United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural 

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Programs

Fresh

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of Mangos

Effective August 24, 2007
1

United States Standards for Grades of Mangos

Effective August 24, 2007

Grades

51.1043 U.S. Fancy.

51.1044 U.S. No. 1.

51.1045 U.S. No. 2.

Application of Tolerances

51.1046 Application of tolerances.

Definitions

51.1047 Clean.

51.1048 Damage.

51.1049 Diameter.

51.1050 Fairly well formed.

51.1051 Injury.

51.1052 Mature.

51.1053 Misshapen.

51.1054 Overripe.

51.1055 Serious damage.

51.1056 Similar varietal characteristics.

51.1057 Well formed.

51.1058 Well trimmed.

Classification of Defects

51.1059 Classification of defects.

Grades

§51.1043 U.S. Fancy.

“U.S. Fancy” consists of mangos of similar varietal characteristics which are mature, clean, well

formed, well trimmed, and which are free from decay, overripe, freezing, internal discoloration,

insects, larva, insect or larva feeding, skin breaks which are not healed, and free from injury by

healed skin breaks, bruising, scab, shriveling, external (surface) discoloration, sunken discolored

areas, scars, russeting, other diseases, mechanical or other means.

(a) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not

more than 10 percent, by count, of the mangos in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of

this grade, including in this amount not more than 5 percent shall be allowed for defects causing

damage, including in this latter amount not more than 2 percent shall be allowed for decay.

§51.1044 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of mangos of similar varietal characteristics which are mature, clean, fairly

well formed, well trimmed, and which are free from decay, overripe, freezing, skin breaks which

are not healed and extend into the flesh, insects or larva, and free from damage caused by insect

or larva feeding, bruising, shriveling, scab, external (surface) discoloration, internal

discoloration, sunken discolored areas, scars, russeting, other diseases, mechanical or other

means.
2

(a) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not

more than 10 percent, by count, of the mangos in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of

this grade, including in this amount not more than 5 percent shall be allowed for defects causing

serious damage, including in this latter amount not more than 2 percent shall be allowed for

decay.

§51.1045 U.S. No. 2.

“U.S. No. 2” consists of mangos of similar varietal characteristics which are mature, clean, fairly

well formed, well trimmed, and which are free from decay, overripe, freezing, skin breaks which

are not healed and extend into the flesh, insects or larva, and free from serious damage caused by

insect or larva feeding, bruising, shriveling, scab, external (surface) discoloration, internal

discoloration, sunken discolored areas, scars, russeting, other diseases, mechanical or other

means.

(a) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not

more than 10 percent, by count, of the mangos in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of

this grade, included in this amount not more than 2 percent shall be allowed for decay.

Application of Tolerances

§51.1046 Application of tolerances.

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

following limitations: 

(a) For a tolerance of 10 percent or more, individual packages shall have not more than 

1 1/2 times the tolerance specified, and for a tolerance of less than 10 percent, individual

packages shall have not more than double the tolerance specified; Provided, that at least one

defective specimen may be allowed in any package: And provided further, that the averages for

the entire lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade.

Definitions

§51.1047 Clean.

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

§51.1048 Damage.

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

quality of the mango. Any one of the defects listed in the “Classification of Defects” table (See

§51.1059.), or any combination thereof, the seriousness of which exceeds the maximum allowed

for any one defect, shall be considered as damage.

§51.1049 Diameter.

“Diameter” means the greatest dimension of the mango measured at right angles to a line from

stem to blossom end.

§51.1050 Fairly well formed.

“Fairly well formed” means that the shape of the mango is typical of the variety and is

symmetrical with slight irregularities in shape allowed; but, not to an extent where its appearance

is materially affected.
3

§51.1051 Injury.

“Injury” means any injury or defect that slightly affects the appearance, or the edible or shipping

quality of the mango. Any one of the following defects listed in the “Classification of Defects”

table (See §51.1059.), or any combination thereof, the seriousness of which exceeds the

maximum allowed for any one defect, shall be considered as injury.

§51.1052 Mature.

“Mature” means that the mango has reached the stage of development that will ensure the proper

completion of the ripening process.

§51.1053 Misshapen.

“Misshapen” means that the shape of the mango is abnormal to an extent that its appearance is

materially affected.

§51.1054 Overripe.

“Overripe” means that flesh of the mango yields to slight pressure and is beginning to

disintegrate and is past commercial utility.

§51.1055 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means any defect which seriously affects the appearance, or the edible or

shipping quality of the mango. Any one of the following defects listed in the “Classification of

Defects” table (See §51.1059.), or any combination thereof, the seriousness of which exceeds the

maximum allowed for any one defect, shall be considered as serious damage.

§51.1056 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means the fruit in any package is of similar shape and of similar

skin and flesh color.

§51.1057 Well formed.

“Well formed” means that the shape of the mango is typical of the variety and is symmetrical

without irregularities in shape.

§51.1058 Well trimmed.

“Well trimmed” means the stem is neatly clipped or broken off at a point not more than 1 inch

beyond the point of attachment.
1 References to area, aggregate areas, or length are based on fruit 3 inches in diameter. Corresponding smaller or

larger areas would be allowed on smaller or larger fruit.

4

§51.1059 Classification of Defects. 1

Defects Injury Damage Serious Damage

Bruising Any slight surface

indentation and

discoloration of the

flesh extending more

than 1/8 inch in depth

and 1/2 inch in

diameter.

Surface indentation

and discoloration of

the flesh extends

deeper than 1/4 inch

and causing

discoloration

exceeding the area of

a circle 3/4 inch in

diameter.

Surface indentation

and discoloration of

the flesh extends

deeper than 1/2 inch

and causing

discoloration

exceeding the area of

a circle 1 inch in

diameter.

External (Surface)

Discoloration

Discoloration

affecting an

aggregate area more

than 5% of the fruit

surface.

Discoloration

affecting an

aggregate area more

than 15% of the fruit

surface.

Discoloration

affecting an

aggregate area more

than 25% of the fruit

surface.

Insects or Insect or

Larva Feeding Injury

When any is present

or when any feeding

injury is evident on

the fruit.

When any is present

or when feeding

injury aggregates an

area that exceeds that

of a circle 1/2 inch in

diameter.

When any is present

or when feeding

injury aggregates an

area that exceeds that

of a circle 1 inch in

diameter.

Internal

Discoloration

When present in any

amount.

When affecting an

aggregate area more

than 3/4 inch in

diameter.

When affecting an

aggregate area more

than 1 1/2 inch in

diameter.

Scab When cracked, or

when the aggregate

area exceeds that of a

circle 1/4 inch in

diameter.

When cracked, or

when the aggregate

area exceeds that of a

circle 1/2 inch in

diameter.

When the aggregate

area exceeds that of a

circle 3/4 inch in

diameter.
1 References to area, aggregate areas, or length are based on fruit 3 inches in diameter. Corresponding smaller or

larger areas would be allowed on smaller or larger fruit.

5

§51.1059 Classification of Defects (continued) 1

Defects Injury Damage Serious Damage

Scars or Russeting When light colored,

smooth and affecting

an aggregate area

more than 5% of the

surface, or when dark

or rough or scaly and

affecting an

aggregate area more

than 2 1/2% of the

surface.

When light colored,

smooth and affecting

an aggregate area

more than 10% of the

surface, or when dark

or rough or scaly and

affecting an

aggregate area more

than 5% of the

surface.

When light colored,

smooth and affecting

an aggregate area

more than 15% of the

surface, or when dark

or rough or scaly and

affecting an

aggregate area more

than 10% of the

surface.

Skin Breaks When unhealed or

when the aggregate

area of healed breaks

exceeds that of a

circle 1/4 inch in

diameter or 1/4 inch

in length.

When any break is

into the flesh or when

the aggregate area of

healed breaks

exceeds that of a

circle 1/2 inch in

diameter or 1/2 inch

in length.

When any break is

into the flesh or when

the aggregate area of

healed breaks

exceeds that of a

circle 1 inch in

diameter or 1 inch in

length.

Shriveling When affecting an

aggregate area more

than 5% of the

surface.

When affecting an

aggregate area more

than 15% of the

surface.

When affecting an

aggregate area more

than 25% of the

surface.

Sunken Discolored

Areas

When more than 5%

of the surface has a

distinct sunken area

with discoloration.

When more than 10%

of the surface has a

distinct sunken area

with discoloration.

When more than 15%

of the surface has a

distinct sunken area

with discoloration.