Commodity Specification

DICED CHICKEN

APRIL 2012
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Table of Contents

I. GENERAL...............................................................................................................................................................1

A. Product Description............................................................................................................................................1

B. Approved Quality Control Programs for Bone Removal....................................................................................1

C. Food Defense Requirements...............................................................................................................................1

D. Commodity Complaints......................................................................................................................................2

E. Humane Handling...............................................................................................................................................2

II. COMMODITY SPECIFICATION ..........................................................................................................................2

A. Basic Requirements............................................................................................................................................2

1. Date Processed ................................................................................................................................................2

2. Class................................................................................................................................................................2

3. Origin of Chicken ............................................................................................................................................2

4. Inspection ........................................................................................................................................................3

5. FSIS Requirements..........................................................................................................................................3

6. USDA Sampling Option ..................................................................................................................................3

7. Chicken from Other Plants ..............................................................................................................................3

B. Requirements of Chicken Meat for Dices...........................................................................................................3

1. Unacceptable Meat ..........................................................................................................................................3

2. Organoleptic Requirements.............................................................................................................................3

3. Time Requirements..........................................................................................................................................4

C. Preparation and Processing.................................................................................................................................4

1. Cooking and Cooling.......................................................................................................................................4

2. Preparation of Cooked Meat for Dicing ..........................................................................................................4

3. Cooked Meat Defects - Examination for Bone................................................................................................4

4. Dicing ..............................................................................................................................................................5

5. Individually Frozen..........................................................................................................................................5

6. Packaging and Packing Materials....................................................................................................................5

7. Packaging and Packing....................................................................................................................................5

8. Metal Detection ...............................................................................................................................................6

9. Freezing...........................................................................................................................................................6

10. Organoleptic and Defect Requirements for Dices. ........................................................................................6

Table 1. Organoleptic Requirements and Defects for Dices...........................................................................................7

11. Dice Size Requirements.................................................................................................................................7

D. Lots and Sampling..............................................................................................................................................8

1. Definition of a Lot. ..........................................................................................................................................8

2. Sampling..........................................................................................................................................................8

3. Samples for Laboratory Analyses....................................................................................................................8

E. Laboratory Analyses...........................................................................................................................................9

1. Microbiological Requirements. .......................................................................................................................9

2. Approved Laboratories..................................................................................................................................10

3. Laboratory Analyses......................................................................................................................................10

4. Timely Receipt of Laboratory Results...........................................................................................................11

5. Appeal of Laboratory Analyses.....................................................................................................................11

III. LABELING...........................................................................................................................................................12

A. Commercial Labeling Requirements................................................................................................................12

1. Commercial Labels........................................................................................................................................12

2. Traceable Product..........................................................................................................................................12

3. Nutrition Facts, Ingredients and Allergen Statements....................................................................................12

B. Additional Labeling Issues...............................................................................................................................13

C. F.A.S. Vessel Deliveries...................................................................................................................................13

IV. FINAL EXAMINATION OF PACKAGED AND PACKED COMMODITY.......................................................13

A. Material and Net Weight Compliance ..............................................................................................................13

1. Verification of Materials and Defects............................................................................................................13
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2. Net Weight. ...................................................................................................................................................14

B. Prerequisites for Loading and Shipping Frozen Commodity............................................................................15

1. Condition of Dices.........................................................................................................................................15

2. Internal Product Temperature........................................................................................................................15

C. Inspection and Checkloading............................................................................................................................16

1. Requirements.................................................................................................................................................16

2. Procedures.....................................................................................................................................................16

V. UNITIZATION......................................................................................................................................................16

A. Pallets...............................................................................................................................................................16

B. Pallet Exchange ................................................................................................................................................16

VI. SHIPMENT AND DELIVERY ............................................................................................................................17

A. Contract Compliance Stamp.............................................................................................................................17

B. Grading Certificate ...........................................................................................................................................17

1. Railcar or Piggyback .....................................................................................................................................17

2. Trucks............................................................................................................................................................17

C. Loading and Sealing of Vehicles......................................................................................................................17

1. Railcar ...........................................................................................................................................................18

2. Truck or Piggyback .......................................................................................................................................18

D. Delivery Notification........................................................................................................................................18

E. Split Deliveries.................................................................................................................................................18

VII. DESTINATION EXAMINATION ......................................................................................................................18

A. Commodity Requirements................................................................................................................................18

B. Temperature .....................................................................................................................................................19
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I. GENERAL

A. Product Description

Frozen cooked diced chicken meat (commodity) produced from ready-to-cook hens, a class of 

mature female chickens (AMS 70.201(f)). The commodity will be packaged and packed in the 

following form as specified in the contract:

:

Diced Chicken (222140) – Frozen cooked diced chicken meat, produced from ready-to-cook 

chickens, (AMS 70.201(f) Hen, weighing 4.00 pounds (1.81 kg) or more per carcass, without 

neck and giblets, or AMS 70.201(c), Broiler). Cooked diced chicken will be packed in four 10-

pound (4.54 kg) packages to a net weight of 40 pounds (18.14 kg) in each fiberboard shipping 

container. A purchase unit will consist of 1,000 shipping containers totaling 40,000 pounds 

(18,144 kg). 

Diced Chicken (223240) – Frozen cooked diced chicken meat, produced from ready-to-cook 

chickens, (AMS 70.201(f) Hen, weighing 4.00 pounds (1.81 kg) or more per carcass, without 

neck and giblets, or AMS 70.201(c), Broiler). Cooked diced chicken will be packed in eight 

5-pound (2.27 kg) packages to a net weight of 40 pounds (18.14 kg) in each fiberboard shipping 

container. A purchase unit will consist of 1,000 shipping containers totaling 40,000 pounds 

(18,144 kg). 

B. Approved Quality Control Programs for Bone Removal

The contractor/producer will develop a written quality control program that documents the 

production procedures for bone removal and quality assurance protocol, the corrective and 

preventative actions, and product control procedures. Each year, the contractor/producer shall 

submit the written quality control program to Poultry Programs’ Contracting Officer for review 

and approval. This program must list the areas the contractor/producer will monitor and the 

established defect criteria. If the product is rejected by USDA for not meeting the established 

defect criteria, or if complaints about bones in the product are received by the Contracting 

Officer, the contractor/producer shall submit to the Contracting Officer a documented plan for 

corrective actions. The sampling procedures and defect criteria for this quality control program 

must meet or exceed USDA requirements. The quality control program must be developed in 

accordance with the Poultry Graders Handbook and Poultry Programs’ “Requirements for 

Documented Quality Control Programs - USDA Commodity Diced Chicken” dated 

August 17, 2006.

C. Food Defense Requirements

Contractors and subcontractors participating in the commodity purchase program must have 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 finished product after 

production. The plan shall address the following areas: (1) food defense plan management; 

(2) outside and inside security of the production and storage facilities; (3) slaughter and 
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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) controlled access to production 

and storage areas. The food defense plan shall be made available to the Department of 

Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Auditor immediately upon 

request. Verification of the Food Defense Program at the processing, storage, and distribution 

facility will be conducted by the USDA/AMS Auditor. 

D. Commodity Complaints

The contractor/producer must immediately report all complaints received on the commodity to 

the Contracting Officer. The report must include a plan to assure that future non-conforming 

product is not delivered under USDA contracts. The plan must address: 1) control and 

segregation of all nonconforming product(s), 2) removal of any USDA markings, and 

3) disposition of all nonconforming product(s).

E. Humane Handling

All poultry shall be humanely handled in accordance with all applicable Food Safety and 

Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations, directives, and notices.

II. COMMODITY SPECIFICATION

A. Basic Requirements

1. Date Processed. The cooked diced chicken meat (dices) must not be processed prior 

to the date of the contract. 

2. Class. The commodity must be prepared from freshly slaughtered ready-to-cook hens

(mature female chickens), (AMS 70.201 (f)), weighing 4.00 pounds (1.81 kg) or more per 

carcass without neck and giblets, or broilers (AMS 70.201.(c)) without neck and giblets, 

hereafter referred to as “chicken” in this document.

3. Origin of Chicken. The commodity must be produced and processed from chickens

that were produced, raised, and processed in the United States, its territories or possessions, the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. If the contractor 

processes or handles chicken carcasses and parts produced from chicken originating from 

sources other than the United States, its territories or possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto 

Rico, or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, the contractor must have an acceptable 

identification and segregation plan for those carcasses and parts to ensure they are not used in 

the commodity produced under this Specification. This plan must be made available to an agent 

of AMS, Poultry Programs, Grading Division (Grader), and the Contracting Officer or agent 

thereof upon request. The contractor must ensure that both the contractor and subcontractor(s) 

maintain records such as invoices, or production and inventory records evidencing product 

origin, and make such records available for review by the Grader or other Government 

official(s).
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4. Inspection. Processing operations must comply with Poultry Products Inspection 

Regulations (9 CFR part 381) and be under the supervision of a representative of the USDA 

(FSIS) (Inspector). Inspection for contract and specification compliance will be in accordance 

with the Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit Products 

(7 CFR part 70) and the U.S. Classes, Standards, and Grades for Poultry (AMS 70.200 et seq.) 

under the supervision of a Grader. The Grader will be responsible for certification with the 

requirements of this Specification for chicken; preparation, processing, and freezing of the dices; 

packaged frozen dices; packing; labeling and marking; sampling; laboratory results; net weight; 

and checkloading.

5. FSIS Requirements. The commodity must be produced and processed in a federally 

inspected (FSIS) establishment, be accurately marked and/or labeled, and meet all FSIS 

regulatory requirements, including all microbiological testing requirements, currently in place.

6. USDA Sampling Option. USDA may select additional commodity for further 

inspection or may draw samples for additional laboratory analyses.

7. Chicken from Other Plants. Chilled chicken may be transferred or obtained from 

other processing plants to produce the commodity, provided they: (1) have been processed, 

handled, and identified in accordance with this Specification, and (2) comply with the freshly 

slaughtered, organoleptic, and other applicable requirements of this Specification as evidenced 

by USDA certification.

a. Type, kind, and class of poultry, date slaughtered, and the USDA-assigned plant 

number must be shown on each shipping container.

b. The chilled chicken must be at an internal product temperature not higher than 

40 °F (4.4 °C) and not lower than 26 °F (-3.3 °C) when shipped from the origin plant and when 

received at the destination plant.

B. Requirements of Chicken Meat for Dices

1. Unacceptable Meat. No frozen or previously frozen chicken may be used. Skin, wing 

meat from the third wing portions, neck meat, giblets, and kidneys from cooked chicken

carcasses cannot be used to prepare the commodity.

2. Organoleptic Requirements. The chilled chicken will be examined on a continuous 

basis for the following organoleptic requirements: Chilled chicken must be free of rancidity; free 

of fruity, sulfide-like, cardboardy, tallowy, oily, oxidized, metallic, chlorine, and other off or 

foreign odors; free of foreign materials (e.g., glass, paper, rubber, plastic, wood, metal); must 

show no evidence of mishandling or deterioration; and must have a bright color with no 

evidence of freezer burn or dehydration, thawing, or refreezing. Any chicken that does not 

comply with the organoleptic requirements will be rejected for use under this Specification. 
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3. Time Requirements. The chilled chicken carcasses must be cooked and the resultant 

white and dark meat diced, individually frozen, and packaged within 7 calendar days after the 

date of slaughter.

C. Preparation and Processing

1. Cooking and Cooling. The chicken carcasses and the white and dark meat must be 

cooked and cooled.

2. Preparation of Cooked Meat for Dicing. The dices must be prepared from pulled 

(deboned) cooked white and dark meat according to one of the following methods:

a. Cooked white and dark meat in natural proportion is removed from the cooked 

whole chicken carcass. 

b. Formulated on a weight basis to contain a minimum of 50 percent cooked white 

meat and a maximum of 50 percent cooked dark meat. The method used by the contractor must 

have established control procedures, processing sequence, product flow, and methods for 

handling the pulled cooked white and dark meat to ensure that: (1) the natural percentage of 

cooked white and dark meat is maintained, (2) no white meat is removed for other uses, and 

(3) no dark meat is added from other sources. These procedures and methods must be reviewed 

and found acceptable by supervisory personnel of the Grading Division, Poultry Programs, 

AMS, before they can be used to produce white and dark meat for this Specification.

3. Cooked Meat Defects - Examination for Bone. A 5-pound (2.27 kg) sample of pulled 

cooked white and dark meat will be drawn and examined for the bone defects shown in II.C.3.a. 

prior to dicing. When cooked white and dark meat are formulated on a weight basis 

(minimum 50 percent white meat/maximum 50 percent dark meat), 2.50 pounds (1.13 kg) of 

pulled white meat and 2.50 pounds (1.13 kg) of pulled dark meat will be drawn and examined 

separately for the bone defects shown in II.C.3.a. The frequency of sampling and number of 

samples examined will be those outlined in Poultry Programs’ Sample Plan Level 3 (SPL-3).

a. Any sample with bone or hard bone-like material will be counted as a defect under 

SPL-3.

b. If the number of bone defects exceed the maximum for the “target” level or result 

in a rejection, the frequency of sampling for bone defects will be increased to a sample drawn 

twice each sampling interval until the cumulative number of bone defects reverts back to the 

“target” level.

c. If the sample/meat has more defects than the maximum tolerance for the sample 

plan, the meat the sample represents will be rejected.
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4. Dicing. The pulled cooked white and dark meat must be mechanically diced to 

comply with dice size requirements in II.C.11. Dices meeting the size requirements of this 

Specification are usually referred to as “0.50-inch (1.27 cm) dices” or “nominal 0.50-inch 

(1.27 cm) by 0.50-inch (1.27 cm) dices.”

5. Individually Frozen. The dices of cooked white and dark meat must be individually 

frozen such that the individual dices do not stick together after they are packaged and packed in 

shipping containers. The individually frozen dices must be handled so the dices are not stuck 

together when shipped.

6. Packaging and Packing Materials. All packaging and packing materials must be clean 

and in new condition, must not impart objectionable odors or flavors to the commodity, must be 

safe (cannot adulterate product or be injurious to health) for use in contact with food products 

and must be tamper-evident. Tamper evident is defined as packaging and packing materials 

with one or more indicators or barriers to entry, which, if breached or missing, can reasonably be 

expected to provide visible evidence that tampering has occurred.

a. Plastic-film bags. Individually frozen diced chicken must be packaged in lowdensity polyethylene bags with a wall thickness of not less than 3 mil (0.003 inch). Plastic film

bags must protect the commodity from dehydration, freezer burn, quality deterioration, or 

contamination during conditions of use.

b. Shipping containers. Shipping containers must: (1) be good commercial 

fiberboard containers that are acceptable by common or other carrier for safe transport to point 

of destination, (2) be of such size to pack the commodity without slack filling or bulging;

(3) withstand the stresses of handling, shipping, stacking, and storage, and (4) be closed by 

commercially accepted methods and materials. Steel or wire straps must not be used for the 

final closure. Adhesive or staples cannot be used to fasten the top portion of telescope-style 

containers to the bottom portion. Staples may be used to manufacture and to assemble the 

fiberboard shipping containers, provided the staples are fastened into the container and tightly 

clenched to eliminate sharp edges prior to packing the commodity into the shipping containers. 

Staples must not be used for the final closure of any style of shipping containers.

7. Packaging and Packing.

a. Packaging. Approximately 5 or 10 pounds (2.27 or 4.54 kg) of frozen dices must 

be packaged in a sanitary, plastic-film bag. Plastic-film bags must be securely closed with a 

nonmetallic device and comply with the tamper-evident requirements of this Specification. 

Metal wire ties, metal clips, paper-coated wire ties, or staples must not be used for sealing 

plastic-film bags.

b. Packing. Eight 5-pound or four 10-pound bags of frozen diced chicken must be 

packed in each shipping container.
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8. Metal Detection. The commodity must be examined by a metal detection device 

capable of detecting metallic contaminants including, but not limited to, stainless steel shavings, 

metal clips, metal fragments from cutting equipment, and pieces of wire. The commodity must 

be examined in the package: (a) prior to packing; or (b) after it is packed into shipping 

containers in accordance with the procedures in AMS 910, Poultry Grader’s Handbook. 

Commodity found to be contaminated with metal will be handled in accordance with FSIS 

procedures. Other procedures for examination of the frozen dices must be approved by the 

Deputy Administrator of Poultry Programs, in writing.

9. Freezing. The packaged and packed individually frozen dices must be placed into a 

freezer and the internal product temperature lowered to 0 °F (-17.8 °C) or lower within 24 hours 

from the time the individually frozen dices were packaged.

10. Organoleptic and Defect Requirements for Dices.

a. Organoleptic requirements. The diced chicken will be sampled on a continuous 

basis for compliance with the organoleptic requirements shown in Table 1. Any diced chicken 

that does not comply with the organoleptic requirements will be rejected for use under this 

Specification.

b. Defect requirements. A 2-pound (0.91 kg) sample of diced chicken will be drawn 

and examined for bone (II.C.10.b.(1)) and other defects shown in Table 1, in a thawed state. 

The frequency of sampling and number of samples examined will be those outlined in Poultry 

Programs’ Sample Plan Level 2 (SPL-2). The examination for bone will be made separately 

from the examination for the other defects under SPL-3.

(1) Regardless of the kind and number of defects (within Table 1) found, any 

sample with bone or hard bone-like material greater than 0.40 inch (1.02 cm) will be cause for 

rejection of the meat the sample represents.

(2) If the number of bone defects exceed the maximum for the “target” level or 

results in a rejection, the frequency of sampling for bone defects will be increased to a 2-pound 

(0.91 kg) sample drawn twice each sampling interval until the cumulative number of bone 

defects reverts back to the “target” level.

(3) Product represented by a sample with more defects than the maximum 

tolerance for the sample plan will be rejected.
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Table 1. Organoleptic Requirements and Defects for Dices

Organoleptic 

Requirements:

The dices must be free of foreign materials (e.g., glass, paper, rubber, 

plastic, metal) and odors which are not characteristic of properly cooked 

and handled chicken meat; for example, rancid, metallic, cardboardy, 

stale, sour, or scorched.

Defects For Dices: 

Bone: The presence of bone or bone-like material less than or equal to

0.40 inch (1.02 cm).

The presence of bone or bone-like material greater than 0.40 inch 

(1.02 cm) See II.C.10.b.(1)

Other: 1. Cartilage (gristle), tendon or tendonous material, ligament or 

ligamentous material that is soft-like in texture and extends or is 

greater than 0.40 inch (1.02 cm).

2. Dark-colored (due to blood) artery or vein greater than 0.30 inch 

(0.76 cm) in length.

3. Bruises or blood clots which exceed an area equivalent to a circle 

with a diameter of 0.25 inch (0.64 cm).

4. An aggregate area of all discolorations with moderate intensity which

exceeds an area equivalent to a circle with a diameter of 0.50 inch 

(1.27 cm).

5. An aggregate area of skin greater than 1 square inch (6.45 cm2).

11. Dice Size Requirements. Packages of individually frozen dices will be sampled and 

examined for compliance with the dice size requirements on a sample basis. The frequency of 

sampling and number of samples examined will be in accordance with Poultry Programs' 

procedures. If any sample does not comply with the dice size requirements, the packages of 

frozen dices or the product the sample represents will be rejected.

a. Samples. The Grader will draw for the sieve test a 2-pound (0.91 kg) sample of 

frozen product from a 5 or 10 lb (2.27 or 4.54 kg) package selected at random during each 

sampling interval.

b. Sieve test. The Grader will use either an 8-inch (20.32 cm) or 12-inch 

(30.48 cm) diameter sieve to determine dice size requirements. For the 8-inch (20.32 cm) sieve, 

the Grader will split the 2-pound (0.91 kg) sample in half and test each separately. For the 

12-inch (30.48 cm) sieve, the Grader will test the entire 2-pound (0.91 kg) sample. After the 

product is placed in the sieve, the Grader will lightly shake the sieve in a back-and-forth motion 

for approximately 30 seconds before recording the results.

c. Requirements. A sample must meet the following requirements:

(1) Not more than 5 percent of the weight of the sample can be retained on a 

U.S. standard 0.75 inch (1.90 cm) sieve.
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(2) Not more than 5 percent of the weight of the sample can pass through an U.S. 

standard 0.25 inch (0.64 cm) sieve.

d. Rejected product. The contractor may request that the rejected packages of frozen 

dices be re-examined on the basis of a stationary lot. The number of shipping containers that

will be examined are outlined in 7 CFR part 70.10. One sample will be examined from each 

shipping container sampled. The individual results of each sample examined with each size of 

screen (II.C.11.c.(1) and (2)) will be averaged. When the average for both sizes of screens 

complies with the dice size requirement, the stationary lot is acceptable for use under this 

Specification.

D. Lots and Sampling

1. Definition of a Lot.

a. A lot is the amount of packaged commodity produced between clean-ups and 

must not exceed 1 day’s production.

b. The packaged frozen commodity will be: (1) sampled for laboratory analyses and 

analyzed for compliance with the microbiological requirements; and (2) accepted or rejected on 

a lot basis.

2. Sampling. The Grader will draw packages of individually frozen dices at random 

from each lot. The number of units of (packages) packaged commodity to be drawn from each 

lot (processing shift) will be as follows:

Number of Shipping Minimum Number

Containers in Lot of Packages

 0 - 150 3

151 - 300 6

301 - 600 9

601 - 1,200 12

over 1,200 18

3. Samples for Laboratory Analyses.

a. The Grader, or an authorized plant employee under the supervision of the Grader, 

wearing single-use plastic gloves and mask, will aseptically draw three 0.50-pound (0.23 kg) 

samples from each package sampled using a sterile single-use spoon. All equipment and 

supplies used for sampling must be provided by the contractor. Each sample will be placed in a 

separate sterile moisture-proof sample bag. The three samples from each package sampled will 

be used as follows:
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(1) One for microbiological analyses at a USDA or USDA-approved laboratory.

(2) One for the contractor.

(3) One for a reserve sample.

b. The frozen dices in the samples will be maintained in a frozen state.

c. The samples for the contractor will be given to the contractor after all the samples 

for the lot have been drawn and prepared.

d. The reserve samples will be identified as such and will be retained in a freezer 

under the control of the Grader. These samples will be used for laboratory analyses when the 

original samples are lost or arrive at the USDA or USDA-approved laboratory in an 

unacceptable condition, or when requested by the AMS, Poultry Programs, Grading Division, 

Washington, D.C. If the reserve samples are not used, they will be returned to the contractor.

E. Laboratory Analyses

1. Microbiological Requirements. A lot of packaged frozen commodity must comply 

with the following microbiological requirements when sampled and analyzed according to 

II.D.2., II.D.3., and II.E.3. A lot of packaged commodity failing to meet these requirements will 

be rejected for use under this Specification. 

a. Standard plate count will not exceed 1,000 colony forming units (CFU)/gram.

b. Coliform count will not exceed 50 CFU/gram.

c. Escherichia coli (E. coli) results will be less than 10 CFU/gram.

d. Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) results will be less than 

10 CFU/gram.

e. Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes results must be negative.

f. Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes-positive frozen dices. If any sample from 

a lot is found Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes-positive, it will not be accepted for use 

under this Specification. The Grader will notify the FSIS Inspector if the laboratory analyses 

indicate positive results.
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2. Approved Laboratories. The samples for laboratory analyses may be submitted to any 

one of the USDA or USDA-approved laboratories listed below, except when AMS determines 

that conditions or workload of a specific laboratory do not permit the prompt handling of 

samples. All costs incurred for shipping the samples and the laboratory analyses will be paid by 

the contractor.

USDA, AMS, Science and Technology Programs Laboratory Services Division

National Sciences Laboratory Oregon Department of Agriculture

801 Summit Crossing Place, Suite B 1207 Northwest Naito Parkway, Suite 204

Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 Portland, Oregon 97209-2835

Telephone: (704) 867-3873 Telephone: (503) 872-6644

DonLevy Laboratories

11165 Delaware Parkway

Crown Point, IN 56307

Telephone: (219) 226-0001

3. Laboratory Analyses.

a. The samples will be composited and analyzed by the USDA or USDA-approved

laboratory in accordance with any approved methods of the Association of Official Analytical 

Chemists (AOAC) International or Food and Drug Administration’s Bacteriological Analytical 

Manual, or methods approved by other National or International organizations and accepted by 

AMS for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, standard plate count, E. coli, and coagulase 

positive S. aureus determinations. Laboratory methods for Salmonella and Listeria 

monocytogenes should specify for all foods and be capable of detecting all Salmonella and 

Listeria monocytogenes both motile and non-motile.

b. For original analyses of samples from a lot, the USDA or USDA-approved 

laboratory will aseptically combine consecutively numbered samples from the lot into groups of 

three, remove an equal amount from each sample in the group, and combine them into a 

composite sample for analysis. Each composite sample will be ground and blended into a 

homogeneous mixture and then analyzed for standard plate count, coliform count, E. coli, 

coagulase-positive S. aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella. The highest result for 

each type of analysis will determine whether the lot complies with the applicable 

microbiological requirements. The results for each composite for a lot will be reported on the 

USDA Poultry Products Grading Certificate (USDA Certificate).

As an alternative to reporting the results on the USDA Certificate, the results may be reported on

a laboratory testing report generated by the Laboratory Information Management System 

(LIMS). The laboratory testing report will contain the USDA Certificate number, and the report 

may be faxed or e-mailed to recipients.

c. For an appeal of original analyses, the USDA or USDA-approved laboratory will 

analyze and then report the results as outlined in II.E.5.d. 
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4. Timely Receipt of Laboratory Results. The contractor must present the packaged 

frozen dices to USDA so the commodity may be sampled, the samples sent to the USDA or 

USDA-approved laboratory, and the laboratory analyses performed in time for the laboratory 

results to be available for the contractor to meet the shipment or delivery requirements of the 

contract. If laboratory results are received by the contractor later than 10 calendar days, 

excluding Sundays and Federal holidays, from the receipt of the samples by the USDA or 

USDA-approved laboratory, the number of days’ delay in excess of 10 calendar days, excluding 

Sundays and Federal holidays, will be added to the permissible shipment or delivery period 

before liquidated damages for late shipment or delivery will be assessed. The commodity shall 

not be shipped until receipt of laboratory results to confirm compliance with microbiological 

requirements as outlined in II.E.1.

5. Appeal of Laboratory Analyses. No appeals will be permitted for Salmonella or 

Listeria monocytogenes positive frozen dices. The Grader may authorize an appeal of original 

laboratory analyses for a lot for standard plate count, coliform count, E. coli, or S. aureus. 

Before an appeal can be considered, the request for an appeal must be filed with the Grader 

within 48 hours (excluding weekends and Federal holidays) from the time the results of analyses 

being appealed are received by the contractor. Any number of laboratory results representing a 

lot may be appealed; i.e., standard plate count, coliform count, E. coli, S. aureus, but still count 

as only one appeal. Only one appeal per lot is permitted.

a. The Grader will log the number of appeals for each processor. The Grader may 

grant up to 10 appeals of the first 40 sets of original laboratory results representing a lot. 

Thereafter, no more than 3 appeals will be granted based on an evaluation of the previous 30 lot 

results reported, as described in Poultry Programs’ Instructions. 

b. For the appeal, the lot will be sampled and samples prepared by the Grader by one 

of the following procedures:

(1) When the reserve samples are available, the Grader will randomly draw from 

the lot the same number of samples as drawn during original sampling and identify the samples 

as appeal samples. These samples plus the reserve samples previously prepared during the 

original sampling of the lot will be submitted for microbiological analyses.

(2) When the reserve samples are not available, the Grader will randomly draw 

twice the number of samples as drawn during the original sampling and identify the samples as 

appeal samples.

c. The samples for the appeal will be submitted to the USDA or USDA-approved 

laboratory where the original analyses were performed.

d. The USDA or USDA-approved laboratory will analyze the samples and report the 

results of an appeal as follows:
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(1) When both the reserve and appeal samples are submitted by the Grader for a 

lot, the laboratory will make composite samples as described in II.E.3.b. from the reserve and 

appeal samples separately, analyze each composite for the analysis being appealed, and report 

the results of each composite for the reserve and appeal samples separately on the USDA 

Certificate. Alternately, the results may be reported on a laboratory-generated LIMS testing 

report, which will contain the USDA Certificate number that may be faxed or e-mailed to 

recipients. The highest result for each type of analysis will determine whether the lot complies 

with the applicable microbiological requirements.

(2) When only the appeal samples are submitted for a lot, the USDA or USDAapproved laboratory will combine the samples into twice the number of composites described in 

II.E.3.b. and analyze each of the composite samples for the analysis being appealed. The results 

of each composite will be reported on the USDA Certificate and identified as the results for 

appeal samples. Alternately, the results may be reported on a laboratory-generated LIMS testing 

report, which will contain the USDA Certificate number that may be faxed or e-mailed to 

recipients.

e. The laboratory results of the samples for the appeal will supersede those of the 

original analysis for which the appeal is being requested and will be final.

III. LABELING

A. Commercial Labeling Requirements

Commercially labeled packages and shipping containers of commodity must be labeled in 

accordance with FSIS requirements. Labeling must be approved by FSIS prior to acceptance for 

use under this Specification.

1. Commercial Labels. Commercial labels must be the processor’s own commercial 

label. Distributors’ labels are not allowed.

2. Traceable Product. The processor must establish a product identification and record 

system that clearly links product by place and time of manufacture to specific USDA contracts 

and destinations. When the company uses the same commercial label for the product certified as 

complying with this Specification and commercial product, the identification system must 

differentiate between USDA and non-USDA products. An alpha numeric code may be used for 

information that is in addition to FSIS labeling requirements. The required product 

identification and record system, including traceability and coding system, must be reviewed by 

USDA/AMS before production begins for the contract(s).

3. Nutrition Facts, Ingredients and Allergen Statements. Nutrition Facts must be 

provided. The ingredient statement, even for single ingredient foods, must be included as a 

statement separate from the name of the product, e.g. Ingredients: _____________. The allergen 

statement must be provided in the format which complies with the Food Allergen Labeling and 

Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) for any product which contains milk, eggs, fish, crustacean 
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shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soy or wheat; e.g. Allergen: This product contains ______.

B. Additional Labeling Issues

The following are not acceptable for use under this Specification:

- Commercial labels that do not have a processor traceability and coding system.

- Commercial labeling traceability and coding systems that have not been reviewed by a 

representative of USDA/AMS/Poultry Programs, Grading Division.

- Distributor commercial labels.

- Two or more different commercial labels in the same purchase unit.

C. F.A.S. Vessel Deliveries 

F.A.S. vessel deliveries that are not source loaded in a seavan are required to show the final 

destination’s overseas address as provided in the Sales Order/Item Number. The address must 

be clearly printed on at least two sides of each pallet.

IV. FINAL EXAMINATION OF PACKAGED AND PACKED COMMODITY

A. Material and Net Weight Compliance

1. Verification of Materials and Defects.

a. Verification of packaging and packing materials. The contractor must verify 

compliance with packaging, packing, and marking material requirements by furnishing the 

Grader the following certification on company stationery signed by a person authorized to do so 

by the contractor:

“(I) (We) certify that the packaging, packing, and marking materials used for any commodity 

presented for acceptance under the terms of the Commodity Specification for Diced Chicken 

dated April 2012 comply or will comply with the terms of this Commodity Specification.

Name _____________________________

Title _____________________________”

One certification is adequate for all production under this Specification.
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b. Packaging defects. Packages in a delivery unit will be examined for defects that 

affect protection, expose product, or permit dehydration or freezer burn, or quality deterioration 

during storage, such as tears, holes, or improperly sealed or closed packages.

c. Packing defects. Shipping containers in a delivery unit will be examined for 

condition, labeling, and marking defects according to the United States Standards for Condition 

of Food Containers.

d. Tolerance for defects. If samples of packaged commodity or the shipping 

containers in a delivery unit have more defects than the maximum tolerance for the applicable 

Poultry Programs’ sample plan, the delivery unit will be rejected.

2. Net Weight.

a. A purchase unit or delivery unit will total 40,000 pounds (18,144 kg) net, or 

multiples thereof. 

b. Each delivery unit, except as provided in IV.A.2.c. below, will be examined for 

compliance with the net weight requirements at time of checkloading.

c. The tare weight of all packaging materials will be determined by weighing a 

representative sample of all packaging components such as plastic-film bags, clips, and 

fiberboard containers.

d. Twelve (12) shipping containers will be selected at random from a delivery unit to 

determine net weight. The total net weight of the 12 shipping containers must be equal to or 

greater than 480 pounds (217.72 kg). 

(1) If the total net weight of the sample is less than 480 pounds (217.72 kg), but 

greater than or equal to 475.20 pounds (215.55 kg), the delivery unit will be accepted at the 

following discount:

(a) Average test net weight per container less than 40.0 pounds 

(18.14 kg), but not less than 39.6 pounds (17.96 kg), a contract price discount of 1.0% will be 

applied. 

(b) Average test net weight per container less than 39.6 pounds 

(17.96 kg) will be unacceptable.

(c) Payments will be made on the actual quantity delivered. All price 

adjustments will be based on a delivery unit.

(2) If the total net weight is less than 475.20 pounds (215.55 kg), the delivery 

unit will be rejected. 
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e. A rejected delivery unit may be reworked and reoffered one time only. However, 

if an individual shipping container in the sample of the reworked delivery unit has a net weight 

of less than 39.60 pounds (17.96 kg), the delivery unit will be rejected.

f. As an alternative to test weighing at time of checkloading, the contractor may 

request on-line verification of net weights. Upon receiving the request, a Federal-State 

Supervisor, Grading Division, Poultry Programs (or their designee), will determine that the 

facilities and procedures are in accordance with the applicable Poultry Programs’ instructions 

for this Specification.

B. Prerequisites for Loading and Shipping Frozen Commodity

At the time of loading, shipping containers will be randomly drawn from each delivery unit and 

examined to determine the condition (including separation) and the internal product temperature 

of the individually frozen dices in the packages.

1. Condition of Dices.

a. A defect for condition of dices is a sample (package) in which dices are stuck 

together in clumps and cannot be easily and readily separated without removing from the bag.

b. Sample size will be two 5-pound (2.27 kg) packages or one 10-pound (4.54 kg) 

package drawn from 18 shipping containers randomly selected from the delivery unit. If four or 

more samples (of the 18 samples examined at the time of loading) are found to contain the 

defects described, the delivery unit will be rejected.

c. Frozen cooked commodity showing any evidence of defrosting, refreezing, or 

freezer deterioration will be rejected for use under this Specification.

2. Internal Product Temperature.

a. Requirements. The internal product temperature of the packaged frozen dices 

must be 2 °F (-16.7 °C) or lower at time of loading. Delivery units with internal product 

temperatures exceeding 2 °F (-16.7 °C) and up to 5 °F (-15 °C) will be tentatively rejected. 

Tentatively rejected delivery units may be returned to the freezer and the temperature reduced to 

2 °F (-16.7 °C) or lower and reoffered one time only. Delivery units exceeding 5 °F (-15 °C) or 

delivery units that have been tentatively rejected and exceed 2 °F (-16.7 °C) when reoffered will 

be rejected for use under this Specification. Sample size for verifying internal product 

temperature will be according to the current Poultry Programs’ sampling level as determined by 

the freezing history of the contractor.

b. Optional temperature verification. As an option to verifying internal product 

temperature at time of loading, the contractor may request an alternate method utilizing product 

temperature sensing devices. If this option is selected, a Federal-State supervisor will determine 

that the facilities, equipment, procedures, and the contractor’s current level of freezing 
16

compliance are in accordance with the established guidelines outlined in the applicable Poultry 

Programs’ instructions for this Specification.

C. Inspection and Checkloading

1. Requirements. Inspection for contract compliance will be made by a representative of 

USDA, in accordance with 7 CFR part 70, FSIS regulations, and this Specification, at the site of 

processing, both during and after processing and packaging. A representative of USDA may 

select samples for laboratory analyses or inspect the commodity at any point in transit and 

after delivery to point of destination. Inspection records must be complete and made available 

to USDA, as requested, to assure contract compliance.

2. Procedures. The inspection and checkloading must be performed by a USDA/AMS 

Grader. Procedures to be followed and a schedule of fees for these services may be obtained by 

contacting the nearest Grading Division field office or the Director of the Grading Division, 

Poultry Programs, AMS, USDA, Room 3938-S, STOP 0258, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, D.C. 20250-0258, telephone (202) 720-3271. Certificates issued by the Grader 

must evidence the quality, quantity, weight, packaging, packing, and checkloading of the 

commodity. The contractor must not ship the commodity unless informed by the Grader that the 

designated lot to be shipped meets contract specifications.

V. UNITIZATION

Each delivery unit of commodity must be unitized (palletized and stretch-wrapped) and comply 

with the following:

A. Pallets

Pallets must be good quality, 48 inches x 40 inches, nonreversible, flush stringer, and 

partial four-way entry. Each pallet of shipping containers must be stretch-wrapped with plastic 

film in a manner that will secure each container and layer of containers on the pallet. Palletized 

product must be loaded in a way that will prevent shifting and damage to the containers of 

product. Pallet loads shall be stacked in a manner that minimizes the overhang of the shipping 

containers over the edges of the pallets and exposes the principle shipping container display 

panels to facilitate certification examinations.

B. Pallet Exchange

Contractors may arrange for pallet exchange with consignees; however, USDA is not

responsible for such arrangements.
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VI. SHIPMENT AND DELIVERY

Shipment and delivery must be made in accordance with the AMS Master Solicitation, the 

Solicitation, and this Specification. In addition, the contractor must adhere to the following 

provisions:

A. Contract Compliance Stamp

Each shipping container must be identified with a USDA Contract Compliance stamp with the 

applicable certificate number. A Grader, or other authorized personnel under the supervision of 

the Grader, will stamp one end of each shipping container prior to shipment. If there is 

inadequate space available on either end of the shipping container, the stamp may be applied to a 

side of the container.

B. Grading Certificate

A copy of the original USDA Poultry Products Grading Certificate issued at time of 

checkloading must accompany each shipment.

1. Railcar or Piggyback. If shipment is by rail or piggyback, the Certificate must be 

placed in the railcar or trailer for easy access to the Grader, warehouseman, or consignee, as 

applicable.

2. Trucks. If shipment is by truck, the driver must, upon delivery, give the Certificate to 

the Grader, Warehouseman, or Consignee, as applicable.

C. Loading and Sealing of Vehicles

Loading must be in accordance with good commercial practices and the initial sealing must be 

done at origin under the supervision of a Grader. Thereafter, all delivery units--truck lot and 

less-than-truck lot (LTL) quantities--must be secured at all times prior to unloading with tamper 

proof, tamper resistant, serially numbered, high security seals. Suppliers of commodities, 

products and/or services shall be responsible for placing a seal(s) on all doors of each 

transportation conveyance upon completion of loading or servicing. Seals shall be serially 

numbered, barrier-type and meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 

Standards (F-1157-04). Seals shall be 1⁄8th inch diameter cable, high security bolt, or equivalent. 

The contractor must maintain a record of each seal number used for truck lot and LTL delivery 

units. Additionally, the contractor must ensure that the applicable seal identification number is 

on each bill of lading, shipment manifest, or other delivery documents for each delivery 

destination.

When LTL delivery units are transported on the same trailer or railcar and destined for multiple 

recipients, the trailer or railcar must be sealed after each delivery. The seal number must be 

recorded on the appropriate delivery documents and correspond with the applied seal at the time 
18

of arrival at the next destination. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to provide a 

sufficient number of seals and ensure that the carrier service (truck or rail) secures the trailer or 

railcar after each delivery destination. Failure to seal the trailer or railcar after each stop may

result in rejection of the shipment by the recipient agency at the next scheduled stop and 

rejection of any subsequent deliveries on the trailer or railcar.

1. Railcar. Each railcar must be sealed. The contractors are responsible for arranging 

for railcar deliveries of more than one delivery unit so that each delivery unit contained in the 

same railcar can be completely separated and sealed.

2. Truck or Piggyback. Truck or piggyback shipments must be sealed at origin. 

A delivery unit shipped by truck or piggyback which includes split deliveries to multiple 

destinations will require sealing after each drop in accordance with Section VI.C of this 

Specification.

D. Delivery Notification

The contractor must comply with the AMS Master Solicitation regarding Advance Shipping 

Notices (ASNs) and unloading appointments.

E. Split Deliveries

The contractor is responsible to deliver the quantity stated on the Sales Order/Item Number to 

each destination. Contractors must provide to the Grader, at time of shipment, the number of 

boxes and pounds for each destination. At the option of the contractor, a purchase unit for 

multiple destinations (split deliveries) may be delivered on separate trucks provided each truck 

ships the required quantity stated on the Sales Order/Item Number. Any additional costs will 

accrue to the contractor’s account.

VII. DESTINATION EXAMINATION

The cost of a destination examination, before or after delivery, by a Grader on accepted product 

will be for the account of USDA. Costs for destination examinations of rejected delivery units 

will be for the account of the contractor. The USDA origin grader will make arrangements for 

destination examination prior to delivery.

A. Commodity Requirements

Before acceptance by consignee, the commodity may be examined by a Grader on a spot-check 

basis for temperature, condition, identity, and when applicable, count. The commodity may be

examined for conformance to contract provisions at any time required by the Contracting 

Officer.