USDA Proposes Revisions to Grade Standards for Lemons

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking public comments on its proposal to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Lemons.

AMS proposes amending the standards to add a definition for the term “seedless lemons." This new definition would not be applied to affect grade, said AMS. 

AMS proposes the following definition: When marked ‘seedless,’ a 100-count composite sample shall have not more than six fruit (or 6%) containing seeds (irrespective of number or development per fruit). Seeds would include fully developed and undeveloped seeds (or pips).

AMS also proposes adding marking requirements for lemons meeting this seedless definition to help differentiate seedless lemons from lemons with seeds, the service said. These proposed marking requirements seek to provide buyers and consumers with clear information on the product being purchased and would not affect grade, said AMS.

AMS proposes the following marking requirement: When lots are marked ‘seedless,’ the term ‘seedless’ shall be legibly marked on at least 95% of the containers, including consumer units.

The notice was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 11, 2025. Comments are due by Nov. 10, 2025. To submit a comment, please visit www.regulations.gov. Copies of the current standards are available on AMS U.S. Grades for Fruits webpage.

AMS works with industry representatives and others to establish or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. Standards facilitate commerce by providing a common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of agricultural products, said AMS.