[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30366-30367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8102]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-06-307]


United States Standards for Grades of Mushrooms

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 official grade 
standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revisions of the 
United States Standards for Grades of Mushrooms. At a meeting with the 
Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, AMS was asked to 
review the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness in 
serving the industry. As a result, AMS has identified the United States 
Standards for Grades of Mushrooms for possible revision.
    AMS is considering proposed revisions that would allow the 
standards to be used for open veil types of mushrooms, include small, 
medium, and large size classifications for open veil types of 
mushrooms; revise the current size classifications (small to medium and 
large) as well as an addition of a button and jumbo size for the closed 
veil types of mushrooms; and eliminate the unclassified category. AMS 
is seeking comments regarding these changes as well as any other 
revisions that may be necessary to better serve the industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 25, 2006.

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]. Comments should make reference to the dates 
and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made 
available for public inspection in the above office during regular 
business hours. The United States Standards for Grades of Mushrooms are 
available either at the above address or by accessing the AMS, Fresh 
Products Branch Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/stanfrfv.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L. Emery, at the above address 
or call (202) 720-2185; 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. AMS makes copies of official standards 
available upon request. The United States Standards for Grades of 
Fruits and Vegetables not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or 
U.S. Import Requirements no longer appear in the Code of Federal 
Regulations, but are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs.
    AMS is considering revisions to the voluntary United States 
Standards for Grades of Mushrooms using procedures that appear in Part 
36, Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These 
standards were last revised on July 15, 1966.

Background

    At a meeting with the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory 
Committee, AMS was asked to review the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade 
standards for usefulness in serving the industry. AMS has identified 
the United States Standards for Grades of Mushrooms for possible 
revision. Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop the proposed 
revisions to the standards, AMS is soliciting comments on the proposed 
revisions and any other comments on the United States Standards for 
Grades of Mushrooms to better serve the industry.
    AMS is considering revising the requirement to be free from open 
veils to read ``Additionally, closed veil types shall be free from open 
veils.'' AMS is also considering revising the definition of mature to 
read ``Mature means that the mushroom is firm and well developed; for 
closed veil types the veil area may be stretched but not broken.'' 
Unlike the current standards, these proposed revisions would allow the 
standards to be used for open veil types of mushrooms.
    Additionally, AMS is considering revising the size section from its 
current classifications of small to medium (up to 1\5/8\ inches in 
diameter) and large (over 1\5/8\ inches in diameter) to incorporate 
current size classifications being used by industry for closed veil 
types of mushrooms, and add size classifications for open veil types of 
mushrooms. The size classifications for closed veil types of mushrooms 
would be: Button mushrooms shall be less than 1\1/4\ inches in 
diameter, medium mushrooms shall be 1\1/4\ inches to less than 2 inches 
in diameter, large mushrooms shall be 2 inches to less than 2\3/4\ 
inches in diameter, and jumbo mushrooms shall be 2\3/4\ inches in 
diameter and larger. The proposed size classifications for open veil 
types of mushrooms are: Small mushrooms shall be less than 3 inches in 
diameter, medium mushrooms shall be 3 inches to less than 4 inches in 
diameter, and large mushrooms shall be 4 inches in diameter and larger. 
AMS also would eliminate the unclassified category. This section is 
being removed in all standards, when they are revised. This category is 
not a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to 
the lot. It is no longer considered necessary. These revisions would 
bring the standards for mushrooms in line with current marketing 
practices, thereby improving the usefulness in serving the industry.
    This notice provides for a 60-day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on the proposed changes to the United States 
Standards for Grades of Mushrooms. Should AMS conclude that revisions 
are needed, it will develop a proposed revised standard that will be 
published in the Federal

[[Page 30367]]

Register with a request for comments in accordance with 7 CFR part 36.

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

    Dated: May 22, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-8102 Filed 5-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P