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United States Standards

for Grades of Currants 

for Processing

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Currants for Processing

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

May 18, 1952.

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 Currants for Processing (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Currants for Processing

Section Page No.

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

§51.1950 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.1951 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 2

§51.1952 Application of tolerances and determination of grade.................................. 2

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

§51.1953 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 2

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 2

§51.1954 Similar type.................................................................................................. 2

§51.1955 Well colored................................................................................................. 2

§51.1956 Mold............................................................................................................. 3

§51.1957 Damage....................................................................................................... 3

§51.1958 Seriously damaged by insects. .................................................................... 3
United States Standards for Grades of Currants for Processing (September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.1950 U.S. No. 1.

U.S. No. 1 consists of currants of similar type which are not separated from the stems 

and which are well colored, free from mold and decay and free from damage resulting 

from being distinctly immature, overmature, crushed, dried and shriveled, and free from 

damage caused by leaves or pieces of leaves, dirt or other foreign matter, disease, 

insects, mechanical or other means.

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

of 10 percent, by weight, of the currants in any lot may fail to meet the 

requirements of this grade: Provided, That, not more than one-tenth of this 

amount, or 1 percent, shall be allowed for currants affected by mold or decay or 

which are seriously damaged by insects.

§51.1951 U.S. No. 2.

U.S. No. 2 consists of currants which meet the requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade 

except for the increased tolerances for defects specified as follows:

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

of 20 percent, by weight, of the currants in any lot may fail to meet the 

requirements of this grade: Provided, That, not more than one-tenth of this 

amount, or 2 percent, shall be allowed for currants affected by mold or decay or 

which are seriously damaged by insects.

Application of Tolerances

§51.1952 Application of tolerances and determination of grade.

The tolerances for the preceding grades are to be applied to the entire lot. Scoring of 

defects shall be on a bunch basis except that the percentage of loose berries shall be 

calculated on the basis of weight and added to the percentage of other defects.

Reserved

§51.1953 Reserved.

Definitions

§51.1954 Similar type.

“Similar type” means that the currants are similar in color. For example, red varieties 

shall not be mixed with white varieties.

§51.1955 Well colored.

“Well colored” means that the berries show the color characteristic of well ripened 

currants for the type or variety.
United States Standards for Grades of Currants for Processing (September 6, 2016)

3

§51.1956 Mold.

“Mold” means any surface mold that is plainly visible to the naked eye.

§51.1957 Damage.

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

processing quality of the currants. The following shall be considered as damage:

(a) Distinctly immature, when the currants are of a light pink, whitish, or green 

color in the case of varieties which are characteristically red when well ripened, 

or when the currants are greenish color in the case of types or varieties which 

are characteristically white in color when well ripened.

(b) Overmature, when the currants have advanced to the stage where the berries 

are soft, leaking and are dull in appearance.

(c) Dried and shriveled, when the berries are appreciably lacking in juice and are 

“wrinkled” and have a “raisined” appearance.

§51.1958 Seriously damaged by insects.

“Seriously damaged by insects” means that there is present one or more insects on 

the bunch.