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United States Standards

for Grades of Spinach 

Plants

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Spinach Plants 

(81 FR 51297) supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since 

November 19, 1956.

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 Spinach Plants (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Spinach Plants

Section Page No.

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

§51.2880 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.2881 U.S. Commercial. ........................................................................................ 2

Reserved........................................................................................................................ 2

§51.2882 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 2

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 2

§51.2883 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 2

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 2

§51.2884 Similar varietal characteristics. .................................................................... 2

§51.2885 Well grown................................................................................................... 3

§51.2886 Fresh. .......................................................................................................... 3

§51.2887 Fairly clean. ................................................................................................. 3

§51.2888 Well trimmed................................................................................................ 3

§51.2889 Damage....................................................................................................... 3

§51.2890 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 3
United States Standards for Grades of Spinach Plants (September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.2880 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of spinach plants of similar varietal characteristics which are well 

grown, fresh, fairly clean, well trimmed, and which are free from decay, and free from 

damage caused by coarse stalks or seed stems, discoloration, foreign material, second 

growth, freezing, disease, insects or mechanical or other means.

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

than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of the spinach plants in any lot may fail to 

meet the requirements of the grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of 

this amount, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for serious damage, including therein 

not more than 1 percent for decay.

§51.2881 U.S. Commercial.

“U.S. Commercial” consists of spinach plants which meet all the requirements for U.S. 

No. 1 grade except that the spinach plants need only be free from damage by dirt and 

except for the increased tolerances specified in this section.

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

than a total of 20 percent, by weight, of the spinach plants in any lot may fail to 

meet, the requirements of the grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of 

this amount, or 10 percent, shall be allowed for serious damage, including therein 

not more than 1 percent for decay.

Reserved

§51.2882 Reserved.

Application of Tolerances

§51.2883 Application of tolerances.

(a) The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample inspection, are 

subject to the following limitations: Provided, That the averages for the entire lot 

are within the tolerances specified for the grades:

(1) For a tolerance of 10 percent or more, individual packages in any lot may 

contain not more than one and one-half times the tolerance specified; and,

(2) For a tolerance of less than 10 percent, individual packages in any lot may 

contain not more than double the tolerance specified.

Definitions

§51.2884 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the spinach shall be of one type, such 
United States Standards for Grades of Spinach Plants (September 6, 2016)

3

as crinkly leaf type or flat leaf type. No mixture of types shall be permitted which 

materially affects the appearance of the spinach in the container.

§51.2885 Well grown.

“Well grown” means that the plants are not stunted or poorly developed.

§51.2886 Fresh.

“Fresh” means that the spinach is not more than slightly wilted.

§51.2887 Fairly clean.

“Fairly clean” means that the individual spinach plant is reasonably free from dirt or 

other adhering foreign matter, and that the general appearance of the spinach plants in 

the container is not materially affected.

§51.2888 Well trimmed.

“Well trimmed” means that the spinach plant is cut at the crown of the root, or cut so 

that the root is not longer than 1 inch.

§51.2889 Damage.

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

shipping quality of the individual plant, or the general appearance of the spinach in the 

container. Any one of the following defects, or any combination of defects the 

seriousness of which exceeds the maximum allowed for any one defect, shall be 

considered as damage:

(a) Coarse central stalks or seedstems when causing more than 10 percent waste of 

the individual plant; or when the flower buds are plainly visible;

(b) Discoloration when materially affecting the general appearance of the plant, 

except that heart leaves which are yellow or partially blanched shall not be 

considered as damaging the plant; and

(c) Foreign material when materially affecting the edible quality, or the general 

appearance of the spinach in the container. Foreign material means weeds, 

grass, or any loose material other than spinach.

§51.2890 Serious damage.

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

edible or shipping quality of the individual plant, or the general appearance of the 

spinach in the container. Any one of the following defects, or any combination of 
United States Standards for Grades of Spinach Plants (September 6, 2016)

4

defects the seriousness of which exceeds the maximum allowed for any one defect, 

shall be considered as serious damage:

(a) Discoloration when the plants are badly discolored;

(b) Insects when the plant is noticeably infested, or when it is seriously damaged by 

them;

(c) Mildew, white rust or similar diseases when seriously affecting the edible quality 

or appearance of the plant; and,

(d) Decay.