Federal Register #2026-09504

USDA Revises Grade Standards for Canned Tomato Products and Extends Phytosanitary Program Information Collection

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is revising seven U.S. grade standards for canned tomato products and extending an information collection for a phytosanitary program: - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) - Products/Services Requested: - Revision of U.S. grade standards for: - Tomato Ketchup - Tomato Sauce - Tomato Juice - Canned Tomato Paste - Canned Tomato Puree - Canned Tomatoes - Concentrated Tomato Juice - Extension of approval for information collection supporting the Federally Recognized State Managed Phytosanitary Program - Notable Requirements and Details: - Grade standards revisions include: - Updated color sections and references to USDA color chip information - Replacement of dual-nomenclature grading with single-term grading (e.g., U.S. Grade A) - Editorial changes, including changing 'catsup' to 'ketchup' to align with FDA and common usage - Removal of outdated references (e.g., Munsell color discs) - Addition of a table for low individual drained weights in canned tomatoes - The Federally Recognized State Managed Phytosanitary Program supports state pest control programs to protect U.S. agriculture - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are mentioned, as this is a standards revision and information collection notice, not a procurement of goods or services - The changes are intended to modernize language, improve consistency, and better reflect current marketing practices - The standards are voluntary and do not affect export or import requirements - Primary locations involved: - USDA South Building, Washington, DC - APHIS Office, Beltsville, MD

Description

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising seven U.S. grade standards for canned tomato products. The revisions include updating the color sections by replacing the two-term grading system with a single term, making editorial changes, and changing the spelling of "catsup" to "ketchup." These changes aim to modernize language, improve consistency, and better reflect current marketing practices. The revisions will not affect export or import requirements as U.S. standards are voluntary and standalone from international standards.

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