|
-- Resources -- Services |
Project Information & Related Resources |
|
United States Standards for Grades of Maple Syrup
11 January 29, 2015 To Whom It May Concern: This is to notify you that the final notice for the revision of the United States Standards for Grades of Maple Syrup will be published in the Federal Register on January 29, 2015. This revision will become effective 30 days after publication on March 2, 2015 AMS has revised grade standards for maple sirup (syrup) based on a petition from the maple syrup industry. The proposed revision defines quality factors and establishes new color determinations for Grade A, and established a new classification for Processing Grade. The grade of a sample unit of maple syrup would be ascertained considering the factors of color, flavor, odor, damage, and turbidity or cloudiness. Copies of the notice, and revised grade standards are attached, and are also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov AMS wishes to thank all of those involved for their efforts during this project. This revised standard will harmonize the voluntary Federal standards with those of the five states that have their own standards as well as those in Canada. These standards will provide better information to the consumers for purchasing maple syrup, and expand the marketing of maple syrup in North America and internationally. Sincere regards, Richard Peterson Agricultural Marketing Specialist Specialty Crops Inspection Division Agricultural Marketing Service United States Department of Agriculture richard.peterson@ams.usda.gov Phone: (202) 260-8158 |
||||
|
Maple Nutritional and Health Benefits Information
Since 2010, the IMSI has reviewed and consolidated information related to the nutritional and health benefits of pure maple syrup. The IMSI’s nutritional and health benefits position statement, scientific papers, and the poster and rack card have been developed and published on a maple nutritional and health benefits CD. A poster and rack card were developed taking into account a review of educational and scientific information, input from Health Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration, as well as input from maple syrup industry stakeholders. The IMSI will continue to monitor related scientific findings related to the nutritional and health values of pure maple syrup.
To download the interactive Maple Nutrition and Health Benefits interactive pdf (29 Mb, so it may take some time to download), and print ready versions of the Poster and Rack Card, click on the links provided below: 
|
||||||
^ Maple Poster, 24 x 36
^ Maple Card, 2 versions available: 4 x 6 with bleed, or 5 x 7 with white border. Both require double sided printing. |
Setting International Standards for
|
||||||||
| maple_classes_pst_e_24x36_prsrdy.pdf |
| maple_card_4x6_wbleed_eng.pdf |
| maple_card_5x7_nobleed_eng.pdf |
|
Standards for Maple Syrup Production Equipment
These were developed by the manufacturers of maple sugaring equipment and published in 2002. These standards provide a very important reference for maple equipment manufacturers, maple syrup producers and packers of maple syrup and are intended to help safeguard the quality and purity of maple syrup.
|
||
|
Standard Definition, Grades and Nomenclature
|
||
| international_grades_and_quality_standards.ppt |
Status of Progress in Incorporating the IMSI Standard Grades Proposal into Federal and State/Provincial Maple Grades Regulations in the United States and Canada
Status Report – February, 2015
JURISDICTION
|
STATUS – IMSI STANDARD GRADES PROPOSAL
|
|
CANADA
|
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency(CFIA) commenced work on the standard grades file following the unanimous passage of a motion in the Canadian Senate, recommending the adoption of the IMSI Standard Grades Proposal. Following a round of public consultation, the CFIA has prepared the regulations. They were published for public comment in Canada Gazette Part 1 on June 28th, 2014. The 75 day public comment period ended on September 10th, 2014. The approved final Maple Grading Amendments and requirements were published in Gazette 2 on December 31st, 2014. Gazette 2 can be accessed at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2014/2014-12-31/html/sor-dors297-eng.php CFIA registered establishments and maple syrup imports and exports in all provinces are subject to the MPR grading requirements. Maple syrup sold within the different provinces is subject to any applicable provincial regulatory requirement; only Ontario and Quebec currently have provincial-level maple grading regulations in place. The approved regulations allow for a two year transition period to accommodate the new Canadian maple grading requirement.
|
|
PROVINCES
|
Ontario
|
OMAFRA and MRA staff have reviewed the Canada Gazette 1 publication of the proposed maple grades amendments. The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers has strongly encouraged Ministry staff to re-open the Provincial level Maple Grades Regulations to accommodate the changes proposed by the IMSI. Both the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association and the IMSI are monitoring the status of follow-up on the proposed Maple Grades amendments in Ontario. Now that the Canadian Federal government has published Gazette 2 , based on early indications from the government, it was expected that the province would re-open its Maple Grading Regulations to accommodate the amendments. However, the Ontario government is currently stalling and appears to be resisting re-opening of the Regulations. The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association will continue to work at the political level in an attempt to move the government to action.
|
Quebec
|
MAPAQ officials have reviewed the Canada Gazette 1 publication of proposed maple grades amendments. IMSI member representatives are maintaining contact with MAPAQ officials and will continue to monitor the status of the proposal in Quebec. The Quebec government continues to consider the proposed amendments. Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers will need to align their grading and classification system with the IMSI Proposal. At the beginning of January 2015, the FPAQ sent a letter to MAPAQ officials asking the to revise their maple grading regulations and offering our support during this process. MAPAQ acknowledged receipt of the Federation letter and we are awaiting further developments.
The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers will need to align their grading and classification system with the IMSI Proposal. This is separate from maple grading regulations administered by the Quebec government.
|
|
UNITED STATES
|
The notice for the proposed revision of the United States Standards for grades of maple syrup was published in the Federal Register on May 7th 2014 and allowed for a 60 day public comment period. The Register posting ended on July 7th and USDA officials are reviewing and addressing the comments received during the posting period. Both the IMSI and the NAMSC have sent letters of support for the maple grades amendments proposed by USDA. Comments received following the Register posting were largely supportive of the proposed grading amendments. The final notice for the revision of the United States Standards for Grades of Maple Syrup will be published in the Federal Register on January 29, 2015. This revision will become effective 30 days after publication on March 2, 2015
|
|
STATES
|
Vermont
|
A joint resolution supporting the grade changes was passed by both the Senate and House in 2013. This was requested by the Governor and Secretary of Agriculture to show legislative support for the changes. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture and the Vermont Maple Sugarmakers Association are assisting implementation of the new grading rules that went into effect on January 1, 2014. There was a one year grandfather period to use existing grade labeling, and a 3 year period for sales of Vermont syrup within the State of Vermont to use both the old and the new grading systems. Feedback the IMSI has received from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and from IMSI members in Vermont has been positive and implementation is proceeding well to-date. Based on reports received , consumers are especially liking the taste descriptors on the new product labels. Vermont is entering its second year of implementation in 2015.
|
Maine
|
A new Bill passed in the Maine Legislature replaces the existing maple syrup grading system for the State with the new grading system that has been proposed by the International Maple Syrup Institute. It proposes a uniform grade of maple syrup: Grade A for maple syrup sold at retail. The Bill was to take affect only upon adoption of the new grading system by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Canadian federal government and notice of the actions being provided by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Reviser of Statutes. Since, both the Canadian and US Federal governments have announced the final maple amendments, Maine will be implementing the new standard in 2015 with a one year transition period.
|
|
New York
|
New York State government officials have developed Maple Grades Regulations, incorporating the IMSI’s Maple Grades proposal. Public hearings on the IMSI Grades proposal were held in 2013 with strong support being the outcome from this exposure. In August 2013, the IMSI Executive Director was informed that the maple syrup grade changes proposed by the IMSI will be required in law in New York State on January 1st, 2015.
|
|
Ohio
|
It is expected that Ohio will adopt the Federal level Maple Grades Amendments now that they have been approved by the USDA.
|
|
New Hampshire
|
Legislative approval was not required as part of the approvals process in New Hampshire. The new grade rules were approved on December 16, 2014 and must be complied with effective January 1st 2016 at the latest.
|
|
