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United States Standards

for Grades of 

Horseradish Roots

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Horseradish Roots (81 FR 51297) 

supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since July 27, 1936.

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 Horseradish Roots (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Horseradish Roots

Section Page No.

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

§51.3900 U.S. Fancy................................................................................................... 2

§51.3901 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.3902 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.3903 Reserved ..................................................................................................... 2

Tolerances ..................................................................................................................... 2

§51.3904 Tolerances................................................................................................... 2

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 3

§51.3905 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 3

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 3

§51.3906 Firm. ............................................................................................................ 3

§51.3907 Well trimmed................................................................................................ 3

§51.3908 Well shaped................................................................................................. 3

§51.3909 Fairly well shaped........................................................................................ 4

§51.3910 Fairly smooth. .............................................................................................. 4

§51.3911 Excessively rough........................................................................................ 4

§51.3912 Damage....................................................................................................... 4

§51.3913 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 4

§51.3914 Head............................................................................................................ 4

§51.3915 Good head formation................................................................................... 5

§51.3916 Fairly good head formation.......................................................................... 5

§51.3917 Length.......................................................................................................... 5

§51.3918 Diameter...................................................................................................... 5
United States Standards for Grades of Horseradish Roots (September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.3900 U.S. Fancy.

“U.S. Fancy” consists of horseradish roots which are firm, well trimmed, well shaped, 

fairly smooth, free from decay and hollow heart, and free from damage caused by dirt, 

sunburn, cuts, cracks, internal discoloration, mold, freezing, insects, mechanical or 

other means. Each root shall have good head formation. (See §51.3904.)

(a) Size. The roots shall be not less than 8 inches in length when the diameter is 

1-1/2 inches or more: Provided, That if the length is greater than 8 inches, the 

diameter may be 1/16 inch less for each additional half inch in length, but no root 

shall be less than 1-1/4 inches in diameter. (See §51.3904.)

§51.3901 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of horseradish roots which are firm, well trimmed, fairly well 

shaped, not excessively rough, and which are free from decay and hollow heart, and 

free from damage caused by dirt, sunburn, cuts, cracks, internal discoloration, mold, 

freezing, insects, mechanical or other means. Each root shall have fairly good head 

formation. (See §51.3904.)

(a) Size. The roots shall be not less than 6 inches in length when the diameter is 

1-1/4 inches or more: Provided, That if the length is greater than 6 inches, the 

diameter may be 1/16 inch less for each additional half inch of length, but no root 

shall be less than 1 inch in diameter. (See §51.3904.)

§51.3902 U.S. No. 2.

“U.S. No. 2” consists of horseradish roots which are firm, well trimmed, free from decay 

and hollow heart, and free from serious damage caused by dirt, sunburn, cuts, cracks, 

internal discoloration, mold, freezing, insects, mechanical or other means. (See 

§51.3904.)

(a) Size. The roots shall be not less than 4 inches in length and not less than 1/2 

inch in diameter. (See §51.3904.)

Reserved

§51.3903 Reserved

Tolerances

§51.3904 Tolerances.

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling in each of the 

foregoing grades, the following tolerances, by weight, are provided as specified:
United States Standards for Grades of Horseradish Roots (September 6, 2016)

3

(a) For defects. Ten percent for roots in any lot which fail to meet the requirements 

of the specified grade, including therein not more than 5 percent for roots which 

are hollow and also including therein not more than 2 percent for roots which are 

affected by decay.

(b) For size. Five percent for roots in any lot which are smaller than the minimum 

size specified for the grade.

Application of Tolerances

§51.3905 Application of tolerances.

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

to the following limitations:

(a) For a tolerance of 10 percent or more, individual packages in any lot may contain 

not more than one and one-half times the tolerance specified, except that when 

the package contains 15 specimens or less, individual packages may contain not 

more than double the tolerance specified: Provided, That the average for the 

entire lot is within the tolerance specified for the grade.

(b) For a tolerance of less than 10 percent, individual packages in any lot may 

contain not more than double the tolerance specified: Provided, That at least 

one defective and one off-size specimen may be permitted in any package: And 

provided further, That the average for the entire lot is within the tolerance 

specified for the grade.

Definitions

§51.3906 Firm.

“Firm” means that the roots are not appreciably soft, flabby, wilted, or withered.

§51.3907 Well trimmed.

“Well trimmed” means that all secondary roots (plants) which are less than 5/8 inch in 

diameter at the point of attachment to the main root are trimmed to not more than 1 inch 

in length; and that tops (leaves) are trimmed to not more than 1/2 inch in length from the 

head.

§51.3908 Well shaped.

“Well shaped” means that the root is not forked or branched. It may be slightly curved 

or crooked but shall not diverge in direction more than a total of 45 degrees from the 

course of a straight root.
United States Standards for Grades of Horseradish Roots (September 6, 2016)

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§51.3909 Fairly well shaped.

“Fairly well shaped” means that the root may be moderately curved or crooked but 

shall not diverge in direction more than a total of 90 degrees from the course of a 

straight root.

§51.3910 Fairly smooth.

“Fairly smooth” means that the surface of the root is not bark-like or pitted to an extent

appreciably detracting from its appearance. Remnants of secondary roots on the side 

of the main root shall not be considered as roughness.

§51.3911 Excessively rough.

“Excessively rough” means that the surface of the root is pitted or furrowed to a depth 

of more than one-eighth of an inch over one-fourth or more of the surface in the 

aggregate, exclusive of the head. Remnants of secondary roots on the side of the main 

root shall not be considered as roughness.

§51.3912 Damage.

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

the appearance or the grinding quality of the root, or which cannot be removed without a 

loss of more than 10 percent, by weight, of the root including the peel covering the 

defective area.

(a) Dirt shall be considered as damage when it is more than lightly caked on the 

root.

§51.3913 Serious damage.

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

detracts from the appearance or the grinding quality of the root or which cannot be 

removed without a loss of more than 25 percent, by weight, of the root including the 

peel covering the defective area.

(a) Dirt shall be considered as serious damage if it is more than moderately caked or 

encrusted on the root.

§51.3914 Head.

“Head” means that part of the root to which the leaves are attached. It is usually a 

rounded knob at or near the top of the root.
United States Standards for Grades of Horseradish Roots (September 6, 2016)

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§51.3915 Good head formation.

“Good head formation” means a head formation consisting of any number of heads, 

provided they are at the top of the root and not more than two are separated by a deep 

crotch.

§51.3916 Fairly good head formation.

“Fairly good head formation” means a head formation consisting of any number of 

heads, provided they are at the top of the root and not more than four are separated by 

deep crotches.

§51.3917 Length.

“Length” means the total overall length of the root from the top of the uppermost head 

to the tip of the main, usable root.

§51.3918 Diameter.

“Diameter” means the greatest thickness of the root at a point halfway of its length.