Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Program

Specialty 

Crops 

Inspection

Division

Commodity Specification 

Bottled Juices

June 2014
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 2 of 26

Table of Contents

I. GENERAL ............................................................................................................................ 4

A. U.S. Standards....................................................................................................................... 4

B. Exceptions to U.S. Standards................................................................................................ 4

C. Product Origin...........................................................................................4

D. Kosher Products.................................................................................................................... 5

E. Packing Season ..................................................................................................................... 5

F. Holding Period...................................................................................................................... 5

G. Grade of Bottled Fruit Juices................................................................................................ 5

H. Fill of Container.................................................................................................................... 5

I. Packing, Labels and Packaging............................................................................................. 5

J. Universal Product Codes (UPC)........................................................................................... 7

K. Palletization Requirements................................................................................................... 8

L. Shipment and Delivery..................................................................................8

II. INDIVIDUAL COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................... 8

 A. Apple Juice...................................................................................................................... 8

 B. Grapefruit Juice ............................................................................................................... 8

 C. Orange Juice.................................................................................................................... 9

 D. Grape Juice...................................................................................................................... 9

 E. Pineapple Juice ............................................................................................................... 9

 F. Tomato Juice................................................................................................................. 10

 G. Grape Juice Concentrate 4+1 ........................................................................................ 10

 H. Cranberry Apple Juice...........................................................................11 

 I. Cranberry Juice Concentrate (3+1)................................................................................ 11

 J. Cranberry Juice Concentrate (55 Gallon Drum) ........................................................... 12

 K. Cherry Apple Juice......................................................................................................... 13

III. INSPECTION AND CHECKLOADING.............................................................................. 14

A. Requirements................................................................................................................ 14

B. Certification.................................................................................................................. 14

C. Procedures.................................................................................................................... 14

D. Laboratory Tests........................................................................................................... 14
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IV. FAILURE TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................ 15

V. EXHIBITS.............................................................................................................................. 15

Label for Apple Juice.......................................................................................................... 15

Label for Grapefruit Juice................................................................................................... 15

Label for Orange Juice........................................................................................................ 16

Label for Grape Juice ......................................................................................................... 16

Label for Pineapple Juice.................................................................................................... 17

Label for Tomato Juice ....................................................................................................... 17

Label for Cranberry- Apple Juice ....................................................................................... 18

Label for Cranberry Juice Concentrate ............................................................................... 18

Label for Cherry Apple Juice.............................................................................................. 19

Exhibit 2 Required Markings for Non-Commercial Shipping Containers ......................... 20

Exhibit 3 Alternative Label for Shipping Containers......................................................... 21

Exhibit 4 Sample Alternative Label for Shipping Containers............................................ 22

Exhibit 5 Universal Product Codes..................................................................................... 23

Exhibit 6 “Please Recycle” Symbol and Statement............................................................ 24

Exhibit 7 “Corrugated Recycles” Symbol and Statement................................................... 25

Exhibit 8 USDA Symbol .................................................................................................... 26
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 4 of 26

I. General

A. U.S. Standards

Bottled juice (product/commodity) produced under this Commodity Specification must 

meet the requirements specified in the applicable United States Standards for Grades of 

Canned Fruit and Vegetable Juice (U.S. Standards) and/or Commercial Item Description 

(CID) of Canned Juices effective on the date of the Solicitation/Invitation for Bid (IFB). 

The U.S. Standards and CIDs are published separately and are incorporated herein and 

made a part of this Commodity Specification. 

B. Exceptions to U.S. Standards

Exceptions to the U.S. Standards for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) bottled

juice purchases are found in Section II, Individual Commodity Specifications, of this 

document. Additional exceptions may be specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB. Any 

exceptions contained in the applicable Invitation shall have precedence over the 

requirements contained herein, for that Solicitation/IFB only. 

C. Product Origin

1. Commodities delivered pursuant to this Commodity Specification shall have originated 

from crops that have been 100 percent grown, processed, and packed in the United 

States, its territories or possessions. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Trust 

Territories of the Pacific Islands, (hereinafter referred to as the United States). See 

Section I.E. of the Master Solicitation.

2. If the contractor handles any commodity originating from sources other than the United 

States, the contractor must have a written plan to segregate the commodity. This 

segregation plan will include an identification and record system for all commodities to

ensure they are completely segregated and cannot be used to fulfill purchase orders

awarded by USDA. Such segregation plan must be made available, within 10 days of 

purchase order award, to representatives of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). 

3. The contractor must maintain positive written documentation records evidencing 100 

percent domestic origin to the grower level. Contractors must also ensure that the 

documentation provided by any subcontractors demonstrates the same level of 

traceability. The burden of proof of compliance is on the contractor. 

Documentation may include load or warehouse storage receipts for raw production (i.e., 

bin tags), product blend (formulation) records, product coding explanations, finished 

product warehousing records, shipping or payment records, or other documentation or 

evidence that clearly establishes the product's domestic origin. 

4. Contractors must provide the domestic origin certification and supporting 

documentation records to representatives of the AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program, 

Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division (USDA Inspector) when requesting 

inspection service. USDA Inspector will select and review at least one code for each 

purchase order to determine compliance with the Agency's domestic origin 

requirements. 
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5. Such records must be available for review by the Government in accordance with FAR 

52.214-26. In the event of an audit, AMS auditors will examine as many codes as is 

necessary to verify compliance.

6. Self-certifications by contractors and subcontractors will not be accepted.

7. Failure to observe this requirement may lead to suspension or debarment, purchase 

order termination, and penalties at Title 18, Section 1001 of the U.S. Code concerning 

falsification of information.

D. Kosher Products 

Occasionally, USDA solicits offers to sell KOSHER products. Such products are 

identified on the solicitation with the letter “K” incorporated into the WBSCM material 

descriptions. Vendors must comply with the applicable dietary (KOSHER) laws as 

established by the “613 COUNCIL OF KASHRUTH” in the production of these 

commodity products. Vendors must not bid on these purchase units unless they can be 

properly certified. 

Vendors receiving purchase order items identified as “KOSHER” must contact the Board 

of Jewish Education of Greater New York (BJENY) at telephone 646-472-5365 prior to 

manufacturing the commodity product to arrange for certification of compliance with 

the applicable dietary (kosher) laws.

E. Packing Season 

All bottled juices must be from the current packing season/crop year, unless otherwise 

specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB. 

F. Holding Period

No shipment of bottled fruit juices may be made earlier than 14 days after packing. No 

delivery shall be case stamped prior to the completion of the 14-day holding period. 

G. Grade of Bottled Juices

All bottled juices must be U.S. Grade A (as defined in the U. S. Standards) unless 

otherwise specified in Section II, Individual Commodity Specifications, herein or the 

applicable Solicitation/IFB.

H. Fill of Container

1. Contractor must meet the fill of container for the product as specified in the applicable 

U.S. Standards unless otherwise indicated herein. Each container must be filled as full 

as practicable. The product must occupy at least 90 percent of the container. 

2. The average fill of container must meet the fill of container as printed on the label and 

the Individual Commodity Specification, Section II. 

I. Packing, Labels and Packaging

Commercial Labels and Packaging

1. Primary Containers (Bottles and Labels) 
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a. Vendors have the option to use commercial labeling and packaging which meets 

all applicable FDA requirements and contains a code which allows traceability of 

the product in the event of a recall or they may use USDA packaging and labeling 

as specified in the Master Solicitation.

b. The processors’ own commercially acceptable “brand” labels may be used on all 

Solicitations/IFBs unless prohibited by the Solicitation/IFB Distributor’s “brand” 

labels are not acceptable.

c. All products must be packed in new, commercially acceptable primary containers 

(bottles). Bottled fruit juice shall be packed only in the container size and type 

specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB. The bottles must be suitably code 

marked so that the product can be identified with related inspection certificates.

2. Secondary Containers (tray and case).

a. Commercially acceptable tray packs wrapped in plastic shrink wrap may be used 

on all Solicitations/IFBs for all bottles and cartons. 

b. Case flaps, gaps and other openings may not exceed 1 inch and must be fully 

glued or sealed with tape. If tape is used in lieu of glue, it must be clear and of 

commercially acceptable width and strength. The tape must extend at least two 

inches down the sides or ends. 

c. Mixing and matching of USDA and commercial labeling methods will not be 

acceptable.

d. Two or more different commercial labels will not be acceptable within a shipping 

unit (truckload).

USDA Label and Packaging

1. Primary Containers (bottle) 

a. Apple, Grape, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Orange, Tomato, Cranberry/Apple, and 

Cherry/Apple Juices must be packed in new, commercially acceptable primary 

containers (bottles). These bottled juices shall be packed only in 64 fluid ounce 

size bottles, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB. The 

bottles must be suitably code-marked so that the product can be identified with 

related inspection certificates. 64 ounce bottles and 46 ounce grape juice cartons 

shall be screw-top and can safely be stored stacked two pallets high.

b. All products must be packed in new, commercially acceptable primary containers 

(bottles). Bottled fruit juices shall be packed only in the container size and type 

specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB.

c. The bottles must be suitably code marked so that the product can be identified with 

related inspection certificates. 
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2. Bottle Labels

USDA can labels are shown in Exhibits 1-1 through 1-7. The wording and design of 

the labels is restricted to that shown in the exhibit. The labels must be printed in ink of 

the color specified, on commercially acceptable, white paper stock. All printing must 

be scuff resistant by the application of a varnish, lacquer, or synthetic coating applied to 

the label after printing.

Fortified Juices – Fortification information must be included in the Nutrition 

Information Panel of the primary container label.

Juices from concentrate – The product name for the juice from concentrate shall be 

stated on the primary container label as:

(Applicable Juice Name)

From Concentrate

(Unsweetened)

The words “From Concentrate” shall not be less than 1⁄2 the size of the product 

name.

3. Secondary Container (case) Markings 

Bottles shall be further enclosed within new, corrugated fiberboard cartons (cases) 

acceptable by common or other carriers for safe transportation to destinations. Flaps, 

gaps, and other openings may not exceed 1 inch and must be fully glued or sealed with 

tape. If tape is used in lieu of glue, it must be clear of commercially acceptable width 

and strength. The tape must extend at least two inches down the sides or ends. 

Cases must be marked in such a manner that they contain all of the symbols, statements 

and information contained in Exhibit 2, “Required Markings for Shipping Containers”. 

Cases may be marked by printing or stenciling or by preprinted, self-adhesive stickers. 

Self-adhesive stickers must be affixed to the case in such a manner that they cannot be 

removed intact. 

Exact arrangement and adherence to font size is not required. The case markings must 

be clearly marked, easily read, and substantially the same as specified in Exhibit 2.

Exhibit 3 shows an alternative placard that may be applied to a new, corrugated 

fiberboard case acceptable by common or other carriers for safe transportation to 

destinations. This placard must be affixed to the case in such a manner that it cannot be 

removed intact.

Cases must have the recycling statement shown in Exhibit 6, “Please Recycle” Symbol 

and Statement or Exhibit 7, “Corrugated Recycles” Symbol and Statement.

J. Universal Product Codes (UPC)

Contractor UPC’s are acceptable for primary containers of product shipped utilizing 

commercial labels and/or secondary fiberboard cases enclosing commercially labeled 

product. 
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Primary label and shipping container Universal Product Codes for USDA products are 

listed in Exhibit 5. The contractor’s UPC is not acceptable. The primary container UPC 

must be positioned on the can label as shown in Exhibit 1. The shipping container UPC 

must be marked on the case as shown in Exhibit 2. 

UPC’s are not required for commercial labeling with tray pack shipping containers.

K. Palletization Requirements

1. Pallets

Products must be on 48 X 40 inch, non-reversible, flush stringer, and partial four-way 

entry. New pallets must be good quality wood. Used pallets must be No.1 hardwood 

or its equivalent in new softwood. Broken or damaged pallets are unacceptable. If 

pallet exchange is desired, the contractor shall arrange for pallet exchange with 

consignees. USDA is in no way responsible for arrangement of pallet exchange.

2. Unitization

Each delivery unit of bottled fruit juices must be unitized. Shipping cases must be 

stacked and secured from top to bottom, so that each container and layer of containers 

becomes an integral part of the pallet. Either stretch wrapping with plastic film or 

“lock ‘n pop” is acceptable. The palletized product must be loaded in the conveyance 

in such a way that will prevent shifting and damage to the containers of product. 

L. Shipment and Delivery

1. Quantity Tolerance

Contractor will be allowed a tolerance on the final delivery of plus or minus 50 cases of 

each product, from each shipping point named in the purchase order.

II. Individual Commodity Specifications

All juices must be packed in 64 fluid ounce bottles or cartons, unless otherwise stated. All 

juices in 64 ounce bottles shall have a minimum average net content of 64.0 fluid ounces. 

No individual container in the sample shall have a net content less than 63.0 fluid ounces.

A. Apple Juice

1. Grade – U.S. Grade A, canned apple juice, clear.

2. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 34 

milligrams of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) per 100 milliliters of apple juice. (Label 

indications of Vitamin C fortification are required).

B. Grapefruit Juice

Grade – U.S. Grade A, unsweetened, single strength grapefruit juice and grapefruit juice 

from concentrate. (Label indications of grapefruit juice from concentrate are required. 

C. Orange Juice

1. Grade – U.S. Grade A, unsweetened canned orange juice, or canned orange juice 

from concentrate, and the following special grade requirements.
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2. Special Grade Requirements:

a. Bottled orange juice will require a minimum color equal to USDA OJ 6, a 

minimum Brix-Acid Ratio of 15.0 to 1, a maximum Brix-Acid Ratio of 20.5 to 1, 

and a minimum Brix of 11.0 degrees.

b. Bottled orange juice from concentrate will require a minimum color equal to USDA 

OJ 5, a minimum Brix-Acid Ratio of 15.0 to 1, a maximum Brix-Acid Ratio of 20.5 

to 1, and a minimum Brix of 11.8 degrees. (Label indications of orange juice from 

concentrate are required.) 

D. Grape Juice

1. Grade – U.S. Grade A, Style I (unsweetened), Type I (Concord) canned grape juice or 

grape juice from concentrate and the following special grade requirements.

2. The grade of grape juice from concentrate shall be equivalent to the analytical and 

quality requirements of U.S. Grade A, Style I (unsweetened), Type I (Concord) canned 

grape juice and the following special grade requirements.

3. Special Grade Requirements:

a. Bottled grape juice will require a minimum color equal to U.S. Grade B or better, a 

minimum Brix-Acid Ratio of 16 to 1, and a minimum Brix of 15.0 degrees. If acid 

is added to meet the Brix-Acid Ratio of 16 to 1, the acid used must be listed on the 

label.

b. Bottled grape juice from concentrate will require a minimum color equal to U.S. 

Grade B or better, a minimum Brix-Acid Ratio of 16 to 1, and a minimum Brix of 

16.0 degrees. (Label indications of grape juice from concentrate are required, see 

I.2 – Bottle Labels). The grape juice shall be free of astringency. The presence of 

crystals in any lot of juice shall be considered a defect and shall result in rejection 

of the lot.

4. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 34 

milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 milliliters of grape juice. (Label indications of 

Vitamin C fortification are required.) 

E. Pineapple Juice

1. Grade – The grade of pineapple juice shall meet the identity and quality requirements 

of U.S. Grade A, unsweetened, single strength pineapple juice or pineapple juice from 

concentrate. (Label indications of pineapple juice from concentrate are required.) 

2. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 34 

milligrams of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) per 100 milliliters of pineapple juice. (Label 

indications of Vitamin C fortification are required, see I.2 – Bottle Labels). When 

fortification is required and the natural occurring Vitamin C is at least 34 milligrams 

per 100 milliliters, no Vitamin C fortification is required.
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F. Tomato Juice

1. Grade –The grade of tomato juice delivered under this specification shall meet the 

identity and quality requirements of U.S. Grade A, unsweetened, single strength 

tomato juice or tomato juice from concentrate. (Label indications of tomato juice 

from concentrate are required.) 

2. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 34 

milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 milliliters of tomato juice. (Label indications of 

Vitamin C fortification are required.) 

3. Sodium content – 36mg to 140 mg per serving (defined as 1 cup)

G. Grape Juice Concentrate (4 + 1)

1. Concentrated grape juice shall be prepared from unfermented, single-strength 

Concord grape juice of domestic origin with no added sweeteners. The concentrated 

grape juice shall be at four parts water plus one part concentrate that will contain 

grape juice produced from the crop year as specified in the announcement; water; 

grape essence; and fortified with Vitamin C. 

2. The concentrate shall be processed in accordance with good commercial practice. 

When reconstituted at four parts water to one part concentrate the product will yield 

100% grape juice. 

3. Concentrated grape juice shall be packed in #21⁄2 cans (25.6 fluid ounces), 12 cans per 

case. Each #21⁄2 can shall yield one gallon of reconstituted grape juice. Product shall 

have an unrefrigerated shelf life of nine months or longer.

 Reconstituted Juice

 The reconstituted juice shall have the characteristics as described in the following:

1. Style – Equivalent to Style I, Unsweetened, as specified in the U.S. Standards for 

Grades of Canned Grape Juice.

2. Type – Equivalent to Type I, Concord, as specified in the U.S. Standards for Grades 

of Canned Grape Juice.

3. Quality – Equivalent to U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy of the U.S. Standards for Grades 

of Canned Grape Juice.

4. Analytical and quality requirements – The analytical and quality characteristics of the 

reconstituted juice shall be as described below. All analyses shall be performed on the 

reconstituted juice for the following as prescribed in the Official Methods of Analysis 

of the Association of Official Analytical Communities (AOAC) or methods which will 

give equivalent results.

5. Brix – The Brix obtained by reconstituting the juice at four parts water to one part 

concentrate shall be a minimum of 16.0 degrees.
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6. Acid – The acid of the reconstituted juice shall not be less than 0.60 grams per 100 

 milliliters nor more than 1.20 grams per 100 milliliters calculated as tartaric acid. 

 7. Brix-acid ratio – The ratio of Brix to acid of the reconstituted juice is not less than 14 to 1 

 nor more than 28 to 1.

 8. Quality requirements – The quality requirements (color, defects, and flavor) of the 

 properly reconstituted juice shall be consistent with requirements for U.S. Grade A in 

 the United States Standards for Grades of Canned Grape Juice.

 9. Vitamin C requirement – The reconstituted juice shall be fortified to contain at least 34 

 milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 milliliters of the reconstituted grape juice. 

 10. Sulfite requirement – The sulfite level for the reconstituted juice shall contain no more 

 than 10 parts per million (ppm). 

H. Cranberry-Apple Juice

1. Blended cranberry-apple juice purchased under this specification must meet the 

specifications set forth in the CID No. A-A-20327, Cranberry Juice Blends, 100 

percent, effective at the date of the Solicitation/IFB. Sections 3.3.5, Age requirement; 

3.4.4, Analytical procedure; and 3.4.5, Preparation of sample, do not apply.

2. The juice shall be Type 1 (Cranberry-Apple) containing not less than 12 percent or 

more than 20 percent cranberry juice, the balance of the blend being single strength 

apple juice (no apple juice concentrate or other juices permitted).

3. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 34 

milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 milliliters of Cranberry-Apple juice. (Label 

indications of Vitamin C fortification are required.) 

I. Cranberry Juice Concentrate (3 + 1)

1. The Cranberry Juice Concentrate shall be prepared by blending cranberry juice or 

cranberry juice concentrate, water, sweeteners and ascorbic acid. The cranberry juice 

or concentrate shall be produced from clean, sound, mature, uniformly colored, 

washed, fresh or frozen cranberries (Vaccinium Macrocarpon). Sweetening 

ingredients used shall be sugar (sucrose), liquid sugar, invert sugar syrup or high 

fructose corn syrup (40 percent or more fructose, by dry weight). 

2. The concentrate shall be processed in accordance with good commercial practice. 

3. When reconstituted at three parts water to one part concentrate the product will yield 

cranberry juice cocktail. The product shall be practically free from defects, and free 

from scorched, green or other undesirable flavor and odors. Product shall be fortified 

with Vitamin C.

4. Brix – 42.9 plus or minus 0.5 for Sucrose; 47.1 plus or minus 0.5 for High Fructose 

Corn Syrup.

5. Acid – Minimum titratable acidity of 1.67% wt/wt measured as citric acid.

6. Color – Product shall be of uniform cranberry color.
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7. Cranberries and cranberry concentrate shall be produced from the current crop year or 

later or as specified in the Solicitation/IFB.

8. The product shall be packed in hermetically sealed containers and shall be sufficiently 

processed by heat to assure adequate sterilization.

 

9. Pack Size – 8/64 fluid ounce and 12/11.5 fluid ounce container (plastic 

bottles/cans/aseptic cartons). Product shall have an unrefrigerated shelf life of nine

months or longer.

10. As diluted to drinking strength (Three parts water and one part concentrate):

 Minimum of 27% cranberry juice by volume.

 Sweetened with sucrose to 12.2 Brix plus or minus 0.2.

 Sweetened with high fructose corn syrup to 13.6 Brix plus or minus 0.2.

 Minimum titratable acidity of 0.47% wt/wt measured as citric acid.

 Delivers 100% of the US DV for vitamin C.

J. Cranberry Juice Concentrate (55 Gallon Drum)

The Cranberry Juice Concentrate shall be prepared from depectinized, filtered juice derived 

from properly matured, cleaned cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon). No other fruit 

juices, sugar or preservatives added. It is concentrated under low temperatures and 

vacuum, and the essence fraction returned. Processing conforms to all provisions of the 

Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

1. Origin – 100 % grown, processed and packed in the United States from the current crop 

year or later or as specified in the Solicitation/IFB.

2. Style – Unsweetened

3. Color – Red - Typical of cranberry juice stock

4. Flavor/Odor – Clean, tart flavor of cranberry. Free of off-odors or off-flavors.

5. Brix – 50 degrees plus or minus 1degree.

6. Acid (anhydrous citric) – 14% plus or minus 3% w/w 

7. Temperature – No acceptance above 25°F.

8. Turbidity – Less than 10 NTU at 2.0° brix.

9. Unit Size – 55 gallon drum containing 50 gallon fill (approximately 513 pounds net).

10. Insert two polyethylene liners, 2 millimeter thickness. New or reconditioned drums 

 and lids required.

11. Labeling – Drum tag requirements –

a. Name and Address of Company

b. Drum Number

c. Average brix to nearest tenth of degree
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d. Grade and Date of Pack

e. Net Weight

f. Tare

g. Gross Weight

h. Print tag labeled “Cranberry Juice Concentrate”

i. Copy of drum tag shall be inserted inside drum showing identical information 

 above.

K. Cherry-Apple Juice

1. The cherry-apple juice blend shall be 100 percent juice and shall be prepared by 

blending not less than 20 percent or more than 24 percent cherry juice or cherry juice 

concentrate and filtered water, the balance of the blend being single strength apple 

juice (no apple juice concentrate or other juices permitted). The cherry juice or 

cherry juice concentrate shall be produced from Red Tart Cherries. The apple-cherry 

juice blend shall be produced from clean, sound, and mature fruit.

2. The 100 percent cherry-apple juice shall contain no artificial colors, artificial flavors, 

sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, or acids. The juice blend may be fortified with 

other vitamins and minerals with established Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs), shall be 

packed in hermetically sealed containers, and shall be sufficiently processed by heat 

to assure adequate sterilization. 

3. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 34 

milligram of Vitamin C per 100 milliliters of cherry-apple juice. (Label indications 

of Vitamin C fortification are required.) 

4. Flavor and Odor – The 100 percent cherry-apple juice blend shall possess a

distinctive flavor and odor of the particular blend.

5. Color – The 100 percent cherry-apple juice blend shall possess a bright characteristic 

color typical of the particular blend and shall be light to dark red.

6. Defects – The product shall contain no coagulation of pulp, shall be free of seed 

particles and rag, and shall contain no peel or other extraneous plant material.

7. Foreign Material – All ingredients shall be clean, sound, wholesome, and free from 

glass, dirt, insect parts, burnt, scorched, stale, sour, rancid, musty, and evidence of 

rodent or insect infestation.

8. Soluble solids – The soluble solids Brix shall be between 12.5 and 17.9 degrees.

9. Acidity – The acidity (anhydrous citric acid) shall be not less than 0.40 grams per 100

milliliters.
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III. Inspection and Checkloading

A. Requirements

NOTE: USDA inspection shall be made during on-line production of the product.

Representatives of the AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Specialty Crops Inspection 

(SCI) Division (USDA Inspector) must perform the inspection and checkloading. See 

section X of the Master Solicitation. The cost of inspection, samples taken for 

inspection, mailing of review samples submitted for evaluation, and any chemical 

analysis required for testing shall be for the account of the contractor.

Inspection of bottled products must be performed not more than 90 days prior to 

shipment. Whether each lot offered meets the product and container requirements of the 

purchase order must be determined on the basis of representative sample units. 

Representative sample units will be graded according to the Regulations Governing 

Inspection and Certification of Canned Fruits and Vegetables and Related Products (7 

C.F.R. Part 52), and United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 C.F.R. 

Part 42.140), effective on the date of the Solicitation/IFB.

Case stamping in lieu of checkloading is acceptable, at the USDA Inspector’s discretion 

and may be performed at any time up to 28 days prior to shipment of the product. 

Contractors must be aware that if this option is exercised, and an AMS Inspector does not 

perform checkloading, the contractor assumes all risk for these shipments and deliveries. 

B. Certification

Subject to (See section X of the Master Solicitation), the acceptability of the quality, 

weight, packaging, and checkloading of the product must be evidenced by certificates 

issued by the USDA Inspector. 

No product shall be shipped unless the USDA Inspector informs the contractor that a 

designated lot is acceptable. Notice by the USDA Inspector that a designated lot 

scheduled for shipment does not meet requirements of the purchase order shall constitute 

rejection of such lot.

C. Procedures

The contractor must give the USDA Inspector at least 7 days advance notice when 

scheduling inspection service. Prior to sampling, the contractor must furnish the USDA 

Inspector with a list of codes and the approximate number of cases per code. 

Contractors are encouraged to submit requests for inspection in writing with verifiable 

receipt notice, such as fax log, to alleviate possible miscommunication.

D. Laboratory Tests

The contractor must allow 14 calendar days after product sampling for laboratory tests 

(when required) to be completed and returned. 
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IV. Failure to Meet Specifications

Any lot which fails applicable specifications prescribed herein will be rejected as not 

acceptable for delivery. If any lot of canned fruit juice fails to meet the product or 

packaging requirement, the contractor may request in writing that USDA accept delivery 

of the lot. USDA may, at its option, accept delivery, provided that the purchase price is 

the purchase order price less a discount, to be determined by the Contracting Officer.

V. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 1-1

Label for Apple Juice

Exhibit 1-2

Label for Grapefruit Juice
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Exhibit 1-3

Label for Orange Juice

Exhibit 1-4

Label for Grape Juice
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Exhibit 1-5

Label for Pineapple Juice

Exhibit 1-6

Label for Tomato Juice
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 18 of 26

Exhibit 1-7

Label for Cranberry–Apple Juice 

Exhibit 1-8

Label for Cranberry Juice Concentrate
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 19 of 26

Exhibit 1-9

Label for Cherry Apple Juice
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 20 of 26

Exhibit 2

Required Markings for Non-Commercial Shipping Containers

ALL PRINTING TO BE IN BLACK INK

BOTH SIDE PANELS BOTH END PANELS_____

PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT NAME

1/ PURCHASE ORDER NO. 3/

2/

4/

USDA SYMBOL

STORE IN COOL, DRY PLACE

 

 5/ 

Product name must be printed or stenciled on a separate line in letters at least three-fourths inch 

high, and all other information must be in letters less than three-fourths inch but at least threeeighths inch high. The USDA Food Symbol must be printed, stamped, or labeled and be of 

sufficient size to stand out prominently. Case markings must be limited to case codes and those 

contained in this Exhibit.

1/ Insert any additional product style, pack, packing media, or further definition as applicable; 

(i.e. Apple, Grape, etc.).

2/ Insert the size and number of packages per case, i.e. 12/46 fluid ounce cartons, 6/5 pound 

bags, 8/64 fluid ounce bottles, 1/25 pound bag.

3/ Insert the last five digits of the purchase order number.

4/ Insert name of Packer and Packer's Address - City, State, and Zip Code. This information 

can be placed on the end panels or the side panels.

5/ Insert Universal Product Code (see Exhibit “5”).

 Recycle symbols and statements can be placed on bottom panels (Exhibit “6” and “7”).
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 21 of 26

Exhibit 3

Alternative Label for Shipping Containers

(Includes all Required Information)

Product Name

Style

Packing Media

Size/Number per case

Purchase Order Number xxxxx

Packed by: ABC Growers

Any Town, CA 99999

STORE IN A COOL DRY PLACE

1234567891012345678910
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 22 of 26

Exhibit 4

Sample Alternative Label for Shipping Containers

Bottled Apple 

Juice

8/64 oz. bottles

Purchase Order Number 25111

Packed by: ABC Growers

 Any Town, CA 99999

STORE IN A COOL DRY PLACE

 1 11 07 15001 01434 1
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 23 of 26

Exhibit 5

Universal Product Codes

 WBSCM

Fruit Juice Materials Primary Container Secondary Container

Grape Juice Conc. PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100268 7 15001 00268 1 1 07 15001 00268 3

Cranberry Juice Conc. PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100274 7 15001 00274 7 1 07 15001 00274 4

Cranberry Juice Conc. Can-12/11.5 fl oz 100275 7 15001 00275 6 1 07 15001 00275 9

Apple Juice PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100893 7 15001 00893 0 1 07 15001 00893 7

Cherry Apple Juice PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100894 7 15001 00894 7 1 07 15001 00894 4

Grape Conc. Juice PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100895 7 15001 00895 4 1 07 15001 00895 1

Orange Juice PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100897 7 15001 00897 8 1 07 15001 00897 5

Tomato Juice PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100898 7 15001 00898 5 1 07 15001 00898 2

Cranberry Apple Juice PLST BTL- 8/64 fl oz 100899 7 15001 00899 2 1 07 15001 00899 2
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 24 of 26

Exhibit 6

“Please Recycle” Symbol and Statement

 PLEASE

 RECYCLE
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 25 of 26

Exhibit 7

“Corrugated Recycles” Symbol and Statement
SCI Division Commodity Specifications Bottled Juices

Effective Date: June 2014 Page 26 of 26

Exhibit 8

USDA Symbol