AMS No. 013-08

Jimmie Turner (202) 720-6179

jimmie.turner@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2008 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Pineapples.

As a result of the feedback provided by the industry, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Pineapples. Specifically, AMS is replacing Tables I and II in the “Tolerances” section with numerical tolerances and numerical application of tolerances. Decay tolerances will also be revised.

AMS works with industry representatives and others to establish or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. 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.

The notice will be published in the Feb. 7, 2008, Federal Register. More information is available from Vincent J. Fusaro, Standardization Section Head, AMS Fruit & Vegetable Programs, Room 1661 – South, USDA Stop 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC 20250. Copies of the notice and revised standards are also available from the same address.

Once effective, copies of the standards can be accessed from the following Web address: http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/vegfm.htm.