A-A-20087D 

A-A-20336B 

May 16, 2013 

SUPERSEDING

A-A-20336A 

July 31, 2006 

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

DRINK MIXES, COFFEE (UNFLAVORED AND FLAVORED)

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

the use of this Commercial Item Description (CID).

1. SCOPE. This CID covers unflavored and flavored coffee drink mixes (coffee drink mixes), 

packed in commercially acceptable containers, suitable for use by Federal, State, local 

governments, and other interested parties; and as a component of operational rations. 

2. PURCHASER NOTES.

2.1 Purchasers shall specify the following:

 - Type(s), style(s), and flavor(s) of coffee drink mixes required (Sec. 3). 

 - When analytical requirements are different than specified (Sec. 7.1). 

 - When analytical requirements need to be verified (Sec. 7.2). 

 - Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification (Sec. 10.3) or USDA certification (Sec.10.4). 

2.2 Purchasers may specify the following:

 - Food Defense Section 10.1: Food Defense System Survey (FDSS) (Sec. 10.1.1), or Food 

Defense Addendum to Plant Systems Audit (PSA) (Sec. 10.1.2), or (Sec. 10.1.2 with 

10.2.1). 

 - Manufacturer’s quality assurance (Sec. 10.2 with 10.2.1) or (Sec. 10.2 with 10.2.2). 

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

3. CLASSIFICATION. The coffee drink mixes shall conform to the following list which shall 

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

Types, styles, and flavors. 

AMSC N/A FSC 8955 

METRIC
A-A-20336B

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Type I - Unflavored instant coffee, with sugar and creamer

Style A - Regular

Style B - Decaffeinated

Type II - Unflavored instant coffee, no sugar added and fat free1

Style A - Regular

Style B - Decaffeinated

Type III - Flavored instant coffee

Style A - Regular

Flavor 1 - French vanilla

Flavor 2 - Mocha

Flavor 3 - Hazelnut

Flavor 4 - Cinnamon

Flavor 5 - Orange

Flavor 6 - White chocolate

Flavor 7 - Caramel

Flavor 8 - French vanilla with hazelnut

Flavor 9 - Irish cream

Flavor 10 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Style B - Decaffeinated

Flavor 1 - French vanilla

Flavor 2 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Type IV - Flavored instant coffee, no sugar added1

Style A - Regular

Flavor 1 - French vanilla

Flavor 2 - Mocha

Flavor 3 - Hazelnut

Flavor 4 - Cinnamon

Flavor 5 - Vanilla

Flavor 6 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Style B - Decaffeinated

Flavor 1 - French vanilla

Flavor 2 - Vanilla

Flavor 3 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

1 Sweetened with non-carbohydrate sugar substitute.
A-A-20336B

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Type V - Flavored instant cappuccino

Style A - Regular

Flavor 1 - French vanilla

Flavor 2 - Mocha

Flavor 3 - Amaretto

Flavor 4 - Irish cream

Flavor 5 - Orange

Flavor 6 - Toffee

Flavor 7 - Caramel

Flavor 8 - Cinnamon vanilla nut

Flavor 9 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Type VI - Flavored instant regular cappuccino, no sugar added1

Flavor 1 - French vanilla

Flavor 2 - Mocha

Flavor 3 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Type VII - Flavored instant latte

Style A - Regular

Flavor 1 - Unflavored

Flavor 2 - Mocha

Flavor 3 - Caramel

Flavor 4 - Mocha almond

Flavor 5 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Style B - Decaffeinated

Flavor 1 - Unflavored

Flavor 2 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Type VIII - Flavored instant latte, no sugar added1

Style A - Regular

Flavor 1 - Unflavored

Flavor 2 - Mocha

Flavor 3 - Caramel

Flavor 4 - Mocha almond

Flavor 5 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Style B - Decaffeinated

Flavor 1 - Unflavored

Flavor 2 - Other (as specified by the purchaser)
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4. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S NOTES. Manufacturer’s/distributor’s 

products shall meet the requirements of the:

 - Processing guidelines (Sec. 5). 

 - Salient characteristics (Sec. 6).

 - Analytical requirements: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 7).

 - Manufacturer’s/distributor’s product assurance (Sec. 8).

 - Regulatory requirements (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. PROCESSING GUIDELINES.

5.1 Processing. The coffee drink mixes shall be prepared and packaged in accordance with 

Current Good Manufacturing Practices (21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 110). 

5.2 Food security. The coffee drink mixes should be processed and transported in accordance 

with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Guidance for Industry: Food Producers, 

Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance.2 This guidance 

identifies the kinds of preventive measures food manufacturers, processors, or handlers may take 

to minimize the risk that food under their control will be subject to tampering or other malicious, 

criminal, or terrorist actions. The implementation of enhanced food security preventive 

measures provides for the security of a plant’s production processes and includes the storage and 

transportation of pre-production raw materials, other ingredients, and postproduction finished 

product. 

6. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS.

6.1 Raw coffee bean requirements. The roasted and ground coffee from which the coffee 

drink mixes are derived shall be made from coffee received in the raw or green bean state. The 

ground coffee shall be made from Arabica and/or Robusta coffee beans. The ground coffee may 

include but is not limited to beans grown in Brazil, Colombia, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Central 

America, Mexico, or Kenya. All coffee beans used shall be prepared from the current or 

previous year’s crop. Green coffee beans are defined as the dried coffee seed (no less than Grade 

8 as measured by the procedure of the FDA Technical Bulletin Number 5 - Macroanalytical 

Procedures Manual, Chapter V, 1984; electronic version 1998) commercially free from external 

layers such as: skin, hull, pulp, mucilage, parchment, and silver skin. Single types or blends of 

coffee beans shall be of such growths and grade as to produce an end product cup quality 

specified in Sec. 6.4.3. The green coffee beans shall be processed without fermentation. 

2 http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/FoodDefense/ucm083075.htm
A-A-20336B 

5 

6.2 Finished product. The coffee drink mixes may contain ingredients such as, but not limited 

to, sugar, partially hydrogenated coconut, soybean, and/or canola oil, instant coffee, corn syrup 

solids, sodium caseinate, mono and di-glycerides, dipotassium phosphate, cocoa, cocoa 

processed with alkali, nonfat dry milk, nondairy creamer, natural and artificial flavors and colors, 

salt, gums, and maltodextrin. No sugar added coffee drink mixes may contain non-carbohydrate 

sugar substitutes including, but not limited to, Aspartame, Acesulfame potassium, Sucralose, and 

Neotame in lieu of sugar. 

6.3 Dehydrated product.

6.3.1 Appearance. The coffee drink mixes shall be fine grained, well-balanced homogenous 

mixtures.

6.3.2 Odor. The coffee drink mixes shall have an odor characteristic of the type, style, and 

flavor specified. The packaged product shall be free from foreign odors. 

6.3.3 Texture. The coffee drink mixes shall be free flowing and free of lumps which do not 

compress with light pressure. 

6.4 Hydrated product. 

6.4.1 Dispersability. The coffee drink mixes shall fully dissolve within two minutes in hot 

water with constant stirring and show no evidence of undissolved floating particles. 

6.4.2 Appearance. The rehydrated coffee drink mixes shall be smooth and free of discernable 

lumps or sedimentation. Types I and II unflavored instant coffees shall have a medium brown 

color typical of coffee with cream. Types III and IV flavored instant coffees shall have a 

medium to dark brown color depending on the flavor specified. Types V and VI flavored instant 

cappuccinos shall have a tan color and a milky white froth on top. Types VII and VIII flavored 

instant lattes shall have a tan color and may or may not have a layer of milky white froth on top. 

6.4.3 Flavor and odor. Types I and II unflavored instant coffees shall have a flavor and odor of 

sweetened coffee with cream. Types III and IV flavored instant coffees shall have a flavor and 

odor of sweetened coffee and flavoring according to that specified. Types V and VI flavored 

instant cappuccinos shall have a flavor and odor of strong sweetened coffee with cream and 

flavoring according to that specified. Types VII and VIII flavored instant lattes shall have a 

flavor and odor of sweetened coffee with cream and flavoring according to that specified. There 

shall be no foreign flavors and odors such as, but not limited to: burnt, scorched, stale, or rancid. 

6.5 Foreign material. All ingredients and finished product shall be clean, sound, wholesome, 

and free from evidence of rodent or insect infestation. 
A-A-20336B 

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7. ANALYTICAL REQUIREMENTS.

7.1 Analytical and microbiological requirements. Unless otherwise specified in the

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

coffee drink mixes shall be as follows. 

7.1.1 Moisture. The moisture content of the coffee drink mixes shall be not greater than 4.0 

percent.

7.1.2 Fat. The fat content for Type I instant unflavored coffee, and Types V and VI instant 

flavored cappuccinos shall be not greater than 15.0 percent. The fat content for Types III and IV 

instant flavored coffees, and Types VII and VIII instant flavored lattes shall be not greater than 

25.0 percent. 

7.1.3 Caffeine. The caffeine content for Style B - Decaffeinated coffee drink mixes shall be not 

greater than 0.07 percent. 

7.1.4 Salmonella. Salmonella shall be negative. 

7.2 Product verification sampling. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order, analytical testing shall be performed on a composite sample. The composite sample shall 

be 113.4 g (4 oz) prepared from randomly selected subsamples. Subsamples shall be a minimum 

of one can/pouch/container and shall contain the appropriate number of cans/pouches/containers 

to yield a 113.4 g (4 oz) sample when composited. Each subsample shall contain equal amounts 

of product to yield at least a 113.4 g (4 oz) sample. 

7.2.1 Sampling procedure for Salmonella analysis. Ten filled and sealed containers shall be 

selected at random from the lot regardless of lot size. Up to 50 g (1.764 oz) from each container 

shall be combined into a composite sample. The resulting composite sample shall be tested for 

Salmonella. 

7.3 Analytical and microbiological testing. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, the analyses shall be in accordance with the following methods from the AOAC 

International Official Methods of Analysis (OMA): 

Test Method

Moisture 925.45A, 2007.04, or 2008.06 

Fat 932.06, 985.15, 991.36, 2007.04, or 2008.06 

Caffeine 979.11 

Salmonella 986.35, 996.08, 2000.06D(c), 2003.09, or 2011.03 
A-A-20336B 

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7.4 Test results. The test results for moisture and fat shall be reported to the nearest 0.1 

percent. The test results for caffeine shall be reported to the nearest 0.01 percent. The test 

results for Salmonella shall be reported as positive or negative. Any results not conforming to 

the analytical and microbiological requirements shall be cause for rejection of the lot.

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

distributor shall certify that the coffee drink mixes provided shall meet the salient characteristics 

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

be the same coffee drink mixes offered for sale in the commercial market. The purchaser 

reserves the right to require proof of conformance. 

9. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. The delivered coffee drink mixes shall comply with 

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

preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sale of coffee drink mixes within the 

commercial marketplace. Delivered coffee drink mixes shall comply with all applicable 

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

and regulations promulgated thereunder. The coffee drink mixes shall comply with the allergen 

labeling requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 

10. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS. Purchaser shall specify 10.3 or 10.4; 

purchaser may specify 10.1 with 10.1.1, or 10.1 with 10.1.2, or 10.2 with 10.2.1, or 10.2 with 

10.2.2.

10.1 Food defense. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a FDSS shall 

be conducted by USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Fruit and Vegetable Program 

(FV), Specialty Crops Inspection Division (SCI). Food defense requirements include a 

documented and operational food defense plan that provides for the security of a plant’s 

production processes and includes the storage and transportation of pre-production raw materials 

and other ingredients and postproduction finished product. The plan shall address the following 

areas: (1) food security plan management; (2) outside and inside security of the production and 

storage facilities; (3) slaughter, when applicable, and processing, including all raw material 

sources; (4) shipping and receiving; (5) storage; (6) water and ice supply; (7) mail handling; (8) 

personnel security; and (9) transportation, shipping, and receiving. 

10.1.1 FDSS. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a FDSS shall be 

conducted by USDA, AMS, FV, SCI. The FDSS verifies that operators of food establishments 

have implemented measures to minimize the risk of tampering or other criminal actions against 

the food under their control. (An AMS, FDSS verifies the participating company’s adherence to 

the FDA’s “Guidance for Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food 

Security Preventive Measures Guidance.”) For further information, see Sec. 13.1 and 13.3.2. 
A-A-20336B 

8 

10.1.2 Food defense addendum to PSA. When required in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, a Food Defense addendum shall be conducted by USDA, AMS, FV, SCI

auditors. This verifies that operators of food establishments have implemented measures to 

minimize the risk of tampering or other criminal actions against the food under their control. (An 

AMS, FDSS verifies the participating company’s adherence to the FDA’s “Guidance for 

Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures 

Guidance.”) For further information, see Sec.13.1 and 13.3.2. 

10.2 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.

10.2.1 PSA. A 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 21 CFR 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. (Perform with food defense addendum when 

required).

10.2.2 Plant survey. A plant survey conducted by USDA, AMS, or other 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 21 CFR Part 110 - 

Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food.)

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

or purchase order, the manufacturer/distributor will certify that the finished coffee drink mixes 

distributed meets or exceeds the requirements of this CID. 

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

product quality, or acceptability or both be determined, the SCI, FV, AMS, USDA shall be the 

certifying program. SCI inspectors shall certify the quality and acceptability of the coffee drink 

mixes in accordance with SCI procedures which include selecting random samples of the coffee 

drink mixes, evaluating the samples for conformance with the salient characteristics of this CID 

and other contractual requirements, and documenting the findings on official SCI score sheets 

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

SCI 
A-A-20336B 

9 

inspectors will examine the coffee drink mixes for conformance to the U.S. Standards of 

Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR Part 42) 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 10.4 is specified in the solicitation, 

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

condition of samples of packaged coffee drink mixes, and compliance with requirements in 

the following areas:

 - Processing guidelines (Sec. 5). 

 - Salient characteristics (Sec. 6).

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

(Sec. 7.1). When USDA analytical testing is specified, SCI 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 contact, plant survey, PSA, and FDSS. For USDA certification, 

plant survey, PSA, and FDSS contact the Chief, Inspection Branch, SCI, FV, AMS, USDA, 

STOP 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0240, telephone 

(202) 720-2482, Fax (202) 720-0393, or via E-mail: Nathaniel.Taylor@ams.usda.gov. 

13.2 Analytical testing and technical information. For USDA technical information on 

analytical testing, contact a member of the Technical Service Staff, S&TP, AMS, USDA, 

STOP 0272, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0272, telephone (202) 

720-5231 or via E-mail: Alan.Post@ams.usda.gov or Ruihong.Guo@ams.usda.gov. 

13.3 Sources of documents. 

13.3.1 Source of information for nongovernmental document is as follows:

Copies of the AOAC International OMA may be obtained from: AOAC International, 481 

North Frederick Avenue, Suite 500, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-2417, telephone (301) 924-

7077. Internet address: http://www.aoac.org for nonmembers and 

http://www.eoma.aoac.org for members and AOAC OMA subscribers. 

13.3.2 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows: 
A-A-20336B 

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Applicable provisions of the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers are contained 7 

CFR Part 42, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act are contained in 16 CFR Parts 500 to 503, and 

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, New Orders, P.O. Box 

979050, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover/NOVUS, and 

American Express) purchases may be made by calling the Superintendent of Documents on 

(866) 512-1800, (202) 512-1800. These documents may also be obtained free of charge on the 

Internet at: 

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR. 

Copies of the FDA Technical Bulletin Number 5 - Macroanalytical Procedures Manual, Chapter 

V, 1984; Electronic Version 1998 may be obtained from: Internet address: 

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/mpm-toc.html. 

Copies of FDA’s Guidance for Industry: Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food 

Security Preventive Measures Guidance is available from: FDA, Center for Food Safety and 

Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) on the Internet at: 

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation

/FoodDefense/ucm083075.htm.

Copies of this CID and the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR Part 42) are 

available from: Chief, Standardization Branch, SCI, FV, AMS, USDA, STOP 240, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0240, telephone (202) 720-5021, Fax 

(202) 690-1527, via E-mail: CIDS@ams.usda.gov, or on the Internet at: 

www.ams.usda.gov/CommercialItemDescription.

Copies of this CID are also available online at: ASSIST Online (https://assist.dla.mil) or 

ASSIST Quick Search (https://assist.dla.mil/quicksearch) or from the Standardization 

Documents Order Desk, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services, Building 4D, 

700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094. 

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

which may improve this document should be sent to: DLA Troop Support, ATTN: FTSA, 

700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092 or Fax (215) 737-2963, or via E-mail: 

dscpsubsweb@dla.mil. 
A-A-20336B 

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MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES:

Custodians DOJ - BOP

 HHS - FDA, NIH

Army - GL USDA - FV

Navy - SA VA - OSS

Air Force - 35 

DLA - SS

PREPARING ACTIVITY:

Review Activities

 DLA - SS

Army - MD, QM

Navy - MC (Project No. 8955-2011-001) 

NOTE: The activities listed above were interested in this document as of the date of this 

document. Since organizations and responsibilities can change, you should verify the currency 

of the information above using the ASSIST Online database at https://assist.daps.dla.mil. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and 

applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, 

reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or

part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in 

employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will 

apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) 

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination 

Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or 

call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in 

the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, 

Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or 

email at program.intake@usda.gov.