This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of

new books are listed in the first FEDERAL

REGISTER issue of each week.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

57033 

Vol. 78, No. 180 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Agricultural Marketing Service 

7 CFR Part 42 

[Doc. No. AMS–FV–08–0027; FV–05–332] 

RIN 0581–AC52 

United States Standards for Condition 

of Food Containers 

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, 

USDA. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing 

Service (AMS) is amending the 

regulations governing the United States 

(U.S.) Standards for Condition of Food 

Containers. The revisions to existing 

tables, removal of operating 

characteristic (OC) curves and updating 

language in the standards would enable 

the standards to be applicable to most 

types of food containers and align the 

standards to reflect current industry 

practices. 

DATES: Effective Date: October 17, 2013. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Lynne Yedinak, Specialty Crops 

Inspection Division, Fruit and Vegetable 

Program, Agricultural Marketing 

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 

1536, South Building, Stop 0240, 

Washington, DC 20250–0240; 

Telephone: (202) 720–5021, FAX: (202) 

690–1527; or email CIDS@ams.usda.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Order 12866 

This final rule has been determined to 

be not significant for purposes of 

Executive Order 12866 and therefore, 

has not been reviewed by the Office of 

Management and Budget. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act and 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

Pursuant to requirements set forth in 

the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 

U.S.C. 601–612), AMS has considered 

the economic impact of this action on 

small entities. Accordingly, AMS has 

prepared this final regulatory flexibility 

analysis. 

The purpose of the RFA is to fit 

regulatory action to the scale of business 

subject to such actions so that small 

businesses will not be unduly or 

disproportionately burdened. Food 

manufacturers are determined to be 

small businesses in accordance with the 

Small Business Size Standards by North 

American Industry Classification 

Systems (NAICS) codes in Title 13, 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 13 

CFR part 121. These businesses may 

have fewer than 500, 750, or 1,000 

employees depending on their NAICS 

code. 

There are approximately 22,058 

establishments identified in the 2007 

Economic Census as belonging to the 

North American Industry Classification 

System under the classification of ‘‘food 

manufacturing’’ and any number of 

these establishments could request their 

product containers be inspected under 

the provisions of the U.S. Standards for 

Condition of Food Containers. Only 402 

of these establishments would qualify as 

small businesses under the definition 

provided by the Small Business 

Administration. 

Under the final rule, utilization of the 

U.S. Standards for Condition of Food 

Containers continues to be voluntary. 

We have examined the economic 

implications of this final rule on small 

entities. Small entities would only incur 

direct costs when purchasers of their 

packaged food products stipulate in 

their procurement documents that the 

food containers should conform to the 

requirements of the U.S. Standards for 

Condition of Food Containers. 

Since the standards were last 

amended in May 1983, innovations in 

packaging technologies have provided 

an increasingly wide variety of 

acceptable new food containers. 

Accordingly, we believe that the 

economic impact of this final rule will 

be minimal because the revisions are 

necessary in order to provide standards 

that reflect current industry practices. 

The changes concerning removal of OC 

curves and other non-substantive 

changes will have no adverse impact on 

small or large entities. 

The revisions made herein enable the 

standards to be applicable to most types 

of food containers and align the 

standards to reflect current industry 

practices. With regard to alternatives, 

this action reflects revisions proposed to 

the standards as a result of the second 

proposed rule published in the Federal 

Register, January 18, 2012 [77 FR 2481]. 

This rule will not impose any 

additional reporting or recordkeeping 

requirements on either small or large 

establishments under the Paperwork 

Reduction Act, (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). 

The Department has not identified any 

relevant Federal rules that duplicate, 

overlap, or conflict with the Standards. 

AMS is committed to complying with 

the E-Government Act of 2002 (44 

U.S.C. 3601–3606; 3541–3549), to 

promote the use of the Internet and 

other information technologies to 

provide increased opportunities for 

citizen access to Government 

information and services, and for other 

purposes. 

Executive Order 12988 

This rule has been reviewed under 

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice 

Reform. This action is not retroactive. 

There are no administrative procedures 

which must be exhausted prior to any 

judicial challenge to the provisions of 

this rule. 

Background 

The U.S. Standards for Condition of 

Food Containers (Standards) currently 

provides sampling procedures and 

acceptance criteria for the inspection of 

stationary lots of filled food containers, 

which includes skip lot sampling and 

inspection procedures. It also provides 

on-line sampling and inspection 

procedures for food containers during 

production. 

Stationary lot sampling is the process 

of randomly selecting sample units from 

a lot whose production has been 

completed. This type of lot is usually 

stored in a warehouse or in some other 

storage facility and is offered for 

inspection. 

Skip lot sampling is a special 

procedure for inspecting stationary lots 

in which only a fraction of the 

submitted lots are inspected. Skip lot 

inspection can only be instituted when 

a certain number of lots of essentially 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

57034 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

the same quality have been 

consecutively accepted. 

To be acceptable under the 

examination criteria in the standards, 

lots may contain only a limited number 

of defects classified as minor, major, or 

critical. Acceptance criteria are based on 

sampling plans for different lot sizes 

and levels of inspection such as normal, 

reduced, or tightened. Defect tables 

classify the severity of defects. 

On-line sampling and inspection is a 

procedure in which subgroups of 

sample units or individual containers 

are selected randomly from predesignated portions of production. The 

acceptability of these portions of 

production is determined by inspecting, 

at the time of sampling, the subgroups 

which represent these portions. For this 

type of sampling, only portions of a lot, 

rather than a whole lot, may be rejected. 

This helps to identify trouble spots in a 

production cycle quickly, and enables 

the producer to make timely corrections. 

This can reduce the corrective action 

costs and the amount of product 

destroyed as a result of packaging 

problems. 

These standards were developed for 

use by Government agencies when 

requested to certify filled primary 

containers or shipping cases, or both, for 

condition. The standards are 

permissive, and they may be used in 

their entirety or in part by private 

parties. 

Revision of the Standards includes: 

(1) separating Tables I, I–A, II, II–A, 

III, III–A, and III–B of sampling plans for 

normal, tightened, and reduced 

inspection by the type of sampling plan 

used (single or double), as well as 

updating the Acceptable Quality Levels 

(AQLs) for these tables 

(2) updating Table IV—Metal 

Containers, (Rigid and Semi-Rigid), 

Table VI—Glass Containers, Table VIII— 

Rigid and Semi-Rigid Containers 

(Corrugated or Solid Fiberboard, 

Chipboard, Wood, Paperboard Aseptic 

Cartons, Polymeric Trays, etc.), Table 

IX—Flexible Containers (Plastic Bags, 

Cello, Paper, Textile, Laminated MultiLayer Pouch, Bag, etc.), and Table XI— 

Defects of Label, Marking, or Code to 

incorporate new defects and revise 

existing defects to reflect new packaging 

technologies such as aseptic packaging, 

metal cans with easy open lids, and 

plastic rings that hold several containers 

together 

(3) adding new defect tables, Table 

V—Composite Containers (Semi-Rigid 

Laminated or Multi-Layer Paperboard 

Body with Metal, Plastic, or 

Combination of Metal and Plastic Ends 

and a Safety Seal Inside the Cap), Table 

VII—Plastic Containers (Rigid and SemiRigid Bottles, Jars, Tubs, Trays, Pails, 

etc.), and Table XII—Interior Can 

Defects (a new section 42.114 is added 

to provide for procedures for evaluating 

interior container defects) 

(4) removing the OC curves 

(5) other minor non-substantive 

changes to clarify the text. 

These revisions to existing tables, 

addition of new tables, removal of OC 

curves, and updating language in the 

U.S. Standards for Condition of Food 

Containers enables the standards to be 

applicable to most types of food 

containers and align the standards to 

reflect current industry practices. 

OC curves found in §§ 42.140, 42.141, 

42.142, and 42.143 from Subpart E— 

Miscellaneous, are removed. This final 

rule reflects the amendatory language 

removing these provisions that first 

appeared in the proposed rule 

published in the November 19, 2009, 

Federal Register. While these curves 

show the ability of the various sampling 

plans to distinguish between accepted 

and rejected lots, it is our experience 

that the inclusion of these curves is not 

critical to use of the standards. 

Furthermore, they are readily available 

in literature and on the Internet. Also, 

Standards for sampling plans including 

OC Curves are currently available in 7 

CFR Part 43. 

Comments 

AMS published two proposed rules in 

the Federal Register in which six 

comments were received. The first 

proposed rule was published in the 

Federal Register on November 19, 2009 

[74 FR 59920], with a sixty-day 

comment period which closed on 

January 19, 2010. Two comments were 

received. One commenter provided a 

comment that was determined to be 

outside the scope of the rule. Therefore, 

no changes were made based on this 

comment. The other commenter 

supported the proposed rule revision 

and provided statements regarding 

§ 42.112—Defects of Containers. The 

commenter stated that while Table IV of 

§ 42.112 has defects for composite cans 

listed as a subset of the metal can 

defects, composite cans also exhibit 

defects listed in Table VI—Rigid and 

Semi-rigid containers. The commenter 

proposed a separate table be added for 

composite cans extracting the composite 

can defects from Table IV and Table VI. 

Based on this comment, AMS added a 

new Table V that contained the 

information for composite can defects 

from Table IV and Table VI and 

removed the composite information in 

Table IV. The proposed rule was then 

reissued. 

The second proposed rule was 

published in the Federal Register on 

January 18, 2012 [77 FR 2481] and 

provided a comment period of sixty 

days which closed on March 19, 2012. 

Four comments were received. Two 

commenters provided comments that 

were determined to be outside the scope 

of the rule. Therefore, no changes were 

made based on those comments. 

The third commenter supported the 

revision of the proposed rule with 

several changes. Comments were 

received regarding: (1) the new 

proposed paragraph § 42.114— 

Procedures for Evaluating Interior 

Container Defects and Table XII— 

Interior Container Defects, and (2) the 

proposed modifications to two defects 

in Table IV—Metal Containers (Rigid 

and Semi-rigid). Comments received 

regarding Procedures for Evaluating 

Interior Container Defects stated that the 

last four defects in Table XII were vague 

and not defined. AMS determined the 

comment had merit and removed major 

defect 104 and minor defect 204, and 

revised major defect 105 and minor 

defect 205 to provide examples of what 

‘‘other anomaly(ies)’’ are. The defects 

were then renumbered. In subsequent 

discussions, the commenter requested 

AMS change ‘‘Enamel cracked in metal 

container material not affecting 

usability’’ in minor defect 203, Table 

XII, to ‘‘Enamel breakdown in metal 

affecting usability’’ as the terms 

‘‘cracked’’ and ‘‘breakdown’’ mean the 

same thing. AMS determined that this 

had merit and made the change. The 

commenter also provided comments on 

§ 42.112—Defects of Containers, Table 

IV—Rigid and Semi-Rigid Containers. 

The comment concerned major defect 

107 for ‘‘Metal pop-top: (b) Missing or 

incomplete score line:’’ and minor 

defect 203 for ‘‘Flexible pop-top: (b) 

Short pull tab.’’ The commenter stated 

that sometimes product design 

standards request a partial score for a 

metal pop-top or a shortened pull tab for 

a flexible pop-top. The commenter 

requested that AMS revise the defect 

descriptions to specify that these will 

not be considered defects when they are 

requested in a product specification. 

AMS determined the comment had 

merit and, to account for this exception, 

added the phrase ‘‘(not conforming to a 

relevant product specification)’’ to 

major defect 107 and minor defect 203. 

The fourth commenter stated that 

using ‘‘Tetra Pak’’ is a reference to a 

company and not the actual type of 

packaging. The commenter 

recommended that AMS use one of the 

specific package trademarks or use the 

term ‘‘Tetra Pak cartons.’’ AMS 

determined the comment had merit. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 57035 

AMS has revised the package 

identification from ‘‘Tetra Pak’’ to 

‘‘Paperboard Aseptic Cartons’’ to 

accurately identify all packaging made 

in a similar manner. 

Based on the comments received and 

information gathered, AMS believes that 

revising these standards will bring the 

Standards inline to reflect current 

industry practices. 

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 42 

Food packaging, reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements. 

For the reasons set forth in the 

preamble, 7 CFR part 42 is amended as 

follows: 

PART 42—[Amended] 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 42 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: Secs. 203, 205, 60 Stat. 1087, 

as amended, 1090, as amended (7 U.S.C. 

1622, 1624). 

■ 2. Section 42.102 is amended by: 

■ a. Removing the definitions ‘‘Lot’’, 

‘‘Operating Characteristic Curve (OC 

Curve)’’ and ‘‘Probability of 

acceptance’’. 

■ b. Revising the definitions 

‘‘Administrator,’’ ‘‘Sample size (n),’’ and 

‘‘Stationary lot sampling’’ 

■ c. Adding the definition ‘‘Lot or 

inspection lot’’ in alphabetical order. 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 42.102 Definitions, general. 

* * * * * 

Administrator. The Administrator of 

the Agricultural Marketing Service 

(AMS) of the Department or any other 

officer or employee of the Agency who 

is delegated, or who may be delegated 

the authority to act in the 

Administrator’s stead. 

* * * * * 

Lot or inspection lot. A collection of 

filled food containers of the same size, 

type, and style. The term shall mean 

‘‘inspection lot,’’ i.e., a collection of 

units of product from which a sample is 

to be drawn and inspected to determine 

conformance with the applicable 

acceptance criteria. An inspection lot 

may differ from a collection of units 

designated as a lot for other purposes 

(e.g., production lot, shipping lot, etc.). 

* * * * * 

Sample size (n). The number of 

sample units included in the sample. 

* * * * * 

Stationary lot sampling. The process 

of randomly selecting sample units from 

a lot whose production has been 

completed. This type of lot is usually 

stored in a warehouse or in some other 

storage facility and is offered in its 

entirety for inspection. 

* * * * * 

§ 42.106 [Amended] 

■ 3. In § 42.106, paragraph (a)(1), 

remove the word ‘‘attributed’’ and add 

in its place the word ‘‘attributed’’. 

■ 4. Revise § 42.109, to read as follows: 

§ 42.109 Sampling plans for normal 

condition of container inspection, Tables I 

and I–A. 

TABLE I—SINGLE SAMPLING PLANS FOR NORMAL CONDITION OF CONTAINER INSPECTION

Code 

Lot size ranges— 

Number of containers 

in lot 

Type of Plan 

Acceptable quality levels 

Origin Inspection Other Than Origin Inspection 

Sample 

size 

0.25 1.5 6.5 0.25 2.5 10.0 

Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re 

CA ...... 6,000 or less ................ Single ............ 84 0 1 3 4 9 10 0 1 4 5 13 14 

CB ...... 6,001–12,000 ............... Single ............ 168 1 2 5 6 16 17 1 2 7 8 23 24 

CC ..... 12,001–36,000 ............. Single ............ 315 2 3 8 9 28 29 2 3 13 14 41 42 

CD ..... Over 36,000 ................. Single ............ 500 3 4 12 13 42 43 3 4 18 19 62 63 

CE ...... ...................................... Single ............ 800 4 5 18 19 64 65 4 5 27 28 95 96 

Ac = Acceptance number. 

Re = Rejection number. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES


ER17SE13.004</GPH>mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

Table I-A--Double Sampling Plans for 

Normal Condition of Container Inspection 

Acceptable qualit

Lot size 

--ranges Origin Inspection O

Code Number of Type of Sample Size 

Plan containers 0.25 1.5 6.5 0.2

in lot 

Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac 

CA 6,000 or less--- Double----- 1st-------- 36 (* ) (* ) 0 4 2 7 (*) 

2d--------- 60 

- ------ -------- ----- ------ ------------ ---------

Total------ 96 (* ) (*) 3 4 10 11 (*) 

CB 6,001-12,000---- Double------ 1st-------- 120 0 2 2 6 10 14 0 

2d--------- 60 

------- -------- ----- ------ ------------ ---------

Total------ 180 1 2 5 6 17 18 1 

CC 12,001-36,000--- Double------ 1st-------- 168 0 3 2 7 12 18 0 

2d--------- 180 

------ -------- ----- ------ ------------ ---------

Total------ 348 2 3 9 10 31 32 2 

CD Over 36,000----- Double------ 1st-------- 228 0 3 3 9 15 24 0 

2d--------- 288 

------ -------- ----- ------ ------------ ---------

Total------ 516 3 4 12 13 43 44 3 

(*) Reject on one or more defects 
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 57037 

■ 5. Revise § 42.110 to read as follows: § 42.110 Sampling plans for tightened 

condition of container inspection; Tables II 

and II–A. 

TABLE II—SINGLE SAMPLING PLANS FOR TIGHTENED CONDITION OF CONTAINER INSPECTION

Code 

Lot size ranges— 

Number of containers 

in lot 

Type of Plan 

Acceptable quality levels 

Origin Inspection Other Than Origin Inspection 

Sample 

Size 

0.25 1.5 6.5 0.25 2.5 10.0 

Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re 

CB ...... 6,000 or less ................ Single ............ 168 0 1 4 5 11 12 0 1 5 6 16 17 

CC ..... 6,001–12,000 ............... Single ............ 315 1 2 6 7 19 20 1 2 8 9 28 29 

CD ..... 12,001–36,000 ............. Single ............ 500 2 3 9 10 28 29 2 3 12 13 42 43 

CE ...... Over 36,000 ................. Single ............ 800 3 4 13 14 42 43 3 4 18 19 64 65 

CF ...... ...................................... Single ............ 1,250 4 5 19 20 63 64 4 5 26 27 96 97 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES


ER17SE13.005</GPH>mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

Table II-A-Double Sampling Plans for 

Tightened Condition of Container Inspection 

Acceptable quality 

Lot size Oth

ranges -- Origin Inspection 

Code Number of Type of Sample Size 

Plan containers 0.25 1.5 6.5 0.25 

in lot 

Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac 

CB 6,000 or Double-- 1st------- 120 less------- - (* ) (* ) 2 5 6 10 (* ) 

2d-------- 60 

----- ---------- - - -- ------ ----- ------ ------- --

Total----- 180 (* ) (* ) 4 5 12 13 (* ) 

CC 6,001- Double-- 1st------- 168 12,000----- - 0 2 1 5 7 13 0 

2d-------- 180 

---- -------- ----- ------ ----- ------ ------- --

Total----- 348 1 2 7 8 21 22 1 

CD 12,001- Double-- 1st------- 228 36,000----- - 0 3 2 7 8 17 0 

2d-------- 288 

------- ------------ -- ------ ----- ------ ------- --

Total----- 516 2 3 9 10 29 30 2 

CE Over 36,000- Double-- 1st------- 456 

- - -- - 0 4 5 10 21 28 0 

2d-------- 408 

----- -------- ----- ------ ----- ------ ------- --

Total----- 864 3 4 14 15 44 45 3 

(*) Reject on one or more defects 
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 57039 

■ 6. Revise § 42.111 to read as follows: § 42.111 Sampling plans for reduced 

condition of container inspection, Tables III 

and III–A; and limit number for reduced 

inspection, Table III–B. 

TABLE III—SINGLE SAMPLING PLANS FOR REDUCED CONDITION OF CONTAINER INSPECTION

Code 

Lot size ranges— 

Number of containers 

in lot 

Type of Plan 

Acceptable quality levels 

Origin inspection Other Than Origin Inspection 

Sample 

Size 

0.25 1.5 6.5 0.25 2.5 10.0 

Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re 

CAA ... 6,000 or less ................ Single ............ 29 1 2 1 2 4 5 1 2 2 3 5 6 

CA ...... 6,001–36,000 ............... Single ............ 84 1 2 3 4 9 10 1 2 4 5 13 14 

CB ...... Over 36,000 ................. Single ............ 168 1 2 5 6 16 17 1 2 7 8 23 24 

CC ..... ...................................... Single ............ 315 2 3 8 9 28 29 2 3 13 14 41 42 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES


ER17SE13.006</GPH>mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

Lot size 

ranges -- Type of Code Number of Plan containers 

in lot 

CAA 6,000 or Double---- less--------CA 6,001-36,000 Double----CB Over 36,000- Double----

Table III-A--Double Sampling Plans for 

Reduced Condition of Container Inspection 

Acceptable quality 

O

Origin Inspection 

Sample Size 

0.25 1.5 6.5 0.2

Ac Re Ac Re Ac Re Ac 

1st-------- 18 

0 2 0 2 1 4 0 

2d--------- 18 

r--- ------- ---------- ------- ------- ---------------- ------ - 

Total------ 36 1 2 1 2 5 6 1 

1st-------- 36 

0 2 0 4 2 7 0 

2d--------- 60 

r--- ------- ---------- ------- ------- ---------------- ------- 

Total------ 96 1 2 3 4 10 11 1 

1st-------- 12 0 0 2 2 6 10 14 0 

2d--------- 60 

------- ---------- ------- ------- ---------------- ------- 

Total------ 0 1 2 5 6 17 18 1 
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 57041 

TABLE III–B—LIMIT NUMBERS FOR REDUCED INSPECTION

Number of sample units from last 10 lots inspected within 

6 months 

Acceptable quality level 

0.25 1.5 2.5 6.5 10.0 

320–499 ............................................................................... (*) 1 4 14 24 

500–799 ............................................................................... (*) 3 7 25 40 

800–1,249 ............................................................................ 0 7 14 42 68 

1,250–1,999 ......................................................................... 0 13 24 69 110 

2,000–3,149 ......................................................................... 2 22 40 115 181 

3,150–4,999 ......................................................................... 4 38 67 186 293 

5,000–7,999 ......................................................................... 7 63 110 302 472 

8,000–12,499 ....................................................................... 14 105 181 491 765 

12,500–19,999 ..................................................................... 24 169 290 777 1207 

* Denotes that the number of sample units from the last 10 inspection lots is not sufficient for reduced inspection for this AQL. In this instance 

more than 10 inspection lots may be used for the calculations if; the inspection lots used are the most recent ones in sequence within the last 6 

months, they have all been on normal inspection, and none has been rejected on original inspection. 

■ 7. Section § 42.112 is revised to read 

as follows: 

§ 42.112 Defects of containers: Tables IV, 

V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X. 

TABLE IV—METAL CONTAINERS

[Rigid and semi-rigid] 

Defects 

Categories 

Critical Major Minor 

Type or size of container or component parts not as specified .................................................. None permitted 

Closure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: 

(a) Heat processed primary container .................................................................................. 1 ........................ ........................

(b) Non-heat processed primary container .......................................................................... ........................ 101 ........................

(c) Other than primary container .......................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 201 

Dirty, stained, or smeared container ........................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 202 

Key opening metal containers (when required): 

(a) Key missing ..................................................................................................................... ........................ 102 ........................

(b) Key does not fit tab ......................................................................................................... ........................ 103 ........................

(c) Tab of opening band insufficient to provide accessibility to key .................................... ........................ 104 ........................

(d) Improper scoring (band would not be removed in one continuous strip) ...................... ........................ 105 ........................

Metal pop-top: 

(a) Missing or broken pull tab .............................................................................................. ........................ 106 ........................

(b) Missing or incomplete score line (not conforming to a relevant product specification) ........................ 107 ........................

Flexible pop-top: 

(a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) .................................................................... ........................ 108 ........................

(b) Short pull tab (not conforming to a relevant product specification) ............................... ........................ ........................ 203 

(c) Missing pull tab ............................................................................................................... ........................ 109 ........................

(d) Torn pull tab .................................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 204 

Open top with plastic overcap (when required): 

(a) Plastic overcap missing .................................................................................................. ........................ 110 ........................

(b) Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication difficult) ............................... ........................ 111 ........................

Outside tinplate or coating (when required): 

(a) Missing or incomplete ..................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 205 

(b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled ............................................................................. ........................ ........................ 206 

(c) Scratched or scored ........................................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 207 

(d) Fine cracks ...................................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 208 

Rust (rust stain confined to the top or bottom double seam or rust that can be removed with 

a soft cloth is not scored a defect): 

(a) Rust stain ........................................................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 209 

(b) Pitted rust ........................................................................................................................ ........................ 112 ........................

Wet cans (excluding refrigerated containers) .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ 210 

Dent: 

(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability ........................................................... ........................ ........................ 211 

(b) Materially affecting usability ............................................................................................ ........................ 113 ........................

Buckle: 

(a) Not involving end seam .................................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 212 

(b) Extending into the end seam .......................................................................................... ........................ 114 ........................

Collapsed container ..................................................................................................................... ........................ 115 ........................

Paneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability .................................................. ........................ ........................ 213 

Solder missing when required ..................................................................................................... ........................ 116 ........................

Cable cut exposing seam ............................................................................................................ ........................ 117 ........................

Improper side seam ..................................................................................................................... ........................ 118 ........................

Swell, springer, or flipper (not applicable to gas or pressure packed product nor frozen products) .......................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................ ........................

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

57042 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

TABLE IV—METAL CONTAINERS—Continued 

[Rigid and semi-rigid] 

Defects 

Categories 

Critical Major Minor 

Leaker or blown container ........................................................................................................... 3 ........................ ........................

Frozen products only: 

(a) Bulging ends 3⁄16-inch to 1⁄4-inch beyond lip .................................................................. ........................ ........................ 214 

(b) Bulging ends more than 1⁄4-inch beyond lip ................................................................... ........................ 119 ........................

Metal drums: leaking filling seal (bung) swell 1 ........................................................................... 4 120 ........................

1 Defect classification depends on the severity of the defect. 

TABLE V—COMPOSITE CONTAINERS

[Fiberboard body with metal lids or metal bottoms, plastic or foil top with cap] 

Defects 

Categories 

Critical Major Minor 

Type or size of container or component parts not as specified .................................................. None permitted 

Closure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly ................. 1 ........................ ........................

Dirty, stained, or smeared container ........................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 201 

Easy open closure: 

(a) Pull tab: ........................ ........................ ........................

1. Missing or broken pull tab ......................................................................................... ........................ 101 ........................

2. Missing or incomplete score line .............................................................................. ........................ 102 ........................

(b) Membrane top: ........................ ........................ ........................

1. Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) .............................................................. ........................ 103 ........................

2. Short pull tab ............................................................................................................. ........................ 104 ........................

3. Missing pull tab ......................................................................................................... ........................ 105 ........................

4. Torn pull tab .............................................................................................................. ........................ 106 ........................

(c) Open top with plastic overcap (when required): ........................ ........................ ........................

1. Plastic overcap missing ............................................................................................ ........................ 107 ........................

2. Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication difficult) ......................... ........................ 108 ........................

Outside tinplate or coating on ends (when required): 

(a) Missing or incomplete ..................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 202 

(b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled ............................................................................. ........................ ........................ 203 

(c) Scratched or scored ........................................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 204 

(d) Fine cracks ...................................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 205 

Collapsed container ..................................................................................................................... ........................ 109 ........................

Paneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability .................................................. ........................ ........................ 206 

Leaker .......................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................ ........................

Wet or damp: 

(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability ........................................................... ........................ ........................ 207 

(b) Materially affecting usability ............................................................................................ ........................ 110 ........................

Crushed or torn area: 

(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability ........................................................... ........................ ........................ 208 

(b) Materially affecting usability ............................................................................................ ........................ 111 ........................

TABLE VI—GLASS CONTAINERS

[Bottles, Jars] 

Defects 

Categories 

Critical Major Minor 

Type or size of container or component parts not as specified .................................................. None permitted 

Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: 

(a) Heat processed ............................................................................................................... 1 ........................ ........................

(b) Non-heat processed ........................................................................................................ ........................ 101 

Dirty, stained, or smeared container ........................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 201 

Chip in glass ................................................................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 202 

Stone (unmelted material) in glass .............................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 203 

Pits in surface of glass ................................................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 204 

Sagging surface ........................................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 205 

Bead (bubble within glass): 

(a) 1⁄8-inch to 1⁄16-inch in diameter ....................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 206 

(b) Exceeding 1⁄8-inch in diameter ........................................................................................ ........................ 102 ........................

Checked ....................................................................................................................................... ........................ 103 ........................

Thin spot in glass ........................................................................................................................ ........................ 104 ........................

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 57043 

TABLE VI—GLASS CONTAINERS—Continued 

[Bottles, Jars] 

Defects 

Categories 

Critical Major Minor 

Blister (structural defect) .............................................................................................................. ........................ 105 ........................

Bird swing (glass appendage inside container) .......................................................................... 2 ........................ ........................

Broken or leaking container ......................................................................................................... 3 ........................ ........................

Cap (nonheat processed): 

(a) Cross-threaded ............................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 207 

(b) Loose but not leaking ..................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 208 

(c) Pitted rust ........................................................................................................................ ........................ 106 ........................

Cap (heat processed): 

(a) Cross-threaded or loose ................................................................................................. 4 ........................ ........................

(b) Pitted rust ........................................................................................................................ ........................ 107 ........................

Sealing tape or cello band (when required): 

(a) Improperly placed ........................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 209 

(b) Not covering juncture of cap and glass .......................................................................... ........................ 108 ........................

(c) Ends overlap by less than 1⁄2-inch .................................................................................. ........................ 109 ........................

(d) Loose or deteriorating ..................................................................................................... ........................ 110 ........................

Missing or torn outer safety seal ................................................................................................. ........................ 111 ........................

Inner safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal ................................................................................. ........................ 112 ........................

TABLE VII—PLASTIC CONTAINERS

[Rigid and Semi-Rigid, Bottles, Jars, Tubs, Trays, Pails, etc.] 

Defects 

Categories 

Critical Major Minor 

Type or size of container or component parts not as specified .................................................. None permitted 

Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: 

(a) Heat processed ............................................................................................................... 1 ........................ ........................

(b) Non-heat processed ........................................................................................................ ........................ 101 ........................

Dirty, stained, or smeared container ........................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 201 

Chip in plastic .............................................................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 202 

Un-melted gels in plastic ............................................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 203 

Pits in surface of plastic .............................................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 204 

Sagging surface ........................................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 205 

Air bubble within plastic: 

(a) 1⁄8-inch to 1⁄16-inch in diameter ....................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 206 

(b) Exceeding 1⁄8-inch in diameter ........................................................................................ ........................ 102 ........................

Checked ....................................................................................................................................... ........................ 103 ........................

Thin spot in plastic ....................................................................................................................... ........................ 104 ........................

Blister (structural defect) .............................................................................................................. ........................ 105 ........................

Broken or leaking container ......................................................................................................... 2 ........................ ........................

Cap (non-heat processed): 

(a) Cross-threaded ............................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 207 

(b) Loose but not leaking ..................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 208 

Cap (heat processed), cross-threaded or loose .......................................................................... 3 ........................ ........................

Security seals: 

(a) Closure ring missing ....................................................................................................... ........................ 106 ........................

(b) Missing or torn outer safety seal .................................................................................... ........................ 107 ........................

(c) Inner safety seal—missing, torn, or poor seal ....................................................................... ........................ 108 ........................

(d) Sealing tape or cello band (when required): 

1. Improperly placed ...................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 209 

2. Not covering juncture of cap and plastic .................................................................. ........................ 109 ........................

3. Ends overlap by less than 1⁄2-inch ............................................................................ ........................ 110 ........................

4. Loose or deteriorating ............................................................................................... ........................ 111 ........................

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

57044 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

TABLE VIII—RIGID AND SEMI-RIGID CONTAINERS—CORRUGATED OR SOLID FIBERBOARD, CHIPBOARD, WOOD, 

PAPERBOARD ASEPTIC CARTONS, POLYMERIC TRAYS, ETC. 

[Excluding metal, glass, and plastic] 

Defects 

Categories 

Critical Major Minor 

Type or size of container or component parts not as specified .................................................. None permitted 

Component part missing .............................................................................................................. ........................ 101 ........................

Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: 

(a) Primary container ............................................................................................................ 1 ........................ ........................

(b) Other than primary container .......................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 201 

Dirty, stained, or smeared container ........................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 202 

Wet or damp (excluding ice packs): 

(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability ........................................................... ........................ ........................ 203 

(b) Materially affecting usability ............................................................................................ ........................ 102 ........................

Moldy area ................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................ ........................

Crushed or torn area: 

(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability ........................................................... ........................ ........................ 204 

(b) Materially affecting usability ............................................................................................ ........................ 103 ........................

Separation of lamination (corrugated fiberboard): 

(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability ........................................................... ........................ ........................ 205 

(b) Materially affecting usability ............................................................................................ ........................ 104 ........................

Product sifting or leaking ............................................................................................................. ........................ 105 ........................

Nails or staples (when required): 

(a) Not as required, insufficient number or improperly positioned ....................................... ........................ ........................ 206 

(b) Nails or staples protruding .............................................................................................. ........................ 106 ........................

Glue or adhesive (when required); not holding properly, not covering area specified, or not 

covering sufficient area to hold properly: 

(a) Primary container ............................................................................................................ ........................ 107 ........................

(b) Other than primary container .......................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 207 

Flap: 

(a) Projects beyond edge of container more than 1⁄4-inch ................................................... ........................ ........................ 208 

(b) Does not meet properly, allowing space of more than 1⁄4-inch ...................................... ........................ ........................ 209 

Sealing tape or strapping (when required): 

(a) Missing ............................................................................................................................ ........................ 108 ........................

(b) Improperly placed or applied .......................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 210 

Missing component (straw, etc.) .................................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 211 

Paperboard Aseptic Cartons: 

(a) Missing re-sealable cap or tab ....................................................................................... ........................ 109 ........................

(b) Inner or outer safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal ...................................................... 3 ........................ ........................

Thermostabilized polymeric trays: 

Tray body: 

(a) Swollen container ............................................................................................................ 4 ........................ ........................

(b) Tear, crack, hole, abrasion through more than one layer of multi-layer laminate for 

the tray .............................................................................................................................. 5 ........................ ........................

(c) Presence of delamination in multi-layered laminate ....................................................... ........................ ........................ 212 

(d) Presence of any permanent deformation, such that deformed area is discolored or 

roughened in texture ......................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 213 

Lid material: 

(a) Closure seal not continuous along tray flange surface .................................................. 6 ........................ ........................

(b) Foldover wrinkle in seal area extends into the closure seal such that the closure seal 

is reduced to less than 1⁄8-inch ......................................................................................... 7 ........................ ........................

(c) Any impression or design on the seal surfaces which conceals or impairs visual detection of seal defects ....................................................................................................... ........................ 110 ........................

(d) Areas of ‘‘wave-like’’ striations or wrinkles along the seal area that spans the entire 

width of seal ...................................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 214 

(e) Abrasion of lid material: 

1. Within 1⁄16-inch of food product edge of seal such that barrier layer is exposed .... 8 ........................ ........................

2. Greater than 1⁄16-inch from food product edge of seal that barrier layer is exposed ........................ ........................ 215 

(f) Presence of entrapped matter within 1⁄16-inch of the food product edge of seal or entrapped moisture or vapor with 1⁄16-inch of the food product edge of seal that results in 

less than 1⁄16-inch of defect free seal width at the outside edge ..................................... 9 ........................ ........................

(g) Presence of any seal defect or anomaly (for example, entrapped moisture, gases, 

etc.) within 1⁄16-inch of food product edge of seal ............................................................ ........................ 111 ........................

(h) Closure seal width less than 1⁄8-inch .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ 216 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 57045 

TABLE IX—FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS

[Plastic, Cellophane, Paper, Textile, Laminated Multi-Layer Pouch, Bag, etc.] 

Defects 

Categories 

Critical Major Minor 

Type or size of container or component parts not as specified .................................................. None permitted 

Closure not sealed, crimped, stitched, or fitted properly: 

(a) Heat processed primary container .................................................................................. 1 ........................ ........................

(b) Non-heat processed primary container .......................................................................... ........................ 101 ........................

(c) Other than primary container .......................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 201 

Dirty, stained, or smeared container ........................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 202 

Unmelted gels in plastic .............................................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 203 

Torn or cut container or abrasion (non-leaker): 

(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability ........................................................... ........................ ........................ 204 

(b) Materially affecting usability ............................................................................................ ........................ 102 ........................

Moldy area ................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................ ........................

Individual packages sticking together or to shipping case (tear when separated) ..................... ........................ 103 ........................

Not fully covering product ............................................................................................................ ........................ 104 ........................

Wet or damp (excluding ice packs): 

(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability ........................................................... ........................ ........................ 205 

(b) Materially affecting usability ............................................................................................ ........................ 105 ........................

Over wrap (when required): 

(a) Missing ............................................................................................................................ ........................ 106 ........................

(b) Loose, not sealed, or closed .......................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 206 

(c) Improperly applied ........................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 207 

Sealing tape, strapping, or adhesives (when required): 

(a) Missing ............................................................................................................................ ........................ 107 ........................

(b) Improperly placed, applied, torn, or wrinkled ................................................................. ........................ ........................ 208 

Tape over bottom and top closures (when required): 

(a) Not covering stitching ..................................................................................................... ........................ 108 ........................

(b) Torn (exposing stitching) ................................................................................................ ........................ 109 ........................

(c) Wrinkled (exposing stitching) .......................................................................................... ........................ 110 ........................

(d) Not adhering to bag: ........................ ........................ ........................

1. Exposing stitching ..................................................................................................... ........................ 111 ........................

2. Not exposing stitching ............................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 209 

(e) Improper placement ........................................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 210 

Product sifting or leaking: 

(a) Non-heat processed ........................................................................................................ ........................ 112 ........................

(b) Heat processed ............................................................................................................... 3 ........................ ........................

Flexible pop-top: 

(a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch 4 ........................ ........................

(b) Short pull tab (materially affecting usability) ................................................................... ........................ ........................ 212 

(c) Missing pull tab ............................................................................................................... ........................ 113 ........................

(d) Torn pull tab (materially affecting usability) .................................................................... ........................ ........................ 213 

Missing component (straw, etc.) .................................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 214 

Two part container (poly lined box or bag in box): 

(a) Outer case torn ............................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 215 

(b) Poly liner: ........................ ........................ ........................

1. Missing ...................................................................................................................... 5 ........................ ........................

2. Improper closure ....................................................................................................... ........................ 114 ........................

Missing ‘‘zip lock’’ (re-sealable containers) ................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 216 

Loss of vacuum (in vacuum-packed) .......................................................................................... ........................ 115 ........................

Pre-formed containers: 

(a) Dented or crushed area .................................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 217 

(b) Deformed container ........................................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 218 

Missing re-sealable cap ............................................................................................................... ........................ 116 ........................

Inner or outer safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal ................................................................... 6 ........................ ........................

Air bubble in plastic ..................................................................................................................... ........................ 117 ........................

Thermostabilized products (includes but not limited to tubes, pouches, etc.): 

Foldover wrinkle in seal area (thermostabilized pouches): 

(a) Extends through all plies across seal area or reduces seal less than 1⁄16-inch ............ 7 ........................ ........................

(b) Does not extend through all plies and effective seal is 1⁄16-inch or greater .................. ........................ ........................ 219 

Incomplete seal (thermostabilized pouches) ............................................................................... 8 ........................ ........................

Non-bonding seal (thermostabilized pouches) ............................................................................ 9 ........................ ........................

Laminate separation in body of pouch or in seal within 1⁄16-inch of food product edge: 

(a) If food contact layer is exposed ...................................................................................... 10 ........................ ........................

(b) If food contact surface is exposed after manipulation or laminate separation expands 

after manipulation ............................................................................................................. ........................ 118 ........................

(c) If lamination separation is limited to isolated spots that do not propagate with manipulation or is outer ply separation in seal within 1⁄16-inch of food product edge of seal ... ........................ ........................ 220 

Flex cracks (cracks in foil layer only) .......................................................................................... ........................ ........................ 221 

Swollen container ........................................................................................................................ 11 ........................ ........................

Blister (in seal) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch .......................................................... 12 ........................ ........................

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

57046 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

TABLE IX—FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS—Continued 

[Plastic, Cellophane, Paper, Textile, Laminated Multi-Layer Pouch, Bag, etc.] 

Defects 

Categories 

Critical Major Minor 

Compressed seal (overheated to bubble or expose inner layer) reducing intact seal to less 

than 1⁄16-inch ............................................................................................................................ 13 ........................ ........................

Stringy seal (excessive plastic threads showing at edge of seal area) ...................................... ........................ ........................ 222 

Contaminated seal (entrapped matter) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch ..................... 14 ........................ ........................

Seal creep (product in pouch ‘‘creeping’’ into seal) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16 inch 15 ........................ ........................

Misaligned or crooked seal reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch ....................................... 16 ........................ ........................

Seal formed greater than 1-inch from edge of pouch (unclosed edge flaps) ............................. ........................ ........................ 223 

Waffling (embossing on surface from retort racks; not scorable unless severe) ....................... ........................ ........................ 224 

Poor or missing tear notch (when required) ................................................................................ ........................ ........................ 225 

TABLE X—UNITIZING

[Plastic or other type of casing/unitizing] 

Defects 

Categories 

Major Minor 

Not specified method ............................................................................................................................................... 101 ........................

Missing tray (when required) ................................................................................................................................... 102 ........................

Missing shrink wrap (when required) ...................................................................................................................... 103 ........................

Loose or improperly applied wrap ........................................................................................................................... ........................ 201 

Torn or mutilated ..................................................................................................................................................... ........................ 202 

Off-center wrap (does not overlap both ends) ........................................................................................................ ........................ 203 

■ 8. Section 42.113 is revised to read as 

follows: 

§ 42.113 Defects of label, marking, or 

code. 

TABLE XI—LABEL, MARKING, OR CODE

Defects 

Categories 

Major Minor 

Not specified method ............................................................................................................................................... 101 ........................

Missing (when required) .......................................................................................................................................... 102 ........................

Loose or improperly applied .................................................................................................................................... ........................ 201 

Torn or mutilated ..................................................................................................................................................... ........................ 202 

Torn or scratched, obliterating any markings on the label ...................................................................................... 103 ........................

Text illegible or incomplete ...................................................................................................................................... ........................ 203 

Incorrect ................................................................................................................................................................... 104 ........................

In wrong location ..................................................................................................................................................... ........................ 204 

■ 9. Add § 42.114 to subpart B to read 

as follows: 

§ 42.114 Procedures for evaluating interior 

container defects. 

(a) Sections 42.101–42.136 provide 

procedures for determining lot 

conformance with the U.S. Standards 

for Condition of Food Containers. This 

determination is based on the 

examination of the external 

characteristics of the food containers. 

(b) As an option, if a user of the 

inspection service requests to have the 

interior characteristics of containers 

examined, and apply these results in the 

determination of lot acceptability, the 

defects listed in Table XII may be used. 

(c) The determination of lot 

acceptability based on internal 

container defects shall be independent 

of the determination of lot acceptability 

for U.S. Standards for Condition of Food 

Containers. A user of the inspection 

service may choose to require 

inspection for internal can defects as 

well as inspection for U.S. Standards for 

Condition of Food Containers. 

(d) If a user of the inspection service 

requests an examination for internal 

container defects in addition to an 

official USDA/USDC inspection for 

product quality and/or U.S. grade, the 

containers opened by the official 

inspection service for inspection of 

product quality and/or U.S. grade will 

be used for examination of interior 

container defects. The minimum sample 

size for evaluation of interior container 

defects will be 13 containers. As a 

result, additional containers will be 

required if the inspection for quality or 

U.S. grade calls for fewer than 13 

containers. Table XIII provides 

acceptance numbers for internal 

container defects for selected sample 

sizes. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 57047 

TABLE XII—INTERIOR CONTAINER DEFECTS

Defects 

Categories 

Major Minor 

De-tinning in metal container materially affecting usability ..................................................................................... 101 ........................

De-tinning in metal container not materially affecting usability ............................................................................... ........................ 201 

Black spots in metal container ................................................................................................................................ ........................ 202 

Enamel missing (when required) in metal container ............................................................................................... 102 ........................

Enamel breakdown in metal container material affecting usability ......................................................................... 103 ........................

Enamel breakdown in metal container material not affecting usability ................................................................... ........................ 203 

Other defect(s) of the interior of the container (metal, plastic, paper, rigid, etc.) e.g., interior damage, tear, 

delamination, missing layer, off-odor, interior blisters, etc. that materially affects usability ............................... 104 ........................

Defect(s) of the interior of the container (metal, plastic, paper, rigid, etc.) e.g., interior damage, tear, 

delamination, missing layer, off-odor, interior blisters, etc. that materially affects appearance but not usability ........................ 204 

TABLE XIII—ACCEPTANCE NUMBERS FOR INTERNAL CONTAINER DEFECTS

Sample Size (n = number of containers) 

Major Total 

Interior Defects Interior Defects 

Ac Re Ac Re 

n—13 ............................................................................................................... 0 1 2 3 

n—21 ............................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 

n—29 ............................................................................................................... 1 2 4 5 

n—38 ............................................................................................................... 2 3 5 6 

n—48 ............................................................................................................... 2 3 6 7 

n—60 ............................................................................................................... 2 3 7 8 

Dated: September 11, 2013. 

Rex A. Barnes, 

Associate Administrator, Agricultural 

Marketing Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–22574 Filed 9–16–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–02–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0119; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–SW–034–AD; Amendment 

39–17541; AD 2013–16–03] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

France Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model 

AS350 and AS355 helicopters, to 

require inspecting for a crack in the 

control lever attachment yokes, and if 

needed, replacing the tail rotor gearbox 

(TGB). This AD is prompted by 

improper casting of TGB casing 

assemblies, which may lead to cracking. 

A crack in the control lever attachment 

yokes could cause a loss of tail rotor 

pitch control, and consequently, loss of 

control of the helicopter. 

DATES: This AD is effective October 22, 

2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain documents listed in this AD 

as of October 22, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact American 

Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum 

Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 

telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232– 

0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or at http://

www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may 

review the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 

2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 

Worth, Texas 76137. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

Docket Operations Office between 9 

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 

docket contains this AD, the foreign 

authority’s AD, any incorporated-byreference service information, the 

economic evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for the Docket Operations 

Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations Office, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Robert Grant, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 

76137; telephone 817–222–5110; email 

robert.grant@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On February 11, 2013, at 78 FR 9634, 

the Federal Register published our 

notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), 

which proposed to amend 14 CFR part 

39 to include an AD that would apply 

to Eurocopter Model AS350 and AS355 

helicopters. The NPRM proposed to 

require inspecting for a crack in the 

control lever attachment yokes, and if 

needed, replacing the TGB. The 

proposed requirements were intended to 

prevent a crack in the control lever 

attachment yokes, which could cause a 

loss of tail rotor pitch control, and 

consequently, loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 

2011–0104, dated May 27, 2011, issued 

by the European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, to correct an unsafe condition 

for the Eurocopter Model AS 350 and 

AS 355 helicopters. EASA advises that 

cracks were found on some TGB casing 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES