|
U.S. Grade Standards for fruits like watermelon are voluntary and provide the industry with a uniform language for describing the quality and condition of watermelons in the marketplace. Grocery stores, military institutions, restaurants, and foreign governments use the quality grades as a common “language," making business transactions easier.
The USDA assures consumers that the products they buy have gone through a rigorous review process by highly-skilled graders & auditors that follow the official grade standards and process standards developed, maintained and interpreted by USDA.
The standard of grades serve as an essential element in resolving disputes of product quality. They:
- Provide the foundation for domestic and international trade
- Promote efficiency in marketing and procurement.
- Determine levels of quality and value as a basis for Sales quotes, Damage claims, Loan values, Futures trading, Military and other government purchases, and Market reporting.
- Serve as a common language for trading where the commodity cannot be readily displayed or examined by the prospective buyers.
- Guide processors to purchase suitable quality; utilize raw products effectively; and pack products for a diverse domestic and international markets.
- A means of stating quality levels to be used on labels for official USDA marks as to quality.
Standards
-
U.S. Fancy consists of watermelons which meet the following requirements:
a) Basic requirements:
1) Mature;
2) Similar varietal characteristics;
3) Fairly well formed;
4) Not overripe;
b) Free from:
1) Anthracnose;
2) Decay;
3) Sunscald;
4) Whiteheart;
c) Free from damage by any means. See §51.1983.
d) For tolerances see §51.1973.
-
U.S. No. 1 consists of watermelons which meet the following requirements:
a) Basic requirements:
1) Mature;
2) Similar varietal characteristics;
3) Fairly well formed;
4) Not overripe;
b) Free from:
1) Anthracnose;
2) Decay
3) Sunscald;
c) Free from damage by any means. See §51.1983.
-
U.S. No. 2 consists of watermelons which meet the following requirements:
a) Basic requirements:
1) Mature;
2) Similar varietal characteristics;
3) Not overripe;
4) Not badly misshapen;
b) Free from:
1) Anthracnose;
2) Decay;
3) Sunscald;
c) Free from serious damage by any means. See §51.1984.
d) For tolerances see §51.1973.
|
