Grading Guide: Sweet Corn sizes | packs | Illustrated criteria
Definitions of Criteria for USDA Fancy Sweet Corn

Characteristics of USDA Fancy Sweet Corn:

Similar Varietal Characteristics
Well Trimmed
Well Developed
Fairly Well Filled
  • Similar kernel color
  • Similar character of growth
  • Practically free from loose husks
  • Shank less than 6 inches
  • Shank does not extend more than 1 inch beyond point of attachment of outside husk
  • Ears fairly straight
  • Ears not stunted
  • Kernel rows show fairly uniform development
  • Poorly developed rows do not materially affect appearance and quality
  • Poorly developed or missing kernels at tip extend no more than 1/4 length of cob
  • Poorly developed or missing kernels elsewhere on cob total no more than 1 square inch on a 6-inch cob.
Plump and Milky
Well Covered
Fresh Husks
  • Kernels are well developed
  • Kernel contents are milky, creamy, or clear jelly-like in consistency
  • Husk enclosing ear is tight and undisturbed
  • If husk has been slightly opened, it has been replaced so appearance is not more than slightly affected
  • Fairly good green color
  • Not badly wilted
  

USDA Fancy Sweet Corn does not have any:

Decay
Worm or Insect Injury
  • Decay occurs when bacteria or fungi break down the sweet corn.
  • Visible evidence of insect or worm injury
  • Insect or worm frass

Sweet Corn with injury worse than described below does not meet USDA Fancy criteria. Measurements are based on a cob 6 to 10 inches long.

Rust
Discoloration
Mechanical or Bird Injury, Disease, Indented Kernels
  • Total area on husk is more than 1 square inch
  • Rust extends deeper than 2 layers of husks
  • Total area on husk is more than 3 square inches
or
  • Total area on husk is more than 25% of surface of all blades
  • More than 8 kernels affected
  • Husks penetrated in more than 1 place

Created by C. Gunter and E. Maynard, Purdue University 2006. Based on US Standards for Grades of Sweet Corn, 02-12-92 as reprinted 01-1997. Page last revised 07-27-06.

This project made possible by financial assistance from Indiana's Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Value-Added Research Grant Program.