Highline Mushrooms to maintain quality standards despite USDA grading changes

Highline Mushrooms has announced its intention to maintain current quality specifications despite upcoming changes to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Mushrooms. The revised federal standards, issued by the USDA, are set to take effect on September 24.

These revisions represent the first modernization of mushroom grading requirements in nearly 60 years. The updates include changes to sizing, terminology, defect tolerances, and the treatment of open veils. While the new USDA standards offer the industry increased flexibility, Highline Mushrooms stated it will not use this flexibility to lower the quality standards established with its retail and foodservice partners.

Sabrina Pokomandy, Director of Business Development & Marketing at Highline, emphasized that customer expectations regarding appearance, freshness, and shelf performance remain the company's priority. The company aims to maintain consistency at the retail level to protect consumer confidence and support growth in the mushroom category.