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Division

United States Standards

for Grades of Fresh 

Peas

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

supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since June 1, 1942.

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 Fresh Peas (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Peas

Section Page No.

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 2

§51.1375 Introduction.................................................................................................. 2

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

§51.1376 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.1377 U.S. Fancy................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.1378 Tolerances................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.1379 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 3

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

§51.1380 Similar varietal characteristics. .................................................................... 3

§51.1381 Overmature.................................................................................................. 3

§51.1382 Excessively small. ....................................................................................... 3

§51.1383 Badly misshapen. ........................................................................................ 3

§51.1384 Fairly well filled. ........................................................................................... 3

§51.1385 Well filled. .................................................................................................... 3

§51.1386 Damage....................................................................................................... 3

§51.1387 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 3
United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Peas (September 6, 2016)

2

Introduction

§51.1375 Introduction.

(a) The tolerances for the standards are on a container basis. However, individual 

containers in any lot may vary from the specified tolerances as stated below, 

provided the averages for the entire lot, based on sample inspection, are within 

the tolerances specified.

(b) For a tolerance of 10 percent, individual containers in any lot may have not more 

than one and one-half times the tolerance.

(c) For a tolerance of less than 10 percent, individual containers in any lot may have 

not more than double the tolerance.

Grades

§51.1376 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” shall consist of pods of peas of similar varietal characteristics which are 

not overmature or excessively small, not badly misshapen or watersoaked, and which 

are fairly well filled, fresh, firm, free from decay, and from damage caused by black 

calyxes, freezing, splitting, hail, dirt, leaves, or other foreign matter, mildew, or other 

diseases, insects, or mechanical or other means. The peas shall be at least fairly 

tender, free from decay, and from damage caused by split skins, disease, insects or 

mechanical or other means.

(a) Peas may be specified as “U.S. No. 1 Green Calyxes” when they meet the 

requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade and an average of three-fourths or more, by 

weight, of the pods in any lot, but not less than one-half of the pods in each 

container, have calyxes which are of a fairly good green color.

§51.1377 U.S. Fancy.

“U.S. Fancy” shall consist of pods of peas which are well filled and have an average of 

three-fourths or more by weight, of the pods in any lot, but not less than one-half of the 

pods in each container with calyxes which are of a fairly good green color, and which 

meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade in all other respects.

Tolerances

§51.1378 Tolerances.

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not more than 10 

percent, by weight, of the pods of peas in any container may be below the requirements 

of the grade, but not more than one-half of this tolerance, or 5 percent, shall be allowed 

for defects causing serious damage, and not more than one-tenth of this tolerance, or 1 

percent, shall be allowed for soft decay. When peas are specified as “U.S. No. 1 Green 

Calyxes” or “U.S. Fancy” no part of any tolerance shall be allowed to reduce for the lot 
United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Peas (September 6, 2016)

3

as a whole, or for the individual container the percentage of pods which are required to 

have calyxes of a fairly good green color.

Reserved

§51.1379 Reserved.

Definitions

§51.1380 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the pods of peas in any container are of 

the same general type.

§51.1381 Overmature.

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

desirable as a fresh product. The pod is usually wrinkled and the green is faded, having 

a noticeably whitish or yellowish cast.

§51.1382 Excessively small.

“Excessively small” means that the pod is so short that there is space for only two 

peas which are at least fairly well developed.

§51.1383 Badly misshapen.

“Badly misshapen” means that the pod is badly constructed, crooked, or badly 

twisted.

§51.1384 Fairly well filled.

“Fairly well filled” means that more than one-half of the pod contains peas which are 

at least fairly well developed.

§51.1385 Well filled.

“Well filled” means that more than two-thirds of the pod contains peas which are at 

least fairly well developed.

§51.1386 Damage.

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

or shipping quality.

§51.1387 Serious damage.
United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Peas (September 6, 2016)

4

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

edible or shipping quality. Badly misshapen pods or pods seriously affected with downy 

mildew injury shall be considered as being seriously damaged.