The United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a final notice revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Lemons to introduce an official definition for seedless lemons and establish associated labelling requirements. The revised voluntary grading standard was published on 13 April 2026 and will become applicable on 13 May 2026.
Under the revised standard, lemons marketed as seedless must meet a compositional tolerance whereby a 100-count composite sample may contain no more than 6 fruit (6%) with seeds, including both fully developed and undeveloped seeds (pips). The criterion is based on the number of fruit containing seeds, rather than the number of seeds per fruit, and functions as a product identity definition rather than a grade factor.
The revision also introduces mandatory marking conditions for use of the seedless claim. When lots are labelled seedless, the term must appear legibly on at least 95% of containers, including consumer units, to support traceability and marketplace transparency. These marking requirements do not affect the products grade classification.
According to USDA, the update responds to the commercialization of seedless lemon varieties and is intended to provide uniform terminology for trade while supporting truthful labelling. The standard remains voluntary, but operators using the seedless claim must comply with the newly adopted definition and packaging provisions.
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