WASHINGTON –– The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Cauliflower.
The changes would amend the color requirements for curds to allow all shades of cauliflower to be certified to a U.S. grade. The proposal would also allow cauliflower heads less than four inches in diameter to be certified. These changes are designed to promote and facilitate the efficient marketing of U.S. cauliflower in a competitive world market.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is also requesting comments on proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Okra.
The changes would revise the standards by eliminating the “unclassified” section. This section is no longer considered necessary. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is removing the term from all revised standards. The agency is also soliciting comments on any other revisions to the standards.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is also requesting comments on proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Eggplant.
The changes would amend requirements to U.S. Fancy and No. 1 eggplant grades to allow certification of mixed colors and/or types of eggplant in packages labeled “mixed” or “specialty.” USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) also proposes eliminating the “unclassified” standards section, which is no longer necessary.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (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.
Notice of the proposed standards will be published in the Feb.9, 2012, Federal Register. Comments may be submitted to www.regulations.gov by April 9, 2012. For a copy of the standards or more information, visit www.ams.usda.gov/freshinspection, or contact Dr. Carl Newell, AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs, USDA, National Training and Development Center, Riverside Business Park, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Va. 22406.
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Source: USDA AMS
