WAC 16-409-022
WAC 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
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.