Inspection Guidelines

Use our free online resource for help inspecting fresh fruits and vegetables.

Bookmark this page because IPT provides grade standards, tolerances and common defects for over 40 different kinds of fruits and vegetables.

Also included, are Good Delivery Guidelines established by USDA/AMS/PACA to interpret the maximum tolerances allowable for various fruits and vegetables trucked to locations that are five or more days away from shipping point.  Although the numbers can give guidance concerning whether an f.o.b. contract has been breached, many factors enter into the determination of whether a load of produce meets the terms of a particular contract.  Please contact PACA for further clarification.

We also provide fresh produce inspection training
on all commodities or your industry-specific commodities.

USDA Inspection standards for fresh fruit.


apple

Apples


apricots

Apricots


avocados

Avocados


blueberries

Blueberries


cherries

Cherries


grapes

Grapes


grapefruit

Grapefruit (CA, AZ)


florida grapefruit

Grapefruit (FL)


kiwi

Kiwi


lemons

Lemons


limes

Limes


mango

Mangos


nectarines

Nectarines


california oranges

Oranges (CA, AZ)


florida tangelos

Oranges/Tangelos (FL)


peaches

Peaches


pears

Pears (Summer/Fall)


winter pears

Pears (Winter)


plums

Plums


strawberries

Strawberries


tangerines

Tangerine


florida tangerines

Tangerines (FL)

USDA Inspection standards for fresh vegetables.


artichokes

Artichokes


asparagus

Asparagus


snap beans

Snap Beans


broccoli

Broccoli


cabbage

Cabbage


cantaloups

Cantaloups


carrots

Carrots


cauliflower

Cauliflower


celery

Celery


corn

Corn


cucumbers

Cucumbers


eggplant

Eggplant


honeydew melons

Honeydew Melons


lettuce

Lettuce


onions

Onions


peppers

Peppers


potatoes

Potatoes


romaine

Romaine


spinach leaves

Spinach Leaves


squash

Squash


tomatoes

Tomatoes


watermelons

Watermelons