Nectarines and Peaches Grown in California; Relaxation of Quality Requirements for Fresh Nectarines and Peaches

This interim final rule relaxes ``CA Utility'' quality requirements for California nectarines and peaches for the remainder of the 1998 season. The ``CA Utility'' quality requirements are based on minimum quality requirements established under the California Agricultural Code, with a limitation on the amount of fruit meeting U.S. No. 1 or higher grade requirements that may be present in each container marked ``CA Utility.'' Currently, the ``CA Utility'' quality requirement permits not more than 30 percent of nectarines or peaches in any container to meet or exceed the requirements of U.S. No. 1. This relaxation increases that limitation from 30 percent to not more than 40 percent except that at least one-quarter of the fruit grading U.S. No. 1 in such containers must have non-scoreable blemishes. A non- scoreable blemish is a defect that does not cause the fruit to fail U.S. No. 1 grade requirements. This rule will allow more U.S. No. 1 nectarines and peaches to be packed in containers marked ``CA Utility,'' and is expected to benefit growers, handlers, and consumers.