[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 200 (Monday, October 17, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26045]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 200 / Monday, October 17, 2011 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 64001]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 52

[Document Number AMS-FV-07-0100, FV-11-327]


United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notification.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) has revised the United States Standards for Grades 
of Frozen Okra. The grade standards for frozen okra have been changed 
from a ``variables score point'' system to an ``individual attributes'' 
grading system. The ``dual grade nomenclature'' has been replaced with 
single letter grade designations and editorial changes were made. These 
changes bring the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra in 
line with the present quality levels being marketed today and provide 
guidance in the effective utilization of frozen okra.

DATES: Effective Date: November 16, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian E. Griffin, Inspection and 
Standardization Branch, Processed Products Division, 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; or Internet: 
http://www.regulations.gov. The United States Standards for Grades of 
Frozen Okra are available through the address cited above and on the 
AMS Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/processedinspection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, 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 grade standards available upon request. Those voluntary 
United States Standards for Grades of Fruits and Vegetables no longer 
appear in the Code of Federal Regulations, 7 CFR part 52, but are 
maintained by USDA, AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs. AMS is revising 
the U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Okra using the procedures that 
appear in part 36 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR 
part 36).

Background

    AMS received a petition from the American Frozen Food Institute 
(AFFI) requesting the revision of the United States Standards for 
Grades of Frozen Okra. The petitioners represent almost all of the 
processors of frozen okra in the United States. The grade standards 
were based on the variable score points grading system.
    Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with 
revising the grade standards, AMS sought public comments on the 
petition (see 64 FR 52266). A notice requesting additional comments on 
the proposed revision to the United States Standards for Grades of 
Frozen Okra was published in the December 12, 2007, Federal Register 
(72 FR 70565). At the request of AFFI, a notice reopening and extending 
the comment period was published in the May 16, 2008, Federal Register 
(73 FR 28424). A 60 day period was provided for interested persons to 
submit comments on the proposed grade standards. Several discussion 
drafts circulated between September 2008 and February 2011. A request 
for comment on the proposed revised United States Standards for Grades 
of Frozen Okra was published in the June 2, 2011 Federal Register (76 
FR 31887). No comments were received in regard to this request.
    The revision of the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen 
Okra provides common language for trade and better reflects the current 
marketing of frozen okra. The official grade of a lot of frozen okra 
covered by these grade standards is determined by the procedures set 
forth in the ``Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification of 
Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed Food Products 
(Sec.  52.1 to 52.83).''

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

    Dated: October 4, 2011.
David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-26045 Filed 10-14-11; 8:45 am]
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