Proposal to Remove Standard of Identity for Frozen Cherry Pie

 A few weeks back, we discussed the push to remove the Standard of Identity for French Dressing.  There is also a proposal to remove the Standard of Identity for frozen cherry pie.  Posted in the Federal Register, the proposal looks to revoke the standards for cherry pie by a citizens petition from the ABA - the American Baking Association.  The reasoning is that  "frozen cherry pie is the only fruit pie, either frozen or non-frozen, that is subject to standards of identity and quality" and that it limits what a baker can do with this pie, but not with other pies, including non-frozen cherry pies.  And since we have not had issues with other pies regarding a standard over time, then removing this should not result in a cascade of deception involving frozen cherry pies in the market.

There is probably a history of why this specific standard was written in the first place.  Perhaps devious bakers were making low quality cherry pies and offering these at a lower price compared to the price for higher quality frozen cherry pies and the quality bakers complained.  Perhaps a baker was producing pies at a lower price by using bruised cherries.   Or perhaps there was a consumer complaint from people who felt duped because they bought a frozen cherry pie with little or no cherries.  Can this issue still arise?  Sure, but as consumers, we would be unlikely to buy a lower quality pie at an unreasonable price.  We may not really care if the cherries have bruises.  Consumers will have the choice of the frozen pie brand they purchase based upon price and the quality they expect.