FSC 8915/8940 

A-A-20367 

November 30, 2012

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

DRINKS, FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE BLENDS, SHELF STABLE

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

the use of this Commercial Item Description (CID).

1. SCOPE. This CID covers shelf stable fruit and vegetable juice blends drinks (fruit and 

vegetable drinks), packed in commercially acceptable containers, suitable for use by Federal, 

State, local governments, and other interested parties. 

2. PURCHASER NOTES.

2.1 Purchasers shall specify the following: 

 - Type(s), flavor(s), style(s), container size(s) of fruit and vegetable drinks desired (Sec. 3).

 - Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification (Sec. 9.3) or USDA certification (Sec. 9.4).

2.2 Purchasers may specify the following:

 - Food Defense Section 9.1: Food Defense System Survey (FDSS) (Sec. 9.1.1), or Food 

Defense Addendum to Plant Systems Audit (PSA) (Sec. 9.1.2), or (Sec. 9.1.2 with 9.2.1). 

 - Manufacturer’s quality assurance (Sec. 9.2 with 9.2.1) or (Sec. 9.2 with 9.2.2). 

 - Packaging requirements other than commercial (Sec. 10). 

3. CLASSIFICATION. The fruit and vegetable drinks shall conform to the following list 

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

Types, flavors, styles, and container sizes.

Type I - 66 percent fruit and vegetable juice drinks 

 Flavor A - Apple carrot (may contain: apple, pear, carrot, sweet potato, butternut squash, and 

tomato juices)

Flavor B - Apple harvest (may contain: apple, sweet potato, pear, purple carrot, beet, 

butternut squash, kiwi, strawberry, and tomato juices) 

METRIC
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Flavor C - Berry banana (may contain: apple, pear, purple carrot, sweet potato, butternut 

squash, beet, raspberry, banana, and tomato juices)

Flavor D - Berry berry (may contain: cherry, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and carrot 

juices)

Flavor E - Fruit punch (combination of three or more fruit juices)

Flavor F - Pear peach (may contain: apple, pear, carrot, sweet potato, butternut squash, 

peach, and tomato juices)

Flavor G - Peach mango (may contain: peach, mango, and other fruit juices)

Flavor H - Strawberry kiwi (may contain: strawberry, kiwi, and carrot juices)

Flavor I - Tropical orange (may contain: apple, carrot, orange, pineapple, passion fruit, pear, 

and tomato juices, mango, sweet potato, and pumpkin purees)

Flavor J - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Type II - 50 percent fruit and vegetable fruit juice drinks

Flavor A - Light açai mixed berry (may contain: açai, blueberry, and other fruit juices) (21 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 101.56 (b))

Flavor B - Light cranberry blackberry (may contain: cranberry, blackberry, and other fruit 

juices) (21 CFR § 101.56 (b))

Flavor C - Light concord grape raspberry (may contain: concord grape, raspberry, and other 

fruit juices) (21 CFR § 101.56 (b))

Flavor D - Light peach mango (may contain: peach, mango, and other fruit juices) (21 CFR § 

101.56 (b))

Flavor E - Light pomegranate blueberry (may contain: pomegranate, blueberry, and other 

fruit juices) (21 CFR § 101.56 (b))

Flavor F - Light strawberry banana (may contain: strawberry, banana, and other fruit juices) 

(21 CFR § 101.56 (b))

Flavor G - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Type III - 50 percent fruit and vegetable juice drinks with tea

Flavor A - Pineapple mango

Flavor B - Pomegranate

Flavor C - Raspberry

Flavor D - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

Type IV - 20 percent or less of fruit and vegetable juice drinks

Flavor A - Berry blend (may contain: cherry, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and carrot 

juices)

Flavor B - Cherry pomegranate (may contain: cherry, pomegranate, and carrot juices)

Flavor C - Fruit medley (may contain: pear, pineapple, cherry, and carrot juices)

Flavor D - Mango peach (may contain: peach, mango, and other fruit juices)

Flavor E - Strawberry banana (may contain: strawberry, banana, and other fruit juices)

Flavor F - Strawberry kiwi (may contain: strawberry, kiwi, banana, and other fruit juices)

Flavor G - Tropical blend (may contain: pineapple, kiwi, mango, and carrot juices)
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Flavor H - Tropical Colada (may contain: pineapple and coconut) 

Flavor I - Other (as specified by the purchaser) 

Container size a - 125 mL (4.23 fl oz) “juice” box1

Container size b - 200 mL (6.75 fl oz) “juice” box1

Container size c - 237 mL (8 fl oz) can1

Container size d - 340 mL (11.5 fl oz) can1

Container size e - 355 mL (12 fl oz) plastic bottle1

Container size f - 473 mL (16 fl oz) plastic bottle1

Container size g - 1.06 L (36 fl oz) plastic bottle1

Container size h - 1.36 L (46 oz) can or plastic bottle1

Container size i - 1.89 L (64 oz) plastic bottle1

Container size j - Other (as specified by the purchaser)

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).

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

 - Regulatory requirements (Sec. 8).

 - Quality assurance provisions: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 9).

 - Packaging requirements other than commercial: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 10).

5. PROCESSING GUIDELINES.

5.1 Processing. The fruit and vegetable drinks shall be processed in accordance with Current 

Good Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR Part 110). 

5.2 Food security. The fruit and vegetable drinks shall be processed and transported in 

accordance to 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. 

1

 Not all fruit and vegetable drinks are available in every container size. Check with the manufacturer/distributor for availability.

2

 

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/FoodDefenseandEmergencyResponse/ucm083075.ht

m
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6. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS.

6.1 Raw ingredients. The fruit and vegetable juices used in the fruit and vegetable drinks shall 

be prepared from clean, sound fruits and vegetables. The fruits and vegetables used shall depend 

on the flavor of fruits and vegetables beverage specified by the purchaser.

6.2 Finished product. The fruit and vegetable drinks shall not contain skins, seeds, and other 

coarse or hard fruit and vegetable parts. The fruit and vegetable drinks shall not exceed the 

specified FDA tolerance for “Defect Action Levels”. The fruit and vegetable drinks shall 

possess a smooth and homogenous consistency. Suitable seasonings, vitamins, minerals, etc., 

may be added in accordance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices. When used, the 

seasonings, vitamins, minerals, etc., shall be of Food Chemicals Codex purity or U.S. 

Pharmacopeia-National Formulary quality and meet the standards, requirements, and regulations 

adopted by FDA for food additives, or generally recognized as safe (GRAS). 

6.3 Flavors and odors. The fruit and vegetable drinks shall be free from objectionable flavors 

and odors. The fruit and vegetable juice blends shall have the flavors and odors of the specified 

type and flavor. 

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

order, the fruit and vegetable drinks shall be prepared from vegetables and fruits from the latest 

year’s crop and shall be processed and packaged less than 1 year prior to purchase by the 

purchaser. 

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

distributor shall certify that the fruit and vegetable drinks provided shall meet the salient 

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

practices, and be the same fruit and vegetable drinks offered for sale in the commercial market. 

The purchaser reserves the right to require proof of conformance. 

8. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. The delivered fruit and vegetable drinks shall 

comply with all applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to 

the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sales of the fruit and vegetable 

drinks in the commercial marketplace. Delivered fruit and vegetable drinks shall comply with all 

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

Labeling Act, and regulations promulgated thereunder including the appropriate standard for 

individual juices in 21 CFR Part 146 (fruit juices) and 21 CFR Part 156 (vegetable juices). The 
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percent juice must meet the requirements of 21 CFR § 101.30 and be labeled with a common or 

usual name as specified in 21 CFR § 102.33. 

9. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS. Purchaser shall specify 9.3 or 9.4; purchaser 

may specify 9.1 with 9.1.1, or 9.1 with 9.1.2, or 9.1.2 with 9.2.1, or 9.2 with 9.2.1, or 9.2.1 with 

9.2.2.

9.1 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 (SCI) Division. 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. 

9.1.1 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 section 12.1 and 12.2.2. 

9.1.2 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 section 12.1 and 12.2.2.

9.2 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.

8.2.1 PSA. A PSA conducted by USDA, AMS, or other 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 
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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.) 

9.2.2 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.) 

(Perform with Food Defense addendum when required.) 

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

purchase order, the manufacturer/distributor will certify that the fruit and vegetable drinks 

distributed meets or exceeds the requirements of this CID. 

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

product quality and 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 fruit and 

vegetable drinks in accordance with SCI procedures which include: selecting random samples of 

the fruit and vegetable drinks, 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 inspectors will examine the fruit and vegetable drinks for 

conformance to the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR Part 42) in effect 

on the date of the solicitation. 

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

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

11. USDA INSPECTION NOTES. When Section 9.4 is specified in the solicitation, 

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

condition of samples of fruit and vegetable drinks, and compliance with requirements in 

the following areas:

 - Processing guidelines (Sec. 5) 

 - Salient characteristics (Sec. 6).

 - Packaging requirements (Sec. 10 or as specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order).

12. REFERENCE NOTES.

12.1 USDA certification, FDSS, Plant Survey, and PSA contact. For a USDA certification, 
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FDSS, Plant Survey, and PSA, 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. 

12.2 Sources of documents.

12.2.1 Source of information for nongovernmental document is as follows:

Copies of the Food Chemicals Codex and U.S. Pharmacopeia may be purchased from: United 

States Pharmacopeia Convention, 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20877, 

telephone (800) 227-8772 or (301) 881-0666, Fax (301) 816-8148 or on the Internet at: 

http://www.usp.org. 

12.2.2 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows: 

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

The FDA Defect Levels Handbook, Food Defect Action Levels, is available on the Internet at: 

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocument

s/Sanitation/ucm056174.htm. 

Copies of Guidance for Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security 

Preventive Measures Guidance is available online from: FDA, CFSAN on the Internet at: 

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocument

s/FoodDefenseandEmergencyResponse/ucm083075.htm.

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

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

which may improve this CID are available from and/or provided to: Chief, Standardization 

Branch, SCI, FV, AMS, USDA, STOP 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, 

DC 20250-0240, telephone (202) 720-5021, Fax (202) 690-1527, via E-mail: 
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Robin.Chilton@ams.usda.gov, or on the Internet at: 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/CommercialItemDescription. 

CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES:

DOJ - BOP

HHS - NIH, FDA

USDA - FV

VA - OSS

PREPARING ACTIVITY:

USDA - FV

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

basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex (including gender identity and 

expression), marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic 

information, 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, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call tollfree at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-

6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.