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United States Standards

for Grades of Pecans in 

the Shell

Effective December 10, 2018
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell 

(83 FR 50475) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since 

October 15, 1976.

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, DC 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 Pecans in the Shell (December 10, 2018)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell

Section Page No.

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

§51.1400 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.1401 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

Size Classification......................................................................................................... 2

§51.1402 Size classification. ....................................................................................... 2

Kernel Color Classification .......................................................................................... 3

§51.1403 Kernel color classification. ........................................................................... 3

Tolerances ..................................................................................................................... 3

§51.1404 Tolerances................................................................................................... 3

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 4

§51.1405 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 4

Sample for Grade or Size Determination..................................................................... 5

§51.1406 Sample for grade or size determination....................................................... 5

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 5

§51.1407 Fairly uniform in color. ................................................................................. 5

§51.1408 Loose extraneous or foreign material. ......................................................... 5

§51.1409 Well developed............................................................................................ 5

§51.1410 Fairly well developed. .................................................................................. 5

§51.1411 Poorly developed......................................................................................... 5

§51.1412 Well cured.................................................................................................... 6

§51.1413 Damage....................................................................................................... 7

§51.1414 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 7

§51.1415 Inedible kernels. .......................................................................................... 8

Optional Determinations............................................................................................... 8

§51.1416 Optional determinations............................................................................... 8
United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell (December 10, 2018) 

2 

Grades

§51.1400 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of pecans in the shell which meet the following requirements:

(a) Free from loose extraneous or foreign material.

(b) Shells are:

(1) Fairly uniform in color; and,

(2) Free from damage by any cause.

(c) Kernels are:

(1) Free from damage by any cause.

(d) For tolerances see §51.1404.

§51.1401 U.S. No. 2.

The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 except for:

(a) No requirement for uniformity of color of shells; and,

(b) Increased tolerances for defects see §51.1404.

Size Classification

§51.1402 Size classification.

Size of pecans may be specified in connection with the grade in accordance with one of 

the following classifications. To meet the requirements for any one of these 

classifications, the lot must conform to both the specified number of nuts per pound and 

the weight of the 10 smallest nuts per 100 nut sample.

Size classification Number of nuts per 

pound

Minimum weight of the 

10 smallest nuts per

100-nut sample

Oversize 55 or less

In each classification, the 

10 smallest nuts per 100 

must weigh at least 7 pct 

Extra large 56 to 63

Large 64 to 77

of the total weight of a 

100-nut sample.

Medium 78 to 95

Small 96 to 120
United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell (December 10, 2018)

3

Kernel Color Classification

§51.1403 Kernel color classification.

(a) The skin color of pecan kernels may be described in terms of the color 

classifications provided in this section. When the color of kernels in a lot 

generally conforms to the “light” or “light amber” classification, that color 

classification may be used to describe the lot in connection with the grade.

(1) “Light” means that the outer surface of the kernel is mostly golden color 

or lighter, with not more than 25 percent of the outer surface darker than 

golden, none of which is darker than light brown.

(2) “Light amber” means that more than 25 percent of the outer surface of 

the kernel is light brown, with not more than 25 percent of the outer 

surface darker than light brown, none of which is darker than medium 

brown.

(3) “Amber” means that more than 25 percent of the outer surface of the 

kernel is medium brown, with not more than 25 percent of the outer 

surface darker than medium brown, none of which is darker than dark 

brown (very dark-brown or blackish-brown discoloration).

(4) “Dark amber” means that more than 25 percent of the outer surface of 

the kernel is dark brown, with not more than 25 percent of the outer 

surface darker than dark brown (very dark-brown or blackish-brown 

discoloration).

(b) U.S. Department of Agriculture kernel color standards, PEC-MC-1, illustrate the 

color intensities implied by the terms “golden,” “light brown,” “medium brown,”

and “dark brown” referred to in paragraph (a) of this section.

Tolerances

§51.1404 Tolerances.

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

foregoing grades, the following tolerances are provided as specified:

(a) U.S. No. 1

(1) For shell defects, by count.

(i) 5 percent for pecans with damaged shells, including therein not 

more than 2 percent for shells which are seriously damaged.

(2) For kernel defects, by count.

(i) 12 percent for pecans with kernels which fail to meet the 

requirements for the grade or any specified color classification, 
United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell (December 10, 2018)

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including therein not more than 7 percent for kernels which are 

seriously damaged: Provided, That not more than six-sevenths of 

this amount, or 6 percent, shall be allowed for kernels which are 

rancid, moldy, decayed or injured by insects: And provided further, 

That included in this 6 percent tolerance not more than one-half of 

one percent shall be allowed for pecans with live insects inside the 

shell.

(ii) In addition, 8 percent for kernels which fail to meet the color 

requirements for the grade or for any specified color classification, 

but which are not seriously damaged by dark discoloration of the 

skin: Provided, That these kernels meet the requirements for the 

grade other than for skin color.

(3) For loose extraneous or foreign material, by weight.

(i) 0.5 percent (one-half of 1 percent).

(b) U.S. No. 2

(1) For shell defects, by count.

(i) 10 percent for pecans with damaged shells, including therein not 

more than 3 percent for shells which are seriously damaged.

(2) For kernel defects, by count.

(i) 30 percent for pecans with kernels which fail to meet the 

requirements of the U.S. No. 1 grade, including therein not more 

than 10 percent for pecans with kernels which are seriously 

damaged: Provided, That not more than seven-tenths of this 

amount, or 7 percent, shall be allowed for kernels which are rancid, 

moldy, decayed or injured by insects: And provided further, That 

included in this 7 percent tolerance not more than one-half of one 

percent shall be allowed for pecans with live insects inside the 

shell.

(3) For loose extraneous or foreign material, by weight.

(i) 0.5 percent (one-half of 1 percent).

Application of Tolerances

§51.1405 Application of tolerances.

Individual 100-count samples shall have not more than one and one-half times a 

specified tolerance of 5 percent or more and not more than double a tolerance of less 

than 5 percent, except that at least one pecan which is seriously damaged by live 
United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell (December 10, 2018)

5

insects inside the shell is permitted: Provided, That the averages for the entire lot are 

within the tolerances specified for the grade.

Sample for Grade or Size Determination

§51.1406 Sample for grade or size determination.

Each sample shall consist of 100 pecans. The individual sample shall be drawn at 

random from a sufficient number of packages to form a 100-count composite sample. 

The number of such individual 100-count samples drawn for grade or size determination 

will vary with the size of the lot. When practicable, at point of packaging the sample 

may be obtained from the grading belt after sorting has been completed.

Definitions

§51.1407 Fairly uniform in color.

“Fairly uniform in color” means that the shells do not show sufficient variation in color to 

materially detract from the general appearance of the lot.

§51.1408 Loose extraneous or foreign material.

“Loose extraneous or foreign material” means loose hulls, empty broken shells, or any 

substance other than pecans in the shell or pecan kernels.

§51.1409 Well developed.

“Well developed” means that the kernel has a large amount of meat in proportion to its 

width and length (see Figure 1).

§51.1410 Fairly well developed.

“Fairly well developed” means that the kernel has at least a moderate amount of meat in 

proportion to its width and length. Shriveling and hollowness shall be considered only to 

the extent that they have reduced the meatiness of the kernel (see Figure 1).

§51.1411 Poorly developed.

“Poorly developed” means that the kernel has a small amount of meat in proportion to 

its width and length (see Figure 1).
United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell (December 10, 2018)

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Figure 1

§51.1412 Well cured.

“Well cured” means that the kernel separates freely from the shell, breaks cleanly when 

bent, without splintering, shattering, or loosening the skin; and the kernel appears to be 

in good shipping or storage condition as to moisture content.
United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell (December 10, 2018)

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§51.1413 Damage.

“Damage” means any specific defect described in this section; or an equally 

objectionable variation of any one of these defects, or any other defect, or any 

combination of defects, which materially detracts from the appearance or the edible or 

marketing quality of the individual pecan or the general appearance of the pecans in the 

lot. The following defects shall be considered as damage:

(a) Adhering hull material or dark stains affecting an aggregate of more than 5 

percent of the surface of the individual shell;

(b) Split or cracked shells when the shell is spread apart or will spread upon 

application of slight pressure;

(c) Broken shells when any portion of the shell is missing;

(d) Kernels which are not well cured;

(e) Poorly developed kernels;

(f) Kernels which are dark amber in color;

(g) Kernel spots when more than one dark spot is present on either half of the 

kernel, or when any such spot is more than one-eighth inch (3 mm) in greatest 

dimension;

(h) Adhering material from the inside of the shell when firmly attached to more 

than one-third of the outer surface of the kernel and contrasting in color with the 

skin of the kernel; and,

(i) Internal flesh discoloration of a medium shade of gray or brown extending 

more than one-fourth inch (6 mm) lengthwise beneath the center ridge, or any 

equally objectionable amount in other portions of the kernel; or lesser areas of 

dark discoloration affecting the appearance to an equal or greater extent.

§51.1414 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means any specific defect described in this section; or an equally 

objectionable variation of any one of these defects, or any other defect, or any 

combination of defects, which seriously detracts from the appearance or the edible or 

marketing quality of the individual pecan. The following defects shall be considered as 

serious damage:

(a) Adhering hull material or dark stains affecting an aggregate of more than 20 

percent of the individual shell;

(b) Broken shells when the missing portion of shell is greater in area than a circle 

one-fourth inch (6 mm) in diameter;
United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell (December 10, 2018)

8

(c) Worm holes when penetrating the shell;

(d) Rancidity when the kernel is distinctly rancid to the taste. Staleness of flavor 

shall not be classed as rancidity;

(e) Mold, on the surface or inside the kernel, which is plainly visible without 

magnification;

(f) Decay affecting any portion of the kernel;

(g) Insect injury when the insect, web or frass is present inside the shell, or the 

kernel shows distinct evidence of insect feeding;

(h) Kernel spots when more than three dark spots on either half of the kernel, or 

when any spot or the aggregate of two or more spots on one of the halves of the 

kernel affects more than 10 percent of the surface;

(i) Dark discoloration of the skin which is darker than dark amber over more than 

25 percent of the outer surface of the kernel;

(j) Internal flesh discoloration of a dark shade extending more than one-third the 

length of the kernel beneath the ridge, or an equally objectionable amount of dark 

discoloration in other portions of the kernel; and,

(k) Undeveloped kernels having practically no food value, or which are blank 

(complete shell containing no kernel).

§51.1415 Inedible kernels.

“Inedible kernels” means that the kernel or pieces of kernels are rancid, moldy, 

decayed, injured by insects or otherwise unsuitable for human consumption.

Optional Determinations

§51.1416 Optional determinations.

The determinations set forth herein are not requirements of these standards. They may 

be performed upon request in connection with the grade determination or as a separate 

determination. Samples of pecans for these determinations shall be taken at random 

from a composite sample drawn throughout the lot.

(a) Edible kernel content. A minimum sample of at least 500 grams of in-shell 

pecans shall be used for determination of edible kernel content. After the sample 

is weighed and shelled, edible appearing half kernels and pieces of kernels shall 

be separated from shells, center wall, and other non-kernel material, and inedible 

kernels (see §51.1415) and pieces of kernels, and weighed to determine edible 

kernel content for the lot.
United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell (December 10, 2018)

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(b) Poorly developed kernel content. A minimum sample of at least 500 grams of 

in-shell pecans shall be used for determination of poorly developed kernel 

content. The amount of poorly developed kernels and pieces of kernels shall be 

weighed to determine poorly developed kernel content of the lot (see §51.1411 

and Figure 1).

(c) Edible kernel content color classification. The amount of “Light,” “Light 

amber,” “Amber,” “Dark amber” and darker shades of skin color shall be 

determined according to §51.1403, Kernel Color Classification. The total weight 

of edible kernels and pieces of kernels shall be the basis for determining color 

classification content for the lot.

(d) Kernel moisture content. The sample of pecans for determination of kernel 

moisture content shall be shelled immediately before analysis and all shells, 

center wall and other non-kernel material removed. The air-oven or other 

methods or devices which give equivalent results shall be used for moisture 

content determination.