USDA to Revise Grapefruit Juice Grade Standards

WASHINGTON The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting public comment on a proposed revision to the federal standards for grades of grapefruit juice. The revision, petitioned by the Florida Citrus Processors Association, is designed to give the grapefruit juice industry greater flexibility to meet market demands.

U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products are established and revised through a collaborative process by USDAs Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), industry representatives and others. Standards are used in the marketplace to specify the quality of commodities. They also provide a common language for trade and a means of measuring value for agricultural products.

Comments are due on or before Oct. 17, 2011. Electronic comments can be submitted at www.regulations.gov. Written comments can be sent to Brian E. Griffin, Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Stop 0247, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0247.