[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 21908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10893]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 2, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 21908]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[FV-01-328]


United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Celery

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting 
comments on its proposal to create new United States Standards for 
Grades of Frozen Celery. USDA has received a petition from a grower of 
celery to create grade standards for frozen celery that will include a 
description of the product, style, sample unit size, grades, 
ascertaining the grade by sample, and ascertaining the grade by lot. 
This proposal will provide a common language for trade, a means of 
measuring value in the marketing of frozen celery, and provide guidance 
in the effective utilization of frozen celery.

DATES: Comments may be submitted on or before July 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to: Karen L. Kaufman, 
Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0247,1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0247; fax (202) 690-1087; 
or e-mail [email protected].
    Comments should reference the date and page 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 and on the Internet.
    The draft of the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen 
Celery available either through the address cited above or by accessing 
AMS's Home Page on the Internet at: www.ams.usda.gov/standards/frozveg.htm. Any comments received, regarding this proposed standard 
will also be posted on that site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen L. Kaufman at (202) 720-5021 or 
e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), as amended, 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 makes copies of official standards 
available upon request. The United States Standards for Grades of 
Fruits and Vegetables no longer appear in the Code of Federal 
Regulations but are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs.
    AMS is proposing to establish the U.S. Standards for Grades of 
Frozen Celery using the procedures that appear in Part 36 of Title 7 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 36).

Proposed by the Petitioner

    The petitioner, a grower of celery, requested that USDA develop a 
standard for frozen celery to be used by the industry. The petitioner 
provided information on style, sample size and description to AMS to 
develop the standard. AMS visited the petitioner's facility to collect 
information on grades of frozen celery and how to ascertain the grade 
of a sample and of a lot.
    AMS prepared a discussion draft of the frozen celery standard, and 
distributed copies for input to the petitioner, the American Frozen 
Food Institute (AFFI), and the National Food Processors Association 
(NFPA). Input from the above groups was used to develop the proposed 
standard.

Proposed by Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS

    Based on the results of the information gathered, AMS is proposing 
to establish a standard for frozen celery following the standard format 
for U.S. Grade Standards. AMS is proposing to define ``frozen celery'' 
and establish ``sliced'' and ``diced as the style designations. The 
proposal will also define the quality factors that affect frozen celery 
and determine sample unit sizes for this commodity.
    This proposal will establish the grade levels ``A'', ``B'' and 
``Substandard'' and assign the corresponding score points for each 
level. The proposed tolerance for each quality factor as defined for 
each grade level will be established.
    The grade of a sample unit of frozen celery will be ascertained by 
considering the factors of varietal characteristics and flavor and odor 
which are not scored; the ratings for the factors of color, defects, 
and character, which are scored; the total score; and the limiting 
rules which apply. This proposal will provide a common language for 
trade, a means of measuring value in the marketing of frozen celery, 
and provide guidance in the effective utilization of frozen celery. The 
official grade of a lot of frozen celery covered by these standards 
will be determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations 
Governing Inspection and Certification of Processed Products Thereof, 
and Certain Other Processed Foods Products (Sec. 52.1 to 52.83).
    This notice provides for a 60 day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on changes to the standards.

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

    Dated: April 25, 2001.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10893 Filed 5-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P