Potato Grading and Packing Manual

 

This manual is a summary of the regulations which apply to the grading, packing and marking of potatoes in the Province of Ontario. It is supplied by the Food Inspection Branch to assist in the marketing of potatoes in Ontario.

Regulation 378/90 under the Farm Products Grades and Sales Act is the source of this information.

This edition, while accurate, is prepared for convenience only. For complete reference, please refer to the official volumes of the Farm Products Grades and Sales Act.

Contents:

| Grades | Packing Level Tolerances | Markings | Packages |
| Bilingual and Metric Requirements | OMAFRA Contact |

Grades

The grades and grade names for potatoes are Canada No. 1, Canada No. 2, Ontario No. 1, Ontario No. 2, and Ontario Mini. All potatoes sold in Ontario must be properly packed to the grade standards and marked accordingly.

The following table identifies the requirements of the Canada No. 1 and Canada No.2 grades. The Ontario grades follow the Canada Grade requirements.

Grade Factors

Canada No. 1

Canada No. 2

Properly Packed

When packaged, the potatoes must not be slack, overpressed or otherwise in a condition likely to result in permanent damage during handling or in transit.

When packaged, the potatoes must not be slack, overpressed or otherwise in a condition likely to result in permanent damage during handling or in transit.

Colour

Must not be artificially coloured.

Must not be artificially coloured.

Variety

Must have similar varietal characteristics.

Must have similar varietal characteristics.

Freezing

Must be free from freezing.

Must be free from freezing.

Decay

Must be free from decay.

Must be free from decay.

Bacterial Ring Rot

Must be free from bacterial ring rot.

Must be free from bacterial ring rot.

Black Heart

Must be free from black heart.

Must be free from black heart.

Greening

Must be free from greening that:

  1. affects more than 15% of the surface area of a potato.
  2. Penetrates the flesh of a potato to a depth that would not be removed by ordinary peeling.

Must be free from greening that:

  1. affects more than 15% of the surface area of a potato.
  2. Penetrates the flesh of a potato to a depth that would not be removed by ordinary peeling.

Hollow Heart

Must be free from hollow heart that:

  1. Exceeds ½ inch(13mm) in length or ¼ inch(6mm) in depth where the potato is 2 ½ inches in diameter or weights 6 ounces(170 gm).
  2. In the case of potatoes which have a greater or less diameter or weight than in (a) exceeds a size that is proportional to the length and width, in relation to the size of the potato.

Must be free from hollow heart that:

  1. Exceeds ½ inch(13mm) in length or ¼ inch(6mm) in depth where the potato is 2 ½ inches in diameter or weights 6 ounces(170 gm).
  2. In the case of potatoes which have a greater or less diameter or weight than in (a) exceeds a size that is proportional to the length and width, in relation to the size of the potato.

Insects and Worms

Must be free from insects and worms within the flesh of the potato.

Must be free from insects and worms within the flesh of the potato.

Cleanliness

Must be reasonably clean and where potatoes are in a container, there is no more than a slight amount of loose dirt or foreign material in the container.

Must not be more than slightly dirty and where potatoes are in a container, there is no more than a moderate amount of loose dirt or foreign material in the container.

Shape

Must not:

  1. be materially pointed.
  2. be materially dumb-bell shaped.
  3. be materially deformed.
  4. have any knobs removed.

Must not:

  1. be seriously pointed.
  2. be seriously dumb-bell shaped.
  3. be seriously deformed
  4. have more than 2 knobs removed.
  5. have the appearance materially affect by the removal of knobs.

Sprouts

Must be free from sprouts that exceed 1/4 inch (6mm) in length.

Must be free from sprouts that exceed 1/2 inch (13mm) in length.

Firmness

Must not be shrivelled or flabby.

Must be reasonably firm.

Maturity

Except for new potatoes shipped before September 16, potatoes must have:

  1. skins that will not loosen readily during ordinary handling.
  2. Not more than 10% of the surface flesh exposed.

No requirement.

Blight

Must be free from blight.

Must be free from blight that:

  1. is not dry.
  2. is dry but exceeds 5% of the potato by weight.

Surface Scab

Must be free from surface scab which exceeds 5% of the surface of a potato.

Must be free from surface scab which exceeds 25% of the surface of a potato.

Pitted Scab

Must be free from pitted scab which:

  1. materially affects the appearance of the potato.
  2. exceeds 5% of the weight of the potato.

Must be free from pitted scab which:

  1. seriously affects the appearance of the potato.
  2. exceeds 10% of the weight of the potato.

Russet Scab

Must be free from russet scab which materially affects the appearance of the potato.

Must be free from russet scab which seriously affects the appearance of the potato.

Sunburn

Must be free from sunburn which:

  1. exceeds 5% of the surface of a potato.
  2. penetrates the flesh more than 1/4 inch (6mm).

Must be free from sunburn which exceed 10% of the surface of a potato.

Wireworm or Grass Root Holes

Must be free from wireworm or grass root holes which:

  1. exceed 2 per potato.
  2. Individually exceed 1/2 inch (13mm) in depth or in the aggregate 3/4 inch (19mm) in depth.
  3. affect more than 10% of the potatoes in a lot.

Must be free from wireworm or grass root holes which exceed 5 % of the weight of the potato.

Enlarged Lenticels

Must be free from enlarged lenticels which materially affect the appearance of the potato.

Must be free from enlarged lenticels which seriously affect the appearance of the potato.

Rhizoctonia

Must be free from rhizoctonia which materially affects the appearance of the potato.

Must be free from rhizoctonia which seriously affects the appearance of the potato.

Growth Cracks

Must be free from growth cracks which materially affect the appearance of the potato.

Must be free from growth cracks which seriously affect the appearance of the potato.

External Discolouration

Must be free from external discolouration which materially affects the appearance of the potato.

Must be free from external discolouration which seriously affects the appearance of the potato.

Internal Discolouration

Must be free from internal discolouration which exceeds 5% of the weight of a potato.

Must be free from internal discolouration which exceeds 10% of the weight of a potato.

Internal Sprouts

Must be free from internal sprouts which exceed 5% of the weight of a potato.

Must be free from internal sprouts which exceeds 10% of the weight of a potato.

Bruises

Must be free from bruises which:

  1. materially affect the appearance of the potato.
  2. exceed 5% of the weight of the potato.

Must be free from bruises which:

  1. seriously affect the appearance of the potato.
  2. exceed 10% of the weight of the potato.

Air Cracks

Must be free from air cracks which:

  1. materially affect the appearance of the potato.
  2. exceed 5% of the weight of the potato.

Must be free from air cracks which:

  1. seriously affect the appearance of the potato.
  2. exceed 10% of the weight of the potato.

Flea Beetle Damage

Must be free from flea beetle damage which:

  1. materially affects the appearance of the potato.
  2. exceeds 5% of the weight of the potato.

Must be free from flea beetle damage which:

  1. seriously affects the appearance of the potato.
  2. exceeds 5% of the weight of the potato.

Hollow Heart

Must be free from hollow heart that is discoloured.

Must be free from hollow heart that is darker than a light tan colour.

Other Damage

Must be free of any other damage or defect not described which;

  1. materially affects the appearance, edibility or shipping quality of the potatoes.
  2. Cannot be removed by 5% of the total weight.

Must be free of any other damage or defect not described which;

  1. Seriously affects the appearance, edibility or shipping quality of the potatoes.
  2. cannot be removed by 10% of the total weight.

Size of Round Type Potatoes

Round potatoes shall have:

  1. a minimum diameter of 2 1/4 inches (57mm) and a maximum diameter of 3 1/2 inches (89mm).
  2. a minimum weight of 5 ounces (142g) and a maximum weight of 12 ounces(340g).
  3. a minimum diameter of 51 mm (2 inches) or a minimum weight of 113 g (4 ounces), or a minimum diameter of 57 mm (2 1/4 inches) or a minimum weight of 142 g (5 ounces).
  4. where the new potatoes are shipped before September 16 in the year in which they were grown, a minimum diameter of 48 mm (1 7/8 inches).

Round potatoes shall have:

    1. a minimum diameter of 1 3/4 inches (44mm) and a maximum diameter of 4 1/2 inches (114mm).
    2. a maximum weight of 18 ounces(510g).
    3. not less than 75% by weight of potatoes in a lot shall have a diameter of at least 2 inches (51mm) or a weight of at least 4 ounces (113g).

Size of Long Type Potatoes

Long potatoes shall have:

  1. a minimum diameter of 2 inches (51mm) or a minimum weight of 4 ounces and a maximum diameter of 3 1/2 inches (89mm) or a maximum weight of 12 ounces (340g) except that potatoes 3 1/2 inches (89mm) or more in length may have a minimum diameter or 1 3/4 inches (44mm). In either case, at least 60% by weight of the potatoes in a lot shall have a diameter of at least 2 1/4 inches (57mm) or a weight of at least 5 ounces (142g).
  2. where new potatoes are shipped before July 1 in the year in which they were grown , a minimum diameter of 1 7/8 inches (48mm) and a maximum diameter of 3 inches (76mm) or a maximum weight of 10 ounces (283g) and at least 75% by weight of the potatoes in a lot shall have a diameter of at least 2 inches (51mm) or a weight of at least 4 ounces (113g).

Long potatoes shall have:

    1. a minimum diameter of 1 3/4 inches (44mm) and a maximum diameter of 4 1/2 inches (114mm).
    2. a maximum weight of 18 ounces(510g).
    3. not less than 75% by weight of potatoes in a lot shall have a diameter of at least 2 inches (51mm) or a weight of at least 4 ounces (113g).

Long Type Potatoes Marked 1 7/8 to 3 INCHES

(48 to 76mm)

Long type potatoes:

  1. must have a minimum diameter of 1 7/8 inches (48mm) and a maximum diameter of 3 inches (76mm).
  2. must have a maximum weight of 10 ounces (283g) and at least 75% by weight of the potatoes in a lot shall have a diameter of at least 2 inches (51mm) or a weight of at least 4 ounces (113g).
  3. can only be shipped interprovincially.

Not applicable.

Potatoes Marked "Chef" or

2 3/4 to 4 1/2 inches (70 to 114mm)

Long and round types shipped all year must have:

  1. a minimum diameter of 2 3/4 inches (70mm) and a maximum diameter of 4 1/2 inches (114mm).
  2. a minimum weight of 8 ounces (227 g) and a maximum weight of 18 ounces (510g).

Not applicable.

Potatoes Marked "Large"

Long and round type potatoes shipped all year must have:

  1. a minimum diameter of 3 inches (76mm) and a maximum diameter of 4 1/2 inches (114mm).
  2. a minimum weight of 10 ounces (227mm) and a maximum weight of 18 ounces (510mm).

Not applicable.

The following table identifies the requirements of the Ontario No.1, Ontario No.2 and Ontario Mini grades.

Grade Factor

Ontario No.1

Ontario No.2

Ontario Mini

Properly Packed

When packaged, the potatoes must not be slack, overpressed or otherwise in a condition likely to result in permanent damage during handling or in transit.

When packaged, the potatoes must not be slack, overpressed or otherwise in a condition likely to result in permanent damage during handling or in transit. When packaged, the potatoes must not be slack, overpressed or otherwise in a condition likely to result in permanent damage during handling or in transit.

Variety

Potatoes must be of similar varietal characteristics.

Potatoes must be of similar varietal characteristics.Potatoes must be of similar varietal characteristics.

Soft Rot, Bacterial Ring Rot, Necrosis, and Freezing Injury

Must be free from soft rot, bacterial ring rot, necrosis and blight and freezing injury.

Must be free from soft rot, bacterial ring rot, necrosis and blight and freezing injury. Must be free from soft rot, bacterial ring rot, necrosis and blight and freezing injury.

Hollow Heart

 

Must be free from hollow heart.

Must be free from hollow heart. Must be free from hollow heart.

Size

Potatoes must have:

  1. for round varieties a minimum diameter of 2 inches (51mm) and a maximum diameter of 3 1/2 inches (89mm) except that not less than 75% shall have a minimum diameter of 2 1/4 inches (57mm).
  2. where new round potatoes are shipped before September 16 in the year in which they were grown, a minimum diameter of 48 mm (1 7/8 inches).
  3. for long varieties a minimum diameter of 2 inches (51mm) and a maximum diameter of 3 1/2 inches (89mm) except that potatoes exceeding 3 1/2 inches (89mm) in length the diameter may be 1 3/4 inches (44mm).
  4. where new long potatoes are shipped before July 1 in the year in which they were grown , a minimum diameter of 1 7/8 inches (48mm) and a maximum diameter of 3 inches (76mm).
  5. for potatoes marked Ontario No. 1 Large a minimum diameter of 3 1/4 inches (83mm).
  6. For potatoes marked Ontario No. 1 Small a minimum diameter of 1 3/4 inches (44mm) and a maximum diameter of 2 1/4 inches (57mm).

Potatoes must have:

  1. for round varieties a minimum diameter of 2 inches (51mm) except that not less than 75% shall have a minimum diameter of 2 1/4 inches (57mm).
  2. for long varieties a minimum diameter of 2 inches (51mm) except that not less than 75% shall have a minimum diameter of 1 3/4 inches (44mm) and minimum length of 3 1/2 inches (83mm).

Potatoes must not exceed a diameter of 1 7/8 inches (48mm).

Firmness

Must be firm and not shrivelled or flabby.

Must be reasonably firm.

Must be firm and not shrivelled or flabby.

Maturity

Must be fairly well mature so that not more than 10% of the potatoes have more than 25% of the skin missing or feathered.

Must be reasonably mature so that not more than 10% of the potatoes have more than 50% of the skin missing or feathered.

No requirement.

Shape

Must be fairly well shaped so that an individual potato is not materially pointed, dumbbell shaped or otherwise deformed.

Must not be seriously misshapen so that an individual potato is pointed, dumbbell shaped or otherwise deformed.

Must be well shaped.

Cleanliness

Must be reasonably clean so that an individual potato is not caked with dirt or materially stained and the appearance of a potato is materially affected.

Must be reasonably clean so that an individual potato is not caked with dirt or materially stained and the appearance of a potato is materially affected.

Must be clean.

Surface Scab

Must not exceed in the aggregate 5% of the surface of a potato.

Must not in the aggregate exceed 25% of the surface or a loss of 10% of the weight of a potato.

Must be free from surface scab.

Pitted Scab

Must not exceed in the aggregate 5% of the surface or a loss of 5% of the weight of a potato.

Must not in the aggregate exceed 25% of the surface or a loss of 10% of the weight of a potato.

Must be free from pitted scab.

Russet Scab

Must not materially affect the appearance of a potato.

Must not in the aggregate exceed 25% of the surface or a loss of 10% of the weight of a potato.

Must be free from russet scab.

Blight

Must be free from blight.

Must be free from blight which exceeds 5% by weight of a potato.

Must be free from blight.

Sunburn

Must not exceed a dark green area exceed 1/2 inch (13mm) in diameter on a

2 1/2 inch (63mm) or a loss of more than 5% by weight of a potato.

Must not in the aggregate exceed 25% of the surface or a loss of 10% of the weight of a potato.

Must be free from sunburn.

Greening

Must be free from greening which exceeds 5% by weight of a potato.

Must be free from greening which exceeds 10% by weight of a potato.

Must be free from greening.

Sprouts

Sprouts may not exceed 1/2 inch (13mm) in length where more than 10% of the potatoes are affected.

Sprouts may not exceed 1/2 inch (13mm) in length where more than 10% of the potatoes are affected.

None allowed.

Other Defects

Must be free from other defects which exceed 5% by weight of a potato.

Must be free from other defects which exceed 10% by weight of a potato.

None allowed.

 

Packing Level Tolerances

The following tolerances by weight apply to any package or lot of potatoes before the package or lot would fail to meet the Canada No. 1 grade requirements at the packing level:

    1. 10% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may be affected by sprouts.
    2. 10% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may have more than 10% of the surface flesh exposed.
    3. 10% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may have defects other than those referred to in section 1and 2 including not more than:
    1. 5% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may be below the minimum diameter or weight.
    2. 5% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may be over the maximum diameter or weight.
    3. 3% of the potatoes by weight in a lot marked Canada No.1 and 5% marked with "Chef", "Large" or diameter designation 2 3/4 to 4 1/2 inches may be affected by hollow heart.
    4. 1% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may be affected by decay.
    5. 5% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may defects other than size but including decay.

The following tolerances by weight apply to any package or lot of potatoes before the package or lot would fail to meet the Canada No. 2 grade requirements at the packing level:

    1. 10% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may be affected by sprouts.
    2. 15% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may have defects other than those referred to in section 1 including not more than:
    1. 5% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may be below the minimum diameter or weight.
    2. 5% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may be over the maximum diameter or weight.
    3. 10% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may be affected by hollow heart.
    4. 1% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may be affected by decay.
    5. 5% of the potatoes by weight in a lot may defects other than size but including decay.

The following tolerances by weight apply to any package or lot of potatoes before the package or lot would fail to meet the Ontario No.1, Ontario No. 2 grade requirements at the packing level:

    1. 5% of the potatoes in a lot may be below minimum size or above the maximum size.
    2. 5% of the potatoes in a lot may be affected by soft rot other than bacterial ring rot.
    3. 3% of the potatoes in a lot of Ontario No.1 and Ontario No.1 Small, 5% of the lot of Ontario No.1 Large and 10% of the lot of Ontario No.2 may be affected by hollow heart.
    4. 4% of the potatoes in a lot may have other grade defects.
    5. Total grade defects in a lot of potatoes cannot exceed 10%, but a package may contain one defective and one off-sized potato.

The following tolerances by weight apply to any package or lot of potatoes before the package or lot would fail to meet the Ontario Mini grade requirements at the packing level:

    1. 5% of the potatoes in a lot may be above the maximum size.
    2. 3% of the potatoes in a lot may be affected by hollow heart.
    3. 1% of the potatoes in a lot may be affected by soft rot
    4. 5% of the potatoes in a lot may have grade defects other than 1, 2, and 3.
    5. 10% of the potatoes in a lot may have grade defects of any kind including 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Additional Destination Tolerances

In addition to those tolerances permitted at packing level, another 5 % of the potatoes by weight in the lot may have condition defects (of which not more than 2 % is decay) at any other subsequent level of trade. Condition defects are those which can develop or worsen after packing (i.e. bruising, crushing, decay, freezing, overheating etc.).

Markings

All packages of potatoes must be marked with the following:

    1. Name and Address of Packer.
    2. Grade
    3. Country or Canadian Province of origin in the form of " Product of ".
    4. The word "Potatoes" where the product is not visible.
    5. "Yukon Gold" where the potatoes are of the Yukon Gold variety.
    6. "Yellow Fleshed Potatoes" where the potatoes are yellow fleshed.
    7. The net weight of the contents on bags or catchweight packages.
    8. The price per kilogram or pound on catchweight packages.

Note:

    1. The grade and origin markings must be immediately adjacent to one another and of the same size print.
    2. All required markings must be at least 1/8 inch in height on tags, 3/16 inch in height on bags and capacity ¼ inch in height on all other packages (cartons, bushels, baskets etc.).
    3. All markings must be legible, of a permanent nature, and of a reasonable size proportional to the package or label.

Packages

Potatoes may be packed in the following containers:

    1. Baskets of 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 quart capacity.
    2. Baskets of 2 and 4 litre capacity.
    3. 1,110 cubic inch half bushel box, carton or crate.
    4. 2,220 cubic inch bushel box, carton or crate.
    5. Bags, cartons, boxes or crates with the capacity of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100 pounds.
    6. Any bag, carton or crate that is properly packed and filled which is authorized for experimental use.

Bilingual and Metric Requirements

All markings on packages of potatoes should be printed in equal prominence in both English and French as there is a possibility of export from Ontario. Names and Addresses are required only once.

Federal law requires that all net quantity markings be printed in Imperial measure (pounds, quarts. etc.) with the equivalent Metric measure of the same size.

For further information on bilingual or metric marking requirements or for shipments out of Ontario, contact your local Inspector with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs Contact

Foods of Plant Origin
1 Stone Road West, 5th Floor North West
Guelph, ON N1G 4Y2

 



For more information:
Toll Free: 1-888-466-2372 ext 6-4230
Local: (519) 826-4230
E-mail: foodinspection@ontario.ca
Author: OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date: 19 February 2003
Last Reviewed: 16 January 2004