[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 23662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11688]


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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 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 9, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 23662]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[FV-01-331]


United States Standards for Grades of Dried Figs

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to revise the 
United States Standards for Grades of Dried Figs. USDA has received a 
petition from a trade association to revise the current grade standards 
for dried figs by eliminating the present Grade ``A'' quality level and 
changing the present Grade ``B'' quality level to the new Grade ``A''. 
This proposal also would elevate the present Grade ``C'' quality level 
to a new Grade ``B'' level thus eliminating the Grade ``C'' designation 
from the United States Standards for Grades of Dried Figs. The existing 
grade level Substandard would remain the same. These changes have been 
requested by the industry in order to bring the standards for dried 
figs in line with the present quality levels being marketed today and 
provide guidance in the effective utilization of dried figs.

DATES: Comments may be submitted on or before July 9, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to: Lydia E. Berry, 
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 current United States Standards for Grades of Dried Figs, along 
with the proposed changes, are available either through the address 
cited above or by accessing AMS's Home Page on the Internet at: 
www.ams.usda.gov/standards/. Any comments received, regarding this 
proposed standard will also be posted on that site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lydia E. Berry at (202) 720-5021 or e-
mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, 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 revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Dried 
Figs using the procedures that appear in part 36 of Title 7 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).
    The California Fig Advisory Board requested that USDA should revise 
the United States Standards for Grades of Dried Figs. The Board 
provided information on style, sample size and descriptions to AMS to 
revise the standard. A series of meetings were held between 
representatives of the fig industry and AMS staff. The industry 
representatives arrived at a consensus and submitted a letter to AMS 
with the revisions they desired to be incorporated into the standard.
    Based on the submitted information, AMS is proposing to revise the 
standard for dried figs following the standard format for U.S. grade 
Standards. AMS is proposing to eliminate the present Grade ``A'' 
quality level and to change the present Grade ``B'' to the new Grade 
``A''. This proposal also will elevate the present Grade ``C'' quality 
level to a new Grade ``B'' quality level and thereby eliminate the 
present Grade ``C'' quality level. The existing grade level 
``Substandard'' will remain the same. This proposal would establish 
grade levels ``A'', ``B'' and ``Substandard'' and with corresponding 
score points assigned for each level. A proposed tolerance for each 
quality factor for each grade level would be established. These changes 
are proposed to bring the standard for dried figs in line with present 
quality levels being marketed today and provide guidance in the 
effective utilization of dried figs. The grade of a sample unit of 
dried figs is ascertained by considering the factors of varietal 
characteristics, size, moisture, and flavor and odor which are not 
scored; the ratings for the factors of color, uniformity of size, 
defects, and maturity and development, which are scored; the total 
score; and the limiting rules which apply. The grade of a lot of dried 
figs covered by these standards is 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 Sec. 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: May 3, 2001.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 01-11688 Filed 5-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P