area of a circle 3/4” in diameter. 
63 

APPENDIX III 

Example 1 - Inspection Notesheet 
64 

Example 1 - Inspection Scoresheet 
65 

Example 1 - Inspection Certificate 
66 

Example 2 - Inspection Notesheet 
67 

Example 2 - Inspection Scoresheet 
68 

Example 2 - Inspection Certificate