Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 7 - AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS › Part V - Advertising, Marketing and Processing › Chapter 11 - Market Commission-Fruits and Vegetables › Subchapter B - Fruits and Vegetables Rules and Regulations › Section V-1135 - Red River Valley Tomatoes

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A.
				  Definitions
Red River Valley Tomatoes
-tomatoes that
					 are produced by farms in Louisiana that have been certified by the Red River
					 Valley Research Station of Louisiana State University as being certified Red
					 River Valley Tomato Producers, and which meet all horticulture practices
					 prescribed by the Red River Valley Research station. No tomatoes that have been
					 gassed to achieve ripeness or that do not meet the Louisiana Number 1 Grading
					 Standard can qualify as a Red River Valley Tomato.
B. In addition to the standards referred to
				  in §1103, the following provisions govern the marketing and sale of tomatoes in
				  Louisiana that are labeled as Red River Valley Tomatoes.
1. The U.S. Standards for Combination, 2, and
				  3 as stipulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (hereinafter
				  "U.S.D.A."), shall be adopted as official State Grades.
2. The grade Louisiana Number 1 is hereby
				  established, the standards of which are not less than those of the U.S.
				  combination, except that not more than 15 percent tolerance for grade defects
				  will be allowed.
3. The grades
				  Louisiana Number 2 and Louisiana Number 3 are hereby established, these
				  standards of which are not less than the U.S. Standards for Number 2 and Number
				  3.
4. Color classification shall be
				  the same as U.S. Standards.
5. Size
a. The size of tomatoes packed in any
				  standard type shipping container shall be specified and marked according to one
				  of the size designations set forth in Table 1. Individual containers shall not
				  be marked with more than one size designation. Consumer packages and their
				  master container are exempt; however, if they are marked, the same requirements
				  apply.
b. Table 1
Louisiana Sizes
Size Designations
Minimum
								Diameter*
Maximum Diameter |
LA Small
2 4/32 in.
2 9/32 in.
LA Medium
2 8/32 in.
2 17/32 in.
LA Large
2 16/32 in.
2 25/32 in.
LA Extra Large
2 24/32 in.
LA Colossal
3 9/16 in. or Larger
*  Will not pass
								through a round opening of the designated diameter when tomato is placed with
								the greatest transverse diameter across the opening.
[DAGGER] Will pass
								through a round opening of the designated diameter in any position.
6. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm,
				  or corporation to sell, offer for sale, ship, or move any tomato labeled as
				  "Red River Valley Tomatoes" into the channels of fresh trade unless it meets
				  Louisiana Number 1 Grade.
7. All
				  tomatoes offered for sale as "Red River Valley Tomatoes" are subject to
				  inspection by U.S.D.A. licensed personnel of the Louisiana Department of
				  Agriculture and Forestry. If a particular lot of tomatoes does not meet the
				  Louisiana grade standards, a stop sale order will be issued on the entire lot,
				  and the lot will be removed from retail sales until the lot has been reworked
				  or relabeled.
8. The movement of
				  tomatoes labeled as "Red River Valley Tomatoes" into channels of fresh trade is
				  prohibited unless in conformance with this regulation.
9. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture
				  and Forestry has the option of charging fees in accordance with federal rates
				  for shipping point inspections.