PDFWAC 16-409-022
Asparagus grades.
(1) The following table identifies and describes the asparagus grades used in Washington state:
Washington Asparagus Grades: | ||||||
Stalk Characteristics: | "Extra Fancy Grade Asparagus" | "Extra Fancy Grade Asparagus Tips" | "Fancy Grade Asparagus" | "Consumer Pack Asparagus" | "Culls" | |
Stalks must be: | ||||||
(a) | Clean; | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
(b) | Fresh; | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
(c) | Fairly uniform in length; | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
(d) | Well trimmed; | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
(e) | Fairly well trimmed; | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
(f) | Fairly straight; | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
(g) | Not wilted; | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
(h) | Not badly misshapen; | No | No | Yes | No | No |
(i) | Free from decay; | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
(j) | Free from damage caused by spreading or broken tips, dirt, disease, insects, or mechanical or other means; | Yes | Yes | See subsection (3) of this section | Yes | No |
(k) | At least eighty-five percent green in color; | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
(l) | All green. | No | Yes | No | No | No |
(2) "Culls" describes asparagus that:
(a) Is not graded in conformity with Washington extra fancy, Washington extra fancy tips, Washington fancy, Washington consumer pack, or U.S. No. 1, or U.S. No. 2; and
(b) Must not be marketed if more than ten percent by count of the stalks show white in excess of two inches.
(3) "Fancy grade asparagus" is free from serious damage caused by spreading or broken tips, dirt, disease, insects or mechanical or other means.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.17.030, 15.17.050, and chapter 34.05 RCW. WSR 15-12-015, § 16-409-022, filed 5/21/15, effective 6/21/15. Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.17 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 07-06-047, § 16-409-022, filed 3/1/07, effective 4/1/07; WSR 05-10-092, § 16-409-022, filed 5/4/05, effective 6/4/05.]