FSC 8915 

A-A-20119D 

September 7, 2011

SUPERSEDING

A-A-20119C

February 11, 1999

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

MANDARIN ORANGES, CANNED

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

the use of this Commercial Item Description (CID). 

1. SCOPE. This CID covers canned mandarin oranges, packed in commercially 

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

interested parties.

2. PURCHASER NOTES.

2.1 Purchasers shall specify the following:

 - Type(s), size(s), packing media, flavor(s), designation(s), packaging(s), material(s), and 

agricultural practice(s) of canned mandarin oranges required (Sec. 3). 

 - When analytical requirements are different than specified (Sec. 6.1).

 - When analytical requirements need to be verified (Sec. 6.2).

 - Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification (Sec. 9.3) or USDA certification (Sec. 9.4). 

2.2 Purchasers may specify the following:

 - Food Defense Section 9.1: Food Defense System Survey (FDSS) (Sec. 9.1.1), or Food 

Defense Addendum to Plant Systems Audit (PSA) (Sec. 9.1.2), or (Sec. 9.1.2 with 9.2.1). 

 - Manufacturer’s quality assurance (Sec. 9.2 with 9.2.1) or (Sec. 9.2 with 9.2.2). 

 - Packaging requirements other than commercial (Sec. 10). 

3. CLASSIFICATION. The canned mandarin oranges shall conform to the following list 

which shall be specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order. 

METRIC
A-A-20119D 

2 

Types, sizes, packing media, flavors, designations, packagings, materials, and agricultural 

practices. 

Type I - Whole 

Type II - Broken 

Type III - Twin

Type IV - Other

Size A - Large - 20 or fewer whole segments per 100 g (3.527 oz) of drained fruit. 

Size B - Medium - 21 to 35 whole segments per 100 g (3.527 oz) of drained fruit. 

Size C - Small - 36 or more whole segments per 100 g (3.527 oz) of drained fruit. 

Size D - Mixed - A mixture of two or more sizes.

Size E - Other

Packing media 1 - Water

Packing media 2 - Juice (100 percent) 

Packing media 3 - Citrus juice (Mandarin orange juice and/or other citrus juice) 

Packing media 4 - Mixed citrus juices (Two or more citrus juices, including mandarin orange 

juice)

Packing media 5 - Water and citrus juice(s) (Water and mandarin orange juice or water and 

any other citrus juice) 

Packing media 6 - Syrup 1/

Packing media 7 - Gel

 Flavor a - Orange 

 Flavor b - Other 

Packing media 8 - Other

1/ Prepared with any of the following sweeteners: sucrose, invert sugar syrup, dextrose, 

fructose, fructose syrup, dried glucose syrup, glucose syrup, invert sugar, or artificial sugars. 

Designation i - Heavy syrup (not less than 18° Brix) 

Designation ii - Heavily sweetened (name of fruit) juice (not less than 18° Brix) 

Designation iii - Light syrup (not less than 16° but no more than 18° Brix) 

Designation iv - Lightly sweetened (name of fruit) juice (not less than 16° but no more than 

18° Brix) 

Designation v - Lightly sweetened water (not less than 12° but no more than 16° Brix)

Designation vi - No sugar added 

Designation vii - Sweetened with non-nutritive sweetener

Designation viii - Other

Packaging (a) - Cans
A-A-20119D

3 

Packaging (b) - Aseptic container 

Packaging (c) - Jar

Material i - Plastic

Material ii - Glass

Material iii - Other

Packaging (d) - Other

Agricultural process a - Conventional 

Agricultural process b - Organic (100 percent) 

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

products shall meet the requirements of the:

 - Salient characteristics (Sec. 5).

 - Analytical requirements: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 6).

 - Manufacturer’s/distributor’s product assurance (Sec. 7). 

 - Regulatory requirements (Sec. 8). 

 - Quality assurance provisions: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 9).

 - Packaging requirements other than commercial: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 10). 

5. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS. 

5.1 Definitions. 

5.1.1 Whole. Not less than 75 percent of original segment. A segment which is split in one 

place only and is not prone to disintegrate shall be considered whole, but parts of a segment 

joined by a “thread”, or by membrane only shall not be considered “whole”. 

5.1.2 Broken. Not less than 50 percent of original segment but large enough to remain on a 

screen having 8 mm2 openings formed by wire of 2 mm diameter.

5.1.3 Twin. See definition for whole except two or three segments joined together, which have 

not been separated during process. 

5.2 Processing. The canned mandarin oranges shall be prepared in accordance with current 

Good Manufacturing Practices (21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 110).

5.3 Food Security. The canned mandarin oranges should be processed and transported in 

accordance to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Guidance for Industry: Food 

Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance. 

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/Foo
A-A-20119D 

4 

dDefenseandEmergencyResponse/ucm083075.htm. This guidance identifies the kinds of 

preventive measures operators of food establishments may take to minimize the risk that food 

under their control will be subject to tampering or other malicious, criminal, or terrorist actions. 

The implementation of enhanced food security preventive measures provides for the security of a 

plant’s production processes and includes the storage and transportation of pre-production raw 

materials, other ingredients and postproduction finished product. 

5.4 Mandarin oranges. The canned mandarin oranges used shall be prepared from sound, 

mature oranges of the variety Citrus reticulate Blanco, including all the suitable commercial 

varieties for canning, and packed in water or other suitable packing medium. The fruit shall be 

properly washed and peeled, and the membrane, seeds, and core and fiber strands originating 

from the albedo or core, shall have been substantially removed from the sections. To prevent 

spoilage, the product shall be processed by heat, in an appropriate manner, before or after being 

hermetically sealed in a container. 

5.5 Organic canned mandarin oranges. When organic canned mandarin oranges are specified 

in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, the produce shall be grown following organic 

agricultural practices and processed in accordance with the requirements of the National Organic 

Program (7 CFR Part 205). A certificate of organic operation shall be provided to verify that the 

product was produced and processed in accordance with the National Organic Program 

requirements. The use of “100% organic,” “organic,” and “made with organic (specified 

ingredients or food group(s))” shall comply with the product composition requirements as listed 

in 7 CFR §205.301. Non-synthetic and synthetic substances allowed in organic handling are 

listed in 7 CFR § 205.605, National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. 

5.6 Finished product.

5.6.1 Color. The color of the segments shall be typical of the fruit which has been properly 

prepared and properly processed. The liquid packing medium shall be reasonably clear with the 

exception of packing media 7, gel. 

5.6.2 Flavor and odor. The product shall have a normal flavor and odor, free from any 

objectionable foreign flavors or odors. 

5.6.3 Texture. The texture shall be reasonably firm and characteristic for the product. The 

product shall be free from dry cells or fibrous portions affecting the appearance or edibility of the 

product. Whole segments shall be practically free from signs of disintegration. 
A-A-20119D

5 

5.6.4 Uniformity. Based on size requirements, 95 percent of whole segments shall be uniform 

in size, with the weight of the largest unit being no more than twice the weight of the smallest 

unit. 

5.6.5 Defects. The product shall be reasonably free from defects within the limits specified by 

the Codex Alimentarius Standard for Certain Canned Citrus Fruits.

5.6.6 Drained weight. The drained weight shall be not less than 56 percent of the liquid

capacity of the can. The container shall be filled with not less than 90 percent (minus any 

necessary head space according to good manufacturing practices) of the liquid capacity of the 

container. 

6. ANALYTICAL REQUIREMENTS.

6.1 Analytical requirements. Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, the analytical requirements for the canned mandarin oranges shall be as follows. 

Test Tolerance

Yeast and mold Less than 10 colony forming units (CFU) per g 

Soluble solids Shall not exceed designation specified by 

purchaser 

6.2 Product Verification. When USDA verification of analytical requirements is specified in 

the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, analytical testing shall be performed on a composite 

sample. The composite sample shall be 227 g (8 oz) prepared from five randomly selected 

subsamples. Subsamples shall be a minimum of one container and shall contain the appropriate 

number of containers to yield a 227 g (8 oz) sample when composited. 

6.3 Analytical testing. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, analyses 

shall be in accordance with the following methods from the Official Methods of Analysis of the 

AOAC International.

Test Method

Yeast and mold 997.02 

Soluble solids 932.12 
A-A-20119D 

6 

6.4 Test results. The test results for soluble solids shall be measured to the nearest 1° Brix. 

The test results for yeast and mold shall be reported to the nearest CFU per g. Any result not 

conforming to the analytical testing shall be cause for rejection of the lot. 

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

distributor shall certify that the canned mandarin oranges provided shall meet the salient 

characteristics of this CID, conform to their own specifications, standards, and quality assurance 

practices, and be the same canned mandarin oranges offered for sale in the commercial market. 

The purchaser reserves the right to require proof of conformance. 

8. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. The delivered canned mandarin oranges shall 

comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local mandatory requirements and regulations 

relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sale of canned 

mandarin oranges within the commercial marketplace. Delivered canned mandarin oranges shall 

comply with all applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; the Fair 

Packaging and Labeling Act; and regulations promulgated thereunder. 

9. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS. Purchaser shall specify 9.3 or 9.4; purchaser 

may specify 9.1 with 9.1.1, 9.1 with 9.1.2, or 9.1 with 9.2.2, or 9.1.2 with 9.2.1, or 9.2 with 9.2.1, 

or 9.2 with 9.2.2.

9.1 Food Defense. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, USDA, 

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Fruit and Vegetable (FV), Processed Products Division

(PPD) will conduct an assessment of a facility’s compliance with Food Defense requirements. 

Food Defense requirements include 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 pre-production raw materials and other ingredients and post-production finished 

product. The plan shall address the following areas: (1) food security plan management; (2) 

outside and inside security of the production and storage facilities; (3) slaughter, when 

applicable, and 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) 

transportation, shipping, and receiving.

9.1.1 FDSS. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a FDSS shall be 

conducted by USDA, AMS, FV, PPD. The FDSS verifies that operators of food establishments 

have implemented measures to minimize the risk of tampering or other criminal actions against 

the food under their control. (An AMS, FDSS verifies the participating company’s adherence to 

the FDA’s “Guidance for Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food 

Security Preventive Measures Guidance.”) For further information, see section 12.1 and 12.3.2. 
A-A-20119D

7 

9.1.2 Food Defense Addendum to Plant Systems Audit (PSA). When required in the 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a Food Defense addendum to a PSA audit shall be 

conducted by USDA, AMS, FV, PPD auditors. This verifies that operators of food 

establishments have implemented measures to minimize the risk of tampering or other criminal 

actions against the food under their control. (An AMS, FDSS verifies the participating 

company’s adherence to the FDA’s “Guidance for Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and 

Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance.”) For further information, see 

section 12.1 and 12.3.2. 

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

purchase order, the product manufacturer shall be required to provide evidence, by certificate, 

that the manufacturing plant has undertaken one of the following quality assurance measures 

within 12 months prior to providing a bid, or no later than 10 business days from the date of 

awarding of the contract. Failure to provide this documentation within the proper time frame 

may result in the contract being terminated for cause.

9.2.1 Plant systems audit (PSA). A PSA conducted by USDA, AMS or other third party 

auditing service, and is required within 12 months prior to the date of the awarding of the 

contract. (An AMS PSA verifies the manufacturer's capability to produce products in a clean 

sanitary environment in accordance with Title 21 CFR Part 110 - Current Good Manufacturing 

Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food, and verifies that the 

manufacturer has in place an internal quality assurance program. The AMS PSA determines the 

manufacturer's ability to produce under this CID, if the products of interest are identified at the 

time of the PSA.) (Perform with Food Defense addendum when required.) 

9.2.2 Plant survey. A plant survey shall be conducted by USDA, AMS, or other third party 

auditing service and is required within 12 months prior to the date of the awarding of the 

contract. (An AMS plant survey audit verifies that, at the time of the survey, the manufacturer 

produces products in a clean sanitary environment in accordance with 21 CFR 110 - Current 

Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food.) 

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

purchase order, the manufacturer/distributor will certify that the finished canned mandarin 

oranges distributed meets or exceeds the requirements of this CID. 

9.4 USDA certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order that 

product quality and acceptability or both be determined, the PPD, FV, AMS, USDA, shall be the 

certifying program. PPD inspectors shall certify the quality and acceptability of the canned 

mandarin oranges in accordance with PPD procedures which include selecting random samples 

of the packaged canned mandarin oranges, evaluating the samples for conformance with the 

salient characteristics of this CID and other contractual requirements, and documenting the 

findings on official PPD score sheets and/or certificates. In addition, when required in the 
A-A-20119D 

8 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order, PPD inspectors will examine the canned mandarin 

oranges for conformance to the United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers in 

effect on the date of the solicitation.

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

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

11. USDA INSPECTION NOTES. When Section 9.4 is specified in the solicitation, 

contract, or purchase order, USDA certification shall include evaluation of the quality and 

condition of samples of packaged canned mandarin oranges, and compliance with 

requirements in the following areas:

 - Salient characteristics (Sec. 5).

 - Analytical requirements when specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order 

(Sec. 6.1). When USDA analytical testing is specified, PPD inspection personnel shall 

select samples and submit them to the USDA, Science and Technology Programs (S&TP) 

laboratory for analysis. 

 - Packaging requirements (Sec. 10 or as specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order).

12. REFERENCE NOTES.

12.1 PPD certification, Plant Survey, PSA, and FDSS. For PPD certification, Plant Survey, 

PSA, and FDSS contact the Director, PPD, FV, AMS, USDA, STOP 0247, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0247, telephone (202) 720-4693, Fax 

(202) 690-1527, or via E-mail: Terry.Bane@ams.usda.gov. 

12.2 Analytical testing and technical information contact. For USDA, AMS technical 

information on analytical testing, contact the Chief, Technical Service Staff, S&TP, AMS, 

USDA, STOP 0272, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0272, 

telephone (202) 690-0621, or via E-mail: shirleyj.wright@ams.usda.gov. 

12.3 Sources of documents. 

12.3.1 Sources of information for nongovernmental documents are as follows:

Copies of the Official Methods of Analysis of the AOAC International may be obtained from: 

AOAC International, 481 North Frederick Avenue, Suite 500, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, 

telephone (301) 924-7077 or on the Internet at: http://www.aoac.org.
A-A-20119D

9 

Copies of the Codex Alimentarius Standard for Certain Canned Citrus Fruits Codex Stan 254-

2007 may be downloaded free from: Codex Alimentarius, via the Internet. Internet address: 

http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/index_en.jsp. 

12.3.2 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows: 

Applicable provisions of: the National Organic Program are contained in 7 CFR Part 205, the 

Fair Packaging and Labeling Act are contained in 16 CFR Parts 500 to 503, and the Federal 

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act are contained in 21 CFR Parts 1 to 199. These documents may be 

purchased from: Superintendent of Documents, New Orders, P.O. Box 979050 St. Louis, 

MO 63197-9000. Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover/NOVUS, and American 

Express) purchases may be made by calling the Superintendent of Documents on (866) 512-

1800, (202) 512-1800 or on the Internet at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html. 

Copies of Guidance for Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security 

Preventive Measures Guidance is available from: FDA, Center for Food Safety and Applied 

Nutrition (CFSAN) on the Internet at: 

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocument

s/FoodDefenseandEmergencyResponse/ucm083075.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: Director, PPD, FV, AMS, USDA, 

STOP 0247, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0247, telephone 

(202) 720-9939, Fax (202) 690-1527, via E-mail: FQAStaff@ams.usda.gov or on the 

Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/FQAS. 

CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES:

DOJ - BOP

HHS - NIH, IHS, FDA

USDA - FV

VA - OSS

PREPARING ACTIVITY:

USDA - FV
A-A-20119D

10

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and 

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, 

marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, 

genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any 

public assistance program. (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 to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, 

Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 

(TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.