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

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule relaxing ``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.'' The interim final rule increased that percentage 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 fruit to fail U.S. No. 1 grade requirements. This rule continues in effect this relaxation for the remainder of the 1998 season. This rule allows more U.S. No. 1 nectarines and peaches to be packed in containers marked ``CA Utility.'' The added packing flexibility provided by this rule is expected to benefit growers, handlers, and consumers.