The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting comments from the industry on proposed modifications to food container condition standards.

The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has proposed the changes in a bid to streamline and simplify the standards, incorporate standards for new packaging technologies and include optional guidelines for evaluating container interiors.

"Updating the standards to reflect the advances in packaging technologies will help ensure that food containers are germ-free and the food supply is safe," says AMS acting administrator Robert Keeney.

The AMS highlights the changes would support over 22,000 food manufacturing establishments that may request inspections to ensure that the quality of their packaging maintains the quality of their food products."

Further details of the proposed changes can be found on the Federal Register.

Comments must be received by March. 19, and sent to  Lynne E. Yedinak, Processed Products Division, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Stop 0247, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0247, or by fax to (202) 690-1527.

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