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United States Standards

for Grades of Sweet 

Cherries for Canning or 

Freezing

Effective September 6, 2016
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Cherries for Canning 

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

since June 1, 1946.

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 Cherries for Canning or Freezing

(September 6, 2016)

1

United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Cherries for Canning or Freezing

Section Page No.

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

§51.4360 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 2

§51.4361 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 2

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

§51.4362 Reserved. .................................................................................................... 2

Size................................................................................................................................. 2

§51.4363 Size.............................................................................................................. 2

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

§51.4364 Well formed. ................................................................................................ 2

§51.4365 Mature. ........................................................................................................ 3

§51.4366 Doubles. ...................................................................................................... 3

§51.4367 Damage....................................................................................................... 3

§51.4368 Diameter...................................................................................................... 3
United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Cherries for Canning or Freezing

(September 6, 2016)

2

Grades

§51.4360 U.S. No. 1.

“U.S. No. 1” consists of sweet cherries of one variety which are well formed, mature, 

free from decay, worms, pulled pits, doubles, and free from damage caused by 

softness, shriveling, bruises, skin breaks, scars, hail marks, windwhips, limbrubs, 

russeting, sunscald, dirt or other foreign matter, birds, disease, insects, mechanical or 

other means. Unless otherwise specified, stems shall be removed. (See §51.4363.)

(a) In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not more 

than a total of 7 percent, by count, of the cherries in any lot may fail to meet the 

requirements of this grade, but not more than 5 percent may fail to meet the 

grade requirements other than for attached stems, including not more than 1 

percent for cherries affected by decay. No part of any tolerance shall be allowed 

for cherries infested with worms. (See §51.4363.)

§51.4361 U.S. No. 2.

“U.S. No. 2” consists of sweet cherries which meet all of the requirements for U.S. No. 

1 grade, except that a total tolerance of 12 percent, by count, of the cherries in any lot 

shall be permitted for grade defects, but not more than 10 percent may fail to meet the 

grade requirements other than for attached stems, including not more than 2 percent for 

cherries affected by decay. No part of any tolerance shall be allowed for cherries 

infested with worms. (See §51.4363.)

Reserved

§51.4362 Reserved.

Size

§51.4363 Size.

(a) In addition to the statement of grade, the size of the cherries in any lot may be 

specified in terms of minimum diameter.

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

by count, of the cherries in any lot may be below the size specified.

Definitions

§51.4364 Well formed.

“Well formed” means that the cherry has the shape characteristic of the variety.
United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Cherries for Canning or Freezing

(September 6, 2016)

3

§51.4365 Mature.

“Mature” means that the cherry has reached the stage of maturity at which the pit will 

separate readily from the flesh.

§51.4366 Doubles.

“Doubles” means cherries which have the appearance of attached twin cherries.

§51.4367 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 quality of the fruit for canning or freezing.

The following specific defects shall be considered as damage:

(a) Rain cracks or other skin breaks which exceed 1/4 inch in length, except a very 

thin line encircling the stem end of the fruit.

(b) Superficial scars, hail marks, wind whips, limbrubs, russeting, and similar 

discoloration or scars, when affecting an area of more than 3/16 inch in diameter, 

or any scars which materially discolor the flesh.

§51.4368 Diameter.

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

line running from the stem end to the blossom end.