Distribution: FGIS, OSP Originating Office: PPMAB, FMD

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Program Notice FGIS-PN-23-06 July 1, 2023 

SPECIAL GRADE, “HIGH MOISTURE” AND CONTRASTING CHICKPEAS IN THE 

CLASS CHICKPEA/GARBANZO BEANS

Contents 

1. PURPOSE.................................................................................................................. 1

2. BACKGROUND.......................................................................................................... 1

3. EFFECTIVE DATE ..................................................................................................... 1

4. POLICY ...................................................................................................................... 1

5. FILING INSTRUCTIONS............................................................................................ 3

6. QUESTIONS .............................................................................................................. 3

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 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.
 

FGIS PN-23-06 July 1, 2023

Page 1 

1. PURPOSE

This memorandum provides updated instruction on procedures for official grading of 

chickpea/garbanzo beans.

2. BACKGROUND

AMS-FGIS published a final notice in the Federal Register on June 14, 2023, revising 

the United States Standards for Beans, specifically the class Chickpea/Garbanzo 

Beans. The grade determining factors for Special Grade, “High Moisture” and 

Contrasting Chickpeas are revised. 

United States Standards for Beans: Chickpea/Garbanzo Beans – AMS-AMS-22-0066

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

This program notice is effective July 1, 2023.

4. POLICY

The following sections of the Bean Inspection Handbook are revised to reflect the 

revision of the standard. Section 3.4, Special Grades, Section 3.15, Moisture, in 

the Certification paragraph, and Section 3.3, Grades and Grade Requirements in 

Table 3.10, Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans). 

3.4 SPECIAL GRADES

Special grades draw attention to unusual conditions in the beans and are 

made part of the grade designation. The special grades and special grade 

requirements of all classes of beans are shown in the United States 

Standards for Beans. Details for determining special grades are included in 

referenced sections. Definition and examples of the designations for special 

grades in beans are:

a. Choice Handpicked. Pea beans that are better in quality than U.S. 

No. 1 and Prime Handpicked. (Table 3.1) 

Example: U.S. Choice Handpicked Pea Beans

b. Prime Handpicked. Pea beans that are generally better in quality 

than U.S. No. 1. (Table 3.1) 

Example: U.S. Prime Handpicked Pea Beans

c. High Moisture. Beans that contain over 18.0 (14.0 for 

Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans) percent moisture. (Section 3.15) 

Example: U.S. No. 2 Pinto Beans, High Moisture
 

FGIS PN-23-06 July 1, 2023

Page 2 

3.15 MOISTURE

Certification. Record the percent of moisture on the work record and 

“Results” section of the certificate to the nearest tenth percent. If the 

moisture content exceeds 18.0 (14.0 for Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans)

percent, apply the special grade "High Moisture" on the grade line of the 

certificate in accordance with Section 3.4, “Special Grades.”

3.3 GRADES AND GRADE REQUIREMENTS

TABLE 3.10 – CHICKPEAS (GARBANZO BEANS)

Grade

Maximum Limits of -

Moisture1

(percent)

Total 

Defects

(DB, FM,

CCL, & SPL)

(percent)

Total

Damaged

(percent)

Foreign Material

Contrasting

Classes2

(percent)

Contrasting

Chickpeas3

(percent)

Total

(percent)

Stones

(percent)

U.S. No. 1 14.0 2.0 2.0 0.5 0.2 0.5 1.0

U.S. No. 2 14.0 4.0 4.0 1.0 0.4 1.0 2.0

U.S. No. 3 14.0 6.0 6.0 1.5 0.6 2.0 >2.0

U.S. Substandard: U.S. Substandard shall be beans which do not meet the 

requirements for the grades U.S. No. 1 through U.S. No. 3 

or U.S. Sample Grade. Beans which are not well screened 

shall also be U.S. Substandard, except for beans which 

meet the requirements for U.S. Sample Grade.

U.S. Sample Grade: U.S. Sample Grade shall be beans which are musty, sour, 

heating, materially weathered, or weevily; which have any 

commercially objectionable odor; which contain insect 

webbing or filth, animal filth, any unknown foreign 

substance, broken glass, or metal fragments; or which are 

otherwise of distinctly low quality.

1 Beans with more than 14.0 percent moisture are graded High Moisture.

2 Beans with more than 2.0 percent contrasting classes are graded Mixed Beans.

3 Beans with more than 2.0 percent contrasting chickpeas must grade no higher 

than a U.S. No. 3.
 

FGIS PN-23-06 July 1, 2023

Page 3 

5. FILING INSTRUCTIONS

File a copy of this memo with the Bean Inspection Handbook until the handbook is 

revised to include this change. Field office managers must ensure that a copy of this 

memorandum is available to official agencies operating within their circuit.

6. QUESTIONS

Direct any question regarding this procedure to the local field office or to Policies, 

Procedures, and Market Analysis Branch (PPMAB) at 

fgispoliciesproceduresmarketanalysisbranch@usda.gov.