Snap Beans for Processing Grades and Standards

  1. U.S. No. 1 consists of snap beans of similar varietal characteristics which are fresh, firm, succulent, tender, fairly well formed, free from decay, anthracnose and extraneous material, and free from damage caused by scars, rust, other disease, insects, bruises, punctures, broken ends or other means.
    1. Unless a larger diameter is specified, the maximum diameter of beans in this grade shall be less than 24/64 of an inch (maximum diameter of 4 sieve size). 
    2. Unless otherwise specified, the minimum diameter of beans in this grade shall be 12/64 of an inch.
  2. U.S. No. 2 consists of snap beans of similar color and reasonably similar type which are fresh, firm, not tough or overmature, not seriously misshapen, and which are free from decay, anthracnose and extraneous material, and free from serious damage caused by scars, rust, other disease, insects, bruises, punctures, broken ends or other means.
    1. There shall be no maximum diameter in this grade.
    2. Unless otherwise specified, the minimum diameter of beans in this grade shall be 12/64 of an inch.

Visual Aids

Visual Aids may be found in the Official Inventory of Inspection Aids (pdf) 

Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources: