[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 11802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5845]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket  FV-03-331]


United States Standards for Grades of Canned Sweet Potatoes

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 Canned Sweet Potatoes. AMS received two 
petitions from food processors asking USDA to consider revising the 
current definition for the style of ``Whole'' in the U.S. Grade 
Standard for Canned Sweet Potatoes.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 12, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this notice. Comments must be sent to Chere L. Shorter, 
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 
Canned Sweet Potatoes is available either through the address cited 
above or by accessing the AMS Web site on the Internet at-http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ppb.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    AMS received two petitions from food processors requesting the 
revision of the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Sweet 
Potatoes.
    The petitioners are requesting the USDA to revise the definition of 
the style of ``Whole'' to reflect newer varieties, new sorting 
techniques, and canning processes. The ``Beauregard'' variety, a new 
variety widely used in canned sweet potatoes is oddly shaped and must 
be cut and trimmed to give the appearance of a whole sweet potato. This 
variety may or may not be tapered on one end and because of mechanical 
trimming, may not meet the definition of whole.
    The current definition for the style of ``Whole'' states, ``Whole 
means the canned sweet potatoes have the appearance of being 
essentially whole or almost whole in that the units retain the 
approximate shape of whole sweet potatoes.''
    The petitioners want to revise the definition for canned whole 
sweet potatoes to allow for those that are cylindrical in shape, two 
inches plus or minus 0.5 inches in length, by 1.5 inches plus or minus 
.25 inches in diameter for 404 times 307 and 603 times 700 can sizes 
and 1.0 inch plus or minus 0.25 inches in diameter for smaller can 
sizes.
    The petitioners believe changing the standard will promote 
uniformity in the grading of canned whole sweet potatoes. A copy of the 
petitioners' requests are located on the AMS Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ppb.html.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a proposed revised 
standard AMS is soliciting comments on the petitions to revise the 
standard for Grades of Canned Sweet Potatoes. In particular, AMS would 
welcome comments and information regarding the likely utility of a 
revised definition for style of ``whole'' in the standard for canned 
sweet potatoes 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 need for the change in the standard, the revised standard 
will be published in the Federal Register with a request for comments 
in accordance with 7 CFR Part 36.

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

    Dated: March 6, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-5845 Filed 3-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P