Washington, DC
June 15, 2004
[Federal Register: June 15, 2004 (Volume 69,
Number 114)]
[Notices]
[Page 33345]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15jn04-22]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. FV-04-308]
United States Standards for Grades of Sweet
Peppers
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY:
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking
research and other work associated with revising official grade
standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revision to
the United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers. The
Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee has asked AMS to
review all fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards for
usefulness in serving the industry. As a result, AMS has noted
that tolerances need to be separated for decay affecting walls
and/or calyxes from decay affecting stems only. Other areas for
possible revision include adopting and defining industry terms
for size and color. Additionally, AMS is
seeking comments regarding any other revisions that may be
necessary to better serve the industry.
DATES:
Comments must be received by August 16, 2004.
ADDRESSES:
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to the
Standardization Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 1661
South Building, Stop 0240, Washington, DC 20250-0240; fax (202)
720-8871, E-mail
FPB.DocketClerk@usda.gov or you may also send your comments
by the electronic process available at the Federal eRulemaking
portal at
http://www.regulations.gov. Comments should make reference
to the dates and page number of this issue of the Federal
Register and will be made available for public inspection in the
above office during regular business hours.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David L. Priester, at the above address or call (202) 720-2185;
E-mail
David.Priester@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In a 2003 meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory
Committee, AMS was asked to review all fresh fruit and
vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving the
industry. AMS has identified the United States Standards for
Grades of Sweet Peppers for possible revision. These standards
were last revised in 1989. The current standards for all grades
of sweet peppers allow a two percent tolerance for decay
affecting stems, walls and calyxes. All decay seriously detracts
from the appearance or the edible or shipping quality of the
pepper. However, decay affecting the stems only does not affect
the edible portion of the pepper. Therefore, AMS is considering
a change in the scoring and reporting of decay. Decay affecting
walls and calyxes shall continue to be scored against the
restrictive tolerance of two percent for decay. Decay affecting
the stems only shall be scored against the serious damage
tolerance of five percent for U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 grades,
and against the total lot tolerance of ten percent for serious
damage in the U.S. No. 2 grade. AMS believes that a change to
the decay tolerance is warranted to better serve the industry.
Other areas under review are industry terms for size based on
1\1/9\ bushel containers as well as the terms ``chocolate'' and
``suntan'' which the industry uses to describe the color of
peppers. Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop the
proposed revised standards, AMS is soliciting comments on the
possible revision of the standards for grades of sweet peppers
and the probable impact on distributors, processors, and
growers.
This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested
parties to comment on changes to the standards. Should AMS
proceed with revising the standards, the proposed revision of
the standards will be published in the Federal Register with a
request for comments.
Dated: June 7, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13360 Filed 6-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-U |