APPROVED

FEDERAL PURCHASE 

PROGRAM SPECIFICATION 

(FPPS) FOR ALASKA 

POLLOCK, OVEN READY 

(BREADED) FISH STICKS, 

FROZEN 

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program 

Food Safety and Commodity Specification (FSCS) Division

Room 2628 S-Bldg, Phone: (202) 692-0342

Supersedes: FPPS APFS dated April 2017 – changes from 

previous requirements in blue

Effective: December 2018

Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 12/12/18

100 SCOPE

101 This Specification in conjunction with Commercial Item Description (CID) for 

Fish Nuggets, Portions, Sticks, Strips, Bite-Sized Pieces, Oven-Ready, 

Breaded and/or Battered, Frozen A-A-20325 dated March 12, 2001, is for use 

by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the procurement of 

Alaska Pollock, Oven Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks, Frozen.

200 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

201 The following documents and all references cited therein shall be 

incorporated as part of this USDA, FPPS:

201.1 Commercial Item Description (CID) A-A-20325, March 12, 2001.

201.2 Applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act contained 

in 21 CFR Parts 1-199.

201.3 U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Sticks.

300 ITEM DESCRIPTION

301 Alaska Pollock, Oven Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks, Frozen (Fish Sticks).

302 Fish Sticks shall be U.S. Grade A.

303 Purchaser shall specify primary container size configuration in each 

solicitation. 

304 Delivery unit shall consist of 950 shipping containers with a net weight of 

38,000 pounds.

400 CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 12/12/18 2

401 All Alaska Pollock fillet block manufacturing facilities used in fulfilling USDA 

contracts shall be a United States Department of Commerce (USDC) 

Approved Establishment (HACCP QMP, IQA or Resident Inspector Plant) 

operating in accordance with all applicable regulations. All Fish Sticks shall 

be processed in a USDC Approved Establishment (HACCP QMP, IQA or

Resident Inspector Plant). 

410 MATERIALS

411 The contractors’ technical proposal shall describe in detail the necessary 

processing steps, supported with digital images, to comply with the 

requirements below:

420 FISH FLESH / PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

421 Domestic Origin of Fish Flesh – The Alaska Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) 

shall be derived from fish caught and processed in U.S. waters on a U.S. 

flagged vessel or caught in U.S. waters and processed in a facility based in 

the U.S. or U.S. Territory.

422 The contractor shall comply with all provisions of the Domestic Origin clause 

as defined in the Master Solicitation and the applicable Supplement.

423 The Fish Sticks shall be prepared from once-frozen, boneless, additive-free 

Alaska Pollock whole fillet blocks, which have been stored at 0°F or less for 

no more than twelve months and shall meet U.S. Grade A for workmanship 

quality attributes and sensory quality (odor and flavor) attributes. Material 

Number 110850 shall be prepared from skinless blocks and Material Number 

110851 shall be prepared from deep-skinned blocks as described in this 

section.

424 Fish Sticks shall meet the Classification (Section 3) and Salient 

Characteristics (Section 5) requirements of the CID as specified below.

425 Product Classification and Characteristics.

425.1 Fish species I – Alaska Pollock.

425.2 Style A – Fillet block.

425.2.1 Form a – Single frozen (frozen once before processing).

425.2.2 Skinless for Material Number 110850 and deep-skinned for Material Number 

 110851.

425.3 Type 3 – Stick (at least three-eighths (3⁄8) of an inch thick; and their largest 

dimension is at least three times the next largest dimension).

425.3.1 Oven-ready weight a – 28.35 g (1.00 oz.).
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 12/12/18 3

425.4 Fried fish type b – Fried.

425.4.1 Composition (a) – Meets the requirements of U.S. Grade A. Fish Sticks shall 

contain at least 64% by weight of fish flesh determined by the AOAC Official 

Method 996.15 and appropriate adjustment factor (60% fish flesh plus 4% 

adjustment factor). Compliance with the 64% fish flesh content in the raw 

formula shall be determined by the ‘on-line method’ as set forth in Definitions 

(g) of the U.S. Grade Standards.

425.5 Coating (2) – Crispy style Breading.

425.5.1 The Fish Sticks shall be battered in wheat flour and breaded in a wheat flour 

 based breading normally used for commercial markets. Additional ingredients 

 that include spices, seasonings, salt, etc. may be used as needed to produce 

 the desired flavor, color, texture, and crispness.

425.5.2 The batter/breading shall be made with whole grain flour or whole grain- 

 rich flour using one of the following options:

425.5.2.1 Option 1: 100% whole grain, or

425.5.2.2 Option 2: whole grain-rich – shall contain at least 50% whole grains and the 

 remaining grains in the product shall be enriched.

425.5.3 Monosodium glutamate is not allowed.

425.5.4 Significant ingredients (more than 1 percent) shall be derived from U.S. 

produced products.

425.6 Child Nutrition (CN) labeling 1 – With a CN label for Material Number 110851

only. The bulk packaged Fish Sticks shall comply with USDA, Food and 

Nutrition Service (FNS), Child Nutrition Programs, National School Lunch 

Program. The CN label information (and evidence of approval for use) shall 

be submitted as part of the supplier’s technical proposal. A four (4.0) ounce

serving must credit as at least two Meat/Meat Alternative and one grainequivalent.

425.6.1 The CN Labeling Program is run by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 

directly with commercial food processing firms and in cooperation with AMS 

and FSIS and other Federal agencies. The Program requires an evaluation of 

a product's formulation by FNS to determine its contribution toward Meal 

Patterns Requirements (MPR) for meals served under USDA’s Child Nutrition 

Programs. To carry a CN label, the eligible product’s formulation must be 

evaluated by USDA to verify its contribution toward meal pattern requirements 

using yields in the USDA Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs.

For 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 and 

contact the following:
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 12/12/18 4

Child Nutrition Labeling Program Operations Office

USDA, AMS, FV, PPB Stop 0247, Room 0710-S

1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250

Email: CNLabeling@ams.usda.gov

Phone Number: 202-720-9939

Fax Number: 202-690-3824

430 FINISHED PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

431 Sodium – Maximum sodium content shall be 280 mg or less per 100 grams or 

320 mg or less per 113 gram serving (four 1-ounce fish sticks).

432 Fat – Maximum fat content shall be 7 grams or less per 100 grams or 9

grams or less per 113 gram serving (four 1-ounce fish sticks).

433 Trans fat – 0 grams per 100 grams.

440 INDIVIDUALLY QUICK FROZEN (IQF)

441 The Fish Sticks shall be IQF so the individual sticks do not stick together after 

they are packaged and packed. The product temperature at the time of 

shipment and delivery shall not exceed 0°F. Fish Sticks shall meet the 

Storage requirements (section 5.2.8) of the CID. 

450 METAL DETECTION

451 All product shall be free of metal contaminants. Detection of stainless steel, 

ferrous, and non-ferrous (e.g., lead, copper, and aluminum) metals is 

required. The contractor's technical proposal shall identify and describe the 

equipment, location, detection procedure, sensitivity levels, frequency of 

equipment validation, and corrective action procedures.

460 PREPARATION/COOKING METHODS

461 The Fish Sticks shall be prepared (par-fried) so that the end-user may bake 

them in a conventional or convection type oven. Baking instructions shall be 

declared and appear on the primary container.

470 FINISHED PRODUCT EVALUATION

471 The finished product shall be evaluated in accordance with the label and 

specifications listed on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) Form 89-819 and the standard listed in inspection manual part V –

U.S. Grading standards and procedures for grading – (Frozen Fried Fish 

Sticks).

480 PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY

481 Packaging and Packing
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 12/12/18 5

482.1 Packaging – All primary containers shall function as a tamper evidence 

indicator to provide added assurance of product integrity through the method 

of sealing or closure. 

482.1.1 The Fish Sticks shall be packaged in eight 5-pound or four 10-pound primary 

containers for Material Number 110851 or twenty 2-pound primary containers 

for Material Number 110850.

1/

483 Shipping Container - The shipping containers (cases) shall comply with the 

National Motor Freight Classification or Uniform Freight Classification.

484 Net Weight – Primary containers shall be packed into new 40-pound net 

weight shipping containers of a size to accommodate the product without 

slack filling or overfilling.

485 Style and Size of Container – Only one size and style of primary and shipping 

container shall be used in an individual shipping unit.

490 LABELING

491 Processor shall meet all labeling laws. Both primary and shipping containers 

shall be labeled to include all information required by USDC regulations, be 

illustrated in the contractor’s technical proposal and contain the required 

information listed below. Both primary and shipping container labels must be 

submitted to USDC for approval using NOAA Form 89-819 along with the 

approved USDA Federal Purchase Program Specification.

492 Primary Container – The following information shall be on each primary 

container:

492.1 Product name.

492.2 Manufacturer name and address.

492.3 Ingredient declaration.

492.4 An allergen statement in a 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: Contains ______.

492.5 A traceability code that includes information regarding production 

establishment, production date and production lot.

492.6 Nutrition Facts panel.

492.7 Baking Instructions.

1/The contracting officer shall designate the packaging orientation permitted for each solicitation.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 12/12/18 6

492.8 Safe handling instructions.

493 Shipping Container –The following information shall be on each case:

493.1 USDA Shield – The shield shall be at least 2 inches high and appear on top 

or on the principal display panel of each case or on a label affixed to the 

shipping container.

 493.2 The applicable purchase order number.

493.3 A traceability code that includes information regarding production 

establishment, production date and production lot.

493.4 Nutrition Facts panel.

493.5 Baking Instructions.

493.6 USDC Inspection and Grade Mark – The Processed Under Federal 

Inspection “PUFI” mark along with the Grade A shield accompanied with 

approved label, product specifications and NOAA Form 89-819 if labels shall

be used for labeling containers.

493.7 Material Number – 110851 for the bulk packed 5-pound and 10-pound 

primary containers, and 110850 for the 2-pound primary container packaging 

configuration.

493.8 Product name – Alaska Pollock, Oven Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks, Frozen.

493.9 An allergen statement in a 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: Contains ______.

493.10 Ingredient declaration.

493.11 The CN label information for Material Number 110851.

500 PALLETIZED UNIT LOADS

501 All product 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 principle display panel to facilitate certification examinations.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 12/12/18 7

600 DELIVERED PRODUCT

601 Delivery Unit – Each delivery unit shall consist of 950 shipping containers with 

a net weight of 38,000 pounds.

602 All products shall be delivered to AMS assigned destinations under seal with 

tamper proof, tamper resistant, serially numbered, high security seals that 

meet the American Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) 

F1157-04 and/or the International Organization for Standards (ISO) 17712-

2010 as required under the Master Solicitation. Seals shall be 1⁄8th-inch 

diameter cable, high-security bolt, or equivalent.

700 QUALITY ASSURANCE

701 All Alaska Pollock fillet block processors and fish stick processing facilities 

used to fulfill USDA contracts shall be a United States Department of 

Commerce (USDC)/NOAA Seafood Inspection (SI) Approved Establishment.

NOAA SI Approved Establishments must meet all pertinent Federal 

requirements applicable to processing fish and fishery products. NOAA SI 

Approved Establishments must comply with the following regulatory 

requirements that are applicable to the firm:

701.1 21 CFR Part 110

21 CFR Part 117 Subparts A, B and F

21 CFR Part 123

NOAA SI Approved Establishments Requirements

50 CFR Part 260

701.2 To meet the requirements of a USDC/NOAA Approved Establishment, 

processors of fish and fishery products may participate in one of three 

USDC/NOAA Inspection Systems:

701.3 USDC/NOAA HACCP Quality Management Program (HACCP QMP);

A Systems Audit based service which requires firms to be subjected to 

announced and unannounced systems audits on a quarterly frequency 

interval to substantiate overall compliance with all pertinent regulations and to 

meet quality requirements. Firms operating under the USDC/NOAA HACCP 

Quality Management Program will be subjected to product verifications 

performed during every audit to verify that the processing systems are 

capable of delivering finished product quality which meets Grade A.

701.4 USDC/NOAA Integrated Quality Assurance (IQA) Program; 

A reduced inspection service which requires that firms assume greater 

verification and documentation responsibility and NOAA SI performs 

verification checks of the facility, QA system and product quality results.

701.5 USDC/NOAA Resident Inspector Program; 

A continuous inspection service whereby USDC Inspection personnel are 

present during all hours of production to fulfill USDA contracts.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 12/12/18 8

701.6 Provision of Audit and Inspection Results - All Alaska Pollock fillet block 

manufacturing facilities and fish stick processing facilities shall provide a copy 

to USDA of the USDC/NOAA Certificate of Inspection issued by USDC/NOAA 

Seafood Inspection Program which will verify a firm’s compliance with 

regulatory requirements and will verify that the finished product (frozen fish 

blocks and fish sticks) meets US Grade A requirements as outlined in 

applicable sections of 50 CFR Part 260 – US Standards for Grades of Fish 

and Fishery Products.

702 Acceptance or rejection of a lot shall be determined by the USDC Seafood 

Inspection Program based on the Quality Assurance Provisions (section 8.1, 

and 8.3) of the CID.

800 WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

801 Warranty – The contractor shall guarantee that the product complies with all 

specification requirements and provisions set forth in the program

Supplement.

802 Complaint Resolution – Customer complaint resolution procedures shall be 

developed by 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.

900 ACCEPTANCE AND CERTIFICATION

901 Contractor or agents of the contractor shall have full access to the USDC 

Seafood Inspection Services Portal (SISP) to request certification of product 

from USDC:

https://seafoodinspection.nmfs.noaa.gov/customer/customerlogin.html

The contractor shall provide the information accurately and in a timely 

manner. Data accuracy and timeliness are essential to the certification 

process; errors or delays when making requests can lead to significant delays 

or the rejection of certification requests by the USDC Seafood Inspector.

902 The USDC Seafood Inspector shall certify acceptable product and set forth 

on a Certificate of Inspection and Certificate of Loading to accompany each 

shipment that includes the following information:

902.1 Purchase Order Number/Purchase Order Line Item Number.

902.2 Sales Order Number/Sales Order Line Item Number.

902.3 Destination of shipment.

902.4 Name of product and applicable material number.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 01/09/17

Date Revised: 12/12/18 9

902.5 Shipping Date.

902.6 Production lot number(s) and date each lot was produced along with shipping 

container and primary container code(s) and the code used that provides 

traceability to establishment number, production lot and date.

902.7 Count of shipping containers and total projected net weight in each 

production lot. 

902.8 Identity of car or truck (car numbers and letters, seals, truck license, etc.) as 

applicable.

902.9 A statement that “Product conforms with the FPPS for Alaska Pollock, Oven 

Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks, Frozen; count and projected net weights 

certified.”
A-A-20325

March 12, 2001

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

FISH NUGGETS, PORTIONS, STICKS, STRIPS, BITE-SIZE PIECES, OVEN-READY, 

BREADED AND/OR BATTERED, FROZEN

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has

authorized the use of this Commercial Item Description.

1. SCOPE. This Commercial Item Description (CID) covers frozen, breaded and/or battered, ovenready, fish nuggets, portions, sticks, strips, and bite-size pieces (fishery products), packed in 

commercially acceptable containers, suitable for use by Federal, State, local governments, and other 

interested parties.

2. PURCHASER NOTES.

2.1 Purchasers shall specify the following: 

- Fish specie(s), style(s), form(s), type(s), oven-ready weight(s), shape(s), fried type(s), 

composition(s), coating(s), and child nutrition (CN) labeling required. (Sec. 3). 

- When the storage requirements are different than specified (Sec. 5.2.8).

- Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification (Sec. 8.2) or National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) certification (Sec. 8.3).

2.2 Purchasers may specify the following:

- Breading flavor(s) (Sec. 3).

- Manufacturer’s quality assurance (Sec. 8.1).

 - Packaging requirements other than commercial (Sec. 9).

3. CLASSIFICATION. The fishery products shall conform to the following list as specified in the 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order.

Fish species, styles, forms, types, oven-ready weights, shapes, fried types, compositions, 

coatings, breading flavors, and CN labeling.

Fish species I - Alaska Pollock

Fish species II - Cod 

Fish species III - Other

FSC 8905

 METRIC
A-A-20325

2

Style A - Fillet block

 Form a - Single frozen (frozen once before processing)

 Form b - Twice frozen (frozen twice before processing) 

Style B - Minced block

Type 1 - Nugget 

 Oven-ready weight a - 24.38 g (0.86 oz.) - 24.81 g (0.875 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight b - 28.35 g (1.00 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight c - 31.18 g (1.10 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight d - Other

 Shape (1) - Nugget

 Shape (2) - Nautical shapes

 Shape (3) - Other

Type 2 - Portion 

 Oven-ready weight a - 85.05 g (3.00 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight b - 102.06 g (3.60 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight c - 113.40 g (4.00 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight d - Other

 Shape (1) - Rectangle

 Shape (2) - Wedge

 Shape (3) - Other

Type 3 - Stick

 Oven-ready weight a - 28.35 g (1.00 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight b - 42.52 g (1.50 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight c - Other

Type 4 - Strip

 Oven-ready weight a - 28.35 g (1.00 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight b - 35.44 g (1.25 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight c - 36.85 g (1.30 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight d - 42.52 g (1.50 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight e - Other
A-A-20325

3

Type 5 - Bite-size piece

 Oven-ready weight a - 14.17 g (.50 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight b - 21.26 g (.75 oz.)

 Oven-ready weight c - Other

Un-fried fish type a - Un-fried (See section 5.1.9.1 for clarification)

 Composition (a) - Meets the requirements of U.S. Grade A [Portions - 75 percent by

 weight of fish flesh; all other fishery product types - 72 percent by weight of fish flesh]

 Composition (b) - Meets the requirements of Packed Under Federal Inspection (PUFI)

 [All fishery product types - minimum of 50 percent by weight of fish flesh]

Fried fish type b - Fried (See section 5.1.9.2 for clarification)

 Composition (a) - Meets the requirements of U.S. Grade A [Portions - 65 percent by 

 weight of fish flesh; all other fishery product types - 60 percent by weight of fish flesh]

 Composition (b) - Meets the requirements of PUFI [Breaded fishery product types -

 minimum of 50 percent by weight of fish flesh; battered fishery product types -

 minimum of 40 percent by weight of fish flesh]

Coating (1) - Crumb Coated Breading (Bread or cracker crumb) 1/

Coating (2) - Crispy style Breading 1/

Coating (3) - Cornmeal Breading

Coating (4) - Battered 2/

Coating (5) - Other

1/ Flavored breading may be selected for Coating 1 and Coating 2. 

2/ Not available with Un-fried fish type a

 

Breading Flavor (a) - Potato flavored

Breading Flavor (b) - Honey flavored

Breading Flavor (c) - Other

 CN labeling 1 - With a CN label 3/ 4/

CN labeling 2 - Without a CN label

3/ Must contain enriched or whole-grain meal and/or flour.

4/ When a CN label is specified, the oven ready, frozen, breaded and/or battered, fishery 

products shall comply with USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Child Nutrition 

Programs, National School Lunch Program (7 CFR Part 210, Appendices A and C).
A-A-20325

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4. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S NOTES. Manufacturer’s/distributor’s products 

shall meet the requirements of the:

- Salient characteristics (Sec. 5).

- Manufacturer’s/distributor’s product assurance (Sec. 6).

- Regulatory requirements (Sec. 7).

- Quality assurance provisions: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 8).

- Packaging requirements other than commercial: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 9).

5. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS.

5.1 Raw Ingredients.

5.1.1 Preparation. The frozen breaded and battered, fried/un-fried, fishery products shall be 

prepared from frozen fish blocks, equivalent in quality to U.S. Grade A for flavor and odor and 

equivalent in quality to U.S. Grade B for workmanship, made from fresh or chilled, skinless fish. The 

fish and fishery products shall be prepared in accordance with 21 CFR Part 123, Fish and Fishery 

Products and with the provisions of regulations governing Processed Fishery Products, Processed 

Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed Food Products, Inspection and Certification (50 CFR, 

Subchapter G, Part 260).

5.1.2 Fillet block. When fillet block, Style A is specified in the solicitation, contract, or

purchase order, it shall be made from a single species of fish flesh as specified in the solicitation or 

contract or purchase order. The fillet block shall be made from fillets or fillet pieces that are skinless. It 

shall not contain minced or comminuted fish flesh. The block shall not be made from restructuring (reworking) pieces of fish blocks into the shape of a fish block. 

5.1.3 Minced block. When minced block, Style B, is specified in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, it may contain fish flesh from the fish species specified in the solicitation or 

contract or purchase order with or without additives. The minced flesh shall consist entirely of 

mechanically separated fish flesh. 

5.1.4 Oil. When frying is used in the cooking process, vegetable oil shall be used as the frying medium. 

 Only corn oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, canola oil, or a mixture of these oils shall be 

used. No coconut, palm kernel, or other tropical oils shall be allowed in the cooking process. The 

deep fat fryer oil shall be continuously filtered.

5.1.5 Flour. The wheat flour used for the fishery products shall be enriched and conform to the U.S. 

Standards of Identity for Enriched Flour (21 CFR § 137.165) and shall be milled from a variety of hard 

and/or soft wheat.
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5.1.6 Batter/Breading. Commercially prepared batter/breading must be the type used to produce 

fishery products that will be heated in ovens by institutional users. The batter/breading shall be a 

commercial flour-based product that may include spices, seasonings, and other ingredients as needed to 

produce the desired flavor, texture, and color. Breading on un-fried fishery products shall have 

vegetable oil incorporated in the breader that will allow the fishery products to be oven-ready. 

5.1.7 Monosodium glutamate (MSG). No MSG shall be added to the batter/breading or any other 

ingredient.

5.1.8 Additives. Minced fish blocks may be modified with food additives as necessary to stabilize the 

product quality in accordance with the requirements in 21 CFR Parts 110 and 171. 

5.1.9. Composition.

5.1.9.1 Un-fried fish products.

Shall meet the following requirements when composition (a) is required:

The breaded un-fried fish sticks, nuggets, strips, and bite-size pieces shall meet the composition of 

product requirements for the U.S. Grade Standard for Grades of Frozen Raw Breaded Fish Sticks of 

72 percent by weight of fish flesh.

The breaded un-fried fish portions shall meet the composition of product requirements for the U.S. 

Grade Standard for Grades of Frozen Raw Breaded Fish Portions of 75 percent by weight of fish flesh.

Shall meet the following requirements when composition (b) is required:

The breaded un-fried fish sticks, portions, nuggets, strips, and bite-size pieces shall meet PUFI 

requirements of a minimum of 50 percent by weight of fish flesh.

5.1.9.2 Fried fish products.

Shall meet the following requirements when composition (a) is required:

The breaded and battered fried fish sticks, nuggets, strips, and bite-size pieces shall meet the 

composition of product requirements for the U.S. Grade Standard for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish 

Sticks of 60 percent by weight of fish flesh.

The breaded and battered fried fish portions shall meet the composition of product requirements for the 

U.S. Grade Standard for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Portions of 65 percent by weight of fish flesh.
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Shall meet the following requirements when composition (b) is required:

The breaded fried fish sticks, portions, nuggets, strips, and bite-size pieces shall meet PUFI 

requirements of a minimum of 50 percent by weight of fish flesh.

The battered fried fish sticks, portions, nuggets, strips, and bite-sized pieces shall meet the PUFI 

requirements of a minimum of 40 percent by weight of fish flesh.

5.2 Processed product.

5.2.1 Un-fried fish products composition (a) (U.S. Grade A). 

5.2.1.1 Fish portions. The frozen un-fried breaded fish portions shall meet the requirements for U.S. 

Grade A in accordance with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Raw Breaded Fish Portions (NOAA 

Manual 25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 4).

5.2.1.2 Fish sticks. The frozen un-fried breaded fish sticks shall meet the requirements for U.S. 

Grade A in accordance with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Raw Breaded Fish Sticks (NOAA 

Manual 25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 4).

5.2.1.3 Fish nuggets, strips, bite-size pieces. The frozen un-fried breaded fish nuggets, strips, and 

bite-size pieces shall meet the requirements for U.S. Grade A for defects for Grades of Frozen Raw 

Breaded Fish Sticks (NOAA Manual 25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 4).

5.2.2 Un-fried fish products composition (b) (PUFI).

5.2.2.1 Fish portions. The frozen un-fried breaded fish portions shall be equivalent in quality to the 

lowest letter grade in accordance with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Raw Breaded Fish 

Portions (NOAA Manual 25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 4).

5.2.2.2 Fish sticks. The frozen un-fried breaded fish sticks shall be equivalent in quality to the lowest 

letter grade in accordance with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Raw Breaded Fish Sticks 

(NOAA Manual 25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 4). 

5.2.2.3 Fish nuggets, strips, bite-size pieces. The frozen un-fried breaded fish nuggets, strips, and 

bite-size pieces shall be equivalent in quality to the lowest letter grade in accordance with U.S. 

Standards for Grades of Frozen Raw Breaded Fish Sticks (NOAA Manual 25, Part 2, Chapter 4, 

Section 4).
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5.2.3 Fried fish products composition (a) (U.S. Grade A).

5.2.3.1 Fish portions. The frozen fried breaded fish portions shall meet the requirements of U.S. 

Grade A in accordance with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Portions (NOAA Manual 

25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 6). Battered fish portions shall meet the requirements of U.S. Grade A 

for defects for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Portions with the 

exception of uniformity of size and weight and the coating defect of ridges for “rippled type” batters.

5.2.3.2 Fish sticks. The frozen fried breaded fish sticks shall meet the requirements of U.S. Grade A 

in accordance with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Sticks (NOAA 

Manual 25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 6). Battered fish sticks shall meet the requirements of U.S. 

Grade A for defects for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Sticks with the exception of uniformity of size and 

weight and the coating defect of ridges for “rippled type” batters. 

5.2.3.3 Fish nuggets, strips, bite-size pieces. The frozen fried breaded fish nuggets, strips, and 

bite-size pieces shall meet the requirements of U.S. Grade A for defects for Grades of Frozen Fried 

Fish Sticks (NOAA Manual 25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 6). Battered fish nuggets, strips, and bitesize pieces shall meet the requirements of U.S. Grade A for defects for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish 

Sticks with the exception of uniformity of size and weight and the coating defect of ridges for “rippled 

type” batters. 

5.2.4 Fried fish products composition (b) (PUFI). 

5.2.4.1 Fish portions. The frozen fried fish portions shall be equivalent in quality to the lowest letter 

grade in accordance with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Portions (NOAA Manual 

25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 6). Battered fish portions shall be equivalent in quality to the lowest 

letter grade in accordance with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Portions with the 

exception of uniformity of size and weight and the coating defect of ridges for “rippled type” batters.

5.2.4.2 Fish sticks. The frozen fried breaded fish sticks shall be equivalent in quality to the lowest 

letter grade in accordance with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Sticks (NOAA Manual 

25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 6). Battered fish sticks shall be equivalent in quality to the lowest letter 

grade in accordance with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Sticks with the exception of 

uniformity of size and weight and the coating defect of ridges for “rippled type” batters.

5.2.4.3 Fish nuggets, strips, bite-size pieces. The frozen fried fish nuggets, strips, and bite-size 

pieces shall be equivalent in quality to the lowest letter grade in accordance with U.S. Standards for 

Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Sticks (NOAA Manual 25, Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 6). Battered fish 

nuggets, strips, and bite-size pieces shall be equivalent in quality to the lowest letter grade in accordance 

with U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Fried Fish Sticks with the exception of uniformity of size and 

weight and the coating defect of ridges for “rippled type” batters.
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5.2.5 Individual Freezing. The fishery products shall be individually frozen so the individual fish 

products can be easily separated by hand.

5.2.6 Size and weight. The breaded and battered fish nuggets, portions, strips, and bite-size pieces 

shall be at least 3/8 inch thick. The breaded and battered fish sticks shall be rectangular shaped and at 

least 3/8 inch thick and their largest dimension shall be at least three times the next largest dimension. 

The breaded fish products shall be uniform in size and weight. 

5.2.7 Appearance. The fish products shall have no breaks or cuts greater than one-half the width or 

length. The fish products shall not be mashed, physically or mechanically injured, misshaped or 

mutilated to the extent that its appearance is materially affected.

5.2.8 Storage requirements. The manufactured frozen fish products shall be placed in a freezer 

within 2 hours after packaging, and frozen to an internal temperature of -17.8EC (0EF) within 24 hours 

after placement in the freezer. The product shall be maintained at -17.8EC (0EF) during 

frozen storage. Unless otherwise specified, the maximum storage time for frozen fish products at -

17.8EC (0EF) or below is 360 days. 

6. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S PRODUCT ASSURANCE. The manufacturer/ 

distributor shall certify that the fishery products provided shall meet the salient characteristics of this 

CID, conform to their own specifications, standards, and quality assurance practices, and be the same 

fishery products offered for sale in the commercial market. The purchaser reserves the right to require 

proof of conformance. 

7. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. The delivered fishery products shall comply with all 

applicable Federal, State, and local mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, 

packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sale of fishery products within the 

commercial marketplace. Delivered fishery products shall comply with all applicable provisions of the 

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder. When the fishery 

products are used for the School Lunch Program, the fishery products shall comply with all applicable 

provisions of the CN programs.

8. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS. Purchaser shall specify 8.2 or 8.3; (8.1 is optional 

when 8.2 is specified). The United States Department of Commerce (USDC), NOAA, National 

Marine Fishery Service (NMFS) requires 8.1 when 8.3 is specified.

8.1 Manufacturer’s quality assurance. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order, the product manufacturer shall be required to have their facilities inspected by, NMFS, NOAA, 

USDC, and be eligible for listing in the USDC publication “USDC Approved List of Fish 

Establishments and Products.” (NMFS sanitation inspections verify that, at the time of the inspection, 
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the manufacturer demonstrated their ability to meet rigid standards of sanitation and are capable of 

producing safe, wholesome fishery products).

8.2 Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, the manufacturer/distributor will certify that the finished fishery products meets or 

exceed the requirements of this CID.

8.3 NOAA certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order that product 

quality and acceptability or both be determined, the Grading Branch, NMFS, shall be the 

certifying program. NMFS shall certify the quality and acceptability of the fishery products in 

accordance with NMFS procedures which include selecting random samples of the packaged fishery 

products, evaluating the samples for conformance with the salient characteristics of this CID and other 

contractual requirements, and documenting the findings on official NMFS 

program score sheets and/or certificates. In addition, when required in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, NMFS will examine the fishery products for conformance to the United States 

Standards for Condition of Food Containers in effect on the date of the solicitation.

9. PACKAGING. Preservation, packaging, packing, labeling, and case marking shall be commercial 

unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order.

10. NOAA INSPECTION NOTES. When 8.3 is specified in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, NOAA certification shall include evaluation of the quality and condition of 

samples of packaged fishery products, and compliance with requirements in the following 

areas:

- Salient characteristics (Sec 5).

 - Packaging requirements (Sec. 9 or as specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

 order).

11. REFERENCE NOTES.

11.1 NOAA certification contact. For NOAA certification, contact the nearest USDC Lot 

Inspection Office listed below.

Gloucester Lot Inspection Office Fairhaven Lot Inspection Office

National Marine Fisheries Service National Marine Fisheries Service

11-15 Parker Street 147-B Washington Street

Gloucester, MA 01930 Fairhaven, MA 02719

Telephone 978-281-9201 Telephone 508-993-9309

Fax 978-281-9223 Fax 508-990-0804
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Virginia Inspection Office Tampa Lot Inspection Office

National Marine Fisheries Service National Marine Fisheries Service

1026G Settler’s Landing Road c/o Americold Corporation

Hampton, VA 23669 1601 North 50th Street

Telephone 757-722-0664 Tampa, FL 33619

Fax 757-723-6074 Telephone 813-228-2546

Fax 813-228-2980

National Marine Fisheries Service National Marine Fisheries Service

5600 Rickenbacker Road, Bldg. 7A 7600 Sand Point Way N.E.

Bell, CA 90201 Seattle, WA 98115-6349

Telephone 323-526-7412 Telephone 206-526-4259

Fax 323-527-7417 Fax 206-526-4264

11.2 CN labeling contact. For CN labeling information, contact the Head, Technical Assistance 

Section, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, 

Alexandria, VA 22302, telephone (703) 305-2609 or on the Internet at:

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/.

11.3 Sources of documents.

11.3.1 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows:

Applicable provisions of the Food and Nutrition Service Regulations are contained in 7 CFR Part 210. 

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act are contained in 21 CFR Parts 1 to 199. Regulations 

Governing Processed Fishery Products, Processed Products Thereof, and Certain Other Processed 

Food Products, Inspection and Certification are contained in 50 CFR Subchapter G, Part 260. These 

documents may be purchased from: Superintendent of Documents, ATTN: New Orders, P.O. Box 

371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. Credit card (MasterCard or Visa) purchases may be 

made by calling the Superintendent of Documents on (202) 512-1803 or on the Internet at: 

http://www.nara.gov/fedreg.

Copies of NOAA Manual 25 are available from: U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, NMFS, 

P.O. Drawer 1207, Pascagoula, MS 39567-1207, telephone (228) 762-1982, Fax (228) 769-

1436, via E-mail: George.Haines@NOAA.gov or on the Internet at: 

http://seafood.nmfs.noaa.gov/standards.htm.

Copies of “USDC Approved List of Fish Establishments and Products” are available from: U.S. 

Department of Commerce, NOAA, NMFS, Seafood Inspection Service, Seafood Inspection 
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Division, Documentation Approval and Supply Services Section, P.O. Drawer 1207, 

Pascagoula, MS 39568-1207, telephone (228) 762-1892, Fax (228) 769-1436, or on the 

Internet at: http://seafood.nmfs.noaa.gov/publications.htm.

Copies of this CID, the United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers, and beneficial 

comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, etc. and any data which may improve 

this CID are available from and/or provided to: Head, Food Quality Assurance Staff, FVP, AMS, 

USDA, STOP 0243, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 

20250-0243, telephone (202) 720-9939, Fax (202) 690-0102, via E-mail: FQAStaff@usda.gov

or on the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fvqual.htm.

MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES:

Custodians DOJ - BOP

HHS - NIH, IHS

Army GL USDA - FV

 Navy SA VA - OSS

 Air Force - 35 DOC - NOAA

 PREPARING ACTIVITY:

Review Activities

 USDA - FV

Army -MD, QM

Navy - MC 

DLA - SS 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, 

religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s 

TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, 

SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.