USDA Studies Refried Bean Standard

WASHINGTON - Jul 7/04 - SNS -- The USDA is inviting written comments on a petition to develop a United States Standard for Grades of Canned Refried Beans.

The petitioner, National Food Processors Association, asked USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to develop 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.

AMS works with industry representatives and others to establish or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. The industry uses the standards in the marketplace to specify the quality of commodities. Standards facilitate commerce by providing a common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of agricultural products.

About 3 billion pounds of dry beans are produced in the U.S. each year, with a producer market value of $512 million and consumer sales worth $1.8 billion.

The request for comments will appear in the July 7 Federal Register. Comments must be postmarked by Sept. 7. Send comments to Lydia E. Berry, AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs, USDA Stop 0247, Washington, DC 20250-0247.