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United States Standards

for Grades of Parsnips

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

supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since December 10, 1945.

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 Parsnips (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Parsnips

Section Page No.

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

§51.4010 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.4011 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

Reserved........................................................................................................................ 3

§51.4012 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 3

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

§51.4013 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 3

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

§51.4014 Well trimmed................................................................................................ 3

§51.4015 Fairly well formed. ....................................................................................... 3

§51.4016 Fairly smooth. .............................................................................................. 3

§51.4017 Fairly clean. ................................................................................................. 3

§51.4018 Fairly firm..................................................................................................... 4

§51.4019 Damage....................................................................................................... 4

§51.4020 Badly misshapen. ........................................................................................ 4

§51.4021 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 4

§51.4022 Diameter...................................................................................................... 4
United States Standards for Grades of Parsnips (September 6, 2016)

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Grades

§51.4010 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of parsnips of similar varietal characteristics which are well 

trimmed, fairly well formed, fairly smooth, fairly clean, fairly firm, free from woodiness, 

soft rot or wet breakdown, and from damage caused by discoloration, bruises, cuts, 

rodents, growth cracks, pithiness, disease, insects, mechanical or other means.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each parsnip shall be not less than 

1-1/2 inches. The maximum diameter of the parsnips in any lot may be specified 

in terms of inches and quarter inches, in accordance with the facts.

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

handling, the following tolerances, by weight, are provided as specified.

(1) For defects. Ten percent for parsnips in any lot which fail to meet the 

requirements of this grade, including therein not more than 5 percent for 

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

than 1 percent for parsnips affected by soft rot or wet breakdown.

(2) For size. Three percent for parsnips in any lot which fail to meet the 

specified minimum diameter and 10 percent for parsnips which fail to meet 

any specified maximum diameter.

§51.4011 U.S. No. 2.

“U. S. No. 2” consists of parsnips which are well trimmed, not badly misshapen, free 

from woodiness, soft rot and wet breakdown, and from serious damage caused by 

secondary roots, dirt, discoloration, bruises, cuts, rodents, growth cracks, pithiness, 

wilting, disease, insects, mechanical or other means.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each parsnip shall be not less than 

1-1/2 inches. The maximum diameter of the parsnips in any lot may be specified 

in terms of inches and quarter inches, in accordance with the facts.

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

handling, the following tolerances, by weight, are provided as specified:

(1) For defects. Ten percent for parsnips in any lot which fail to meet the 

requirements of this grade, including therein not more than 1 percent for 

parsnips affected by soft rot or wet breakdown.

(2) For size. Five percent for parsnips in any lot which fail to meet the 

specified minimum diameter and 10 percent for parsnips which fail to meet 

any specified maximum diameter.
United States Standards for Grades of Parsnips (September 6, 2016)

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Reserved

§51.4012 Reserved.

Application of Tolerances

§51.4013 Application of tolerances.

The contents of individual packages in the lot, are subject to the following limitations:

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

not more than one and one-half times 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.

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

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.

Definitions

§51.4014 Well trimmed.

“Well trimmed” means that the tops shall be cut back to within 3/4 inch from the crown 

of the parsnip; except that occasional uncut leaves or leafstems or new top growth 

exceeding this length which does not materially damage the appearance of the lot shall 

be permitted.

§51.4015 Fairly well formed.

“Fairly well formed” means that the parsnip is not turnip shaped or so forked or 

misshapen as to materially affect its appearance or cause a loss of more than 5 

percent, by weight, in the ordinary preparation for use.

§51.4016 Fairly smooth.

“Fairly smooth” means that the parsnip is not rough, ridged, or covered with 

secondary roots to an extent which materially affects its appearance or causes a loss of 

more than 5 percent, by weight, in the ordinary preparation for use.

§51.4017 Fairly clean.

“Fairly clean” means that individual parsnips are reasonably free from dirt, stain, or 

other foreign matter, and that the general appearance of the parsnips in the lot is not 

more than slightly affected by these causes.
United States Standards for Grades of Parsnips (September 6, 2016)

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§51.4018 Fairly firm.

“Fairly firm” means that the parsnip is not soft, materially flabby, or shriveled.

§51.4019 Damage.

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

from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the individual parsnip, or the 

parsnips in the lot; or which causes a loss of more than 5 percent, by weight, of the 

parsnip in the ordinary preparation for use.

§51.4020 Badly misshapen.

“Badly misshapen” means that the parsnip is so badly crooked, twisted, forked, or 

otherwise so misshapen as to seriously affect its appearance or cause a loss of more 

than 10 percent, by weight, of the parsnip in the ordinary preparation for use.

§51.4021 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 individual parsnip 

or the parsnips in the lot; or which causes a loss of more than 10 percent, by weight, of 

the parsnip in the ordinary preparation for use.

§51.4022 Diameter.

“Diameter” means the greatest dimension of the parsnip measured at right angles to 

the longitudinal axis.