Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

FEDERAL PURCHASE 

PROGRAM SPECIFICATION 

(FPPS) FOR CHICKEN PARTS, 

FROZEN 

APPROVED

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock, Poultry and Seed (LPS) Program

Food Safety and Commodity Specification 

(FSCS) Division

Room 2624 S-Bldg, Phone: (202) 692-0342

Supersedes: Chicken Parts April 2013 –

Changes from pervious requirements in blue

Effective: April 2017

100 ITEM DESCRIPTION

110 Cut-up (100098), Kosher cut-up (110052) – Frozen cut-up chickens, 8 pieces, 

without necks and giblets, Cut-up chickens shall be produced from ready-tocook broiler/fryer that weigh 4.0 to 5.5 pounds without neck and giblets. The 

commodity shall be packed in a minimum of four plastic-film bags and packed 40 

pounds net weight in each fiberboard shipping container, with 1,000 containers 

per purchase unit totaling 40,000 pounds. 

120 Drumsticks (100878) – Frozen chicken drumsticks. Drumsticks shall be 

produced from ready-to-cook broiler/fryer chickens that weigh 4.0 to 5.5 pounds 

without neck and giblets. The commodity shall be packed in a minimum of four 

plastic-film bags and packed 40 pounds net weight in each fiberboard shipping 

container, with 1,000 containers per purchase unit totaling 40,000 pounds. 

130 Leg Quarters (100105) – Frozen chicken leg quarters. Leg quarters shall be 

produced from ready-to-cook broiler/fryer chickens that weigh 4.0 to 5.5 pounds 

without neck and giblets. The commodity shall be packed in a minimum of four 

plastic-film bags and packed 40 pounds net weight in each fiberboard shipping 

container, with 1,000 containers per purchase unit totaling 40,000 pounds. 

140 Thighs (100879) – Frozen chicken thighs with back portion. Thighs shall be 

produced from ready-to-cook broiler/fryer chickens that weigh 4.0 to 5.5 pounds 

without neck and giblets. The commodity shall be packed in a minimum of four 

plastic-film bags and packed 40 pounds net weight in each fiberboard shipping 

container, with 1,000 containers per purchase unit totaling 40,000 pounds. 
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

200 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

210 The following documents are incorporated as part of this USDA, AMS, FSCS 

Division FPPS – Chicken Parts, Frozen – April 2017:

210.1 AMS/LPS/Quality Assessment Division (QAD) Policies and Procedures.

210.2 Poultry Products Inspection Regulations (9 CFR § 381).

210.3 Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit

Products (7 CFR § 70) and the U.S. Classes, Standards, and Grades for Poultry

(AMS 70.200 et seq., 9 CFR § 381.170 to 172).

210.4 AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements and Solicitation.

300 CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS

310 Domestic Products – Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for

Commodity Procurements.

320 Food Defense – Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for

Commodity Procurements. 

400 HARVESTING

410 All harvesting activities shall comply with all applicable Food Safety and 

Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations and requirements, including 9 CFR § 381, 

and shall be done under FSIS inspection.

420 Humane Handling – All poultry shall be humanely handled in accordance with 

FSIS Directive 6100.3.

500 PROCESSING

510 All processing activities shall comply with all applicable FSIS regulations and 

requirements, including 9 CFR § 381, and shall be done under FSIS inspection.

520 Performance Standards – Product shall be produced under FSIS pathogen 

reduction standards, as specified in 9 CFR § 381. 

530 Date Processed – The commodity shall not be processed or packaged more 

than 60 days prior to the first day of the delivery period.

540 Class and Style – The commodities shall be prepared from freshly harvested 

chickens (broiler/fryers, AMS 70.200 et seq.). Individual parts from ready-to-
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

cook chickens shall conform to the definitions and standards in AMS 70.201 and 

70.210.

550 U.S. Grade – Grading shall be in accordance with 7 CFR § 70 and AMS 70.200 

et seq. Grading shall be under the supervision of an AMS Grader using the LPS 

Program’s Sample Plan Level 1 (SPL-1) for Grade A parts, and Sample Plan 

Level 2 (SPL-2) for Grade B parts.

551 Cut-up (100098), Kosher Cut-up (110052) – Grade A.

552 Leg Quarters (100105) – Grade B or Better.

553 Drumsticks (100878) and Thighs (100879) – Grade A for all factors except 

Grade B quality for exposed flesh.

560 Inspection for contract and FPPS compliance shall be in accordance with the 

Regulations Governing the Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit 

Products (7 CFR § 70) and the U.S. Classes, Standards, and Grades for Poultry 

(AMS 70.200 et seq.). Grading shall be under the supervision of an AMS Grader

using LPS Program’s Sample Plan Level 1 (SPL-1). The AMS Grader shall be 

responsible for certification of compliance with the requirements of this FPPS for 

whole chickens, cut-up chicken, drumsticks, leg quarters, thighs; freezing; 

packaging and packing; labeling and marking; net weight; sampling; and 

checkloading.

561 AMS Certification – USDA/AMS, LPS Program’s QAD field office or the Director 

of the QAD, LPS Program, AMS, USDA, Room 3953-S, STOP 0258, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0258, telephone (202) 

720-3271. 

562 All steps in the manufacturing process shall be under the direct supervision of an 

AMS Grader and as outlined in QAD Policies and Procedures. Quality and 

compliance with product requirements shall be determined in accordance with 

QAD policies and procedures. The AMS Grader may also select samples for 

laboratory analyses or inspect the commodity at any point in transit and after 

delivery to point of destination.

563 Lot Definition – A lot is the amount of packaged commodity produced during a 

processing shift.

570 Chicken from Other Plants – Chilled chicken and chicken parts may be 

transferred or obtained from other processing plants provided it: 

570.1 Has been processed, handled, and identified in accordance with this FPPS, and 
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

570.2 Complies with the freshly harvested, organoleptic, temperature, and other 

applicable requirements of this FPPS as evidenced by USDA certification.

571 Type, class and specific name of the product, or grade; date harvested as 

applicable; and the USDA-assigned plant number shall be shown on each 

shipping container.

572 The chilled chicken and chicken parts shall 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, during transit, and when received at the 

destination plant.

573 Meat Time Requirements – The chilled commodity shall be processed, 

packaged, packed, and placed in a freezer within 7 calendar days after the date 

of harvest. 

574 Organoleptic Requirements – The chilled ready-to-cook chicken and chicken 

parts shall be examined on a continuous basis for the following organoleptic 

requirements: chilled chicken and chicken parts shall be free of rancidity; free of 

fruity, sulfide-like, cardboardy, tallowy, oily, metallic, chlorine-like, or other 

foreign and off-odors; free of foreign materials (e.g., glass, paper, rubber, plastic, 

wood, metal); shall show no evidence of mishandling or deterioration; and shall

have a bright color and show no evidence of dehydration or freezing and 

thawing. 

580 Weight Requirements

581 Carcasses shall be examined for compliance prior to packaging with the 

individual weight requirements. A sample of 10 carcasses shall be randomly 

drawn and weighed.

582 The frequency of sampling shall be according to LPS Program’s SPL-2. 

590 Freezing

591 When ice glazing methods are used for Individually Frozen (IF) product, the 

AMS Grader shall randomly weigh 10 parts according to established LPS 

Program procedures for determining tare weight for ice glazed products. Both 

unglazed and glazed parts shall be weighed to determine the tare weight.

592 The determination of commodity for 72-hour freezing verification shall be made 

as the commodity exits the in-line freezing system as follows:

592.1 Individually frozen commodity exiting an in-line freezing system with internal 

product temperatures higher than 0 °F (-17.8 °C) shall be packaged and placed 

in a freezer. The internal product temperature shall be lowered to 0 °F 
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

(-17.8 °C) or lower within 72 hours from the time the commodity enters the 

freezer.

592.2 Individually frozen commodity exiting an in-line freezing system with internal 

product temperatures 0 °F (-17.8 °C) or lower is in compliance with the 72-hour 

freezing requirement.

600 PACKAGING AND PACKING

610 The contractor shall assure that all packaging, packing, labeling, closure, 

marking, and palletization comply with the National Motor Freight Regulations 

and FSIS regulations and the requirements listed below.

620 Packaging – All packaging and packing materials shall be clean and in new 

condition, shall not impart objectionable odors or flavors to the commodity, shall

be safe for use in contact with food products (cannot adulterate product or be 

injurious to health), and shall 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. All packaging material shall comply with 

FSIS regulations (9 CFR § 381.144(c)).

621 Plastic-film Bags – Bags for packaging the commodity shall be a polyethylene

film bag with a wall thickness of not less than 2 mil (0.002 inch); and shall

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

during the conditions of use. Closure methods shall be approved by a QAD

representative. Metal wire ties, paper-coated wire ties, or staples shall not be 

used for sealing plastic-film bags.

630 Shipping Containers – Shipping containers shall:

630.1 Be good commercial fiberboard containers that are acceptable by common or 

other carrier(s) for safe transport to point of destination, 

630.2 Be of such size to pack the commodity without slack filling or bulging, 

630.3 Withstand the stresses of handling, shipping, stacking, and storage, and 

630.4 Be closed by commercially accepted methods and materials. Steel or wire 

straps shall not be used for final closure. 

631 Staples shall not be used for final closure of shipping containers. 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 
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

container and tightly clenched to eliminate sharp edges prior to packing the 

commodity into the shipping containers.

640 Packaging – The plastic-film bag shall be of a length that can be readily and 

securely closed. The bag shall be sealed or closed with a non-metallic device 

that shall protect the commodity from contamination, dehydration, and freezer 

burn.

650 Packing – A minimum of four bags with approximately equal amounts in each 

bag and packed to a net weight of 40 pounds per shipping container.

660 Packing Tolerances for Cut-up (100098) and Kosher Cut-up (110052).

661 Individual Shipping Containers – Chicken parts in any individual shipping 

container need not come from the same whole chicken. Number and kind of 

parts or pieces (breast portions, thighs with back portions, drumsticks, and 

wings) in each shipping container shall be proportional both in number and kind 

to those found in a whole chicken. As an alternative, the chicken parts or pieces 

may be processed and packed in natural proportions with approximately 40 

pounds net weight of product in each container. The method used by the 

contractor shall be approved by QAD.

670 Tolerances

671 Thigh Pieces, Drumsticks, and Breast Pieces – In a shipping container, the 

difference between the part having the least pieces and the part having the most 

pieces shall not be more than four.

672 Wings – Other chicken parts in approximately natural proportions may be 

substituted for wings. The wings shall not exceed the number of pieces of the 

part (breast, thigh, or drumstick) in the shipping container having the greatest 

number of pieces. For example, if a shipping container of eight-piece, cut-up 

chicken contains 42 breast pieces, 38 thigh pieces, and 39 drumsticks, wings 

shall not exceed 42 pieces.

672.1 Example – A shipping container has 27 breast pieces, 31 thigh pieces, 

30 drumsticks, and 32 wings. In this example, the thigh pieces, drumsticks, and 

breast pieces are within the permitted range of 4, but since the wings exceed the 

number of pieces of the other part with the greatest number of pieces in the 

shipping container (32 wings exceed 31 thigh pieces), the commodity does not 

meet requirements.

700 LABELING

710 CN Labeling information or a Product Formulation Statement demonstrating 

product contribution to the National School Lunch Program meal pattern 
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

requirements is required. For more information on the CN Labeling Program, 

see the section for Food Manufacturers/Industry on the FNS website: 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnlabeling/child-nutrition-cn-labeling-program

711 Commercial Labeling Requirements

711.1 Commercially labeled packages and shipping containers shall be labeled in 

accordance with FSIS requirements. Labeling shall be approved by FSIS prior 

to acceptance for use under this FPPS.

711.2 Commercial Labels – Commercial labels shall be the processor’s own 

commercial label. Distributors’ labels are not allowed.

712 Traceable Product – The processor shall 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 FPPS and 

commercial product, the identification system shall 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 codes, shall be reviewed by 

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

713 Nutrition Facts, Ingredients and Allergen Statements on Shipping Containers 

Nutrition Facts shall be provided. The ingredient statement, even for single 

ingredient foods, shall be included as a statement separate from the name of the 

product, e.g. Ingredients: _____________. The allergen statement shall be 

provided in the format which complies with the Food Allergen Labeling and 

Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), and 9 CFR § 317.2(b), 9 CFR 381.116(a) 

for any product which contains milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, 

peanuts, soy or wheat; e.g. Allergen: This product contains ______. For 

additional guidance refer to the Compliance Guidance at: 

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/f9cbb0e9-6b4d-4132-ae27-

53e0b52e840e/Allergens-Ingredient.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

720 USDA Labeling Requirements

721 When USDA labeling is used, any deviations from the USDA labeling 

requirements in this FPPS shall be approved by the Contracting Officer, in 

writing, prior to start of production. Labeling and marking of the commodity shall 

be in accordance with this FPPS. Labeling and marking information shall be 

water-fast, non-smearing, of a contrasting color, clear, and readable.

722 USDA Labeled Shipping Containers
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

723 Requirements – Labeling and marking information shall be preprinted, stamped, 

or stenciled on each shipping container; or printed on a self-adhesive label and 

applied to each shipping container. This information, in essentially the same 

layout, is provided in EXHIBITS 1 thru 5.

724 Nutrition Facts, Ingredients and Allergen statements on shipping containers. 

Nutrition Facts shall be provided. The ingredient statement, even for single 

ingredient foods, shall be included as a statement separate from the name of the 

product, e.g. Ingredients: _____________. The allergen statement shall 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 shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soy or wheat; e.g. Allergen: This 

product contains ______.

730 Universal Product Code

731 A Universal Product Code (UPC), symbol and code, called Interleaved 2 of 5 (I 

2/5), shall appear on each shipping container. The complete code, including the 

check digit, shall be printed in machine-readable and human-readable form. 

The start and stop indicators shall be included in the bar codes. Printing, 

readability, and scanability of the bar code shall be in accordance with UPC 

guidelines published by GS1 US, Princeton Pike Corporate Center, 1009 Lenox 

Drive, Suite 202, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

732 The Contractor shall use the code furnished by USDA. USDA has acquired a 

unique manufacturer’s identification number for the commodity purchase

programs and shall use a unique item code number for each commodity 

purchased under this FPPS. The Contractor need not join GS1 US. The 14-

digit UPC code for shipping containers is:

732.1 Cut-up Chicken (100098) – 1 07 15001 00098 6. 

732.2 Kosher Cut-up Chicken (110052) – 1 07 15001 10052 5. 

732.3 Drumsticks (100878) – 1 07 15001 00878 3. 

732.4 Leg Quarters (100105) – 1 07 15001 00105 1. 

732.5 Thighs (100879) – 1 07 15001 00878 3. 

733 The UPC code shall be placed in the lower right-hand corner of the principal 

display panel of each shipping container.

740 Recycle Symbol and Statement – The Contractor shall place somewhere on the 

surface of each recyclable shipping container the recycle symbol shown in 

EXHIBIT 6. The statement “PLEASE RECYCLE” is to be placed under the 
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

symbol. The recycle symbol and statement shall be legibly printed in permanent 

ink.

750 Inventory Control Information – The processor may use any additional 

information (including bar codes) for processor inventory control purposes. This 

information may be applied somewhere on the surface of the shipping container, 

but shall not cover or conflict with the labeling requirements of this FPPS.

751 Shipping containers or labels with incorrect contract number, plant number, net 

weight, date packed, shall be corrected before they are used. The incorrect 

information shall be blocked out and the correct information legibly printed, 

stamped, or stenciled in permanent ink. Additionally, the name, address, and 

phone number of the processor shall appear on each shipping container.

760 Unacceptable Labeling 

761 Commercial labels that do not have a processor traceability system and code.

762 Commercial labeling traceability coding and systems that have not been 

reviewed by a representative of LPS Program, QAD.

763 Distributor Commercial Labels

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

765 Free Along Side (FAS) Vessel Deliveries 

766 FAS vessel deliveries that are not source loaded in a refrigerated seavan are 

required to show the final destination’s overseas address as provided in the 

Sales Order/Item Number. The address shall be clearly printed on at least two 

sides of each pallet.

800 FINAL EXAMINATION OF PACKAGED AND PACKED COMMODITY

810 Packaging Defects – Packages in a delivery unit shall 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.

820 Packing Defects – Shipping containers in a delivery unit shall be examined for 

condition, labeling, and marking defects according to the United States 

Standards for Condition of Food Containers.

830 Purchase or Delivery Unit

831 Shall total 40,000 pounds net, or multiples thereof.
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Date Revised: 04/11/2017

832 Each delivery unit shall be examined for compliance with the net weight 

requirements at time of checkloading.

833 The tare weight of all packing materials shall be determined by weighing a 

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

and fiberboard containers.

834 Twelve (12) shipping containers shall be selected at random from a delivery unit 

to determine net weight. The total net weight of the 12 shipping containers shall

be equal to or greater than 480 pounds.

835 If the total net weight is less than 480 pounds, but greater than or equal to 

475.20 pounds, the delivery unit with the following average net weight per 

container shall be accepted at the corresponding discount:

Average Test Net Weight per Container

 But Not Contract

Less Than Less Than Price Discount

40.00 pounds (18.14 kg) 39.60 pounds (17.96 kg) 1.0% 

39.60 pounds (17.96 kg) -- Unacceptable

836 Payments shall be made on the actual quantity delivered. All price adjustments 

shall be based on a delivery unit.

837 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, the delivery unit shall be rejected.

838 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 (or his/her designee) shall determine that the facilities 

and procedures are in accordance with the applicable LPS Program’s 

instructions for this FPPS.

840 Loading and Shipping Frozen Commodity

841 Visual Inspection – Frozen commodity showing any evidence of defrosting, 

refreezing, or freezer deterioration shall be rejected for use under this FPPS.

842 Internal Product Temperature

842.1 The frozen commodity shall be 2 °F (-16.7 °C) or lower at the time of loading. 

Delivery units with internal product temperatures exceeding 2 °F (-16.7 °C) and
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Date Revised: 04/11/2017

up to 5 °F (-15 °C) shall 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 shall be rejected for use under this FPPS.

842.2 Optional Temperature Verification – The contractor may request an alternate 

method utilizing product temperature-sensing devices. If this option is selected,

a Federal-State Supervisor shall determine that the facilities, equipment,

procedures, and the contractors’ current level of freezing compliance are in

accordance with the established guidelines outlined in the applicable LPS

Program’s instructions for this FPPS.

850 Inspection and Checkloading

851 Requirements – Inspection for contract compliance shall be made by a USDA 

representative, in accordance with 7 CFR § 70, FSIS regulations, and this 

FPPS, at the site of processing, both during and after processing and packaging. 

Inspection records shall be complete and made available to USDA, as 

requested, to assure contract compliance.

852 Procedures – The inspection and checkloading shall be performed by an AMS

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

may be obtained by contacting the nearest QAD field office or the Director of 

QAD, LPS Program, AMS, USDA, Room 3953-S, STOP 0258, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0258, telephone (202) 

690-3147. The quality, quantity, weight, packaging, packing, and checkloading 

of the commodity shall be evidenced by certificates issued by the AMS Grader. 

The contractor shall not ship the commodity unless informed by the AMS Grader 

that the designated commodity to be shipped meets the requirements of the 

AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements, Solicitation, and this 

FPPS.

900 PALLETIZED UNIT LOADS

910 All products shall be stacked on new or well-maintained pallets and palletized 

with shrink wrap plastic, unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation. Pallet 

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

containers over the edges of the pallets and exposes each shipping container’s 

principal display panel to facilitate certification examinations.

920 Size and Style of Container – Only one size and style of shipping container shall 

be used in any one delivery unit.
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Date Revised: 04/11/2017

1000 SHIPMENT AND DELIVERY

1010 Shipment and Delivery – Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for

Commodity Procurements. 

1011 In addition, the contractor shall adhere to the following provisions:

1011.1 Each shipping container shall be identified with a USDA Contract Compliance 

stamp with the applicable certificate number. An AMS Grader or other 

authorized personnel under the supervision of the AMS Grader shall 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.

1012 A copy of the original USDA Poultry Products Grading Certificate issued at time 

of checkloading shall accompany each shipment. 

1012.1 Railcar or Piggyback – If shipment is by rail or piggyback, the certificate shall be 

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

consignee, as applicable.

1012.2 Trucks – If shipment is by truck, the driver shall, upon delivery, give the 

certificate to the AMS Grader, warehouseman, or consignee, as applicable.

1020 Loading and Sealing of Vehicles

1021 Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements.

1030 Delivery Notification

1031 Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements.

1040 Split Deliveries

1041 Refer to the current AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements.

1100 DESTINATION EXAMINATION

1110 The cost of a destination examination, before or after delivery, by an AMS

Grader on accepted product shall be for the account of USDA. Costs for 

destination examinations of rejected delivery units shall be for the account of the 

contractor. The origin AMS Grader shall make arrangements for destination 

examination prior to delivery.
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

1111 Commodity Requirements – Before acceptance by consignee, the commodity 

may be examined by an AMS 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. 

1112 Temperature – The commodity shall arrive at destination at an average internal 

product temperature not to exceed 10 °F (-12.2 °C) with no individual 

temperature exceeding 15 °F (-9.4 °C). 

1200 PRODUCT ASSURANCE AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

1210 Product Assurance – The Contractor shall guarantee that the product complies 

with all FPPS requirements and provisions set forth in the AMS Master 

Solicitation for Commodity Procurements and Solicitation.

1220 Complaint Resolution – Customer complaint resolution procedures shall be the 

responsibility of the Contractor. These procedures shall include: a point of 

contact, investigation steps, intent to cooperate with AMS, and product 

replacement or monetary compensation. The procedures shall be used to 

resolve product complaints from recipient agencies or AMS.
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

EXHIBIT 1

USDA Labeled Shipping Containers

Marking Information: Shipping containers may be marked substantially as shown 

below. Detailed USDA labeling information is provided in Exhibit 2. Markings 

shall be legibly preprinted, stamped, stenciled on containers, or printed on a 

separate self-adhesive label applied to containers. The USDA symbol (EXHIBIT 4) 

is to be a minimum of 2.25 inches (5.72 cm) in height and may be printed on the 

top panel or the principal display panel. The processor’s name, address, and 

phone number may be printed on the top panel or the principal display panel. The 

processor’s name and address may indicate the individual processing plant, the 

company headquarters, or the company address and phone number that handles 

product complaints.

(THE OTHER END Panel)

(THE OTHER 

SIDE 

Panel)

(TOP PANEL)

PERISHABLE--KEEP FROZEN

KEEP AT 0o F (-17.8°C)

OR BELOW

(TOP PANEL) (ONE SIDE Panel)

USDA 

Labeling

Information 

(shown 

in 

Exhibits 

2 thru 5).

(ONE END - Principal Display Panel)
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Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

EXHIBIT 2

USDA Label Information for Individually Frozen Cut-Up

Chickens

Marking Information: USDA labeling information shall be printed on the principal 

display panel of each shipping container as provided in Exhibit 1. Markings shall

be legibly preprinted, stamped, stenciled on containers, or printed on a separate

self-adhesive label and applied to containers. The UPC 14-digit I 2/5 code and

symbol shall be shown in the lower right-hand corner of the principal display 

panel. The safe handling instructions shall be shown. The USDA symbol Exhibit 

?), shall be a minimum of 2.25 inches (5.72 cm) in height and may be printed on

the top panel or the principal display panel. The processor’s name, address, and

phone number shall be printed on the top panel or the principal display panel. 

The processor’s name and address shall indicate the individual processing plant, 

the company headquarters, or the company address and phone number that

handles product complaints.

INDIVIDUALLY FROZEN CUT-UP BROILER/FRYER 

CHICKENS Without Neck and Giblets

Required

Processor’s Nutrition Facts Label

Name, Address, and Phone Shall Be Placed Here

Safe Handling Instructions Ingredients: (Food Allergen Statement,

May Be Placed Here Shall Be Placed Here)

KEEP FROZEN

Net Weight 40 LBS. (18.14 KG) DATE PACKED Month, Day, and Year

UPC Symbol and Code
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

EXHIBIT 3

USDA Label Information for Frozen Chicken Drumsticks

Marking Information: USDA labeling information shall be printed on the principal 

display panel of each shipping container as provided in Exhibit 1. Markings shall

be legibly preprinted, stamped, stenciled on containers, or printed on a separate

self-adhesive label and applied to containers. The UPC 14-digit I 2/5 code and

symbol shall be shown in the lower right-hand corner of the principal display 

panel. The safe handling instructions shall be shown. The USDA symbol Exhibit 

?), shall be a minimum of 2.25 inches (5.72 cm) in height and may be printed on

the top panel or the principal display panel. The processor’s name, address, and

phone number shall be printed on the top panel or the principal display panel. 

The processor’s name and address shall indicate the individual processing plant, 

the company headquarters, or the company address and phone number that

handles product complaints.

FROZEN BROILER/FRYER 

CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

Required

Processor’s Nutrition Facts Label

Name, Address, and Phone Shall Be Placed Here

Safe Handling Instructions Ingredients: (Food Allergen Statement,

May Be Placed Here Shall Be Placed Here)

KEEP FROZEN

Net Weight 40 LBS. (18.14 KG) DATE PACKED Month, Day, and Year

UPC Symbol and Code
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

EXHIBIT 4

USDA Label Information for Frozen Leg Quarters

Marking Information: USDA labeling information shall be printed on the principal 

display panel of each shipping container as provided in Exhibit 1. Markings shall

be legibly preprinted, stamped, stenciled on containers, or printed on a separate

self-adhesive label and applied to containers. The UPC 14-digit I 2/5 code and

symbol shall be shown in the lower right-hand corner of the principal display 

panel. The safe handling instructions shall be shown. The USDA symbol Exhibit 

?), shall be a minimum of 2.25 inches (5.72 cm) in height and may be printed on

the top panel or the principal display panel. The processor’s name, address, and

phone number shall be printed on the top panel or the principal display panel. 

The processor’s name and address shall indicate the individual processing plant, 

the company headquarters, or the company address and phone number that

handles product complaints.

FROZEN BROILER/FRYER 

LEG QUARTERS

Required

Processor’s Nutrition Facts Label

Name, Address, and Phone Shall Be Placed Here

Safe Handling Instructions Ingredients: (Food Allergen Statement,

May Be Placed Here Shall Be Placed Here)

KEEP FROZEN

Net Weight 40 LBS. (18.14 KG) DATE PACKED Month, Day, and Year

UPC Symbol and Code
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

EXHIBIT 5

USDA Label Information for Chicken Thighs

Marking Information: USDA labeling information shall be printed on the principal 

display panel of each shipping container as provided in Exhibit 1. Markings shall

be legibly preprinted, stamped, stenciled on containers, or printed on a separate

self-adhesive label and applied to containers. The UPC 14-digit I 2/5 code and

symbol shall be shown in the lower right-hand corner of the principal display 

panel. The safe handling instructions shall be shown. The USDA symbol Exhibit 

?), shall be a minimum of 2.25 inches (5.72 cm) in height and may be printed on

the top panel or the principal display panel. The processor’s name, address, and

phone number shall be printed on the top panel or the principal display panel. 

The processor’s name and address shall indicate the individual processing plant, 

the company headquarters, or the company address and phone number that

handles product complaints.

FROZEN BROILER/FRYER 

THIGHS WITH BACK PORTIONRS

Required

Processor’s Nutrition Facts Label

Name, Address, and Phone Shall Be Placed Here

Safe Handling Instructions Ingredients: (Food Allergen Statement,

May Be Placed Here Shall Be Placed Here)

KEEP FROZEN

Net Weight 40 LBS. (18.14 KG) DATE PACKED Month, Day, and Year

UPC Symbol and Code
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017

EXHIBIT 6

“Please Recycle” Symbol and Statement

PLEASE 

RECYCLE
EXHIBIT 7

USDA SYMBOL

Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/18/2013

Date Revised: 04/11/2017