Approved by DBJ 

Date Issued: 10/19/15 

Date Revised: 01/18/22

SUPPLEMENT 500 TO THE 

AMS MASTER SOLICITATION

PURCHASE OF TUNA

PRODUCTS FOR 

DISTRIBUTION TO FEDERAL 

FOOD AND NUTRITION 

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

 APPROVED

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program 

Standards and Specification Division (SSD)

Room 2628-S, STOP 0258

Phone: (202) 690-3148

 Effective: January 2022

Supersedes: Supplement 500 August 2018 – Changes 

from previous requirements in blue

PURCHASE OF TUNA PRODUCTS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO FEDERAL FOOD AND 

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

This document provides additional program requirements for the purchase of Tuna Products

by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the Federal Purchase Program 

Specification (FPPS) (Exhibit A). 

100 INSTRUCTIONS TO POTENTIAL SUPPLIERS

110 The tuna products will be purchased on a competitive bid basis from qualified suppliers

who are operating in accordance with the applicable Food and Drug Administrative 

(FDA) regulations and under the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Marine 

Fisheries Service (NMFS) inspection, which may include Hazard Analysis Critical 

Control Point (HACCP) Quality Management Program (HACCP-QMP) or Resident 

Inspector Program. For information regarding Seafood Inspection, see the following 

web site address: http://www.seafood.nmfs.noaa.gov/ 

111 All tuna processors and processing facilities used to fulfill USDA contracts shall be a 

USDC/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Seafood Inspection 

(SI) Approved Establishment. NOAA SI Approved Establishments must meet all 

pertinent Federal requirements applicable to processing fish and fishery 

products. NOAA SI Approved Establishments must comply with the following 

regulatory requirements that are applicable to the firm:

112 21 CFR Part 101 - Labeling

21 CFR Part 110

21 CFR Part 117 Subparts A, B and F

21 CFR Part 123

NOAA SI Approved Establishments Requirements

50 CFR Part 260

113 To meet the requirements of a USDC/NOAA Approved Establishment, processors of 

fish and fishery products may participate in one of two USDC/NOAA Inspection 

Systems: 
Approved by DBJ

Date Issued: 10/19/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22

114 USDC/NOAA HACCP Quality Management Program (HACCP QMP);

A Systems Audit based service which requires firms to be subjected to 

unannounced systems audits on a quarterly frequency interval to substantiate 

overall compliance with all pertinent regulations and to meet quality requirements. 

115 USDC/NOAA Resident Inspector Program; 

A continuous inspection service whereby USDC Inspection personnel are present 

during all hours of production to fulfill USDA contracts.

120 Actual purchases will be described in the AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity 

Procurements – Domestic Programs (MSCP-D) and applicable Solicitations.

130 Subcontractors or suppliers of tuna products are:

131 ineligible if they are currently delivering late on USDA contracts, or USDA-approved 

subcontracts and late delivery is not due to causes beyond their control; and 

132 non-responsible if they are not operating in accordance with the applicable FDA 

regulations and under the DOC, NMFS inspection which may include HACCP-QMP

or Resident Inspector Program, U.S. Tuna Foundation/NMFS Test Lot Protocol; or

134 have been suspended or debarred under the provisions of 48 C.F.R. Subpart 9.4.

140 Dolphin Safe

141 Tuna will be caught so as to be in compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act 

and will meet the "Dolphin Safe" labeling standard of the Dolphin Protection 

Consumer Information Act as stated in the Magnuson Fishery Conservation 

Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1822, as amended).

142 For canned tuna processed from tuna harvested in the Eastern Tropical Pacific 

Ocean and used in fulfilling contracts awarded under this Supplement, the Contractor 

will obtain from the vessel captain a certification signed by a NMFS agent or 

representative of the Inter-America Tropical Tuna Commission stating that:

142.1 no tuna were caught on a trip using a purse seine net intentionally deployed on or to 

encircle dolphins; and 

142.2 no dolphins were killed or seriously injured during the sets in which the tuna were 

caught. 

143 The certificates must be kept on file and made available to the inspection/certification 

agent, the Contracting Officer, or agent thereof, upon request.

200 DOMESTIC ORIGIN CERTIFICATION 

210 All tuna products used in fulfilling contracts awarded under the AMS Master 

Solicitation for Commodity Procurements – Domestic Programs (MSCP-D) and this

Supplement must be produced in the United States. United States produced 

(hereafter referred to as U.S.-produced) tuna means manufactured from tuna landed 

by American flag vessels, and completely processed in the United States its 
Approved by DBJ

Date Issued: 10/19/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22

territories, possessions, Puerto Rico, or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands 

(hereinafter referred to as the United States). U.S. - produced does not include tuna 

caught on American flag vessels and processed outside the United States or tuna 

caught on vessels other than American and processed in the United States.

220 If any fresh or frozen tuna products originating from sources other than the United 

States are processed or handled, the contractor will develop and maintain an 

identification and record system for these products to assure USDA that they are 

segregated and not used to fulfill contracts awarded under this Supplement. Such 

segregation plan must be approved by NMFS and be made available to the 

Contracting Officer or agent thereof upon request. 

230 The contractor must ensure that the Contractor and any subcontractor(s) maintain 

records including, but not limited to, landing vessels, invoices, production and 

inventory records evidencing product origin, and will make such records available for 

review by the Government in accordance with FAR 52.214-26.

240 Prior to performance on USDA contracts or subcontracts, contractors, and tuna 

subcontractors must obtain approval of its domestic product program from the NMFS.

250 The supplier shall include this domestic origin certification clause in its entirety in all 

subcontracts for tuna products used in fulfilling any contracts awarded under this 

Supplement and Master Solicitation. The burden of proof of compliance is on the 

Contractor. All raw materials shall be shipped in containers labeled as “Domestic 

Only Product” on the principle display panel and the bill of lading accompanying the 

shipment shall contain the statement “Domestic Only Product.”

300 CERTIFICATION SERVICES

310 Compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations 50, Part 260 must be under DOC, 

NMFS. The cost of all inspection service must be borne by the Contractor. Questions 

concerning charges and the availability of NMFS agents should be discussed with the 

nearest NMFS office. For information regarding office locations, see the following 

web site address: 

http://www.seafood.nmfs.noaa.gov/pdfs/seafood_inspection_program_offices.pdf

400 ACCEPTANCE AND CERTIFICATION

410 The USDC Seafood Inspector shall certify acceptable product and set forth on a 

Certificate of Loading the following information:

410.1 Purchase Order Number/Purchase Order Line Item Number.

410.2 Sales Order Number/Sales Order Line Item Number.

410.3 Destination of shipment.

410.4 Name of product and applicable material number.

410.5 Shipping Date.
Approved by DBJ

Date Issued: 10/19/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22

410.6 Production lot number(s) and date each lot was produced along with shipping 

container and immediate container code(s) and the code used that provides 

traceability to establishment number, production lot and date.

410.7 Count of shipping containers and total projected net weight in each production lot. 

Count and projected net weight verified.

410.8 Identity of car or truck (car numbers and letters, seals, truck license, etc.) as 

applicable.

410.9 A statement that “Product conforms with the FPPS for Canned/Pouched Tuna; 

count and projected net weights certified.”

420 Each delivery unit shall be accompanied by one of the following certificates listed 

below as appropriate:

420.1 Certificate of Inspection.

500 EXHIBITS
APPROVED

FEDERAL PURCHASE 

PROGRAM SPECIFICATION 

(FPPS) FOR CANNED / 

POUCH TUNA

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Livestock and Poultry (LP) Program 

Standards and Specification Division (SSD)

Room 2628-S, STOP 0258

Phone: (202) 690-3148

Supersedes: FPPS CPT dated August 2018 – changes from 

previous requirements in blue

Effective: January 2022

Approved by DBJ

Date Issued: 10/13/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22

100 SCOPE

101 This Specification is for use by the United States Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) for the procurement of canned/pouch tuna.

200 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

201 The following documents and all references cited therein shall be incorporated 

as part of this USDA, FPPS:

201.1 Applicable provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act contained 

in 21 CFR 1-199.

201.2 United States Tuna Foundation/National Marine Fisheries Service 

(USTF/NMFS) Test Lot Protocol.

201.3 United States Department of Commerce (USDC) Seafood Inspection Program

(SIP) applicable procedures for canned/pouch tuna inspection and 

certification.

201.4 United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR 42) and 

MIL-PRF-44073, Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches.

300 ITEM DESCRIPTION

301 Canned Tuna - Twenty-four (24), 12.0-ounce cans or six (6), 66.5-ounce cans 

shall be packed into each case.

302 Pouch Tuna - Six (6), 43.0-ounce pouches shall be packed into each case. 

310 Purchaser shall specify immediate container type (canned or pouch) and net 

weight configuration in each solicitation. 

SUPPLEMENT 500 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
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Date Issued: 10/13/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22 2 

400 CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS

401 The tuna products shall be purchased from suppliers who are operating in 

accordance with the applicable Food and Drug Administrative (FDA) 

regulations and under the USDC, NMFS inspection, which may include 

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Quality Management 

Program (QMP) or Resident Inspector Program and USTF/NMFS Test Lot 

Protocol. 

402 Tuna shall be caught so as to be in compliance with the Marine Mammal 

Protection Act and shall meet the "Dolphin Safe" labeling standard of the 

Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act as stated in the Magnuson 

Fishery Conservation Management Act (16 USC 1822, as amended).

403 All tuna products shall be certified Kosher and include the registered Kashrut 

certification symbol of the certification agent.

404 List of acceptable symbols for Kosher Tuna products for distribution to 

Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs:

405

http://oukosher.org/ http://www.kosher.org/

http://www.ok.org/ 

http://www.skskosher.com/ http://www.kof-k.org/ 

http://www.cor.ca/ 

http://www.stark.org/default.htm http://scrollk.org/ 

406 For Material Code 111021 Only – Kosher Canned Tuna shall comply with 

applicable dietary (kosher) laws as established by the “613 Council of 

Kashruth.” Manufacturing plants shall be certified for compliance with the 

aforementioned requirement by contacting the Board of Jewish Education of 

Greater New York (BJENY) at 646-472-5368. At no cost to the vendor, a 

rabbinic supervisor shall be sent to certify compliance of the manufacturing 

plant with the dietary (kosher) laws.

407 Contractor shall certify that their manufacturing plant is capable of meeting 

applicable dietary (kosher) laws as established by the “613 Council of 

Kashruth” and certification by BJENY.

410 FISH FLESH / PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

SUPPLEMENT 603 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
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Date Issued: 10/13/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22 3 

411 Domestic Origin of Fish Flesh - All tuna products shall be produced in the 

United States. United States produced (hereafter referred to as U.S.-

produced) tuna means manufactured from tuna landed by American flag 

vessels, and completely processed in the United States its territories, 

possessions, Puerto Rico, or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands 

(hereinafter referred to as the United States). 

412 The contractor agrees to comply with all provisions of the AMS Master 

Solicitation for Commodity Procurements – Domestic Programs (MSCP-D)

and the applicable Supplement. 

413 Canned tuna shall meet the requirements of 21 CFR 161.190 Tuna Standard 

of Identity.

414 Product Characteristics 

414.1 Color - Light

414.2 Form - Chunk 

414.3 Packing media - Water or Broth

414.4 Salt/sodium level - No more than 1.5 percent salt 

414.5 Monosodium glutamate is not allowed

414.6 Significant ingredients (more than 1 percent) shall be derived from U.S. 

produced products

414.7 Objectionable Materials – The contractor shall assure that the tuna product is 

processed from fish prepared by removing the head, gills, tail, fins, skin, 

viscera, blood, bruises, and damaged or discolored flesh to the greatest 

extent practicable in accordance with good manufacturing practice. Foreign 

materials shall also be excluded.

414.8 Tuna shall be the only fish used and shall be in good condition prior to 

processing, i.e., exposed surfaces shall be of a color and bloom typical of 

tuna which has been properly stored and handled. Cut surfaces and naturally 

exposed surfaces shall show no more than slight darkening or discoloration 

due to dehydration, aging, and/or microbial activity. 

414.9 No odors foreign to fresh tuna shall be present. 

414.10 Changes in color and odors characteristically associated with frozen tuna in 

excellent condition shall be acceptable. 

414.11 Frozen tuna shall show no evidence of having been defrosted and refrozen or 

other evidence of mishandling. 

SUPPLEMENT 603 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
Approved by DBJ

Date Issued: 10/13/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22 4 

414.12 All products shall be free of metal contaminants. The contractor shall 

demonstrate to the USDC agent that the metal detection equipment used is 

capable of detecting stainless steel, ferrous, and non-ferrous metals.

420 PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY

421 Packaging - The tuna shall be packaged in either cans or pouches. Purchaser 

shall specify immediate container type (canned or pouch) and net weight 

configuration in each solicitation. 

421.1 Cans - Twenty-four (24), 12.0-ounce cans shall be packed into a shipping 

container to a net weight of 18.0 pounds or six (6) 66.5-ounce cans shall be 

packed into a shipping container to a net weight of 24.9375 pounds. 

421.2 Pouches - Six (6) 43-ounce pouches shall be packed into shipping container 

to a net weight of 16.125 pounds. 

422 Unitization - All cans/pouches shall be unitized by packing into new fiberboard 

shipping containers or placing on fiberboard trays with plastic shrink wrap. 

423 Only one size and style of unitized cases may be offered in an individual 

delivery unit. 

424 Labeling - Both immediate and shipping containers shall be labeled to include 

all information required by FDA, USDC regulations and the following AMS 

requirements:

424.1 Cans/pouches – Commercial labeling is acceptable. 

424.1.1 Product name.

424.1.2 Manufacturer name and address.

424.1.3 An allergen statement in a 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 ______.

424.1.4 Ingredient declaration.

424.1.5 Nutrition facts panel based on requirements in 21 CFR 101.9 Nutrition 

Labeling of Food.

424.1.6 All cans/pouches shall bear a code that is traceable to processing 

establishment, production lot and date and back to the source of the 

harvested tuna to ensure compliance with domestic origin requirements. 

424.1.6.1 Only one can/pouch code shall be allowed within each shipping container 

 except as necessary to accommodate consecutive time period changeovers 

 within a lot.

SUPPLEMENT 603 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
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Date Issued: 10/13/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22 5 

424.1.6.2 If a lot must be split to accommodate delivery unit, it cannot be split more 

than once.

424.1.7 The Dolphin Safe logo shall be on the immediate container.

424.1.8 All immediate containers shall include the registered Kashrut certification

 symbol of the certification agent. 

424.2 Shipping Containers1/ – Commercially marked shipping containers shall

include the following information:

424.2.1 Purchase order number.

424.2.2 A traceability code that identifies the processing establishment, production 

date and production lot.

424.2.3 Nutrition facts panel based on requirements in 21 CFR 101.9 Nutrition 

Labeling of Food.

 424.2.4 The appropriate product name and material number listed in the table below 

for each of the items.

Item Material Number

Canned Tuna - 12.0 oz. 100194

Canned Tuna - 66.5 oz. 100195

Pouch Tuna - 43.0 oz. 110703

Canned Tuna K – 66.5 oz. 111021

424.2.5 Ingredient declaration (including single ingredient products).

424.2.6 An allergen statement in a 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 ______.

424.2.7 All shipping containers shall include the registered Kashrut certification 

 symbol of the certification agent.

1/The information in Section 424.2 may be printed directly on the shipping container, or printed on labels applied to

 the shipping container. 

SUPPLEMENT 603 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
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Date Issued: 10/13/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22 6 

424.2.8 USDA Shield (at least 2 inches high and appearing on the top of the container 

or on the principal display panel)

430 PALLETIZED UNIT LOADS

431 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.

440 DELIVERED PRODUCT

441 Delivery Unit 

441.1 12-ounce cans - Each delivery unit shall consist of 1,800 shipping containers

with a net weight of 32,400 pounds.

441.2 66.5-ounce cans - Each delivery unit shall consist of 1,440 shipping

containers with a net weight of 35,910 pounds.

441.3 43-ounce pouches - Each delivery unit shall consist of 2240 shipping

containers with a net weight of 36,120 pounds.

442 All products shall be delivered to AMS assigned destinations under seal with 

tamper proof, tamper resistant, serially numbered, high security seals that 

meet the American Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) 

F1157-04 and/or the International Organization for Standards (ISO) 17712-

2013 as required under the Master Solicitation. Seals shall be 1⁄8th-inch 

diameter cable, high-security bolt, or equivalent.

450 QUALITY ASSURANCE

451 Facilities used in fulfilling USDA contracts shall be operating in accordance 

with all applicable FDA regulations. All canned / pouch tuna shall be 

produced under continuous NMFS inspection which may include HACCPQMP or Resident Inspector Program and includes the USTF/NMFS Test Lot 

Protocol.

SUPPLEMENT 603 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
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Date Issued: 10/13/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22 7 

451.1 All processors and processing facilities used to fulfill USDA contracts shall be 

a USDC/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Seafood 

Inspection (SI) Approved Establishment. NOAA SI Approved Establishments 

must meet all pertinent Federal requirements applicable to processing fish 

and fishery products. NOAA SI Approved Establishments must comply with 

the following regulatory requirements that are applicable to the firm:

451.2 21 CFR Part 101 - Labeling

21 CFR Part 110

21 CFR Part 117 Subparts A, B and F

21 CFR Part 123

NOAA SI Approved Establishments Requirements

50 CFR Part 260

451.3 To meet the requirements of a USDC/NOAA Approved Establishment, 

processors of fish and fishery products may participate in one of two

USDC/NOAA Inspection Systems:

451.4 USDC/NOAA HACCP Quality Management Program (HACCP QMP);

A Systems Audit based service which requires firms to be subjected to 

unannounced systems audits on a quarterly frequency interval to substantiate 

overall compliance with all pertinent regulations and to meet quality 

requirements.

451.5 USDC/NOAA Resident Inspector Program; 

A continuous inspection service whereby USDC Inspection personnel are 

present during all hours of production to fulfill USDA contracts.

452 USDC shall be the certifying program. USDC inspectors shall certify the 

quality and acceptability of the tuna in accordance with USDC procedures, 

which include selecting random samples of the packaged tuna, evaluating the 

samples for conformance with the salient characteristics of this FPPS and 

other contractual requirements, and documenting the findings on official 

USDC score sheets and/or certificates. USDC may certify product under Type 

I (continuous inspection), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points 

(HACCP), or lot inspection procedures. In addition, USDC inspection 

personnel will examine the tuna for conformance to the United States 

Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR 42) and MIL-PRF-44073, 

Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches, in effect on the date of the 

solicitation.

452.1 End-item inspection and sample selection/evaluation/analysis shall be 

conducted by USDC inspectors on each delivery unit (cargo container/semitrailer) basis when delivered to a U.S.-based warehouse or storage facility.

Samples will be analyzed and evaluated by a USDC designated laboratory.

452.2 Acceptance or rejection of a lot shall be determined by the USDC Seafood 

Inspection Program based on the following Analytical Requirements: 

SUPPLEMENT 603 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
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Date Issued: 10/13/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22 8 

452.2.1 Salt/sodium level – Not more than 1.5 percent salt using AOAC 937.09, 

976.18, or 976.19 method.

452.2.2 Histamine – No more than 16.99 ppm in any composite sample using AOAC 

977.13 method, or no more than 49.99 ppm in at least two individual samples

using CPG Sec 540.525 method. 

452.2.3 Methylmercury – No more than 0.33 ppm in any composite sample using 

AOAC 988.11 method, or no more than 1.0 ppm in any individual sample 

using AOAC 988.11 method. 

452.3 For each lot (delivery unit), an initial screening of 24 cans or pouches 

producing eight composite samples (3 cans or pouches per composite 

sample) will be performed at time of arrival at the U.S-based warehouse or 

storage facility 

452.3.1 Samples will undergo organoleptic evaluation. Samples will be considered

adulterated (21 U.S.C. 342(a)(3)) when organoleptic evidence of 

decomposition is found in at least two subsamples by an analyst qualified in 

organoleptic testing and the findings are confirmed by a national expert in 

organoleptic testing. And/or honeycombing is found in two subsamples by an 

analyst qualified in organoleptic testing and confirmed by a national expert in 

organoleptic testing.

452.3.2 Composite samples will be tested for histamine, methylmercury, and salt 

content. Histamine levels of ≥ 17.0 ppm or methylmercury levels of ˃0.33 ppm

in any of the eight composites will trigger the sampling methodology in the 

FDA CPG 540.525. Under the FDA methodology, 24 additional cans or 

pouches will be selected and tested for histamine and three additional cans or 

pouches selected and tested for methylmercury. If histamine levels are ≥ 50 

ppm in at least two samples, or methylmercury levels are ˃ 1.0 ppm using 

AOAC 988.11, the lot will be rejected. The lot will be rejected salt content 

exceeds 1.5 percent. 

452.3.3 12-Ounce Cans - An initial screening of 24 cans for histamine will be 

performed. Twenty-four end-item cans will be sensory evaluated and sent to 

the USDC designated laboratory for the histamine analysis. Inspectors will 

select 2 oz. of tuna from the first 12 cans for salt analysis and methylmercury 

testing. The remaining product from the 12-ounce cans will be placed in eight

composite individual bags of tuna product (one bag per three cans) for 

histamine and one composite bag (2 oz from the first 12 cans) for salt 

analysis and methylmercury. There will be nine bags per lot submitted to the 

laboratory for analysis. 

452.3.4 66.5-Ounce Cans and 43-Ounce Pouches - An initial screening of 24 cans or 

pouches for histamine will be performed. Twenty-four end-item cans or 

pouches will be sensory evaluated and sent to the USDC designated 

laboratory for the histamine analysis. Inspectors will select 2 oz. of tuna from 

the first 12 cans or pouches for salt analysis and methylmercury testing. From 

SUPPLEMENT 603 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
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Date Issued: 10/13/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22 9 

the remaining product, inspectors will select a 500 g sample per can or pouch 

of product. Please note that remaining product will need to be rough mixed 

before pulling the 500 g sample. The three cans or pouches will create a 1500 

g composite sample, which the lab can then process per the AOAC. The lab 

will receive eight individual bags with 1500 g worth of product (500 g from 

three cans or pouches) per bag and one composite bag (2 oz from the first 12 

cans or pouches) for salt analysis and methylmercury. There will be nine bags 

per lot submitted to the laboratory for analysis.

452.4 Product Examination – Examinations will be performed by USDC for net and

drained weights, can vacuum, and product defects. All sampling for inspection 

and determination of acceptability shall be done in accordance with 

ANSI/ASQC Z1.4. Defects found during inspection shall be classified in 

accordance with Tables II through IV and the inspection levels acceptable 

quality levels (AQLs) as shown in Table I. AQLs shall be expressed in defects 

per hundred units. The lot size shall be expressed in cans or pouches. See 

Appendix 1. 

452.4.1 Preliminary Lot Screening - In accordance with 7 CFR 42.105 (b) and 42.111, 

lots will be rejected for any single swollen or leaker can identified by the 

Seafood Inspection Program during examination of delivery units (cargo 

container/semi-trailer) when delivered to a U.S.-based warehouse or storage 

facility.

453 Pressed cake weight examination for cans shall be in accordance with 21 

CFR 161.190, Tuna Standard of Identity. Drained weight examination for cans

shall be in accordance with CODEX STAN 70-1981 and be no less than label 

declared drained weight. Any lots that do not meet the cake weight or drained 

weight requirements cannot be delivered to USDA. USDC will determine the 

method to determine product compliance.

454 Pouches shall be examined for net weights in accordance with NMFS 

requirements.

460 WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

461 Warranty – The contractor shall guarantee that the product complies with all 

specification requirements and provisions set forth in the program

Supplement. 

462 Complaint Resolution – Customer complaint resolution procedures shall be 

developed by the contractor. These procedures shall include: a point of 

contact, investigation steps, 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.

470 ACCEPTANCE AND CERTIFICATION

SUPPLEMENT 603 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
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Date Issued: 10/13/15

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471 The USDC Seafood Inspector shall certify acceptable product and set forth on 

a Certificate of Loading the following information: 

471.1 Purchase Order Number/Purchase Order Line-Item Number.

471.2 Sales Order Number/Sales Order Line-Item Number.

471.3 Destination of shipment.

471.4 Name of product and applicable material number.

471.5 Shipping Date.

471.6 Production lot number(s) and date each lot was produced along with shipping 

container and immediate container code(s) and the code used that provides 

traceability to establishment number, production lot and date.

471.7 Count of shipping containers and total projected net weight in each production 

lot. Count and projected net weight verified

471.8 Identity of car or truck (car numbers and letters, seals, truck license, etc.) as 

applicable.

471.9 A statement that “Product conforms with the FPPS for Canned/Pouched 

Tuna; count and projected net weights certified.”

472 Each delivery unit shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Inspection.

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APPENDIX 1

TABLE I. Inspection levels and acceptance numbers

Table Inspection Level2/ AQL

Major Minor

II S3 --- 4.0

III S3 --- 10.0

IV S3 1.0 10.0

V S2 1.5 6.5

2/Sample shipping containers shall be selected randomly on a proportionate basis from not less than 90 percent of

the codes listed in a lot. In the event that the referenced levels result in a sample size that is too small to provide for

sampling 90 percent of the codes in a lot, a level sufficiently large to accommodate this requirement shall be

selected. Not more than one primary container per shipping container shall be examined for the defects within the

tables listed in Table I. The sample unit for USDC Inspection is the contents of one can or pouch.

TABLE II. Examination for net weights3/, 4/, 5/

Category Defect

Minor

201 A 198 g (7.0 oz) or less can or pouch - more than 7.1 g (1⁄4 oz)

under specified net weight. Over 201 g (7.1 oz) to 369 g (13.0 oz)

can or pouch - more than 14.2 g (1⁄2 oz) under specified weight. A 

1.22 kg (43.0 oz) pouch - more than 28 g (1 oz) under specified net 

weight. A 1.88 kg (66.5 oz) can - more than 28 g (1 oz) under 

specified net weight. 

3/Failure of lot average net weight to meet specified net weight shall be basis for rejection of entire lot.

4/Report results to the nearest 0.1 g (0.004 oz).

5/Net weight for pouch product will be determined as follows:

Weigh sealed pouch. Empty contents into tray, make sure all tuna is removed. Clean and dry the pouch. Weigh the

empty pouch. Deduct the weight of the empty pouch from the weight of the sealed pouch and record as net weight.

TABLE III. Examination for vacuum requirements (not required for pouch)

Category Defect

Minor

201 Vacuum less than 1 inch. 

SUPPLEMENT 603 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A
Approved by DBJ

Date Issued: 10/13/15

Date Revised: 01/18/22 12

TABLE IV. Product defects

Category Defect

Critical Major Minor

1 Flesh showing evidence of true honeycombing or the presence 

of flavors and/or odors of decomposition such as, sour and 

rancid, or other flavors and odors of decomposition.

 7/

2 Presence of chemicals, glass, or metal particles, animal excreta,

struvite crystals, or similar extraneous material which could 

harmfully affect or contaminate the product.7/

3 Presence of objectionable foreign materials such as, but not 

limited to, rust, wood, hair, dirt, or insects or insect parts either 

singly or in combination.7/

101 Presence of objectionable flavors or odors such as, but not

limited to,burnt, scorched, overcooked, stale, or other

objectionable flavors or odors.8/

102 Form, color, packing media, or flavor, not as specified in

contract.

201 Presence of any prominent bruise(s), blood clot(s), or

piece(s) of gills or viscera pieces over 6.35 mm (1⁄4 in)

in any dimension.9/

202 Presence of number of undesirable fish parts of an 

objectionable size exceeding those shown below:10/

Net

Weight Skin Scales

Vascular

Tissue Bone

198 g (7.0 oz) or less 2 2 1 1

Over 201 g (7.1 oz)

to 369 g (13.0 oz) 2 4 2 2

1.22 kg (43.0 oz) 3 6 3 3

1.88 kg (66.5 oz) 4 8 4 4

7/These are regarded as critical defects and their finding will be basis for rejection of the entire lot. 8/Do not include flavors and odors of decomposition. 9/Small blood spots, streaks, and bruises, characteristic of purse-seine caught tuna, are not considered defects. 10/

To classify as objectionable, fish parts must meet the following criteria: skin - piece over 13 mm (1⁄2 in) in any

dimension; scales - over 6 mm (1⁄4 in) in any two dimensions; vascular tissue - includes streaks and dark meat 

over 13 mm (1⁄2 in) in any dimension; bone - any bone or cartilage which is not soft or does not become powdery

under firm pressure of a hard object or which is over 13 mm (1⁄2 in) in any dimension.

SUPPLEMENT 603 TO AMS MASTER SOLICITATION EXHIBIT A