United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Agricultural 

Marketing 

Service 

Fruit and 

Vegetable 

Programs 

Processed 

Products 

Branch

United States 

Standards for 

Grades of Canned 

Sweet Potatoes 

Effective August 23, 2006 
ii

This is the seventh issue, of the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Sweet 

Potatoes, published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on July 24, 2006 to become effective 

August 23, 2006. This issue supersedes the sixth issue, which has been in effect since 

August 31, 1998. 

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 

processed fruits and vegetables, 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 standards also serve as a basis for the inspection and grading of commodities by the 

Federal inspection service, the only activity authorized to approve the designation of U.S. 

grades as referenced in the standards, as provided under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 

1946. This service, available as on-line (in-plant) or lot inspection and grading of all 

processed fruit and vegetable products, is offered to interested parties, upon application, 

on a fee-for-service basis. The verification of some specific recommendations, 

requirements, or tolerances contained in the standards can be accomplished only by the 

use of on-line inspection procedures. In all instances, a grade can be assigned based on 

final product factors or characteristics. 

In addition to the U.S. grade standards, grading manuals or instructions for inspection of 

several processed fruits and vegetables are available upon request for a nominal 

fee. These manuals or instructions contain detailed interpretations of the grade standards 

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

Grade standards are issued by the Department after careful consideration of all data and 

views submitted, and the Department welcomes suggestions which might aid in improving 

the standards in future revisions. Comments may be submitted to, and copies of standards 

and grading manuals obtained from: 

 Chief, Processed Products Branch 

 Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS 

 U.S. Department of Agriculture 

 STOP 0247 

 1400 Independence Ave. SW. 

 Washington, D.C. 20250-0247 
UNITED STATES STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF CANNED SWEET POTATOES 

EFFECTIVE AUGUST 23, 2006 

Section Page No.

'52.2041 Product description. ............................................................................................ 2 

'52.2042 Varietal color types. ............................................................................................ 2 

'52.2043 Styles. ................................................................................................................. 2 

'52.2044 Types of pack. .................................................................................................... 2

'52.2045 Definitions of terms. ............................................................................................ 3 

52.2046 Recommended designations of liquid media and Brix measurements. ............... 6 

'52.2047 Recommended fill of container. .......................................................................... 7 

'52.2048 Recommended minimum drained weight. .......................................................... 7 

'52.2049 Recommended fill weights. ................................................................................ 10 

'52.2050 Recommended sample unit sizes. ..................................................................... 12 

'52.2051 Grades. .............................................................................................................. 12 

'52.2052 Factors of quality. .............................................................................................. 13 

'52.2053 Requirements for grades. .................................................................................. 14 

'52.2054 Determining the grade of a lot. .......................................................................... 16 

Authority: Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, Secs. 203, 205, 60 Stat. 1087, 

as amended, 1090, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624). 

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. 
2

'52.2041 Product description.

Canned sweet potatoes is the product as defined in the Standards of Identity for Certain 

Other Canned Vegetables (21 CFR 155.200) issued under the Federal Food, Drug, and 

Cosmetic Act. 

'52.2042 Varietal color types.

(a) Golden. 

(b) Yellow. 

(c) Mixed. A combination of golden units and yellow units in a sample unit. 

'52.2043 Styles.

(a) Whole means the canned sweet potatoes have the appearance of being 

essentially whole or almost whole in that the units retain the approximate shape 

of whole sweet potatoes. 

(b) Halves or halved means the canned sweet potatoes have been cut longitudinally 

into approximate halves. 

(c) Pieces, cuts, or cut means the canned sweet potatoes have been randomly cut 

into portions of varying sizes and shapes. 

(d) Mashed means the canned sweet potatoes are wholly comminuted or pureed. 

(e) Whole and pieces means canned sweet potatoes consisting of a combination of 

whole and pieces with not less than 50 percent of the drained weight being whole 

sweet potatoes. 

(f) Mixed means any combination of two or more of the foregoing styles excluding 

mashed style. 

(g) Other means any other canned sweet potatoes may be designated as to style by 

description of the size, shape, or other characteristic which differentiates it from 

other styles. 

'52.2044 Types of pack.

(a) Regular pack means the product is packed in a liquid packing medium and 

applies to all styles except mashed style. 
3 

(b) Vacuum pack means the product is packed under conditions creating a high 

vacuum in the container, in the absence of a packing medium, and applies to all styles 

except mashed style. 

(c) Solid pack means the product is packed in the absence of a packing medium 

 and applies to mashed style only. 

'52.2045 Definitions of terms.

As used in these U.S. standards, unless otherwise required by the context, the following 

terms shall be construed, respectively, to mean: 

(a) Blemishes.

(1) Insignificant blemished unit means a unit with slight abnormalities, 

scars, discolorations, or any other imperfections that affect the appearance 

slightly but do not affect the edibility of the unit. 

(2) Materially blemished unit means any sweetpotato unit that has darkened 

areas (internal or external) or abnormalities including pathological or insect 

injury that materially affect the appearance or edibility of the unit. 

(3) Seriously blemished unit means any sweetpotato unit that has darkened 

areas (internal or external) or abnormalities including pathological or insect 

injury that seriously affect the appearance or edibility of the unit. 

(b) Character.

(1) Good character, in regular pack and vacuum pack, means the 

sweetpotato units have a uniformly smooth texture, are practically free 

from internal tough or coarse fibers, and may be slightly variable in 

tenderness but hold their apparent original conformation. In solid-pack, 

good character means the mass has a smooth texture and is practically 

free from tough or coarse fibers. 

(2) Reasonably good character, in regular pack and vacuum pack, means 

the sweetpotato units have a reasonably uniform smooth texture, are 

substantially free from internal tough or coarse fibers, may be variable in 

tenderness, and may be firm to soft but hold their apparent original 

conformation. In solid-pack, reasonably good character means the mass 

has a reasonably smooth texture which may be slightly grainy and is 

substantially free from tough or coarse fibers. 

(3) Poor character means the sweet potatoes fail the requirements for 

reasonably good character. 
4 

(c) Color.

(1) Good color means a bright color typical of either yellow or golden variety 

sweet potatoes, but not both. There may be moderate variations of color 

throughout the sweetpotato unit(s) or mass, but not to the extent that the 

appearance of the product is more than moderately affected. 

(2) Reasonably good color means that the color is reasonably bright; that 

both golden and yellow varieties may be present in any amount and there 

may be considerable variation of color throughout the sweetpotato unit(s) 

or mass, but not to the extent that the appearance of the product is 

seriously affected. 

(3) Poor color means the color fails to meet the requirements for reasonably 

good color. 

(d) Consistency. Applies to solid pack only. 

(1) Good consistency means the sweetpotato mass is sufficiently firm to 

approximate the general shape of the container with some settling 

permitted; is not dry, and may show no more than a slight separation of 

free liquid after 2 minutes. 

(2) Reasonably good consistency means the sweetpotato mass is 

sufficiently soft so as not to approximate the general shape of the 

container, but not free flowing; may be noticeably dry but not hard or 

rubbery. There may be moderate separation of free liquid after 2 minutes. 

(3) Poor consistency means the sweetpotato mass fails the requirements for 

reasonably good consistency. 

(e) Crumbly, in all styles other than mashed, means sweetpotato units that fall apart 

readily due to apparent starchiness or dryness. 

(f) Defects.

(1) Practically free from defects means the defects present do not materially 

affect the appearance or edibility of the product. 

(2) Reasonably free from defects means the defects present do not 

seriously affect the appearance or edibility of the product. 

(g) Extraneous vegetable material (EVM) means harmless plant material such as 

leaves, stems, or roots. 
5 

(h) Firmness.

(1) Firm means sweetpotato units that are slightly grainy and possess a 

somewhat stiff yet yielding texture. 

(2) Very firm means sweetpotato units that are noticeably grainy or have a 

hardened texture similar to an uncooked sweetpotato. 

(i) Flavor and odor.

(1) Good flavor and odor means distinctive flavor and odor characteristic of 

properly processed sweet potatoes (including the packing medium) that 

are free from objectionable flavors or odors. 

(2) Reasonably good flavor and odor means that the processed sweet 

potatoes (including the packing medium) may be lacking in good flavor and 

odor but are free from objectionable flavors or objectionable odors. 

(3) Off-flavor and odor means the processed sweet potatoes fail the 

requirements for reasonably good flavor and odor. 

(j) Internal tough or coarse fibers (TIF), in character, mean tough, stringy or 

fibrous material that is objectionable upon eating. 

(k) Mechanically damaged means any sweetpotato unit damaged during 

processing. 

(l) Mushy means sweetpotato units that have materially or completely disintegrated 

into small pieces or a puree-like consistency with a pulpy or pasty texture. 

(m) Pathological or insect injury (PI) means damage caused by disease or other 

similar causes that affects the appearance or edibility of the product. 

(n) Peel (P) means the outer layer of the sweetpotato that is normally removed 

during processing. 

(o) Pitted unit (PT) means a sweetpotato unit that has external pock marks to the 

extent that the appearance of the unit is materially affected. 

(p) Sample unit size means the amount of product specified to be used in grading. 

 It may be: 

(1) The entire contents of a container; 
6 

(2) A portion of the contents of a container; 

(3) A combination of the contents of 2 or more containers; 

(4) A portion of unpacked product. 

(q) Secondary rootlet (SR) means rootlets 2.5 centimeters (1.0 in) or longer. 

(r) Softness.

(1) Soft means sweetpotato units that are tender but not approaching 

disintegration. 

(2) Very soft (VS) means sweetpotato units that show slight to partial 

disintegration and are soft and yielding. 

(s) Uniformity of size.

(1) Practically uniform in size means, of the 95 percent (by count) most 

uniform units [disregarding five (5) percent or one (1) unit, whichever is 

greater], the largest unit does not exceed the weight of the smallest unit by 

more than a ratio of 3 to 1. 

(2) Reasonably uniform in size means, of the 95 percent (by count) most 

uniform units [disregarding five (5) percent or one (1) unit, whichever is 

greater], the largest unit does not exceed the weight of the smallest unit by 

more than a ratio of 4 to 1. 

(3) Poor uniformity of size means the sweetpotato units fail the 

requirements for reasonably uniform size. 

(t) Untrimmed fibrous ends mean sweetpotato units that have edible (not tough) 

external fibers protruding more than 7 millimeters (.28 in). 

'52.2046 Recommended designations of liquid media and Brix measurements.

(a) Brix measurement requirements for liquid media in canned sweet potatoes are 

not incorporated in the grades of the finished product since sirup or any other 

liquid medium, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purposes of these grades. 
7 

(b) Brix measurements as referenced in this subpart mean the degree of Brix of the 

liquid media of the equalized product. The recommended designations of liquid 

packing media and Brix measurements, where applicable, are as follows: 

Recommended designation Brix measurement

Extra heavy sirup 30° or more

Heavy sirup 25° or more, but less than 30°

Light sirup 18° or more, but less than 25°

In water Not applicable

Artificially sweetened Not applicable

(c) The respective density of the packing media is measured on the refractometer or 

any other procedure which provides equivalent results, expressed as percent by 

weight sucrose (degrees Brix) with correction for temperature to the equivalent 

of 20° C (68°F) but without correction for invert sugar or other substances. 

The Brix measurement may be made on the packing media only if the sweet potatoes 

have been canned for 15 or more days and shall be considered as the degree of Brix of 

the liquid media of the equalized product. Any Brix measurement made on a blended 

homogenized slurry of the comminuted entire contents of the container shall be 

considered as the degree of Brix of the liquid media of the equalized product. 

'52.2047 Recommended fill of container.

The recommended fill of container is not incorporated in the grades of the finished 

product since fill of container, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purposes of these 

grades. It is recommended that each container of canned sweet potatoes be filled with 

sweet potatoes as full as practicable without impairment of quality.

'52.2048 Recommended minimum drained weight.

(a) General.

(1) The drained weight recommendations are given in Table I. They are not 

incorporated in the grades of the finished product since drained weight, as 

such, is not a factor of quality for the purposes of these grades. 

(2) The recommended minimum drained weights are based on the weight of 

the sweet potatoes and other permitted garnish ingredients, if added, after 

the canned product has been allowed to equalize for 15 days or more after 

the product has been canned. 
8 

(b) Method for determining drained weight.

(1) The drained weight of canned sweet potatoes is determined by emptying 

the sample unit upon a U.S. Standard No. 8 circular sieve (or equivalent) 

of proper diameter containing 8 meshes to the inch (0.0937 inch, +3 

percent, square openings) so as to distribute the product evenly. Without 

shifting the product, incline the sieve to a 17 to 20 degree angle to facilitate 

drainage and allow to drain for two (2) minutes. 

(2) The drained weight is the weight of the sieve and sweet potatoes less the 

weight of the dry sieve. A sieve 8 inches (20.3 centimeters) in diameter (or 

approximate equivalent) is used for containers having water capacities of 

1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) or less, and a sieve 12 inches (30.5 

centimeters) in diameter (or approximate equivalent) is used for containers 

having water capacities greater than 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds). The 

temperature of the packing medium at the time of drained weight 

determination shall be 20 degrees Celsius +10 degrees (68° Fahrenheit 

+18 degrees). 

(3) Water capacity of a container means the maximum weight of distilled water 

at 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) that the sealed container 

will hold. 

(c) Compliance with recommended minimum drained weights.

 Compliance with the recommended minimum drained weights in Table I is 

determined by averaging the drained weights from all sample units in the sample 

which represent a specific lot. Such lot is considered as meeting the 

recommended minimum drained weight if the following criteria are met: 

 (1) The sample average (average of all the sample units in the sample) meets 

the recommended minimum drained weight designated as Xd in 

Table I); and 

 (2) The number of sample units which fail to meet the recommended 

 minimum drained weight for individuals (designated as L L in Table I) 

 does not exceed the applicable acceptance number (c) specified in the 

 sampling plan contained in the Regulations Governing Inspection and 

 Certification of Processed Fruits and Vegetables and Related 

 Products. 
9 

Table I – Recommended Minimum Drained Weights for Canned Sweet Potatoes 

English ( Avoirdupois) Weights 

Container 

Designations 

Container 

Dimensions 

Regular Pack Vacuum Pack 

LL1 Xd

2 LL Xd

 ounces ounces ounces ounces 

8Z Tall 211 x 304 4.8 5.2 --- --- 

No. 2 Squat 307 x 306 7.5 8.2 --- --- 

No. 300 300 x 407 8.5 9.2 --- --- 

No. 303 303 x 406 9.5 10.3 --- --- 

No. 2 307 x 409 11.9 12.7 --- --- 

No. 3 Squat 404 x 307 13.6 14.7 16.3 17.2 

No. 2 1⁄2 401 x 411 17.6 18.7 --- --- 

No. 2 1⁄2 Tall 401 x 602 23.0 24.1 --- --- 

No. 3 Cylinder 404 x 700 32.0 33.1 --- --- 

No. 10 603 x 700 69.8 71.5 --- --- 

Table IA – Recommended Minimum Drained Weights for Canned Sweet Potatoes 

(Metric System –Systeme International Units) 

Container 

Designations 

Container 

Dimensions 

(ml) 

Regular Pack Vacuum Pack 

LL Xd LL Xd

 grams grams grams grams 

8Z Tall 68.3 x 82.6 136.1 147.3 --- --- 

No. 2 Squat 87.3 x 85.7 213.9 233.3 --- --- 

No. 300 76.2 x 112.7 242.0 262.0 --- --- 

No. 303 81.0 x 111.1 269.5 291.7 --- --- 

No. 2 87.3 x 115.9 336.1 361.1 --- --- 

No. 3 Squat 108.0 x 87.3 386.2 416.7 461.2 486.2 

No. 2 1⁄2 103.2 x 119.1 500.1 530.7 --- --- 

No. 2 1⁄2 Tall 101.6 x 155.6 652.9 683.5 --- --- 

No. 3 Cylinder 108.0 x 177.8 908.5 939.0 --- --- 

No. 10 157.2 x 177.8 1978.1 2028.1 --- --- 

 

1

 LL means the minimum drained weight for individual sample units 

2

 Xd means the minimum average drained weight form all the sample units in the 

sample. 
10 

'52.2049 Recommended fill weights

(a) General. Minimum fill weight recommendations for canned sweet potatoes are 

given in Table II. They are not incorporated in the grades of the finished product 

since fill weight, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purposes of these 

grades. 

(b) Definitions of terms and symbols. Sample unit for the determination of fill 

weights means the entire amount of prepared sweet potatoes and other 

ingredients, if any, in a container, exclusive of any packing medium, prior to 

cooking. 

Subgroup means a group of sample units representing a portion of a sample. 

means the specified minimum lot average fill weight. 

L W L x means the lower warning limit for subgroup averages. 

L R L x means the lower reject limit for subgroup averages. 

L W L means the lower warning limit for individual fill weight measurements. 

L R L means the lower reject limit for individual fill weight measurements. 

R' means a specified average range value. 

R max means a specified maximum range for a subgroup. 

Sampling allowance is the amount that the sample quantity may deviate from the lot 

quantity due solely to the fact that only a portion has been taken from the whole lot. 

(c) Subgroup size. The subgroup size for the determination of fill weights shall be 5 

sample units. 

(d) Sampling frequency.

(1) Small lots - for lots consisting of 100 cases or less which require 4 hours 

or more to pack use the optional fill weight procedure for small lots set forth 

in '52.232 of the United States Standards for Determination of Fill 

Weights. 
11 

(2) Other than small lots - draw at least one subgroup per code approximately 

every 45 minutes. 

(e) Determining fill weights and compliance therewith. The determination of 

compliance with the recommended fill weights for canned sweet potatoes shall be 

in accordance with the U.S. Standards for Determination of Fill Weights and U.S. 

Standards for Inspection by Variables. 

Table II - Recommended Fill Weight Values for Canned Sweet Potatoes 

English (Avoirdupois) Weights 

Fill Weights Values (Ounces)

Container 

designation

X'min LWLx LRLx LWL LRL R' Rmax Sampling 

Allowance 

Code

8Z Tall 5.3 4.9 4.7 4.6 4.1 0.9 2.0 G

No. 2 Squat 8.0 7.5 7.2 6.8 6.2 1.4 3.0 J

No. 303 10.3 9.7 9.4 9.0 8.3 1.5 3.2 L

No. 2 12.7 12.0 11.6 11.1 10.3 1.9 3.9 O

No. 3 Squat 14.7 13.8 13.3 12.7 11.7 2.3 4.9 S

No. 2-1/2 18.6 17.7 17.2 16.6 15.6 2.3 4.9 S

No. 2-1/2 Tall 23.8 22.9 22.4 21.8 20.8 2.3 4.9 S

No. 3 Cyl. 33.6 32.4 31.8 31.0 29.7 3.0 6.4 V

No. 10 70.0 68.4 67.6 66.4 64.6 4.2 8.9 A-1

VACUUM PACK

No. 3 Squat 17.5 16.6 16.1 15.5 14.5 2.3 4.9 S

SOLID PACK

No. 303 18.0 17.6 17.4 17.2 16.8 0.9 2.0 G

No. 3 Cyl. 53.6 52.9 52.5 52.0 51.2 1.9 3.9 O

No. 10 109.0 107.7 107.0 106 104.5 3.5 7.4 X
12 

TABLE IIA

RECOMMENDED FILL WEIGHT FOR CANNED SWEET POTATOES

ENGLISH (AVOIRDUPOIS) WEIGHTS

FILL WEIGHT VALUES (OUNCES)

Container 

designation 

X'min LWLx LRLx LWL LRL R' Rmax Sampling 

Allowance 

Code 

8Z Tall 150.3 138.9 133.3 130.4 116.2 25.5 56.7 G 

No.2 Squat 226.8 212.6 204.1 192.8 175.8 39.7 85.1 J 

No.303 292.0 275.0 266.5 255.2 235.3 42.5 90.7 L 

No.2 360.0 340.2 328.9 314.7 292.0 53.9 110.6 O 

No.3 Squat 416.7 391.2 377.1 360.0 331.7 65.2 138.9 S 

No.22 527.3 501.8 487.6 470.6 442.3 65.2 138.9 S 

No.22 Tall 674.7 649.2 635.0 618.0 589.7 65.2 138.9 S 

No.3 Cyl. 952.5 918.5 901.5 878.8 842.0 85.1 181.4 V 

No.10 1984.5 1939.1 1916.4 1882.4 1831.4 119.1 252.3 A-1 

VACUUM PACK 

No.3 Squat 496.1 470.6 456.4 439.3 411.1 65.2 138.9 S 

SOLID PACK 

No.303 510.3 499.0 493.3 487.6 476.3 25.5 56.7 G 

No.3 Cyl. 1519.5 1499.7 1488.3 1474.2 1451.5 53.9 110.6 O 

No.10 3090.1 3053.2 3033.4 3055.0 2962.5 99.2 209.8 X 

'52.2050 Recommended sample unit sizes. The requirements for all factors of 

 quality are based on the following recommended sample unit sizes for the 

 respective styles. 

(a) All styles other than mashed--1000 grams (35.3 oz) of drained product or the 

entire drained contents of a container. 

(b) Mashed (Solid pack)--the entire contents of a container. 

'52.2051 Grades. 

(a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned sweet potatoes that meets the applicable 

requirements of Table III or Table IV and scores not less than 90 points. 

(b) U.S. Grade B is the quality of canned sweet potatoes that meets the applicable 

requirements of Table III or Table IV and scores not less than 80 points. 

(c) Substandard is the quality of canned sweet potatoes that fails the requirements 

for U.S. Grade B.
13 

'52.2052 Factors of quality.

The grade of canned sweet potatoes is based on the following quality factors: 

(a) Color; 

(b) Uniformity of size (regular pack and vacuum pack); 

(c) Consistency (solid pack); 

(d) Defects; 

(e) Character; 

(f) Flavor and odor. 
14 

'52.2053 Requirements for grades.

TABLE III

VACUUM PACK; REGULAR PACK

Grade A Grade B

FLAVOR AND ODOR Good Reasonably good 4/

COLOR:

SCORE:

Good 

27 - 30 points

Reasonably good 1/ 

24 - 26 points

UNIFORMITY OF SIZE: 

SCORE:

Practically uniform 2/ 

18 - 20 points

Reasonably uniform 3/ 

16 - 17 points

DEFECTS: 

SCORE

Practically free do not materially 

affect the appearance or edibility 

27 - 30 points

Reasonably free 1/ do not materially 

affect the appearance or edibility 

24 - 26 points

Max per 

sample unit

Max sample 

average

Max per 

sample unit

Max sample 

average

Seriously blemished (SB) 5% by count or 1 

unit (whichever 

is greater)

2% by count 10% by count or 

2 units 

(whichever is 

greater)

4% by count

Total blemished (Materially & 

Seriously) (B)

15% by count 8% by count 30% by count 15% by count

Units with secondary rootlets 2.5cm 

or longer (SR)

15% by count 5% by count 25% by count 10% by count

Extraneous Vegetable Material 

(EVM)

1 piece 1 piece per 3.4 

kg (120 grams)

2 pieces 2 pieces per 3.4 

kg (120 ounces)

Peel per 

500 grams (P)

3.3 cm5

(.5 in5)

2 cm5

(.3 in5)

6.5 cm5

(1 in5)

4 cm5

(.6 in5)

Pitted units (PT) 15% by count 5% by count 100% by count 25% by count
15 

TABLE III - (continued)

VACUUM PACK; REGULAR PACK

Grade A Grade B

Max per 

sample unit

Max sample 

average

Max per 

sample unit

Max sample 

average

Mechanically damaged units (MDU) 5% by count or 1 

unit (whichever is 

greater)

2% by count 10% by count 

or 2 units 

(whichever is 

greater)

4% by count

Units with untrimmed fibrous ends 

(edible) 

Practically free Reasonably 

free

Max per 

sample unit

Max sample 

average

Max per 

sample unit

Max sample 

average

CHARACTER: 

Score:

Good 

18 - 20 points

Reasonably good 1/ 

16 - 17 points

Very soft (VS) 20% by count or 2 

units (whichever is 

greater)

10% by count 100% 100%

Very firm (VF), Crumbly (CR), 

Mushy (M), Internal tough or coarse 

fibers (TIF)

10% by count or 2 

units (whichever is 

greater)

5% by count 20% by count 

or 4 units 

(whichever is 

greater)

10% by count

Total score 90 - 100 points 80 - 89 points

1/ Cannot be graded above U. S. Grade B, regardless of total score. Sample units with quality factors, except 

uniformity of size, which fail U.S. Grade B, cannot be scored higher than Substandard regardless of 

the total score.

2/ Can have reasonably uniform size if total score is 90 points or more.

3/ Can have poor uniformity of size if total score is 80 /points or more.

4/ Cannot be graded U. S. Grade A, regardless of the total score, unless there is good flavor and odor.
16 

TABLE IV

SOLID - PACK

Grade A Grade B

COLOR: Good Reasonably good 1/

SCORE 27 - 30 points 24 - 26 points

CONSISTENCY: Good Reasonably good 1/

SCORE 18 - 20 points 16 - 17 points

DEFECTS: Good Reasonably good 1/

SCORE 27 - 30 points 24 - 26 points

CHARACTER: Good Reasonably good 1/

SCORE 18 - 20 points 16 - 17 points

FLAVOR AND ODOR Good Reasonably good 2/

Total score 90 - 100 points 80 - 89 points

1/ Cannot be graded above U. S. Grade B, regardless of the total score. Sample units with quality factors 

which fail U. S. Grade B cannot be scored higher than Substandard regardless of the total score. 

2/ Cannot be graded U. S. Grade A, regardless of the total score, unless there is good flavor and odor.

'52.2054 Determining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned sweet potatoes covered by these standards is determined 

by the procedures found in the Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification 

of Processed Fruits and Vegetables, and Related Products (7 CFR 52.1 through 

52.83). 

//s// 

Lloyd C. Day 

Administrator 

Agricultural Marketing Service 
17 

AMS:FV:PPB:CLSHORTER:720-5021:cls:7/25/2006 

F:\STDZ\REVISION\CNSWTPOT\Sweet potatoes III\canned sweetpotato_std_final.doc