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United States Standards

for Grades of Southern 

Peas

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Southern Peas

(81 FR 51297) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since 

July 13, 1956.

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 Southern Peas (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Southern Peas

Section Page No.

General........................................................................................................................... 2

§51.2670 General........................................................................................................ 2

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

§51.2671 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.2672 U.S. Commercial. ........................................................................................ 2

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

§51.2673 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 3

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

§51.2674 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 3

§51.2675 Basis for calculating percentages. ............................................................... 3

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

§51.2676 Similar varietal characteristics. .................................................................... 3

§51.2677 Fairly well formed. ....................................................................................... 3

§51.2678 Fairly well filled. ........................................................................................... 3

§51.2679 Overmature.................................................................................................. 3

§51.2680 Excessively young. ...................................................................................... 4

§51.2681 Damage....................................................................................................... 4

§51.2682 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 4
United States Standards for Grades of Southern Peas (September 6, 2016)

2

General

§51.2670 General.

The standards contained in this subpart apply only to the seed pods of plants of the 

species Vigna sinensis, generally known as “southern peas,” “cowpeas” or “field peas.” 

Well recognized general types are blackeyes, crowders, creams, and purple hulls, each 

of which includes many varieties.

Grades

§51.2671 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of pods of southern peas of similar varietal characteristics which 

are fairly well formed, fairly well filled, not overmature or excessively young, and which 

are free from decay and worm holes, and free from damage caused by stems, leaves 

and trash, stings or other insect injury, scars, discoloration, wilting, dirt or other adhering 

foreign material, disease, mechanical or other means.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, each pod shall be not less than 5 inches in length.

(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the 

following tolerances shall be permitted:

(1) 5 percent for pods which are shorter than the specified minimum length;

(2) 5 percent for pods which are excessively young; and,

(3) 10 percent for other grade defects, including not more than 5 percent for 

pods with worm holes or affected by decay, but not more than one-fifth of 

this amount, or 1 percent, for pods affected by decay. (See §51.2674 and 

51.2675.)

§51.2672 U.S. Commercial.

“U.S. Commercial” consists of pods of southern peas which meet the requirements of 

U.S. No. 1 grade, except that they shall be free from serious damage caused by stems, 

leaves and trash, and there shall be no requirement for minimum length, and except for 

the increased tolerances specified in this section.

(a) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the 

following tolerances shall be permitted:

(1) 10 percent for pods which are excessively young; and,

(2) 15 percent for other grade defects, including not more than 5 percent for 

pods with worm holes or affected by decay, but not more than two-fifths of 

this amount, or 2 percent, for pods affected by decay. (See §51.2674 and 

51.2675.)
United States Standards for Grades of Southern Peas (September 6, 2016)

3

Reserved

§51.2673 Reserved.

Application of Tolerances

§51.2674 Application of tolerances.

(a) The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample inspection, are 

subject to the following limitations: Provided, That the averages for the entire lot 

are within the tolerances specified for the grade:

(1) 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; and,

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

contain not more than double the tolerance specified.

§51.2675 Basis for calculating percentages.

Percentages shall be calculated on the basis of weight or on an equivalent basis.

Definitions

§51.2676 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the pods in any container shall be of the 

same general type. For example, varieties of the blackeye type shall not be mixed with 

varieties of the purple hull type or varieties of the crowder type; also small seeded 

varieties shall not be mixed with large seeded varieties.

§51.2677 Fairly well formed.

“Fairly well formed” means that the pod is not curved or crooked to the extent that it 

forms approximately a semicircle or right angle.

§51.2678 Fairly well filled.

“Fairly well filled” means that at least two-thirds of the length of the pod is filled with 

peas which are at least fairly well developed for the variety, exclusive of the normal 

spaces between peas and vacant space for one pea at each end of the pod.

§51.2679 Overmature.

“Overmature” means that the pod has developed beyond the stage at which it is 

desirable as a fresh product. Pods shall be considered overmature when they show 

definite drying or shriveling, or when green podded varieties show yellow or a 

conspicuous yellowish cast affecting one-half or more of the surface, or when purple 

hull varieties show excessively dark purplish color over the entire surface.
United States Standards for Grades of Southern Peas (September 6, 2016)

4

§51.2680 Excessively young.

“Excessively young” means that the pod has not developed any peas of a size 

suitable for shelling for the variety. Such pods with only slightly developed peas are 

commonly called “snaps”.

§51.2681 Damage.

“Damage” means any defect which materially affects the appearance, or the edible or 

shipping quality of the individual pod, or the general appearance of the pods in the 

container. The pods in a container shall be considered damaged when stems, leaves or 

trash are present in sufficient quantities to materially affect the general appearance.

Any one of the following defects, or any combination of defects the seriousness of which 

exceeds the maximum allowed for any one defect, shall be considered as damage:

(a) Stings when any pea is discolored, or when the appearance of the pod is 

materially affected by numerous, discolored stings;

(b) Scars when the pod is so extensively blemished or distorted in shape as to 

materially affect its appearance;

(c) Discoloration such as that caused by rust, blight or insects when so extensive or 

in such contrast to the color of the pod as to materially affect its appearance;

(d) Wilting when the pod is badly wilted or very flabby; and,

(e) Dirt or other adhering foreign material when materially affecting the appearance 

of the individual pod or the general appearance of the pods in the container.

§51.2682 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means that stems, leaves and trash are present in sufficient 

quantities to seriously affect the appearance of the pods in the container.