Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing 

Service

Specialty

Crops

Program

Specialty

Crops

Inspection

Division

United States Standards

for Grades of Rhubarb

(Field Grown)

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

supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since February 1, 1966.

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 Rhubarb (Field Grown) (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Rhubarb (Field Grown)

Section Page No.

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

§51.3665 U.S. Fancy................................................................................................... 2

§51.3666 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.3667 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.3668 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.3669 Tolerances................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.3670 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 3

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

§51.3671 Similar varietal characteristics. .................................................................... 3

§51.3672 Very well colored. ........................................................................................ 3

§51.3673 Well colored................................................................................................. 3

§51.3674 Fairly well colored........................................................................................ 3

§51.3675 Fresh. .......................................................................................................... 3

§51.3676 Straight. ....................................................................................................... 4

§51.3677 Well trimmed................................................................................................ 4

§51.3678 Pithy............................................................................................................. 4

§51.3679 Damage....................................................................................................... 4

§51.3680 Diameter...................................................................................................... 4

§51.3681 Length.......................................................................................................... 4

§51.3682 Fairly straight. .............................................................................................. 4

§51.3683 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 4
United States Standards for Grades of Rhubarb (Field Grown) (September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.3665 U.S. Fancy.

“U.S. Fancy” consists of stalks of rhubarb of similar varietal characteristics which are 

very well colored, fresh, tender, straight, clean, well trimmed and not pithy; which are 

free from decay, and free from damage caused by scars, freezing, disease, insects, or 

mechanical or other means. (See §51.3669.)

(a) The diameter of each stalk is not less than 1 inch, and the length not less than 10 

inches. (See §51.3669.)

§51.3666 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of stalks of rhubarb of similar varietal characteristics which are 

well colored, fresh, tender, straight, clean, well trimmed and not pithy; which are free 

from decay, and free from damage caused by scars, freezing, disease, insects or 

mechanical or other means. (See §51.3669.)

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each stalk is not less than threefourths inch, and the length not less than 10 inches. (See §51.3669.)

§51.3667 U.S. No. 2.

“U.S. No. 2” consists of stalks of rhubarb of similar varietal characteristics which are 

fairly well colored, fresh, fairly straight, clean, well trimmed and not pithy; which are free 

from decay, and free from serious damage caused by scars, freezing, disease, insects 

or mechanical or other means. (See §51.3669.)

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each stalk is not less than one-half 

inch, and the length not less than 8 inches. (See §51.3669.)

Reserved

§51.3668 Reserved.

Tolerances

§51.3669 Tolerances.

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

foregoing grades, the following tolerances, by count, are provided as specified:

(a) For defects. 10 percent for stalks of rhubarb in any lot which fail to meet the 

requirements of the designated grade, including not more than one-tenth of this 

amount, or 1 percent, for stalks affected by decay.
United States Standards for Grades of Rhubarb (Field Grown) (September 6, 2016)

3

(b) For size. 5 percent for stalks of rhubarb in any lot which fail to meet the 

specified minimum diameter, and 5 percent for stalks of rhubarb in any lot which 

fail to meet the specified minimum length.

Application of Tolerances

§51.3670 Application of tolerances.

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

(a) For a tolerance of 10 percent, individual packages may contain not more than 

one and one-half times the tolerance: Provided, That the average for the entire 

lot is within the tolerance specified for the grade.

(b) For a tolerance of 5 percent or less, individual packages may contain not more 

than double the tolerance specified: Provided, That at least one stalk which is 

defective and one stalk which is undersize may be permitted in any package: 

And provided further, That the averages for the entire lot are within the 

tolerances specified for the grade.

Definitions

§51.3671 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the rhubarb stalks are alike in general

characteristics.

§51.3672 Very well colored.

“Very well colored” means that a pink or red color predominates on three-fourths or 

more of the length of the stalk.

§51.3673 Well colored.

“Well colored” means that a pink or red color predominates on one-half or more of the 

length of the stalk.

§51.3674 Fairly well colored.

“Fairly well colored” means that a pink or red color predominates on one-fourth or 

more of the length of the stalk.

§51.3675 Fresh.

“Fresh” means not limp or wilted.
United States Standards for Grades of Rhubarb (Field Grown) (September 6, 2016)

4

§51.3676 Straight.

“Straight” means that the stalk has not more than a slight concave curvature of the 

face, and not more than slight twisting along the longitudinal axis of the stalk.

§51.3677 Well trimmed.

“Well trimmed” means that the top has been neatly knife-trimmed so that not more 

than 2 inches of the midribs and thin leaf tissue remains, and that most of the basal 

husk has been removed.

§51.3678 Pithy.

“Pithy” means that the stalk has an open texture with air spaces in the central portion.

§51.3679 Damage.

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

from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the stalk.

§51.3680 Diameter.

“Diameter” means the greatest distance across the flat face of the stalk at the center of 

its length.

§51.3681 Length.

“Length” means the overall length after the stalk has been well trimmed.

§51.3682 Fairly straight.

“Fairly straight” means that the stalk is not badly twisted or crooked.

§51.3683 Serious damage.

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

detracts from the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the stalk. Broken, 

badly bruised, and crushed stalks shall be considered as serious damage.