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United States Standards

for Grades of Turnips or 

Rutabagas

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Turnips or Rutabagas

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

August 1, 1955.

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 Turnips or Rutabagas (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Turnips or Rutabagas

Section Page No.

Styles.............................................................................................................................. 2

§51.2610 Bunched turnips........................................................................................... 2

§51.2611 Turnips with short-trimmed tops. ................................................................. 2

§51.2612 Topped turnips or rutabagas........................................................................ 2

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

§51.2613 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.2614 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.2615 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 3

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

§51.2616 Tolerances................................................................................................... 3

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

§51.2617 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 4

Standard Bunching ....................................................................................................... 4

§51.2618 Standard bunching. ..................................................................................... 4

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 4

§51.2619 Similar varietal characteristics. .................................................................... 4

§51.2620 Well trimmed................................................................................................ 4

§51.2621 Firm. ............................................................................................................ 4

§51.2622 Fairly smooth............................................................................................... 5

§51.2623 Fairly well shaped........................................................................................ 5

§51.2624 Fairly clean. ................................................................................................. 5

§51.2625 Damage....................................................................................................... 5

§51.2626 Fresh. .......................................................................................................... 6

§51.2627 Diameter...................................................................................................... 6

§51.2628 Excessively rough........................................................................................ 6

§51.2629 Seriously misshapen. .................................................................................. 6

§51.2630 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 6
United States Standards for Grades of Turnips or Rutabagas (September 6, 2016)

2

Styles

§51.2610 Bunched turnips.

“Bunched turnips” means turnips which are tied in bunches. The tops shall be full 

length or removed to not less than 6 inches.

§51.2611 Turnips with short-trimmed tops.

“Turnips with short-trimmed tops” means, unless otherwise specified, turnips 

showing leafstems ranging to not more than 4 inches in length.

§51.2612 Topped turnips or rutabagas.

“Topped turnips or rutabagas” means turnips or rutabagas with tops removed to not 

more than three-fourths inch in length.

Grades

§51.2613 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of turnips or rutabagas of similar varietal characteristics the roots 

of which are well trimmed, firm, fairly smooth, fairly well shaped, fairly clean, and free 

from soft rot and free from damage caused by cuts, discoloration, freezing, growth 

cracks, pithiness, woodiness, watercore, dry rot, other disease, insects or rodents, or 

mechanical or other means. Bunched turnips or turnips with short-trimmed tops shall 

have tops which are fresh and free from decay and free from damage caused by 

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

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each turnip or rutabaga shall be not 

less than 1-3/4 inches. (See §51.2616.)

§51.2614 U.S. No. 2.

“U.S. No. 2” consists of turnips or rutabagas of similar varietal characteristics, the roots 

of which are well trimmed, firm, not excessively rough, not seriously misshapen and 

which are free from soft rot and free from serious damage caused by cuts, dirt, 

discoloration, freezing, growth cracks, pithiness, woodiness, watercore, dry rot, disease, 

insects or rodents, or mechanical or other means. Bunched turnips or turnips with 

short-trimmed tops shall have tops which are fresh and free from decay and free from 

damage caused by discoloration, freezing, disease, insects, or mechanical or other 

means.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each turnip or rutabaga shall be not 

less than 1- 3/4 inches. (See §51.2616.)
United States Standards for Grades of Turnips or Rutabagas (September 6, 2016)

3

Reserved

§51.2615 Reserved.

Tolerances

§51.2616 Tolerances.

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the following 

tolerances shall be permitted:

(a) For bunched turnips

(1) For defects of roots. 10 percent, by count, for roots in any lot which fail 

to meet the requirements of the grade: Provided, That not more than onehalf of this amount, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing 

serious damage, including therein not more than 1 percent for soft rot;

(2) For defects of tops. 10 percent, by count, for bunches with tops in any 

lot which fail to meet the requirements of the grade, including therein not 

more than 5 percent for decay;

(3) For off-size roots. 5 percent, by count, for roots in any lot which are 

smaller than the specified minimum diameter, and 10 percent, by count, 

for roots which are larger than any specified maximum diameter; and,

(4) For off-length tops. 5 percent, by count, for bunches with tops in any lot 

which fail to meet the requirements of the style.

(b) For turnips with short-trimmed tops or topped turnips or rutabagas

(1) For defects of roots. 10 percent, by weight, for roots in any lot which fail 

to meet the requirements of the grade: Provided, That not more than onehalf of this amount, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing 

serious damage, including therein not more than 1 percent for soft rot;

(2) For defects of tops. 10 percent, by weight, for roots with tops in any lot 

which fail to meet the requirements of the grade, including therein not 

more than 5 percent for decay;

(3) For off-size roots. 5 percent, by weight, for roots in any lot which are 

smaller than the specified minimum diameter, and 10 percent, by weight, 

for roots which are larger than any specified maximum diameter; and,

(4) For off-length tops. 10 percent, by weight, for turnips or rutabagas with 

tops in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of the style.
United States Standards for Grades of Turnips or Rutabagas (September 6, 2016)

4

Application of Tolerances

§51.2617 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 grade:

(1) For packages which contain more than 5 pounds and a tolerance of 10 

percent or more is provided, individual packages in any lot shall have not 

more than one and one-half times the tolerance specified. For packages 

which contain more than 5 pounds and a tolerance of less than 10 percent 

is provided, individual packages in any lot shall have not more than double 

the tolerance specified except that at least one defective and one off-size 

specimen shall be permitted in any package; and,

(2) For packages which contain 5 pounds or less, individual packages in any

lot are not restricted as to the percentage of defects and off-size:

Provided, That not more than one turnip or rutabaga which is frozen or 

affected by soft rot may be permitted in any package.

Standard Bunching

§51.2618 Standard bunching.

(a) Standard bunches of turnips shall be fairly uniform in size and each bunch of 

turnips shall weigh not less than 1 pound and contain at least 3 turnips.

(b) Not more than 10 percent of the bunches in any lot may fail to meet the 

requirements for “Standard Bunching.”

Definitions

§51.2619 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the turnips or rutabagas in any package 

shall be of similar color and shape. For example, yellow fleshed varieties shall not be 

mixed with white fleshed varieties, and flat, globe, or long varieties shall not be mixed in 

the same package.

§51.2620 Well trimmed.

“Well trimmed” means that unattractive secondary rootlets have been removed, and 

that any objectionably long or coarse tail-like part of the root has been cut off.

§51.2621 Firm.

“Firm” means that the root is not soft, flabby or shriveled.
United States Standards for Grades of Turnips or Rutabagas (September 6, 2016)

5

§51.2622 Fairly smooth.

“Fairly smooth” means that the root is not rough or ridged to the extent that the 

appearance is materially affected.

§51.2623 Fairly well shaped.

“Fairly well shaped” means that the root is not misshapen to the extent that the 

appearance is materially affected.

§51.2624 Fairly clean.

“Fairly clean” means that the individual root is reasonably free from dirt or other 

foreign matter, and that the general appearance of the roots in the container is not more 

than slightly affected.

§51.2625 Damage.

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

shipping quality of the individual turnip, or rutabaga root or the general appearance of 

the turnips or rutabagas in the container, or causes a loss of more than 5 percent, by 

weight, in the ordinary preparation for use, or which materially affects the appearance or 

shipping quality of the tops. 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) Cuts when discolored, rough or deep, or when materially affecting the 

appearance of the turnip or rutabaga;

(b) Growth cracks or air cracks when discolored or deep, or when the appearance is 

materially affected;

(c) Pithiness when the edible quality is materially affected by pith;

(d) Insects or rodents when the injury to the root materially affects the appearance of 

the turnip or rutabaga or causes a loss of more than 5 percent, by weight, or the 

edible quality of the root is materially affected; or when the tops are injured to the 

extent that the appearance of the bunch is materially affected; and

(e) Discoloration when yellowing or other discoloration of the tops materially affect 

the appearance of the bunch. The appearance of bunches of tops having slight 

discoloration such as yellowing, browning, or other abnormal color affecting a few 

leaves shall not be considered materially affected.
United States Standards for Grades of Turnips or Rutabagas (September 6, 2016)

6

§51.2626 Fresh.

“Fresh” means that the tops are of normal green color and are not badly wilted.

§51.2627 Diameter.

“Diameter” means the greatest dimension of the root measured at right angles to a line 

running from the crown to the base of the root.

§51.2628 Excessively rough.

“Excessively rough” means that the root is rough or ridged to the extent that the 

appearance is seriously affected.

§51.2629 Seriously misshapen.

“Seriously misshapen” means that the root is forked or misshapen to the extent that 

the appearance is seriously affected.

§51.2630 Serious damage.

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

edible or shipping quality of the individual turnip or rutabaga or the general appearance 

of the turnips or rutabagas in the container, or causes a loss of more than 20 percent, 

by weight, in the ordinary preparation for use.