[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 87 (Monday, May 6, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30354-30355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11156]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


United States Standards for Lentils

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice with opportunity to comment.

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SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
(GIPSA) is proposing to revise the United States Standards for Lentils 
to modify the definitions for ``good'' and ``fair'' color lentils; 
establish an additional color factor and definition, ``poor color 
lentils;'' establish a new grading factor, ``contrasting lentils;'' and 
expand the definition of damaged lentils to include ``immature 
lentils.'' These changes are being made at the request of the lentil 
industry in order to improve the usability of the United States 
Standards for Lentils.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 30, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Written comments must be submitted to Tess Butler, USDA, 
GIPSA, STOP 3604, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-
3604; faxed to (202) 690-2755, or 
e-mail: [email protected].
    All comments received will be made available for public inspection 
at the above address during regular business hours (8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.).
    The current United States Standards for Lentils, along with the 
proposed changes, are available either through the above addresses or 
by accessing GIPSA's Home Page on the Internet at: www.usda.gov/gipsa/reference-library/standards/stds.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Giler, Chief, Policies and 
Procedures Branch, USDA, GIPSA, Stop 3604, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-3632; telephone (202) 720-0252; or e-mail to: 
[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. * * *'' GIPSA is committed to carrying out this 
authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural 
commodities. The United States Standards for Lentils do not appear in 
the Code of Federal Regulations but are maintained by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture.
    GIPSA is proposing to change the United States Standards for 
Lentils using the procedures it published in the Federal Register on 
February 13, 1997 (62 FR 6705). Specifically, GIPSA is proposing to 
better define current color requirements; establish a new color 
requirement; expand the definition of damaged lentils; and include a 
new factor, ``contrasting lentils.''
    GIPSA representatives work closely with the U.S.A. Dry Pea and 
Lentil Council (USADPLC) and others in the lentil industry to examine 
the effectiveness of the U.S. Standards for Lentils in today's 
marketing environment. Through discussions, it appears that most of the 
current standards continue to meet consumer/processor needs. However, 
changing market trends demand that certain changes be made pertaining 
to the acceptable appearance of the lentils.
    At the request of the lentil industry, GIPSA is proposing these 
changes be implemented by July 1, 2002, in order to be in place before 
harvest of the lentil crop year.

Lentil Color

    The U.S. Standards for Lentils characterize lentil color as being 
``good lentil color'' which is the minimum color requirement for U.S. 
No. 1 and ``fair lentil color'' which is the minimum color requirement 
for U.S. Nos. 2 and 3. However, the current written descriptions for 
these characterizations and the absence of any visual reference aids 
may cause confusion concerning the applications of color. Due to the 
economic significance general appearance (color) has for processors and 
end-users, GIPSA and the USADPLC worked together to more clearly define 
the terms used to describe lentil color and to create visual references 
that aid in the consistent applications of color.
    The current definition of good lentil color is ``Lentil that in 
mass are practically free from discoloration and have the natural color 
appearance characteristics of the predominating class.'' The proposed 
definition is ``Lentils that are practically free from discoloration 
and have the uniform natural color and appearance characteristics of 
the predominating lentil type.'' The current definition of fair color 
lentils is ``Lentils that are not of good color.'' The proposed 
definition is ``Lentils that are lightly to moderately discolored from 
storage or other causes to the extent they cannot be considered of good 
color.''
    Also, the existing lentil color characterizations, ``good'' and 
``fair,'' do not sufficiently address the color degradation process and 
all possible degrees of color. Samples that are marginally discolored 
and those which are significantly discolored are both considered to be 
of ``fair lentil color.'' Accordingly, GIPSA and the USADPLC 
established visual reference standards to distinguish between three-
color categories: good, fair, and poor. The proposed definition for 
poor lentil color is: ``Lentil that are severely discolored from 
storage or other causes to the extent they cannot be considered of fair 
color.''

[[Page 30355]]

    The addition of ``poor lentil color'' to the Standards, the 
clarification of the definitions for ``good color lentils'' and ``fair 
color lentils,'' and the establishment of visual aids for these colors 
will result in a more uniform and consistent application of the 
Standards. While ``good'' and ``fair'' will continue to serve as the 
minimum color standard for U.S. Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, samples 
considered to be of ``poor lentil color'' will receive no better than a 
U.S. No. 3 grade designation. This will assist in moving the U.S. 
lentil market towards fewer quality complaints.
    Also, the establishment of visual aid standards will provide the 
platform for the development of computer imaging technology for 
determining color classifications. Imaging technology eliminates 
certain variables in the inspection process and can provide the most 
uniform color classifications on a national level. This type of 
technology is crucial for the U.S. lentil market in becoming more 
competitive in the world market.

Immature Lentils

    Lentils, like many other field crops, are occasionally harvested 
before all lentils have reached full maturity. These under-filled, 
often disfigured, lentils have less market value than fully matured 
lentils. To address this marketing concern, GIPSA decided to revise the 
lentil standards to expand the definition of ``Damaged Lentils'' to 
include ``Immature Lentils.''
    The current definition of damaged lentils is: ``Whole and pieces of 
lentils which are distinctly damaged by frost, weather, disease, heat 
(other that to a material extent), or other causes, except weevil or 
material heat damage, or are distinctly soiled or stained by 
nightshade, dirt, or toxic material.'' The proposed definition is: 
``Whole and pieces of lentils which are distinctly damaged by frost, 
weather, disease, heat (other that to a material extent), immaturity, 
or other causes, except weevil or material heat damage, or are 
distinctly soiled or stained by nightshade, dirt, or toxic material.''
    The proposed definition for immature lentils is: ``Immature 
Lentils. Lentils that do not have a traditional lens-shaped profile due 
to immaturity. Immature lentils are characterized as having a thin or 
flat (wafer-like), wrinkled, and misshapen appearance. Lentils may also 
be discolored.''
    GIPSA conducted a crop survey in 2001 which revealed that over 70 
percent of the samples reviewed showed no measurable amount of immature 
lentils and all samples had less than 1 percent (the limit for U.S. No. 
1 is 2.0 percent) defective lentils. Based on these results, the 
proposed definition would have no impact on grade. Further, the 
following statement will appear in the Pea and Lentil Handbook as an 
interpretive aid for determining when a lentil is considered immature. 
``All three conditions (thin, wrinkled, and misshapen) must be present 
for an inspector to consider a lentil an immature lentil.''

Contrasting Lentils

    The terms good, fair, and poor lentil color are not intended to 
address the different sizes and colors associated with the lentil types 
and varieties produced in the U.S. The possible introduction of 
distinctively different lentils is a concern to those marketing 
lentils. Accordingly, a new factor, ``contrasting lentils,'' is being 
introduced into the standards.
    Introducing contrasting lentils as a new factor discourages the 
blending of different lentil types by focusing on inherently and 
noticeably different sizes and color. Additionally, it provides the 
processor a standard for the lentils that are consistent in size and 
color.
    The proposed definition for contrasting lentils is: ``Lentils that 
differ substantially in size or color from the predominating lentil 
type.'' In addition, the following statement will appear in the Pea and 
Lentil Handbook as an interpretive aid: ``Color, as used in this 
definition, is limited to the lentil's natural seed coat color and 
excludes the mottling that may be present on some seed coats.''
    The proposed maximum limit for contrasting lentils for U.S. No. 1 
is 2.0 percent, and the proposed maximum limit for U.S. No. 2 is 4.0 
percent. Lentils containing more than 4.0 percent contrasting lentils 
will be graded U.S. No. 3.
    These proposed standard changes were recommended to us and reviewed 
by the affected trade. Therefore, GIPSA is publishing these proposed 
standard changes with a 30 day comment period which will provide a 
sufficient amount of time for interested persons to comment on changes 
to the standards.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 et.seq.

    Dated: April 30, 2002.
Donna Reifschneider,
Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-11156 Filed 5-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P