USDA Proposes Revisions to Apple Grade Standards

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has proposed revising the U.S. standards for grades of apples to remove smooth net-like russeting as a grade-determining factor in the U.S. Extra Fancy, U.S. Fancy, and U.S. No. 1 grades for ‘Fuji’ apples. AMS also is proposing to remove obsolete references to the location where color standards may be examined and purchased.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on May 6. Written comments must be received by July 5, 2019. Comments can be submitted at www.regulations.gov, faxed to 540-361-1199, or mailed to the USDA, Specialty Crops Inspection Division, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA 22406.