Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 541 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 August 31, 2018

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 2

POULTRY APPEAL GRADING

Purpose

This instruction defines procedures for appeal grading.

Procedures

An appeal grading may be requested by any interested party who is not satisfied with the 

determination of the class, quality, quantity, or condition of any product as evidenced by the 

USDA grademark and labeling, or as stated on a grading certificate. (7 CFR Part 70.100)

I. Status of Product

A. When Product has not Left the Plant

1. The appeal shall be filed with the grader's immediate supervisor.

2. The appeal grading shall be made by the grader's immediate supervisor or by a 

licensed grader assigned by the immediate supervisor other than the grader who 

performed the original grading (7 CFR Part 70.104).

B. When Product has left the Plant

1. The appeal is filed with the Regional Director in the area where the product is 

located or with the Chief of the Grading Branch (7 CFR Part 70.101).

2. A grader other than the grader who originally graded the product shall make the 

appeal grading. Whenever practical, the appeal regrading shall be performed by 

two graders.

II. Procedures for Appeal Grading (7 CFR Part 70.105)

A. Steps to be taken

1. When the original samples are available, the sample shall consist of the original 

samples plus an equal number of additional samples.

2. When the original samples are not available, the sample size shall be double the 

sample required in 7 CFR Part 70.80.

3. If an appeal for frozen product concerns grade factors such as discoloration, 

bruises, etc., or class identification of poultry such as "Young Turkeys" or 

"Yearling Turkeys," the sample shall be selected, sealed, and defrosted. The 

overwrap material must be removed from birds in the sample before grading.
Agricultural Quality Assessment Division QAD 541 Procedure 

Marketing 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0258 August 31, 2018

Service Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 2

4. When the grade is sustained, the appeal certificate shall not show the percentage

breakdown of qualities. The certificate will show "Original U.S. Grade

Sustained." When the grade is not sustained, the appeal certificate should show

the percentage of qualities. The U.S. grade shall not be shown. The certificate

will show "Original U.S. Grade Not Sustained" (7 CFR Part 70.106). Exhibit 1.

5. The appeal certificate always supersedes the original certificate.

6. When a grading is appealed and a new certificate is issued, the statement under

remarks shall be, "This is an appeal grading and this certificate supersedes

Certificate No. ________, dated _______." A copy of all appeal certificates shall

be sent to the National Office. On the back of the national office copy the

detailed grade results of the appeal and the original grade findings will be

recorded whenever this data is not shown on the front of the appeal certificate.

The resident grader will attempt to recall the original and copies of the superseded certificates 

and file them in the same manner as "Void" certificates.

____________________________

Richard H. Lawson, National Poultry Supervisor

Quality Assessment Division

Livestock and Poultry Program

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