Garlic Grades and Standards

Grades of Garlic

  1. U.S. No. 1 consists of garlic of similar varietal characteristics which is mature and well cured, compact, with cloves well filled and fairly plump, free from mold, decay, shattered cloves, and from damage caused by dirt or staining, sunburn, sunscald, cuts, sprouts, tops, roots, disease, insects, or mechanical or other means. Each bulb shall be fairly well enclosed in its outer sheath. Unless otherwise specified, the minimum diameter of each bulb shall be not less than 1-1/2 inches. 
    1. Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the following tolerances, by weight, are provided as specified:
      1. For defects. Ten percent for garlic in any lot which fails to meet the requirements of this grade, including therein not more than 2 percent for garlic which is affected by decay.
      2. For size. Five percent for garlic in any lot which fails to meet any specified size.

Visual Aids

  • Model 1
  • Model 2
  • Model 3
  • Model 4

Visual Aids may be found in the Official Inventory of Inspection Aids (pdf) 

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: