Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California; Revision to Container and Pack Requirements

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule which revised the container and pack requirements currently prescribed under the California grape marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of grapes grown in a designated area of Southeastern California and is administered locally by the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee (Committee). This rule continues in effect the addition of four new containers (38L, 38M, CP, and CP1) to the list of containers authorized for use by grape handlers regulated under the grape order. This rule continues to allow reusable plastic containers (RPCs) in shipping grapes, and continues in effect revisions to lot stamping requirements for RPCs, revisions exempting master containers containing individual consumer packages from the minimum net weight requirements specified under the order, and revisions to marking and minimum net weight requirements for clarity. This rule is expected to help handlers compete more effectively in the marketplace, better meet the needs of buyers, and to improve producer returns.