The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the final rule revising the US Standards for Grades of Shelled Walnuts and Walnuts in the Shell.
AMS is amending the color requirements to include red colored walnuts and removing the “Unclassified” section due to the increment of red walnut demand. The changes aim to modernize the standards and meet growing consumer demand by providing greater marketing flexibility.
The final rule is effective since September 21, 2017.