U Marketing and

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Program

Commodity Specification 

for Bottled Juices

December 2021
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, 

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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-

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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Commodity Specification for Bottled Juices

Table of Contents

General........................................................................................................................................... 1

U.S. Standards................................................................................................................................. 1

Exceptions to U.S. Standards and/or Commercial Item Description (CID) ................................... 1

Product Origin................................................................................................................................. 1

Packing Season ............................................................................................................................... 2

Holding Period................................................................................................................................ 2

Grade of Bottled Juices................................................................................................................... 3

Fill of Container.............................................................................................................................. 3

Labels and packaging ................................................................................................................... 3

Primary Containers (bottles and labels).......................................................................................... 3

Secondary Containers (case) for Commercial Labels..................................................................... 4

Secondary Containers (case) for Non-Commercial Labels ............................................................ 4

Universal Product Codes (UPC).................................................................................................. 5

Palletization Requirements.......................................................................................................... 5

Pallets.............................................................................................................................................. 5

Unitization....................................................................................................................................... 5

Individual Commodity Specifications......................................................................................... 5

Apple Juice ................................................................................................................................. 6

Grapefruit Juice........................................................................................................................... 6

Orange Juice ............................................................................................................................... 6

Grape Juice ................................................................................................................................. 6

Tomato Juice............................................................................................................................... 7

Grape Juice Concentrate (4 + 1) ................................................................................................. 7

Reconstituted Juice ..................................................................................................................... 8

Cranberry-Apple Juice................................................................................................................ 9

Cranberry Juice Concentrate (3 + 1)........................................................................................... 9

Cherry-Apple Juice ................................................................................................................... 10

Inspection, Certification, and Checkloading............................................................................ 11

Requirements ................................................................................................................................ 11

Certification .................................................................................................................................. 11

Checkloading ................................................................................................................................ 11

Procedures..................................................................................................................................... 11

Laboratory Tests ........................................................................................................................... 12

Failure to Meet Specifications.................................................................................................... 12

REFERENCE LINKS ................................................................................................................ 13

AMS Master Solicitation:........................................................................................................... 13

U.S. Grades and Standards:....................................................................................................... 13

National Science Laboratory:.................................................................................................... 13

FDA Food Labeling Guide ......................................................................................................... 13

Exhibits........................................................................................................................................ 14

Exhibit 1 – Required Markings for Non-Commercial Shipping Containers ................................ 14

Exhibit 2 – Alternative Label for Shipping Containers................................................................ 15

Exhibit 3 – Sample Alternative Label for Shipping Containers................................................... 16

Exhibit 4 – Universal Product Codes............................................................................................ 17
ii

Exhibit 5 – “Please Recycle” Symbol and Statement................................................................... 18

Exhibit 6 – “Corrugated Recycles” Symbol and Statement.......................................................... 19

Exhibit 7 – USDA Symbol ........................................................................................................... 20
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 1 of 20

GENERAL

U.S. Standards

Bottled juice (product/commodity) produced under this Commodity Specification must meet the 

requirements specified in the applicable United States Standards for Grades of Canned Fruit and 

Vegetable Juice (U.S. Standards) and/or Commercial Item Description (CID) of Canned Juices 

effective on the date of the Solicitation/Invitation for Bid (IFB). The U.S. Standards and CIDs 

are published separately and are incorporated herein and made a part of this Commodity 

Specification.

Exceptions to U.S. Standards and/or Commercial Item Description (CID)

Exceptions to the U.S. Standards for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) bottled juice 

purchases are found in Section II, Individual Commodity Specifications, of this document. 

Additional exceptions may be specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB. Any exceptions 

contained in the applicable Invitation shall have precedence over the requirements contained 

herein, for that Solicitation/IFB only.

Product Origin

In accordance with the latest version or the AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity 

Procurement – Domestic Programs (MSCP-D) Sections 4A52.225-1a,b,c,d,e,f, and 

4A52.225-3, contractors must meet all domestic origin requirements with further 

clarifications shown below.

1. In accordance with FAR 52.214-26, contractors will make all paperwork available 

to USDA that confirms fruit, vegetable, and nut commodities purchased for USDA food 

assistance outlets are 100 percent grown in the United States. This means that products 

shall have originated entirely from crops grown, processed, and packed in the United 

States, its territories or possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Trust 

Territories of the Pacific Islands (hereinafter referred to as the United States) in 

accordance with responsible commercial practices, during the packing season, and from 

the crop year(s) specified. 

2. If the contractor handles any commodity originating from sources other than the 

United States, the contractor must have a written plan to segregate the commodity. This 

segregation plan will include an identification and record system for all commodities to 

ensure they are completely segregated and cannot be used to fulfill purchase orders 

awarded by USDA. Such segregation plan must be made available, within 10 days of 

purchase order award, to representatives of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

3. The contractor must maintain positive written documentation records evidencing 

100 percent domestic origin to the grower level and ensure that the documentation 

provided by any subcontractors demonstrates the same level of traceability. The 

responsibility for compliance is borne by the contractor, regardless of whether the product 

was processed/packed in their facility or if it originated from other sources (i.e.,
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 2 of 20

subcontractors and suppliers). If a contractor receives crops or products originating from 

other sources, it is up to the contractor to obtain proof of domestic origin compliance from 

those sources. 

4. Examples of documentation submitted may include, but are not limited to: load or 

warehouse storage receipts for raw product (i.e., bin tags), product blend (formulation) 

records, product coding explanations, finished product warehousing records, shipping or 

payment records, or other documentation or evidence that clearly establishes the product's 

domestic origin.

5. An acceptable domestic origin verification traceback must include the following:

• Signed Exhibit 1 Domestic Origin Certification

• Table of Contents 

• Narrative or flow chart explaining the documentation provided

• An explanation of the code. (Code Breakdown)

• Each page should be numbered and referenced in Table of Contents

• All pertinent information should be highlighted on each document

• Documentation must be clear and concise and must relate directly to the code being 

traced

• Trace information submitted must include the physical location of the originating 

field, farm, orchard, or vineyard

NOTE: Failure to comply with the above requirements, or any submittals consisting of 

mass unorganized “data dumps” will not be reviewed by SCI and final statuses will be 

reported to the Commodity Procurement representative as “Incomplete”. 

6. In the event of an audit, AMS auditors will examine as many codes as is necessary to 

verify compliance.

7. Self-certifications by contractors and subcontractors will not be accepted.

8. Failure to observe this requirement may lead to suspension or debarment, purchase 

order termination, and penalties at Title 18, Section 1001 of the U.S. Code concerning 

falsification of information.

Packing Season

All fruits or vegetables used for the bottled juices must be from the current packing season/crop 

year, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB.

Holding Period

No shipment of bottled fruit juices may be made earlier than 14 days after packing. No delivery 

shall be case stamped prior to the completion of the 14-day holding period.
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 3 of 20

Grade of Bottled Juices

All bottled juices must be U.S. Grade A (as defined in the U. S. Standards) unless otherwise 

specified in Section II, Individual Commodity Specifications, herein or the applicable 

Solicitation/IFB.

Fill of Container

1. Contractor must meet the fill of container for the product as specified in the applicable

U.S. Standards unless otherwise indicated herein. Each container must be filled as full as 

practicable. The product must occupy at least 90 percent of the container.

2. The average fill of container must meet the fill of container as printed on the label and the 

Individual Commodity Specification, Section II.

LABELS AND PACKAGING 

Primary Containers (bottles and labels) 

1. Vendors have the option to use commercial labeling and packaging which meets all 

applicable FDA requirements and contains a code which allows traceability of the 

product in the event of a recall or they may use non-commercial packaging and labeling 

as specified in the Master Solicitation. 

a. Two or more different commercial labels will not be acceptable within a shipping 

unit (truck load).

2. The processors’ own commercially acceptable “brand” labels may be used on all 

Solicitations/IFBs. Distributor’s “brand” labels are not acceptable. 

3. All individual serving size containers shall be commercially labeled, packaged, and the 

vendor’s UPC shall be used on the secondary containers. 

4. All products must be packed in new, commercially acceptable primary containers 

(bottles). Bottled juice shall be packed only in the container size and type specified in the 

applicable Solicitation/IFB. The bottles must be suitably code marked so that the product 

can be identified with related inspection certificates. 

5. All bottles:

a. All juices that require Vitamin C fortification must include that information in the 

Nutrition Facts Panel of the primary container label.

b. Juices from concentrate – The product name for the juice from concentrate shall 

be stated on the primary container label as:

(Applicable Juice Name)
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Effective Date: December 2021 Page 4 of 20

From Concentrate

(Unsweetened)

The words “From Concentrate” shall not be less than 1⁄2 the size of the product 

name.

c. Bottled Juice must contain the minimum FDA labeling requirements

d. The label must contain two additional colors other than black and or white

e. The label will contain a pictorial representation of the fruit(s) used in the juice.

f. The 64 ounce bottles and 11.5 ounce containers shall be screw-top and can safely 

be stored stacked not to exceed three pallets high without damage.

Secondary Containers (case) for Commercial Labels 

1. Bottles with commercial labels shall be further enclosed within new, corrugated 

fiberboard cartons (cases) acceptable by common or other carriers for safe transportation 

to destinations. Case flaps, gaps, and other openings may not exceed 1 inch and must be 

fully glued or sealed with tape. If tape is used in lieu of glue, it must be clear and of 

commercially acceptable width and strength. The tape must extend at least two inches 

down the sides or ends. 

2. Mixing and matching of non-commercial and commercial labeling methods will not be 

acceptable.

3. Two or more different commercial labels will not be acceptable within a shipping unit 

(truckload).

4. Commercially acceptable tray packs wrapped in plastic shrink wrap may be used on all 

Solicitations/IFBs for all bottles and cartons.

Secondary Containers (case) for Non-Commercial Labels 

Bottles with non-commercial labels shall be further enclosed within new, corrugated fiberboard 

cartons (cases) acceptable by common or other carriers for safe transportation to destinations. 

Flaps, gaps and other openings may not exceed 1 inch and must be fully glued or sealed with 

tape. If tape is used in lieu of glue, it must be clear and of commercially acceptable width and 

strength. The tape must extend at least two inches down the sides or ends. 

Cases must be marked in such a manner that they contain all the required symbols, statements 

and information contained in Exhibits 1, 2 or 3 as applicable.

Cases may be marked by printing or stenciling or by preprinted, self-adhesive stickers. Selfadhesive stickers must be affixed to the case in such a manner that they cannot be removed 

intact.
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 5 of 20

Exact arrangement and adherence to font size is not required. The case markings must be clearly 

marked, easily read, and substantially the same as specified in Exhibits 1, 2 or 3 as applicable. 

Exhibit 3 shows an alternative placard that may be applied to a non-commercial, new, corrugated 

fiberboard case acceptable by common or other carriers for safe transportation to destinations. 

This placard must be affixed to the case in such a manner that it cannot be removed intact. 

Cases must have the recycling statement shown in Exhibit 5, “Please Recycle” Symbol and 

Statement or Exhibit 6, “Corrugated Recycles” Symbol and Statement.

UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODES (UPC)

Contractor UPCs are acceptable for primary containers with commercial labels and/or secondary 

fiberboard cases enclosing commercially labeled product. 

UPCs are not required for commercial labeling with tray pack shipping containers. 

Products with alternative, non-commercial labels must use the UPCs listed in Exhibit 4 on the 

primary and secondary containers.

PALLETIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Pallets

Products must be on 48 X 40 inch, non-reversible, flush stringer, and partial four-way entry. 

New pallets must be good quality wood. Used pallets must be No.1 hardwood or its equivalent 

in new softwood. Broken or damaged pallets are unacceptable; however, broken or 

damaged pallets may be repaired with No.1 hardwood or its equivalent in new softwood.

If pallet exchange is desired, the contractor shall arrange for pallet exchange with consignees. 

USDA is in no way responsible for arrangement of pallet exchange.

Unitization

Each delivery unit of bottled fruit juices must be unitized. Shipping cases must be stacked and 

secured from top to bottom, so that each container and layer of containers becomes an integral 

part of the pallet. Either stretch wrapping with plastic film or “lock ‘n pop” is acceptable. The 

palletized product must be loaded in the conveyance in such a way that will prevent shifting and 

damage to the containers of product.

INDIVIDUAL COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS

All juices must be packed in 64 fluid ounce bottles or cartons, unless otherwise stated. All juices 

in 64 ounce bottles shall have a minimum average net content of 64.0 fluid ounces. No individual 

container in the sample shall have a net content less than 63.0 fluid ounces.
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 6 of 20

Apple Juice

1. Grade – U.S. Grade A, canned apple juice, clear.

2. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 30

milligrams of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) per 100 milliliters of apple juice. (Label 

indications of Vitamin C fortification are required).

Grapefruit Juice

1. Grade – U.S. Grade A, unsweetened, single strength grapefruit juice and grapefruit juice 

from concentrate. Label indications of grapefruit juice from concentrate are required.

2. When naturally occurring Vitamin C is at least 30 milligrams per 100 milliliters, no 

Vitamin C fortification is required.

Orange Juice

1. Grade – U.S. Grade A, unsweetened canned orange juice, or canned orange juice from 

concentrate, and the following special grade requirements and exceptions.

2. Special Grade Requirements

a. Orange Juice, Not from Concentrate (NFC) must be U.S. Grade A for all factors and 

requirements except for color and Brix level. Color may be U.S. Grade B or better, 

with a minimum Color N Value of 33.5 or equivalent to USDA OJ color number 6. If 

using the USDA color number 6, then that must be determined in an approved Light 

Box. If using the Color Value, then it must be determined using a calibrated and 

approved spectrophotometer. The Brix must have minimum brix level of 10.5. And, 

a minimum Brix-Acid Ratio of 15.0 to 1, and a maximum Brix-Acid Ratio of 20.5 to 

1.

b. Bottled orange juice from concentrate must be U.S. Grade A for all factors and 

requirements except for:

• Requires a minimum color equal to USDA OJ 5.

• A minimum Brix-Acid Ratio of 15.0 to 1, a maximum Brix-Acid Ratio of 

20.5 to 1.

• A minimum Brix of 11.8 degrees. 

• Label indications of orange juice from concentrate are required.

3. When naturally occurring Vitamin C is at least 30 milligrams per 100 milliliters, no 

Vitamin C fortification is required.

Grape Juice
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Effective Date: December 2021 Page 7 of 20

1. Grade – U.S. Grade A, Style I (unsweetened), Type I (Concord) canned grape juice or 

grape juice from concentrate and the following special grade requirements.

2. The grade of grape juice from concentrate shall be equivalent to the analytical and quality 

requirements of U.S. Grade A, Style I (unsweetened), Type I (Concord) canned grape 

juice and the following special grade requirements.

3. Special Grade Requirements:

a. Bottled grape juice will require a minimum color equal to U.S. Grade B or better, a 

minimum Brix-Acid Ratio of 16 to 1, and a minimum Brix of 15.0 degrees. If acid is 

added to meet the Brix-Acid Ratio of 16 to 1, the acid used must be listed on the 

label.

b. Bottled grape juice from concentrate will require a minimum color equal to U.S. 

Grade B or better, a minimum Brix-Acid Ratio of 16 to 1, and a minimum Brix of

16.0 degrees. (Label indications of grape juice from concentrate are required, see I.2 

– Bottle Labels). The grape juice shall be free of astringency. The presence of crystals 

in any lot of juice shall be considered a defect and shall result in rejection of the lot.

4. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 30

milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 milliliters of grape juice. Label indications of Vitamin C 

fortification are required.

Tomato Juice

1. Grade –The grade of tomato juice delivered under this specification shall meet the 

identity and quality requirements of U.S. Grade A, unsweetened, single strength tomato 

juice or tomato juice from concentrate. Label indications of tomato juice from 

concentrate are required.

2. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 30

milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 milliliters of tomato juice. Label indications of Vitamin 

C fortification are required.

3. Sodium content – 36mg to 140 mg per serving (defined as 1 cup).

Grape Juice Concentrate (4 + 1)

1. Concentrated grape juice shall be prepared from unfermented, single-strength Concord 

grape juice of domestic origin with no added sweeteners. The concentrated grape juice 

shall be at four parts water plus one-part concentrate that will contain grape juice 

produced from the crop year as specified in the announcement; water; grape essence; and 

fortified with Vitamin C.
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Effective Date: December 2021 Page 8 of 20

2. The concentrate shall be processed in accordance with good commercial practice. When 

reconstituted at four parts water to one part concentrate the product will yield 100% grape 

juice.

3. Concentrated grape juice shall be packed in #21⁄2 cans (25.6 fluid ounces), 12 cans per 

case. Each #21⁄2 can shall yield one gallon of reconstituted grape juice. Product shall have 

an unrefrigerated shelf life of nine months or longer.

Reconstituted Juice

The reconstituted juice shall have the characteristics as described in the following:

1. Style – Equivalent to Style I, Unsweetened, as specified in the U.S. Standards for Grades 

of Canned Grape Juice.

2. Type – Equivalent to Type I, Concord, as specified in the U.S. Standards for Grades of 

Canned Grape Juice.

3. Quality – Equivalent to U.S. Grade A or U.S. Fancy of the U.S. Standards for Grades of 

Canned Grape Juice.

4. Analytical and quality requirements – The analytical and quality characteristics of the 

reconstituted juice shall be as described below. All analyses shall be performed on the 

reconstituted juice for the following as prescribed in the Official Methods of Analysis of 

the Association of Official Analytical Communities (AOAC) or methods which will give 

equivalent results.

5. Brix – The Brix obtained by reconstituting the juice at four parts water to one part 

concentrate shall be a minimum of 16.0 degrees.

6. Acid – The acid of the reconstituted juice shall not be less than 0.60 grams per 100 

milliliters nor more than 1.20 grams per 100 milliliters calculated as tartaric acid.

7. Brix-acid ratio – The ratio of Brix to acid of the reconstituted juice is not less than 14 to 1 

nor more than 28 to 1.

8. Quality requirements – The quality requirements (color, defects, and flavor) of the 

properly reconstituted juice shall be consistent with requirements for U.S. Grade A in the 

United States Standards for Grades of Canned Grape Juice.

9. Vitamin C requirement – The reconstituted juice shall be fortified to contain at least 30

milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 milliliters of the reconstituted grape juice. (Label 

indications of Vitamin C fortification are required).

10. Sulfite requirement – The sulfite level for the reconstituted juice shall contain no more 

than 10 parts per million (ppm).
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Effective Date: December 2021 Page 9 of 20

Cranberry-Apple Juice

1. Blended cranberry-apple juice purchased under this specification must meet the 

specifications set forth in the CID No. A-A-20327, Cranberry Juice Blends, 100 percent, 

effective at the date of the Solicitation/IFB. Sections 3.3.5, Age requirement; 3.4.4, 

Analytical procedure; and 3.4.5, Preparation of sample, do not apply.

2. The juice shall be Type 1 (Cranberry-Apple) containing not less than 12 percent or more 

than 20 percent cranberry juice, the balance of the blend being single strength apple juice 

(no apple juice concentrate or other juices permitted).

3. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 30

milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 milliliters of Cranberry-Apple juice. (Label indications 

of Vitamin C fortification are required.)

Cranberry Juice Concentrate (3 + 1)

1. The Cranberry Juice Concentrate shall be prepared by blending cranberry juice or 

cranberry juice concentrate, water, sweeteners and ascorbic acid. The cranberry juice or 

concentrate shall be produced from clean, sound, mature, uniformly colored, washed, 

fresh or frozen cranberries (Vaccinium Macrocarpon). Sweetening ingredients used shall 

be sugar (sucrose), liquid sugar, invert sugar syrup or high fructose corn syrup (40 

percent or more fructose, by dry weight).

2. The concentrate shall be processed in accordance with good commercial practice.

3. When reconstituted at three parts water to one part concentrate the product will yield 

cranberry juice cocktail. The product shall be practically free from defects, and free from 

scorched, green or other undesirable flavor and odors. Product shall be fortified with 

Vitamin C. (Label indications of Vitamin C fortification are required).

4. Brix – 42.9 plus or minus 0.5 for Sucrose; 47.1 plus or minus 0.5 for High Fructose Corn 

Syrup.

5. Acid – Minimum titratable acidity of 1.67% wt/wt measured as citric acid.

6. Color – Product shall be of uniform cranberry color.

7. Cranberries and cranberry concentrate shall be produced from the current crop year or 

later or as specified in the Solicitation/IFB.

8. The product shall be packed in hermetically sealed containers and shall be sufficiently 

processed by heat to assure adequate sterilization.

9. Pack Size – 8/64 fluid ounce and 12/11.5 fluid ounce container (plastic 

bottles/cans/aseptic cartons). Product shall have an unrefrigerated shelf life of nine 

months or longer.
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Effective Date: December 2021 Page 10 of 20

10. As diluted to drinking strength (Three parts water and one part concentrate):

a. Minimum of 27% cranberry juice by volume.

b. Sweetened with sucrose to 12.2 Brix plus or minus 0.2.

c. Sweetened with high fructose corn syrup to 13.6 Brix plus or minus 0.2.

d. Minimum titratable acidity of 0.47% wt/wt measured as citric acid.

e. Delivers 100% of the US DV for vitamin C.

Cherry-Apple Juice

1. The cherry-apple juice blend shall be 100 percent juice and shall be prepared by blending 

not less than 20 percent or more than 24 percent cherry juice or cherry juice concentrate 

and filtered water, the balance of the blend being single strength apple juice (no apple 

juice concentrate or other juices permitted). The cherry juice or cherry juice concentrate 

shall be produced from Red Tart Cherries. The apple-cherry juice blend shall be produced 

from clean, sound, and mature fruit.

2. The 100 percent cherry-apple juice shall contain no artificial colors, artificial flavors, 

sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, or acids. The juice blend may be fortified with 

other vitamins and minerals with established Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs), shall be 

packed in hermetically sealed containers, and shall be sufficiently processed by heat to 

assure adequate sterilization.

3. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 30 

milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 milliliters of cherry-apple juice. (Label indications of 

Vitamin C fortification are required.)

4. Flavor and Odor – The 100 percent cherry-apple juice blend shall possess a distinctive 

flavor and odor of the particular blend.

5. Color – The 100 percent cherry-apple juice blend shall possess a bright characteristic 

color typical of the particular blend and shall be light to dark red.

6. Defects – The product shall contain no coagulation of pulp, shall be free of seed particles 

and rag, and shall contain no peel or other extraneous plant material.

7. Soluble solids – The soluble solids Brix shall be between 12.5 and 17.9 degrees.

8. Acidity – The acidity (anhydrous citric acid) shall be not less than 0.40 grams per 100 

milliliters.
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Effective Date: December 2021 Page 11 of 20

INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND CHECKLOADING

Requirements

NOTE: USDA inspection shall be made during on-line production of the product.

Representatives of the AMS, Specialty Crops Program, Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) 

Division (USDA Inspector) must perform the inspection and checkloading (if requested). See 

the Master Solicitation. The cost of inspection, samples taken for inspection, mailing of 

review samples submitted for evaluation, and any chemical analysis required for testing 

shall be for the account of the contractor.

Inspection of bottled products must be performed not more than 90 days prior to shipment. 

Whether each lot offered meets the product and container requirements of the purchase order 

must be determined on the basis of representative sample units.

Representative sample units will be graded according to the Regulations Governing Inspection 

and Certification of Canned Fruits and Vegetables and Related Products (7 C.F.R. Part 52), and 

United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 C.F.R. Part 42.140), effective on 

the date of the Solicitation/IFB.

Certification

Subject to the Master Solicitation, the acceptability of the quality, weight, packaging, and 

checkloading of the product must be evidenced by Certificates of Quality and Condition issued 

by the USDA Inspector.

No product shall be shipped unless the USDA Inspector informs the contractor that a designated 

lot is acceptable. Notice by the USDA Inspector that a designated lot scheduled for shipment 

does not meet requirements of the purchase order shall constitute rejection of such lot.

Checkloading

As a result of the Mandatory Checkloading Phase Out Program, the requirements for 

checkloading Bottled Juices, by USDA inspectors, will be eliminated for contracts 

announced after July 1, 2021. Note: Checkloading may still be performed on all, or part of 

the deliveries at the request and expense of the contractor. Also, SCI may conduct periodic 

verifications of the vendors’ commercial practices to ensure they meet the contractual 

requirements.

Procedures

The contractor must give the USDA Inspector at least 7 days advance notice when scheduling 

inspection service. Prior to sampling, the contractor must furnish the USDA Inspector with a list 

of codes and the approximate number of cases per code.
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Effective Date: December 2021 Page 12 of 20

Contractors are encouraged to submit requests for inspection in writing with verifiable receipt 

notice, such as fax log, to alleviate possible miscommunication.

Laboratory Tests

The contractor must allow 14 calendar days after product sampling for laboratory tests (when

required) to be completed and returned.

FAILURE TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS

Any lot which fails applicable specifications prescribed herein will be rejected as not acceptable 

for delivery. If any lot of canned fruit juice fails to meet the product or packaging requirement, 

the contractor may request in writing that USDA accept delivery of the lot. USDA may, at its 

option, accept delivery, provided that the purchase price is the purchase order price less a 

discount, to be determined by the Contracting Officer.
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Effective Date: December 2021 Page 13 of 20

REFERENCE LINKS

The product must comply with the below references/requirements that are effective on the date 

of the Solicitation/IFB announcement (published separately.)

AMS Master Solicitation:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/MSCP.pdf

U.S. Grades and Standards:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards

Commercial Item Descriptions: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/cids

National Science Laboratory:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/lab-testing/nsl

FDA Food Labeling Guide

https://www.fda.gov/media/81606/download
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Effective Date: December 2021 Page 14 of 20

EXHIBITS

Exhibit 1 – Required Markings for Non-Commercial Shipping Containers

ALL PRINTING TO BE IN BLACK INK

BOTH SIDE PANELS BOTH END PANELS

 PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT NAME

1/ PURCHASE ORDER NO. 3/

2/

4/

 

USDA SYMBOL - Optional

STORE IN COOL, DRY PLACE

5/

Product name must be printed or stenciled on a separate line in letters at least three-fourths inch 

high, and all other information must be in letters less than three-fourths inch but at least threeeighths inch high. The USDA Food Symbol must be printed, stamped, or labeled and be of 

sufficient size to stand out prominently. Case markings must be limited to case codes and those 

contained in this Exhibit.

1/ Insert any additional product style, pack, packing media, or further definition as 

applicable; (i.e. Apple, Grape, etc.).

2/ Insert the size and number of packages per case, i.e. 12/46 fluid ounce cartons, 6/5 pound 

bags, 8/64 fluid ounce bottles, 1/25 pound bag.

3/ Insert the last five digits of the purchase order number.

4/ Insert name of Packer and Packer's Address - City, State, and Zip Code. This information 

can be placed on the end panels or the side panels.

5/ Insert Universal Product Code (see Exhibit “5”).

Recycle symbols and statements can be placed on bottom panels (Exhibit “6” and “7”).
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 15 of 20

Exhibit 2 – Alternative Label for Shipping Containers

(Includes all Required Information)

Product Name

Style

Packing Media Size/Number per case

Purchase Order Number xxxxx

Packed by: ABC Growers

Any Town, CA 99999

(USDA Symbol is optional)

STORE IN A COOL DRY PLACE

1234567891012345678910
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 16 of 20

Exhibit 3 – Sample Alternative Label for Shipping Containers

Bottled Apple Juice

8/64 oz.

bottles

Purchase Order Number 25111

Packed by: ABC Growers

Any Town, CA 99999

(USDA Symbol is optional) 

STORE IN A COOL DRY PLACE
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 17 of 20

Exhibit 4 – Universal Product Codes

Fruit Juice WBSCM

Material Primary Container Secondary Container

Grape Juice Conc. PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz. 100268 7 15001 00268 1 1 07 15001 00268 3

Cranberry Juice Conc. PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100274 7 15001 00274 7 1 07 15001 00274 4

Cranberry Juice Conc. Can-12/11.5 fl oz 100275 7 15001 00275 6 1 07 15001 00275 9

Apple Juice PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100893 7 15001 00893 0 1 07 15001 00893 7

Cherry Apple Juice PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100894 7 15001 00894 7 1 07 15001 00894 4

Grape Conc. Juice PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100895 7 15001 00895 4 1 07 15001 00895 1

Orange Juice PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100897 7 15001 00897 8 1 07 15001 00897 5

Tomato Juice PLST BTL-8/64 fl oz 100898 7 15001 00898 5 1 07 15001 00898 2

Cranberry Apple Juice PLST BTL- 8/64 fl oz 100899 7 15001 00899 2 1 07 15001 00899 2
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 18 of 20

Exhibit 5 – “Please Recycle” Symbol and Statement

PLEASE RECYCLE
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 19 of 20

Exhibit 6 – “Corrugated Recycles” Symbol and Statement
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: December 2021 Page 20 of 20

Exhibit 7 – USDA Symbol

(USDA Symbol is optional)