INCH-POUND

Beneficial comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, etc., and any

data which may improve this document should be sent to: Head, Food Quality Assurance

Staff, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, STOP 0243, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-0243 or

telephone (202) 720-9939 or FAX (202) 690-0102.

A-A-20118B

 May 1, 1998

 SUPERSEDING

 A-A-20118A

September 9, 1993

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

NECTARS, FRUIT, CANNED (APRICOT, PEAR, AND PEACH)

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture has authorized

 the use of this Commercial Item Description.

1. SCOPE.

1.1 This Commercial Item Description (CID) covers fruit nectars, packed in commercially

acceptable containers, suitable for use by Federal, State, and local governments and other

interested parties.

2. CLASSIFICATION.

2.1 The fruit nectars shall conform to one of the following types in the following list which

shall be specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order.

 Types.

 Type I - Apricot

 Type II - Pear

 Type III - Peach

FSC 8915
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DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

3. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS.

3.1 Processing: The fruit nectars are prepared by blending fruit, water, sweeteners, and

optional ingredients to produce a viscous liquid. Acetic acid or vinegar shall not be used. 

The fruit nectars shall be packed in hermetically sealed containers and shall be sufficiently

processed by heat to assure adequate sterilization. The canned nectars shall be cooled prior to

stacking to prevent scorching.

3.2 Ingredients: 

3.2.1 Fruit ingredients: The fruit ingredients shall be from ripe, sound, fresh fruit of the

varieties commonly used for this product, or concentrates therefrom. The fruit ingredients

shall contain finely divided insoluble fruit solids.

3.2.2 Sweetening ingredients: The sweetening ingredients shall be sugar, invert sugar

syrup, dextrose, corn syrup, dried corn syrup, glucose syrup, or other commercially

acceptable sweetener. 

3.2.3 Optional ingredients: Optional ingredients may be lemon juice, citric acid, malic

acid, fumaric acid, or ascorbic acid. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase

order, the product shall be fortified with Vitamin C.

3.3 Finished product:

3.3.1 Flavor and odor: The fruit nectars shall have a pleasing flavor and odor typical of the

type of fruit specified. The fruit nectars shall be practically free from scorched, green, or

other undesirable flavor and odors.

3.3.2 Color: The fruit nectars shall have a good characteristic color, free from any slight

brown or dull color due to oxidation, scorching or other causes.

3.3.3 Consistency: The fruit nectars shall be such as to flow freely.

3.3.4 Texture: The fruit nectars shall have a smooth texture.

3.3.5 Defects: The fruit nectars shall not contain seed, pits, or foreign materials.

3.4 Analytical requirements: The apparent viscosity of the fruit nectars products shall be

such that the time of flow is not less than 30 seconds. In addition, the fruit nectars shall

conform to the following:
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 Soluble solids Total acidity (Range) (g/100mL juice) 

Type (Degrees brix) pH (calculated as anhydrous citric acid)

Apricot 14E - 16E 3.6 - 4.0 0.3 - 0.6

Pear 13E - 16E 3.6 - 4.0 0.1 - 0.5

Peach 13E - 16E 3.6 - 4.0 0.2 - 0.5

3.4.1 Analytical procedure: A composite sample shall be tested from the samples submitted.

3.4.2 Preparation of sample: The sample shall be prepared in accordance with the

following Official Methods of Analysis of the AOAC International Method 965.31.

3.4.3 Analytical testing: When specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order,

analytical analyses shall be made in accordance with the Official Methods of Analysis of the

AOAC International as follows:

Test Method

Apparent Viscosity 967.16

Soluble Solids 932.12

pH 981.12

Total Acidity (Range) 942.15A

3.4.4 Test results: The test results for apparent viscosity shall be reported to the nearest

second. The test results for soluble solids shall be reported to the nearest degree brix. The

test results for pH shall be reported the nearest 0.1 value. The test results for total acidity

shall be reported to the nearest 0.1 gram per 100 mL. Any result not conforming to the

analytical requirements shall be cause for rejection of the lot. 

4. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.

4.1 The delivered fruit nectars shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local

mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling,

storage, distribution, and sale of the fruit nectars in the commercial marketplace. Delivered

fruit nectars shall conform in every respect to the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and

Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder.

5. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS.

5.1 Product conformance. The fruit nectars provided shall meet the salient characteristics of

this CID, conform to the producer's own specifications, standards, and quality assurance
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practices, and be the same fruit nectars offered for sale in the commercial market. The

Government reserves the right to require proof of such conformance.

5.2 Quality assurance. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order that

product quality or acceptability or both be determined, the Processed Products Branch (PPB),

Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of

Agriculture shall be the certifying activity and shall make the determination in accordance with

applicable PPB procedures. The fruit nectars shall be examined or analyzed or both in

accordance with applicable provisions in the CID, solicitation, contract, or purchase order,

and, when applicable, the United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers in effect

on the date of the solicitation.

6. PACKAGING.

6.1 Preservation, packaging, packing, labeling, and case marking. Preservation,

packaging, packing, labeling, and case marking shall be as specified in the solicitation,

contract, or purchase order.

7. NOTES.

7.1 Purchasers shall specify:

- Type of product desired.

- Fortification with Vitamin C, when required.

7.2 Sources of documents.

7.2.1 Source of information for nongovernmental document is as follows:

Copies of the Official Methods of Analysis of the AOAC International may be obtained from: 

AOAC International, 481 North Frederick Avenue, Suite 500, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

7.2.2 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows:

Applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act are contained in 21 CFR

Parts 1 to 199. This document may be purchased from: Superintendent of Documents,

ATTN: New Orders, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. Credit card

(MasterCard or Visa) purchases may be made by calling the Superintendent of Documents on

(202) 512-1800.
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Copies of the United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers are available from: 

Chairperson, Condition of Container Committee, STOP 0243, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0243.

Civil agencies and other interested parties may obtain copies of this CID from: General

Services Administration, Federal Supply Service, Specifications Section, Suite 8100, 

470 East L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20407.

Military activities should submit requests for copies of this CID to: Standardization

Documents Order Desk, Defense Automation Printing Service, 700 Robbins Avenue, 

Building 4D, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.

MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES:

Military Coordinating Activity DOJ - BOP

HHS - NIH, IHS

Army - GL USDA - FV

VA - OSS

Custodians

PREPARING ACTIVITY:

Army - GL

Navy - SA USDA - FV

Air Force - 35

Review Activities

Army - MD, QM

Navy - MC

DLA - SS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national

origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to

all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print,

audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue,

SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.