Marketing 

and 

Regulatory

Programs

Agriculture

Marketing

Service

Specialty 

Crops 

Program

Specialty 

Crops

Inspection

Division

Visual Aids for 

Composite Container

Defects

December 2019

This issue of the Visual Aids for Inspection of Composite Containers as applied to the

United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers is the first issue.

This publication contains illustrations of defects applicable to the examination of the

exterior condition of filled composite food containers under the United States

Standards for Condition of Food Containers. They are intended for use as

references by inspectors, graders, and others in interpreting and applying the

Standards. Since the examination of such containers under the Standards also

includes an examination of label or markings on the containers, illustrations of

labeling and marking defects are included. The tables from the Standards which

lists exterior composite container, labeling, and marking defects are shown on the

next page.

In a few instances, an illustration shows the upper or lower limit of a defect. 

Otherwise, each illustration is considered to be a “typical” representation of the

indicated defect.

The legend accompanying each illustration explains, in general terms, the reason(s)

for the classification of the defect as critical, major, minor, or insignificant. It also

identifies each illustration which shows the upper or lower limit of a defect.

Standards for Condition for Food Containers is issued by the U.S. Department of

Agriculture (USDA) after careful consideration of all data and views submitted during

rulemaking. The Department welcomes suggestions for improving the standards in

future revisions. Comments may be submitted to, and copies of the standards and

visual aids obtained from:

Director, Specialty Crops Inspection Division Specialty Crops Program

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0240

Washington, D.C. 20250

_______________________________________________________________________

Authority: 7 U.S.C 1621-1627.

Non-Discrimination Policy: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights 

regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA 

programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 

expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 

program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by 

USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 

audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 

(voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be 

made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at 

How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the 

letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your 

completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
i

Visual Aids for Composite Containers Defects

Defect Tables................................................................................................................. 1

Type V - Composite Containers ...................................................................................... 1

Table XI - Label, Marking, or Code ................................................................................. 2

Composite Container Defects...................................................................................... 3

Misassembly/Incomplete Seam....................................................................................... 3

Dirty, Stained, or Smeared Container.............................................................................. 6

Collapsed Container........................................................................................................ 8

Wet or Damp Container................................................................................................... 9

Crushed or Torn Area - Unstuck Label.......................................................................... 10

Label, Marking, or Code.............................................................................................. 11

Torn or Mutilated, or Torn or Scratched, Obliterating any Markings on the Label ......... 11

Text Illegible or Incomplete ........................................................................................... 13
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

1

DEFECT TABLES

Reminders:

• Related defects are defects on a single container that are related to a single 

cause. Only the most serious defect is scored.

• Unrelated defects are defects on a single container that result from separate 

causes. Each unrelated defect is scored.

• If there is a doubt as to whether defects are related or unrelated, score the defect 

as related using the most serious category of defects.

Type V – Composite Containers

Defects Categories

Critical Major Minor

Type or size of container or component parts not as specified None permitted.

Closure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed, crimped, or fitted

properly 1

Dirty, stained or smeared container 201

Easy open closure:

(a) Missing or broken pull tab 101

(b) Missing or incomplete score line 102

Membrane top:

(a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) 103

(b) Short pull tab 104

(c) Missing pull tab 105

(d) Torn pull tab 106

Opentopwith plastic overcap (when required):

(a) Plastic overcap missing 107

(b) Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication difficult) 108

Outside tinplate or coating on ends (when required):

(a) Missing or incomplete 202

(b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled 203

(c) Scratched or scored 204

(d) Fine cracks 205

Collapsed container 109

Paneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability 206

Leaker 2

Wet or damp:

(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability 207

(b) Materially affecting usability 110

Crushed or torn area:

(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability 208

(b) Materially affecting usability 111
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

2

Table XI – Label, Marking, or Code

Defects Categories

Major Minor

Not specified method 101

Missing (when required) 102

Loose or improperly applied 201

Torn or mutilated 202

Torn or scratched, obliterating any markings on the label 103

Text illegible or incomplete 203

Incorrect 104

In wrong location 204
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

3

COMPOSITE CONTAINER DEFECTS

Misassembly/Incomplete Seam

Table V – Defect No.1, Critical defect. End is not completely connected to the 

composite container.

Photograph was provided and printed with permission from Sonoco Products Company.
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

4

Misassembly/Incomplete Seam

Table V – Defect No. 1, Critical defect. End is not completely connected to the 

composite container.

Photograph was provided and printed with permission from Sonoco Products Company.
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

5

Misassembly/Incomplete Seam

Table V – Defect No. 1, Critical defect. End is not completely connected to the 

composite container.

Photograph was provided and printed with permission from Sonoco Products Company.
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

6

Dirty, Stained, or Smeared Container

Table V – Defect No. 201, Minor defect. Any foreign material on the outside of the can 

other than glue from the label.

Photograph was provided and printed with permission from Sonoco Products Company.
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

7

Dirty, Stained, or Smeared Container

Table V – Defect No. 201, Not scorable. This photo shows label glue squeezing out at 

the overlap.

Photograph was provided and printed with permission from Sonoco Products Company.
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

8

Collapsed Container

Table V – Defect No. 109, Major defect. Top edge of the body wall collapsing.

Photograph was provided and printed with permission from Sonoco Products Company.
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

9

Wet or Damp Container

Table V – Defect No. 110, Major defect. Wet container materially affecting the usability 

of the product inside.

Photograph was provided and printed with permission from Sonoco Products Company.
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

10

Crushed or Torn Area - Unstuck Label

Table V – Defect No. 208, Minor defect. The label is not adhering to the body wall of 

the container.

Photograph was provided and printed with permission from Sonoco Products Company.
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

11

LABEL, MARKING, OR CODE

Torn or Mutilated, or Torn or Scratched, Obliterating any Markings 

on the Label

Table XI – Insignificant defect, Upper limit – not scored. Label torn or mutilated. If such 

a small tear obliterates any important text such as the ingredients or declared contents 

statement, the defect shall be classed as Defect No. 202 – Minor defect (nonmilitary 

purchases) or Defect No. 103 – Major defect (Military purchases).
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

12

Torn or Mutilated, or Torn or Scratched, Obliterating any Markings 

on the Label

Table XI – Defect No. 202 – Minor defect (nonmilitary purchases). Defect No. 103 –

Major defect (Military purchases).
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

13

Text Illegible or Incomplete

Table XI – Text or label illegible or incomplete. Insignificant defect – not scored.
Visual Aids for Composite Container Defects (December 2019)

14

Text Illegible or Incomplete

Table XI – Defect No. 203 – Minor defect. Defect No. 103 – Major defect (Military 

purchases).