[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58430-58431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29113]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[FV-02-334]


United States Standards for Grades of Apple Juice From 
Concentrate

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 Apple Juice from Concentrate. USDA has received a petition 
from a major association to create grade standards for apple juice from 
concentrate that will include a description of the product, style, 
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 apple juice from concentrate, and 
provide guidance in the effective utilization of apple juice from 
concentrate.

DATES: Comments may be submitted on or before January 22, 2002.

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

[[Page 58431]]

above during regular business hours and on the Internet.
    The draft of the United States Standards for Grades Apple Juice 
from Concentrate is available either through the address cited above or 
by accessing the AMS Home Page on the Internet at: www.ams.usda.gov.fv/
ppb.html. 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 (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 make 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 
Apple Juice from Concentrate using the procedures that appear in part 
36 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).
    On May 28, 1996, Processed Apples Institute, Inc., an association 
of producers of processed apple products, requested that USDA develop a 
standard for apple juice from concentrate to be used by the industry. 
The petitioner provided information on style, and descriptions to AMS 
to develop the standard.
    After researching the issue, AMS prepared a discussion draft of the 
apple juice from concentrate standard, and distributed copies for input 
to the petitioner, and the National Food Processors Association (NFPA). 
Input from the above groups was used to develop the proposed standard.
    Based on the results of the information gathered, AMS is proposing 
to establish a standard for apple juice from concentrate following the 
standard format for U.S. Grade Standards. AMS is proposing to define 
``apple juice from concentrate'' and establish ``clear'' and ``cloudy'' 
as the style designations. The proposal will also define the quality 
factors that affect apple juice from concentrate such as ``color,'' 
``defects'' and ``flavor.''
    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 also be established.
    The grade of a sample unit of apple juice from concentrate will be 
ascertained by considering the ratings for the factors of absence of 
defects, color and clarity, and flavor and aroma, 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 apple juice from concentrate, and provide guidance in the 
effective utilization of apple juice from concentrate. The official 
grade of a lot of apple juice from concentrate 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 (7 CFR 
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: November 15, 2001.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29113 Filed 11-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P