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United States Standards

for Grades of 

Dewberries and

Blackberries

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Dewberries and Blackberries 

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

February 13, 1928.

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 Dewberries and Blackberries

(September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Dewberries and Blackberries

Section Page No.

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

§51.4270 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.4271 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.4272 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.4273 Well colored................................................................................................. 2

§51.4274 Well developed. ........................................................................................... 2

§51.4275 Overripe....................................................................................................... 2

§51.4276 Damage....................................................................................................... 2

§51.4277 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 3
United States Standards for Grades of Dewberries and Blackberries

(September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.4270 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of dewberries or blackberries of one variety which are firm, well 

colored, well developed and not overripe, which are free from caps (calyxes), mold and 

decay, and from damage caused by dirt or other foreign matter, shriveling, moisture, 

disease, insects, mechanical or other means.

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

handling, not more than 10 percent, by volume, of the berries in any lot may fail 

to meet the requirements of this grade, including therein not more than 5 percent 

for defects causing serious damage, and including in this latter amount not more 

than 1 percent for berries which are affected by mold or decay.

§51.4271 U.S. No. 2.

“U.S. No. 2” consists of dewberries or blackberries of one variety which fail to meet the

requirements of the U.S. No. 1 grade but which do not contain more than 10 percent, by 

volume, of berries in any lot which are seriously damaged by any cause, including 

therein not more than 2 percent for berries which are affected by mold or decay.

Reserved

§51.4272 Reserved.

Definitions

§51.4273 Well colored.

“Well colored” means that the whole surface of the berry shall be a blue or black color.

§51.4274 Well developed.

“Well developed” means that the berries shall not be misshapen owing to anthracnose 

injury, frost injury, lack of pollination, insect injury, or other causes.

§51.4275 Overripe.

“Overripe” means dead ripe or soft, necessitating immediate consumption.

§51.4276 Damage.

“Damage” means any defect, or any combination of defects, which materially detracts 

from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the berry.
United States Standards for Grades of Dewberries and Blackberries

(September 6, 2016)

3

§51.4277 Serious damage.

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

detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the berry. Berries 

which are badly deformed, crushed, leaky, moldy, decayed, or which have less than 

one-half of the surface covered with a blue or black color shall be considered as 

seriously damaged.