1

Agricultural Marketing Service 

Commodity Procurement Program

International Commodity Procurement 

Division

1400 Independence Ave., SW 

Room 3522-S, STOP 0239

Washington, DC 20250-0239

(MR27)

USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS MILLED RICE AND 

FORTIFIED MILLED RICE

FOR USE IN

INTERNATIONAL FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Effective Date: February 17, 2022

Document Revision History: This MR27 commodity requirements document supersedes the MR26

commodity requirements document, dated July 13, 2018.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
2

(MR27)

MILLED RICE 

Table of Contents

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS..................................................................................3

CONTACT INFORMATION ...............................................................................................................4

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION................................................................................................................5

PART 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS .....................................................................................5

1.1. SPECIFICATIONS...................................................................................................................5

1.2. FORTIFICATION .....................................................................................................................6

1.3 QUALITYASSURANCE...........................................................................................................9

1.4 INSPECTION.........................................................................................................................11

PART 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS .......................................................11

2.1 GENERAL..............................................................................................................................11

2.2 CONTAINERS ANDMATERIALS ..........................................................................................11

2.3 BAGS.....................................................................................................................................12

2.4 1 KG TO 25 KG PRIMARY PACKAGING MATERIAL AND PERFORMANCE

REQUIREMENTS............................................................................................................................12

2.5 50 KG PRIMARY PACKAGING MATERIAL AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS.........13

2.6 TESTLABORATORIES .........................................................................................................14

2.7 TEST FREQUENCY ..............................................................................................................14

PART 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS..........................................................................................14

3.1 GENERAL..............................................................................................................................14

3.2 MARKINGS............................................................................................................................15

3.3 STANDARD MARKING AND LANGUAGE MARKING REQUIREMENTS..............................15

3.4 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS...................................................................................................16

3.5 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS....................................................................16

3.6 MARKING EXHIBITS.............................................................................................................17
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

Below is an Abbreviations Key to the numerous specialized acronyms and 

abbreviations used in this reference material.

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

Cfu Colony-forming unit

COA Certificate of Analysis

CONEG Coalition of Northeast Governors

CRD Commodity Requirements Document

FAS Foreign Agricultural Service

FDA Food and Drug Administration

FGIS Federal Grain Inspection Service

FPAC Farm Production and Conservation

G Gram

GMP Good Manufacturing Practices

HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point

ISO International Organization for Standardization

IU International Units

LMR Language Marking Requirement

Mcg Microgram

MG Milligram

SMR Standard Marking Requirement

TAPPI Technical Association of the Pulp and PaperIndustry

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

WBSCM Web Based Supply Chain ManagementSystem
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CONTACT INFORMATION

Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), International Procurement Division (IPD) 

Telephone: 816-926-6707 (During Normal Business Hours)

Mailing Address:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: Agricultural Marketing Service 

International Commodity Procurement Division 

MAILSTOP 8738

P.O. Box 419205

Kansas City, MO 64141-6205

Express Delivery:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: Agricultural Marketing Service 

International Commodity Procurement Division 

MAILSTOP 8738

2312 East Bannister Road 

Kansas City, MO 64131-3011

Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) 

WBSCM Helpdesk Level 1-Technical Issues

Phone: 877-WBSCM-4U or 877-927-2648 (During Normal Business Hours) 

Or Email: WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com

FSA Level 2 Help Desk – Functional Issues (i.e., New Vendor, Bid, Invoice Issues...) 

Phone: 816-823-4249 or Email: FSAWBSCMServiceRequest@kcc.usda.gov

Normal hours of operation are 7:00 am to 4:30 pm Central Time

USDA Website:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome

First time, Registered Users Only:

Service Desk email address is WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com.

On the Log-in prompt enter your email address for both the User ID and Password (all lower 

case for password) fields, and then change your password when prompted.

If you have any questions, please contact the WBSCM Service Desk at:

Phone: 877-WBSCM-4U or 877-927-2648 or Email: WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com

USAID/BHA:

555 12th St NW

Washington, DC 20004

ATTN: Nutrition and Food Technology Team

BHA.TPQ.FoodTech@usaid.gov
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Fortified Milled Rice is a blend of milled rice and fortified rice-shaped kernels or rice kernels that are 

coated in a micronutrient-premix. Both types of kernels are designed to match the size, shape, 

color, texture, and density of regular milled rice (medium or long grain). The fortification 

technologies used in production (hot extrusion or coating) preserve micronutrient content even if the 

rice is rinsed before cooking, a common practice where rice is consumed. Fortified Milled Rice is 

packaged in 50 kg, and may in the future, be packaged in 1 kg to 25 kg depending on program 

need.

PART 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS

1.1. SPECIFICATIONS

A. For the purpose of this specification, the following definitions apply:1

1. Fortificant: chemical form of addedmicronutrients

2. Micronutrient premix: fortificant mix ready for use directly in ricefortification

3. Fortified Kernels: rice grains fortified with the micronutrient premix

4. Traditional Milled Rice: polished rice packaged at the rice mills

5. Fortified Rice: Traditional Milled Rice combined with micronutrient premix or the 

fortified kernels.

B. The Government will accept offers for long or medium grain milled rice for fortification. The 

rice shall meet the specifications of the class and grade offered, as defined in the “Official 

United States Standards for Rice,” in effect at the time the solicitation for offers is issued.

1. The milled rice may include any of the following, which shall be specifically stated in the

solicitation:

I. U.S. #5 or better with a maximum of 20 percent brokenkernels;

II. U.S. #3 or better with a maximum of 15 percent broken kernels;or

III. U.S. #2 or better with a maximum of 7 percent brokenkernels.

C. Final fortified rice shall be pre-blended with traditional milled rice, such that no modifications 

to customary rice preparation and cooking method will be required. The fortified kernels shall 

be thoroughly blended with the milled rice to ensure a uniform distribution throughout.

D. Offers for parboiled rice will be accepted when specifically stated in the solicitation. No 

specialty rice, including but not limited to aromatic rice, shall be acceptable unlessspecified 

in the solicitation.

E. Fortified kernels shall be sourced from U.S. companies, producing such micronutrientpremixes in the U.S. and using domestic raw material/ingredients, unless such ingredients 

are deemed to be unavailable, in which case waivers shall be granted, in accordance with

U.S. food assistance procurement guidelines.

F. The Government will accept delivery of rice grading better than the specified contract grade,

but:

1. No adjustment in contract price will be made for rice grading better than the contract 

1 Academy for Educational Development. 2008. Rice Fortification in Developing Countries: A Critical Review of the

Technical and Economic Feasibility.
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grade.

2. No substitution of one class of rice for another class of rice will be allowed aftera 

contract has been awarded.

1.2. FORTIFICATION

A. When the solicitation calls for Fortified Rice, the following requirements apply:

1. Since fortified kernel production technologies can vary from one supplier to the next and 

given the criticality of the fortified kernels in terms of ensuring appropriate micronutrient 

retention and bioavailability, any new fortified kernel supplier shall be approved by the U.S. 

Government. 

2. The fortificant-mix shall be added to a rice-based carrier to form the fortified kernels. Two 

technologies for rice fortification are acceptable: Hot extrusion and Coating. Regardless of 

the fortified kernel technology used, the payload of micronutrients in fortified kernels must 

take into account any loss during final preparation and cooking, as well as latest evidence 

on loss during shelf life. Micronutrient retention data from the final fortified rice shall be 

generated and documented by the fortified kernel supplier. 

3. If the rice fortificant premix is manufactured using coating technology, the rice-based carrier 

fortificant grains to produce the fortified milled rice shall meet a minimum grade of U.S. #2 or 

better.

4. The fortified kernels shall not present any significant organoleptic (i.e., texture, taste, color, 

or appearance) differentiation that would be unappealing to the average consumer. 

Acceptability data from the final fortified rice shall be generated and documented by the 

fortified kernel supplier. 

5. Fortified rice shall withstand final preparation processing (i.e., pre-washing, heat, high 

moisture, agitation, etc.) without compromising the functionality of coated or hot extruded 

fortified kernels.

6. Micronutrient/fortificant premixes shall be procured from a GAIN-approved premix facility. 

https://gpf.gainhealth.org/suppliers/current-suppliers

7. Bioavailability of the fortified kernels must be documented by the fortified kernel supplier 

(suppliers are to work with the U.S. Government contracting officer and food technologists to 

align on rationale).

8. New fortified rice blenders must go through an approval process with the U.S. Government. 

Details can be shared by the contracting officer.

B. The fortified rice shall achieve the levels of micronutrients shown in Table 1.
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Table 1. Target Levels of Micronutrients and Suggested Chemical Forms in Fortified Milled

Rice per Gram of Fortified Kernels (or per 100 grams of Fortified Rice Finished Product)

Micronutrient

Analytical 

Target/gram 

of Premix2

 Recommended Chemical 

Form3

Reference Methods4

Vitamin A (Retinol 

Equivalent)

500 IU Micro-encapsulated Vitamin A

Palmitate5

EN 12823-1

Vitamin B1 0.5 mg Thiamine Mononitrate EN 14122

Vitamin B3 7.0 mg Niacinamide EN 15652

Vitamin B6 0.60 mg Pyridoxine Hydrochloride EN 14164

Folic Acid (as Dietary 

Folate Requirements)

0.13 mg Folic Acid AOAC 944.12; AOAC

45.2.03

Vitamin B12 1 mcg Vitamin B12 0.1% WS AOAC 952.20; AOAC

45.2.02

Iron 4.0 mg Micronized Ferric Pyrophosphate, or other 

food grade iron forms if same or better 

bioavailability can be demonstrated

ICP (OES or MS)

Zinc 6.0 mg Zinc Oxide ICP (OES or MS)

Citrate* Min: 35,000 mg/kg

Max: 54,000mg/kg

Trisodium citrate dihydrate

Citric acid* Min: 1300 mg/kg

Max: 1920 mg/kg

Citric acid

Carrier and binding 

agents

Report usage in

formulation

Must be GRAS-approved and must not interfere with bioavailability of 

micronutrients

Fortification Ratio6 1:1007 The dilution factor should be adjusted to optimum payload to allow for 

the best sensorial characteristics and a homogenous distribution of 

the fortificant

*Chelating Agents (Iron Supplementation of Rice Kernels, International Patent Application Number PCT/EP2013/059331)

• These components constitute a citrate buffer that will act as a chelating agent in the premix to improve the bioavailability of 

iron in the final product. 

• A citrate buffer with a pH of 6-7 composed of at least: 35mg Trisodium citrate dihydrate and 1.3mg Citric acid to every 4mg 

of iron.

2 Premix levels shown are target levels (±20%) unless otherwise specified in Table 1 or the solicitation. Alternative levels may be 

specified in individual solicitations based on the national and beneficiary consumption level of rice, nutritional needs, and regulatory 

requirements in the destination country. The target levels (or those in the solicitation, if different from Table 1) shall be guaranteed at 

the end of 24- month shelf life at 30°C (86°F), supported by appropriate data from uncooked samples. Appropriate overages should be 

used to compensate for potency loss over the shelf-life period due to storage and packaging conditions. 3 Alternative forms will only be acceptable when they can be formulated and appropriately demonstrated to achieve equivalent

bioavailability to the recommended chemical form.

4 Or equivalent validated methods; Any testing method used, including those listed here, must be validated, in terms of their 

effectiveness and reproducibility. 5 The selection of the product formulation (oily Vitamin A, spray dried Vitamin A, encapsulated Vitamin A in a beadlet) depends on the 

fortified kernels and the technology to produce them. The producer of the fortified kernels (either fortified by coating or hot extrusion 

technology) shall ensure that the vitamin A loss during storage at 30°C 65% relative humidity is below 5% per month. However,

accumulated variation around the mean of Vitamin A allowed from the moment of production up to one year of storage under the

specified conditions should not be less than 20% or over 40%

6 A plus and minus 15% variation is allowed, assuming a blending ratio of one grain of fortified kernel per each 100 grains of unfortified

rice (1:100). Values should be the result of pulling composite samples throughout production lots. 7 Kernel producers can provide feedback on alternative ratios, but it must be approved by contracting agencies.
8

C. The government reserves the right to perform verification testing for all micronutrients specified 

in Table 1 but will routinely test for only Vitamin A and Iron if the contractor submits a Certificate 

of Analysis for the rice premix which indicates the appropriate level of all micronutrients 

specified in Table 1.
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1.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Food Safety and QualityStandards

1. Applicable food safety and quality standard for fortified kernels and final fortified rice include 

but are not limited to:

I. Compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulations 

including 21 CFR 137.350, Enriched Rice, and the Food Safety Modernization Act 

(FSMA)

II. Both fortified kernel producers and fortified rice blending facilities must comply with 

USDA/AMS food safety and quality Preventive Auditing System. 

USDA/AMS/SCP/SCI Audit Services Branch https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/scicontacts

III. General principles for addition of essential nutrients tofoods: CAC/GL 09-1987

(amended 1991) of the CodexAlimentarius

IV. Recommended International Code of Practice General Principles ofFood Hygiene 

CAC/RCP 1-1969, Rev.4-2003

V. Code of Hygienic Practices for low-moisture Foods. CAC/RCP 75- 2015. Adopted in

2015.

VI. General standard for contaminants and toxins in food and feed: CODEX STAN 193-

1995

B. Fortified Rice

1. In addition to the invoice requirements contained in the International Master Solicitation 

for Commodity Procurements, the processor shall provide the following invoice package 

for each lot of product:

I. Certificate certifying that the proper amount of fortified kernel was added to the 

shipment to meet the specificationrequirements. This shall include a declaration of 

coefficient of variation and description of the methodology used to validate the blend.

II. Certificate of Analysis of the rice-premix that indicates the level and chemical form of 

each micronutrient in the fortificant, ensuring compliance with micronutrient 

requirements in Table 1.

III. Microbiology and contaminants analysis (Table 2)

C. Auditing

1. The fortified kernel and fortified rice vendor shall agree to allow USDA Food 

Safety/Quality Inspectors to visit the factory without prior notice during anyperiod when 

USDA/USAID product is being manufactured, to check that the GMP and HACCP 

systems are in place.

D. Microbiology andContaminants

1. Milled rice and fortified rice suppliers shall provide microbiological test results in the form 

of a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) which shallnot exceed the following levels in the

finished product. The CoA must be issued with data generated by a third-party ISO 

17025-certified8 or a USDA laboratory and is required for invoice payment pursuant to 

the Invoicing Requirements clause of the contract.9

8 The ISO 17025 lab certification scope shall include the specific methods required in the CoA. 9 The CoAs must comply with the third-party ISO 17025 or USDA lab requirement within 12 months of MR27 CRD issuance.
10

Table 2: Limit of Microorganisms and Contaminants in Milled Rice and Fortified Rice

Test IC/SU n c m M Report 

Unit

Ref. 

Methods

Yeasts and molds

(cfu) I/10 5 2 1000 10,000 /g ICC No 146

AACC 42-50

Aflatoxin B1, B2, 

G1 and G2. (ppb 

[μg/kg])

C/10 1 0 10 AACC 45-16

Ochratoxin (ppb 

[μg/kg])* NA 4 AOAC 2000.03

Arsenic**

(inorganic) ≤ 0.20 mg/kg (ppm) – Finished Product AOAC 986.15

Annotations:

IC: Whether the testing sample is individual (I) or composite (c)

SU: Sample Units

n: Number of sub-samples to beexamined

c: Number of acceptable sample units between m andM

m: maximum number of units per gram that are of no concern

M: Maximum allowable number of units per gram in any one sub-sample.

Any sub-sample with a number above M causes the rejection of the lot 

under consideration.

*Testing is not mandatory for lot release, but supplier monitoring is required and should be based on a 

HACCP-based risk analysis. Suppliers are to work with the USG contracting officer and food technologists to 

outline an appropriate monitoring plan.

**CODEX STAN 193-1995

E. Fumigation

1. No more than ten (10) days prior to packaging, the milled rice and fortified milled rice 

shall be fumigated in a quantity and manner which will affect a kill in all stages of weevil

or other insect infestation.

2. The Contractor shall submit with his invoice for payment a statement certifying that the rice

was fumigated in accordance with this requirement.

F. Shelf Life

1. Considering the lengthy supply chain for fortified rice intended to be used in international 

nutrition programs, the expected best used by date is twenty-four (24) months from the 

date of packaging10.

10The shelf-life reference in this specification (24 months) is based on the food safety and overall quality of the milled rice, not on the 

shelf life of added micronutrients. Micronutrient payload in fortified kernels must take into account any corresponding dosage of 

micronutrients to offset any losses during cooking, preparation and throughout the supply chain. Ongoing effort/evidence regarding 

packaging and micronutrient stability is being gathered to more accurately quantify shelf-life of micronutrients.
11

1.4 INSPECTION

A. The Contractor shall be responsible for arranging and obtaining U.S. Government, specifically 

the USDA Agricultural and Marketing Service (AMS9), official domestic and export weight and 

grade certificates. The Contractor shall notify the Government immediately of lots that fail to 

meet contract requirements.

B. Failure of the lot to meet the average net weight requirement shall cause rejection of the involved 

lot pursuant to FAR clause 52.212- 4(a). (Contract Terms and Conditions— Commercial Items).

C. If the product fails to meet contract specifications on one or more factors on the first inspection, 

the Contractor may arrange with the U.S. Government for subsequent inspections of the 

commodity. When subsequent inspections of the product are made, the results of the last 

inspection will be used as the basis for payment under the contract.

D. The U.S. Government will perform a condition of container examination in accordance with the 

United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR Part 42) and the USDA

Agricultural Marketing Service Handbook for Inspection of the Condition of Food Containers.

E. The USDA sampling and testing quality assurance program is based on a lot size of no greater 

than 500 MT. 

PART 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS

2.1 GENERAL

This part provides the container specifications and packaging materials requirements to be used 

for contracts under this Requirements Document.

For the purposes of Parts 2 and 3 of this specification, the following definitions apply:

• Container: a bin, other storage space, bag, box, or other receptacle for rice; the primary 

packaging used to package rice. 

• Packaging: Primary or secondary, if applicable, packaging materials 

• Materials: Any substance or matter used for primary or secondary packaging, if applicable. 

• Labeling: Markings, text and graphics printed on or adhered to primary packaging.

2.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS

A. The contractor shall obtain and maintain documentation from the container or packaging 

material manufacturer to verify that:

1. All containers and packaging meet the requirements of the FDA for safe contact with the 

packaged product.

2. The sum of the concentration levels of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and/or Hexavalent 

Chromium present in any package or packaging component shall not exceed 100 parts 

per million (according to the Coalition of Northeast Governors (CONEG) model 

legislation).

B. All containers and packaging materials shall be manufactured and assembled in the United 

States. The components that make up the materials of the containers and packaging shall be 

of U.S. origin to the extent that they are commercially available.

C. Questions concerning the containers and materials should be directed to:

Mailing Address:
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: Agricultural Marketing Service 

International Commodity Procurement 

Division MAILSTOP 8738

P.O. Box 419205

Kansas City, MO 64141-6205

AMS-IntlCommSpec@usda.gov

2.3 BAGS

A. Bags shall be sized to contain 50 kg net weight of product, or 1 kg to 25 kg as needed by 

the program. Net weights of less than 50 kg shall be discussed with U.S. Government 

contracting officer and food technologists in advance of making packaging changes; 

requirements will be specified in the solicitation/contract after feasibility discussions.

B. Per lot, the product shall not, on average, be less than the weight declared on the

packaging.

C. A deviation of no more than ±2% of the net weight is allowed by individual bag. 

D. The color of the fabric and sewing thread shall be white, unless otherwise specified. 

E. Rework product will be limited to excess material produced during the initial extrusion 

process and will be limited to the amount produced during normal continuous operation. 

F. The top and bottom of the bag shall be heat cut or otherwise finished to prevent fraying or 

unraveling of the fabric during distribution. 

G. Bags shall be sealed in a manner which prevents leaking or contamination, and minimizes 

infestation, through the seams during handling, storage, and distribution.

H. The material shall be finished by coating or other suitable method to prevent slippage. 

Individual static friction (slide angle) test results shall be 28 degrees or greater (per TAPPI 

Test Method).

I. The material shall accept and retain printing ink, including lot code, barcode, and best used 

by date, and that will not rub or flake off to a degree where legibility is impaired.

J. Bags may be flat tube or gusseted.

K. Bags may be extrusion coated. Extrusion coated bags shall have the proper number, size,

and location of micro perforations to achieve the breathability required for product stability 

and fumigation, as well as filling and stacking/palletizing efficiency.

2.4 1 KG TO 25 KG PRIMARY PACKAGING MATERIAL AND PERFORMANCE 

REQUIREMENTS

A. The material used for milled and fortified rice packaging must be flexible, puncture and 

breakage resistant with breathability.
13

1. Bags must be micro-perforated in such a manner as to allow air evacuation while 

preventing pest infestation; micro-perforations shall be no larger than 150 microns.

B. All bags shall be capable of withstanding the following performance tests for impact resistance.

1. Testing shall be conducted at 104 °F (plus or minus 1.8 °F) and 75% relative humidity. 

Filled bags shall be placed in the conditioned atmosphere for sufficient time before the 

tests are conducted for the bag materials to come to equilibrium.

2. Ten filled and sealed bags shall each survive a single drop test on the butt and side on 

a shock machine that produces for each test a velocity change of 195 inches per second

using shock duration of .002 seconds, without loss of product.

3. The bags shall be breakage resistant and have a puncture resistance of at least 850 

grams from the outside when tested in accordance with Test Method ASTM D1709 

(Dart Drop Test, Test Method A).

4. Bags submitted under this performance specification shall conform to all other applicable 

material, construction, and performance specifications.

C. All bags shall have a sufficient amount of anti-block. It shall be free from any blocking at 50°C 

(122°F) and not subject to re-block at 70°C (158°F). 

D. Static coefficient of friction shall be a minimum of 0.5 (ISO 8295 or ASTM D1894).

E. The use of recycled and other materials, and design for minimal packaging use, to improve 

environmental sustainability can be considered providing that the performance requirements 

are met, and the material used is compliant with the FDA regulation for food contact materials.

F. If the contractor purchases packaging and container ingredients from a foreign country and/or 

the package and container is manufactured in a foreign country, the package and container 

SHALL NOT display country of origin labeling. Phrases similar to but not inclusive of, “Made in 

[Name of Foreign Country]” or “Product of [Name of Foreign Country]” are strictly prohibited.

2.5 50 KG PRIMARY PACKAGING MATERIAL AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Contractors may utilize woven polypropylene fabric and circular-woven style bags for 50 kg bags 

but are not limited to these constructions. If woven poly bags are used, they must comply with 

section 2.3 and the following: 

A. The polymer in the fabric shall be 100 percent virgin polypropylene with no recycled material. 

Rework product will be limited to excess material produced during the initial extrusion process 

and will be limited to the amount produced during normal continuous operation. A system to 

identify and document this process must be in place for review by the Government's audit 

personnel.

B. The fabric in an unstressed state shall permit a minimum air flow of 3 cubic feet per minute per 

square foot and a maximum of 30 cubic feet per minute per square foot, when tested in 

accordance with ASTM Test Method D737, as amended. 

C. The fabric shall be capable of resisting ultraviolet deterioration for a minimum of 200 hours of 
14

exposure in a weather meter, when tested in accordance with Test Method 5804-Federal 

Standard 191, as amended. The fabric shall retain 70 percent of its original minimum tensile 

strength in each direction, after 200 hours exposure, when tested in accordance with Test 

Method ASTM D 5034 (Grab Test), as amended.

2.6 TEST LABORATORIES

The contractor may use any independent or private laboratory that is capable of conducting the 

performance testing above. However, the Government is aware of only the following domestically 

located independent or private laboratories that have such capability:

Michigan State University 

School of Packaging

130 Packaging Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1223 

(517) 355-9580

www.canr.msu.edu/packaging/

Lansmont Corporation 

17 Mandeville Court 

Monterey, CA 93940

(831) 655-6622

www.lansmont.com

Rutgers University

Packaging Testing Laboratory

Busch Campus

137 Winchester Road,

Ten-E Packaging Services, Inc. 

1666 County Road 74 

Newport, MN 55055

(651) 459-0671

http://www.ten- e.com

Piscataway, NJ 08854-8029

(732) 445-5234

www.packaging.rutgers.edu/testingfacility

2.7 TEST FREQUENCY

A. All specified testing shall be performed and documented, and all supporting test and 

quality control documentation shall be retained and made available for review by the 

Government for a minimum of three years after final payment under the contract.

B. All tests shall be performed when a change in the formulation/design of the fabric or other 

packaging material is being made. In addition,

1. The slide angle test, the air permeability and the ultraviolet resistance tests shall be 

performed annually.

2. The slide angle test shall, as a minimum, be performed in-house for every 10,000 

lineal meters of fabric production. Testing performed in- house is not required to 

be performed under the specified temperature and humidityrequirements.

PART 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS

3.1 GENERAL

This section provides guidance for commodities using 50 kg bags. Before batch printing a newly 

created or edited design, suppliers are encouraged to share design mockups with their procurement 

officer to ensure they meet the marking requirements outlined in this document. 
15

Logo Files

Note: Ensure that you are using the most current logo files, available here: 

● USAID: usaid.gov/branding/resources#downloads

● USDA: usda.gov/style-guide/logo

● U.S. Flag: brand.america.gov/d/WrAFnKrhEEfk/our-brand#/visual-elements/the-u-s-flag

3.2 MARKINGS 

A. Colors shall match the Pantone Matching System (PMS) numbers as indicated below, to 

the extent practical. Any markings not shown on the exhibits shall be printed in blue. 

● USAID: Blue: 294; Red: 200

● USDA: Blue: 288; Green 343 (When reproduced in one color, the symbol shall be black,

or the dominant color used in the product)

B. With the exception of the U.S. flag and USDA/USAID logos, all dimensions in this 

document are approximate. 

C. Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall be in normal block print using Gill 

Sans.

D. U.S. Flag

The U.S. Flag shall be 7 inches high and 13 3⁄8 inches in total width on the front and 

back of the applicable bag.

E. USDA Logo 

The USDA logo shall be approximately 6 inches high and 9 1⁄2 inches in total width. 

F. USAID Logo

The USAID vertical identity, including the logo, brand name, and tagline, shall be printed 

in the same style as shown in the marking exhibits, sized approximately 7 1⁄2 inches high 

and 9 3⁄8 inches in total width.

G. Commodity Name

The commodity name (“MILLED RICE” or “FORTIFIED MILLED RICE”) shall be 1 1⁄4 inch 

print. The name may run to a second line if needed, with a 3⁄4 inch between lines. 

Immediately below the commodity name on the front and back panels, insert additional 

commodity description in 5⁄8 inch print (e.g., “LONG GRAIN,” “MEDIUM GRAIN” or 

“PARBOILED”) if applicable.

H. Additional Text

● The contract number and the statement "NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED" 

shall be 3⁄4 inch print (if applicable, per SMR-1 and SMR-2)

● The net weight, bag dimensions, and the Standard Marking Requirements (SMR) 

or Language Marking Requirements (LMR) number shall be centered at the bottom 

of the bag in 1⁄2 inch print. 

● For traceability purposes, manufacturer lot code, supplier name, production date 

(MM YYYY), and best if used by date (MM YYYY) shall appear on all packaging. 

Text shall be as small as possible, yet legible. Note that these markings are not 

included in the exhibits but must be included on printed bags.

● The symbol indicating “USE NO HOOKS” shall be 2 3⁄4 inches in height.

3.3 STANDARD MARKING AND LANGUAGE MARKING REQUIREMENTS

A. Standard Marking Requirement (SMR): The following SMRs may be requested under the 

contract:
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Standard Marking Requirement #1 (SMR-1)

USAID – Distribution

Front: U.S. Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, net weight, dimensions, “SMR- 1”. 

Back: Identical to front. 

Standard Marking Requirement #2 (SMR-2)

FAS - Distribution

Front: U.S. Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED," USDA logo, net weight, dimensions, “SMR-2”. 

Back: Identical to front. 

Standard Marking Requirement #3 (SMR-3)

USAID – Monetization

Front: U.S. Flag, the commodity name, USAID logo, net weight, dimensions, “SMR3”. 

Back: Identical to front.

Standard Marking Requirement #4 (SMR-4)

FAS - Monetization

Front: U.S. Flag, the commodity name, USDA logo, net weight, dimensions, 

“SMR-4”. 

Back: Identical to front. 

B. Language Marking Requirement (LMR): LMR specifications and mockups can be 

accommodated on an as-needed basis. Contact your procurement officer to request the 

necessary markings.

3.4 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS

A. All bags shall be marked with the empty dimensions as follows:

Gusseted 

Bags

Face Width X Gusseted Width X 

Finished Length

Flat Tube 

Bags

Face Width X Finished Length

3.5 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS

A. Any labels, bags, cans, can lids, cases, or any other type of packaging (hereinafter 

referred to as "containers") displaying incorrect markings may be used under a 

Government contract provided that the incorrect markings are obliterated, and 

correct markings are applied in a permanent manner with approval of the contracting 

officer.

B. The appearance of containers in commercial or other channels either filled or unfilled 

bearing markings identifying the containers as part of a Government contract may cause 

the Government expense in determining whether commodities have been diverted from 

authorized use and in answering inquiries. The contractor shall take all necessary action 

to prevent the appearance in commercial or other channels of containers and container 
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materials bearing any markings required under a Government contract, including those 

held by the contractor or others, e.g., overruns, misprints, etc. The contractor shall 

ensure that any container from a Government contract that appears in commercial or 

other channels shall have all markings required under this contract permanently 

obliterated.

3.6 MARKING EXHIBITS

These exhibits provide a general framework for markings on the 50 kg bags. It is important to note 

that they are not inclusive of all marking/labeling requirements. It is incumbent on the supplier to 

reference the information in this document to ensure bag designs meet the respective requirements 

for each application. 
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A. USAID Example
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B. USDA Example