Gwen Sparks, (202) 260-8210gwen.sparks@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2012 – The U. S. Department of Agriculture is requesting comments on proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Grapefruit Juice.
The Florida Citrus Processors Association, noting advances in industry processing technology, petitioned USDA to revise the standards. The proposed standards are designed to give the grapefruit juice industry greater flexibility to meet market demands.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (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.
Notice of the proposed standards will be published in the Feb. 9, 2012, Federal Register. Comments must be submitted by April 9, 2012. Written comments may be sent to Brian E. Griffin, Processed Products Division, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, Stop 0247, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0247. Comments may also be submitted via fax to (202) 690-1527 or online at www.regulations.gov. A copy of the proposed standards may also be found at www.regulations.gov.
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