Peppers (Other Than Sweet Peppers) Grades and Standards

Grades of Peppers (Other Than Sweet Peppers)

  1. U.S. Fancy consists of mature peppers of similar varietal characteristics (except when specified as mixed varieties and/or colors), which are firm, well shaped, and free from Blossom End Rot, crushed/broken, freezing, freezing injury, hail, insects, mechanical, sunscald, decay affecting calyxes and/or walls, decay affecting stems, and from injury caused by bruising, dirt, discoloration, disease, insects, pitting, scars, shriveling, sunburn, or other means.

a. Size. Size may be specified in inches and fractions thereof in connection with the grade in terms of minimum diameter, maximum diameter, minimum length and/or maximum length, or by count.
b. Color. Color may be specified in connection with the grade, provided that at least 90 percent of the peppers show any amount of specified color.

  1. U.S. No. 1 consists of mature peppers of similar varietal characteristics (except when specified as mixed varieties and/or colors), which are firm, fairly well shaped, and free from crushed/broken, freezing, freezing injury, sunscald and decay affecting calyxes and/or walls, decay affecting stems, and free from damage caused by Blossom End Rot, bruising, dirt,discoloration, disease, hail, insects, pitting, scars, shriveling, sunburn, mechanical or other means.

a. Size. Size may be specified in inches and fractions thereof in connection with the grade in terms of minimum diameter, maximum diameter, minimum length and/or maximum length, or by count.
b. Color. Color may be specified in connection with the grade, provided that at least 90 percent of the peppers show any amount of specified color.

  1. U.S. No. 2 consists of mature peppers of similar varietal characteristics (except when specified as mixed varieties and/or colors), which are firm, not seriously misshapen, and free from freezing, freezing injury, sunscald and decay affecting calyxes and/or walls, decay affecting stems, crushed/broken and free from serious damage caused Blossom End Rot, bruising, dirt, discoloration, disease, hail, insects, pitting, scars, shriveling, sunburn, mechanical or other means.

a. Size. Size may be specified in inches and fractions thereof in connection with the grade in terms of minimum diameter, maximum diameter, minimum length and/or maximum length, or by count.
b. Color. Color may be specified in connection with the grade, provided that at least 90 percent of the peppers show any amount of specified color.

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: