Cantaloup Grades and Standards

Grades of Cantaloup

  1. U. S. Fancy consists of cantaloups which meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade except that the cantaloups have very good internal quality and have uniform appearance.
    1. Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling the following tolerances, by count, shall be permitted, except that these tolerances shall not apply to the requirements relating to internal quality and uniformity of appearance:
      1. At shipping point. 8 percent for cantaloups in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than 4 percent shall be allowed for defects causing serious damage, including in this latter amount not more than one-half of 1 percent for cantaloups which are affected by decay or mold.
      2. En route or at destination. 12 percent for cantaloups in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
        1. 8 percent for cantaloups which fail to meet the requirements of this grade because of permanent defects; or,
        2. 6 percent for cantaloups which are seriously damaged, including therein not more than 4 percent for cantaloups which are seriously damaged by permanent defects and not more than 2 percent for cantaloups which are affected by decay.
  2. U.S. No. 1 consists of cantaloups of one type which are mature and have good internal quality but are not overripe or soft or wilted, which are well formed, well netted, and free from decay, wet slip and sunscald, and free from damage caused by liquid in the seed cavity, sunburn, hail, dirt, surface mold or other disease, aphis or other insects, scars, cracks, sunken areas, ground spot, bruises, or mechanical or other means.
    1. Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling the following tolerances, by count, shall be permitted, except that these tolerances shall not apply to the requirement relating to internal quality.
      1. At shipping point. 8 percent for cantaloups in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than 4 percent shall be allowed for defects causing serious damage, including in this latter amount not more than one-half of 1 percent for cantaloups which are affected by decay or mold.
      2. En route or at destination. 12 percent for cantaloups in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
        1. 8 percent for cantaloups which fail to meet the requirements of this grade because of permanent defects; or, ii.
        2. 6 percent for cantaloups which are seriously damaged, including therein not more than 4 percent for cantaloups which are seriously damaged by permanent defects and not more than 2 percent for cantaloups which are affected by decay.
  3. U.S. Commercial consists of cantaloups of one type which are mature but not overripe or soft or wilted, which are well formed and fairly well netted, and free from decay, wet slip and sunscald, and free from damage caused by liquid in the seed cavity, sunburn, hail, dirt, surface mold or other disease, aphis or other insects, scars, cracks, sunken areas, ground spot, bruises, or mechanical or other means.
    1. Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling the following tolerances, by count, shall be permitted:
      1. At shipping point. 16 percent for cantaloups in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
        1. 12 percent for cantaloups which fail to meet the requirements of this grade because of condition defects;
        2. 4 percent for cantaloups which are seriously damaged, including therein not more than one-half of 1 percent for cantaloups affected by decay or mold.
      2. En route or at destination. 24 percent for cantaloups in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
        1. 16 percent for cantaloups which fail to meet the requirements of this grade because of permanent defects;
        2. 12 percent for cantaloups which fail to meet the requirements of this grade because of condition defects; or,
        3. 8 percent for cantaloups which are seriously damaged, including therein not more than 4 percent for cantaloups which are seriously damaged by permanent defects and not more than 2 percent for cantaloups which are affected by decay. 
  4. U.S. No. 2 consists of cantaloups of one type which are mature but not overripe or soft or wilted, which are fairly well formed and fairly well netted, which are free from decay, wet slip and sunscald, and free from serious damage caused by liquid in the seed cavity, sunburn, hail, dirt, surface mold or other disease, aphis or other insects, scars, cracks, sunken areas, bruises, or mechanical or other means.
    1. Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling the following tolerances, by count, shall be permitted:
      1. At shipping point. 28 percent for cantaloups in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of this grade including therein not more than one-half of 1 percent for cantaloups which are affected by decay or mold.
      2. En route or at destination. 12 percent for cantaloups in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed:
        1. 8 percent for cantaloups which fail to meet the requirements of this grade because of defects of a permanent nature; or,
        2. 2 percent for cantaloups which are affected by decay.

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: