Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing 

Service

Specialty

Crops

Program

Specialty

Crops

Inspection

Division

United States Standards

for Grades of American 

(Eastern Type) Bunch 

Grapes

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of American (Eastern Type) Bunch 

Grapes (81 FR 51297) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since

September 8, 1983.

Voluntary U.S. grade standards are issued under the authority of the Agricultural 

Marketing Act of 1946, which provides for the development of official U.S. grades to 

designate different levels of quality. These grade standards are available for use by 

producers, suppliers, buyers, and consumers. As in the case of other standards for 

grades of fresh and processed fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops these 

standards are designed to facilitate orderly marketing by providing a convenient 

basis for buying and selling, for establishing quality control programs, and for 

determining loan values.

The U.S. grade standards and inspection instructions for all fresh and processed fruits,

vegetables, and specialty crops are available on the internet and upon request at the 

address below. These documents provide detailed interpretations of the grade standards 

and provide step-by-step procedures for grading the product.

Grade standards are issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after careful 

consideration of all data and views submitted during rulemaking. The Department 

welcomes suggestions for improving the standards in future revisions. Comments may be 

submitted to, and copies of standards and inspection instructions obtained from: 

Director, Specialty Crops Inspection Division

Specialty Crops Program,

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0240

Washington, D.C. 20250

__________________________________________________________________________

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

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

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

with applicable State laws and regulations.

Non-Discrimination Policy: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights 

regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA 

programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 

expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, 

political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all 

bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, 

American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) 

or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in 

languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter 

all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form 

or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence 

Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
United States Standards for Grades of American (Eastern Type) Bunch Grapes 

(September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of American (Eastern Type) Bunch Grapes

Section Page No.

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

§51.3610 U.S. Fancy Table Grapes. ........................................................................... 2

§51.3611 U.S. No.1 Table Grapes. ............................................................................. 2

§51.3612 U.S. No.1 Juice Grapes............................................................................... 3

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

§51.3613 Reserved ..................................................................................................... 3

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 4

§51.3614 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 4

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 4

§51.3615 Mature. ........................................................................................................ 4

§51.3616 Firm. ............................................................................................................ 4

§51.3617 Well colored................................................................................................. 4

§51.3618 Fairly well colored........................................................................................ 4

§51.3619 Shattered..................................................................................................... 4

§51.3620 Compact. ..................................................................................................... 4

§51.3621 Fairly compact. ............................................................................................ 5

§51.3622 Damage....................................................................................................... 5

§51.3623 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 5

§51.3624 Straggly. ...................................................................................................... 5
United States Standards for Grades of American (Eastern Type) Bunch Grapes 

(September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.3610 U.S. Fancy Table Grapes.

“U.S. Fancy Table Grapes” consists of bunches of grapes of one variety (except when 

designated as assorted varieties) which are mature and well colored. The berries are 

firm, firmly attached to capstems, and are not split, shattered, crushed, dried or wet, and 

are free from decay, mold, mildew, berry moth, russeting and hail, and from damage 

caused by freezing, disease, insects, or other means.

(a) Bunches. At least 50 percent of the bunches in each container are compact, the 

remainder fairly compact. They are not excessively small, except that compact 

portions of bunches consisting of not less than five berries may be used to fill 

open spaces between whole bunches.

(b) Size of berries. Not less than 90 percent, by count, of the berries, exclusive of 

dried berries, on each bunch shall have a minimum diameter, unless otherwise 

specified, of 9/16 of an inch.

(c) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 

handling, the following tolerances, by weight, are permitted:

(1) 5 percent for bunches in any lot which are straggly;

(2) 10 percent for bunches in any lot which fail to meet the requirement for 

minimum diameter of berries; and

(3) 10 percent for bunches and berries in any lot which fail to meet the 

remaining requirements of this grade, including therein not more than onehalf of this amount, or 5 percent, for berries which are seriously damaged: 

Provided, That included in this latter amount not more than 1 percent may 

be permitted for berries affected by mold or decay, and not more than 2 

percent for dried berries or those affected by berry moth.

§51.3611 U.S. No.1 Table Grapes.

“U.S. No. 1 Table Grapes” consists of bunches of grapes of one variety (except when 

designated as assorted varieties) which are mature and fairly well colored. The berries 

are firm, firmly attached to capstems, and are not split, shattered, crushed, dried or wet, 

and are free from decay, mold, and berry moth, and from damage caused by freezing, 

russeting, hail, mildew, other disease, insects, or other means.

(a) Bunches. At least 85 percent of the bunches in each container are fairly 

compact; except that for packages which contain 5 pounds or less, at least 50 

percent of the bunches in any container are fairly compact, provided, that the 

average for the lot is not less than 85 percent. Bunches shall not be excessively 
United States Standards for Grades of American (Eastern Type) Bunch Grapes 

(September 6, 2016)

3

small, except that portions of bunches consisting of not less than three berries

may be used to fill open spaces between whole bunches.

(b) Size of berries. Not less than 90 percent, by count, of the berries, exclusive of 

dried berries, on each bunch shall have a minimum diameter, unless otherwise 

specified, of 9/16 of an inch.

(c) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 

handling, the following tolerances, by weight, are permitted:

(1) 10 percent for bunches in any lot which fail to meet the requirement for 

minimum diameter of berries; and

(2) 10 percent for bunches and berries in any lot which fail to meet the 

remaining requirements of this grade, including therein not more than onehalf of this amount, or 5 percent, for berries which are seriously damaged: 

Provided, That included in this latter amount not more than 2 percent may 

be permitted for berries affected by mold or decay and not more than 2 

percent for dried berries or those affected by berry moth.

§51.3612 U.S. No.1 Juice Grapes.

“U.S. No. 1 Juice Grapes” consists of bunches of grapes of one variety (except when 

designated as assorted varieties) which are mature and fairly well colored. The berries 

are firm, firmly attached to capstems, and are not split, shattered, crushed, dried or wet, 

and are free from mold, decay, and berry moth, and from serious damage caused by 

freezing, russeting, hail, mildew, other disease, insects, or other means.

(a) Bunches. At least 60 percent of the bunches in each container are fairly 

compact.

(b) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 

handling, not more than 15 percent, by weight, of the bunches and berries in any 

lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, including therein not more 

than 6 percent for berries which are seriously damaged: Provided, That included 

in this latter amount not more than 3 percent may be permitted for berries 

affected by mold or decay, and not more than 2 percent for dried berries or those 

affected by berry moth.

Reserved

§51.3613 Reserved
United States Standards for Grades of American (Eastern Type) Bunch Grapes 

(September 6, 2016)

4

Application of Tolerances

§51.3614 Application of tolerances.

The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample inspection, are subject 

to the following limitations, provided that the averages for the entire lot are within the 

tolerances specified for the grade:

(a) Individual packages which contain more than 5 pounds: Shall contain 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.

(b) Individual packages which contain 5 pounds or less: Shall contain not more than 

three times the specified tolerance.

Definitions

§51.3615 Mature.

“Mature” means that the grapes are juicy, palatable, and have reached that stage of 

development at which the skin of the berry easily separates from the pulp. Frozen or 

slightly frosted stock is not to be confused with mature stock.

§51.3616 Firm.

“Firm” means that the berry is reasonably turgid and does not yield more than slightly 

to moderate pressure.

§51.3617 Well colored.

“Well colored” means that the berries show full color characteristic of the variety.

§51.3618 Fairly well colored.

“Fairly well colored” means that not less than 75 percent, by weight, of the berries 

show full color characteristic of the variety; 25 percent of the berries may be partially or 

poorly colored but not characteristic of immature berries.

§51.3619 Shattered.

“Shattered” means that the berry is separated from the bunch and may or may not 

have the capstem attached.

§51.3620 Compact.

“Compact” means that the bunches are well filled and have no open spaces.
United States Standards for Grades of American (Eastern Type) Bunch Grapes 

(September 6, 2016)

5

§51.3621 Fairly compact.

“Fairly compact” means that the bunches are well filled but that the berries are not 

closely spaced as in “compact” bunches.

§51.3622 Damage.

“Damage” means any specific defect described in this section; or an equally 

objectionable variation of this defect, any other defect, or any combination of defects, 

which materially detracts from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the 

individual berry or the bunch as a whole. The following specific defect shall be 

considered as damage:

(a) Mildew when detracting from the appearance of the individual berry or the bunch 

as a whole. Berries on the inside of the bunch which show only slight traces of 

mildew are not considered as damaged.

§51.3623 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means any defect, or any combination of defects, which seriously 

detracts from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the individual berry or 

the bunch as a whole.

§51.3624 Straggly.

“Straggly” means that the bunches are decidedly open with large open spaces and 

very few berries. Small immature shot berries, characteristic of the Worden variety, 

should be disregarded unless they are excessive in number and detract materially from 

the appearance.