Canned Green Beans and Canned Wax Beans Grades and Standards

Grades of Canned Green Beans and Canned Wax Beans

1. U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned green and canned wax beans that:
   • Meets the following prerequisites in which the beans:
     1. Have similar varietal characteristics (except "special packs");
     2. Have a good flavor and odor;
     3. Have a good appearance;
     4. Are not materially affected by sloughing;
     5. Are practically free from small pieces [units less than 13 mm (0.50 in) in length] and odd cut units (units not representative of the intended shape of cut) for the style of "sliced lengthwise." 
   • Is within the limits for defects as specified in Tables IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, or VIIa in §52.451 as applicable for the style.
2. U.S. Grade B is the quality of canned green beans and canned wax beans that:
   • Meets the following prerequisites in which the beans:
     1. Have similar varietal characteristics (except "special packs");
     2. Have a good flavor and odor;
     3. Have a reasonably good appearance;
     4. Are not materially affected by sloughing;
     5. Are reasonably free from small pieces [units less than 13 mm (0.50 in) in length] and odd cut units (units not representative of the intended shape of cut) for the style of "sliced lengthwise."
   • Is within the limits for defects as specified in Tables IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, or VIIa in §52.451 as applicable for the style.
3. U.S. Grade C is the quality of canned green beans and canned wax beans that:
   • ​Meets the following prerequisites in which the beans:
     1. Have similar varietal characteristics (except "special packs");
     2. Have a good flavor and odor;
     3. Have a fairly good appearance;
     4. Are not seriously affected by sloughing.
   • ​Is within the limits for defects as specified in Tables IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, or VIIa in §52.451 as applicable for the style.
4. ​Substandard is the quality of canned green beans and canned wax beans that fail the requirements of U.S. Grade C.

Inspection Aid

• Area Measurement Guide 8 x 10 in English Units IA#30A
• Area Measurement Guide, IA #30B
• Headspace Gauge
• USDA Bean Sizer IA#108

See How to Purchase Inspection Aids for more details.

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:

• U.S. Grade Standards for Canned Green Beans and Canned Wax Beans (pdf)
• Inspection Instructions for Canned Green Beans and Canned Wax Beans (pdf)
• 21 CFR § 155.120 - Canned Green Beans and Canned Wax Beans (pdf)
• A-488 Time Sampling and Segregation Procedures for Canned Green Beans and Canned Wax Beans, In-Plant (pdf)
• AOAC Official Method 945.81 Weevils in Beans and Peas
• Certification Manual
• Condition of Container Manual
• Domestic Origin Verification (DOV) Program Manual
• FDA Food Defect Action Levels
• Foreign Material Manual
• General Procedures Manual 
• Safety Manual
• Sampling Manual
• Sanitation Manual
• SC 364-8 Score Sheet for Canned Green Beans and Canned Wax Beans
• Technical Procedures Manual
• U.S. Standards for Determination of Fill Weights 
• U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables
• USDA Purchases Manual