Mushrooms Get VIP Grading: Portabellas Demand Separate Status
Published Date: 4/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA is updating mushroom grading rules to add a new grade for portabella mushrooms, separate size from quality grades, and modernize defect rules. These changes affect mushroom growers, sellers, and buyers by making grading clearer and more up-to-date. Comments on the proposal are open until June 9, 2026, with no immediate costs expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Modernized Defect Rules and Definitions
The proposal revises tolerances for defects and updates definitions and defect scoring guides, adding terms like "bruising," "cuts or mechanical defects," "extraneous material," "feathering," "open veils," and "spots." These changes affect how shipments are inspected and what levels of defects are allowed at shipping point and destination.
Package Tolerances Based on Pack Size
The standards will set different maximum limits for defects and off-size mushrooms depending on the size of the packaging. The "Application of Tolerances" section will identify the maximum defect limits allowed in an individual package.
New Portabella Grade Added
USDA is adding a new official grade for portabella (portobello/giant crimini) mushrooms of the Agaricus bisporus species. This change affects mushroom growers, packers, and buyers by creating an explicit grade for portabella-type mushrooms that did not previously have a published standard.
Size Separated From Quality Grades
The proposed standards remove size from the criteria for each quality grade and create a separate section just for size. This affects how mushrooms are graded, labeled, and how growers and packers demonstrate compliance with size and quality rules.
Mixed White and Brown Packs Permitted
The proposal allows mixed specialty packs of white and brown (e.g., crimini/baby bella) mushrooms; when lots are not intentionally packed as mixed/specialty packs a dissimilar colored mushroom would be considered a defect. This change recognizes and permits mixed-color marketing trends.
Open Veil Rules Differ by Mushroom Type
The proposed standards allow some open space before open veils are considered damage for mushrooms other than portabella, while recognizing open veils as a characteristic (not damage) in portabella type mushrooms. AMS also proposes adding tolerances for button mushrooms damaged by open veils and for portabella type mushrooms at shipping point and en route or at destination.
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