United States

Department of
Agriculture
Agricultural
Marketing
Service
Fruit and
Vegetable
Division

United States Standards

for Grades of
Fresh Tomatoes

Fresh
Products
Branch

Effective October 1, 1991

(Reprinted - January 1997)

United States Standards for Grades of Fresh Tomatoes 1

Grades
51.1855 U.S. No. 1.
51.1856 U.S. Combination.
51.1857 U.S. No. 2.
51.1858 U.S. No. 3.
Size
51.1859 Size.
Color Classification
51.1860 Color classification.
Tolerances
51.1861 Tolerances.
Application of Tolerances
51.1862 Application of tolerances.
Standard Weight
51.1863 Standard weight.
Definitions
51.1864 Similar varietal characteristics.
51.1865 Mature.
51.1866 Soft.
51.1867 Clean.
51.1868 Well developed.
51.1869 Fairly well formed.
51.1870 Fairly smooth.
51.1871 Damage.
51.1872 Reasonably well formed.
51.1873 Slightly rough.
51.1874 Serious damage.
51.1875 Misshapen.
51.1876 Very serious damage.
51.1877 Classification of defects.
Grades
51.1855 U.S. No. 1.
''U.S. No. 1'' consists of tomatoes which meet the following requirements:
(a) Basic requirements:
(1) Similar varietal characteristics;
1

Compliance with the provisions of these standards shall not excuse failure to comply with the provisions of the
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or with applicable State laws and regulations.

(2) Mature;
(3) Not overripe or soft;
(4) Clean;
(5) Well developed;
(6) Fairly well formed; and,
(7) Fairly smooth.
(b) Free from:
(1) Decay;
(2) Freezing injury; and
(3) Sunscald.
(c) Not damaged by any other cause.
(d) For tolerances see 51.1861.
51.1856 U.S. Combination.
''U.S. Combination'' consists of a combination of U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2 tomatoes: Provided,
That at least 60 percent, by count, meet the requirements of U.S. No. 1 grade.
(a) For tolerances see 51.1861.
51.1857 U.S. No. 2.
''U.S. No. 2'' consists of tomatoes which meet the following requirements:
(a) Basic requirements:
(1) Similar varietal characteristics;
(2) Mature;
(3) Not overripe or soft;
(4) Clean;
(5) Well developed;
(6) Reasonably well formed; and,
(7) Not more than slightly rough.
(b) Free from:
(1) Decay;
(2) Freezing injury; and,
(3) Sunscald.
(c) Not seriously damaged by any other cause.
(d) For tolerances see 51.1861.
51.1858 U.S. No. 3.
''U.S. No. 3'' consists of tomatoes which meet the following requirements:
(a) Basic requirements:
(1) Similar varietal characteristics;
(2) Mature;
(3) Not overripe or soft;
(4) Clean;
(5) Well developed; and,
(6) May be misshapen.
(b) Free from:
(1) Decay; and,
2

(2) Freezing injury.

(c) Not seriously damaged by:
(1) Sunscald.
(d) Not very seriously damaged by any other cause.
(e) For tolerances see 51.1861.
Size
51.1859 Size.
(a) The size of tomatoes packed in any standard type shipping container shall be specified and
marked according to one of the size designations set forth in Table I. Individual containers shall
not be marked with more than one size designation. Consumer packages and their master
container are exempt; however, if they are marked, the same requirements would apply.
(1) When containers are marked in accordance with Table I, the markings on at least 85 percent
of the containers in a lot must be legible.
(2) In determining compliance with the size designations, the measurement for minimum diameter
shall be the largest diameter of the tomato measured at right angles to a line from the stem end to
the blossom end. The measurement for maximum diameter shall be the smallest dimension of the
tomato determined by passing the tomato through a round opening in any position.
(b) In lieu of marking containers in accordance with (a) above or specifying size in accordance
with the dimensions defined in Table I, for Cerasiforme type tomatoes commonly referred to as
cherry tomatoes and Pyriforme type tomatoes commonly referred to as pear shaped tomatoes, and
other similar types, size may be specified in terms of minimum diameter or minimum and
maximum diameter expressed in whole inches, and not less than thirty-second inch fractions
thereof, or millimeters in accordance with the facts.
(1) Tomatoes of these types are exempt from marking requirements. However, when marked to a
minimum or minimum and maximum diameter, the markings on at least 85 percent of the
containers in a lot must be legible.
(c) For tolerances see 51.1861.
Table I
Inches
Size
Designations

Minimum
Diameter1

Maximum
Diameter2

Small

2-4/32

2-9/32

Medium

2-8/32

2-17/32

Large

2-16/32

2-25/32

Extra Large

2-24/32

Will not pass through a round opening of the designated diameter when tomato is placed with the greatest
transverse diameter across the opening.
2
Will pass through a round opening of the designated diameter in any position.

Color Classification
51.1860 Color classification.
(a) The following terms may be used, when specified in connection with the grade statement, in
describing the color as an indication of the stage of ripeness of any lot of mature tomatoes of a
red fleshed variety:
(1) Green. ''Green'' means that the surface of the tomato is completely green in color. The shade
of green color may vary from light to dark;
(2) Breakers. ''Breakers'' means that there is a definite break in color from green to
tannish-yellow, pink or red on not more than 10 percent of the surface;
(3) Turning. ''Turning'' means that more than 10 percent but not more than 30 percent of the
surface, in the aggregate, shows a definite change in color from green to tannish-yellow, pink, red,
or a combination thereof;
(4) Pink. ''Pink'' means that more than 30 percent but not more than 60 percent of the surface, in
the aggregate, shows pink or red color;
(5) Light red. ''Light red'' means that more than 60 percent of the surface, in the aggregate,
shows pinkish-red or red: Provided, That not more than 90 percent of the surface is red color;
and,
(6) Red. ''Red'' means that more than 90 percent of the surface, in the aggregate, shows red color.
(b) Any lot of tomatoes which does not meet the requirements of any of the above color
designations may be designated as ''Mixed Color''.
(c) For tolerances see 51.1861.
(d) Tomato color standards U.S.D.A. Visual Aid TM- L-1 consists of a chart containing twelve
color photographs illustrating the color classification requirements, as set forth in this section.
This visual aid may be examined in the Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250; in any field office of the Fresh Fruit and
Vegetable Inspection Service; or upon request of any authorized inspector of such Service.
Duplicates of this visual aid may be purchased from The John Henry Co., Post Office Box 1410,
Lansing, Michigan 48904.
Tolerances
51.1861 Tolerances.
In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling in each of the foregoing
grades, the following tolerances, by count, are provided as specified:
(a) U.S. No. 1 - (1) For defects at shipping point.2 Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot which
fail to meet the requirements for this grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of this
tolerance, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, including
therein not more than 1 percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; and,
(2) For defects en route or at destination. Fifteen percent for tomatoes in any lot which fail to
meet the requirements for this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the
following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
2

Shipping point, as used in these standards, means the point of origin of the shipment in producing area or at port of
loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or in the case of shipments from outside the continental United States, the
port of entry into the United States.

(i) Five percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay;
(ii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are damaged by shoulder bruises or by discolored or sunken
scars on any parts of the tomatoes; and,
(iii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are otherwise defective: And provided further, That not
more than 5 percent shall be allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by any
cause, exclusive of soft or decayed tomatoes.
(b) U.S. Combination - (1) For defects at shipping point.2 Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot
which fail to meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade: Provided, That not more than
one-half of this tolerance, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage,
including 1 percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; and,
(2) For defects en route or at destination. Fifteen percent for tomatoes in any lot which fail to
meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 2 grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more
than the following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
(i) Five percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay;
(ii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are seriously damaged by shoulder bruises or by discolored or
sunken scars on any parts of the tomatoes; and,
(iii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are otherwise defective: And provided further, That not
more than 5 percent shall be allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by any
cause, exclusive of soft or decayed tomatoes.
(c) U.S. No. 2 - (1) For defects at shipping point.2 Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot which
fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of this
tolerance, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for defects causing very serious damage, including
therein not more than 1 percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay; and,
(2) For defects en route or at destination. Fifteen percent for tomatoes in any lot which fail to
meet the requirements for this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the
following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:
(i) Five percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay;
(ii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are seriously damaged by shoulder bruises or by discolored or
sunken scars on any parts of the tomatoes; and,
(iii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are otherwise defective: And provided further, That not
more than 5 percent shall be allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by any
cause, exclusive of soft or decayed tomatoes.
(d) U.S. No. 3 - (1) For defects at shipping point.2 Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot which
fail to meet the requirements of this grade: Provided, That not more than one-half of this
tolerance, or 5 percent, shall be allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by insects
and not more than one-tenth of the tolerance, or 1 percent, for tomatoes which are soft or
affected by decay; and,
(2) For defects en route or at destination. Fifteen percent for tomatoes in any lot which fail to
meet the requirements for this grade: Provided, That included in this amount not more than the

Shipping point, as used in these standards, means the point of origin of the shipment in producing area or at port of
loading for ship stores or overseas shipment, or in the case of shipments from outside the continental United States, the
port of entry into the United States.

following percentages shall be allowed for defects listed:

(i) Five percent for tomatoes which are soft or affected by decay;
(ii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by shoulder bruises or by
discolored or sunken scars on any parts of the tomatoes; and,
(iii) Ten percent for tomatoes which are otherwise defective: And provided further, That not
more than 5 percent shall be allowed for tomatoes which are very seriously damaged by insects.
(e) For off-size. Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot which are smaller than the specified minimum
diameter, or larger than the specified maximum diameter.
(f) For off color. Ten percent for tomatoes in any lot which fail to meet the color specified,
including therein not more than 5 percent for tomatoes which are green in color, when any term
other than ''Green'' is specified.
Application of Tolerances
51.1862 Application of tolerances.
The contents of individual packages in the lot, based on sample inspection, are subject to the
following limitations:
(a) For packages which contain more than 5 pounds (2.27 kg), and a tolerance of 10 percent or
more is provided, individual packages shall have not more than 1-1/2 times the tolerance
specified, and for a tolerance of less than 10 percent individual packages shall have not more than
double the tolerance specified, except that at least one defective and one off-size specimen may be
allowed in any package: Provided, That the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances
specified for the grade; and,
(b) For packages which contain 5 pounds (2.27 kg) or less individual packages shall have not
more than 4 times the tolerance specified, except that at least one tomato which is soft, or
affected by decay, and one off-size specimen may be permitted in any package: Provided, That
the averages for the entire lot are within the tolerances specified for the grade.
Standard Weight
51.1863 Standard weight.
(a) When packages are marked to a net weight of 15 pounds (6.80 kg) or more, the net weight of
the contents shall not be less than the designated net weight and shall not exceed the designated
weight by more than 2 pounds (0.91 kg).
(b) In order to allow for variations incident to proper sizing, not more than 15 percent, by count,
of the packages in any lot may fail to meet the requirements for standard weight.
Definitions
51.1864 Similar varietal characteristics.
''Similar varietal characteristics'' means that the tomatoes are alike as to firmness of flesh and
shade of color (for example, soft-fleshed, early maturing varieties are not mixed with firmfleshed, midseason or late varieties, or bright red varieties mixed with varieties having a purplish
tinge).
51.1865 Mature.
''Mature'' means that the tomato has reached the stage of development which will insure a proper
completion of the ripening process, and that the contents of two or more seed cavities have
developed a jelly-like consistency and the seeds are well developed.

51.1866 Soft.
''Soft'' means that the tomato yields readily to slight pressure.
51.1867 Clean.
''Clean'' means that the tomato is practically free from dirt or other foreign material.
51.1868 Well developed.
''Well developed'' means that the tomato shows normal growth. Tomatoes which are ridged and
peaked at the stem end, contain dry tissue, and usually contain open spaces below the level of the
stem scar, are not considered well developed.
51.1869 Fairly well formed.
''Fairly well formed'' means that the tomato is not more than moderately kidney-shaped, lop-sided,
elongated, angular, or otherwise moderately deformed.
51.1870 Fairly smooth.
''Fairly smooth'' means that the tomato is not conspicuously ridged or rough.
51.1871 Damage.
''Damage'' means any specific defect described in 51.1877, Table II; or an equally objectionable
variation of any one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, which
materially detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the tomato.
51.1872 Reasonably well formed.
''Reasonably well formed'' means that the tomato is not decidedly kidney-shaped, lop-sided,
elongated, angular, or otherwise decidedly deformed.
51.1873 Slightly rough.
''Slightly rough'' means that the tomato is not decidedly ridged or grooved.
51.1874 Serious damage.
''Serious damage'' means any specific defect described in 51.1877, Table II; or an equally
objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of
defects, which seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the
tomato.
51.1875 Misshapen.
''Misshapen'' means that the tomato is decidedly kidney-shaped, lop-sided, elongated, angular or
otherwise decidedly deformed: Provided, That the shape is not affected to an extent that the
appearance or the edible quality of the tomato is very seriously affected.
51.1876 Very serious damage.
''Very serious damage'' means any specific defect described in 51.1877, Table II; or an equally
objectionable variation of any one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of
defects, which very seriously detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of
the tomato.

51.1877 Classification of defects.

Table II
References to Area, Aggregate Area, Length or Aggregate Length are based on a tomato having a
diameter of 2-1/2 inches (64 mm)1
Factor

Damage

Serious Damage

Very serious damage

Cuts and broken skins

Not shallow or not well

healed, or shallow, well
healed cut more than 1/2
inch (13 mm) in length, or
other shallow, well healed
skin breaks aggregating
more than a circle 3/8 inch
(10 mm) in diameter.

Not shallow or not well

healed, or shallow, well
healed cut more than 1/2
inch (13 mm) in length,
or other shallow, well
healed skin breaks
aggregating more than a
circle 1/2 inch (13 mm)
in diameter.

Fresh or healed and

extending through the
tomato wall.

Puffiness

Open space in 1 or more

locules materially detracts
from appearance of tomato
cut through center at right
angles to a line from stem to
blossom end.

Open space in 1 or more

locules seriously
detracts from
appearance of tomato
cut through center at
right angles to a line
from stem to blossom
end.

Open space in 2 or more

locules very seriously
detracts from appearance
of tomato cut through
center at right angles to a
line from stem to blossom
end.

Catfaces

Scars are rough or deep,

channels are very deep or
wide, channels extend into a
locule, or a fairly smooth
catface aggregating more
than a circle 1/2 inch (13
mm) in diameter.

Scars are rough or deep,

channels are very deep
or wide, channels extend
into a locule, or a fairly
smooth catface
aggregating more than a
circle 3/4 inch (19 mm)
in diameter.

Channels extend into the

locule, wall has been
weakened to the extent
that slight pressure will
cause a tomato to leak, or
a fairly smooth catface
aggregating more than a
circle 1 inch (25 mm) in
diameter.

Scars (other than

catfaces).

No depth and aggregating

more than a circle 3/8 (10
mm) in diameter.

No depth and
aggregating more than a
circle 5/8 (16 mm) in
diameter.

No depth and aggregating

more than a circle 1 inch
(25 mm) in diameter.

Conversion to metric equivalent, made to nearest whole millimeter.

Growth cracks (radiating

from or concentric to stem
scar).

Not well healed, more than

1/8 inch (3 mm) in depth,
individual radial cracks more
than 1/2 inch (13 mm) in
length, aggregate length of
all radial cracks more than 1
inch (25 mm) measured from
edge of stem scar. Any lot of
tomatoes which are at least
turning may have cracks
which are not well healed
provided they are not
leaking.

Not well healed, more

than 1/8 inch (3 mm) in
depth, individual radial
cracks more than 3/4
inch (19 mm) in length,
aggregate length of all
radial cracks more than
1-3/4 inch (44 mm)
measured from edge of
stem scar. Any lot of
tomatoes which are at
least turning may have
cracks which are not
well healed provided
they are not leaking.

Not well healed, more than

1/4 inch (6 mm) in depth,
individual radial cracks
more than 1 inch
(25 mm) in length,
aggregate length of all
radial cracks more than
2-7/8 inches (73 mm)
measured from edge of
stem scar. Any lot of
tomatoes which are at least
turning may have cracks
which are not well healed
provided they are not
leaking, not more than 1/8
inch (3 mm) in depth,
individual radial cracks
are not more than 3/4 inch
(19 mm) in length.

Hail

Deep, rough, not well healed

and corked over, or fairly
smooth, shallow hail marks
aggregating more than a
circle 3/8 inch (10 mm) in
diameter.

Deep, rough, not well

healed and corked over,
or fairly smooth,
shallow hail marks
aggregating more than a
circle 5/8 inch (16 mm)
in diameter.

Fresh, very deep or fairly

smooth, shallow hail
marks aggregating more
than a circle 1 inch (25
mm) in diameter.

Insect Injury

Materially detracts from the

appearance or any insect is
present in the fruit.

Seriously detracts from

the appearance or any
insect is present in the
fruit.

Very seriously detracts

from the appearance or
any insect is present in the
fruit.

Conversion to metric equivalent, made to nearest whole millimeter.

10

11

12

13