APPROVED

FEDERAL PURCHASE 

PROGRAM SPECIFICATION 

(FPPS) FOR CHICKEN 

FAJITA STRIPS, FULLY 

COOKED, FROZEN

Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR)

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock, Poultry and Seed (LPS) Program 

Food Safety and Commodity Specification (FSCS) Division

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

Effective: April 2014

Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX

100 GENERAL

110 Product Description

111 Frozen, fully cooked, dark meat “chicken fajita strips” (commodity) produced 

under this Specification will be packaged and packed in the following form as 

specified in the contract:

112 Chicken Fajita Strips (100117) - Frozen, fully cooked, dark meat chicken fajita 

strips, produced from ready-to-cook boneless, skinless drumsticks, thighs, 

and/or legs. The commodity will be packaged 5 or 10 pounds (2.27 or 4.54 

kg) per plastic-film bag to a net weight of 30 pounds (13.61 kg) in each 

fiberboard shipping container. A purchase unit will consist of 1,300 shipping 

containers totaling 39,000 pounds (17,690 kg).

113 The name of the commodity is “chicken fajita strips,” and the description of 

the commodity is “strips of whole muscle dark chicken meat marinated in 

fajita seasoning and fully cooked, with grill markings.”

120 Food Defense Requirements

121 Contractors and subcontractors participating in the commodity purchase 

program must have 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 finished product after production. The plan 

shall address the following areas: (1) food defense plan management; (2) 

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

slaughter and processing, including all raw material sources; 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 2

(4) shipping and receiving; (5) storage; (6) water and ice supply; (7) mail 

handling; (8) personnel security; and (9) controlled access to production and 

storage areas. The food defense plan shall be made available to the 

Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 

Auditor immediately upon request. Verification of the Food Defense Program 

at the processing, storage, and distribution facility will be conducted by the 

USDA/AMS Auditor. 

130 Commodity Complaints

131 The contractor/processor must immediately report all complaints received on 

the commodity to the Contracting Officer.

140 Humane Handling

141 All poultry shall be humanely handled in accordance with all applicable Food 

Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations.

200 COMMODITY SPECIFICATION

210 Basic Requirements

211 Date Processed. The commodity must not be processed or packaged more 

than 30 days prior to the first day of the delivery period.

212 Class. The commodity must be prepared from freshly slaughtered 

broiler/fryer chickens (AMS 70.201(c)) or parts (AMS 70.210).

213 Origin of Chickens. The commodity must be produced and processed from 

chickens that were produced, raised, and processed in the United States, its 

territories or possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Trust 

Territories of the Pacific Islands. If the contractor processes or handles 

chicken carcasses and parts originating from sources other than the United 

States, its territories or possessions, The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or 

the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, the contractor must have an 

acceptable identification and segregation plan for those chicken carcasses 

and parts to ensure they are not used in the commodity produced under this 

Specification. This plan must be made available to a representative of the 

Quality Assessment Division, Livestock, Poultry and Seed (LPS) Program, 

AMS, USDA (Grader), and the Contracting Officer or agent thereof upon 

request. 

213.1 The contractor must ensure that both the contractor and subcontractor(s) 

maintain records such as invoices, or production and inventory records 

evidencing product origin, and make such records available for review by the 

Grader or other Government official(s).

214 Inspection. Processing operations must comply with Poultry Products 

Inspection Regulations (9 CFR part 381) and be under the supervision of a 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 3

representative of USDA/FSIS (Inspector). Inspection for contract and 

Specification compliance will be in accordance with the Regulations 

Governing the Voluntary Grading of Poultry Products and Rabbit Products 

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

(AMS 70.200 et seq.) under the supervision of a Grader. The Grader will be 

responsible for certification of compliance with the requirements of this

Specification for chilled chicken carcasses and parts; formulating, marinating, 

cooking, and slicing chicken into fajita strips; chicken fajita strips; freezing; 

packaging and packing; labeling and marking; net weight; and checkloading.

215 FSIS Requirements. The commodity must be produced and processed in an

FSIS inspected establishment, be accurately marked and/or labeled, and 

meet all FSIS regulatory requirements, including all microbiological testing 

requirements, currently in place.

216 USDA Sampling Option. USDA may select additional samples of the 

commodity for further inspection or may draw samples for laboratory 

analyses.

217 Chicken from Other Plants. Chilled and/or frozen chicken and chicken parts 

may be transferred or obtained from other processing plants, provided they: 

(1) have been processed, handled, and identified in accordance with this 

Specification; and (2) comply with the freshly slaughtered, organoleptic, 

temperature, and other applicable requirements of this Specification as 

evidenced by USDA certification.

217.1 Type, class, and specific name of the product, part, or meat; date 

slaughtered; and the USDA-assigned plant number must be shown on each 

shipping container.

217.2 The chilled and/or frozen chicken and chicken parts must be at an internal 

product temperature not higher than 40 °F (4.4 °C) when shipped from the 

origin plant and when received at the destination plant.

220 Requirements for Meat

221 Time Requirements. The chilled ready-to-cook chicken and bone-in, skin-on 

chicken parts must be fabricated into cooked commodity within 7 calendar 

days after the date of slaughter. Frozen meat may be used when:

221.1 produced from freshly slaughtered chicken,

221.2 packaged to protect against quality deterioration during storage and identified 

so that the time in storage and the class, kind, and specific deboned product 

can be determined,

221.3 held no more than 180 days in frozen storage, and
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 4

221.4 the product shows no evidence of thawing and refreezing or freezer 

deterioration. After thawing, the meat must be processed (without refreezing) 

into the commodity within 48 hours of tempering.

222 Maximum Temperature. The temperature of the carcasses, boneless parts, 

or meat must not exceed 55 °F (12.8 °C) at any time during the preparation 

and processing into the commodity.

223 Cooling Requirements. The meat which is not used in the commodity on a 

continuous basis after deboning must be cooled by cooling methods (Section 

224) and media that ensure that the internal product temperature is lowered 

to not higher than 40 °F (4.4 °C) and not lower than 26 °F (-3.3 °C). 

224 Cooling Medium.

224.1 Cooling methods and media (e.g., use of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2), dry ice,

or liquid nitrogen (N2)) may be used to maintain the temperature of the meat.

224.2 Water, refrigerated water, slush ice and water, or ice used to cool or maintain 

the temperature of the meat must not be incorporated into the commodity. 

Liquid associated with normal product purge is acceptable.

225 Meat. The following kinds of chicken meat must be used to prepare the 

commodity. The meat must be:

225.1 boneless, skinless whole or half legs (not more than one-half of the meat 

missing), or

225.2 boneless, skinless, whole or half drumsticks and/or thighs (not more than 

one-half of the meat missing), otherwise hereafter known as “meat” or 

“chicken dark meat.”

226 Unacceptable Meat. No mechanically separated (comminuted), finely 

ground, flaked, or finely chopped chicken meat can be used.

227 Bone, Skin, and Fat. The bones, skin, and excess fat must be removed from 

the meat before use. Excess fat includes:

227.1 visible fat not integrated in the muscle tissue that exceeds an aggregate area 

equivalent to the area of a circle with a diameter of 1.50 inches (3.81 cm),

and227.2 fat deposit not integrated in the muscle that extends more 

than 0.50 inches (1.27 cm) beyond the meat tissue.

228 Organoleptic Requirements and Defects.

228.1 Organoleptic requirements. Boneless, skinless meat will be examined on a 

continuous basis for organoleptic requirements shown in Table 1. If the meat 

does not comply with the organoleptic requirements, the meat the samples 

represent will be rejected for use in the commodity.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 5

228.2 Defects. Boneless, skinless meat will be examined for defects on a sample 

basis.

228.3 Prior to marinating, 30 pieces of boneless, skinless meat will be sampled and 

examined separately for the defects shown in Table 1. The frequency of 

sampling and the number of defects allowed will be those outlined in the LPS 

Program’s Sample Plan Level-1. Separate examinations will be made for 

bone and other defects, respectively.

228.4 Regardless of the kind and number of defects found, any sample with bone 

or hard bone-like material will be cause for the rejection of the meat the 

sample represents.

228.5 If the sample has more defects than the maximum tolerance for the sample 

plan, the meat the sample represents will be rejected.

230 Formulation and Processing of the Commodity

231 Processing Sequence. The marinating and pressing or pressing and 

marinating, cooking, cutting into strips, and individual freezing of the 

commodity must be a continuous sequential process.

232 Formula. The commodity will be produced from 100 percent marinated 

boneless, skinless chicken dark meat (Sections 225-228).

233 Marinade.

233.1 Chilled boneless, skinless meat must be marinated in a solution of water, 

spices/seasonings, starch(es), and sodium phosphates in accordance with 

the following formulation (otherwise hereafter known as “marinating 

solution”), before cooking: 

233.2

 

233.3 Water may consist of water only, or water and ice.

233.4 Starch(es) must be an isolated soy protein and/or a modified food starch.

233.5 Maximum percentage for sodium/potassium/calcium phosphate(s) will include 

any phosphates used in the combined marinating solution (Sections 233 and 

234) and spice/seasoning formulation.

Marinating Solution Ingredients Percent of Total

Water (maximum) 65.63

Spices/Seasonings (maximum) 25.00

Starches 6.25

Phosphates 3.12

Total 100.00
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 6

233.6 The starch(es) and sodium/potassium/calcium phosphate must be thoroughly 

mixed with water. The spices must be the last ingredient added to the

marinating solution.

233.7 The marinating solution must be incorporated into the meat by tumbling or 

massaging. The tumbling or massaging must be accomplished without 

shredding or mutilating the pieces of meat.

233.8 The marinating solution percentage incorporated within tumbled or massaged 

marinated boneless, skinless meat must not exceed 16 percent (i.e., 

marinade increases the weight of the meat by a maximum of 16 percent over 

the original ready-to-cook weight).

234 Spices. Proportions of spices/seasonings must consist of the following:

234.1

234.2 Sugar may be sucrose, brown sugar, dextrose, or a combination thereof.

234.3 The contractor must furnish the Grader a statement from the spice 

manufacturer certifying that the spices/seasonings and spice/seasoning 

amounts are in compliance with the spice formulation requirement prior to 

commodity production. If the spice formulation is produced by the 

contractor/processor at the plant (or some other facility), the Grader must 

certify compliance prior to commodity production.

234.4 Processing aids (e.g., anti-caking, anti-dusting agents, or other manufacturing 

aids) are allowed. If processing agents are used, the ingredients and amount 

of ingredients listed in the formulations (Sections 233 and 234) must remain 

the same.

234.5 Product Compliance. Formulated batches of marinating solution and 

marinated meat that do not comply with these requirements (Sections 232–

234) will be rejected for use in the commodity.

Marinating Solution Ingredients Percent of Total

Salt 30.00

Sugar 10.00

Black Pepper 10.00

Onion Powder 10.00

Garlic Powder 10.00

Chili Powder 5.00

Binders (food starch) 5.00

Grilled and/or Smoke Flavoring 5.00

Lemon Juice/Lime Juice/Vinegar 5.00

Red Pepper 2.00

Other Spices/Extracts/Ingredients 8.00

Total 100.00
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 7

234.6 The finished product must contain no more than 600mg sodium per 100g as 

evidenced by the nutritional labeling. 

240 Cooking, Slicing, and Freezing

241 Uniform Thickness (Pressing). The marinated meat must be passed through 

a press to assist in creating an approximately uniform thickness.

242 Cooking and Grill Markings.

242.1 The commodity must reach an internal temperature of at least 165 °F 

(73.9 °C) during cooking. The time and temperature of cooking must provide 

cooked commodity that complies with the prescribed organoleptic 

requirements in Table 2.

242.2 Parallel grill markings are required on one surface of the meat/fajita strip.

243 Slicing into Strips. The meat must be cut/sliced into fajita strips. All cuts 

must be in a manner that will provide strips of whole muscle dark chicken 

meat with reasonably smooth outer surfaces with no tears along the cut 

edges. These cuts may be made by mechanical means. The strips must be 

a minimum 0.375 inch (3/8 inch) (0.95 cm) in width.

244 Individual Freezing. Immediately after cooking is completed, the internal 

product temperature of the cooked commodity must be lowered continuously 

by an in-line chilling/freezing system. Individually frozen commodity exiting 

an in-line chilling/freezing system with internal product temperatures higher 

than 0 °F (-17.8 °C) must be packaged and placed in a freezer. The internal 

product temperature must be lowered to 0 °F (-17.8 °C) or lower within 24

hours from the time the commodity enters the freezer.

245 Reprocessing.

245.1 Product eligible for reprocessing. Raw marinated, or undercooked marinated 

boneless, skinless meat may be reprocessed by cooking.

245.2 Product ineligible for reprocessing. Cooked boneless, skinless meat or 

cooked fajita strips which do not meet the criteria that are listed in Criteria (a) 

of Table 2, may not be reprocessed for use under this Specification.

250 Requirements for Cooked Commodity

251 Organoleptic Requirements. A sample of 10 cooked fajita strips will be 

sampled and examined for the organoleptic requirements shown in Table 2. 

If any sample of commodity does not comply with the organoleptic 

requirements, the commodity the sample represents will be rejected for use 

under this Specification.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 8

252 Metal Detection. The commodity must be examined by a metal detection 

device capable of detecting metallic contaminants including, but not limited 

to, stainless steel shavings, metal clips, metal fragments from cutting

equipment, and pieces of wire. The commodity must be examined:

252.1 prior to packaging; or

252.2 after it is packaged; or

252.3 packed in shipping containers in accordance with AMS 910, Poultry Grader’s 

Handbook. 

252.4 Commodity found to be contaminated with metal will be handled in 

accordance with FSIS procedures. Other procedures for examination of the 

commodity must be approved by the Deputy Administrator of LPS Program, 

in writing.

260 Packaging and Packing

261 Materials. All packaging and packing materials must be clean and in new 

condition, must be tamper-evident, must not impart objectionable odors or 

flavors to the commodity, must be safe (cannot adulterate product or be 

injurious to health) for use in contact with food products, and must be tamperevident. 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.

262 Plastic-film bags. Bags for packaging the commodity must be a polyethylene 

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

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

during the conditions of use.

263 Shipping containers. Shipping containers must:

263.1 be good commercial fiberboard containers which are acceptable by common 

or other carrier for safe transport to point of destination;

263.2 be of such size to pack the commodity without slack filling or bulging; 

263.3 withstand the stresses of handling, shipping, stacking, and storage; and

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

straps must not be used for final closure. Staples must not be used for final 

closure of shipping containers. Adhesives 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 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 9

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

the shipping containers.

262 Packaging. Approximately 5 or 10 pounds (2.27 or 4.54 kg) of commodity 

must be packaged in a plastic-film bag. The bag must be of a length that can 

be readily and securely closed. The bag must be sealed or closed with a 

non-metallic device that will protect the commodity from contamination, 

dehydration, and freezer burn.

263 Packing. Six 5-pound (2.27-kg) or three 10-pound (4.54-kg) bags with 30 

pounds (13.61 kg) net weight of commodity must be packed in a fiberboard 

shipping container.

300 LABELING

301 Commercial labeling (Sections 310, 340-350) or USDA labeling (Sections 

320-350) must be used. When commercial or USDA labeling is selected, 

both the packages and shipping containers within a purchase unit must be 

labeled in that format. The contractor must use the same label format (either 

commercial or USDA) within a purchase unit.

310 Commercial Labeling Requirements

311 Commercially labeled packages and shipping containers must be labeled in 

accordance with FSIS requirements. Labeling must be approved by FSIS 

prior to acceptance for use under this Specification.

312 Commercial Labels. Commercial labels must be the processor’s own 

commercial label. Distributors’ labels are not allowed.

313 Traceable Product. The processor must 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 

Specification and commercial product, the identification system must 

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, must be reviewed by USDA before production begins for the 

contract(s).

314 Nutrition Facts, Ingredients and Allergen Statements on Shipping Containers. 

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

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

the product, e.g. Ingredients: _____________. The allergen statement must 

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 ______. 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 10

320 USDA Labeling Requirements

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

requirements in this Specification must be approved by the Contracting 

Officer, in writing, prior to start of production. Labeling and marking of the 

product must be in accordance with this Specification. 

322 Labeling and marking information must be water-fast, non-smearing, of a 

contrasting color, clear and readable.

323 USDA Labeled Shipping Containers.

323.1 Labeling and Marking Information.

323.2 Requirements. Labeling and marking information must be preprinted, 

stamped, or stenciled on each shipping container; or printed on a selfadhesive label and applied to each shipping container. This information, in 

essentially the same layout, is provided in EXHIBITS 1 and 2.

324 Nutrition Facts, Ingredients and Allergen Statements on Shipping Containers. 

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

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

the product, e.g. Ingredients: _____________. The allergen statement must 

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 ______.

325 Universal product code bar (UPC).

325.1 The UPC, symbol and code, called Interleaved 2 of 5 (I 2/5), must appear on 

each shipping container. The complete code, including the check digit, must 

be printed in machine-readable and human-readable form. The start and 

stop indicators will be included in the bar codes. Printing, readability, and 

scanability of the bar code must be in accordance with UPC guidelines 

published by GS1 US, 1009 Lenox Drive, Suite 202, Lawrenceville, New 

Jersey 08648, (609)620-0200.

325.2 The contractor will use the code furnished by USDA. USDA has acquired a 

unique processor's identification number for the commodity purchase 

programs and will use this item code for the commodity purchased under this 

Specification. The contractors need not join GS1 US.

325.3 The 14-digit UPC code for shipping containers of chicken fajita strips is: 

1 07 15001 00117 4 

325.4 The UPC code must be placed in the lower right-hand corner of the principal 

display panel of each shipping container.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 11

326 Recycle Symbol and Statement. The contractor shall place somewhere on 

the surface of each recyclable shipping container the recycle symbol shown 

in EXHIBIT 3. The statement “PLEASE RECYCLE” is to be placed under the 

symbol. The recycle symbol and statement must be legibly printed in 

permanent ink.

327 Inventory Control Information. The processor may include 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 must not cover or conflict with the labeling requirements of this 

Specification.

330 Use of Previously Printed USDA Labeling Materials

331 Carryover inventories of existing supplies of printed packing materials (USDA

labeling) from the Commodity Specification for Chicken Fajita Strips dated 

May 2012 may be used. If the ingredients statement, or nutrition facts 

information label changes from that printed on existing supplies, the 

contractor/processor must request temporary approval for use of carryover 

inventories from FSIS.

332 Shipping containers or labels with incorrect contract number, plant number,

net weight, date packed, must be corrected before they are used. The 

incorrect information must 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 must appear on each shipping 

container.

340 Additional Labeling Issues

341 The following are not acceptable for use under this Specification:

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

341.2 Commercial labeling traceability coding and systems that have not been 

reviewed by a representative of USDA, AMS, LPS Program, QA Division. 

341.3 Distributor commercial labels.

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

341.5 Commercial labels and USDA labels in the same purchase unit.

350 Free Along Side (FAS) Vessel Deliveries 

351 FAS vessel deliveries that are not source loaded in a seavan are required to 

show the final destination’s overseas address as provided in the Sales

Order/Item Number. The address must be clearly printed on at least two 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 12

sides of each panel.

400 FINAL EXAMINATION OF PACKAGED AND PACKED COMMODITY

410 Material and Net Weight Compliance

411 Verification of Materials and Defects.

411.1 Verification of packaging and packing materials. The contractor must verify 

compliance with packaging, packing, and marking material requirements by 

furnishing the Grader the following certification on company stationery signed 

by a person authorized to do so by the contractor:

411.2 “(I)/(We) certify that the packaging, packing, and marking materials used for 

any commodity presented for acceptance under the terms of the Commodity 

Specification for Chicken Fajita Strips dated April 2014, comply or will comply 

with the terms of this Commodity Specification.

Name _______________________________ 

Title ______________________________”

411.3 One certification is adequate for all production under this Specification.

411.4 Packaging defects. Packages in a delivery unit will be examined for defects 

that affect protection, expose product, permit dehydration or freezer burn, or 

quality deterioration during storage, such as tears, holes, or improperly 

sealed or closed packages.

411.5 Packing defects. Shipping containers in a delivery unit will be examined for 

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

Standards for Condition of Food Containers.

411.6 Tolerance for defects. If samples of packaged commodity or the shipping 

containers in a delivery unit have more defects than the maximum tolerance 

for the applicable USDA/AMS, LPS Program’s sample plan, the delivery unit 

will be rejected.

412 Net Weight.

412.1 A purchase unit or delivery unit must total 39,000 pounds (17,690 kg) net, or 

multiples thereof. 

412.2 Each delivery unit, except as provided in Section 412.7, will be examined for 

compliance with the net weight requirements at time of checkloading.

412.3 The tare weight of all packing materials will be determined by weighing a 

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

clips, and fiberboard containers.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 13

412.4 Fifteen (15) shipping containers will be selected at random from a delivery 

unit to determine net weight. The total net weight of the 15 shipping 

containers must be equal to or greater than 450 pounds (204.12 kg).

412.5 If the total net weight is less than 450 pounds (204.12 kg), the delivery unit 

will be rejected.

412.6 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 less than 30 pounds (13.61 kg), the delivery 

unit will be rejected.

412.7 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 their designee) will determine that the facilities 

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

instructions for this Specification.

420 Prerequisites for Loading and Shipping Frozen Commodity

421 Visual Inspection. Frozen cooked commodity showing any evidence of 

defrosting, refreezing, or freezer deterioration will be rejected for use under 

this Specification.

422 Internal Product Temperature.

422.1 Requirements. The internal product temperature of the frozen cooked 

commodity must 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) will 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 will be rejected for use under this Specification.

422.2 Optional temperature verification. As an option to verifying internal product 

temperature at time of loading, the contractor may request an alternate 

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

selected, a Federal-State Supervisor will 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 USDA, AMS, LPS Program’s instructions for this Specification.

430 Inspection and Checkloading

431 Requirements. Inspection for contract compliance will be made by a USDA 

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

Specification, at the site of processing, both during and after processing and 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 14

packaging. A USDA representative may select samples for laboratory 

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

point of destination. Inspection records must be complete and made 

available to USDA, as requested, to assure contract compliance.

432 Procedures. Inspection and checkloading must be performed by a Grader. 

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

obtained by contacting the nearest USDA/AMS, LPS Program’s Grading 

Division field office or the Director of the Grading Division, LPS Program, 

AMS, USDA, Room 3932-S, STOP 0258, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, DC 20250-0258, telephone (202) 720-3271. The quality, 

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

must be evidenced by USDA certificates issued by the Grader. The 

contractor must not ship the commodity unless informed by the Grader that 

the designated commodity to be shipped meets contract specifications.

500 UNITIZATION

501 Each delivery unit must be unitized (palletized and stretch wrapped) and 

comply with the following:

510 Pallets

511 Pallets must be good quality, measuring 48 inches x 40 inches, 

nonreversible, flush stringer, and partial four-way entry. Each pallet of 

shipping containers must be stretch-wrapped with plastic film in a manner 

that will secure each container and layer of containers on the pallet. 

Palletized product must be loaded in a way that will prevent shifting and 

damage to the containers of product. Pallet loads shall be stacked in a 

manner that minimizes the overhang of the shipping containers over the 

edges of the pallets and exposes the principal display panels to facilitate 

certification examinations.

521 Pallet Exchange

520.1 Contractors may arrange for pallet exchange with consignees; however, 

USDA is not responsible for such arrangements.

600 SHIPMENT AND DELIVERY

601 Shipment and delivery must be made in accordance with the AMS Master 

Solicitation, the Solicitation, and this Specification. In addition, the contractor 

must adhere to the following provisions:

610 Contract Compliance Stamp

611 Each shipping container must be identified with a USDA Contract Compliance 

stamp with the applicable certificate number. A Grader, or other authorized 

personnel under the supervision of the Grader, will stamp one end of each 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 15

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.

620 Grading Certificate

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

checkloading must accompany each shipment.

622 Railcar or Piggyback. If shipment is by rail or piggyback, the certificate must 

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

warehouseman, or consignee, as applicable.

623 Trucks. If shipment is by truck, the driver must, upon delivery, give the 

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

630 Loading and Sealing of Vehicles

631 Loading must be in accordance with good commercial practices and the 

sealing must be done at origin under the supervision of a Grader. Thereafter, 

all delivery units--truck lot and less-than-truck lot (LTL) quantities--must be 

secured at all times prior to unloading with tamper proof, tamper resistant, 

serially numbered, high security seals. Suppliers of commodities, products 

and/or services shall be responsible for placing a seal(s) on all doors of each 

transportation conveyance upon completion of loading or servicing. Seals 

shall be serially numbered, barrier-type, and meet the American Society for 

Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards (F-1157-04) and/or the International 

Organization for Standards (ISO) 17712-2010. Seals shall be 1⁄8-inch 

diameter cable, high security bolt, or equivalent. The contractor must 

maintain a record of each seal number used for truck lot and LTL delivery 

units. Additionally, the contractor must ensure that the applicable seal 

identification number is on each bill of lading, shipment manifest, or other 

delivery documents for each delivery destination.

632 When LTL delivery units are transported on the same trailer or railcar and 

destined for multiple recipients, the trailer or railcar must be sealed after each 

delivery. The seal number must be recorded on the appropriate delivery 

documents and correspond with the applied seal at the time of arrival at the 

next destination. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to provide a 

sufficient number of seals and ensure that the carrier service (truck or rail) 

secures the trailer or railcar after each delivery destination. Failure to seal 

the trailer or railcar after each stop will result in rejection of the shipment by 

the recipient agency at the next scheduled stop and rejection of any 

subsequent deliveries on the trailer or railcar.

633 Railcar. Each railcar must be sealed. The contractors are responsible for 

arranging for railcar deliveries of more than one delivery unit so that each 

delivery unit contained in the same railcar can be completely separated and 

sealed.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 16

634 Truck or Piggyback. Truck or piggyback shipments must be sealed at origin. 

A delivery unit shipped by truck or piggyback which includes split deliveries to 

multiple destinations will require sealing after each drop in accordance with 

Section 630 of this Specification.

640 Delivery Notification

641 The contractor must comply with the AMS Master Solicitation regarding 

Advance Shipping Notices (ASN’s) and unloading appointments.

642 In-Plant Deliveries. When in-plant delivery is made, the contractor must 

notify the appropriate resident Grader and furnish applicable information.

643 Delivery In Storage. Delivery may be made in store provided the destination 

in the Sales Order/Item Number and the place the contractor has the 

commodity in store are the same. 

644 Inspection and certification by a Grader are also required for transfers in 

store.

650 Split Deliveries

651 The contractor is responsible to deliver the quantity stated on Sales

Order/Item Number to each destination. Contractors must provide to the 

Grader, at time of shipment, the number of boxes and pounds for each 

destination.

652 At the option of the contractor, a purchase unit for multiple destinations (split 

deliveries) may be delivered on separate trucks provided each truck ships the 

total quantity stated on the Sales Order/Item Number. Any additional costs 

will accrue to the contractor’s account.

700 DESTINATION EXAMINATION

701 The cost of a destination examination, before or after delivery, by a Grader 

on accepted product will be for the account of USDA. Costs for destination 

examinations of rejected delivery units will be for the account of the 

contractor. The USDA origin grader will make arrangements for destination 

examination prior to delivery.

710 Commodity Requirements

711 Before acceptance by consignee, the commodity may be examined by a 

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. 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 17

720 Temperature 

721 The commodity must 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). Commodity not meeting these requirements will 

be rejected for use under this Specification. 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 18

TABLE 1

Organoleptic Requirements and Defects for Meat

Organoleptic 

Requirements:

Criteria: The meat must:

(1) Be free of rancidity; free of fruity, sulfide-like, 

cardboardy, tallowy, oily, metallic, chlorine-like, 

other foreign or off-odors.

(2) Be free of foreign materials (e.g., glass, paper, 

rubber, metal, plastic).

(3) Show no evidence of mishandling or deterioration.

(4) Have a bright color and show no evidence of 

dehydration or freezing and thawing.

Meat Defects: 

Bone:

Other:

Presence of bone or hard bone-like material

including cartilage.

A boneless, skinless: thigh, drumstick, or leg with 

more than one-half of the meat missing.

Moderate discolorations or blood clots.

Lightly shaded discolorations exceeding an 

aggregate area equivalent to a circle with a diameter 

of 0.50 inch 

(1.27 cm). Slight discolorations are permitted, 

provided the discoloration does not detract from the 

overall appearance of the meat.

Visible fat not integrated in the muscle tissue that 

exceeds an aggregate area of a circle with a diameter 

of 1.50 inch (3.81 cm).

Fat deposits not integrated in the muscle tissue that 

extend more than 0.50 inch (1.27 cm) beyond the 

meat tissue.

Defects for Boneless, 

Skinless Thighs:

Tendon or tendinous material.

Defects for Boneless, 

Skinless Drumsticks and 

Legs:

Tendon or tendinous material that is soft-like in 

texture and extends or is greater than 0.50 inch (1.27 

cm) beyond the meat tissue.

Skin Defects: A defect for skin is the presence of skin.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 19

TABLE 2

Organoleptic Requirements for Cooked Commodity

Organoleptic 

Requirements:

Examined after 

cooking prior to 

freezing.

Criteria: 

(a) The commodity must be free of: (i) rancidity; (ii) metallic, 

overcooked, burnt, scorched, bitter, oxidized, stale, fruity, 

beany, oily, soapy, or other odors or flavors foreign to properly 

prepared and cooked chicken fajita strips; and (iii) foreign 

materials (e.g., glass, paper, rubber, plastic, metal).

(b) The commodity must not be dry; that is, it must not lack 

moistness or be devoid of moisture. It must have the 

appearance of fully cooked product. Meat must not be 

undercooked. Meat that appears un-cooked or undercooked 

is not acceptable under this Specification.
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 20

EXHIBIT 1

USDA Labeled Shipping Containers

Marking Information: Shipping containers shall be marked substantially as 

shown below. Detailed labeling information is provided in EXHIBIT 2. Markings 

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

separate self-adhesive label applied onto containers. The USDA symbol (EXHIBIT 

4), copy on back of Specification, is to be a minimum of 2.25 inches (5.72 cm) in 

height and may be printed on the “TOP PANEL” or principal display panel. The 

processor’s name, address, and phone number must be printed on the “TOP 

PANEL” or principal display panel. The processor’s name and address must

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 0 oF (-17.8 °C)

OR BELOW

(TOP PANEL) (ONE SIDE 

Panel)

USDA

Labeling

Information 

(shown in 

Exhibit 2).

(ONE END - Principal Display Panel)
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 21

EXHIBIT 2

USDA Labeling Information for Chicken Fajita Strips

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

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

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

self-adhesive label applied to containers. The type of meat used (“Drumstick,” 

“Thigh,” and/or “Leg”) must be printed on each shipping container. The UPC 14-

digit I 2/5 symbol and code, must be shown in the lower right-hand corner of the 

principal display panel. The USDA symbol, copy on back of Specification, must 

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

PANEL” or principal display panel. The processor’s name, address, and phone 

number must be printed on the “TOP PANEL” or principal display panel. The 

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

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

product complaints. 

 Frozen Fully-Cooked

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Meat

CHICKEN FAJITA STRIPS

Ingredients:

(Food Allergen Statement, 

Must Be Placed Here)

Processor’s Nutrition Facts Label

 Name, Address, and Phone Must Be placed Here

KEEP FROZEN

__ Bags Net Weight DATE PACKED Month, Day, and Year

30 LBS. (13.61 KG) UPC Symbol and Code 
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 22

EXHIBIT 3

“Please Recycle” Symbol and Statement

PLEASE

RECYCLE
Approved by CMS

Date Issued: 04/15/14

Date Revised: XX/XX/XX 23

EXHIBIT 4

USDA Symbol