The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking public comments on its proposal to revise seven U.S. grade standards for canned tomato products (U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Tomatoes, Tomato Ketchup, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Juice, Canned Tomato Paste, Canned Tomato Puree, and Concentrated Tomato Juice).
AMS proposes amending the standards to (1) update the color sections, (2) replace the two-term grading system (dual-nomenclature) with a single term, and (3) make editorial changes. AMS also proposes to change the spelling of “catsup” to the more commonly used term “ketchup.”
AMS works with industry representatives and others to establish or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. Standards facilitate commerce by providing a common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of agricultural products.
The notice was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 15, 2025. Comments are due by Nov. 14, 2025, through www.regulations.gov. Copies of the current standards are available on the AMS Grades and Standards webpage.
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