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United States Standards

for Grades of Spinach 

for Processing

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

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

July 10,1956.

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 for Processing (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Spinach for Processing

Section Page No.

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

§51.2696 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.2697 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.2698 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 3

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

§51.2699 Fairly fresh................................................................................................... 3

§51.2700 Damage....................................................................................................... 3

§51.2701 Small weeds. ............................................................................................... 3
United States Standards for Grades of Spinach for Processing (September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.2696 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of spinach which is fairly fresh and free from decay, mildew, 

grass, weeds, wood, muck chips or other foreign material, roots, and worms, and which 

is free from damage caused by discoloration, seedstems, seedbuds, coarse stalks and 

stems, other disease, other insects, spray residue, adhering dirt, or mechanical or other 

means.

(a) Not more than 25 percent, by weight, of the spinach in any lot may consist of leaf

stems.

(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper handling, the following 

tolerances shall be permitted in a 100 ounce sample:

(1) For decay, mildew, grass, small weeds, and leaves which are damaged by 

discoloration, not more than a total of 20 pieces: Provided, That not more 

than three-fourths of this amount, or 15 pieces, shall be permitted for 

decay, grass and small weeds;

(2) For wood, muck chips, or other foreign material over one-half inch in 

length, not more than 2 pieces; and

(3) For other defects, including foreign material not over one-half inch in 

length, not more than 5 ounces.

None of the foregoing tolerances shall apply to worms.

§51.2697 U.S. No. 2.

“U.S. No. 2” consists of spinach which meets all the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade 

except for the increased tolerances specified in this section.

(a) In order to allow for variations incident to proper handling, the following 

tolerances shall be permitted in a 100 ounce sample:

(1) For decay, mildew, grass, small weeds, and leaves which are damaged by 

discoloration, not more than a total of 40 pieces;

(2) For wood, muck chips, or other foreign material over one-half inch in 

length, not more than 3 pieces; and,

(3) For other defects, including foreign material not over one-half inch in 

length, not more than 10 ounces.

None of the foregoing tolerances shall apply to worms.
United States Standards for Grades of Spinach for Processing (September 6, 2016)

3

Reserved

§51.2698 Reserved.

Definitions

§51.2699 Fairly fresh.

“Fairly fresh” means that the spinach is not badly wilted.

§51.2700 Damage.

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

processing or edible quality of the spinach. 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) Discoloration of leaf blades when the appearance or processing quality is 

materially affected by brown or yellow discoloration, except that heart leaves 

shall not be considered as damaged when showing a normal yellowish cast;

(b) Discoloration of stalks and stems when the appearance or processing quality is 

materially affected by brownish or blackish discoloration or when the stalk or 

stem shows more than a tinge of pink or red color;

(c) Seedstems when seedbuds have formed and are plainly visible;

(d) Loose seedbuds when more than one-half inch in length;

(e) Coarse stalks and stems when the leafstems or central stalks are tough, or 

fibrous; and,

(f) Dirt or spray residue when it cannot be removed in the normal commercial 

washing process.

§51.2701 Small weeds.

“Small weeds” means weeds which are not over 4 inches in length.