USDA Revises Global Artichoke Grades

WASHINGTON - Jan 23/06 - SNS -- The USDA is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Globe Artichokes.

The revision will add a new grade, U.S. No. 1 Long Stem. This new grade will allow for the packing and shipping of long-stemmed globe artichokes under the U.S. standards. These standards were last revised in 1969.

In response to the request for comments, AMS received three comments on the proposed revision. "One comment was from an industry group supporting the proposal. The second comment was from a private individual that did not support the revision and was generally opposed to a federal grade standard," the AMS said.

"And the third comment was from another industry group supporting the development of standards for white and purple asparagus. However, the commenter believes that separate standards are needed, noting that any change to the current standards would compromise the fresh green asparagus marketing standards. We disagree that separate standards for white and purple asparagus are necessary and no change to the current green asparagus requirements are anticipated."

The AMS said it a revision to include purple and white requirements in the color section of the standards is warranted to facilitate the marketing of purple and white asparagus and improve the usefulness of the standards in better serving the industry.

Additionally, AMS is eliminating the unclassified category. This section is being removed in all standards, when they are revised. This category is not a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to a lot or shipment.

The official grade of a lot or shipment of fresh asparagus covered by the standards is determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).