Fruit & 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.

Vegetable Room 1536-S, STOP 0240

Program Washington, DC 20250-0240

 

October 4, 2018 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

COMMODITY SPECIFICATION

SHELLED NUTS – August 2014

The purpose of this amendment is to make the following changes in the Commodity 

Specification for Shelled Nuts August 2014:

• Adding order of precedence to General section

• Adding/clarifying packaging and labeling requirements

• Adding sizes: pieces, or pieces and halves, or halves to shelled walnuts

• Adding a new color walnut, Red

• Adding new required chemical analysis for shelled walnuts

• Modifying fumigation requirements for shelled walnuts

• Modifying shipping and case marking/storage requirements for shelled walnuts

Additions/changes to this Commodity Specification are shown in blue below.

General 

B. Exceptions to the U.S. Standards 

1. Order of Precedence

If the contract documents are inconsistent or contradictory, the following order of precedence 

will prevail: IFB, Master Solicitation, Amendments to the Commodity Specifications, and 

Commodity Specifications and/or Supplement(s). 

Packing, Labels and Packaging

G. Packing, Labels and Packaging

1. Primary Containers 

All products must be packed in new, commercially acceptable primary containers which meet 

all applicable FDA requirements (link to: FDA Food Labeling Regulations). Retail labels must 

meet minimum requirements as specified in the Master Solicitation. 

For containers with net weight of 3 pounds or less. 

• Must meet the minimum FDA labeling requirements (shown below)
• Product labeling/packaging shall also have at least 2 additional colors other than 

black and/or white and a visual representation of the product if the container is 

not clear.

Minimum FDA labeling requirements are: 

• Statement of identity, or name of the food 

• Net quantity statement 

• Ingredient statement 

• Manufacturer or distributor location statement 

• Allergen declaration (if product contains a major allergen) 

• Suitably code marked so that the product can be identified with related 

inspection certificates or in the event of a recall 

The nuts must be packed to an average net weight of 25 pounds for almonds (shelled whole/slivered) 

and 1 or 30 pounds (as Specified in the solicitation/IFB) for walnuts in bags made of polyethylene 

or similar material approved by the Food and Drug Administration for contact with nuts.

Individual Commodity Specifications

Additions, deletions, or changes of the existing requirements for:

Shelled Walnuts

Variety: English or Persian varieties of (Juglans regia).

Size: Must be - Pieces, or Pieces and halves, or Halves. (No mixing of size designations)

Color: 

a. Light amber or lighter or

b. Red (no color requirements). “Red” color shall not be mixed with “light amber,” or 

lighter colors.

Flavor/odor: Must have good flavor and odor and be free of any off or objectional flavors 

and odors 

Chemical: Peroxide value (PV): less than 2.8 meq/kg or less

Free fatty acid (FFA): 1.25% or less

Aflatoxin: 20 ppb or less

Microbiological: 

c. Shelled walnuts shall be treated with Propylene Oxide (PPO) or other validated methods

such as steam treatment that achieves a minimum of 4 log reduction of Salmonella 
bacteria. Verification that such treatment has been performed must be provided to the 

USDA inspector.

Samples for chemical, biological and moisture specifications will be drawn by the 

Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service and certified by the Dried Fruit 

Association of California (CDFA). DFA has labs throughout California, you may 

choose any one of them.

12. For loads shipping between April 1st through October 1st, the packaged walnuts 

must be loaded into a refrigerated trailer capable of holding air temperature not to 

exceed 40° F.

13. Case markings for shelled walnuts shall include the statement: “STORE UNDER 

REFRIGERATION 35 TO 40 DEGREES F.” 

Exhibit 4

Universal Product Codes

Shelled Nuts WBSC 

Material Primary Container Secondary Container

Walnut Eng PCS

(24/1 lb) 100908 7 15001 00908 1 1 07 15001 00908 8

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.