The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued guidance for grading avocados.
U.S. Number 1
(1) similar varietal characteristics
(2) mature but not overripe
(3) well-formed, clean and well-colored
(4) free of decays, anthracnose and freezing injury
(5) free from damage caused by bruises, cuts or other skin breaks
(6) free from pulled stems, russeting or similar discoloration or scab
(7) free from sunburn, sunscald or sprayburn
(8) free from cercospora spot, other disease, insects or mechanical damage
Tolerance for Number 1:
(1) <= 10% fail to meet grading standard
(2) <= 5% (half of previous) show decay or anthracnose)
(3) <= 1% show decay
Other Grades:
(1) combination: >= 60% Number 1, <= 40% Number 2
(2) Number 2
(3) Number 3
Those failing Grade No. 3 are either commercial or unusable.
