American (Eastern Type) Bunch Grapes Grades and Standards

Grades of American (Eastern Type) Bunch Grapes

  1. U.S. Fancy Table Grapes consists of bunches of grapes of one variety (except when designated as assorted varieties) which are mature and well colored. The berries are firm, firmly attached to capstems, and are not split, shattered, crushed, dried or wet, and are free from decay, mold, mildew, berry moth, russeting and hail, and from damage caused by freezing, disease, insects, or other means.

    1. Bunches. At least 50 percent of the bunches in each container are compact, the remainder fairly compact. They are not excessively small, except that compact portions of bunches consisting of not less than five berries may be used to fill open spaces between whole bunches.

    2. Size of berries. Not less than 90 percent, by count, of the berries, exclusive of dried berries, on each bunch shall have a minimum diameter, unless otherwise specified, of 9/16 of an inch.

    3. Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the following tolerances, by weight, are permitted:

      1. 5 percent for bunches in any lot which are straggly;

      2. 10 percent for bunches in any lot which fail to meet the requirement for minimum diameter of berries; and

      3. 10 percent for bunches and berries in any lot which fail to meet the remaining requirements of this grade, including therein not more than one-half of this amount, or 5 percent, for berries which are seriously damaged: Provided, That included in this latter amount not more than 1 percent may be permitted for berries affected by mold or decay, and not more than 2 percent for dried berries or those affected by berry moth. 

  2. U.S. No. 1 Table Grapes consists of bunches of grapes of one variety (except when designated as assorted varieties) which are mature and fairly well colored. The berries are firm, firmly attached to capstems, and are not split, shattered, crushed, dried or wet, and are free from decay, mold and berry moth, and from damage caused by freezing, russeting, hail, mildew, other disease, insects, or other means.

    1. Bunches. At least 85 percent of the bunches in each container are fairly compact; except that for packages which contain 5 pounds or less, at least 50 percent of the bunches in any container are fairly compact, provided that the average for the lot is not less than 85 percent. Bunches shall not be excessively small, except that portions of bunches consisting of not less than three berries may be used to fill open spaces between whole bunches.

    2. Size of berries. Not less than 90 percent, by count, of the berries, exclusive of dried berries, on each bunch shall have a minimum diameter, unless otherwise specified, of 9/16 of an inch.

    3. Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the following tolerances, by weight, are permitted:

      1. 10 percent for bunches in any lot which fail to meet the requirement for minimum diameter of berries; and

      2. 10 percent for bunches and berries in any lot which fail to meet the remaining requirements of this grade, including therein not more than one-half of this amount, or 5 percent, for berries which are seriously damaged: Provided, That included in this latter amount not more than 2 percent may be permitted for berries affected by mold or decay and not more than 2 percent for dried berries or those affected by berry moth.

  3. U.S. No. 1 Juice Grapes consists of bunches of grapes of one variety (except when designated as assorted varieties) which are mature and fairly well colored. The berries are firm, firmly attached to capstems, and are not split, shattered, crushed, dried or wet, and are free from mold, decay and berry moth, and from serious damage caused by freezing, russeting, hail, mildew, other disease, insects, or other means.

    1. Bunches. At least 60 percent of the bunches in each container are fairly compact.

    2. Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, not more than 15 percent, by weight, of the bunches and berries in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, including therein not more than 6 percent for berries which are seriously damaged: Provided, That included in this latter amount not more than 3 percent may be permitted for berries affected by mold or decay, and not more than 2 percent for dried berries or those affected by berry moth.

Visual Aids

  • Grapes C-1
  • Grapes C-2
  • Grapes C-3
  • Grape GRP-IDENT-1
  • Grape Photo 1
  • Grape Photo 2

Visual Aids may be found in the Official Inventory of Inspection Aids (pdf) 

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: