AMS No. 014-08

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 Cantaloupes.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the “Application of Tolerances” section in the cantaloupe standards. Additionally, AMS is removing the “Unclassified” category from the standards. These changes will bring the standards for cantaloupe in line with current marketing practices, which will improve the usefulness of the standards in serving the industry.

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 Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250. Copies of the notice and revised standards also are available from the same address.

Once effective, copies of the standards can be obtained from the AMS Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/vegfm.htm.