Washington, DC
December 19, 2008
The U.S. Department of Agriculture
is seeking comments to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of
Topped Carrots, Bunched Carrots, and Carrots with Short Trimmed
Tops.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to
revise the color requirement to allow more flexibility to the
grade standard. In addition, the similar varietal characteristic
requirement would be amended to allow mixed colors and/or types
of carrots when designated as a mixed or specialty pack. AMS is
also considering removing the “Unclassified” category from the
standards. AMS seeks comments regarding these changes, as well
as any other possible revisions that may be necessary to better
serve the industry.
AMS works with industry representatives and others to establish
or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products.
Industry uses the standards in the marketplace to specify the
quality of commodities. Standards facilitate commerce by
providing a common language for trade and a means of measuring
value in the marketing of agricultural products.
The notices for the three proposals will be published in the
Dec. 22, 2008, Federal Register.
More information is available from Dr. Carl Newell,
Standardization and Training Section Head, USDA, AMS, FVP, FPB,
National Training & Development Center, Riverside Business Park,
100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA 22406.
Copies of the notice and revised standards are also available
from the same address.
Once effective, copies of the standards can be accessed from the
Internet:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/freshinspection. |
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