[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 111 (Monday, June 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 39671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14454]


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 Notices
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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. 67, No. 111 / Monday, June 10, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 39671]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number: FV-02-336]


United States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit Juice

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking 
research and other work associated with revising an official grade 
standard, is soliciting comments on the petition to change the United 
States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit Juice. AMS received a 
petition from the Indian River Citrus League asking USDA to consider 
replacing the current Grade ``A'' minimum standard with content of 
proposed the Florida Department of Citrus ``Gold Standard''.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 9, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice. Comments must be sent to Karen L. Kaufman, 
Standardization Section, Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 0709, South Building; 
STOP 0247, Washington, DC 20250; Fax (202) 690-1527, e-mail 
[email protected]. The United States Standards for Grades of 
Grapefruit Juice is available either through the address cited above or 
by accessing the AMS Home Page on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ppb.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    AMS received a petition from Indian River Citrus League requesting 
the revision of the United States Standards for Grades of Grapefruit 
Juice. The standards are established under the authority of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627). The petitioner 
represents growers on Florida's East Coast, along the Indian River 
called the Indian River District. Only grapefruit grown in this area 
can be labeled `Indian River Grapefruit'.
    The petitioner is requesting that USDA replace the current Grade 
``A'' minimum standards with the content of the ``Gold Standard'' as 
proposed by the Florida Department of Citrus. The ``Gold Standard'' 
proposes that grapefruit juice have the following analytical 
requirements: Brix: minimum 9.5 deg., and a maximum 10.7 deg.; Acid: 
minimum 0.85, maximum 1.20; Brix/Acid Ratio: minimum 9.0:1, maximum 
11.0:1; and Limonin (ppm): minimum 3.5, maximum 5.5; Naringin (ppm) 
minimum 300, maximum 650.
    The standard for grapefruit (unsweetened) juice is based on score 
points for Grade ``A'' and ``B''. The quality factors scored are for 
color, defects and flavor. Analytical factors for Grade ``A'' Brix: 
minimum 9.0 deg.; Brix/Acid ratio: minimum 8.0:1, maximum 14.0:1; free 
and suspended pulp (percent by volume): maximum 10 and recoverable oil 
(percent by volume): .020.
    The petitioner believes changing the standard will improve the 
quality of grapefruit juice produced, therefore increasing overall 
consumption.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposed revised 
standard AMS is soliciting for comment on the petition submitted by the 
Indian River Citrus League to change the standard for Grades of 
Grapefruit Juice. In particular, AMS would welcome comments and 
information regarding the likely utility of a new grade standard for 
grapefruit juice and the probable impact on consumers, processors, and 
growers.
    This notice provides for a 60 day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on changes to the standard. Should AMS conclude that 
there is a substantial interest in the proposal, the Agency will 
develop a proposed new standard that will be published in the Federal 
Register with a request for comments in accordance with 7 CFR Part 36.

    Dated: June 4, 2002.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 02-14454 Filed 6-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P