[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 7, Volume 2] [Revised as of January 1, 2004] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 7CFR51.1901] [Page 459] TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PART 51_FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND OTHER PRODUCTS \1,2\ (INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS)--Table of Contents Subpart_United States Consumer Standards for Fresh Tomatoes Sec. 51.1901 U.S. Grade A. U.S. Grade A shall consist of tomatoes of similar varietal characteristics which are mature and are at least turning (see Sec. 51.1904), but are not overripe or soft which are well developed, at least fairly well formed, fairly smooth, free from soft rot, freezing injury, and from damage caused by dirt, bruises, cuts, shriveling, sunscald, sunburn, puffiness, catfaces, growth cracks, scars, dry rot, other diseases, insects, hail, or mechanical or other means. Tomatoes on the shown face shall be reasonably representative in size and quality of the contents of the container. (See Sec. 51.1903.) (a) Incident to proper grading and handling, except for maturity, not more than 5 percent, by count, of the tomatoes in any lot may fail to meet the requirements of the grade, including not more than 1 percent for tomatoes which are affected by soft rot.