Greenhouse Tomato Grade Changes Sought

WASHINGTON - May 31/06 - SNS -- The USDA is seeking comments on its proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Greenhouse Tomatoes.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to revise the standards to allow that percentages of defects and size classifications be determined by count rather than weight. This would result in a revision of the following sections of the standards: tolerances, size classifications, standard pack, damage and serious damage. In addition, AMS is proposing to add moldy stems and skin checks as a defect.

Current standards can be viewed at http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/vegfm.htm. The request for comments will be published in the May 31, 2006 Federal Register. Comments must be received by July 31, and should be mailed to Cheri L. Emery, AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs, Room 1661-S, USDA Stop 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0240.