Grades of Peanut Butter
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U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of peanut butter that has a good color, that has a good consistency, that is practically free from defects, that has a good flavor and good aroma, that has uniform dispersion of any added ingredient(s), and that scores not less than 90 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
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U.S. Grade B or U.S. Choice is the quality of peanut butter that has a reasonably good color, that has a reasonably good consistency, that is reasonably free from defects, that has a reasonably good flavor and aroma, that has reasonably uniform dispersion of any added ingredient(s), and that scores not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
- Substandard is the quality of peanut butter that fails to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade B.
Inspection Aid
Inspection Aid 95 Evaluation of Dark Particles in Peanut Butter (pdf)
Visual Aids
Photo Guide PG4 - Evaluation of Dark Particles in Peanut Butter is available for purchase.
Instructions for Use and Care of the Visual Color Standards (pdf)
See How to Purchase Visual Aids for more details.
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:
- U.S. Grade Standards for Peanut Butter (pdf)
- Inspection Instructions for Peanut Butter (pdf)
- AOAC Official Method 968.35 Filth and Extraneous Material in Peanut Butter
- 21 CFR § 164.150 - Peanut Butter
- Certification Manual
- Condition of Container Manual
- Foreign Material Manual
- FDA Defect Action Level
- FDA - Macro Analytical Procedures Manual: V-10. Nuts and Nut Products Methods
- General Procedures Manual
- Safety Manual
- Sampling Manual
- Sanitation Manual
- SC-364-48 Score Sheet for Peanut Butter
- Technical Procedures Manual