Cabbage Grades and Standards

Grades of Cabbage 

  1. U.S. No. 1 shall consist of heads of cabbage of one variety or similar varietal characteristics, which are of reasonable solidity, and are not withered, puffy, or burst and which are free from soft rot, seedstems, and from damage caused by discoloration, freezing, disease, insects or mechanical or other means. Stems shall be cut so that they do not extend more than one-half inch beyond the point of attachment of the outermost leaves.
a. Unless otherwise specified, each head shall be well trimmed. However, cabbage which has fairly good green color and is specified as "U.S. No. 1 Green,'' and red cabbage which is specified as "U.S. No. 1 New Red'' need be only fairly well trimmed.
b. In order to allow for variations, other than excess number of wrapper leaves, incident to proper grading and handling, not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of the heads in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, but not more than one-fifth of this amount, or 2 percent, shall be allowed for soft decay. In addition, not more than 10 percent, by weight, may not meet the requirements as to number of wrapper leaves. (See §51.454.) 
  1. U.S. Commercial shall consist of heads of cabbage which meet the requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade except for the increased tolerance for defects specified below, and except that the heads shall be reasonably firm.
a. Unless otherwise specified, each head shall be well trimmed. However, cabbage which has fairly good green color and is specified as "U.S. Commercial Green,'' and red cabbage which is specified as "U.S. Commercial New Red'' need be only fairly well trimmed.
b. In order to allow for variations, other than excess number of wrapper leaves, incident to proper grading and handling, not more than a total of 25 percent, by weight, of the heads in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of this grade, but not more than two-fifths of this amount, or a total of 10 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing serious damage, but not more than 2 percent shall be allowed for soft decay. In addition, not more than 10 percent, by weight, may not meet the requirements as to number of wrapper leaves. (See §51.454.)

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