[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 42 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10441-10442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5356]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 42 / Thursday, March 4, 1999 /
Notices
[[Page 10441]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[FV-99-329N]
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Whole Kernel (Whole
Grain) Corn
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to change the
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Whole Kernel (Whole Grain)
Corn. Specifically, USDA is proposing to provide for the ``individual
attributes'' procedure for product grading with sample sizes,
acceptable quality levels (AQL's), tolerances and acceptance numbers
(number of allowable defects); include varietal types of supersweet and
genetically modified varieties in the grade standards; replace dual
grade nomenclature with single letter grade designations; remove the
recommended minimum drained weight criteria from the grade standards
and provide the criteria in the grading manual; remove the score sheet
for canned whole kernel corn; and make minor editorial changes.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 3, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit their written
comments to Karen L. Kaufman, Processed Products Branch, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, STOP 0247, P.O. Box 96456; Washington, DC 20090-6456; fax
(202) 690-1087; or e-mail karen__l__kaufman@usda.gov.
Comments should reference the date and page 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 Whole
Kernel (Whole Grain) Corn, along with the proposed changes, are
available either through the address cited above or by accessing AMS's
Home Page on the Internet at: www.ams.usda.gov/standards/vegcan.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen L. Kaufman at (202) 720-5021.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946, as amended, 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. * * *'' Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is
committed to carrying out this authority in a manner that facilitates
the marketing of agricultural commodities and makes copies of official
standards available upon request. The United States Standards for
Grades of Canned Whole Kernel Corn do not appear in the Code of Federal
Regulations but are maintained by USDA. Copies of official standards
are available upon request.
Specifically, AMS proposes to change the United States Standards
for Grades of Canned Whole Kernel (Whole Grain) Corn using procedures
that appear in Part 36 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7
CFR Part 36). AMS is proposing to provide for the ``individual
attributes'' procedure for product grading with sample sizes,
acceptable quality levels (AQL's), tolerances and acceptance numbers
(number of allowable defects); include varietal types of supersweet and
genetically modified varieties in the grade standards; replace dual
grade nomenclature with single letter grade designations; remove the
recommended minimum drained weight criteria from the grade standards
and provide the criteria in the grading manual; remove the score sheet
for canned whole kernel corn; and make minor editorial changes. These
changes will allow for a more equitable marketing environment for
domestic whole kernel corn processors.
AMS received a petition from the National Food Processors
Association (NFPA), requesting that the U.S. grade standards for canned
whole kernel corn be revised. NFPA represents over 550 food industry
companies 1.
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\1\ Source--USDA, NASS, ASB
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NFPA specifically requested that the U.S. grade standards for
canned whole kernel corn, which are currently based on cumulative score
points, be modified by converting the U.S. grade standards to
statistically-based individual attributes grade standards, similar to
the U.S. grade standards for canned green and wax beans (58 FR 4295,
January 14, 1993).
In addition, NFPA requested the grade standards include other
varietal types i.e., supersweet and genetically modified sweet corn.
These newer varieties possess flavor, tenderness, and maturity
characteristics that vary somewhat from conventional corn. The proposed
revision of the grade standards would include the quality
characteristics for these varietal types, for example, appearance, cut,
flavor and odor, tenderness and maturity, extraneous vegetable
material, specified defects, seriously damaged kernels, damaged kernels
and pulled kernels.
Another proposed change would replace dual grade nomenclature with
single letter designations. ``U.S. Grade A'' (or ``U.S. Fancy''),
``U.S. Grade B'' (or U.S. Extra Standard), and ``U.S. Grade C'' (or
``U.S. Standard'') would become ``U.S. Grade A,'' ``U.S. Grade B,'' and
``U.S. Grade C'', respectively.
NFPA also proposed removing the recommended minimum drained weight
criteria from the grade standards and relocating it in the Grading
Manual for Canned Whole Kernel Corn since drained weight, as such, is
not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades.
This proposed revision would remove the ``Score sheet for canned
whole kernel (or whole grain) corn and canned whole kernel (or whole
grain) vacuum pack corn'', from the U.S. grade standards since this
scoresheet is not needed for individual attributes-type grade standard.
This proposed change includes minor editorial changes and provides
a uniform format consistent with recent revisions of other U.S. grade
standards. In addition, this format has been designed to provide
industry personnel and agricultural commodity graders with simpler and
more comprehensive standards.
[[Page 10442]]
AMS has reviewed the petitions and data submitted, gathered
information from government and industry resources and is proposing to
revise the standards based on the recommended changes.
A 60 day comment period is provided for interested persons to
comment on changes to the standards.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
Dated: February 26, 1999.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-5356 Filed 3-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
