[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 6772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3027]


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 Notices
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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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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 27 / Thursday, February 9, 2012 / 
Notices  

[[Page 6772]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc.  AMS-FV-10-0047]


United States Standards for Grades of Cauliflower

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting comments on the proposed revision to 
the United States Standards for Grades of Cauliflower. AMS is reviewing 
all fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards for usefulness in serving 
the industry. As a result, AMS has noted the current U.S. grade 
standards do not have provisions for grading purple, orange or green 
cauliflower. The proposed revision will amend the color requirement for 
curds to allow all colors of cauliflower to be certified to a U.S. 
grade. In addition, AMS proposes to permit mixed color packs, heads 
less than 4 inches in diameter, and to remove the unclassified section.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
the Standardization and Training Branch, Fresh Products Division, Fruit 
and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, National Training and Development Center, Riverside 
Business Park, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA 
22406: Fax (540) 361-1199, or on the Web at: www.regulation.gov. 
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. Comments 
can also be viewed on the www.regulations.gov Web site. The current 
United States Standards for Grades of Cauliflower will be available 
either through the address cited above or by accessing the AMS, Fresh 
Products Division Web site at www.ams.usda.gov/freshinspection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Carl Newell, at the above address 
or call (540) 361-1120.

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 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 proposing to revise the voluntary United States Standards 
for Grades of Cauliflower using procedures that appear in Part 36, 
Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background and Proposed Notice

    AMS is reviewing all fresh fruit and vegetable grade standards for 
usefulness in serving the industry. As a result, AMS has identified the 
U.S. Standards for Grades of Cauliflower color requirement for possible 
updating.
    Different colors of cauliflower, such as purple, green, and orange, 
are currently being packed, including specialty packs consisting of 
mixed colors. The U.S. grade standards presently require curds to be 
white, creamy white, or cream color; they do not have provisions for 
grading other colors of cauliflower. AMS proposes to amend U.S. No. 1 
color provisions by adding ``unless otherwise specified;'' to the basic 
requirement for color. This revision will also affect the U.S. 
Commercial grade. AMS believes that permitting other colors and mixed 
color packs will facilitate the marketing of cauliflower by providing 
the industry with more flexibility that reflects current marketing 
practices and consumer demand.
    In addition, California produce growers, packers, and shippers 
requested that the USDA provide more flexibility regarding the minimum 
size. Currently, curds are required to be not less than 4 inches in 
diameter. In order to allow for smaller sized heads of cauliflower, AMS 
proposes to amend provisions concerning U.S. No. 1 size by adding 
``unless otherwise specified'' to the basic requirement for size. This 
revision will also affect the U.S. Commercial grade.
    AMS also proposes to eliminate the ``Unclassified'' category from 
the standards. The unclassified section is being removed from 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.
    This notice provides for a 60 day comment period for interested 
parties to comment on the proposed revisions in the standards.

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

    Dated: February 3, 2012.
Robert C. Keeney,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-3027 Filed 2-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P