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United States Standards

for Grades of Sweet 

Anise

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Anise (81 FR 51297) 

supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since March 15, 1973.

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 Sweet Anise (September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Anise

Section Page No.

Grade.............................................................................................................................. 2

§51.2900 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

Reserved........................................................................................................................ 2

§51.2901 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 2

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 2

§51.2902 Stalk............................................................................................................. 2

§51.2903 Firm. ............................................................................................................ 2

§51.2904 Tender. ........................................................................................................ 2

§51.2905 Well Trimmed. ............................................................................................. 2

§51.2906 Fairly well blanched. .................................................................................... 3

§51.2907 Damage....................................................................................................... 3

§51.2908 Diameter...................................................................................................... 3
United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Anise (September 6, 2016)

2

Grade

§51.2900 U.S. No. 1

“U.S. No. 1” consists of stalks of sweet anise which are firm, tender, well trimmed, and 

fairly well blanched; which are free from decay and from damage caused by growth 

cracks, pithy branches, wilting, freezing, seedstems, dirt, discoloration, disease, insects, 

or mechanical or other means. Unless otherwise specified, the minimum diameter of 

each bulb shall be not less than 2 inches.

(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 stalks in any lot which fail to meet the

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

stalks affected by decay.

(2) For size. Ten percent for stalks in any lot which fail to meet the specified

minimum diameter requirement.

Reserved

§51.2901 Reserved.

Definitions

§51.2902 Stalk.

“Stalk” means an individual plant.

§51.2903 Firm.

“Firm” means that the bulbs are not soft or wilted.

§51.2904 Tender.

“Tender” means that the bulbs are crisp and succulent.

§51.2905 Well Trimmed.

“Well trimmed” means that not more than one coarse outer branch is left on each side 

of the bulb to protect the tender inside portion, and the portion of the root remaining is 

not more than one-half inch in length. Tops may be either full length or cut back to not 

less than 10 inches except that not more than five of the outer branches may be cut 

back to less than 10 inches if necessary to facilitate proper packing, but not more than 

three of these may be on the same side of the bulb.
United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Anise (September 6, 2016)

3

§51.2906 Fairly well blanched.

“Fairly well blanched” means the bulbs are of a light greenish to white color.

§51.2907 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 stalk. The following specific defects shall be considered as damage:

(a) Growth cracks, when more than three branches show one or more growth 

cracks.

(b) Pithy branches, when more than three branches show distinctly open texture with 

air spaces in the central portion of that part which goes to make up the base or 

bulbous portion of the stalk.

(c) Wilting, when the stalk is limp and flabby.

(d) Freezing, when the epidermis of the branches is badly blistered, or when the tops 

are brown or yellow to such an extent as to materially damage the appearance of 

the stalk, or when a combination of these causes material damage to the 

appearance and shipping quality of the stalk.

(e) Seedstems, which have reached the stage where the flower buds are plainly 

visible. Stalks from which the seedstems have been removed shall be 

considered as damaged.

(f) Dirt, when caked on the bulbous portion of the stalk, or when present to such an 

extent on the tops and branches as to cause material damage to the appearance 

of the stalk.

(g) Discoloration, when the bulbous portion shows extensive brown to dark brown 

areas characteristic of injury caused by rough handling, or when the tops are 

yellow or brown to such an extent as to cause material damage to the 

appearance of the stalk.

§51.2908 Diameter.

“Diameter” means the smallest diameter measured through the center of the bulb at 

right angles to the longitudinal axis of the stalk.