FSC 8940 

A-A-20353 

May 30, 2007

 COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION 

PROTEIN BARS, DAIRY-BASED (MEAL REPLACEMENT BARS) 

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has authorized 

 the use of this Commercial Item Description (CID).

1. SCOPE. This CID covers dairy-based protein bars (meal replacement bars) (dairy-based 

protein bars), packed in commercially acceptable containers, suitable for use by Federal, State, 

local governments and other parties. 

2. PURCHASER NOTES.

2.1 Purchasers shall specify the following:

 - Type(s) and flavor(s) of dairy-based protein bars (Sec. 3). 

- When the moisture requirement is different than specified (Sec. 6.1). 

 - When the analytical and microbiological requirement needs to be verified (Sec. 6.1). 

 - When analytical requirements need to be verified by USDA (Sec. 6.2). 

 - Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification (Sec. 10.2) or USDA certification (Sec. 10.3). 

2.2 Purchasers may specify the following: 

 - When the dairy-based protein bars need to be fortified for feeding at risk populations. 

(Sec. 5). 

 - When the dairy components for the dairy-based protein bars are to be graded or inspected 

by the Dairy Grading Branch (DGB), Dairy Programs (DP), Agricultural Marketing 

Service (AMS), USDA (Sec. 9). 

 - Manufacturer’s quality assurance (Sec. 10.1 with 10.1.1), (Sec. 10.1 with 10.1.2), or (Sec. 

10.1 with 10.1.3). 

 - Packaging requirements other than commercial (Sec. 11). 

3. CLASSIFICATION. The dairy-based protein bars shall conform to the following list which 

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

METRIC 
A-A-20353

2 

Types and flavors.

Type I - Uncoated 

 Flavor A - Chocolate crisp 

Flavor B - Mixed berry 

Flavor C - Apple Cinnamon 

Flavor D - Other 

Type II - Yogurt 

Flavor A - Strawberry yogurt 

Flavor B - Mixed berry 

Flavor C - Chocolate peanut butter 

Flavor D - Apple 

Flavor E - Orange 

Flavor F - Other 

Type III - Chocolate 

Flavor A - Almond raisin 

Flavor B - Caramel 

Flavor C - Other 

Type IV - Other 

4. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S NOTES. Manufacturer’s/distributor’s 

products shall meet the requirements of the: 

 - Salient characteristics (Sec. 5). 

 - Analytical requirements: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 6). 

 - Manufacturer’s/distributor’s product assurance (Sec. 7). 

 - Regulatory requirements (Sec. 8). 

 - Quality assurance provisions for the dairy components: as specified by the purchaser 

(Sec. 9). 

 - Quality assurance provisions: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 10). 

 - Packaging requirements other than commercial: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 11). 

5. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS. 

5.1 Processing. The dairy-based protein bars shall be processed in accordance with good 

manufacturing practices (21 CFR Part 110). The dry ingredients shall be Food Chemicals Codex 

purity as appropriate and free from foreign materials. 

5.2 Ingredients. The dairy-based protein bars shall contain nonfat dry milk and whey proteins 
A-A-20353

3 

(whey, whey protein concentrate, or whey protein isolate). The dairy-based protein bars shall 

contain at least 15 percent of the Daily Value of protein and at least 60 percent of the protein 

component shall be from dairy sources. The dairy-based protein bars may contain hydrolyzed 

and/or un-hydrolyzed dairy products, isolated soy protein, Lactoferrin, rolled oats, nuts, dried 

fruit, wheat, soybeans, soy flour, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, honey, chocolate, cocoa, 

thickening agents, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (soybean, cottonseed, canola, etc.), 

hydrogenated vegetable oils, vegetable oils, sugar, salt, sunflower seed butter, lecithin, glycerin, 

vitamins and minerals, menhaden oil, natural and/or artificial flavors, and other ingredients (as 

applicable to the flavor). The dairy-based protein bars shall be trans fat free unless specified by 

the purchaser in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order. 

5.2.1 Dairy ingredients. The nonfat dry milk shall meet the U.S. Standard for Extra Grade as 

defined in the United States Standards for Grades of Nonfat Dry Milk (Spray Process) and shall 

be no more than 9 months old. The dry whey shall meet the U.S. Standard for Extra Grade as 

defined in the United States Standards for Dry Whey and shall be no more than 9 months old. 

5.2.2 Fortification. When the dairy-based protein bars require fortification, the purchaser shall 

specify in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, the vitamins and minerals to be fortified 

and the amount each vitamin and mineral is to be fortified. The purchaser may reference the 

IOM (Institute of Medicine) report for High-Energy, Nutrient-Dense Emergency Relief Food 

Products, 2002. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order that the dairybased protein bars are to be fortified, the manufacturer will provide the purchaser with a 

Certificate of Conformance. 

5.3 Finished product. The dairy-based protein bars shall hold their shape and not be crushed, 

broken, or materially fall apart when handled from manufacturing through the normal 

transportation process to the ultimate user. 

5.3.1 Appearance and texture. The dairy-based protein bars shall have a rectangular shape. 

Type I (uncoated) dairy-based protein bars shall possess a granular, uneven surface with distinct 

grains of oats. Type II (yogurt) and Type III (chocolate) dairy-based protein bars shall have a 

rippled surface with an evenly distributed coating over the bar. 

5.3.2 Flavor and odor. The dairy-based protein bars shall have a pleasing sweet flavor and 

odor that is characteristic of the flavor specified. The dairy-based protein bars shall be free from 

foreign odors and flavors. 

5.3.3 Color. The color shall be typical for the flavor/coating of the dairy-based protein bars. 

5.4 Foreign material. The finished dairy-based protein bars shall be clean, sound, wholesome, 

and free from evidence of rodent or insect infestation. 
A-A-20353

4 

5.5 Age requirement. Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order 

the dairy-based protein bars shall not be more than 120 days old on date of delivery to purchaser/ 

user and shall have a shelf life of at least 12 months. Age requirements for Department of 

Defense (DoD) procurements shall be specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order. 

6. ANALYTICAL REQUIREMENTS.

6.1 Analytical and microbiological requirements. Unless otherwise specified in the 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order the analytical and microbiological requirements for the 

dairy-based protein bars shall be as follows: 

 Moisture Not more than 12.0 percent 

 Lactoferrin Not less than 30 mg per 51 g of product 1/

 Aerobic plate count Not more than 30,000 colony forming units (CFU) per g 

 Coliform count Not more than 10 MPN 2/

Salmonella Negative 

E. Coli Negative 

Listeria monocytogenes Negative 

1/ When included as an optional ingredient. 

2/ Most probable number. 

6.2 Product verification. When USDA verification of the analytical requirements is specified 

in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, analytical testing shall be performed on a 

composite sample. The composite sample shall be 454 g (1 lb) and prepared from subsamples 

drawn from randomly selected containers. Subsamples shall be a minimum of on bar and shall 

contain the appropriate number of bars to yield a 454 g (1 lb) sample when composited. 

6.3 Analytical testing. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, the 

analysis shall be made in accordance with the following methods from the Official Methods of 

Analysis of the AOAC International, the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) method, or 

the other test as listed. 

Test Method

 Moisture 925.45A or 925.45B 

 Lactoferrin 3/

 Aerobic count 966.23, 990.12, or BAM, Ch 3 

 Coliform plate count 966.23, or BAM, Ch. 4 

Salmonella 994.04, 967.26, or BAM, Ch. 5

E. Coli 966.23 

Listeria monocytogenes 2004.02 
A-A-20353

5 

3/ When Lactoferrin is included as an optional ingredient, the manufacturer will provide the 

purchaser with a Certificate of Conformance. 

6.4 Test results. The test results for moisture shall be reported to the 0.1 percent. The test 

results for aerobic plate count shall be reported to the nearest 10 CFU per g. The test results for 

coliform count shall be reported to the nearest MPN. The test results for Salmonella, E. Coli, 

and Listeria monocytogenes shall be reported according to the test method. Any result not 

conforming to the analytical testing shall be cause for rejection of the lot. 

7. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S PRODUCT ASSURANCE. The manufacturer/ 

distributor shall certify that the dairy-based protein bars provided shall meet the salient 

characteristics of this CID, conform to their own specifications, standards, and quality assurance 

practices, and be the same dairy-based protein bars offered for sale in the commercial market. 

The purchaser reserves the right to require proof of conformance. 

8. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. The delivered dairy-based protein bars shall comply 

with all applicable Federal, State, and local mandatory requirements and regulations relating to 

the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sale of dairy-based protein bars 

within the commercial marketplace. Delivered dairy-based protein bars shall comply with all 

applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Fair Packaging and 

Labeling Act, and regulations promulgated thereunder. 

9. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS FOR THE DAIRY COMPONENTS. 

Purchaser shall specify in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order when the following 

provisions shall be met. 

9.1 Manufacturer’s quality assurance. When required in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchaser order, the dairy component manufacturer shall be required to have their facilities 

inspected by DP, AMS, USDA, and be eligible for listing in Section I of the AMS publication 

“Dairy Plants Surveyed and Approved for USDA Grading Service.” (An AMS, DP plant survey 

verifies that, at the time of the survey, the manufacturer produces products in a clean, sanitary 

environment and satisfactorily meet the requirements contained in 7 CFR Part 58 General 

Specification for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service.) 

9.2 USDA, DP certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, the 

DGB, DP, AMS, USDA, shall certify that the dairy components used for the manufacturing of 

dairy-based protein bars meets or exceeds the requirements of the U.S. Standards for Grades of 

Nonfat Dry Milk (Spray Process) and the U.S. Standards for Grades of Dry Whey . The DGB 

inspectors shall certify the dairy components in accordance with DGB procedures which include 

random sampling of the dairy components; evaluating the samples for conformance with the 

appropriate U.S. Standards for Grade, USDA Specifications, and/or CID; and documenting the 

requirements on official DGB certificates. 
A-A-20353

6 

10. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS. Purchaser shall specify 10.2 or 10.3; 

purchaser may specify 10.1 with 10.1.1, 10.1 with 10.1.2, or 10.1 with 10.1.3. 

10.1 Manufacturer’s quality assurance. When required in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, the product manufacturer shall be required to provide evidence, by certificate, 

that the manufacturing plant has undertaken one of the following quality assurance measures 

within 12 months prior to providing a bid, or no later than 10 business days from the date of 

awarding of the contract. Failure to provide this documentation within the proper time frame 

may result in the contract being terminated for cause. 

10.1.1 Plant systems audit. A plant systems audit (PSA) conducted by USDA, AMS, or 

another audit performed by a third party auditing service is required within 12 months prior to the 

date of the awarding of the contract. (An AMS PSA verifies the manufacturer’s capability to 

produce products in a clean, sanitary environment in accordance with Title 21 Code of Federal 

Regulations Part 110 - Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or 

Holding Human Food; and verifies that the manufacturer has in place an internal quality 

assurance program. The AMS PSA determines the manufacturer’s ability to produce under this 

CID, if the products of interest are identified at the time of the PSA.)

10.1.2 Plant survey. A plant survey conducted by USDA, AMS, or another survey performed 

by a third party auditing service is required within 12 months prior to the date of the awarding of 

the contract. (An AMS plant survey audit verifies that, at the time of the survey, the manufacturer 

produces products in a clean, sanitary environment in accordance with Title 21 Code of Federal 

Regulations Part 110 - Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or 

Holding Human Food.)

10.1.3 Total Quality Systems Audit. A total quality systems audit (TQSA) conducted by 

USDA/Farm Service Agency (FSA), or another survey preformed by a third party auditing 

service is required within 12 months prior to the date of the awarding of the contract. (A FSA 

TQSA verifies the manufacturer's capability to produce products in a clean, sanitary 

environment in accordance with Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 110 - Current Good 

Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food, and verifies that 

the manufacturer has in place an internal quality assurance program. The FSA TQSA 

determines the manufacturer's ability to produce under this CID, if the products of interest are 

identified at the time of the TQSA.) 

10.2 Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, 

or purchase order, the manufacturer/distributor will certify that the finished dairy-based protein 

bars distributed meets or exceeds the requirements of this CID. 

10.3 USDA certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order that 

product quality and acceptability or both be determined, the Processed Products Branch (PPB), 
A-A-20353

7 

Fruit and Vegetable Programs (FVP), AMS shall be the certifying agency. PPB inspectors shall 

certify the quality and acceptability of the dairy-based protein bars in accordance with PPB 

procedures which include selecting random samples of the packaged dairy-based protein bars, 

evaluating the samples for conformance with the salient characteristics of this CID and other 

contractual requirements, and documenting the findings on official PPB score sheets and/or 

certificates. In addition, when required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, PPB 

inspectors will examine the dairy-based protein bars for conformance to the United States 

Standards for Condition of Food Containers in effect on the date of the solicitation. 

11. PACKAGING. Preservation, packaging, packing, labeling, and case marking shall be 

commercial unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order. 

12. USDA INSPECTION NOTES. When Section 10.3 is specified in the solicitation, 

contract, or purchase order, USDA certification shall include evaluation of the quality and 

condition of samples of dairy-based protein bars and compliance with requirements in the 

following areas: 

 - Salient characteristics (Sec. 5). 

 - Analytical requirements when specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order

(Sec. 6.2). When USDA analytical testing is specified, PPB inspection personnel shall 

select samples and submit them to the USDA, Science and Technology Programs (S&TP) 

laboratory for analysis. 

 - Packaging requirements (Sec. 11 or as specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order). 

13. REFERENCE NOTES. 

13.1 USDA certification contacts. 

13.1.1 USDA certification contact. For USDA, AMS certification, contact the Branch Chief, 

Processed Products Branch (PPB), Fruit and Vegetable Programs (FVP), AMS, USDA, 

STOP 0247, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0247, telephone 

(202) 720-4693, Fax (202) 690-1527, or via E-mail: Terry.Bane@usda.gov. 

13.1.2 USDA FSA Total Quality Systems Audit contact. Inquiries about services and fees 

should be directed to: Warehouse Licensing and Examination Division, Stop 9148, Kansas 

City Commodity Office, 6501 Beacon Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64133-6476, telephone 

(816) 926-6417 or Fax (816) 926-1774, Website: www.fsa.usda.gov/daco/TQSA/tqsa.htm. 
A-A-20353

8 

13.2 Analytical testing and technical information contacts. For USDA, AMS technical 

information on analytical testing, contact the Branch Chief, Technical Service Branch, S&TP, 

AMS, USDA, STOP 0272, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0272, 

telephone (202) 690-0621. 

13.3 Sources of documents. 

13.3.1 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. 

You may contact AOAC International on (301) 924-7077 or on the Internet at: 

www.aoac.org. 

Copies of the Food Chemicals codex and the IOM report for High-Energy, Nutrient-Dense 

Emergency Relief Food Product (2002) may be purchased from: National Academy Press, 

2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055, telephone (800) 624-

8373 or (202) 334-3313, Fax (202) 334-2451. Internet address: http://www.nap.edu. 

13.3.2 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows: 

Applicable provisions of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act are contained in 16 CFR, Parts 500 

to 503. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act are contained in 21 CFR Parts 1 to 199. 

These documents 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 or 

on the Internet at: www.access.gpo.gov/nara. 

Copies of the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) are available from: Center of Food 

Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration is available on the 

Internet at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ebam/bam-toc.html. 

Copies of the Dairy Plants Surveyed and Approved for USDA Grading Service, U.S. Standards 

for Grades of Nonfat Dry Milk (Spray Process), and U.S. Standards for Grades of Dry Whey are 

available from Standardization Branch, Dairy Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 2746-South Building, Stop Code 0230, 1400 

Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0230. Telephone: (202) 720-7473. 

FAX: (202) 720-2643 on Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/grade.htm. 
A-A-20353

9 

Copies of this CID, the United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers, and beneficial 

comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, etc., and any data which may 

improve this CID are available from and/or provided to: Branch Chief, Processed Products 

Branch (PPB), Fruit and Vegetable Programs (FVP), AMS, USDA, STOP 0247, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0247, telephone (202) 720-9939, Fax 

(202) 690-0102, via E-mail: FQAStaff@usda.gov or on the Internet at: 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fvqual.htm. 

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, 

age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political 

beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program (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 to USDA, Director, 

Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.