[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 34764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16451]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[PY-99-005]


United States Grade Standards for Shell Eggs

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting 
comments on its proposal to change the United States Grade Standards 
for Shell Eggs. Specifically, AMS proposes to delete the general term 
``Inedible eggs'' and its definition, revise the definition of the 
general term ``Loss'' eggs by including examples of inedible eggs, 
revise the term descriptive of an A quality white, and delete 
specifications for packaging materials. These changes would simplify 
and clarify the terminology used and would remove information that is 
no longer of value to the industry.
    The current United States Grade Standards for Shell Eggs, along 
with the proposed changes, are available by contacting the address 
below or by visiting the AMS Internet site at: www.ams.usda.gov/
poultry/standards.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 30, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Douglas C. Bailey, Chief, 
Standardization Branch, Poultry Programs, AMS, USDA, Room 3944-South 
Bldg., STOP 0259, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-
0259. Comments may also be faxed to (202) 690-0941.
    State that your comments refer to Notice number PY-99-005 and 
include the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register.
    Comments received may be inspected at the above location between 
8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except 
holidays. Comments will also be posted on the Internet at 
www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/standards.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas C. Bailey at (202) 720-3506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 
(AMA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) authorizes the establishment 
of U.S. standards and grades for shell eggs. These standards and grades 
are maintained by AMS for use as a common language of trade among those 
buying and selling shell eggs. The standards are used by shell egg 
processors, wholesale traders, institutions, Federal and State 
governments, and retailers that sell eggs to the ultimate consumer. AMS 
also administers a voluntary grading program for shell eggs under the 
AMA. Any interested person, commercial firm, or government agency can, 
for a fee, have AMS monitor processing operations and verify that the 
grade and size of eggs being packaged meet the requirements of the U.S. 
grade standards and weight classes. Eggs meeting the requirements can 
be packaged into cartons or other containers bearing the USDA grade 
shield.
    Currently, the definition of ``Loss'' eggs includes inedible eggs. 
There is also a separate definition for ``Inedible eggs'' that includes 
examples of such eggs. When applying the grade tolerances of the 
standard, there is no need to separately identify inedible eggs from 
loss eggs. Therefore, AMS proposes to delete the general term 
``Inedible eggs'' and to add the examples of inedible eggs to the 
definition of ``Loss'' eggs. This would clarify that eggs with rots, 
green whites, stuck yolks, blood rings, or free yolk in the white are 
to be classed as ``Loss'' eggs when applying grade tolerances.
    Candling is the process of using light to help determine the 
quality of an egg. Automated mass scanning equipment is used by most 
egg packers to detect eggs with cracked shells and interior defects. 
Hand-candling is done to spot-check and determine accuracy in grading. 
The breakout method of determining interior quality enables graders and 
students to calibrate their grading skills against an objective 
standard. In this method, a micrometer measures the height of the thick 
white of a broken-out egg and gives a direct reading in Haugh units. 
Currently, there is a Haugh unit range of ``60 to 72'' for A quality 
and ``72 or higher'' for AA quality. Because these values appear to 
overlap, AMS proposes to revise the description for A quality to read 
``60 up to, but not including, 72.'' This would clarify the wording and 
make it consistent with the intent of the description.
    Specifications for packaging materials are provided as examples of 
quality packaging, but do not appear to be of any recognized value to 
today's industry. Therefore, AMS is proposing to delete this section 
entirely.
    The complete text of the proposed revisions to the grade standards 
can be obtained from the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/
standards. A copy can also be obtained by writing to the address above, 
calling (202) 720-3506, faxing (202) 690-0641, or e-mailing 
Douglas.B[email protected].

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

    Dated: June 23, 1999.
Enrique E. Figueroa,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 99-16451 Filed 6-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P