Grades of Canned Asparagus
- U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned asparagus that possesses a good flavor; that possesses a clear liquor; that possesses a good color; that is practically free from defects; that possesses a good character; and that for those factors which are scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this section the total score is not less than 85 points: Provided, that the canned asparagus may possess a fairly clear liquor and a fairly good color if the total score is no less than 85 points.
- U.S. Grade C is the quality of canned asparagus that possesses a fairly good flavor; that possesses a fairly clear liquor; that possesses a fairly good color; that is fairly free from defects; that possesses a fairly good character; and that scores not less than 70 points when scored in accordance with the scoring system outlined in this section.
- Substandard is the quality of canned asparagus that fails to meet the requirements of U.S. Grade C or U.S. Standard.
Inspection Aid
- Area Measurement Guide 8 x 10 in English Units IA#30A
- Area Measurement Guide IA #30B
- Area Measurement Guide A #30C - Headspace Gauge
See How to Purchase Inspection Aids for more details.
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:
- U.S. Grade Standards for Canned Asparagus (pdf)
- Inspection Instructions for Canned Asparagus (pdf)
- Certification Manual
- 21 CFR § 155.200 - Certain other canned vegetables
- A-459 Harmless Extraneous Material (HEM) in Canned Asparagus (pdf)
- A-530 Evaluating Flavor in Specialty Packs of Processed Products, November 2009
- Condition of Container Manual
- Domestic Origin Verification (DOV) Program Manual
- FDA Food Defect Action Level
- Foreign Material Manual
- General Procedures Manual
- Safety Manual
- Sampling Manual
- Sanitation Manual
- SC 364-6 Score Sheet for Canned Asparagus
- Technical Procedures Manual
- USDA Purchases Manual
- U.S. Standards for Determination of Fill Weights
- U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables