[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 122 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35572-35573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14544]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-04-309]


United States Standards for Grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes

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 a possible revision to revise the 
United States Standards for Grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes. At a 
meeting in 2003 of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, 
AMS was asked to review all the fresh fruit and vegetable grade 
standards for usefulness in serving the industry and identify 
commodities that may be better served if the grade standards were 
revised. As a result, AMS has noted that the color, as well as the 
juice content requirements in the lime grade standards are complex and 
difficult to apply. Additionally, AMS is seeking comments regarding any 
other revisions of the grade standards that may be necessary to better 
serve industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 24, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
the Standardization Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 1661 South Building, 
Stop 0240, Washington, DC 20250-0240, fax (202) 720-8871, e-mail 
[email protected] or comments may be sent electronically to the 
Federal eRulemaking portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. Comments 
should make reference to the dates and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register and will be made available for

[[Page 35573]]

public inspection in the above office during regular business hours. 
The United States Standards for Grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes are 
available either through the address cited above or by accessing the 
Fresh Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Priester, at the above 
address or call (202) 720-2185, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    At a meeting in 2003 of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory 
Committee, AMS was asked to review all the fresh fruit and vegetable 
grade standards for usefulness in serving the industry and to identify 
commodities that may be better served if the grade standards were 
revised. AMS has identified the U.S. Standards for Grades of Persian 
(Tahiti) Limes for possible revision. The current grade standards were 
last revised in 1958. AMS identified the color requirements in all the 
U.S. lime grades as being complex, and the juice content requirement of 
the U.S. No. 1 grade as being difficult to apply. There are color 
requirements for U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2 grades, requiring three-
fourths and one-half of the surface good green color respectively. The 
U.S. No. 1 grade, U.S. No. 2 grade and U.S. Combination grades may be 
further qualified to describe the color by adding the terms ``Turning'' 
or ``Mixed Color'' after the grade, i.e., ``U.S. No. 2 Mixed Color.''
    The U.S. No. 1 grade requires a juice content of not less than 42 
percent by volume of the limes. To determine juice content it is 
necessary to measure the volume of a sample, then squeeze the juice 
from the sample and calculate the percentage of juice in the sample.
    Both the color and juice content requirements have been in the 
grade standards for years, however, they are complex and cumbersome to 
determine. Therefore, AMS believes that changing these requirements is 
warranted to better serve the industry. However, prior to undertaking 
detailed work to develop the proposed standards for Persian (Tahiti) 
Limes, AMS is soliciting comments on the possible revision of the 
standards for grades of Persian (Tahiti) Limes and the probable impact 
on distributors, processors, and growers. Additionally, AMS is seeking 
comments regarding any other revisions that may be necessary to better 
serve the industry.
    This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on the revision of the standards. Should AMS 
conclude that there is a need for the revision of the standards, the 
proposed revision 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: June 22, 2004.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14544 Filed 6-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P