U Marketing and

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Program

Commodity Specification 

for Bottled Juices

April 2019
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.
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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

Kosher Products.............................................................................................................................. 2

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

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

Grade of Bottled Juices................................................................................................................... 2

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

Shipment and Delivery ................................................................................................................... 5

Quantity Tolerance ..................................................................................................................... 5

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

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

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

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

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

Pineapple Juice ........................................................................................................................... 7

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

Grape Juice Concentrate (4 + 1) ................................................................................................. 8

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

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

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

Inspection and Checkloading..................................................................................................... 11

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

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

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

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

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

Exhibits........................................................................................................................................ 13

Exhibit 1 – Required Markings for Non-Commercial Shipping Containers ................................ 13

Exhibit 2 – Alternative Label for Shipping Containers................................................................ 14

Exhibit 3 – Sample Alternative Label for Shipping Containers................................................... 15

Exhibit 4 - Universal Product Codes ............................................................................................ 16

Exhibit 5 - “Please Recycle” Symbol and Statement.................................................................... 17

Exhibit 6 - “Corrugated Recycles” Symbol and Statement .......................................................... 18

Exhibit 7 - USDA Symbol ............................................................................................................ 19
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Exhibit 8 - Symbols for Kosher Products..................................................................................... 20
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: April 2019 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

1. Commodities delivered pursuant to this Commodity Specification shall have originated 

from crops that have been 100 percent 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). See the Master 

Solicitation.

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. Contractors must also ensure that the 

documentation provided by any subcontractors demonstrates the same level of 

traceability. The burden of proof of compliance is on the contractor.

4. Documentation may include load or warehouse storage receipts for raw production (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.
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: April 2019 Page 2 of 20

5. Contractors must provide the domestic origin certification and supporting documentation 

records to representatives of the AMS, Specialty Crops Program, Specialty Crops 

Inspection (SCI) Division (USDA Inspector) when requesting inspection service. USDA 

Inspector will select and review at least one code for each purchase order to determine 

compliance with the Agency's domestic origin requirements.

6. Such records must be available for review by the Government in accordance with FAR 

52.214-26. 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. 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.

Kosher Products

Occasionally, USDA solicits offers to sell KOSHER products. Such products are identified on 

the solicitation with the letter “K” incorporated into the WBSCM material descriptions (see 

Exhibit 4 for specific products.) These products shall comply with applicable dietary (kosher) 

laws as established by the “613 Council of Kashruth.” Manufacturing plants shall be certified for 

compliance with the aforementioned requirement by contacting the Board of Jewish Education of 

Greater New York (BJENY) at 646-472-5366. At no cost to the vendor, a rabbinic supervisor 

will be sent to certify compliance of the manufacturing plant with the dietary (kosher) laws. 

Vendors must not bid on these purchase units unless they can be properly certified.

For other products, when commercial Kosher certification is requested in the solicitation, 

products must bear one of the Kosher certification symbols illustrated in Exhibit 8.

Packing Season

All 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.

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.
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: April 2019 Page 3 of 20

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. 

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

Solicitations/IFBs unless prohibited by the Solicitation/IFB. 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). Canned fruit 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)

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
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: April 2019 Page 4 of 20

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 two 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.

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. 
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: April 2019 Page 5 of 20

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. 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.

Shipment and Delivery

Quantity Tolerance

Contractor will be allowed a tolerance on the final delivery of plus or minus 50 cases of

each product, from each shipping point named in the purchase order.

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: April 2019 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 34 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 will require 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, and 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

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.
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Effective Date: April 2019 Page 7 of 20

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 34 30

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

C fortification are required.)

Pineapple Juice

1. Grade – The grade of pineapple juice shall meet the identity and quality requirements of 

U.S. Grade A, unsweetened, single strength pineapple juice or pineapple juice from 

concentrate. (Label indications of pineapple juice from concentrate are required.)

2. Vitamin C Requirement – The finished product shall be fortified to contain at least 34 30

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

indications of Vitamin C fortification are required, see I.2 – Bottle Labels). When the 

natural occurring Vitamin C is at least 30 milligrams per 100 milliliters, no Vitamin C 

fortification is 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 34 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)
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Effective Date: April 2019 Page 8 of 20

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.

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.
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: April 2019 Page 9 of 20

9. Vitamin C requirement – The reconstituted juice shall be fortified to contain at least 34 

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

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

than 10 parts per million (ppm).

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 34 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.

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.
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Effective Date: April 2019 Page 10 of 20

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.

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 34 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.
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Effective Date: April 2019 Page 11 of 20

7. Foreign Material – All ingredients shall be clean, sound, wholesome, and free from glass, 

dirt, insect parts, burnt, scorched, stale, sour, rancid, musty, and evidence of rodent or 

insect infestation.

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

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

milliliters.

INSPECTION 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. 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.

Case stamping in lieu of checkloading is acceptable, at the USDA Inspector’s discretion and may 

be performed at any time up to 28 days prior to shipment of the product.

Contractors must be aware that if this option is exercised, and an AMS Inspector does not 

perform checkloading, the contractor assumes all risk for these shipments and deliveries.

Certification

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

checkloading of the product must be evidenced by certificates 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.

Procedures
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: April 2019 Page 12 of 20

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.

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: April 2019 Page 13 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: April 2019 Page 14 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: April 2019 Page 15 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

 1 11 07 15001 01434 1
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: April 2019 Page 16 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: April 2019 Page 17 of 20

Exhibit 5 - “Please Recycle” Symbol and Statement

PLEASE RECYCLE
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: April 2019 Page 18 of 20

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

Effective Date: April 2019 Page 19 of 20

Exhibit 7 - USDA Symbol

(USDA Symbol is optional)
Commodity Specification Bottled Juices

Effective Date: April 2019 Page 20 of 20

Exhibit 8 - Symbols for Kosher Products