Bunched Carrots Grades and Standards

  1. U.S. No. 1 consists of carrots of similar varietal characteristics the roots of which are firm, fairly clean, fairly well colored, fairly smooth, well formed, and which are free from soft rot, and free from damage caused by freezing, growth cracks, sunburn, pithiness, woodiness, internal discoloration, oil spray, dry rot, other disease, insects or mechanical or other means. Bunches shall have tops which are fresh and free from decay and free from damage caused by freezing, seedstems, yellowing or other discoloration, disease, insects or mechanical or other means. Unless otherwise specified, the bunches shall have full tops and the length of tops shall be not more than 20 inches. (See §51.2459.)
    1. Size. Unless otherwise specified, the diameter of each carrot shall be not less than three-fourths inch.
    2. Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling the following tolerances shall be permitted:
      1. For defects of roots. 10 percent, by count, for carrot roots in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of the grade, other than for size: Provided, That not more than one-half of this amount, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing serious damage, including therein not more than one percent for carrot roots affected by soft rot;
      2. For defects of tops. 10 percent, by count, for bunches in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of the grade, including therein not more than 5 percent for decay;
      3. For off-length tops. 25 percent, by count, for bunches in any lot which have tops longer than the specified length; and,
      4. For off-size roots. 5 percent, by count, for carrot roots in any lot which are smaller than the specified minimum diameter, and 10 percent, by count, for carrot roots which are larger than any specified maximum diameter. 
  2. U.S. Commercial consists of carrots which meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 except for the increased tolerance for defects of the roots specified below:
    1. Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling the following tolerances shall be permitted:
      1. For defects of roots. 20 percent, by count, for carrot roots in anylot which fail to meet the requirements of the grade, other than for size: Provided, That not more than one-half of this amount, or 10 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing serious damage, including therein not more than 1 percent for carrot roots affected by soft rot;
      2. For defects of tops. 10 percent, by count, for bunches in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of the grade, including therein not more than 5 percent for decay;
      3. For off-length tops. 25 percent, by count, for bunches in any lot which have tops longer than the specified length; and,
      4. For off-size roots. 5 percent, by count, for carrot roots in any lot which are smaller than the specified minimum diameter, and 10 percent, by count, for carrot roots which are larger than any specified maximum diameter. 

Visual Aids

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: