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United States Standards

for Grades of Canned 

Peas and Carrots

Effective January 20, 2017
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots 

(81 FR 93572) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since 

July 20, 1970.

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 Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots

Section Page No.

Product Description, Kinds, Styles, and Grades........................................................ 2

§52.6201 Product description...................................................................................... 2

§52.6202 Kinds, styles, proportions of vegetables. ..................................................... 2

§52.6203 Grades of canned peas and carrots ............................................................ 2

Fill of Container and Drained Weight .......................................................................... 3

§52.6204 Fill of containers and drained weights ......................................................... 3

§52.6205 Compliance with recommended minimum drained weights......................... 3

Sample Unit Size and Factors of Quality..................................................................... 4

§52.6206 Sample unit size. ......................................................................................... 4

§52.6207 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit. ..................................................... 4

§52.6208 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored. ............................. 5

§52.6209 Color............................................................................................................ 5

§52.6210 Uniformity of size and shape. ...................................................................... 6

§52.6211 Defects. ....................................................................................................... 9

§52.6212 Character................................................................................................... 11

Methods of Analyses .................................................................................................. 12

§52.6213 Methods of analyses.................................................................................. 12

Lot Compliance ........................................................................................................... 12

§52.6214 Ascertaining the grade of a lot................................................................... 12

Score Sheet ................................................................................................................. 13

§52.6215 Score sheet for canned peas and carrots.................................................. 13
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

2

Product Description, Kinds, Styles, and Grades

§52.6201 Product description.

Canned peas and carrots is the product which has been properly prepared from clean, 

sound, succulent garden peas and clean, sound carrots. The peas and carrots are 

packed in a suitable packing medium with or without the addition of salt, sugar, or other 

ingredient(s) permissible under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and are 

sufficiently processed by heat to assure preservation of the product in hermetically 

sealed containers.

§52.6202 Kinds, styles, proportions of vegetables.

(a) Peas. Sweet type peas shall comprise not less than 50 percent, by weight, of 

the drained product.

(b) Carrots. Not less than 25 percent, by weight, of the drained product shall be 

carrots and shall be one of the following styles:

(1) Sliced. Predominantly of parallel slices which may be in the form of 

“corrugated,” “fluted,” “wavy,” “scalloped,” or “crinkle cut”;

(2) Diced. Approximate cube-shaped;

(3) Doubled-diced. Approximate rectangular shaped which resemble the 

equivalent of two cube-shaped units; or

(4) Strips. Cut strips not exceeding three-eighth inch in width and of various 

lengths and which have four approximately parallel sides.

(c) Determination of proportion of ingredients. The proportion requirement for 

the respective ingredient is determined by averaging the total drained weight of

each ingredient in all 10-ounce sample units in the sample: Provided, That any 

deviation from the requirement for proportions of ingredients in any one 10-ounce 

sample unit is within the range of variability of good commercial practice.

§52.6203 Grades of canned peas and carrots

(a) U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned peas and carrots in which the vegetables 

possess a good color, are practically free from defects, possess a good 

character, possess a good flavor and odor, and which score not less than 90 

points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this 

subpart.

(b) U.S. Grade B is the quality of canned peas and carrots in which the vegetables 

have at least reasonably good color, reasonable freedom from defects, a 

reasonably good character, and fairly good flavor and odor, and which score not 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

3

less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined 

in this subpart.

(c) Substandard is the quality of canned peas and carrots that fail to meet the 

requirements of U.S. Grade B.

Fill of Container and Drained Weight

§52.6204 Fill of containers and drained weights

(a) General. 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 purpose of these grades. It is recommended that each container be as full of 

peas and carrots as practicable without impairment of quality and that the 

product and packing medium occupy not less than 90 percent of the volume of 

the container.

(b) Method for ascertaining drained weight. The minimum drained weight 

recommendations in Table I are not incorporated in the grades of the finished 

product since drained weight, as such, is not a factor of quality for the purpose of 

these grades. The drained weight of canned peas and carrots is determined by 

emptying the contents of the container upon a U.S. Standard No. 8 circular sieve 

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

square openings). The product is evenly distributed on the sieve; the sieve 

inclined slightly to facilitate drainage, and allowed to drain for 2 minutes. The 

drained weight is the weight of the sieve and the peas and carrots less the weight 

of the dry sieve. A sieve 8 inches in diameter is used for the No. 2-1/2 size can 

(401 x 411) and smaller sizes; and a sieve 12 inches in diameter is used for 

containers larger than the No. 2-1/2 size can.

§52.6205 Compliance with recommended minimum drained weights.

Compliance with the recommended minimum drained weights for canned peas and 

carrots is determined by averaging the drained weights from all the containers which are 

representative of a specific lot. Such lot is considered as meeting the recommendations 

if the following criteria are met:

(a) The average of the drained weights from all of the containers meets the 

recommended drained weight; and

(b) The drained weights from the containers which do not meet the recommended 

drained weight are within the range of variability for good commercial practice.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

4

Table I – Recommended Minimum Drained Weights of Peas and Carrots

Container size

or designation

If the style of the carrot is:

Sliced; strips Diced; doublediced

Ounces Ounces

8 oz. Tall 5.5 5.5

No. 2 Vacuum (3-7/16 x 3-6/16) 9.5 9.5

No. 303 10.6 10.8

No. 303 (Glass) 10.6 10.8

No. 10 70.0 71.0

Sample Unit Size and Factors of Quality

§52.6206 Sample unit size.

Compliance with requirements for factors of quality and for proportions of ingredients 

shall be based on a sample unit consisting of 10 ounces of drained product. A sample 

unit may be comprised of:

(a) The entire contents of a container;

(b) A combination of the contents of two or more containers;

(c) A representative portion of the contents of a container: Provided, That not more 

than one (1) sample unit is derived from any one single container smaller than a 

No. 10 can and that less than two (2) sample units are derived from any one 

single container of a No. 10 can size or larger.

§52.6207 Ascertaining the grade of a sample unit.

(a) General. The grade of a sample unit of canned peas and carrots is ascertained 

by considering: The flavor and odor which are not scored; the rating of the factors 

of color, uniformity of size and shape, absence of defects, and character which 

are scored; the total score; and the limiting rules which may be applicable.

(b) Definition of flavor and odor.

(1) Good flavor means that the product and each of the vegetables has a 

good, characteristic, normal flavor and odor.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

5

(2) Fairly good flavor means that the product may be lacking in good flavor 

and odor but is free from objectionable flavors and objectionable odors of 

any kind.

(c) Factor not rated by score points.

(1) Flavor and odor.

(d) Factors rated by score points.

(1) 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 such factors are:

§52.6208 Ascertaining the rating for the factors which are scored.

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

value may be ascertained for each factor and expressed numerically. The numerical 

range within each factor which is scored is inclusive. (For example, 18 to 20 points

means 18, 19, or 20 points).

§52.6209 Color.

(a) General. The factor of color refers to the overall appearance of the product and 

to the color and brightness of the vegetables individually.

(b) “A” classification. Canned peas and carrots which possess a good color may 

be given a score of 18 to 20 points.

Good color means that the product possesses an overall color that is at least 

reasonably bright and each of the vegetables is not more than slightly affected by 

variations in color; that the carrots possess an orange-yellow color which is bright 

and typical and the presence of green, white, or orange-brown units does not 

more than slightly affect the appearance or eating quality of the carrots; that the 

Factors: Points

Color 20

Uniformity of size 20

Absence of defects 30

Character 30

Total score 100
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

6

color of the peas is normal and is typical of at least reasonably young and 

reasonably tender peas with practically no blond or cream colored peas.

(c) “B” classification. Canned peas and carrots which possess a reasonably good 

color may be given a score of 16 or 17 points. Canned peas and carrots that fall 

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

total score for the product (limiting rule).

Reasonably good color means that the product possesses an overall color 

which may be slightly dull but is not off color; that the color of each of the 

vegetables may be variable but not to the extent that the appearance of the 

product is seriously affected; that the presence of green, white, or orange-brown 

units does not seriously affect the appearance of the carrots; that the color of the 

peas is typical of fairly young and fairly tender peas.

(d) “SStd” classification. If the canned peas and carrots fail to meet the

requirements of paragraph (c) of this section a score of 0 to 15 points may be 

given and the product shall not be graded above Substandard, regardless of the 

total score for the product (limiting rule).

§52.6210 Uniformity of size and shape.

(a) General. Under this factor, consideration is given only to the uniformity of size 

and shape of the carrot ingredient. The percentage, by weight, of the carrot 

ingredient consisting of units smaller, or larger, than the required size for a 

particular style is determined by separating all such units from the other carrot 

units in the sample unit, weighing such units, and dividing that weight by the total 

weight of the drained carrot ingredient in the sample unit.

(b) Ascertaining dimensions. Size dimensions of the various units are measured 

as follows:

(1) Diameter and thickness of sliced carrots. The diameter of a slice is the 

measurement across the largest cut surface of the slice. The thickness of 

a slice is measured at the thickest portion between the two cut surfaces of 

the slice.

(2) Size of diced carrots. The size of a dice is the length of the edge (other 

than rounded outer edges) which is most representative of the size of the 

approximate cube.

(3) Width of a strip. The width of a strip is the widest cut surface measured 

at right angles to the length of the unit.

(c) “A” classification. Canned peas and carrots that are practically uniform in size 

and shape may be given a score of 18 to 20 points.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

7

Practically uniform in size and shape means that:

(1) The carrots comply with the measurement, shape and uniformity 

requirements for “A” classification in Table II; and, in addition

(2) The overall appearance of the product is not materially affected by 

variations or irregularities in size and shape of the units.

(d) “B” classification. Canned peas and carrots that are reasonably uniform in size 

and shape may be given a score of 16 or 17 points. Canned peas and carrots 

that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B regardless

of the total score for the product (limiting rule).

Reasonably uniform in size and shape means that:

(1) The carrots comply with the measurement, shape, and uniformity 

requirements for “B” classification in Table II; and, in addition

(2) The overall appearance of the product is not seriously affected by 

variations or irregularities in size or shape of the units.

(e) “SStd” classification. Canned peas and carrots that fail to meet the 

requirements of paragraph (d) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 15 

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

for the product (limiting rule).
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

8

Table II – Uniformity of Size and Shape Requirements for Carrot Ingredient in 

Canned Peas and Carrots

(A) (B)

Styles 

of 

carrots

Measurement 

and/or shape of 

individual units

Classification maximum 

variation (percent 

by weight of carrot 

ingredient in the 

sample unit)

Classification maximum 

variation (percent 

by weight of carrot 

ingredient in the

sample unit)

Sliced

1-1/2” maximum 

diameter; 

3/8” maximum 

thickness.

15 percent may exceed 

these measurement limits.

25 percent may exceed 

these measurement limits.

Diced

Approximate 

cube shape, 

3/8” minimum; 

5/8” maximum.

20 percent may fail these 

measurement limits, 

provided small chips do not 

materially affect 

appearance of product.

30 percent may fail these 

measurement limits, 

provided small chips do not 

seriously affect appearance 

of product.

DoubleDiced

Approximate 

double cube 

shapes.

20 percent may be 

noticeably smaller or larger 

than average size unit.

30 percent may be 

noticeably smaller or larger 

than average size unit.

Strips

Approximate 

French-cut 

shapes, 1-1/2” 

minimum length, 

3/8” maximum 

width.

25 percent may be less 

than 1-1/2” in length or 

exceed 3/8” width.

35 percent may be less 

than 1-1/2” in length or 

exceed 3/8” width.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

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§52.6211 Defects.

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

extraneous vegetable material, damaged units, seriously damaged units, and any 

other defect which detracts from the appearance or edibility of the product.

(1) Harmless extraneous vegetable material means:

(i) Material common to the pea or carrot plant (such as leaves, stems, 

or pods) and

(ii) Harmless material from other plants (such as thistle buds or seeds) 

which are succulent.

(2) Damaged unit means any pea or carrot unit that is affected by 

discoloration or other blemish to the extent that the appearance or edibility 

of the unit is materially affected and has the following specific meanings 

with respect to each vegetable:

(i) Peas. Any spotted or off-colored pea (other than blond peas) such 

as brown or gray discoloration.

(ii) Carrots. Any unit possessing an unpeeled area greater than the 

area of a circle one-eighth inch in diameter; and any unit blemished 

by internal or external discoloration, such as sunburn or green 

color, or other similar color.

(3) Seriously damaged unit means a pea or carrot unit that is damaged to 

the extent that the appearance or edibility of the unit is seriously affected 

and includes units with very dark spots or serious discoloration or other 

abnormalities.

(4) Other defects means defects not specifically mentioned that affect the 

appearance or edibility of the product and include, but are not limited to, 

the following:

(i) Peas. Mashed peas, broken peas, loose cotyledons, loose skins, 

and any portions thereof;

(ii) Carrots. Crushed, broken, or cracked units or units with 

excessively frayed edges and surfaces.

(b) “A” classification. Canned peas and carrots that are practically free from 

defects may be given a score of 27 to 30 points. Practically free from defects

means that there may be present:
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

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(1) Not more than one (1) piece of harmless extraneous material per 60 

ounces of drained product (average of entire sample); and

(2) Not more than the following per sample unit of 10 ounces:

(i) A total of 8 damaged and seriously damaged units of which not 

more than one (1) may be seriously damaged: Provided, That 

damaged and seriously damaged units, either singly or in 

combination, may no more than slightly affect the appearance or 

eating quality of the product;

(ii) Harmless extraneous material and/or other defects, individually or 

collectively, which materially affect the appearance of the product; 

and

(iii) Any combination of the foregoing which materially affect the 

appearance or eating quality of the product.

(c) “B” classification. If the canned peas and carrots are reasonably free from 

defects, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Canned peas and carrots that 

fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, regardless of 

the total score for the product (limiting rule).

Reasonably free from defects means that there may be present:

(1) Not more than one (1) piece of harmless extraneous material per 30 

ounces of drained product (average of entire sample); and

(2) Not more than the following per sample unit of 10 ounces:

(i) A total of 15 damaged and seriously damaged units of which not 

more than 3 units may be seriously damaged: Provided, That 

damaged and seriously damaged units, either singly or in 

combination, do not seriously affect the appearance or eating 

quality of the product;

(ii) Harmless extraneous material and/or other defects, individually or 

collectively, which seriously affect the appearance or eating quality; 

and

(iii) Any combination of the foregoing which seriously affect the 

appearance or eating quality of the product.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

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(d) “SStd” classification. Canned peas and carrots that fail to meet the 

requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 23 

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

for the product (limiting rule).

§52.6212 Character.

(a) General. The factor of character refers to the tenderness and maturity of the 

peas; and the tenderness and degree of freedom from stringy or coarse fibers in 

the carrots.

(b) “A” classification. Canned peas and carrots which possess a good character 

may be given a score of 27 to 30 points.

Good character means that:

(1) Carrots. The carrot units are tender, are not fibrous, and possess a 

practically uniform texture.

(2) Peas. The peas are at least reasonably tender and comply with the 

requirements of Table III.

(c) “B” classification. If the canned peas and carrots possess a reasonably good 

character, a score of 24 to 26 points may be given. Canned peas and carrots 

that fall into this classification shall not be graded above U.S. Grade B, 

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

Reasonably good character means that:

(1) Carrots. The carrot units are at least reasonably tender, may be variable 

in texture but are not tough, hard, or mushy; and not more than 5 percent, 

by weight, of the carrot ingredient may possess coarse, fibrous material.

(2) Peas. The peas are at least fairly tender; the skins of not more than 5 

percent, by count, of the peas may be ruptured to a width of one-sixteenth 

inch or more; and, the peas comply with the requirements of Table III.
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

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Table III – Summary of Maximum Allowances for the Brine Flotation Test

Grade Score 

range

Maximum number of peas that sink in 10 seconds

(percent by count)

13% salt solution 15% salt solution 16% salt solution

A 27 to 30 5 2 None

B 24 to 26 No limit 10 2

(d) “SStd” classification. Canned peas and carrots that fail to meet the 

requirements of paragraph (c) of this section may be given a score of 0 to 23 

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

for the product (limiting rule).

Methods of Analyses

§52.6213 Methods of analyses.

Brine flotation test. The brine flotation test utilizes salt solutions of various specific 

gravities to separate the peas according to maturity. The brine solutions are based on 

the percentage, by weight, of pure salt (NaCl) in solution. In making the test, a 250 ml. 

glass beaker is filled with the brine solution to a depth of approximately 2 inches. The 

brine equipment, solution, and peas should be at the same temperature. Only peas that 

sink to the bottom of the receptacle within 10 seconds after immersion are counted “as 

peas that sink.” Pieces of peas and loose skins should not be used in making the brine 

flotation test.

Lot Compliance

§52.6214 Ascertaining the grade of a lot.

The grade of a lot of canned peas and carrots covered by these standards is 

determined by the procedures 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 Peas and Carrots (January 20, 2017)

13

Score Sheet

§52.6215 Score sheet for canned peas and carrots.

Number, size, and kind of container 

Container marks or identification

Label 

Net weight (ounces) 

Vacuum (inches)

Drained weight (ounces)

Kinds of Ingredients

Per Sample Unit

Aggregate weight 

of each 

ingredient

Proportion of 

ingredients

Peas, sweet ___ oz ___%

Carrots:

 Diced (approx. “___” cubes) ___ oz ___%

 Double Diced ___ oz ___%

 Sliced (approx. “___” diameter) ___ oz ___%

 Strips ___ oz ___%

Total weight of drained vegetables ___ oz 100%

Factors Grade Score Points

Color 20 “A” 18-20

“B” 16-171

“SStd” 0-151

Uniformity of size and shape 20 “A” 18-20

“B” 16-171

“SStd” 0-151

Absence of defects 30 “A” 27-30

“B” 24-261

“SStd” 0-231

Character 30 “A” 27-30

“B” 24-261

“SStd” 0-231

Total Score 100

Flavor: ( ) Good ( ) Fairly Good ( ) Off

U.S. Grade

1Indicates limiting rule.