The Consumer and the Standardization of Farm Products

Excerpts from the report: Housekeepers in increasing numbers are asking how they can use the Federal standards for food products when they are doing the marketing for their families, and managers of cafeterias and dining rooms, who buy in larger quantities, seem to be even more interested in using these standards. In answering queries, the Bureau of Agricultural Economics divides the list of standards of direct interest to consumers into two fairly well-defined groups. The first group includes those that can be readily used by the individual housekeeper under certain conditions, because of the device, or stamp, or certificate, or other visual indication of grade. The second group includes those that are so marked on some wholesale markets and can be used by consumers who buy in quantity on those markets. In the first group are beef, lamb, veal, sausages and processed meats, poultry, eggs, butter, cheese, rice, honey, and certain canned fruits and vegetables. Canned chicken and other canned chicken products might be roughly included, since those put up by a large number of firms now bear labels denoting wholesomeness if not quality grade. The second group includes fresh fruits and vegetables, and dry beans. Containers for fruits and vegetables may be said to be in a class by themselves. In addition to the short discussions that follow, the factors that determine grade of quality in the case of several commodities are given on the accompanying illustrations.