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United States Standards

for Grades of 

Watermelons

Effective September 20, 2021
This issue of the United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons (86 FR 46673) 

supersedes the previous issue which has been in effect since March 23, 2006.

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 Watermelons (September 20, 2021)

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United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons

______________________________________________________________________

Section Page No.

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

§51.1970 U.S. Fancy................................................................................................... 3

§51.1971 U.S. No. 1.................................................................................................... 3

§51.1972 U.S. No. 2.................................................................................................... 4

Tolerances ..................................................................................................................... 4

§51.1973 Tolerances................................................................................................... 4

Application of Tolerances ............................................................................................ 6

§51.1974 Application of tolerances.............................................................................. 6

Sample for Grade and Size Determination.................................................................. 6

§51.1975 Sample for grade and size determination. ................................................... 6

Size................................................................................................................................. 6

§51.1976 Size.............................................................................................................. 6

Definitions...................................................................................................................... 7

§51.1977 Mature. ........................................................................................................ 7

§51.1978 Fairly well formed. ....................................................................................... 7

§51.1979 Similar varietal characteristics. .................................................................... 8

§51.1980 Overripe....................................................................................................... 8

§51.1981 Badly misshapen. ........................................................................................ 8

§51.1982 Seedless watermelons................................................................................. 8

§51.1983 Damage....................................................................................................... 8

§51.1984 Serious damage. ......................................................................................... 8

§51.1985 Permanent defects. ..................................................................................... 8

§51.1986 Condition defects......................................................................................... 8

§51.1987 Classification of Defects. ............................................................................. 9
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons (September 20, 2021)

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Optional Internal Quality............................................................................................... 9

§51.1988 Optional internal quality requirements. ...................................................... 10
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons (September 20, 2021)

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Grades

§51.1970 U.S. Fancy.

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

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Mature;

(2) Similar varietal characteristics;

(3) Fairly well formed;

(4) Not overripe;

(b) Free from:

(1) Anthracnose;

(2) Decay;

(3) Sunscald;

(4) Whiteheart;

(c) Free from damage by any means. See §51.1983.

(d) For tolerances see §51.1973.

§51.1971 U.S. No. 1.

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

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Mature;

(2) Similar varietal characteristics;

(3) Fairly well formed;

(4) Not overripe;

(b) Free from:

(1) Anthracnose;

(2) Decay;
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons (September 20, 2021)

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(3) Sunscald;

(c) Free from damage by any means. See §51.1983.

(d) For tolerances see §51.1973.

§51.1972 U.S. No. 2.

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

(a) Basic requirements:

(1) Mature;

(2) Similar varietal characteristics;

(3) Not overripe;

(4) Not badly misshapen;

(b) Free from:

(1) Anthracnose;

(2) Decay;

(3) Sunscald;

(c) Free from serious damage by any means. See §51.1984.

(d) For tolerances see §51.1973.

Tolerances

§51.1973 Tolerances.

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

foregoing grades, the following tolerances, by count, shall be permitted in any lot:

(a) U.S. Fancy.

(1) For defects at shipping point.1 8 percent for watermelons which fail to 

meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this 

amount not more than 4 percent shall be allowed for defects causing 

1 Shipping point, as used in these standards, means the point of origin of the shipment in the producing 

area or at port of loading for ship stores for overseas shipments, or, in the case of shipments from outside 

of the continental United States, port of entry into the United States.
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons (September 20, 2021)

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serious damage: And provided further, That included in this latter amount 

not more than 1 percent shall be allowed for watermelons which are 

affected by Whiteheart, Sunscald, Anthracnose, or decay.

(2) En route or at destination. 10 percent for watermelons which fail to 

meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this 

amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for 

defects listed:

(i) 8 percent for watermelons having permanent defects including 

therein not more than 4 percent for permanent defects causing 

serious damage.

(ii) 8 percent for watermelons having condition defects including 

therein not more than 4 percent for condition defects causing 

serious damage and included in this latter amount not more than 2 

percent shall be allowed for watermelons affected by Whiteheart, 

Sunscald, Anthracnose, or decay.

(b) U.S. No. 1.

(1) For defects at shipping point.1 10 percent for watermelons which fail to 

meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this 

amount not more than 5 percent shall be allowed for defects causing 

serious damage: And provided further, That included in this latter amount 

not more than 1 percent shall be allowed for watermelons affected by 

Anthracnose or decay.

(2) En route or at destination. 12 percent for watermelons which fail to 

meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this 

amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for 

defects listed:

(i) 10 percent for watermelons having permanent defects including 

therein not more than 5 percent for permanent defects causing 

serious damage.

(ii) 10 percent for watermelons having condition defects including 

therein not more than 5 percent for condition defects causing 

serious damage and included in this later amount not more than 2 

percent shall be allowed for watermelons affected by Anthracnose 

or decay.

(c) U.S. No. 2.

(1) For defects at shipping point.1 10 percent for watermelons which fail to 

meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this 
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons (September 20, 2021)

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amount not more than 1 percent shall be allowed for watermelons affected 

by Anthracnose or decay.

(2) En route or at destination. 12 percent for watermelons which fail to 

meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this 

amount not more than 2 percent shall be allowed for watermelons affected 

by Anthracnose or decay.

Application of Tolerances

§51.1974 Application of tolerances.

In order to meet the requirements of a specified grade the average percentage of 

defective watermelons in the lot, based on sample inspection, shall be within the 

tolerance specified, and the number of defective watermelons in individual samples in 

the lot shall be within the limitations set forth in the following table:

Table I – Maximum Number of Defective Watermelons Permitted in Any Sample

Lot Tolerance Total1

12% 5

10% 4

8% 3

6% 3

5% 2

4% 2

3% 2

2% 1

1% 1

1Number of watermelons per 20 count sample.

Sample for Grade and Size Determination

§51.1975 Sample for grade and size determination.

Each sample shall consist of 20 watermelons. When individual containers contain at 

least 20 watermelons, the sample is drawn from one container; when individual 

containers contain less than 20 watermelons, a sufficient number of adjoining 

containers are opened to form a 20 count sample.

Size

§51.1976 Size.

Size may be specified in terms of average weight, minimum weight or minimum and 

maximum weight.

(a) When the size of the watermelons is stated in terms of average weight, unless 

otherwise specified, the melons in any lot averaging less than 30 pounds shall 
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons (September 20, 2021)

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not vary more than 3 pounds above or below the stated average, and the melons

in any lot averaging 30 pounds or more shall not vary more than 5 pounds below 

the stated average.

Table II

Average Weight in 

Pounds

Minimum Weight

(unless otherwise 

specified) in Pounds

Tolerances Permitted 

for Melons Below the 

Minimum Weight 

10 7 5%

12 9 5%

14 11 5%

16 13 5%

18 15 5%

20 17 5%

22 19 5%

24 21 5%

26 23 5%

28 25 5%

30 25 5%

32 27 5%

34 29 5%

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

percent, by count, of the watermelons in any lot may be below the minimum 

size requirements: Provided, That when minimum and maximum weights are 

specified, not more than 5 percent, by count, may be below the specified 

minimum weight and not more than 5 percent, may be above the specified 

maximum weight.

Definitions

§51.1977 Mature.

“Mature” means that the watermelon has reached the stage of development at which 

the flesh is at least fairly sweet and shows characteristic color of a mature 

watermelon for the variety.

§51.1978 Fairly well formed.

“Fairly well formed” means that the watermelons have characteristic shape but not 

necessarily the perfect type for the variety. They may be tapered at the ends or 

slightly constricted.
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§51.1979 Similar varietal characteristics.

“Similar varietal characteristics” means that the watermelons are similar in shape 

and color.

§51.1980 Overripe.

“Overripe” means that a watermelon has reached such an advanced stage of 

maturity that the flesh becomes mealy, less juicy or has an insipid taste.

§51.1981 Badly misshapen.

“Badly misshapen” means that the watermelons are bottlenecks or gourdnecks.

§51.1982 Seedless watermelons.

“Seedless watermelons” are watermelons which have 10 or less mature seeds, not 

to include pips/caplets, on the face of the melon which has been cut into four equal 

sections (one lengthwise cut and one crosswise cut).

§51.1983 Damage.

“Damage” means any specific defect described in §51.1987, Table III, 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 watermelons.

§51.1984 Serious damage.

“Serious damage” means any specific defect described in §51.1987, Table III, or an 

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 watermelons.

§51.1985 Permanent defects.

“Permanent defects” means defects which are not subject to change during shipment 

or storage; including, but not limited to scars, hollow heart, sunburn, or immature 

watermelons.

§51.1986 Condition defects.

“Condition defects” means defects which are subject to change during shipment or 

storage, including but not limited to decay or Anthracnose.
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons (September 20, 2021)

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§51.1987 Classification of Defects.

Table III

Factor Damage Serious Damage1

Bruises, side2 Over 3 inches in diameter and 

sunken.

Over 5 inches in diameter and 

sunken or soft and springy with 

underlying flesh water-soaked.

Bruises, end2 Over 2 inches in diameter and 

sunken.

Over 2 inches in diameter with 

underlying flesh water-soaked.

Hail, rind worm injury, 

scars, and other similar 

defects.

Aggregating more than 3 square 

inches on a 15 pound

watermelon. The portion of rind 

worm injury occurring on the 

ground spot is only scorable 

when seriously detracting from 

the appearance.

Aggregating more than 7 square

inches on a 15 pound

watermelon. Do not include any 

rind worm injury occurring on the 

ground spot.

Hollow heart2

Long type: Cracks aggregating 

more than 1-1/4 inches in width.

Round type: Cracks 

aggregating more than 1-1/2 

inches in width.

Long type: Cracks aggregating 

more than 1-1/2 inches in width.

Round type: Cracks 

aggregating more than 2 inches

in width.

Internal rind spot2 Aggregate area exceeds a circle 

1 inch in diameter.

Aggregate area exceeds a circle 

1-1/2 inches in diameter or when 

any spot penetrates the flesh.

Soft ends2

End yields readily to slight 

pressure applied by palm of the 

hand or shriveling is associated 

with the soft end.

---------------

Sunburn

Area exceeds 5 square inches

of greenish-yellow sunburn on a

15 pound watermelon.

Area exceeds 7 square inches

of greenish-yellow sunburn on a

15 pound watermelon.

Transit rubs

Aggregating more than 3 square

inches of medium brown 

discoloration on a 15 pound

watermelon.

Aggregating more than 7 square

inches of medium brown 

discoloration on a 15 pound 

watermelon.

Whiteheart2

A hard white streak of flesh 

extending through the heart of 

the watermelon exceeding a 

circle 1/4 inch in diameter.

A hard white streak of flesh 

extending through the heart of 

the watermelon exceeding a 

circle 1/2 inch in diameter.

1 The following defects are considered serious damage when present in any degree: Sunscald,

immaturity, Anthracnose, overripe, and decay.

2 Scoring guide based on any size melon.
United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons (September 20, 2021)

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Optional Internal Quality

§51.1988 Optional internal quality requirements.

The following internal quality requirements may be specified in connection with the 

grade.

(a) “Very good internal quality” means that the combined juice from the edible 

portion of a sample of watermelons selected at random contains not less than 10 

percent soluble solids as determined by an approved refractometer.

(b) “Good internal quality” means that the combined juice from the edible portion of a 

sample of watermelons selected at random contains not less than 8 percent 

soluble solids as determined by an approved refractometer.
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United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons (September 20, 2021)

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