[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 141 (Friday, July 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43142-43143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18084]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[ Document No. AMS-FV-09-0049; FV-09-329]


United States Standards for Grades of Refried Beans

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing a 
notice soliciting comments on the possible establishment of voluntary 
United States Standards for Grades of Refried Beans. After reviewing 
and considering industry input, the Agency has decided not to proceed 
further with this action.

DATES: Effective Date: July 23, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lydia E. Berry, Inspection and 
Standardization Section, Processed Products Branch (PPB), Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs (FV), AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 
0709, South Building; STOP 0247, Washington, DC 20250; phone: (202) 
720-5021; fax: (202) 690-1527.

Background

    A trade association representing the processed food industry 
requested that USDA develop grade standards for canned refried beans to 
be used by the industry. AMS prepared a discussion draft of the 
proposed canned refried beans standards using information provided by 
the petitioner, and distributed copies to the trade association's 
members for comments. Input from the trade association's members was 
used to further develop the proposed grade standards.
    Prior to undertaking additional research and other work associated 
with the establishment of official standards, a notice was published at 
69 FR 40857 in the Federal Register soliciting comments on the proposed 
establishment of voluntary grade standards for canned refried beans. 
One comment was received from a food manufacturer as a result of that 
request. A copy of the comment is posted at http://www.regulations.gov 
and on the AMS Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/processedinspection.
    The commenter favored the development of the grade standards if AMS 
increased its scope to include dehydrated refried beans. AMS then 
discussed the proposed expansion of the standards to include the 
dehydrated refried beans with the original petitioner, the National 
Food Processors Association, now known as the Grocery Manufacturers 
Association (GMA). The GMA informed AMS that the association no longer 
supported development of any standards for refried beans. One company 
still expressed interest in development of the grade standards or 
refried beans. However, additional input from the company was not 
forthcoming.

[[Page 43143]]

    Given these circumstances, AMS will not proceed further with this 
action.

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

    Dated: July 20, 2010.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-18084 Filed 7-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P