---
kind: "range"
citation: "7 C.F.R. §§ 51.1540–51.1556"
title: "7"
from: "51.1540"
to: "51.1556"
count: 17
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/7/51.1540..51.1556"
---

# §51.1540. Reserved



# §51.1541. U.S. No. 1.


“U.S. No. 1” consists of potatoes which meet the following requirements:

- (a) Similar varietal characteristics, except when designated as a mixed or specialty pack;
- (b) Firm;
- (c) Fairly clean; 2
- (d) Fairly well shaped;
- (e) **Free from—**
  - (1) Freezing;
  - (2) Blackheart;
  - (3) Late blight, southern bacterial wilt and ring rot; and,
  - (4) **Soft rot and wet breakdown.**
- (f) **Free from damage by any other cause.** See §§ [51.1564](/cfr/7/51.1564.md) and [51.1565](/cfr/7/51.1565.md).
- (g) **Size.** Not less than 1 7/8 inches in diameter, unless otherwise specified in connection with the grade.
- (h) For tolerances see [§ 51.1546](/cfr/7/51.1546.md).

# §51.1542. U.S. Commercial.


“U.S. Commercial” consists of potatoes which meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade except for the following:

- (a) **Free from serious damage caused by—**
  - (1) Dirt or other foreign matter;
  - (2) Russet scab; and,
  - (3) **Rhizoctonia.**
- (b) Increased tolerances for defects specified in [§ 51.1546](/cfr/7/51.1546.md).

# §51.1543. U.S. No. 2.


“U.S. No. 2” consists of potatoes which meet the following requirements:

- (a) Similar varietal characteristics, except when designated as a mixed or specialty pack;
- (b) Not seriously misshapen;
- (c) **Free from—**
  - (1) Freezing;
  - (2) Blackheart;
  - (3) Late blight, southern bacterial wilt and ring rot; and,
  - (4) **Soft rot and wet breakdown.**
- (d) **Free from serious damage by any other cause.** See §§ [51.1564](/cfr/7/51.1564.md) and [51.1565](/cfr/7/51.1565.md).
- (e) **Size.** Not less than 1 1/2 inches in diameter, unless otherwise specified in connection with the grade.
- (f) For tolerances see [§ 51.1546](/cfr/7/51.1546.md).

# §51.1544. Reserved



# §51.1545. Size.

- (a) The minimum size, or minimum and maximum sizes may be specified in connection with the grade in terms of diameter or weight of the individual potato, or in accordance with one of the size designations in Table I or Table II: Provided, That sizes so specified shall not be in conflict with the basic size requirements for the grade.
- (b) When size is designated as shown in Table II, the corresponding weight ranges shall apply. These size designations may be applied to potatoes packed in any size container: Provided, that the weight ranges are within the limits specified.

# §51.1546. Tolerances.


To allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling in each of the foregoing grades, the following tolerances by weight or equivalent basis, are provided as specified.

- (a) **For defects—**
  - (1) **U.S. No. 1.**
    - (i) **At Shipping Point—** A total of 8 percent for potatoes in any lot which fail to meet the requirements for the grade: Provided, That included in this tolerance not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed:
      - (A) 5 percent for external defects;
      - (B) 5 percent for internal defects; and
      - (C) Not more than a total of 1 percent for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown. See [§ 51.1547](/cfr/7/51.1547.md).
    - (ii) **En route or at destination—** A total of 10 percent for potatoes in any lot which fail to meet the requirements for the grade: Provided, That included in this tolerance not more than a total of 8 percent shall be allowed for permanent defects: And provided further, the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed:
      - (A) 7 percent for external defects, including therein not more than 5 percent for permanent external defects;
      - (B) 7 percent for internal defects, including therein not more than 5 percent for permanent internal defects; and
      - (C) Not more than a total of 2 percent for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown. See [§ 51.1547](/cfr/7/51.1547.md).
  - (2) **U.S. Commercial—** A total of 20 percent for potatoes in any lot which fail to meet the requirements for the grade: Provided, That included in this tolerance not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed:
    - (i) 10 percent for potatoes which fail to meet the requirements for U.S. No. 2 grade, including therein not more than:
    - (ii) 6 percent for external defects;
    - (iii) 6 percent for internal defects; and
    - (iv) Not more than a total of 1 percent for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown. See [§ 51.1547](/cfr/7/51.1547.md).
  - (3) **U.S. No. 2.**
    - (i) **At Shipping Point—** A total of 10 percent for potatoes in any lot which fail to meet the requirements for the grade: Provided, That included in this tolerance not more than the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed:
      - (A) 6 percent for external defects;
      - (B) 6 percent for internal defects; and
      - (C) Not more than a total of 1 percent for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown. See [§ 51.1547](/cfr/7/51.1547.md).
    - (ii) **En route or at destination—** A total of 12 percent for potatoes in any lot which fail to meet the requirements for the grade: Provided, That included in this tolerance not more than a total of 10 percent shall be allowed for permanent defects: And provided further, the following percentages shall be allowed for the defects listed:
      - (A) 8 percent for external defects, including therein not more than 6 percent for permanent external defects;
      - (B) 8 percent for internal defects, including therein not more than 6 percent for permanent internal defects; and
      - (C) Not more than a total of 2 percent for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown. See [§ 51.1547](/cfr/7/51.1547.md).
- (b) **For off-size.**
  - (1) Not more than 3 percent of the potatoes in any lot may be smaller than the required or specified minimum size except that a tolerance of 5 percent shall be allowed for potatoes packed to meet a minimum size of 2 1/4 inches or larger in diameter or 5 ounces or more in weight. In addition, not more than 10 percent may be larger than any required or specified maximum size. See [§ 51.1547](/cfr/7/51.1547.md).
  - (2) When a percentage of the potatoes is specified to be of a certain size and larger, individual samples shall have not less than one-half of the percentage specified: Provided, That the average for the entire lot is not less than the percentage specified.

# §51.1547. Application of tolerances.


Individual samples shall have not more than double the tolerances specified, except that at least one defective and one off-size potato may be permitted in any sample: Provided, That en route or at destination one-tenth of the samples may contain three times the tolerance permitted for potatoes which are frozen or affected by soft rot or wet breakdown: And provided further, That the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade.


# §51.1548. Samples for grade and size determination.


Individual samples shall consist of at least 20 pounds. When individual packages contain at least 20 pounds, each individual sample is drawn from one package; when packages contain less than 20 pounds, a sufficient number of adjoining packages are opened to provide at least a 20-pound sample. The number of such individual samples drawn for grade and size determination will vary with the size of the lot.


# §51.1549. Skinning.

- (a) The following definitions provide a basis for describing lots of potatoes as to the degree of skinning whenever description may be appropriate:
  - (1) “Practically no skinning” means that not more than 5 percent of the potatoes in the lot have more than one-tenth of the skin missing or “feathered”;
  - (2) “Slightly skinned” means that not more than 10 percent of the potatoes in the lot have more than one-fourth of the skin missing or “feathered”;
  - (3) “Moderately skinned” means that not more than 10 percent of the potatoes in the lot have more than one-half of the skin missing or “feathered”; and
  - (4) “Badly skinned” means that more than 10 percent of the potatoes in the lot have more than one-half of the skin missing or “feathered”.

# §51.1550. Similar varietal characteristics.


Similar varietal characteristics means that the potatoes in any lot have the same general shape, color and character of skin, and color of flesh.


# §51.1551. Firm.


Firm means that the potato is not shriveled or flabby.


# §51.1552. Clean.


Clean means that at least 90 percent of the potatoes in any lot are practically free from dirt or staining and practically no loose dirt or other foreign matter is present in the container.


# §51.1553. Fairly clean.


Fairly clean means that at least 90 percent of the potatoes in any lot are reasonably free from dirt or staining and not more than a slight amount of loose dirt or foreign matter is present in the container.


# §51.1554. Mature.


Mature means that the skins of the potatoes are generally firmly set and not more than 5 percent of the potatoes in the lot have more than one-tenth of the skin missing or “feathered.”


# §51.1555. Fairly well matured.


Fairly well matured means that the skins of the potatoes are generally fairly firmly set and not more than 10 percent of the potatoes in the lot have more than one-fourth of the skin missing or “feathered.”


# §51.1556. Well shaped.


Well shaped means that the potato has the normal shape for the variety.