Release No.064-15
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2015 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is requesting comments on proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins.
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments on modifying the raisin standards to remove the term “midget.” This change will modernize and clarify the standards by removing dual terminology for the same requirement.
AMS works with industry representatives and others to establish or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. Industry uses the standards in the marketplace to specify the quality of commodities. Standards facilitate commerce by providing a common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of agricultural products.
The rule for Processed Raisins will be published in the Aug. 21, 2015, Federal Register. Comments may be submitted to www.regulations.gov by Oct. 20, 2015. For a copy of the current standards or more information, visit www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/fruits, or contact Lindsay Mitchell by phone: 540-361-1127, e-mail: lindsay.mitchell@ams.usda.gov or U.S. mail: Standardization Branch, Specialty Crops Inspection Division, Fruit & Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, National Training and Development Center, Riverside Business Park, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Va. 22406.
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