[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 40857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15282]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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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. 69, No. 129 / Wednesday, July 7, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 40857]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. FV-04-326]


United States Standards For Grades of Canned Refried Beans

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking 
additional research and other work associated with the establishment of 
an official grade standard, is soliciting comments on the petition to 
establish United States Standards for Grades of Refried Beans. AMS 
received a petition from the National Food Processors Association 
(NFPA) to create grade standards for refried beans that would include a 
description of the product, style, sample unit size, grades, 
designation of grade levels by sample unit and by lot. This proposed 
standard would provide a common language for trade, a means of 
measuring value in the marketing of canned refried beans, and provide 
guidance in the effective utilization of canned refried beans.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 7, 2004.

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] or http://www.regulations.gov. 
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 above during regular business 
hours and on the Internet. A copy of the petition from NFPA requesting 
the establishment of grade standards for Canned Refried Beans is 
available either through the address cited above or by accessing AMS's 
Web site on the Internet at: http://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, 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].

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 makes copies of official standards 
available upon request. Those United States Standards for Grades of 
Fruits and Vegetables that no longer appear in the Code of Federal 
Regulations are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable Programs. 
AMS has been asked to establish the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned 
Refried Beans using the procedures that appear in part 36, title 7 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). NFPA has requested the 
development of a standard for canned refried beans to be used by the 
industry. The petition provided information on style, sample size and 
description to develop the standard and AMS received samples of various 
styles to collect information on canned refried beans. The petition 
requests the establishment of a standard that would define ``Canned 
Refried Beans'' and establish three styles, designated as ``Refried 
Beans with Lard,'' ``Refried Beans with Vegetable Oil (Vegetarian)'' 
and ``Fat Free Refried Beans.'' It would also establish three types of 
canned refried beans, based on the ``whole bean-to-bean paste ratio'', 
designated as ``Type I'', ``Type II'' and ``Type III.'' The petition 
also requests that quality factors that affect canned refried beans to 
be designated as ``Color,'' ``Absence of Defects,'' ``Consistency,'' 
and ``Flavor and Odor.'' The requested standard would also establish 
the grade levels ``A,'' ``B,'' and ``Substandard,'' and assign the 
corresponding score points for each level. This proposed standard would 
provide a common language for trade, a means of measuring value in the 
marketing of canned refried beans, and provide guidance in the 
effective utilization of canned refried beans.

Agricultural Marketing Service

    Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a new standard, AMS 
is soliciting for comments on the petition submitted to establish 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Refried Beans.
    This notice provides a 60 day comment period for interested parties 
to comment on the petition to develop the standard. Should AMS conclude 
that the standards are needed, the Agency will develop a proposed 
standard that will be published in the Federal Register with a request 
for comments in accordance with 7 CFR part 36.

    Dated: June 30, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15282 Filed 7-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P