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United States Standards

for Grades of Onions 

(Other Than BermudaGranex-Grano and 

Creole Type)

Effective November 24, 2014
This is the fourteenth issue, as amended, of the United States Standards for Grades 

of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole Type) published in the 

FEDERAL REGISTER on October 23, 2014 (79 FR 63293) to become effective

November 24, 2014. This issue supersedes the thirteenth issue, which has been in 

effect since October 10, 1995.

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

Fruit and Vegetable 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: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and 

applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where 

applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived 

from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded 

by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) To File an Employment 

Complaint: If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your agency's EEO Counselor (PDF) within 45 days of the 

date of the alleged discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a personnel action. Additional information can be found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html. To File a Program Complaint: If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint 

of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also 

write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax 

(202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. Persons with Disabilities: Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have 

speech disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 

(800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, please see information 

above on how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., 

braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-GranexGrano and Creole Type)

Section Page No.

Grades............................................................................................................................ 3

§51.2830 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 3

§51.2831 U.S. Export No. 1......................................................................................... 4

§51.2832 U.S. Commercial. ........................................................................................ 6

§51.2833 U.S. No. 1 Boilers. ....................................................................................... 7

§ 51.2834 U.S. No. 1 Picklers. ..................................................................................... 8

§51.2835 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 8

Size Classifications....................................................................................................... 9

§51.2836 Size classifications. ..................................................................................... 9

Tolerances ..................................................................................................................... 9

§51.2837 Tolerances................................................................................................... 9

Samples for Grade and Size Determination.............................................................. 10

§51.2838 Samples for grade and size determination. ............................................... 10

Application of Tolerances .......................................................................................... 10

§51.2839 Application of tolerances............................................................................ 10

Export Packing Requirements ................................................................................... 11

§51.2840 Export packing requirements..................................................................... 11

Definitions.................................................................................................................... 11

§51.2841 Mature. ...................................................................................................... 11

§51.2842 Dormant..................................................................................................... 11

§51.2843 Fairly firm................................................................................................... 11

§51.2844 Fairly well shaped...................................................................................... 11

§51.2845 Wet sunscald............................................................................................. 11

§51.2846 Doubles. .................................................................................................... 12

§51.2847 Bottlenecks................................................................................................ 12

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

1
§51.2848 Scallions. ................................................................................................... 12

§51.2849 Damage..................................................................................................... 12

§51.2850 Diameter.................................................................................................... 13

§51.2851 Badly misshapen. ...................................................................................... 13

§51.2852 Serious damage. ....................................................................................... 13

§51.2853 One type.................................................................................................... 14

Metric Conversion Table............................................................................................. 15

§51.2854 Metric conversion table.............................................................................. 15

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

2
Grades

§51.2830 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of onions which meet the following requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Similar varietal characteristics, except color when designated as a 

specialty or mixed pack;

(2) Mature;

(3) Fairly firm; and,

(4) Fairly well shaped.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay;

(2) Wet sunscald;

(3) Doubles;

(4) Bottlenecks; and, 

(5) Scallions.

(c) Free from damage caused by:

(1) Seedstems;

(2) Splits;

(3) Tops;

(4) Roots;

(5) Dry sunken areas;

(6) Sunburn;

(7) Sprouts;

(8) Freezing;

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

3
(9) Peeling;

(10) Cracked fleshy scales;

(11) Watery scales;

(12) Dirt or staining;

(13) Foreign matter;

(14) Mechanical;

(15) Translucent scales;

(16) Disease;

(17) Insects; and,

(18) Other means.

(d) For tolerances see §51.2837.

(e) Size. Unless otherwise specified the diameter shall be not less than 1-1/2 

inches, and yellow, brown, or red onions shall have 40 percent or more, and 

white onions shall have 30 percent or more, by weight, of the onions in any lot 2 

inches or larger in diameter.

(f) When a percentage of the onions is specified to be of any certain size or larger, 

no part of any tolerance shall be allowed to reduce the specified percentage, but 

individual packages in a lot may have as much as 25 percentage points less than 

the percentage specified, except that individual packages containing 10 pounds 

or less shall have no requirements as to percentage of a certain size or larger: 

Provided, that any lot, regardless of package size, shall average within the 

percentage specified. (See §§51.2836 and 51.2837) 

§51.2831 U.S. Export No. 1.

“U.S. Export No. 1” consists of onions which meet the following requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Similar varietal characteristics, except color when designated as a 

specialty or mixed pack;

(2) Mature;

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

4
(3) Dormant;

(4) Fairly firm; and,

(5) Fairly well shaped.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay;

(2) Wet sunscald;

(3) Doubles;

(4) Bottlenecks; and,

(5) Scallions.

(c) Free from damage caused by:

(1) Seedstems;

(2) Splits;

(3) Tops;

(4) Roots;

(5) Dry sunken areas;

(6) Sunburn;

(7) Sprouts;

(8) Freezing;

(9) Peeling;

(10) Cracked fleshy scales;

(11) Watery scales;

(12) Dirt or staining;

(13) Foreign matter;

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

5
(14) Mechanical;

(15) Translucent scales;

(16) Disease;

(17) Insects; and,

(18) Other means.

(d) Unless otherwise specified onions are packed in accordance with Export Packing 

Requirements set forth in §51.2840. (See §51.2837.)

§51.2832 U.S. Commercial.

“U.S. Commercial” consists of onions which meet the following requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Similar varietal characteristics, except color when designated as a 

specialty or mixed pack;

(2) Mature;

(3) Not soft or spongy; and,

(4) Not badly misshapen.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay;

(2) Wet sunscald;

(3) Doubles;

(4) Bottlenecks; and,

(5) Scallions.

(c) Free from damage caused by:

(1) Seedstems;

(2) Tops;

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

6
(3) Roots;

(4) Dry sunken areas;

(5) Sunburn;

(6) Sprouts;

(7) Freezing;

(8) Cracked fleshy scales;

(9) Watery scales;

(10) Mechanical;

(11) Translucent scales;

(12) Disease;

(13) Insects; and,

(14) Other means.

(d) Free from serious damage caused by:

(1) Staining;

(2) Dirt; and,

(3) Other foreign matter.

(e) For tolerances see §51.2837.

(f) Size. Unless otherwise specified, the diameter shall be not less than 1-1/2 

inches. (See §§51.2836 and 51.2837.)

§51.2833 U.S. No. 1 Boilers.

“U.S. No. 1 Boilers” consists of onions which meet all the requirements for the U.S. No. 

1 grade except for size. (See §51.2830.) 

Size: The diameter of onions of this grade shall be not less than 1 inch nor more than 1 

7/8 inches. (See §51.2837.)

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

7
§ 51.2834 U.S. No. 1 Picklers.

“U.S. No. 1 Picklers” consists of onions which meet all the requirements for the U.S. No. 

1 grade except for size. (See §51.2830.) 

Size: The maximum diameter of onions of this grade shall be not more than 1 inch. 

(See §51.2837.)

§51.2835 U.S. No. 2.

“U.S. No. 2” consists of onions which meet the following requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) One type, except when designated as a specialty or mixed pack;

(2) Mature; and,

(3) Not soft or spongy.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay;

(2) Wet sunscald; and,

(3) Scallions.

(c) Free from serious damage caused by:

(1) Watery scales;

(2) Dirt or Staining;

(3) Foreign Matter;

(4) Seedstems;

(5) Sprouts;

(6) Mechanical;

(7) Dry sunken areas;

(8) Disease;

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

8
(9) Freezing;

(10) Insects; and,

(11) Other means.

(d) For tolerances see §51.2837.

(e) Size. Unless otherwise specified, the diameter shall not be less than 1-1/2 

inches. (See §§51.2836 and 51.2837.)

Size Classifications

§51.2836 Size classifications.

The size of onions may be specified in accordance with one of the following 

classifications.

Size Designation Minimum Diameter Maximum Diameter

Inches Millimeters Inches Millimeters

Small 1 25.4 2-1/4 57.2

Repacker/

Prepacker1 1-3/4 44.5 3 76.2

Medium 2 50.8 3-1/4 82.6

Large or Jumbo 3 76.2 (

2

)

Colossal... 3-3/4 95.3 (

2

)

1 In addition to the sizes specified, a lot of onions designated as Repacker or Prepacker shall contain at least 60 percent or more 2 

inches or larger in diameter.

2 No requirement.

Tolerances

§51.2837 Tolerances.

In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling in each of the 

foregoing grades the following tolerances, by weight, are provided as specified:

(a) For defects:

(1) U.S. No. 1, U.S. Export No. 1, U.S. No. 1 Boilers and U.S. No. 1 Picklers 

grades.

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

9
(i) Not more than 10 percent of the onions in a lot may be damaged by 

peeling; and,

(ii) Not more than 5 percent of the onions in a lot may be below the 

remaining requirements of these grades, but not more than twofifths of this tolerance, or 2 percent, may be allowed for onions 

which are affected by decay or wet sunscald. (See §51.2839.)

(2) U.S. Commercial and U.S. No. 2 grades.

(i) Not more than 5 percent of the onions in a lot may be below the 

requirements of these grades, but not more than two-fifths of this 

tolerance, or 2 percent, may be allowed for onions which are 

affected by decay or wet sunscald. (See §51.2839.)

(b) For off-size:

(1) U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1 Boilers, U.S. Commercial, and U.S. No. 2 grades. 

Not more than 5 percent of the onions in a lot may be below the specified 

minimum size, and not more than 10 percent may be above any specified 

maximum size. (See §51.2839.)

(2) U.S. No. 1 Pickler grade. Not more than 10 percent of the onions in a lot 

may be above the maximum size specified for this grade. (See §51.2839.)

Samples for Grade and Size Determination

§51.2838 Samples for grade and size determination.

Individual samples shall consist of at least 20 pounds for onions packed to meet larger 

than 2-1/4 inches maximum diameter. When individual packages contain 20 pounds or 

more and the onions are packed for Large or Jumbo size or larger the package shall be 

the sample. When individual packages contain less than 20 pounds, a sufficient 

number of adjoining packages are opened to provide at least a 20 pound sample, 

except that for onions packed to meet 2-1/4 inches maximum diameter or smaller, the 

sample may consist of either 20 pounds or the individual package.

Application of Tolerances

§51.2839 Application of tolerances. 

Individual samples are subject to the following limitations:

(a) Samples which contain more than 20 pounds shall have not more than one and 

one half times a specified tolerance of 10 percent or more, and not more than 

double a specified tolerance of less than 10 percent, except that at least one 

defective and one off-size onion may be permitted in any sample: Provided, that 

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

10
en-route or at destination when onions in containers of 50 pounds or more are 

packed to a minimum size of 3 inches or larger not more than three onions or 

more than 4 percent (whichever is the larger amount) may be affected by decay 

or wet sunscald: And provided further, that the averages for the entire lot are 

within the tolerances specified for the grade; and,

(b) Samples which contain 20 pounds or less shall have not more than double the 

tolerance specified, except that at least one defective and one off-size onion may 

be permitted in any sample: Provided, that the averages for the entire lot are 

within the tolerances specified for the grade.

Export Packing Requirements

§51.2840 Export packing requirements.

Onions specified as meeting Export Packing Requirements shall be packed in 

containers having a net capacity of 25 kilograms (approximately 56 pounds).

Definitions

§51.2841 Mature.

“Mature” means well cured. Midseason onions which are not customarily held in 

storage shall be considered mature when harvested in accordance with good 

commercial practice at a stage which will not result in the onions becoming soft or 

spongy.

§51.2842 Dormant.

“Dormant” means that at least 90 percent of the onions in any lot show no evidence of 

growth as indicated by distinct elongation of the growing point or distinct yellow or green 

color in the tip of the growing point.

§51.2843 Fairly firm.

“Fairly firm” means that the onion may yield slightly to moderate pressure but is not 

appreciably soft or spongy.

§51.2844 Fairly well shaped.

“Fairly well shaped” means having the shape characteristic of the variety, but onions 

may be slightly off-type or slightly misshapen.

§51.2845 Wet sunscald.

“Wet sunscald” means sunscald which is soft, mushy, sticky or wet.

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

11
§51.2846 Doubles.

“Doubles” means onions which have developed more than one distinct bulb joined only 

at the base.

§51.2847 Bottlenecks.

“Bottlenecks” are onions which have abnormally thick necks with only fairly well 

developed bulbs.

§51.2848 Scallions.

“Scallions” are onions which have thick necks and relatively small and poorly developed 

bulbs.

§51.2849 Damage.

“Damage” means any specific defect described in this section; or any equally 

objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination 

of defects, which materially detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing 

quality of the onions. The following specific defects shall be considered as damage:

(a) Seedstems which are tough or woody, or which are more than 1/4 inch in 

diameter;

(b) Splits when onions with two or more hearts are not practically covered by one or 

more outer scales;

(c) Tops when more than 30 percent of the onions in a lot have tops 3 inches or 

more in length;

(d) New roots when most roots on an individual onion have grown to a length of 1 

inch or more in length;

(e) Dry roots when more than 20 percent of the onions in a lot have practically all 

roots 2 inches or more in length;

(f) Dry sunken areas when the affected areas exceed the equivalent to that of a 

circle 1/2 inch in diameter on an onion 2-3/4 inches in diameter which does not 

have the outer papery scale covering the affected areas or when the affected 

areas exceed the equivalent to that of a circle 3/4 inch in diameter on an onion 

2-3/4 inches in diameter which has the outer papery scale covering the affected 

areas. Correspondingly lesser or greater areas are allowed on smaller or larger 

onions;

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

12
(g) Sunburn when more than 33 percent of the onions in a lot have a medium green 

color on one-third of the surface;

(h) Sprouts when visible, or when concealed within the dry top and more than 3/4 

inch in length on an onion 2 inches or larger in diameter, or proportionately 

shorter on smaller onions;

(i) Peeling when more than one-half of the thin papery skin is missing, leaving the 

underlying fleshy scale unprotected;

(j) Cracked fleshy scales when one or more of the fleshy scales are cracked;

(k) Watery scales when more than the equivalent of the entire outer fleshy scale is 

affected by an off-color, watersoaked condition. The off-color must be of some 

shade of brown or yellow;

(l) Dirt, staining or other foreign matter when more than 20 percent of the onions in 

a yellow, brown or red lot, or more than 15 percent of the onions in a white lot are 

appreciably stained. Onions with adhering dirt or other foreign matter shall be 

judged on the same basis as stained onions;

(m) Mechanical when any cut extends deeper than one fleshy scale, or when any 

bruise breaks a fleshy scale; and,

(n) Translucent scales when more than the equivalent of two entire outer fleshy 

scales have a watersoaked condition.

§51.2850 Diameter.

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

running from the stem to the root.

§51.2851 Badly misshapen.

“Badly misshapen” means that the onion is so misshapen that its appearance is 

seriously affected.

§51.2852 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means any specific defect described in this section; or any equally 

objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination 

of defects, which seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing 

quality of the onions. The following specific defects shall be considered as serious 

damage:

(a) Watery scales when more than the equivalent of two entire outer fleshy scales 

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

13
are affected by an off-colored, watersoaked condition. The off-color must be of 

some shade of brown or yellow;

(b) Dirt, staining or other foreign matter when more than 25 percent of the onions in 

a lot are badly stained. Onions with adhering dirt or other foreign matter shall be 

judged on the same basis as stained onions; 

(c) Seedstems when more than 1/2 inch in diameter; 

(d) Sprouts when the visible length is more than 1/2 inch;

(e) Mechanical when any cut extends deeper than two fleshy scales, or when cuts 

seriously damage the appearance of the onion; and,

(f) Dry sunken areas when extending deeper than one fleshy scale, or when 

affecting an area equivalent to that of a circle 1 inch in diameter on an onion 2 

3/4 inches in diameter, or correspondingly lesser or greater areas on smaller or 

larger onions.

§51.2853 One type.

One type means that the onions are within the same general color category.

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

14
Metric Conversion Table

§51.2854 Metric conversion table.

Inches Millimeters (mm)

1/8 3.2

1/4 6.4

3/8 9.5

1/2 12.7

5/8 15.9

3/4 19.1

7/8 22.2

1 25.4

1-1/4 31.8

1-1/2 38.1

1-3/4 44.5

2 50.8

2-1/2 63.5

2-3/4 69.9

3 76.2

3-1/2 88.9

4 101.6

United States Standards for Grades of Onions (Other Than Bermuda-Granex-Grano 

and Creole Type) (November 24, 2014)

15