USDA revises quality standards for domestic, imported peanuts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture revised its peanut quality and handling standards Monday to require both domestic and imported peanuts to be dried at less than 18 percent before inspection and to less than 10.49 percent prior to storing and milling.
Virginia-type peanuts used for seed must be dried to less than 18 percent prior to inspection and to 11.49 percent or less before storing or milling.
USDA’s Peanut Standards Board requested the moisture content changes. The board said the changes allow handlers and importers to “receive or acquire high moisture peanuts to promote the development of new drying technologies, increase efficiencies, and reduce costs to the industry.”