USDA revises three onion grade standards

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is revising three standards: the U.S. Standards for Grades of Creole Onions, U.S. Standards for Grades of Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions, and U.S. Standards for Grades of Onions (other than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole type).

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is modifying the three standards to permit an assortment of onion colors in mixed or specialty packs under the U.S. grade standards. This change will provide the industry more flexibility to meet growing consumer demands.

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 rule for Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions and onions (other than Bermuda-Granex-Grano and Creole type) will be published in the Oct. 23, 2014, Federal Register and will be effective Nov. 24, 2014. The notice for U.S. Standards for Grades of Creole Onions will be published in the Oct. 23, 2014, Federal Register and will be effective Nov. 24, 2014. To view these Federal Register publications, please visit www.regulations.gov.

You can access the revised onion standards after the effective date at: www.ams.usda.gov/scihome.