Tomato Catsup Grades and Standards

Grades of Tomato Catsup

1. U.S. Grade A is the quality of tomato catsup that possesses a good color; that possesses a good consistency; that is practically free from defects; that possesses a good flavor; that possesses a good finish; that has a total solids content of not less than 33 percent, by weight; and that scores not less than 85 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart. 
2. U.S. Grade B is the quality of tomato catsup that possesses a good color; that possesses a good consistency; that is practically free from defects; that possesses a good flavor; that possesses a good finish; that has a total solids content of not less than 29 percent, by weight ; and that scores not less than 85 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
3. U.S. Grade C is the quality of tomato catsup that possesses a fairly good color; that possesses a fairly good consistency; that is fairly free from defects; that possesses a good finish; that possesses a fairly good flavor; that has a total solids content of not less than 25 percent, by weight; and that scores not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
4. Substandard is the quality of tomato catsup that fails to meet the requirements of U. S. Grade C.

Color Standards

Color Standards for Tomato Products are available for Purchase.  See How to Purchase Visual Aids for more details.

Instructions for Use and Care of the Visual Color Standards for Tomato Products, including additional technical guidance is found in the Fresh and Processed Equipment Catalog (pdf).  Look in the Processed Fruits, Vegetables, and Specialty Products section on Care and Use Guides. 

Inspection Aid

To purchase Inspection Aid 104 USDA defect grading plate, see How to Purchase Visual Aids for more details.

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:

• U.S. Grade Standards for Tomato Catsup (pdf)
• Inspection Instructions for Tomato Catsup (pdf)
• 21 CFR § 155.194 – Catsup
• A-478 Solids Determination
• AOAC Official Method 945.75 Extraneous Materials (Foreign Matter) in Products
• AOAC Official Method 955.46 Filth in Tomato Products
• AOAC Official Method 965.41 Mold in Tomato Products
• AOAC Official Method 970.59 Solids (Soluble) in Tomato Products: Refractive Index Method
• AOAC Official Method 984.29 Howard Mold Counting Procedures
• AOAC Official Method 985.26 Solids (Total) in Tomato Products:  Microwave Oven Drying Method
• Certification Manual 
• Condition of Container Manual
• Determination of Consistency of Tomato Products (pdf)
• Foreign Material Manual 
• FDA Food Defect Action Level
• General Procedures Manual
• Methods of Analyses for Tomato Products Mold Count (pdf)
• Methods of Analyses for Tomato Products Solid Content Determinations (pdf)
• Methods of Analyses for Tomato Products Fly Egg and Maggot Determination (pdf)
• Methods of Analyses for Tomato Products Sand and Inorganic Residue Determination (pdf)
• Safety Manual
• Sampling Manual
• Sanitation Manual
• SC-364-71 Score Sheet for Tomato Catsup
• Technical Procedures Manual
• Tomato Products Spectrophotometer Studies (pdf)