[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 141 (Friday, July 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43141-43142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18085]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Document Number AMS--FV-09-0028, FV-09-327]


United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Vegetables

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 to eighteen 
U.S. grade standards for frozen vegetables issued on or before July 22, 
1985. AMS annually reviews its processed fruit and vegetable grade 
standards for suitability and has identified eighteen grade standards 
for frozen vegetables for possible revision.
    AMS is considering replacing the two term system with a single term 
to describe each quality level for the grade standards identified in 
this notice. The term using the letter grade would be retained, and the 
descriptive term would be eliminated. For example, grade standards 
using the term ``U.S. Grade A'' or ``U.S. Fancy'' would be revised to 
use the single term ``U.S. Grade A'' and the terms ``U.S. Grade B'' or 
``U.S. Extra Standard'' would be revised to use the single term ``U.S. 
Grade B.'' In addition miscellaneous changes would be made to update a 
number of references to licensed supplier addresses and incorporate 
updated terminology that reflects current marketing practices.
    AMS is seeking comments regarding these changes as well as any 
other possible revisions that may be necessary to better serve the 
industry.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 21, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or to Lydia E. Berry, 
Inspection and Standardization Section, Processed Products Branch, 
Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 0709 South 
Building, STOP 0247, Washington, DC 20250-0247; phone: (202) 720-5021; 
fax: (202) 690-1527. Comments should make reference to the date and 
page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made 
available for public inspection at the above office during regular 
business hours. Please be advised that all comments submitted in 
response to this notice will be included in the record and will be made 
available to the public on the Internet via http://www.regulations.gov. 
Also, the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the 
comments will be made public. The U.S. grade standards for frozen 
vegetables identified in this notice are available either at the above 
address or by accessing the AMS Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/processedinspection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lydia E. Berry, at the above address, 
by phone at 202-720-5021, or by 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. The U.S. standards for frozen 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 
AMS and are available on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/processedinspection.
    AMS is considering revisions to these voluntary U.S. grade 
standards using procedures that appear in part 36, title 7 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background

    AMS periodically reviews the processed fruit and vegetable grade 
standards for usefulness in serving the industry. AMS has identified 
eighteen grade standards covering various frozen vegetables for 
possible revision. Prior to undertaking detailed work developing the 
proposed revisions to these grade standards, AMS is soliciting comments 
on the possible changes and any other comments regarding these grade 
standards to better serve the industry.
    More recently developed grade standards use a single term, such as 
``U.S. Grade A'' or ``U.S. Grade B'' to describe each level of quality 
within a grade standard. Older standards used a dual system, such as 
``U.S. Grade A'' and ``U.S. Fancy'' to describe the same level of 
quality within a grade standard.
    For the grade standards in the table below, AMS is requesting 
comments on replacing the two term system of naming levels of quality 
with single letter grade designations. The terms ``U.S. Fancy'', ``U.S. 
Extra Standard'', and ``U.S. Standard'' would be removed and the terms 
``U.S. Grade A,'' ``U.S. Grade B,'' and ``U.S. Grade C,'' would be used 
exclusively. These changes would conform to recent changes in other 
grade standards. AMS is also proposing editorial changes to these grade 
standards, providing updated addresses to obtain copies of the grade 
standards, and to remove specific addresses for licensed suppliers of 
color standards and inspection aids, and incorporate updated 
terminology that reflects current marketing practices. Contact 
information for current licensed suppliers is available on the Internet 
on the PPB Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/processedinspection. 
These revisions will provide a format consistent with recent revisions 
of other grade standards. The following table summarizes the changes 
currently under consideration by AMS.

[[Page 43142]]



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                                                                    Change level of quality
  U.S. standards for grades of frozen         Effective date         designation to single                     Other revisions proposed
                                                                              term
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Asparagus.............................  June 30, 1974............  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
Lima Beans............................  May 22, 1957.............  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
                                                                                              Remove address for color standard and
                                                                                              inspection aid licensed supplier.
Speckled Butter (Lima) Beans..........  July 21, 1962............  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
Carrots...............................  February 28, 1974........  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
                                                                                              Update terminology.
Corn, Whole Kernel....................  August 1, 1952...........  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
                                                                                              Update terminology.
Corn on the Cob.......................  July 27, 1970............  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
                                                                                              Update terminology.
Onion Rings, Breaded..................  October 17, 1959.........  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
                                                                                              Update terminology.
Peas..................................  May 28, 1959.............  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
                                                                                              Update terminology.
Peas and Carrots......................  March 20, 1955...........  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
Peppers, Sweet........................  March 13, 1959...........  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
                                                                                              Update terminology.
Potatoes, French Fried................  February 8, 1967.........  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
                                                                                              Remove address for color standard and inspection aid
                                                                                               licensed supplier.
                                                                                              Update terminology.
Squash (Cooked).......................  October 15, 1953.........  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
Squash (Summer).......................  April 3, 1953............  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
Succotash.............................  March 6, 1959............  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
                                                                                              Update terminology.
Sweet Potatoes........................  September 4, 1962........  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
Tomato Juice, Tomato Juice from         July 22, 1985............  No--Single terms           Update address for standards.
 Concentrate.                                                       currently used.           Remove address for color standard and inspection aid
                                                                                               licensed supplier.
Turnip Greens with Turnips............  August 15, 1958..........  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
Vegetables, Mixed.....................  May 24, 1954.............  Yes......................  Update address for standards.
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    This notice provides for a 60-day period for interested parties to 
comment on the changes under consideration by AMS as well as any 
additional changes to the standards. Should AMS conclude that there is 
a need for any revisions of the grade standards; the proposed revisions 
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: July 20, 2010.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-18085 Filed 7-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P