Federal regulations · Through 2026-08-25 · Newer source version available

7 CFR 51.3210: Serious damage.

Serious damage unless otherwise specifically defined in this section, means any defect which seriously affects the appearance, or the edible or shipping quality of the onions. Any one of the following defects, or any combination of defects the seriousness of which exceeds the maximum allowed for any one defect, shall be considered as serious damage:
(a) Seedstems when more than 1/2 inch in diameter;
(b) Dry sunken areas when extending deeper than one fleshy scale, or when affecting an area equivalent to that of a circle 1 inch in diameter on an onion 2 3/4 inches in diameter, or correspondingly lesser or greater areas on smaller or larger onions;
(c) Sprouting when any visible sprout is more than 1/2 in length;
(d) Staining, dirt or foreign material when more than 25 percent of the onions in any lot are badly stained. Onions with adhering dirt or other foreign matter shall be judged on the same basis as stained onions;
(e) Mechanical when any cut extends deeper than two fleshy scales, or when cuts seriously damage the appearance of the onion; and,
(f) Watery scales when more than the equivalent of two entire outer fleshy scales are affected by an off-colored, watersoaked condition. The off-color must be of some shade of brown or yellow.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 7—Agriculture
Subtitle B—Regulations of the Department of Agriculture
CHAPTER I—AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (STANDARDS, INSPECTIONS, MARKETING PRACTICES), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SUBCHAPTER C—REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946 AND THE EGG PRODUCTS INSPECTION ACT
PART 51—FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND OTHER PRODUCTS (INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS)
Subpart II—United States Standards for Grades of Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions

(a) Seedstems when more than 1/2 inch in diameter;

(b) Dry sunken areas when extending deeper than one fleshy scale, or when affecting an area equivalent to that of a circle 1 inch in diameter on an onion 2 3/4 inches in diameter, or correspondingly lesser or greater areas on smaller or larger onions;

(d) Staining, dirt or foreign material when more than 25 percent of the onions in any lot are badly stained. Onions with adhering dirt or other foreign matter shall be judged on the same basis as stained onions;

(e) Mechanical when any cut extends deeper than two fleshy scales, or when cuts seriously damage the appearance of the onion; and,

(f) Watery scales when more than the equivalent of two entire outer fleshy scales are affected by an off-colored, watersoaked condition. The off-color must be of some shade of brown or yellow.

Collected 2026-08-27T02:24:01Z. Source file · JSON

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