Agricultural Marketing Service January 24, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the United States Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes. Specifically, AMS is revising the standards to add a U.S. No. 1 Long Stem grade along with an undersize tolerance of 5 percent in the standards. The new grade will have the same requirements as the U.S. No. 1 except that the stems must be smoothly cut to a minimum length of at least 8 inches, unless specified to a longer length in connection with the grade. AMS is further defining ``fairly compact'' by including a definition for ``slightly spread'' to mean, ``the outer scales may be slightly open, but the inner scales at the tip of the artichoke must be closely folded into the bud.'' The revisions would bring the standards for globe artichokes in line with current marketing practices, thereby improving their usefulness in serving the industry.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting comments on a proposal to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type). AMS has received petitions from the California Grape and Tree Fruit League and Western Growers Association, requesting that the current standards be modified by adding a 10 percent allowance for shattered berries in consumer containers for en route or at destination.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries. AMS received a request from an industry group to modify the standards to allow that percentages be determined by count and not volume. The change will make tolerance determination more objective and more uniform.