Department of Agriculture June 17, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to revise 18 U.S. grade standards for canned vegetables issued on or before August 3, 1998. AMS is proposing to replace the two-term grading system (dual nomenclature) with a single term to describe each quality level for the grade standards identified in this notice. Terms 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 term ``U.S. Grade A.'' Likewise, grade standards using the term ``U.S. Grade B'' or ``U.S. Extra Standard'' would be revised to use the single term ``U.S. Grade B.'' These changes would bring the grade standards in line with the present quality levels being marketed today and provide guidance in the effective use of these products. Editorial changes would also be made to the grade standards that conform to recent changes made in other grade standards.