Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing 

Service

Specialty

Crops

Program

Specialty

Crops

Inspection

Division

United States Standards

for Grades of Summer 

Squash

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Summer Squash 

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

January 6, 1984.

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 Summer Squash (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Summer Squash

Section Page No.

General........................................................................................................................... 2

§51.4050 General........................................................................................................ 2

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

§51.4051 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.4052 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.4053 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 3

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 3

§51.4054 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 3

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

§51.4055 Fairly young and fairly tender. ..................................................................... 3

§51.4056 Fairly well formed. ....................................................................................... 3

§51.4057 Firm. ............................................................................................................ 3

§51.4058 Damage....................................................................................................... 4

§51.4059 Old and tough. ............................................................................................. 4

§51.4060 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 4

§51.4061 Diameter...................................................................................................... 4

§51.4062 Length.......................................................................................................... 4
United States Standards for Grades of Summer Squash (September 6, 2016)

2

General

§51.4050 General.

(a) These standards apply only to squash which are picked in the immature stages 

of development and eaten without the removal of seeds and seed cavity tissue. 

Squash commonly used in this manner are yellow crookneck, yellow 

straightneck, white scallop (patty pan, cymling), zucchini, cocozelle, etc., each 

including one or more varieties.

(b) Because of the size differences between varieties and the difference in size 

preference in various markets, there are no size requirements in the grades.

However, if so desired, size may be specified in connection with the grade, in 

terms of minimum or maximum diameter or both, or minimum or maximum length 

or both. When size is specified it shall be stated in terms of inches and quarter 

inches.

Grades

§51.4051 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of squash of one variety or similar varietal characteristics, with 

stems or portions of stems attached, which are fairly young and fairly tender, fairly well 

formed, firm, free from decay and breakdown, and from damage caused by 

discoloration, cuts, bruises and scars, freezing, dirt or other foreign material, disease, 

insects, mechanical or other means.

(a) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 

handling, the following tolerances, by count, are provided as specified:

(1) For defects. Ten percent for squash in any lot which fails to meet the 

requirements of this grade, including therein not more than 5 percent for 

defects causing serious damage, and including in this latter amount not 

more than 1 percent for squash which is affected by decay or breakdown.

(2) For size. Five percent for squash in any lot which is smaller than any 

specified minimum size and 10 percent for squash which is larger than 

any specified maximum size.

§51.4052 U.S. No. 2.

“U.S. No. 2” consists of squash of one variety or similar varietal characteristics which 

are not old and tough, but are firm, free from decay and breakdown, and free from 

damage caused by freezing, and from serious damage caused by discoloration, cuts, 

bruises, scars, dirt or other foreign material, disease, insects, mechanical or other 

means.

(a) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and 
United States Standards for Grades of Summer Squash (September 6, 2016)

3

handling, the following tolerances, by count, are provided as specified:

(1) For defects. Ten percent for squash in any lot which fails to meet the 

requirements of this grade, including therein not more than 1 percent for 

squash which is affected by decay or breakdown.

(2) For size. Five percent for squash in any lot which is smaller than any 

specified minimum size and 10 percent for squash which is larger than 

any specified maximum size.

Reserved

§51.4053 Reserved.

Application of Tolerances

§51.4054 Application of tolerances.

The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample inspection, are subject 

to the following limitations:

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

not more than one and one-half times the tolerances specified, except that at 

least one defective and one off-size specimen may be permitted in any package:

Provided, That the average for the entire lot is within the tolerance specified for 

the grade.

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

contain not more than double the tolerance specified, except that at least one 

defective and one off-size specimen may be permitted in any package:

Provided, That the average for the entire lot is within the tolerance specified for 

the grade.

Definitions

§51.4055 Fairly young and fairly tender.

“Fairly young and fairly tender” means a desirable stage of maturity for summer 

squash. This is indicated by fairly tender skin for the variety, fairly tender undeveloped 

seeds, and firm, moist seed cavity tissue.

§51.4056 Fairly well formed.

“Fairly well formed” means that the shape of the squash is characteristic of the variety 

or type, and that it is not so badly twisted, grooved or otherwise misshapen by any 

cause as to damage the appearance of the squash.

§51.4057 Firm.
United States Standards for Grades of Summer Squash (September 6, 2016)

4

“Firm” means that the squash does not yield appreciably to slight pressure, and is not 

noticeably wilted.

§51.4058 Damage.

“Damage” means any specific defect described in this section; 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 squash. The following specific defects shall be considered as damage:

(a) Discoloration caused by scars, bruises or other means which materially damages 

the appearance of the squash.

(b) Cuts, bruises, or scars which penetrate materially into the squash.

(c) Insects. Worms or other insects present inside the squash. Worm holes which 

are unhealed, or more than three-eighths of an inch in depth, or more than one in 

a squash. Superficial insect injury which materially detracts from the appearance 

of the squash.

§51.4059 Old and tough.

“Old and tough” means too far advanced in maturity to be suitable for use as summer 

squash. The skin is tough for the variety and the seeds are tough.

§51.4060 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means any defect, or any combination of defects, which seriously 

detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the squash. The 

following specific defect shall be considered as serious damage:

(a) Insects, when worms or other insects are present in the squash, or when worm 

holes are more than three-eighths of an inch in depth, or when there are more 

than three worm holes in a squash.

§51.4061 Diameter.

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

line running from the stem to the blossom end.

§51.4062 Length.

“Length” means the greatest dimension of the squash measured from the blossom end 

to the stem end, or in the case of crooknecks, to the curved surface farthest from the 

blossom end.