Commercial Requirements 

Documents (CRDs)

March 3, 2022

MATTHEW SIEDSCHLAW

DAIRY PRODUCTS MARKETING SPECIALIST

USDA, AMS, DAIRY PROGRAM

MATTHEW.SIEDSCHLAW@USDA.GOV

United States 

Department of Agriculture

AMS 
USDA Dairy Program and Commodity Procurement

Dairy Program’s Mission Commodity Program’s Mission

The mission of the Dairy 

Program is to facilitate the 

efficient marketing of milk and

dairy products

AMS Commodity Procurement facilitates

marketing opportunities of 100%

domestic agricultural products through

the purchase of food for Domestic and

International nutrition assistance

programs Feeding the hungry in the U.S.

and around the world.
Topics of Discussion

 Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs)

 Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

 CRD update Process

 Quality Assurance
Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs)

What are CIDs? Overview

Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs) are documents that describe the most important 

characteristics of a commercial product, such as the types and styles of products available. CIDs 

may also include information about analytical tests and requirements for food safety and quality

for the product. CIDs are used by purchasers during the procurement process to specify the 

product they want to buy.

For information on how to use CIDs go to 

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

Visit the CIDs website at https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/cids to view the list of 

current CIDs.
Commodity Requirements Documents CRDs

 Some of CRD’s will reference Commercial Item Description Documents 

(CID)’s
Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs)

Page 1 Sections in CIDs:

• Scope

• Purchase Notes

• Classification

• Manufacturer’s Distribution Notes

• Processing Guidelines

• Salient Characteristics

• Analytical Requirements
Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs)

Page 2 Sections in CIDs:

• Manufacturer’s/Distributor’s Product Assurance

• Regulatory Requirements

• Quality Assurance Provisions

• Packaging

• USDA Inspection Notes

• Reference Notes
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 1

Why are CRDs important to CP?

 CRD use guidance from Standard of Identity, Quality Standards,

Specifications and CID documents

 Used in all CP purchases of USDA foods for institutional feeding

 Use as a supplement to CP Master Solicitation Process

 Outline Quality Assurance expectation of the product
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs) Page 

2 • CP has 12 different Commercial Requirement Documents (CRDs) for 

dairy products

Evaporated Milk

(EVD4)

Infant Formula

(IFD4)

Instant Nonfat Dry Milk

(IMD4)

Fluid Milk

(DFM2)

Mozzarella Cheese

(DMOZ7)

Natural American Cheese

(DNAC6)

Natural Pepper Jack Cheese

Effective October 2020

Package Butter

Effective March 2020*

Pasteurized Process American 

Cheese

(DPPC5)

Natural Swiss Cheese

Effective August 2020

Ultra-High Temperature Milk

Effective February 2021

Yogurt Products

Effective October 2020
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 3

CRD Sections

 Physical Analysis

 Quality Assurance

 Packing and Labeling Requirements

 Marking Requirements

 Material Codes
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 4

Part 1 Commodity Specifications

Section 1.1 COMMODITIES

I. Product Requirements/Product 

Specifications

• Reference to the SOI in CFR

• U.S. Grade Standards or Specifications

• Unique requirements for the Product
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 5

Part 1 Commodity Specifications

II. Production Requirements

• Specific Requirements for the Commodity

• Domestic Ingredient Sources

• Plants Survey and Approved by DGB
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 6

Part 1 Commodity Specifications

III. Product Age and Temperature 

Requirements

• Each Product may have special age 

requirements

• Each Product has specific temperature and 

storage requirements
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 7

Part 1 Commodity Specifications

IV. Composition Requirements

• Unique to each product

V. Microbial Requirements

• Special requirements for certain products
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 8

Part 1 Commodity Specifications

VI. Physical Analysis

• Salient Characteristics

• Grading U.S. Standards or Specifications 

• Other Product Requirements

• Meltability

• Spoilage/Quality Deterioration
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 9

Section 1.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE

I. Inspection, Testing and Certification 

Requirements

• USDA Inspection when Specified

• End-line Inspection (Section I Plants)

• On-line Inspection (Section II Plants)

• USDA Certification (Official Certificates) 
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 10 Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS

Section 2.1 Commercial Packaging and Labeling

I. Packaging and Labeling Requirements

• Commercial Packaging

• Lot Code/Identification On Bill of Lading

• Safe Stacking Height (LIMIT:1 HIGH)

• Shipping Documents “FOR USDA FOOD 

DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS”

• Master Solicitation 

• Container, Packaging, and Utilization 

Requirements
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 11 Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS

Section 2.2 MONTH/YEAR OF PACK

Marking/Coding Requirements

• Production Date (Day/Month/Year) on primary 

packaging and secondary shipping containers

• Lot Code/ Official Certificate Inspection Number

• State and Plant Number 
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 12 Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS

MATERIALS

I. Material Codes

• Product Size/Type

• Cases Per Truck Load

• Net Weight for each Product Size/Type
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 13

Reasons for creating or updating product specifications

 USDA is purchasing a new product

 Alignment with commercial practice

 Market conditions

 Pack size changes

 Optimize truckload configuration
Commodity Requirement Documents (CRDs)

Page 14

Process of creating or updating CRDs

 Draft Version sent to Industry, Trade Groups, Academia

 Request for Feedback on Proposed Changes

 Review Feedback/Changes if necessary

 Final Draft Version Posted to CP website and second request sent to 

Interested Parties for Feedback
Quality Assurance of Dairy Product Page 1

 Plant Survey

 Grading Services

 Condition of Container
Quality Assurance of Dairy Products Page 2

Plant Survey

• A plant that satisfactorily meets the requirements of the General Specifications

for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service.

• Evaluated twice a year by the Dairy Grading Branch Plant approval is determined

by unannounced inspections covering a wide range of items such as:

 Milk supply

 Plant facilities

 Condition of equipment

 Sanitary practices

 Processing procedures
Quality Assurance of Dairy Products Page 3

Grading Services

USDA Dairy Grading Branch Inspector

Checking cheese coming off in 

single (ribbons) rows during 

Process Cheese On-line Inspection
Quality Assurance of Dairy Products Page 4

Grading Services

Inspector securing a sample box of Process Cheese–

• 1320 Cases in a Load

• 30 Samples Selected for Condition of Container

• 4 Samples Selected for further evaluation

• Flavor

• Body & Texture

• Color
Questions?

MATTHEW SIEDSCHLAW

DAIRY PRODUCTS MARKETING SPECIALIST

USDA, AMS, DAIRY PROGRAM

MATTHEW.SIEDSCHLAW@USDA.GOV

Open Purchase Requests https://www.ams.usda.gov/open-purchase-request

CRDs https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/product-specs

CIDs https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/cid/dairy-eggs

For information on how to use CIDs go to CIDs Fact Sheet (pdf)

US Standards https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/dairy-products

Dairy Quality Specifications https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/dairy-product-quality-specifications