[Federal Register: March 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 47)]
[Notices]
[Page 12176-12177]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11mr05-38]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket Number FV-04-308]

United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice, request for public comment.

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on it's proposal to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Peppers. This action is
being taken at the request of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, which asked AMS to review the grade standards for possible revision. AMS is proposing to revise the standards to report decay affecting the stems under the serious damage tolerance in all grades instead of the more restrictive tolerance of two percent for decay. Additionally, AMS is proposing to amend the similar varietal requirement to allow mixed colors and/or types when designated as speciality packs and remove the unclassified category. AMS is proposing to remove the requirement to re-designate lots of sweet peppers as ``Mixed Color'' in the grade statement when peppers fail to meet the color requirement. AMS is also proposing to include the Mixed Color designation as an option for any lot of sweet peppers intentionally packed with peppers of different color. The proposed revisions would bring the standards for sweet peppers in line with current marketing practices, thereby improving the usefulness of the standards in serving the industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 10, 2005.

Complete document in PDF format:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-4814.pdf