The U.S. Department of Agriculture is soliciting comments on the possible development of U.S. Standards for Grades of Peppers (other than sweet peppers).

This action is being taken at the request of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, which has asked USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to identify products that may be best served if grade standards are developed. The proposed standards will allow peppers -- other than sweet peppers -- to be certified to a U.S. grade.

AMS works with industry representatives and others to establish or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. Industry uses standards in the marketplace to specify acceptable quality and/or condition of commodities.

The request for comments will appear in the Feb. 24, 2006, Federal Register. Comments must be received by April 25 and should be mailed to Cheri L. Emery, Standardization Section Head, AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs, Room 1661-South, USDA Stop 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington D.C. 20250. In addition, copies of the notice are available from the same address. Comments may be e-mailed to FPBDocketClerk@usda.gov.

Federal Register notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2652.pdf