Canned Spinach Grades and Standards

Grades of Canned Spinach

1. U.S. Grade A is the quality of canned spinach that has a  flavor and odor and is attractive in appearance and eating quality within the limitations set forth in this subpart as to:
   • Color,
   • Character,
   • Stem material,
   • Damage, and
   • Harmless extraneous material.
2. U.S. Grade B is the quality of canned spinach that has a good flavor and odor and is reasonably attractive in appearance and eating quality within the limitations set forth in this subpart as to:
   • Color,
   • Character,
   • Stem material,
   • Damage, and
   • Harmless extraneous material.

  3. Substandard is the quality of canned spinach that fails to meet the requirements for U.S. Grade B.

Inspection Aid

• Area Measurement Guide, IA #30B
• Area Measurement Guide, 8 x 10 in English Units, IA#30A
• Headspace gauge

See How to Purchase Visual Aids for more details.

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:

• U.S. Grade Standards for Canned Spinach (pdf)
• 21 CFR § 155.200 - Certain other canned vegetables
• AOAC Official Method 97433 Filth in Green Leafy Vegetables
• Certification Manual
• Condition of Container Manual
• Domestic Origin Verification (DOV) Program Manual
• FDA Food Defect Action Levels
• Foreign Material Manual
• General Procedures Manual 
• Safety Manual
• Sampling Manual
• Sanitation Manual
• SC-364-156 Score Sheet for Canned Spinach
• Technical Procedures Manual
• USDA Purchases Manual
• U.S. Standards for Determination of Fill Weights 
• U.S. Standards for Inspection by Variables