[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67326-67327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33590]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[FV-96-327]


United States Standards for Grades of Canned Apples

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting 
comments on its proposal to change the United States Standard for 
Grades of Canned Applies. Specifically, AMS is proposing to lower the 
recommended drained weight for canned apples packed in No. 10 cans. 
This change would allow more equitable utilization of processed apples 
across domestic growing regions and will help the apple industry to 
meet it market needs.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to Randle A. Macon, 
Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agricultural, Room 0709, South 
Building; STOP 0247, P.O. Box 96456; Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; faxed 
to (202) 690-1087; or e-mailed to Randle__A__M[email protected].
    Comments should reference the date and page number of this issue of 
the Federal Register. All comments received will be made available for 
public inspection at the address listed above during regular business 
hours.
    The current United States Standards for Grades of Canned Apples, 
along with the proposed changes, are available either through the 
afore-mentioned address or by accessing AMS's Home Page on the Internet 
at the following address: www.ams.usda.gov/standards/frutcan.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Randle A. Macon at (202) 720-
4693.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 1622 (c)) directs and authorizes the 
Secretary of Agriculture ``To develop and improve standards of quality, 
condition, quantity, grade, and packaging and recommend and demonstrate 
such standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in 
commercial practices * * *''. AMS is committed to carrying out this 
authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural 
commodities and make copies of official standards available upon 
request. The United States Standards for Grades of Canned Apples no 
longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations but are maintained by 
the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
    AMS is proposing to change the United States Standards for Grades 
of Canned Apples using the procedures it published in the August 13, 
1997, Federal Register and that appear in Part 36 of Title 7 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 36).
    AMS received petitions from Independent Food Processors Company of 
Sunnyside, Washington; and Snokist Growers of Yakima, Washington, 
requesting the revision of the United States Standards for Grades of 
Canned Apples. The two petitioners represent a significant part of the 
Pacific Northwest apple industry. The Pacific Northwest apple industry 
provides almost half of the apples produced domestically.\1\
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    \1\ Source--USDA, NASS, ASB.
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    The petitions request that the recommend drained weight of 96 
ounces for apples packed in No. 10 size cans, in the U.S. Standards for 
Grades of Canned Apples, is difficult to obtain and puts Pacific 
Northwest processors at an economic disadvantage in bidding for 
government and non-government contracts. The reasons given for this 
disparity are that the varietal types of apples and the growing 
conditions in the Northwest region are different from other apple 
producing regions around the country. The petitioners state that to 
meet the standard when packing certain varieties of apples, the cans 
are over-filled.
    This condition may cause damage to the sliced apples which may 
cause the slices to be graded as less than ``Grade A.'' To meet USDA 
requirements for drained weight, some processors may be required to put 
more product into the can, causing economic hardship, damage to the 
product, and sometimes loss of the integrity of the can seal. If the 
seal's integrity is lost during processing, the product's wholesomeness 
is jeopardized.
    The remedies recommended by the petitioners, though similar in 
purpose, are different. Snokist Growers of Yakima, Washington, 
recommends a reduction in the recommended drained weight for apples 
packed in No. 10 size cans, from 96 ounces to 92 ounces. Independent 
Food Processors Company of Sunnyside, Washington, recommends the 
elimination of the recommended drained weight for apples packed in No. 
10 size cans, from the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Apples. If 
that is not possible the petitioner recommends the incorporation of a 
``fill weight program'' in the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned 
Apples to ensure that the ``recommended fill of container'' requirement 
is met with a reduction in the recommended drained weight for apples 
packed in No. 10 size cans, from 96 ounces to 85 ounces.
    USDA has reviewed the petitions and data submitted, and has 
gathered additional information from relevant government agencies and 
industry sources including growers, processors, and buyers. Based on 
this information, USDA has found that there may be a disparity between 
the drained weights for canned apples from Pacific Northwest processors 
and those from other sections of the country. Though a variation in 
drained weights may exist, our review has shown that the difference is 
not great enough to warrant the changes to the Standards recommended by 
Independent Food Processors Company of Sunnyside, Washington.
    Based on these findings, the USDA has agreed with the 
recommendation from Snokist Growers of Yakima, Washington, and is 
proposing to lower the recommended drained weight for apples packed No. 
10 size cans, from 96 ounces to 92 ounces in the U.S. Standards for 
Grades of Canned Apples. This change would allow a more equitable 
marketing environment for the domestic canned apple industry.

[[Page 67327]]

    A 60-day comment period is provided for interested persons to 
comment on this change to the Standards.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: December 18, 1997.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-33590 Filed 12-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-M