Grades and Requirements for Field Tomatoes

Revised Grades and Requirements for Field Tomatoes

Tomatoes Manar Station for sorting and filling Tomatoes & Cherry tomato

1. Application

These standards apply to field-grown tomato varieties derived from Lycopersicum esculentum that are cultivated in open-field conditions and not under permanent artificial protection such as glasshouses or covered structures, except during the early stages of growth.

These requirements do not apply to cherry tomatoes.

Field tomatoes are classified under the following grades:

  • Canada No. 1
  • Canada No. 2

3. Requirements Applicable to All Grades

Definitions

Firm-Ripe

A tomato is considered firm-ripe when:

  • At least 75% of the surface is pink or red in color.
  • For prepackaged lots:
    • Minimum 90% by count must be firm-ripe.
    • Maximum 10% by count may be semi-ripe.

Mature

A tomato is considered mature when:

  • It is fully developed, well-filled, resilient under pressure, bright and waxy in appearance.
  • Seeds are properly developed with jelly-like seed cavities.
  • External color shows a definite break from green to straw color.

For prepackaged tomatoes:

  • Tomatoes grown in British Columbia or Manitoba:
    • Minimum 75% must be mature.
    • Maximum 25% may be turning.
  • Tomatoes grown in other regions:
    • Minimum 90% must be mature.
    • Maximum 10% may be turning.

Semi-Ripe

A tomato is considered semi-ripe when:

  • Between 25% and 75% of the surface is pink or red.

For prepackaged tomatoes:

  • Minimum 90% must be semi-ripe.
  • Maximum 10% may be firm-ripe or turning.

Turning

A tomato is considered turning when:

  • No more than 25% of the surface is pink or red.

For prepackaged tomatoes:

  • Minimum 90% must meet the above color requirement.
  • Maximum 10% may be mature or semi-ripe.

General Requirements for All Grades

All field tomatoes, regardless of grade, must:

  • Be properly packaged.
  • Have similar varietal characteristics.
  • Meet one of the recognized maturity stages if prepackaged.
  • Pear and plum varieties must have a minimum diameter of 32 mm (1¼ inches).
  • Be sound and free from decay.
  • Be free from water blisters and open wet cracks.

4. Canada No. 1 Requirements

Definition of “Clean”

A clean tomato must be free from contamination, dirt, dust, spray residue, wax marks, and foreign material.

Additional Grade Requirements

Canada No. 1 tomatoes must:

  • Be clean.
  • Be free from noticeable ridging, angularity, or indentation.
  • Be free from excessive puffiness affecting weight.

Size Requirements

For tomatoes other than pear and plum types:

  • Minimum diameter: 51 mm (2 inches).
  • Maximum diameter variation in closed packages: 25 mm (1 inch).

Small-sized packages may contain tomatoes:

  • Between 38 mm and 51 mm (1½–2 inches),
  • Provided the package is properly labeled.

Quality Requirements

Tomatoes must be free from:

  • Disease,
  • Scald,
  • Bruising,
  • Soft areas,
  • Serious growth cracks,
  • Excessive blossom-end scars,
  • Excessive stem rub,
  • Significant insect damage,
  • Any defect materially affecting appearance, edibility, or shipping quality.

5. Canada No. 2 Requirements

Definition of “Reasonably Clean”

A reasonably clean tomato is free from contamination and reasonably free from dirt, dust, spray residue, wax marks, and foreign material.

Additional Grade Requirements

Canada No. 2 tomatoes must:

  • Be reasonably clean.
  • Not be severely misshapen or deformed.
  • Have a minimum diameter of 44 mm (1¾ inches) for tomatoes other than pear and plum types.
  • Be free from rough or deeply indented blossom-end scars.
  • Be free from defects seriously affecting appearance, edibility, or shipping quality.

6. General Tolerances

The grade requirements are considered satisfied when the following tolerances are met:

Shipping or Repackaging Inspection

  • Maximum 10% of tomatoes may contain defects.
  • Within this tolerance:
    • Maximum 3% may show soft areas, water blisters, open wet cracks, or decay.
    • Maximum 5% may have the same permanent defect.

Other Inspections

  • Maximum 10% may contain permanent defects.
  • Maximum 5% may have the same permanent defect.

Size and Maturity Tolerances

  • Maximum 5% may be below minimum diameter.
  • Maximum 5% may exceed maximum diameter.
  • Maximum 10% of packages may exceed permitted size variation.

Maturity Variation

  • British Columbia or Manitoba: maximum 25% variation by one maturity stage.
  • Other regions: maximum 10% variation by one maturity stage.

7. Condition Defects

Condition defects apply against the grade only when the tomatoes are inspected during shipping or repackaging.