Frozen Succotash Grades and Standards

Frozen succotash means the frozen product prepared from fresh, clean, sound, succulent kernels of sweet corn and the immature seed of varieties of lima beans, vegetable soybeans, or fresh immature pods of green beans or wax beans. The ingredients are mixed and properly drained and then frozen in accordance with good commercial practice and maintained at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product. When soybeans or green beans or wax beans are used, the product is designated as frozen soybean succotash or frozen green bean or wax bean succotash, as the case may be.

Grades of Frozen Succotash

  1. U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy is the quality of frozen succotash in which each vegetable possesses similar varietal characteristics; possesses a good flavor and odor; is tender; possesses a good color; is practically free from defects; and that for those factors which are scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart the total score is not less than 90 points: Provided, That the frozen succotash may be reasonably tender and possess a reasonably good color if the total score is not less than 90 points.
  2. U.S. Grade B or U.S. Extra Standard is the quality of frozen succotash in which each vegetable possesses similar varietal characteristics; possesses a good flavor and odor; is reasonably tender; possesses a reasonably good color; is reasonably free from defects; and that scores not less than 80 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this subpart.
  3. U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard is the quality of frozen succotash in which each vegetable possesses similar varietal characteristics; possesses a fairly good flavor and odor; is fairly tender; possesses a fairly good color; is fairly free from defects; 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 frozen succotash that fails to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard.

Color Standards

Color Standards for Frozen Lima Beans

Instructions for Use and Care of the Visual Color Standards Statement (pdf) 

Inspection Aid

Inspection Aid 108 USDA Bean Sizer

See How to Purchase Inspection Aids (pdf) for more details.

Photo Guide

  • PG-2 Photo Guide for Frozen Green & Wax Beans depicting defects and character
  • PG-12  for Classifying “Cut” and “Pulled” Kernels Canned and Frozen Whole Kernel Corn
  • PG-13 Interpretive Guide Illustrating Discolored Kernels or Pieces of Kernels in Canned and Frozen Corn

See How to Purchase Photo Guides (pdf) for more details.

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: