Agricultural Marketing Service
About AMS Newsroom Opportunity Online Forms Help Contact Us
 
 
Commodity Areas
Market News
Grading, Certification and Verfication
Science and Laboratories
National Organic Program
Commodity Purchasing
Agricultural Transportation
Farmers Markets and Local Food Marketing
Fair Trading Regulations
Industry Marketing and Promotion
International Marketing
 
You are here: Home / Find a Standard or CID
 
Grading, Certification and Verification
 
Processed Fruit and Vegetable Grade Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions  
U.S. Grade Standards provide the produce industry with a uniform language for describing the quality and condition of commodities in the marketplace. In partnership with industry members, AMS develops and revises these documents so that they always reflect modern business practices.

 
Processed Fruit and Vegetable Grade Standards:

 

 
When an industry group wishes to develop or revise a U.S. grade standard, it may contact AMS to discuss the most appropriate means of accomplishing its goals. Any action taken on a U.S. grade standard should reflect the broad interest of either individuals, an industry involved in manufacturing, producing, packaging, distributing, testing, consuming or using the product, or a federal, state, or local agency.

 
Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs) are simplified product descriptions that concisely describe salient characteristics of commercial product. CIDs are official U.S. Government procurement documents that are 1) uniquely numbered in a Federal series; 2) prominently dated for easy reference; and 3) appropriately titled (according to current Federal labeling policies.

 
An official request to develop or revise a U.S. grade standard or Commercial Item Description should be in writing and sent to the following address:

 
Chief
Processed Products Branch
AMS Fruit and Vegetable Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0247
Washington, DC 20250-0247
Fax: (202) 690-1527

 
I Want To
 
  Request Development or Revision of a U.S. Grade Standard  
 
  Apply for Audit Services  
 
  Find Federal Rulemaking  
 
  Contact a Branch Office  
 
  Import Fruits or Vegetables  
 
Additional Information
 
  Export Certification  
 
  Job Opportunities  
 
Contact Us
 
  Email the Branch Chief  
 
  Email the Webmaster  
 
Media Help
 
  Download Adobe Acrobat  
 
 
  Last Modified Date: 04/07/2008