Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing 

Service

Specialty 

Crops

Program

Specialty

Crops

Inspection

Division

United States Standards

for Grades of Oranges 

(Texas and States other 

than Florida, California, 

and Arizona)

Effective November 30, 2020
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States 

other than Florida, California, and Arizona) (85 FR 68421) supersedes the previous 

issue which has been in effect since September 5, 2003.

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 How to File a 

Program Discrimination Complaint 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 Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than 

Florida, California, and Arizona)

______________________________________________________________________

Section Page No.

General........................................................................................................................... 3

§51.680 General........................................................................................................... 3

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

§51.681 U.S. Fancy. ..................................................................................................... 3

§51.682 U.S. No. 1. ...................................................................................................... 4

§51.683 U.S. No. 1 Bright............................................................................................. 6

§51.684 U.S. No. 1 Bronze........................................................................................... 6

§51.685 U.S. Combination............................................................................................ 7

§51.686 U.S. No. 2. ...................................................................................................... 7

§51.687 U.S. No. 2 Russet. .......................................................................................... 8

§51.688 U.S. No. 3. ...................................................................................................... 8

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

§51.689 Tolerances. ..................................................................................................... 9

Application of Tolerances .......................................................................................... 11

§51.690 Application of tolerances............................................................................... 11

Standard Pack ............................................................................................................. 11

§51.691 Standard pack............................................................................................... 11

Standard Sizing ........................................................................................................... 12

§51.692 Standard sizing. ............................................................................................ 12

Definitions.................................................................................................................... 13

§51.693 Mature........................................................................................................... 13

§51.694 Similar varietal characteristics. ..................................................................... 13

§51.695 Well colored. ................................................................................................. 13
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

2

§51.696 Firm............................................................................................................... 13

§51.697 Well formed................................................................................................... 13

§51.698 Smooth texture.............................................................................................. 13

§51.699 Injury. ............................................................................................................ 13

§51.700 Discoloration. ................................................................................................ 13

§51.701 Fairly smooth texture. ................................................................................... 14

§51.702 Damage. ....................................................................................................... 14

§51.703 Fairly well colored. ........................................................................................ 14

§51.704 Reasonably well colored............................................................................... 14

§51.705 Fairly firm. ..................................................................................................... 14

§51.706 Slightly misshapen........................................................................................ 14

§51.707 Slightly rough texture. ................................................................................... 14

§51.708 Serious damage............................................................................................ 14

§51.709 Misshapen. ................................................................................................... 15

§51.710 Slightly spongy.............................................................................................. 15

§51.711 Very serious damage.................................................................................... 15

§51.712 Diameter. ...................................................................................................... 15

§51.713 Classification of defects. ............................................................................... 16

Metric Conversion Table............................................................................................. 20

§51.714 Metric conversion table................................................................................. 20
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

3

General

§51.680 General.

The standards in this subpart apply only to the common or sweet orange group and 

varieties belonging to the Mandarin group except tangerines for which separate U.S. 

Standards are issued.

Grades

§51.681 U.S. Fancy.

“U.S. Fancy” consists of oranges which meet the following requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Discoloration: Not more than one-tenth of the surface, in the aggregate, 

may be affected by discoloration. (See §51.700.);

(2) Firm;

(3) Mature;

(4) Similar varietal characteristics;

(5) Smooth texture;

(6) Well colored; and

(7) Well formed.

(b) Free from:

(1) Ammoniation;

(2) Bruises;

(3) Buckskin;

(4) Caked melanose;

(5) Creasing;

(6) Decay;

(7) Growth cracks;

(8) Scab;

(9) Skin breakdown;
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

4

(10) Sprayburn;

(11) Undeveloped segments;

(12) Unhealed skin breaks; and

(13) Wormy fruit.

(c) Free from injury caused by:

(1) Green spots;

(2) Hail;

(3) Oil spots;

(4) Rough, wide or protruding navels;

(5) Scale;

(6) Scars;

(7) Split navels; and

(8) Thorn scratches.

(d) Free from damage caused by:

(1) Dirt or other foreign material;

(2) Disease;

(3) Dryness or mushy condition;

(4) Insects;

(5) Sunburn; and

(6) Other means.

(e) For tolerances see §51.689.

§51.682 U.S. No. 1.

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

(a) Basic requirements:
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

5

(1) Color:

(i) Early and midseason varieties shall be fairly well colored.

(ii) For Valencia and other late varieties, not less than 50 percent, by 

count, shall be fairly well colored and the remainder reasonably well 

colored.

(2) Discoloration: Not more than one-third of the surface, in the aggregate, 

may be affected by discoloration. (See §51.700.);

(3) Firm;

(4) Fairly smooth texture;

(5) Mature; 

(6) Similar varietal characteristics; and

(7) Well formed.

(b) Free from:

(1) Bruises;

(2) Caked melanose;

(3) Decay;

(4) Growth cracks;

(5) Sprayburn;

(6) Undeveloped segments;

(7) Unhealed skin breaks; and

(8) Wormy fruit.

(c) Free from damage caused by:

(1) Ammoniation;

(2) Buckskin;

(3) Creasing;

(4) Dirt or other foreign material; 
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

6

(5) Disease; 

(6) Dryness or mushy condition; 

(7) Green spots; 

(8) Hail; 

(9) Insects; 

(10) Oil spots;

(11) Scab; 

(12) Scale; 

(13) Scars; 

(14) Skin breakdown;

(15) Split, rough or protruding navels; 

(16) Sunburn; 

(17) Thorn scratches; and

(18) Other means.

(d) For tolerances see §51.689.

§51.683 U.S. No. 1 Bright.

The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 except that no fruit may 

have more than one-tenth of its surface, in the aggregate, affected by discoloration. 

(a) For tolerances see §51.689.

§51.684 U.S. No. 1 Bronze.

The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 1 except that all fruit must 

show some discoloration and at least 10 percent, by count, of the fruit shall have more 

than one-third of their surface, in the aggregate, affected by discoloration. The 

predominating discoloration on these fruits shall be of rust mite type. For tolerances 

see §51.689.
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

7

§51.685 U.S. Combination.

“U.S. Combination” consists of a combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2 oranges: 

Provided, That at least 55 percent, by count, meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade 

for defects, And provided further, That the lot meets the basic requirement for 

discoloration as specified in the U.S. No. 2 grade. For tolerances see §51.689.

§51.686 U.S. No. 2.

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

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Discoloration: Not more than one-half of the surface, in the aggregate, 

may be affected by discoloration. (See 51.700.)

(2) Fairly firm;

(3) Mature;

(4) Not more than slightly misshapen;

(5) Not more than slightly rough texture;

(6) Reasonably well colored; and

(7) Similar varietal characteristics.

(b) Free from:

(1) Bruises;

(2) Decay;

(3) Growth cracks;

(4) Unhealed skin breaks; and

(5) Wormy fruit.

(c) Free from serious damaged caused by:

(1) Ammoniation;

(2) Buckskin;

(3) Caked melanose;
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

8

(4) Creasing; 

(5) Dirt or other foreign material;

(6) Disease;

(7) Dryness or mushy condition;

(8) Green spots;

(9) Hail;

(10) Insects;

(11) Oil spots;

(12) Scab;

(13) Scale;

(14) Scars;

(15) Skin breakdown;

(16) Split, rough or protruding navels;

(17) Sprayburn;

(18) Sunburn;

(19) Thorn scratches; and

(20) Other means.

(d) For tolerances see §51.689.

§51.687 U.S. No. 2 Russet.

The requirements for this grade are the same as for U.S. No. 2 except that at least 10 

percent by count of the fruit shall have more than one-half of their surface, in the 

aggregate, affected by any type of discoloration. For tolerances see §51.689.

§51.688 U.S. No. 3.

“U.S. No. 3” consists of oranges which meet the following requirements:

(a) Basic requirements:
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

9

(1) Mature;

(2) May be misshapen;

(3) May be poorly colored. Not more than 25 percent of the surface may be 

of a solid dark green color;

(4) May be slightly spongy;

(5) May have rough texture;

(6) Not seriously lumpy or cracked; and

(7) Similar varietal characteristics.

(b) Free from:

(1) Decay; 

(2) Unhealed skin breaks; and

(3) Wormy fruit.

(c) Free from very serious damage caused by other means.

(d) For tolerances see §51.689.

Tolerances

§51.689 Tolerances.

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

foregoing grades, the following tolerances, by count, based on a minimum 25 count 

sample, are provided as specified. No tolerance shall apply to wormy fruit.

(a) Defects.

(1) U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1 Bright, U.S. No. 1 Bronze, U.S. No. 2, 

and U.S. No. 2 Russet Grades.

(i) For defects at shipping point.

1 Not more than 10 percent of the fruit 

in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the specified grade: 

Provided, That included in this amount not more than 5 percent 

 1 Shipping point, as used in these standards, means the point of origin of the shipment in the production area or at port of loading 

for ship stores or overseas shipments, or in the case of shipments from outside the continental United States, the port of entry into 

the United States.
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

10

shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, including 

in this latter amount not more than 1 percent for decay.

(ii) For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 12 percent of 

the fruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the specified 

grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the 

following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:

(A) 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or

(B) 7 percent for defects causing very serious damage, including 

therein not more than 5 percent for very serious damage by 

permanent defects and not more than 3 percent for decay.

(2) U.S. Combination.

(i) For defects at shipping point.

1 Not more than 10 percent of the fruit 

in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade: 

Provided, That included in this amount not more than 5 percent 

shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, including

in this latter amount not more than 1 percent for decay.

(ii) For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 12 percent of 

the fruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 

2 grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the 

following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:

(A) 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or

(B) 7 percent for defects causing very serious damage, including 

therein not more than 5 percent for very serious damage by 

permanent defects and not more than 3 percent for decay.

(iii) For defects at shipping point1 and en route or at destination: No 

part of any tolerance shall be allowed to reduce for the lot as a 

whole, the 55 percent of U.S. No. 1 fruit required in the U.S. 

Combination grade, but individual samples may have not more than 

15 percent less than the required percentage for the grade: 

Provided, That the entire lot averages within the percentage 

required. 

(3) U.S. No. 3.

(i) For defects at shipping point.

1 Not more than 10 percent of the fruit 

in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the grade: Provided, 

That included in this amount not more than 1 percent for decay.
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

11

(ii) For defects en route or at destination. Not more than 12 percent of 

the fruit in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the grade: 

Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following 

percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:

(A) 10 percent for fruit having permanent defects; or

(B) 3 percent for decay.

(b) Discoloration.

(1) U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 1 Bright, U.S. Combination and U.S. No. 2. Not 

more than 10 percent of the fruit in any lot may fail to meet the 

requirements relating to discoloration as specified in each grade. No 

sample may have more than 20 percent of the fruit with excessive 

discoloration: Provided, That the entire lot averages within the percentage 

specified.

(2) U.S. No. 1 Bronze. At least 10 percent of the fruit shall have more than 

one-third of the surface, in the aggregate, affected by discoloration, and 

no part of any tolerance shall be allowed to reduce this percentage. No 

sample may have less than 5 percent of the fruit with required 

discoloration: Provided, That the entire lot averages within the percentage 

specified. No tolerance shall apply to fruit showing no discoloration. 

(3) U.S. No. 2 Russet. At least 10 percent of the fruit shall have more than 

one-half of the surface, in the aggregate, affected by discoloration, and no 

part of any tolerance shall be allowed to reduce this percentage. No 

sample may have less than 5 percent of the fruit with the required 

discoloration: Provided, That the entire lot averages within the percentage 

specified.

Application of Tolerances

§51.690 Application of tolerances.

Individual samples are subject to the following limitations, unless otherwise specified in 

§51.689. Individual samples 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: Provided, That at least one decayed may be 

permitted in any sample: And provided further, That the averages for the entire lot are 

within the tolerances specified for the grade.

Standard Pack

§51.691 Standard pack.

(a) Fruit shall be fairly uniform in size. When packed in approved containers, fruit 
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

12

shall be arranged according to approved and recognized methods.

(b) “Fairly uniform in size” means that not more than 10 percent of fruit in any 

lot, and not more than double that amount in any sample, are outside the 

ranges of diameters given in Table 1.

Table 1 to §51.691 paragraph (b) – 7/10 Bushel Carton

Pack size/number Diameter in inches

of oranges Minimum Maximum

24 3-12/16 5-1/16

32 3-6/16 4-9/16

36 3-4/16 4-6/16

40 3-2/16 4-4/16

48 2-15/16 4

56 2-13/16 3-13/16

64 2-11/16 3-10/16

72 2-9/16 3-8/16

88 2-8/16 3-4/16

113 2-7/16 3

138 2-6/16 2-12/16

163 2-3/16 2-8/16

(c) In order to allow for variations, other than sizing, incident to proper packing, 

not more than 5 percent of the packages in any lot may fail to meet the 

requirements of standard pack.

Standard Sizing

§51.692 Standard sizing.

(a) Boxes, cartons, bag packs, or bulk loads in which oranges are not packed 

according to a definite pattern do not meet the requirements of standard pack, 

but may be certified as meeting the requirements of standard sizing: Provided,

That the ranges are fairly uniform in size as defined in §51.691.

(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper packing, not more than 5 

percent of the containers in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of standard 

sizing.
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

13

Definitions

§51.693 Mature.

“Mature” shall have the same meaning currently assigned that term in the laws and 

regulations of the State in which the orange is grown; or as the definition of such term 

may hereafter be amended.

§51.694 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the fruits in any container are similar in 

color and shape.

§51.695 Well colored.

“Well colored” means that the fruit is yellow or orange in color with practically no trace 

of green color.

§51.696 Firm.

“Firm” as applied to common oranges, means that the fruit is not soft, or noticeably 

wilted or flabby; as applied to oranges of the Mandarin group (Satsuma, King, 

Mandarin), means that the fruit is not extremely puffy, although the skin may be slightly 

loose.

§51.697 Well formed.

“Well formed” means that the fruit has the shape characteristic of the variety.

§51.698 Smooth texture.

“Smooth texture” means that the skin is thin and smooth for the variety and size of the 

fruit.

§51.699 Injury.

“Injury” means any specific defect described in Table 1 to §51.713; or an equally 

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

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

quality of the fruit.

§51.700 Discoloration.

“Discoloration” means russeting of light shade of golden brown caused by rust mite or 

other means. Lighter shades of discoloration caused by smooth or fairly smooth, 

superficial scars or other means may be allowed on a greater area, or darker shades 

may be allowed on a lesser area, provided no discoloration caused by melanose or 
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

14

other means may affect the appearance of the fruit to a greater extent than the shade 

and amount of discoloration allowed for the grade.

§51.701 Fairly smooth texture.

“Fairly smooth texture” means that the skin is not materially rough or coarse and that 

the skin is not thick for the variety.

§51.702 Damage.

“Damage” means any specific defect described in Table 1 to §51.713; or an 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 fruit.

§51.703 Fairly well colored.

“Fairly well colored” means that except for a one inch circle in the aggregate of green 

color, the yellow or orange color predominates over the green color on that part of the 

fruit which is not discolored.

§51.704 Reasonably well colored.

“Reasonably well colored” means that the yellow or orange color predominates over 

the green color on at least two-thirds of the fruit surface in the aggregate which is not 

discolored.

§51.705 Fairly firm.

“Fairly firm” as applied to common oranges, means that the fruit may be slightly soft, 

but not bruised; as applied to oranges of the Mandarin group (Satsuma, King, Mandarin) 

means that the fruit is not extremely puffy or the skin extremely loose.

§51.706 Slightly misshapen.

“Slightly misshapen” means that the fruit is not of the shape characteristic of the 

variety but is not appreciably elongated or pointed or otherwise deformed.

§51.707 Slightly rough texture.

“Slightly rough texture” means that the skin is not smooth or fairly smooth but is not 

excessively rough or excessively thick, or materially ridged, grooved or wrinkled.

§51.708 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means any specific defect described in Table 1 to §51.713; or an 

equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any other defect, or any 
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

15

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

marketing quality of the fruit.

§51.709 Misshapen.

“Misshapen” means that the fruit is decidedly elongated, pointed or flat sided.

§51.710 Slightly spongy.

“Slightly spongy” means that the fruit is puffy or slightly wilted but not flabby.

§51.711 Very serious damage.

“Very serious damage” means any specific defect described in Table 1 to §51.713; or 

an equally objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any other defect, or any 

combination of defects, which very seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible 

or marketing quality of the fruit.

§51.712 Diameter.

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

to blossom end of the fruit.
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

16

§51.713 Classification of defects.

Table 1 to §51.713

All references to area or aggregate area, or length in this standard are based on an 

orange 2-7/8 inches in diameter, allowing proportionately greater areas on larger fruit 

and lesser areas on smaller fruit.

Factor Injury Damage Serious 

Damage

Very Serious 

Damage

Ammoniation Not occurring as 

light speck type.

Scars are 

cracked or dark 

and aggregating 

more than a 

circle 3/4 inch in 

diameter or light 

colored and 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1-1/4 

inches in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than 25 

percent of the 

surface.

Buckskin Aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1 inch in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than 25 

percent of the 

surface.

Aggregating 

more than 50 

percent of the 

surface.

Caked 

melanose

Aggregating 

more than a 

circle 3/4 inch in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than 25 

percent of the 

surface.

Creasing Materially 

weakens the 

skin, or extends 

over more than 

one-third of the 

surface.

Seriously 

weakens the 

skin, or extends 

over more than 

one-half of the 

surface.

Very seriously 

weakens the 

skin, or is 

distributed over 

practically the 

entire surface.
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

17

Factor Injury Damage Serious 

Damage

Very Serious 

Damage

Dryness or 

mushy condition

Affecting all 

segments more 

than 1/4 inch at 

stem end, or the 

equivalent of 

this amount, by 

volume, when 

occurring in 

other portions of 

the fruit.

Affecting all 

segments more 

than 1/2 inch at 

stem end, or the 

equivalent of 

this amount, by 

volume, when 

occurring in 

other portions of 

the fruit.

Affecting all 

segments more 

than 3/4 inch at 

stem end, or the 

equivalent of 

this amount, by 

volume, when 

occurring in 

other portions of 

the fruit.

Green spots or 

oil spots

More than 

slightly affecting 

appearance.

Aggregating 

more than a 

circle 7/8 inch in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1-1/4 

inches in 

diameter.

Hail Not well healed, 

or aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1/4 inch in 

diameter.

Not well healed, 

or aggregating 

more than a 

circle 3/8 inch in 

diameter.

Not well healed, 

or aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1/2 inch in 

diameter.

Not well healed, 

or aggregating 

more than a 

circle 3/4 inch in 

diameter.

Scab Materially 

detracts from 

the shape or 

texture, or 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 5/8 inch in 

diameter.

Seriously 

detracts from 

the shape or 

texture, or 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 3/4 inch in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than 25 

percent of the 

surface.

Scale More than a few 

adjacent to the 

“button” at the 

stem end, or 

more than 6 

scattered on 

other portions of 

the fruit.

Aggregating 

more than a 

circle 5/8 inch in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than a 

circle 3/4 inch in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than 25 

percent of the 

surface.
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

18

Factor Injury Damage Serious 

Damage

Very Serious 

Damage

Scars Depressed, not 

smooth, or 

detracts from 

appearance 

more than the 

amount of 

discoloration 

permitted in the 

grade.

Deep, rough or 

hard 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1/4 inch in 

diameter; 

slightly rough 

with slight depth 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 7/8 inch in 

diameter; 

smooth or fairly 

smooth with 

slight depth 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1-1/4 

inches in 

diameter.

Deep, rough 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1/2 inch in 

diameter; 

slightly rough 

with slight depth 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1-1/4 

inches in 

diameter.

Deep, rough or 

unsightly that 

appearance is 

very seriously 

affected.

Skin breakdown Aggregating 

more than a

circle 1/4 inch in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than a 

circle 5/8 inch in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than 25 

percent of the 

surface.

Sunburn Skin is flattened, 

dry, darkened or 

hard, 

aggregating 

more than 25 

percent of the 

surface.

Affecting more 

than one-third of 

the surface, 

hard, decidedly 

one-sided, or 

light brown and 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1-1/4 

inches in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than 50 

percent of the 

surface.

Sprayburn Hard, or 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 1-1/4 

inches in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than 25 

percent of the 

surface.
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

19

Factor Injury Damage Serious 

Damage

Very Serious 

Damage

Split, rough or 

protruding 

navels

Split is 

unhealed; navel 

protrudes 

beyond general 

contour; 

opening is so 

wide, growth so 

folded and 

ridged that it 

detracts 

noticeably from 

appearance.

Split is 

unhealed, or 

more than 1/4 

inch in length, or 

more than 3 well 

healed splits, or 

navel protrudes 

beyond the 

general contour, 

and opening is 

so wide, folded 

or ridged that it 

detracts 

materially from 

appearance.

Split is 

unhealed, or 

more than 1/2 

inch in length, or 

aggregate 

length of all 

splits exceed 1 

inch, or navel 

protrudes 

beyond general 

contour, and 

opening is so 

wide, folded and 

ridged that it 

seriously 

detracts from 

appearance.

Split is unhealed 

or fruit is 

seriously 

weakened.

Thorn scratches Not slight, not 

well healed, or 

more unsightly 

than 

discoloration 

permitted in the 

grade.

Not well healed, 

or hard 

concentrated 

thorn injury 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 5/8 inch in 

diameter.

Not well healed, 

or hard 

concentrated 

thorn injury 

aggregating 

more than a 

circle 3/4 inch in 

diameter.

Aggregating 

more than 25 

percent of the 

surface.
United States Standards for Grades of Oranges (Texas and States other than Florida, 

California, and Arizona) (November 30, 2020)

20

Metric Conversion Table

§51.714 Metric conversion table.

Inches (in) Millimeters (mm)

1/4 6.4

5/16 7.9

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

2-3/16 55.6

2-4/16 57.2

2-7/16 61.9

2-8/16 63.5

2-9/16 65.1

2-11/16 68.3

2-12/16 69.9

2-15/16 74.6

3-1/16 77.8

3-3/16 81.0

3-5/16 84.1

3-7/16 87.3

3-9/16 90.5

3-13/16 96.8