[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67326-67327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33590]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[FV-96-327]
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Apples
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting
comments on its proposal to change the United States Standard for
Grades of Canned Applies. Specifically, AMS is proposing to lower the
recommended drained weight for canned apples packed in No. 10 cans.
This change would allow more equitable utilization of processed apples
across domestic growing regions and will help the apple industry to
meet it market needs.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 23, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to Randle A. Macon,
Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agricultural, Room 0709, South
Building; STOP 0247, P.O. Box 96456; Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; faxed
to (202) 690-1087; or e-mailed to Randle__A__Macon@usda.gov.
Comments should reference the date and page number of this issue of
the Federal Register. All comments received will be made available for
public inspection at the address listed above during regular business
hours.
The current United States Standards for Grades of Canned Apples,
along with the proposed changes, are available either through the
afore-mentioned address or by accessing AMS's Home Page on the Internet
at the following address: www.ams.usda.gov/standards/frutcan.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Randle A. Macon at (202) 720-
4693.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 1622 (c)) 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 make copies of official standards available upon
request. The United States Standards for Grades of Canned Apples no
longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations but are maintained by
the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
AMS is proposing to change the United States Standards for Grades
of Canned Apples using the procedures it published in the August 13,
1997, Federal Register and that appear in Part 36 of Title 7 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 36).
AMS received petitions from Independent Food Processors Company of
Sunnyside, Washington; and Snokist Growers of Yakima, Washington,
requesting the revision of the United States Standards for Grades of
Canned Apples. The two petitioners represent a significant part of the
Pacific Northwest apple industry. The Pacific Northwest apple industry
provides almost half of the apples produced domestically.\1\
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\1\ Source--USDA, NASS, ASB.
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The petitions request that the recommend drained weight of 96
ounces for apples packed in No. 10 size cans, in the U.S. Standards for
Grades of Canned Apples, is difficult to obtain and puts Pacific
Northwest processors at an economic disadvantage in bidding for
government and non-government contracts. The reasons given for this
disparity are that the varietal types of apples and the growing
conditions in the Northwest region are different from other apple
producing regions around the country. The petitioners state that to
meet the standard when packing certain varieties of apples, the cans
are over-filled.
This condition may cause damage to the sliced apples which may
cause the slices to be graded as less than ``Grade A.'' To meet USDA
requirements for drained weight, some processors may be required to put
more product into the can, causing economic hardship, damage to the
product, and sometimes loss of the integrity of the can seal. If the
seal's integrity is lost during processing, the product's wholesomeness
is jeopardized.
The remedies recommended by the petitioners, though similar in
purpose, are different. Snokist Growers of Yakima, Washington,
recommends a reduction in the recommended drained weight for apples
packed in No. 10 size cans, from 96 ounces to 92 ounces. Independent
Food Processors Company of Sunnyside, Washington, recommends the
elimination of the recommended drained weight for apples packed in No.
10 size cans, from the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Apples. If
that is not possible the petitioner recommends the incorporation of a
``fill weight program'' in the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned
Apples to ensure that the ``recommended fill of container'' requirement
is met with a reduction in the recommended drained weight for apples
packed in No. 10 size cans, from 96 ounces to 85 ounces.
USDA has reviewed the petitions and data submitted, and has
gathered additional information from relevant government agencies and
industry sources including growers, processors, and buyers. Based on
this information, USDA has found that there may be a disparity between
the drained weights for canned apples from Pacific Northwest processors
and those from other sections of the country. Though a variation in
drained weights may exist, our review has shown that the difference is
not great enough to warrant the changes to the Standards recommended by
Independent Food Processors Company of Sunnyside, Washington.
Based on these findings, the USDA has agreed with the
recommendation from Snokist Growers of Yakima, Washington, and is
proposing to lower the recommended drained weight for apples packed No.
10 size cans, from 96 ounces to 92 ounces in the U.S. Standards for
Grades of Canned Apples. This change would allow a more equitable
marketing environment for the domestic canned apple industry.
[[Page 67327]]
A 60-day comment period is provided for interested persons to
comment on this change to the Standards.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: December 18, 1997.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-33590 Filed 12-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-M
