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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 2 (Thursday, January 3, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31611]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. Number FV-11-0052]

United States Standards for Grades of Eggplant

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), is revising the voluntary United States Standards 
for Grades of Eggplant. AMS has reviewed the fresh fruit and vegetable 
grade standards for usefulness in serving the industry. As a result, 
AMS will amend the similar varietal characteristic requirement in the 
U.S. Fancy and No. 1 grades to allow mixed colors and/or types of 
eggplant when designated as a mixed or specialty pack. In addition, AMS 
will remove the ``Unclassified'' category from the standards.

DATES: Effective Date: February 4, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Horner, Standardization Branch, 
Specialty Crops Inspection Division, (540) 361-1128. The United States 
Standards for Grades of Eggplant are available through the Specialty 
Crops Inspection Division Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/freshinspection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), 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.'' 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 
Fruits and Vegetables not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or 
U.S. Import Requirements, no longer appear in the Code of Federal 
Regulations, but are maintained by USDA, AMS, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs, and are available on the internet at www.ams.usda.gov/freshinspection.
    AMS is revising the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of 
Eggplant procedures that appear in Part 36, Title 7 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).

Background and Comments

    On February 9, 2012, AMS published a notice in the Federal Register 
(77 FR 6774), soliciting comments regarding amending the varietal 
characteristic requirement in the U.S. Fancy and No. 1 grades, removing 
the unclassified section, and any other possible revision to the United 
States Standards for Grades of Eggplant. The public comment period 
closed on April 9, 2012, with no responses.
    Based on the information gathered, AMS believes that permitting 
mixed colors and/or type packs will facilitate the marketing of 
eggplant by providing the industry with more flexibility that reflects 
current marketing practices and consumer demand. Therefore, AMS will 
revise provisions concerning the ``U.S. Fancy'' and ``U.S. No. 1'' 
grades by adding ``except when specified as a mixed or specialty pack'' 
to the similar varietal characteristics requirement. In addition, AMS 
will remove the ``Unclassified'' category from the standards.
    The official grade of a lot of eggplant covered by these standards 
will be determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations 
Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits, 
Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).
    The United States Standards for Grades of Eggplant will be 
effective 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: December 28, 2012.
Rex A. Barnes,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-31611 Filed 1-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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