USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service issued a final rule, effective August 20, which revises requirements regarding off-grade raisins under the Federal marketing order for California raisins. The order regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California and is administered locally by the Raisin Administrative Committee.
This rule revises the requirement that notification handlers must provide to the inspection service and the Committee when they perform certain functions on off-grade raisins be in writing, thereby allowing them to use other means of communication, including e-mail. This rule also removes the requirement that handlers submit reports to the Committee regarding transfers of off-grade and other failing raisins. AMS says this action brings the order’s administrative rules and regulations in line with current industry practices.
Information on complying with with this regulation may be obtained by contacting Jay Guerber at (202) 720-2491 or e-mail: Jay.Guerber@usda.gov.
This final rule is available at the link below or by contacting AFI.
