Fruit & 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.

Vegetable Room 1536-S, STOP 0240

Program Washington, DC 20250-0240

 

December 14, 2018 

TRADE MITIGATION SPECIFICATION for IN-SHELL PISTACHIOS and 

SHELLED PECANS

COMMODITY SPECIFICATION for

SHELLED NUTS – August 2014

This specification is for Trade Mitigation Purchases Only.

New text is in blue, links to information are underlined. 

These purchases must meet all relevant requirements of the Commodity Specification for Shelled 

Nuts August 2014, with additional requirements shown below.

Inspection will occur at the shipping point (origin).

D. Roasted Pistachios

Pistachio Nuts in the Shell:

All Pistachios must be of 100% domestic origin. When requested, the vendors will make all 

paperwork available to SCI that confirms 100% domestic origin traceback from final package to the 

origin orchard, including all steps in the process.

Grade: Prior to roasting the pistachios must be U.S. Extra No. 1 as defined in the United States 

Standards for Grades of Pistachio Nuts in the Shell

Size: Large – 21 to 25 average number of nuts per ounce.

Moisture: average must not exceed 7 percent. 

Sodium: Shall not exceed 120 mg per 1 oz. as evidenced by Nutritional Facts Panel.

Fumigation: The pistachios shall be treated with Propylene Oxide (PPO) or other validated methods 

such as steam treatment that achieves a minimum of 4 log reduction of Salmonella bacteria. 

Verification that such treatment has been performed must be provided to the USDA inspector.

Microbiological: 

 

Aflaxtoxin: 15ppb or less. To be determined prior to roasting.

To be determined after roasting.

• Total Aerobic Plate Count: 10,000/gram or less

• E. coli: Negative 

• Salmonella: Negative in 25 grams
Package size/type: 24/1 or 12/2 pound (as specified in the Solicitation/IFB) clear poly bag with 

minimum FDA labeling requirements. See below for minimum FDA labeling requirements.

Truckload case count: 1,640 cases

If shipping point is not also the facility where the pistachios are packaged into 12/2 pound bags for 

distribution, then the shipper will supply the packaging point (facility) with the U.S. Grading Certificate 

as well as a Certificate of Analysis (COA) showing the results of moisture and microbiological results.

E. Pecan Pieces

All Pecan pieces must be of 100% domestic origin. All shelling of the pecans must take place 

domestically within the U.S. When requested, the vendors will make all paperwork available to SCI that 

confirms 100% domestic origin. The traceback will be from final package to the origin orchard, including 

all steps in the process.

Grade: U.S. No. 1 Pieces as defined in the United States Standards for Grades of Shelled Pecans

Size: 3/8 inch or larger. A maximum of 15% (by weight) may pass through a 3/8 inch opening.

Color: Light Amber to Amber

Analitycals: Free Fatty Acid - 0.6% Maximum

 Moisture - 4.0- 4.6%

 Oil Content - 65.0% Minimum

Microbiological: Standard Plate - Less than 10,000 cfu/g

 Coliform - Less than 100 cfu/g

 Escherichia coli - Negative

 Staphylococcus Aureus - Negative

 Genus Listeria - Negative

 Salmonella - Negative in 25 grams

 Yeast & Mold - Less than 1,000 per gram

Package size/type: 24/1 pound clear poly bag with minimum FDA labeling requirements. See below for 

minimum FDA labeling requirements.

Truckload case count: 1,656 cases.

If shipping point is not also the facility were the pecans are packaged into the final primary container 

(poly bags) for distribution, then the shipper will supply the packaging point (facility) with the U.S. 

Grading Certificate as well as a Certificate of Analysis (COA) showing the results of analytical and 

microbiological results.

Minimum FDA labeling requirements. 

• Statement of identity, or name of the food 

• Net quantity statement 

• Ingredient statement 

• Manufacturer or distributor location statement 
• Allergen declaration 

• Suitably code marked so that the product can be identified with related inspection certificates or in the 

event of a recall

Material Codes and UPC numbers

Shelled Nuts WBSCM

Material Primary Container Secondary Container

Pistachios In-Shell

(12/2 lb.) 111090 7 15001 10090 1 07 15001 10090

Pecan Pieces 

(24/1 lb.) 111101 7 15001 11101 1 07 15001 11101

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.