United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural 

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Fresh

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Kiwifruit

Effective October 15, 1986

(Reprinted - January 1997)
Compliance with the provisions of these standards shall not excuse failure to comply with provisions of 1

applicable Federal or State laws.

1

United States Standards for Grades of Kiwifruit 1

51.2335 Grades.

51.2336 Tolerances.

51.2337 Application of tolerances.

51.2338 Standard Pack.

51.2339 Definitions.

51.2340 Classification of defects.

51.2341 Sample size for grade determination.

§51.2335 Grades.

(a) ''U.S. Fancy'' consists of kiwifruit which meet the following requirements:

(1) Basic Requirements:

(i) Similar varietal characteristics;

(ii) Mature;

(iii) Not soft, overripe, or shriveled;

(iv) Carefully packed;

(v) Clean; and,

(vi) Well formed.

(2) Free From:

(i) Worm holes;

(ii) Broken skins which are not healed;

(iii) Sunscald;

(iv) Freezing injury;

(v) Internal breakdown; and,

(vi) Decay.

(3) Free From Injury By:

(i) Bruises;

(ii) Leaf or limbrubs;

(iii) Discoloration;

(iv) Hail;

(v) Growth cracks;

(vi) Scab;

(vii) Scars;

(viii) Heat, sprayburn, or sunburn;

(ix) Scale;

(x) Insects;

(xi) Other diseases; and,
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(xii) Mechanical or other means.

(4) Tolerances. (See §51.2336)

(b) ''U.S. No. 1'' consists of kiwifruit which meet the following requirements:

(1) Basic Requirements:

(i) Similar varietal characteristics;

(ii) Mature;

(iii) Not soft, overripe, or shriveled;

(iv) Carefully packed;

(v) Clean; and,

(vi) Fairly well formed.

(2) Free From:

(i) Worm holes;

(ii) Broken skins which are not healed;

(iii) Sunscald;

(iv) Freezing injury;

(v) Internal breakdown; and,

(vi) Decay.

(3) Free From Damage By:

(i) Bruises;

(ii) Leaf or limbrubs;

(iii) Discoloration;

(iv) Hail;

(v) Growth cracks;

(vi) Scab;

(vii) Scars;

(viii) Heat, sprayburn, or sunburn;

(ix) Scale;

(x) Insects;

(xi) Other diseases; and,

(xii) Mechanical or other means.

(4) Tolerances. (See §51.2336):

(c) ''U.S. No. 2'' consists of kiwifruit which meet the following requirements:

(1) Basic Requirements:

(i) Similar varietal characteristics;

(ii) Mature;

(iii) Not soft, overripe, or shriveled;

(iv) Carefully packed;

(v) Fairly clean; and,

(vi) Not badly misshapen.

(2) Free From:

(i) Worm holes;

(ii) Broken skins which are not healed;

(iii) Sunscald;
 Shipping point, as used in these standards, means the point of origin of the shipment in the producing area or at 2

port of loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or, in the case of shipments from outside the continental United

States, the port of entry into the United States.

3

(iv) Freezing injury;

(v) Internal breakdown; and,

(vi) Decay.

(3) Free From Serious Damage By:

(i) Bruises;

(ii) Leaf or limbrubs;

(iii) Discoloration;

(iv) Hail;

(v) Growth cracks;

(vi) Scab;

(vii) Scars;

(viii) Heat, sprayburn, or sunburn;

(ix) Scale;

(x) Insects;

(xi) Other diseases; and,

(xii) Mechanical or other means.

(4) Tolerances. (See §51.2336)

§51.2336 Tolerances.

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the following tolerances

by count, shall be permitted in any lot:

(a) U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1.

(1) For defects at shipping point. 8 percent for fruit which fail to meet the requirements of the 2

specified grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than 4 percent shall be allowed

for defects causing serious damage, including in this latter amount not more than 1 percent for

fruit affected by internal breakdown or decay.

(2) For defects en route or at destination. 12 percent for fruit which fail to meet the requirements

of the specified grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following

percentages shall be allowed for defects:

(i) 8 percent for permanent defects;

(ii) 6 percent for defects causing serious damage, including therein not more than 4 percent for

serious damage by permanent defects and not more than 2 percent for fruit affected by internal

breakdown or decay.

(b) U.S. No. 2.

(1) For defects at shipping point. 8 percent for fruit which fail to meet the requirements of this 2

grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than 4 percent shall be allowed for

sunscald, insects, internal breakdown or decay, including in this latter amount not more than 1

percent for fruit affected by internal breakdown or decay.

(2) For defects en route or at destination. 12 percent for fruit which fail to meet the requirements

of this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following percentages
4

shall be allowed for defects:

(i) 8 percent for permanent defects including therein not more than 4 percent for sunscald, or

insects; and,

(ii) 2 percent for internal breakdown or decay.

§51.2337 Application of tolerances.

The contents of individual containers in a lot, based on sample inspection, are subject to the

following limitations:

(a) Individual samples shall not have more than double a specified tolerance except that at least

two defective specimens may be permitted in any container: Provided, That not more than one

fruit which is frozen or affected by decay be permitted in any container 3 pounds or less; and,

Provided further, That the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified for the

grade.

§51.2338 Standard pack.

(a) Fruit shall be fairly uniform in size and shall be packed in boxes, flats, lugs, or cartons and

arranged according to approved and recognized methods. Containers shall be well filled; contents

tightly packed but not be excessively or unnecessarily bruised by overfilling or oversizing. Fruit in

the shown face of the container shall be reasonably representative in size and quality of the

contents.

(b) When packed in closed containers the size shall be indicated by marking the container with the

numerical count.

(c) Boxes, flats, lugs, or cartons:

(1) Fruit packed in containers with cell compartments, cardboard fillers or molded trays shall be of

proper size for the cells, fillers, or molds in which they are packed, and conform to the marked

count.

(2) In order to allow for variations incident to proper packing in other types of containers, for

example, lugs, cartons, or boxes, the number of fruit shall not vary more than two from the

marked count.

(d) ''Fairly uniform in size'' means that fruit in containers marked numerically to denote size may

not vary in diameter more than 1/2 inch (12.7mm) in sizes 30 or larger; 3/8 inch (9.5mm) in sizes

31 through 38; and 1/4 inch (6.4mm) in sizes 39 or smaller. Not more than 5 percent, by count, of

the fruit in any container may exceed the diameter range specified.

(e) ''Diameter'' means the greatest dimension measured at right angles to a line from stem to

blossom end.

(f) In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing and packing, not more than 10

percent, by count, of containers in any lot may fail to meet these requirements.

§51.2339 Definitions.

''Similar varietal characteristics'' means the fruit in any lot and container are similar in shape, color

of skin and flesh. 

''Mature'' means the fruit has reached the stage of development which will ensure the proper

completion of the ripening process. The minimum average soluble solids, unless otherwise

specified, shall be not less than 6.5 percent.

''Clean'' means the fruit is practically free from dirt, dust, or other foreign material.

''Fairly clean'' means the fruit is reasonably free from dirt, dust, or other foreign material.
5

''Well formed'' means the fruit has the shape characteristic of the variety and slight bumps or other

roughness are permitted providing they do not detract from the appearance.

''Fairly well formed'' means the fruit has the shape characteristic of the variety but slight bumps or

other roughness are permitted providing they do not materially detract from appearance.

''Badly misshapen'' means the fruit is so decidedly deformed that its appearance is seriously

affected.

''Carefully packed'' means the fruit shows no evidence of rough handling.

''Injury'' means any defect described in §51.2340, or an equally objectionable variation of any one

of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, which more than slightly

detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality.

''Damage'' means any defect described in §51.2340 or an equally objectionable variation of any

one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, which materially detracts

from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality.

''Serious damage'' means any defect described in §51.2340 or an equally objectionable variation of

any one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, which seriously detracts

from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality.

''Permanent defects'' means those which are not subject to change during shipment or storage, for

example, shape, scars, or growth cracks.

''Condition defects'' means those defects which are subject to change during shipment or storage,

for example, decay, soft, shriveling, discoloration, or bruises.
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§51.2340 Classification of defects.

Defects Injury Damage Serious Damage

Bruises When any slight indentation of the When surface of fruit is indented and When surface of the fruit is indented

fruit or discoloration of the flesh discoloration of the flesh extends and discoloration of the flesh extends

extends more than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) deeper than 1/8 inch (3.2 mm), or deeper than 1/4 inch (6.4 mm), or

in depth. causing slight discoloration exceeding causing discoloration exceeding the

the area of a circle 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) area of a circle 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) in

in diameter, or lesser bruises diameter, or lesser bruises which

aggregating an area of a circle 3/8 seriously detract from the appearance,

inch (9.5 mm) in diameter which edible or shipping quality.

materially detract from the

appearance, edible or shipping

quality. 

Leaf or Limbrubs When not smooth, or not light colored, When not smooth, or not light colored, When smooth and light colored and

or aggregating more than the area of a or aggregating more than the area of a aggregating more than the area of a

circle 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) in diameter. circle 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) in diameter. circle 1-1/2 inches (38.1 mm) in

diameter, or dark or slightly rough and

barklike scars aggregating more than

the area of a circle 3/4 inch (19.1 mm)

in diameter.

Discoloration... When color and pattern causes a When color and pattern causes an When color and pattern causes a

distinct noticeable appearance (except unattractive appearance (except for distinct unattractive appearance

for water staining) affecting more than water staining) affecting more than (except for water staining) affecting

5% of surface. 10% of surface. more than 25% of surface.

Hail Injury........ When unhealed or deep, or When unhealed or deep, or When unhealed or deep, or

aggregating more than the area of a aggregating more than the area of a aggregating more than the area of a

circle 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) in diameter. circle 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) in diameter. circle 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) in diameter.
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Growth Cracks When not healed, or more than one in When not healed, or more than one in When not healed and more than 1/8

number, or more than 1/8 inch (3.2 number, or more than 1/8 inch (3.2 inch (3.2 mm) in length or depth, or

mm) in length or depth. mm) in depth, or more than 3/8 inch healed and more than 3/16 inch (4.8

(9.5 mm) in length if within the stem mm) in depth, or healed and

cavity, or more than 1/4 inch (6.4 aggregating more than 5/8 inch (15.9

mm) in length if outside the stem mm) in length if within the stem

cavity. cavity, or healed and aggregating

more than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) in

length if outside the stem cavity.

Scab................ When cracked, or the aggregate area When cracked, or the aggregate area When the aggregate area exceeds that

exceeds that of a circle 1/8 inch (3.2 exceeds that of a circle 1/4 inch (6.4 of a circle 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) in

mm) in diameter. mm) in diameter. diameter.

Scars............... When not smooth, or surface of the When not smooth, or surface of the When the surface of the fruit is

fruit is depressed more than 1/32 inch fruit is depressed more than 1/16 inch depressed more than 3/16 inch (4.8

(.8 mm), or not light in color, or when (1.6 mm), or when exceeding any of mm), or when exceeding any of the

exceeding any of the following the following aggregate areas, or a following aggregate areas, or a

aggregate areas, or a combination of combination of two or more types of combination of two or more types of

two or more types of scars, the scars, the seriousness of which scars, the seriousness of which

seriousness of which exceeds the exceeds the maximum allowed for any exceeds the maximum allowed for any

maximum allowed for any one type: one type: (1) Dark or rough scars one type: (1) Dark or rough scars

(1) Dark or rough scars when the area when the area exceeds that of a circle when the area exceeds that of a circle

exceeds that of a circle 1/8 inch (3.2 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) in diameter; (2) 3/4 inch (19.1 mm) in diameter; (2)

mm) in diameter; (2) Fairly light Fairly light colored, fairly smooth Not dark or rough when the area

colored, fairly smooth scars when the scars when the area exceeds that of a exceeds one-fourth of the fruit surface.

area exceeds that of a circle 1/4 inch circle 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) in diameter;

(6.4 mm) in diameter; (3) Light (3) Light colored, smooth scars when

colored, smooth scars when the area the area exceeds that of a circle 3/4

exceeds that of a circle 1/2 inch (12.7 inch (19.1 mm) in diameter.

mm) in diameter.
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Heat, Sprayburn When the normal color of the skin or When the skin is blistered, cracked or When the skin is blistered, cracked or

and sunburn. flesh is more than slightly changed, or decidedly flattened, or the normal decidedly flattened, or causing any

any indentation is present. color of the skin or flesh has dark discoloration of the flesh, or

materially changed, or more than one more than two indentations are

indentation, or indentation exceeds present, or the aggregate area of

3/16 inch (4.8 mm) in diameter. indentations exceeds that of a circle

3/8 inch (9.5 mm) in diameter, or

when causing a noticeable brownish

or darker discoloration over more than

one-fourth of surface.

Scale or Scale When more than one large scale or When the aggregate area exceeds that When the aggregate area exceeds that

Marks. scale mark or more than three scales of a circle 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) in of a circle 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) in

or scale marks of any size are present. diameter. diameter.

Insects............ When feeding injury is evident on fruit When feeding injury materially When feeding injury seriously detracts

or any insect is present in fruit. detracts from appearance or any insect from appearance or any insect is

is present in fruit. present in fruit.

 Classification of defects guidelines are based on fruit 2 inches or smaller in diameter. Accordingly, larger fruit are permitted to have defects relative to their size.

§51.2341 Sample size for grade determination.

For fruit place-packed in tray pack containers, the sample shall consist of the contents of the individual container. For fruit

jumble-packed in volume filled containers, the sample shall consist of at least 50 fruit. When individual containers contain at least 50

fruit, each individual sample is drawn from one container. When individual containers contain less than 50 fruit, a sufficient number of

adjoining containers are opened to form a 50 fruit sample.
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METRIC EQUIVALENCY TABLE

Inches Millimeters

1/32........................................................ .8

1/16........................................................ 1.6

1/8.......................................................... 3.2

3/16........................................................ 4.8

1/4.......................................................... 6.4

3/8.......................................................... 9.5

1/2.......................................................... 12.7

5/8.......................................................... 15.9

3/4.......................................................... 19.1

1............................................................. 25.4

1-1/4....................................................... 31.8

1-1/2....................................................... 38.1

1-3/4....................................................... 44.5

2............................................................. 50.8

2-1/4....................................................... 57.2

2-1/2........................................................ 63.5 

2-3/4........................................................ 69.9

3............................................................... 76.2