[Federal Register: July 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 129)]
[Notices]
[Page 40857]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07jy04-34]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 40857]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. FV-04-326]
United States Standards For Grades of Canned Refried Beans
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking
additional research and other work associated with the establishment of
an official grade standard, is soliciting comments on the petition to
establish United States Standards for Grades of Refried Beans. AMS
received a petition from the National Food Processors Association
(NFPA) to create grade standards for refried beans that would include a
description of the product, style, sample unit size, grades,
designation of grade levels by sample unit and by lot. This proposed
standard would provide a common language for trade, a means of
measuring value in the marketing of canned refried beans, and provide
guidance in the effective utilization of canned refried beans.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 7, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to Lydia E. Berry,
Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0247, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0247; fax (202) 690-
1087; or e-mail lydia.berry@usda.gov or http://www.regulations.gov.
Comments should reference the date and page of this issue of the
Federal Register. All comments received will be made available for
public inspection at the address listed above during regular business
hours and on the Internet. A copy of the petition from NFPA requesting
the establishment of grade standards for Canned Refried Beans is
available either through the address cited above or by accessing AMS's
Web site on the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/ fv/ppb.html. Any
comments received regarding this proposed standard will also be posted
on that site.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lydia E. Berry, Processed Products
Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0247, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20250-0247; fax (202) 690-1087; or e-mail
lydia.berry@usda.gov.
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. Those United States Standards for Grades of
Fruits and Vegetables that no longer appear in the Code of Federal
Regulations are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
AMS has been asked to establish the U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned
Refried Beans using the procedures that appear in part 36, title 7 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). NFPA has requested the
development of a standard for canned refried beans to be used by the
industry. The petition provided information on style, sample size and
description to develop the standard and AMS received samples of various
styles to collect information on canned refried beans. The petition
requests the establishment of a standard that would define ``Canned
Refried Beans'' and establish three styles, designated as ``Refried
Beans with Lard,'' ``Refried Beans with Vegetable Oil (Vegetarian)''
and ``Fat Free Refried Beans.'' It would also establish three types of
canned refried beans, based on the ``whole bean-to-bean paste ratio'',
designated as ``Type I'', ``Type II'' and ``Type III.'' The petition
also requests that quality factors that affect canned refried beans to
be designated as ``Color,'' ``Absence of Defects,'' ``Consistency,''
and ``Flavor and Odor.'' The requested standard would also establish
the grade levels ``A,'' ``B,'' and ``Substandard,'' and assign the
corresponding score points for each level. This proposed standard would
provide a common language for trade, a means of measuring value in the
marketing of canned refried beans, and provide guidance in the
effective utilization of canned refried beans.
Agricultural Marketing Service
Prior to undertaking detailed work to develop a new standard, AMS
is soliciting for comments on the petition submitted to establish
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Refried Beans.
This notice provides a 60 day comment period for interested parties
to comment on the petition to develop the standard. Should AMS conclude
that the standards are needed, the Agency will develop a proposed
standard that will be published in the Federal Register with a request
for comments in accordance with 7 CFR part 36.
Dated: June 30, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15282 Filed 7-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P