Italian Sprouting Broccoli Grades and Standards

  1. U.S. Fancy consists of Italian Sprouting Broccoli of the same type. The broccoli shall be free from decay, and from damage caused by overmaturity, discoloration of bud clusters or leaves, freezing, wilting, dirt or other foreign material, disease, insects, mechanical or other means. The bud clusters shall be generally compact. Bunched broccoli shall be neatly and fairly evenly cut off at the base, and closely trimmed unless otherwise specified as “well trimmed.” (See §51.3559.)

    1. For Bunched Broccoli. The diameter of each stalk shall be not less than 2-1/2 inches. Unless otherwise specified, the length of each stalk shall be not less than 6 inches or more than 8-1/2 inches.

    2. For Broccoli Crowns. The diameter of each crown shall be not less than 2-1/2 inches or more than 5 inches. Unless otherwise specified, the length of each stalk shall be not less than 2-1/2 inches or more than 5 inches.

    3. For Broccoli Florets. The diameter of each floret shall be not less than 3/4 inch or more than 3 inches. Unless otherwise specified, the length of each stem shall not be less than 1 inch or more than 3-1/2 inches. 

  2. U.S. No. 1 consists of Italian Sprouting Broccoli of the same type. The broccoli shall be free from decay, and from damage caused by overmaturity, discoloration of bud clusters or leaves, freezing, wilting, dirt or other foreign material, disease, insects, mechanical or other means. The bud clusters shall be generally fairly compact. The bunched broccoli shall be neatly and fairly evenly cut off at the base, and well trimmed, unless otherwise specified as “closely trimmed,” “fairly well trimmed,” or “leafy.” (See §51.3559.)

    1. For Bunched Broccoli. There are no requirements for diameter but diameter may be specified for any lot as set forth in §51.3558. Unless otherwise specified, the length of each stalk shall be not less than 5 inches or more than 9 inches.

    2. For Broccoli Crowns. There are no requirements for diameter but diameter may be specified for any lot as set forth in §51.3558. Unless otherwise specified, the length of each crown shall be not less than 3-1/2 inches or more than 6 inches.

    3. For Broccoli Florets. The diameter of each floret shall be not less than 1 inch or more than 4 inches. Unless otherwise specified, the length of each floret shall not be less than 1-1/2 inch or more than 4-1/2 inches.

  3. U.S. No. 2 consists of Italian Sprouting Broccoli of the same type. The broccoli shall be free from decay, and from damage caused by overmaturity, insects, and from serious damage caused by discoloration of bud clusters or leaves, freezing, wilting, dirt or other foreign material, disease, or mechanical or other means. The bunched broccoli shall be fairly well trimmed unless otherwise specified as “closely trimmed,” or “well trimmed,” or “leafy.” (See §51.3559.)

    1. For Bunched Broccoli. There are no requirements for diameter or length, but size may be specified for any lot in connection with the grade, as set forth in §51.3558.

    2. For Broccoli Crowns. There are no requirements for diameter or length, but size may be specified for any lot in connection with the grade, as set forth in §51.3558.

    3. For Broccoli Florets. There are no requirements for diameter or length, but size may be specified for any lot in connection with the grade, as set forth in §51.3558.

Visual Aids

Official Visual Aids are available for Purchase.  See How to Purchase Visual Aids for more details.

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: