USDA sets quality, handling standards for imported peanuts

USDA sets quality, handling standards for imported peanuts    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service has signed off on final regulations for the quality and handling standards for peanuts imported into the United States.
   “These provisions are intended to maximize handling efficiency and to provide producers, handlers, and importers with flexibility to meet current and new market demands, while maintaining peanut quality and wholesomeness for consumers,” the agency said.
   The regulations, which cover peanut size and acceptable damages and defects, were based on recommendations from the Peanut Standards Board and comments from other industry sources, the agency said.
   These standards were established as part of the 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act.