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Date Revised: 07/30/2018

100 ITEM DESCRIPTION

110 Consumer Pack Whole Chicken (100880) – Frozen U.S. Grade A ready-to-cook 

broiler/fryer chickens, with or without neck and giblets. Individual chickens shall 

weigh 3.0 to 5.5 pounds per carcass without neck and giblets. The commodity shall 

be commercially labeled and packed in individual plastic-film bags with necks and 

giblets or without neck and giblets and packed 10-12 chickens per fiberboard 

container. A purchase unit shall total 39,600 pounds. 

120 Consumer Pack Split Chicken Breast (110154) – Individually frozen U.S. Grade A 

Split Chicken Breast produced from ready-to-cook broiler/fryer chicken weighing 

between 3.0 to 5.5 pounds without neck and giblets. The commodity shall be 

packaged in six 5-pound re-sealable (Ziploc-style) commercially labeled bag. A 

purchase unit shall total 39,000 pounds. 

130 Consumer Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (110950) – Individually frozen 

U.S. Grade A Boneless Chicken Breast produced from ready-to-cook broiler/fryer 

chicken weighing between 3.0 to 5.75 pounds without neck and giblets. The 

commodity shall be packaged in ten 3-pound or six 5-pound re-sealable (Ziplocstyle) commercially labeled bag. A purchase unit shall total 39,000 pounds. 

140 Consumer Pack Boneless Chicken Thighs (111002) – U.S. Grade A Boneless

Chicken Thighs. The commodity shall be packaged 6 to 8 thighs in a commercially 

acceptable tray-pack-style package. A purchase unit shall total 39,600 pounds. 

200 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

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

Division FPPS – Consumer Pack Chickens, Frozen – July 2018:

FEDERAL PURCHASE PROGRAM 

SPECIFICATION (FPPS) FOR 

CONSUMER PACK CHICKENS, 

FROZEN

APPROVED

Agricultural Marketing service (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program

Food Safety and Commodity Specification 

(FSCS) Division

Room 2624 S Bldg., Phone: 202-692-0342

Supersedes: Consumer Pack Chickens June 2017 –

Changes from pervious requirements in blue

Effective: July 2018 
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210.1 AMS/LP Program/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 the 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 The commodity shall not be processed or packaged more than 60 days prior to the 

first day of the delivery period for each sales order.

540 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.). The AMS Grader shall be responsible for certification of 

compliance with the requirements of this FPPS for whole chickens; split chicken 

breasts; boneless, skinless chicken breasts; chicken thighs; freezing; packaging 

and packing; labeling and marking; net weight; sampling; and checkloading.
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541 AMS Certification – USDA/AMS, LP Program’s QAD field office or the Director of

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

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0258, telephone (202) 720-5705. 

541.1 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 including in transit and after delivery

to point of destination.

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

processing shift.

542.1 Sub-Lot – Contractor shall clearly identify sub-lot size and maintain the identity and 

traceability of each sub-lot.

550 Class and Style – The commodities shall be prepared from freshly harvested readyto-cook chickens (broiler/fryers, AMS 70.200 et seq.). Individual parts from readyto-cook chickens shall conform to the definitions and standards in AMS 70.201 and 

70.210.

551 U.S. Grade A – 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 LP 

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

560 Chicken from Other Plants – Chicken carcasses and parts may be transferred or 

obtained from other processing plants provided it:

560.1 has been processed, handled, and identified in accordance with this FPPS, and 

560.2 complies with the freshly harvested, organoleptic, temperature, and other applicable 

requirements of this FPPS as evidenced by USDA certification. USDA certification 

may occur either at the plant of origin or at the receiving plant.

561 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.

562 The chilled chicken and parts shall be at an internal product temperature between 

26 °F (-3.3 °C) and 40 °F (4.4 °C) during transit, from plant of origin to destination.

563 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.

563.1 Within this 7-day timeframe, the commodity shall be placed in a freezer within 48 

hours after packaging. If the commodity is not placed in a freezer immediately after 

packing, the product shall be held at a temperature between 26 °F (-3.3 °C) and 
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36 °F (2.2 °C). 

563.1.1 Packaged commodity shall be frozen by lowering the internal product temperature 

to 0 °F (-17.8 °C) or lower within 72 hours from the time of entering the freezer. 

When packaged product is held at a temperature below 26 °F (-3.3 °C), the 

commodity shall be considered to be in a freezer and subject to the 72-hour 

freezing requirement which begins at the end of the shift the commodity enters the 

26 °F (-3.3 °C) or lower facility.

570 Organoleptic Requirements – The chilled ready-to-cook chicken and parts shall be 

examined on a continuous basis for the following organoleptic requirements: chilled 

chicken and 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 – 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. The frequency of sampling and the number of 

defects allowed shall be those outlined in the LP Program’s Sample Plan Level-2. 

590 Freezing

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

AMS Grader shall randomly weigh 10 parts according to established LP Program

procedures for determining tare weight for ice glazed products. Both unglazed and 

glazed parts shall be weighed to determine the tare weight.

592 Determination of the 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. 

Internal product temperature shall be lowered to 0 °F (-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.
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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 Consumer Pack Whole Chicken (100880) – Commodity shall be packaged by using 

one of the following options:

621.1 Option 1 – Commodity may be individually packaged in commercially acceptable 

plastic-film bags. A drip pad, or single sheet of similarly constructed material, shall

be placed under the commodity to absorb purge. Each bag shall snugly adhere to 

the commodity and be sealed to enclose the commodity and prevent leaking; or 

621.2 Option 2 – Commodity may be vacuum packaged using commercial practices to 

prevent leaking and purge. The bag used for this method shall be designed 

specifically to be used without a drip pad.

622 Consumer Pack Split Chicken Breast (110154) and Boneless Skinless Breast 

(110950) – Commodity shall be packaged in commercially acceptable plastic-film 

bags (i.e., roll stock, or wicketed bags); consumer-labeled, and re-sealable (Ziplocstyle). 

622.1 Only one re-sealable Ziploc-style shall be used in any one delivery unit.

623 Consumer Pack Boneless Chicken Thighs (111002) – Commodity shall be 

packaged in commercially acceptable tray-pack-style packages, or similarly 

constructed materials comparable in design and style to commercial tray-pack 

packages. 

623.1 A drip pad, or single sheet of similarly constructed material, shall be placed under 

the commodity to absorb purge.

623.2 Each package of commodity shall be wrapped or covered with plastic-film wrap, or 

similar material to:

623.2.1 Enclose both the package and the commodity, and

623.2.2 Prevent leaking.

630 Packing 

631 Consumer Pack Whole Chicken (100880) – 10-12 packages of commodity shall be 

packed in a fiberboard shipping container.
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632 Consumer Pack Split Chicken Breast (110154) – Six 5-pound packages of 

commodity shall be packed in a fiberboard shipping container.

633 Consumer Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (110950) – Ten 3-pound or six 

5-pound packages of commodity shall be packed in a fiberboard shipping container. 

634 Consumer Pack Boneless Chicken Thighs (111002) – Twenty four tray-packs of 

commodity shall be packed in a fiberboard shipping container.

640 Shipping Containers – Shipping containers shall: 

640.1 be good commercial fiberboard containers that are acceptable by common or other 

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

640.2 be of such size to pack the commodity without slack filling or bulging, 

640.3 withstand the stresses of handling, shipping, stacking, and storage, and 

640.4 be closed by commercially accepted methods and materials. Steel or wire straps 

shall not be used for final closure.

641 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 container 

and tightly clenched to eliminate sharp edges prior to packing the commodity into 

the shipping containers.

700 LABELING

710 Only commercial labeling shall be used and the contractor shall use the same label 

commercial format within a purchase unit. Both the packages and shipping 

containers within a purchase unit shall be labeled in that format.

710.1 Each individual package and shipping container shall be commercially labeled. 

711 USDA Grademark – U.S. Grade A shall appear on each package and shipping 

container.

712 Commercial Labeling Requirements

712.1 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.

712.2 Commercial labels shall be the processor’s own commercial label. 
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713 Traceable Product – 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).

714 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 Unacceptable Labeling 

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

722 Commercial labeling traceability coding and systems that have not been reviewed 

by a representative of USDA/AMS/LP Program/QAD.

723 Distributor Commercial Labels

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

730 Free Along Side (FAS) Vessel Deliveries 

731 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.
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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 Consumer Pack Whole Chicken (100880) – Commodity shall total 39,600 pounds. 

831.1 A weight variation of minus 1 percent (39,204 pounds) is permitted on each delivery 

unit. USDA shall pay only for the amount of commodity delivered within the 

required weight range.

832 Consumer Pack Split Chicken Breast (110154) and Boneless Skinless Chicken 

Breast (110950) – Commodity shall total 39,000 pounds.

833 Consumer Boneless Thighs (111002) – Commodity shall total 39,600 pounds.

833.1 A weight variation of minus 1 percent (39,204 pounds) is permitted on each delivery 

unit. USDA shall pay only for the amount of commodity delivered within the 

required weight range.

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

requirements at time of checkloading.

835 As an alternative to test weighing at time of checkloading, 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 LP 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 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 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.

843 Optional Temperature Verification – Contractor may request an alternate method

utilizing product temperature-sensing devices. If this option is selected, a FederalState Supervisor shall determine that the facilities, equipment, procedures, and the
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contractors’ current level of freezing compliance are in accordance with the

established guidelines outlined in the applicable LP Program’s instructions for this 

FPPS.

850 Inspection and Checkloading Requirements

851 Inspection for contract compliance shall be made by a USDA representative, in 

accordance with 7 CFR § 70, FSIS regulatory requirements, 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 – 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, LP 

Program, AMS, USDA, Room 3953-S, STOP 0258, 1400 Independence Avenue, 

SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0258, telephone (202) 720-5705. 

852.1 Quality, quantity, weight, packaging, packing, and checkloading of the commodity 

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

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:
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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.

1011.2 As an alternative to stamping, the contractor may preprint the stamp on the shipping 

container or label. Prior approval by QAD is required before using this alternative 

method.

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 AMS 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 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.

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. 
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1112 Temperature – 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.

1211 Waiver Requests – The contractor shall submit all waiver requests directly to the 

Commodity Procurements Staff (CPS) Contracting Officer for review and determination. 

Full list of CPS contacts can be found at: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMS%20Commodity%20Procur

ement%20Staff%20Contact%20List.pdf

1220 Complaint Resolution – Customer complaint resolution procedures shall be the 

responsibility of the contractor. These procedures shall include: a point of contact, 

investigation steps, and 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.