Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of Southeastern California and Imported Table Grapes; Revision in Minimum Grade, Container, and Pack Requirements

This rule revises minimum grade requirements for grapes grown in southeastern California and for grapes imported into the United States. It also revises container and pack requirements currently prescribed for California grapes. This rule allows California grape handlers to market consumer packages of grapes more economically by increasing the range of allowable bunch sizes for a portion of the 1998 season. Master containers of consumer grape packages could be marketed if the grape clusters/bunches in the packages consist of at least 2 berry clusters and the clusters/bunches are not greater than 19 ounces in weight. The increased bunch size range also applies to imported grapes. This action is in the interest of handlers, producers, importers, and consumers.