Grades of Dandelion Greens
- U.S. No. 1 consists of dandelion greens of similar varietal characteristics which are fresh, fairly tender, fairly clean, well trimmed, and which are free from decay and free from damage caused by seedstems, discoloration, freezing, foreign material, disease, insects or mechanical or other means.
a. Tolerance for defects. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, other than for mixtures of plants and cut leaves, not more than a total of 10 percent, by weight, of the units in any lot, may fail to meet the requirements of the grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of this amount, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for serious damage by any cause, and including therein not more than 2 percent for decay. (See §51.2589.)
b. Tolerances for mixtures of plants and leaves. Not more than 5 percent, by weight, of the dandelion greens packed as plants, in any lot, may consist of cut leaves or when packed as cut leaves may consist of plants. (See §51.2589.)
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:
- U.S. Grade Standards for Dandelion Greens (pdf)
- Dandelion Greens Shipping Point and Market Inspection Instructions (pdf)