7 CFR §51.1861
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
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:
- (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.
- (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:
- (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.
- (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:
- (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.
- (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:
- (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 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.
- (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:
- (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.