Release No. 075-14

Contact:

Hakim Fobia (202) 690-0488

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2014 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting comments on proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Maple Sirup (syrup).

The Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) proposal to revise the grade standards for maple syrup is based on a petition from the maple syrup industry. The proposed revision defines quality factors and establishes new color determinations for Grade A maple syrup. The grade of a sample unit of maple syrup would be determined using the factors of color, flavor, odor, damage, and turbidity (cloudiness). These changes are intended to support new or expanded markets by improving the marketing of maple syrup in the U.S. and internationally. There are currently five states that regulate maple syrup. In the absence of state regulations, many states use the federal standards as a reference for buying purposes.

AMS works with industry representatives and others to establish and revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. Industry uses the standards to specify the quality of commodities in the marketplace. Standards provide a common language for trade and a means of measuring the value of agricultural products.

The notice proposing revisions to the standards was published in the May 7, 2014, Federal Register. Comments must be submitted to www.regulations.gov by July 7, 2014. Visit www.ams.usda.gov/scihome for a copy of the standards or more information. You may also contact Robin Chilton, Chief, Standardization Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Program by mail at USDA, AMS, National Training and Development Center, Riverside Business Park, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Va. 22406; via telephone at (540) 361-1130; or by e-mail at robin.chilton@ams.usda.gov.

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.

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