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United States Standards

for Grades of Canned 

Lima Beans

Effective May 20, 2019
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans

(84 FR 16381) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since 

March 20, 1960.

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 How to File a 

Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information 

requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-

9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans

______________________________________________________________________

Section Page No.

Identity, Types, and Grades ......................................................................................... 2

§52.471 Identity. ........................................................................................................... 2

§52.472 Types of canned lima beans. .......................................................................... 2

§52.473 Grades of canned lima beans. ........................................................................ 2

Fill of Container and Drained Weights ........................................................................ 3

§52.474 Recommended fill of container........................................................................ 3

§52.475 Recommended minimum drained weight........................................................ 3

Sizes............................................................................................................................... 3

§52.476 Sizes of lima beans in canned lima beans. ..................................................... 3

Factors of Quality.......................................................................................................... 4

§52.477 Ascertaining the grade.................................................................................... 4

§52.478 Ascertaining the rating of the factors which are scored................................... 4

§52.479 Color. .............................................................................................................. 5

§52.480 Clearness of liquor.......................................................................................... 6

§52.481 Absence of defects. ........................................................................................ 7

§52.482 Character. ....................................................................................................... 9

Lot Inspection and Certification................................................................................. 10

§52.483 Ascertaining the grade of a lot. ..................................................................... 10

Score Sheet ................................................................................................................. 11

§52.484 Score sheet for canned lima beans............................................................... 11
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019)

2

Identity, Types, and Grades

§52.471 Identity.

Canned lima beans means the canned product properly prepared from the clean, 

sound, succulent seed of the lima bean plant, as defined in the definitions and standard 

of identity for canned vegetables (21 CFR 155.200) issued pursuant to the Federal 

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

§52.472 Types of canned lima beans.

(a) Thin-seeded, such as Henderson, Bush and Thorogreen varieties;

(b) Thick-seeded Baby Potato, such as Baby Potato, Baby Fordhook, and 

Evergreen varieties;

(c) Thick-seeded, such as Fordhook variety.

§52.473 Grades of canned lima beans.

(a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned lima beans that possess similar varietal 

characteristics; that possess a normal flavor and odor; that possess a good color; 

that are practically free from defects; that possess a practically clear liquor; that 

possess a good character; and that for those factors which are scored in 

accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart the total score is not 

less than 90 points: Provided, That the canned lima beans may possess a 

reasonably good character and a fairly clear liquor if the total score is not less 

than 90 points.

(b) U.S. Grade B is the quality of canned lima beans that possess similar varietal 

characteristics; that possess a normal flavor and odor; that possess a reasonably 

good color; that are reasonably free from defects; that possess a reasonably 

clear liquor; that possess a reasonably good character; and that for those factors 

which are scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart 

the total score is not less than 80 points: Provided, That the canned lima beans 

may possess a fairly clear liquor if the total score is not less than 80 points.

(c) U.S. Grade C is the quality of canned lima beans that possess similar varietal 

characteristics; that possess a normal flavor and odor; that possess a fairly good 

color; that are fairly free from defects; that possess a fairly clear liquor; that 

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

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

(d) Substandard is the quality of canned lima beans that fail to meet the 

requirements of U.S. Grade C.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019) 

3 

Fill of Container and Drained Weights

§52.474 Recommended fill of container.

Recommended fill of container for canned lima beans is not incorporated in the grades 

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

purpose of these grades. It is recommended that each container of canned lima beans 

be filled as full as practicable with beans without impairment of quality.

§52.475 Recommended minimum drained weight.

The minimum drained weight recommendations in Table No. I of this section 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. The drained weight of canned lima 

beans is determined by emptying the contents of the container upon a United States 

Standard No. 8 circular sieve of proper diameter so as to distribute the product evenly, 

inclining the sieve to facilitate drainage and allow to drain for two minutes. The drained 

weight is the weight of the sieve and the lima beans less the weight of the dry sieve. A 

sieve 8 inches in diameter is used for the No. 2 size can (307 x 409) and smaller sizes, 

and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for containers larger than the No. 2 size can.

Table No. I

Recommended Drained Weights of Lima Beans

Container size

Container

designation

Overalldiameter

(inches)

Overall

height

(inches)

Overflow

capacity 

(fluid oz.)

Drained weight

(oz.)

8 oz tall 2-11/16 3-4/16 — 5-1/2

8 oz jar — — 8.2 5-1/2

No. 1 (picnic) 2-11/16 4 — 7 

No. 1 tall 3-1/16 4-11/16 — 10-3/4

No. 300 3 4-7/16 — 9-3/4

No. 303 3-3/16 4-6/16 — 11

No. 303 jar — — 17.0 11

No. 2 3-7/16 4-9/16 — 13-1/2

No. 10 6-3/16 7 — 72

Sizes

§52.476 Sizes of lima beans in canned lima beans.

The size of lima beans is not a factor of quality of canned lima beans for the purpose of 

these grades. The size of a lima bean is determined by measuring the greatest width 

through the center at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bean. The designations 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019) 

4 

of the various sizes of lima beans packed as canned beans are shown in Table No. II of 

this section.

Table No. II

Sizes of Lima Beans in Canned Lima Beans

Word designation: Size of lima beans (inches in width)

Petite 28/64 inch in width and smaller.

Tiny Over 28/64 inch to and including 30/64 inch in width.

Small Over 30/64 inch to and including 34/64 inch in width.

Medium Over 34/64 inch to and including 38/64 inch in width.

Large Larger than 38/64 inch in width.

Factors of Quality

§52.477 Ascertaining the grade.

(a) The grade of canned lima beans is ascertained by considering, in conjunction 

with the other requirements of the respective grade, the respective ratings for the 

factors of color, clearness of liquor, absence of defects, and character.

(b) The relative importance of each factor which is scored is expressed numerically 

on the scale of 100. The maximum number of points that may be given each 

such factor is:

Factors Points

Color 35

Clearness of liquor 10 

Absence of defects 25

Character 30 

Total Score 100

(c) Normal flavor and normal odor means that the product is free from objectionable 

flavors and objectionable odors of any kind.

§52.478 Ascertaining the rating of the factors which are scored. 

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

value may be ascertained for such factors and expressed numerically. The numerical 

range within each factor which is scored is inclusive (for example, “8 to 10 points”

means 8, 9, or 10 points).
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019) 

5 

§52.479 Color.

(a) General.

(1) The color for all types of canned lima beans in this subpart is based on the 

predominating and characteristic color of the exterior surface of the 

canned lima bean when compared to the U.S.D.A. permanent plastic color 

standards for Canned Thin-Seeded Lima Beans.

(2) A set of these color standards is available for public inspection, and 

information in regard to procurement of sets may be obtained from USDA 

Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

(i) Green with respect to all types of canned lima beans in this subpart 

means that the color of the individual lima beans possesses as 

much or more green color than the U.S.D.A. Color Standard for 

Canned Thin- Seeded Green Lima Beans.

(ii) White with respect to all types of canned lima beans in this subpart 

means that the color of the individual lima bean is lighter than the 

U.S.D.A. Color Standard for Canned Thin- Seeded White Lima 

Beans.

(b) “A” classification. Canned lima beans that possess a good color may be given 

a score of 32 to 35 points. Good color means that the lima beans, regardless of 

type, possess a bright typical color and meet the following additional color 

requirements for the respective types:

(1) Thin-seeded type; Thick-seeded Baby Potato type.

(i) Not less than 90 percent, by count, of the lima beans are green 

defined as aforesaid, and not more than 10 percent, by count, may 

be lighter in color: Provided, That not more than 1 percent, by 

count, of all the lima beans are white, or

(ii) Not less than 97 percent, by count, of the lima beans are green, 

defined as aforesaid, and not more than 3 percent, by count, may 

be lighter in color or white lima beans. 

(2) Thick-seeded type. Not less than 90 percent, by count, of the lima beans 

are green, defined as aforesaid, and not more than 10 percent, by count, 

may be lighter in color: Provided, That not more than 3 percent, by count, 

of all the lima beans are white.

(c) “B” Classification. If the canned lima beans possess a reasonably good color, 

a score of 29 to 31 points may be given. Canned lima beans that fall into this 

classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of the total 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019) 

6 

score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Reasonably good color means that 

the lima beans, regardless of type, possess a typical color and meet the following 

additional requirements for the respective types:

(1) Thin-seeded type; Thick-seeded Baby Potato type. Not less than 50 

percent, by count, of the lima beans are green, defined as aforesaid, and 

not more than 50 percent, by count, may be lighter in color: Provided, 

That not more than 25 percent, by count, of all the lima beans are white. 

(2) Thick-seeded type. Not less than 50 percent, by count, of the lima beans 

are green, defined as aforesaid, and not more than 50 percent, by count, 

may be lighter in color: Provided, That not more than 25 percent, by 

count, of all the lima beans are white. 

(d) “C” Classification. Canned lima beans that possess a fairly good color may be 

given a score of 26 to 28 points. Canned lima beans that fall into this 

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

score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Fairly good color means that the 

lima beans, regardless of type, possess a typical color and meet the following 

additional requirements for the respective types:

(1) Thin-seeded type; Thick- seeded Baby Potato type. Less than 50 

percent, by count, of the lima beans are green, defined as aforesaid, and 

all of the lima beans may be white. 

(2) Thick-seeded type. Less than 50 percent, by count, of the lima beans 

are green, defined as aforesaid, and all of the lima bean may be white. 

(e) “SStd” classification. Canned lima beans that are definitely off color or fail to 

meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 

to 25 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total 

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

§52.480 Clearness of liquor

(a) “A” classification. Canned lima beans that possess a practically clear liquor 

may be given a score of 9 or 10 points. Practically clear liquor means that 

liquor may be slightly cloudy and that not more than a small amount of sediment 

is present.

(b) “B” classification. If the canned lima beans possess a reasonably clear liquor, 

a score of 7 or 8 points may be given. Reasonably clear liquor means that the 

liquor may be somewhat cloudy and may contain a considerable amount of 

sediment.

(c) “C” classification. Canned lima beans that possess a fairly clear liquor may be 

given a score of 5 or 6 points. Fairly clear liquor means that the liquor may be 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019) 

7 

dull in color but not to the extent that the appearance is seriously affected, and 

may be rather viscous cream-like, or starchy.

(d) “SStd” classification. Canned lima beans that possess a liquor that is definitely 

off color for any reason or that contains an excessive amount of sediment may 

be given a score of 0 to 4 points and shall not be graded above Substandard, 

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

§52.481 Absence of defects. 

(a) General. The factor of absence of defects refers to the degree of freedom from 

extraneous vegetable matter, from loose skins, loose cotyledons, broken beans, 

sprouted beans, and from beans that show light discoloration or that are 

blemished or seriously blemished.

(1) Extraneous vegetable matter means pods or pieces of pods, leaves, 

stems, and other similar vegetable matter.

(2) Broken bean means a bean from which one-half or more of a cotyledon 

or the equivalent thereof has become detached; or pieces of cotyledon 

aggregating the equivalent of an average size whole cotyledon.

(3) Loose cotyledon means a whole cotyledon which has become separated 

from the skin.

(4) Loose skin means a whole skin or portions of skin aggregating the 

equivalent of an average size whole skin which has become separated 

from the cotyledons.

(5) Light discoloration means light discoloration of the hilum or other light 

discoloration which slightly affects but does not materially affect the 

appearance of the bean.

(6) Sprouted means lima beans that show and external shoot protruding 

beyond the cotyledon of skin.

(7) Blemished means blemished by discoloration, pathological injury, insect 

injury, or blemished by other means, other than by light discoloration 

which is not considered blemished, to such an extent that the aggregate 

blemished area materially affects the appearance or eating quality of a 

bean or any detached piece of a bean.

(8) Seriously blemished means blemished to such an extent that the 

aggregate blemished area seriously affects the appearance or eating 

quality of a bean or any detached piece of a bean.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019) 

8 

(b) “A” classification. Canned lima beans that are practically free from defects 

may be given a score of 22 to 25 points. Practically free from defects means 

that aforesaid defects, individually or collectively, do not more than slightly affect 

the appearance or eating quality of the product. The following allowances 

provide a guide for scoring canned lima beans which are practically free from 

defects:

(1) For each 10 ounces drained weight of beans there may be present:

(i) 1 piece, or pieces, of extraneous vegetable matter having an 

aggregate area of 3/16 square inch (1/2” x 3/8”) on one surface of 

the piece, or pieces;

(ii) 3 percent, by count, of loose skins;

(iii) 5 percent, by count, of broken beans and loose cotyledons;

(iv) 1 percent, by count, of sprouted beans; and

(v) 2 percent, by count, of blemished and seriously blemished beans, 

and of such 2 percent, not more than 1/4 thereof or 1/2 of 1 

percent, by count, of all the beans may be seriously blemished.

(c) “B” classification. If the canned lima beans are reasonably free from defects, a 

score of 20 or 21 points may be given. Canned lima beans that fall into this 

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

score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Reasonably free from defects, 

means that the aforesaid defects, individually or collectively, do not materially 

affect the appearance or eating quality of the product. The following allowances 

provide a guide for scoring canned lima beans which are reasonably free from 

defects:

(1) For each 10 ounces drained weight of beans there may be present:

(i) 1 piece, or pieces, of extraneous vegetable matter having an 

aggregate area of more than 3/16 square inch but not more than 

3/8 inch (1/2” x 3/4”) on one surface of the piece, or pieces;

(ii) 5 percent, by count, of loose skins;

(iii) 10 percent, by count, of broken beans and loose cotyledons;

(iv) 4 percent, by count, of sprouted beans; and

(v) 3 percent, by count, of blemished and seriously blemished beans, 

and of such 3 percent, not more than 1/3 thereof or 1 percent by 

count, of all the beans may be seriously blemished.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019) 

9 

(d) “C” classification. Canned lima beans that are fairly free from defects may be 

given a score of 18 or 19 points. Canned lima beans that fall into this 

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

score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Fairly free from defects means that 

the aforesaid defects, individually or collectively, do not seriously affect the 

appearance or eating quality of the product. The following allowances provide a 

guide for scoring canned lima beans which are fairly free from defects:

(1) For each 10 ounces drained weight of beans there may be present:

(i) 1 piece, or pieces, of extraneous vegetable matter having an 

aggregate area of more than 3/8 square inch, but not more 3/4 

square inch (1/2” x 1-1/2”) on one surface of the piece, or pieces;

(ii) 8 percent, by count, of loose skins;

(iii) 15 percent, by count, of broken beans and loose cotyledons;

(iv) 8 percent, by count, of sprouted beans; and

(v) 4 percent, by count, of blemished and seriously blemished beans, 

and of such 4 percent, not more than 1/2 thereof or 2 percent, by 

count, of all the beans may be seriously blemished.

(e) “SStd” classification. Canned lima beans that fail to meet the requirements of 

paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 17 points and shall not 

be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this 

is a limiting rule).

§52.482 Character.

The factor of character refers to the tenderness and maturity of the product.

(a) “A” classification. Canned lima beans that possess a good character may be 

given a score of 27 to 30 points. Good character means that the lima beans are 

young and tender.

(b) “B” classification. If the canned lima beans possess a reasonably good 

character, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Reasonably good 

character means that the lima beans are reasonably young and reasonably 

tender.

(c) “C” classification. Canned lima beans that possess a fairly good character 

may be given a score of 21 to 23 points. Canned lima beans that fall into this 

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

score for the product (this is a limiting rule). Fairly good character means that 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019) 

10

the lima beans may be nearly mature and possess a fairly tender texture, may be 

firm and mealy but not hard, or may be soft but not mushy.

(d) “SStd” classification. Canned lima beans that fail to meet the requirements of 

paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 20 points and shall not 

be graded above Substandard, regardless of the total score for the product (this 

is a limiting rule).

Lot Inspection and Certification

§52.483 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned lima beans covered by these standards is determined by 

the procedure set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of 

Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other 

Processed Food Products (7 CFR 52.1 through 52.83).
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Lima Beans (May 20, 2019) 

11

Score Sheet

§52.484 Score sheet for canned lima beans.

Size and kind of container

Container marks or identification

Label

Net weight (ounces)

Vacuum (inches)

Drained weight (ounces)

Type

Size

Color

Percent Green

Percent White

Factors Score Points

Color 35

“A” 32-35

“B” 29-311

“C” 26-281

“Sstd” 0-251

Clearness of liquor 10

“A” 9-10 

“B” 7-8

“C” 5-6

“Sstd” 0-41

Absence of defects 25

“A” 22-25

“B” 20-211

“C” 18-191

“Sstd” 0-171

Character 30

“A” 27-30

“B” 24-26

“C” 21-231

“Sstd” 0-201

Total Score 100

Grade

Normal flavor and odor

1 Indicates limiting rule.