USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS

EFP2 

EMERGENCY FOOD PRODUCT

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS

READY-TO-EAT (MEAL REPLACEMENT):

PASTE (A-20), RICE BAR (A-28), WHEAT BAR (A-29)

Effective Date: November 13, 2009
USDA COMMODITIY REQUIREMENTS

EFP2 

EMERGENCY FOOD PRODUCT

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS

Table of Contents

Part 1 COMMODITYSPECIFICATIONS 3

Section 1.1 Emergency Food Product Requirements 3

Section 1.2 Quality Assurance 3

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS 5

Section 2.1 General 5

Section 2.2 Containers And Materials 5

Section 2.3 Primary Pouch Requirements and Examinations for Paste 5

Section 2.4 Secondary Packaging for Paste 6

Section 2.5 Tertiary Packaging (Corrugated Fiberboard Shipping Containers) for

Paste 6

Section 2.6 Primary Packaging Requirements for Bars 7

Section 2.7 Secondary Packaging for Bars 7

Section 2.8 Tertiary Packaging (Corrugated Fiberboard Shipping Containers) for

Bars 8

Part 3 References 9

Exhibits 11 - 19
Part 1 COMMODITYSPECIFICATIONS

Section 1.1 Emergency Food Product Requirements

A. Quality of Emergency Food Products

The emergency feeding paste/bars shall meet the requirements as specified in the

Commercial Item Description (CID) for Emergency Food Product, Ready-To-Eat

(Meal Replacement), A-A-20358, dated November 6, 2008, which is available at 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CID%20Emergency%20Food%20P

roducts%2C%20Ready-to-Eat%20%28Meal%20Replacements%29.pdf

B. Fortification

The ready-to-eat emergency paste and bars shall be fortified with a vitamin and

mineral premix, meeting requirements in the CID. The manufacturer shall

provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) with test results for each requirement to

certify compliance.

C. Shelf Life

The contractor shall provide a certificate of conformance that the product has a 3

year shelf life when stored at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Government verification may

include storage for 6 months at 100°F or 36 months at 80°F. Upon completion of

either storage period, the product could be subjected to a sensory evaluation panel 

for appearance and palatability. Products shall not be more than 30 days old on

date of delivery.

Section 1.2 Quality Assurance

A. The Dairy component manufacturer will be required to have their facility

inspected by the Dairy Grading Branch (DGB), Dairy Program (DP), Agricultural

Marketing Service (AMS), USDA to meet requirements contained in Title 7 Code

of Federal Regulations, Part 110. DGB shall certify and document with official

DGB certificates that the dairy components meet the requirements as stated in

Section 10.2 of the CID. For DGB certification contacts refer to the CID, Section

14.

B. The manufacturer will be required to provide evidence that the manufacturing

plant has undertaken quality assurance measures within the 12 months prior to the

date of contract award as referenced in the CID, Quality Assurance provisions,

Section 11, including 11.1.1 (Plant systems audit) or 11.1.2 (Plant survey).

C. For the emergency paste and bars, product quality and acceptability will be

determined as stated in the CID, Section 11, Quality Assurance, 11.3, USDA

Certification. This certification shall be contractor-paid USDA, Agricultural

Marketing Service, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Processed Products Branch

(PPB) in-plant inspection. This includes satisfactory completion of a PPB plant

EFP2 3
survey and PPB inspector(s), or independent contractors as designated by USDA

onsite during all times of product formulation, processing and packaging. For

information on obtaining PPB in-plant inspection, contact: Chief, Processed

Products Branch, FV, AMS, USDA; Room 0709-S, 1400 Independence Ave., 

SW; Washington, DC 20250; Tel.202-720-5021; Fax 202-690-1527.

All food components that are inspected by the USDA shall be subject to periodic

review sampling and evaluation. The USDA inspector shall select sample units

during production of contracts and submit them to the following address for

evaluation:

USDA-AMS-FV/PPB

Attention: DCIS 

1400 Independence Ave, SW 

STOP 0247, Room 0726-S

Washington, DC 20250

The USDA inspector shall randomly select samples based on production volume

and number of lots during each production. Four sample units of each item

produced shall be randomly selected from that one production lot (for example,

four pouches of 9 bars/pouch or four pouches of paste). The USDA inspector

shall ship three sample units to USDA at the address, above, and one sample unit

to the applicable USDA/AMS field office, within five working days from the end

of the production month and upon completion of all USDA inspection

requirements. The sample units will be evaluated for the characteristics of

appearance, odor, flavor, texture and overall quality.

Contractor shall perform all necessary steps to ensure production meets all

requirements of the CID and contract. Contractor shall provide a certificate of

conformance (COC) with each lot offered to the government stating the lot meets

all contract requirements. In addition, the contractor shall provide a Certificate of

Conformance (COC) from the packaging manufacturer stating that the packaging

material meets the specifications in CID A-A-20358.

Inspections will be performed as specified in the CID and EFP-1 to verify

conformance to contract requirements. Contractor is responsible for providing

office and laboratory resources (including testing equipment) necessary for the

completion of inspection duties.

In addition, Processed Products Branch inspectors will certify conformance to the

United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers for the secondary and

tertiary packaging, which includes defects of label, marking, or code.

The net weight of the cartons shall be determined by weighing each sample unit

on a suitable scale tared with a representative empty carton and primary

packaging materials. Results shall be reported to the nearest 1 gram. The lot size

shall be expressed in cartons. The sample unit shall be the contents of one carton. 

The individual net weight of a carton with 9 feeding paste pouches shall be not

EFP2 4
less than 450 grams. The individual net weight of a secondary carton containing

one brick-pack pouch with 9 bars shall be not less than 500 grams. This will be

done on samples selected for product characteristics.

Finished product not equal to or better than the approved product standard in

palatability and overall appearance shall be cause for rejection of the lot.

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS

Section 2.1 General

This part provides the container specifications and requirements for packaging

materials. “Pouch,” as used in this Part, means either the primary packaging

for paste as defined in Section 7.1 of the CID, or the brick-style pouch for bars

as defined in Section 7.2 of the CID.

All packaging shall meet the USAID Branding/Markings requirements

described on USAID’s website. Artwork for the marking requirements

specified below in Sections 2.3 – 2.8 is available on the United States Agency 

for International Development’s (USAID) website. See Part 3, References.

Section 2.2 Containers And Materials

A. All containers and packaging shall be constructed to meet the requirements of

the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safe contact with the packaged

product. The contractor shall obtain and maintain documentation from the

container or packaging material manufacturer to verify that the containers and

packaging materials used in this contract were in compliance with the

Government’s regulatory requirements for safe contact with food products as

required in the Master Solicitation, Part 3, Section A, Number 3.

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

USDA/FSA/DACO

Room 5755 – South Bldg, STOP 0551 

1400 Independence Avenue SW 

Washington, DC 20250-0551

ATTN: Packaging

C. 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 including, but not limited to,

“Made in [Name of Foreign Country]” or “Product of [Name of

Foreign Country]” are strictly prohibited.

D.

Section 2.3 Primary Pouch Requirements and Examinations for Paste

A. The primary pouch requirements and examinations are specified in Section 7 of

EFP2 5
the CID.

B. For labeling of primary pouch package See Exhibit A

C. Primary packaging shall have a code to indicate production lot.

Section 2.4 Secondary Packaging for Paste

A. Secondary Packaging – Nine pouches of paste shall be packaged in a white

click-lock paperboard carton constructed of 26 point (or equivalent)

paperboard. Inside dimensions shall be nominally 7 inches in length by 5

inches in width by 2-1/4 inches in depth.

B. Labeling of Secondary Package – See Exhibit B. The labeling on the side

panel shall include the USDA contract number, date of manufacture, best used

by date and lot number. The front panel shall contain the words, “This product

is not to be sold or exchanged.”

Section 2.5 Tertiary Packaging (Corrugated Fiberboard Shipping Containers) for Paste

A. Corrugated Fiberboard Shipping Containers (Shipping Container) – Shall be

based on the dimensions of secondary package. Shipping container size will be

dependent upon final size of secondary packaging, not to exceed 40 lbs. per 

box.

B. The shipping containers may be pre-printed, printed on line, or a pre-printed

label may be affixed to the box.

C. Shipping container labeling See Exhibit C. The outer shipping container

shall include the statement, “This Product is Not to be Sold or Exchanged.”

Weight must be stated in Kilograms and Lbs.

D. The shipping container shall comply with the following unitization

requirements:

(1) All shipments of packaged products shall be unitized (palletized and stretch

wrapped).

(2) Pallets shall be:

a. Constructed to facilitate the safe handling and transportation of the

packaged product, as a unit, without loss or damage.

b. 48 X 40 inches, four-way or partial four-way, and reversible or

nonreversible flush stringer.

c. Suitable for use in the shipment of food products.

(3) Plastic stretch wrap shall be:

a. Constructed of a plastic film which is to be stretched a minimum of

50 percent beyond its original length when stretched around the

pallet load.

b. Applied as tightly as possible around all tiers of the palletized

shipping containers. The shipping containers shall be held firmly in

EFP2 6
place by the stretch wrap.

(4) Pallet loads shall be:

a. Stacked in such a way as to minimize the amount that shipping

containers overhang the edges of pallets.

b. Blocked and braced or otherwise loaded into the conveyance in a

manner that prevents shifting during transit.

E. Shipping containers shall be marked to show the maximum safe stacking

height. This should be expressed as follows: “Do not stack above tiers per

pallet, pallets high.” It is the responsibility of the contractor in cooperation

with the container manufacturer to determine the safe stacking height.

Section 2.6 Primary Packaging Requirements for Bars

A. The primary package for the bars shall be a polyolefin shrink film that is shrink

wrapped, in a thin monolayer wrap to provide low level protection and will be

applied to each individual bar. The shrink film shall be determined by the

manufacturer.

B. Nine shrink wrapped bars shall be packed into a vacuum packed brick style

pouch. The requirements for the brick style pouch are specified in Section 7 of

the CID.

C. Each pouch shall be clearly printed or stamped, in a manner that does not

damage the pouch, with a food compatible, permanent black ink, or other dark,

contrasting color, which is free of carcinogenic elements or ingredients. The

information shall be located on the body of the pouch opposite the fin seal, and

not closer than 1/16 to any seal. If a non-contact type printer is used, the

information may be located anywhere on the pouch (in one complete print),

except the fin seal face and the closure seal area.

D. Primary pouch packaging shall have a code to indicate production lot.

E. Pouch labeling requirements A-28 (Rice Bar)  See Exhibit D

F. Pouch labeling requirements A-29 (Wheat Bar) See Exhibit E

Section 2.7 Secondary Packaging for Bars

A. Secondary Packaging – Shall be a white click-lock paperboard carton

constructed of 26 point (or equivalent) paperboard. Internal dimensions shall

be nominally: 5.25 inches in length by 2.5 inches in width by 1.875 inches in

height. One brick (containing 9 bars, 3x3 configuration, vacuum sealed) to be

inserted into a carton and closed.

B. Secondary packaging labeling requirements A-28 (Rice Bar)  See Exhibit F.

The labeling on the side panel shall include the USDA contract number, date of

manufacture, best used by date and lot number. The front panel shall contain

EFP2 7
the words, “This product is not to be sold or exchanged.”

C. Secondary packaging labeling requirements A-29 (Wheat Bar) See Exhibit

G. The labeling on the side panel shall include the USDA contract number,

date of manufacture, best used by date and lot number. The front panel shall

contain the words, “This product is not to be sold or exchanged.”

Section 2.8 Tertiary Packaging (Corrugated Fiberboard Shipping Containers) for Bars

A. Corrugated Fiberboard Shipping Containers (Shipping Container)– Shall be

based on the dimensions of secondary package. Container size will be

dependent upon final size of secondary pattern, not to exceed 40 lbs. per case.

Bulk pack the 9 bar bricks in cartons into shipping container.

B. Shipping containers may be pre-printed, printed on line, or a pre-printed label

may be affixed. Container labeling A-28 (Rice Bar) See Exhibit H . The

outer container shall include the statement, “This Product is Not to be Sold or

Exchanged.” Weight must be stated in Kilograms and Lbs.

C. Shipping container labeling A-29 (Wheat Bar)  See Exhibit I. The outer 

container shall include the statement, “This Product is Not to be Sold or

Exchanged.” Weight must be stated in Kilograms and Lbs.

D. Shipping containers shall comply with the following unitization requirements:

(1) All shipments of packaged products shall be unitized (palletized and stretch

wrapped).

(2) Pallets shall be:

a. Constructed to facilitate the safe handling and transportation of the

packaged product, as a unit, without loss or damage.

b. 48 X 40 inches, four-way or partial four-way, and reversible or

nonreversible flush stringer.

c. Suitable for use in the shipment of food products.

(3) Plastic stretch wrap shall be:

a. Constructed of a plastic film which is to be stretched a minimum of

50 percent beyond its original length when stretched around the

pallet load.

b. Applied as tightly as possible around all tiers of the palletized

shipping containers. The shipping containers shall be held firmly in

place by the stretch wrap.

(4) Pallet loads shall be:

a. Stacked in such a way as to minimize the amount that shipping

containers overhang the edges of pallets.

b. Blocked and braced or otherwise loaded into the conveyance in a

manner that prevents shifting during transit.

E. Shipping containers shall be marked to show the maximum safe stacking

height. This should be expressed as follows: “Do not stack above tiers per

pallet, pallets high.” It is the responsibility of the contractor in cooperation

EFP2 8
with the container manufacturer to determine the safe stacking height.

Part 3 References

USAID Graphic Standards Manual 

http://www.usaid.gov/branding/gsm.html

EFP2 9
EFP2 10
11

Composition ofA-20 by Portion Size

Daily RationPortion

Size

No.of Tubes

Energy (kcal)

Weight

Protein (Nx 6.25)11.00 as% gram weight

Fat 30.00 as% gram weight Carbohydrate 51.00 as% gram weight

Vitamins (added):

VitaminA(μg)

9

2324

450

1266 1

258

50

140.7

Vitamin D3 (IU) 400 44.4

VitaminK(μg) 100 11.1

Vitamin E (IU) 30 3.3

VitaminC (mg) 280 31.1

Vitamin B1 (mg) 1.8 .20

Vitamin B2 (mg) 1.8 0.20

Vitamin B6 (mg)2 0.22

Vitamin B12(μg) 25 2.8

Niacin (mg) 12 1.3

FolicAcid(μg) 400 44.4

Pantothenate(mg)7 0.8

Biotin (μg)

Minerals (added):

Calcium(mg)

Phosphorous (mg)

Sodium(mg)

Potassium(mg)

Chloride(mg)

Magnesium(mg)

Manganese(mg)

Iron(mg)

Zinc(mg)

Copper(μg)

Iodine(μg)

Chromium(μg)

Selenium(μg)

50

600

1000

400

1849

2900

200 0.5

18.0

22

0.9

1002540

5.5

66.6

111.144

205.4

322

22.2

0.06

2.0

2.4

0.1

11.1

2.8

4.4
Vendor Contract no.: (Code No.)

Date of Manufacture: (month, year)

Best used by date: (month, year)

Lot no.: (xxxxx)

11.00

30.00

51.00

A-20

High-Energy Nutrient Dense Food

9 Ready-to-Eat Paste-in-Tube

Aliment riche en éléments nutritifs

età haute valeur énergétique

9 Pâte en Tube Prêteà Consommer

Net Weight: 450g/9802 Kilo/2324 kcal

This product in not to be sold or exchanged.

Ce produit ne peut être ni vendu ni échangé.

Fabricant: (n ̊ code)

Date de fabrication: (mois, année) À consommer de

préférence avant: (mois, année)

N ̊ lot: (xxxxx)

» Tear off tab of package and squeeze

bite size contents into mouth.

» Once package is opened, consume 

in one day.

» Not suitable for children less than 6

months of age.

» Détacher la languette et presser le

contenu dans la bouche.

» Une fois ouvert consommer dans la

journée.

» Déconseillé aux enfants de moins 

de 6 mois d'âge.

11,00

30,00

51,00

Exhibit B  A-20 Secondary Package Box Pattern

EFP1 12
Exhibit C A-20 Tertiary Package Markings (Corrugated Fiberboard Shipping Container)

Emergency Food Product

This Product is Not

to be Sold or Exchanged

Contains (X) Boxes of 450 Grams Daily Ration

Total Weight: (X) Kilograms, (X) Lbs.

Net Weight: (X) Kilograms, (X) Lbs.

EFP1

Vendor Contract Number:

Date of Manufacture:

Best If Used By Date:

Lot Number:

Vendor Contract Number:

Date of Manufacture:

Best If Used By Date:

Lot Number: 13

A-20
14

Composition ofA-28 by Portion Size

Daily RationPortion

Size

No. of Tubes

Energy (kcal)

Weight

Protein (Nx 6.25)11.00 as% gram weight

Fat 30.00as%gramweight

9

2249

500 1

246

55.5

Carbohydrate 51.00as%gramweight

Vitamins (added):

VitaminA(μg) 1166 129.6

Vitamin D3 (IU) 400 44.4

VitaminK(μg) 100 11.1

VitaminE(IU) 30 3.3

VitaminC(mg) 280 31.1

VitaminB1(mg) 1.7 0.19

VitaminB2(mg) 1.8 0.20

VitaminB6(mg)2 0.22

VitaminB12(μg) 25 2.8

Niacin (mg) 12 1.3

FolicAcid(μg) 400 44.4

Pantothenate (mg)7 0.8

Biotin(μg) 50 5.5

Minerals(added):

Calcium(mg) 600 66.6

Phosphorous(mg) 1000 111.1

Sodium(mg) 400

44

Potassium(mg) 1849 205

Chloride(mg) 2900 322

Magnesium(mg) 200 22.2

Manganese(mg) 0.5 0.06

Iron(mg) 17 1.9

Zinc(mg) 18.5 2.1

Copper(μg) 0.9 0.1

Iodine(μg) 100 11.1

Chromium(μg)

25 2.8

Selenium(μg)

40 4.4
15

Composition ofA-29 by Portion Size

Daily RationPortion

Size

No. of Tubes

Energy (kcal)

Weight

Protein (Nx 6.25)13.50 as% gram weight

Fat 16.50as%gramweight

9

2215

500 1

246

55.5

Carbohydrate 57.00as%gramweight

Vitamins (added):

VitaminA(μg) 1166 129.6

Vitamin D3 (IU) 400 44.4

VitaminK(μg) 100 11.1

VitaminE(IU) 30 3.3

VitaminC(mg) 280 31.1

VitaminB1(mg) 1.7 0.19

VitaminB2(mg) 1.8 0.20

VitaminB6(mg)2 0.22

Vitamin B12(μg) 25 2.8

Niacin (mg) 12 1.3

FolicAcid(μg) 400 44.4

Pantothenate (mg)

7 0.8

Biotin(μg) 50 5.5

Minerals(added):

Calcium(mg) 600 66.6

Phosphorous(mg) 1000 111.1

Sodium(mg) 400

44

Potassium(mg) 1849 205

Chloride(mg) 2900 322

Magnesium(mg) 200 22.2

Manganese(mg) 0.5 0.06

Iron(mg) 17 1.9

Zinc(mg) 18.5 2.1

Copper(μg) 0.9 0.1

Iodine(μg) 100 11.1

Chromium(μg)

25 2.8

Selenium(μg)

40 4.4
A

-28

High-Energy Nutrient Dense Food 9 Ready-to-Eat Bars

Aliment riche en éléments nutritifs

età haute valeur énergétique

9 Barres Prêteà Consommer

NetWeight: 500 g/9846 K/2249 kcal

This product in not to be sold or exchanged.

Ce produit ne peut être ni vendu ni échangé.

Exhibit F  A-28 Secondary Package Box Pattern

EFP1 16
13.50

16.50

57.00

13,50

16,50

57,00

A-29

High-Energy Nutrient Dense Food

9 Ready-to-Eat Bars

Aliment riche en éléments nutritifs

et à haute valeur énergétique

9 Barres Prête à Consommer

NetWeight: 500 g/9343 kj/2215 kcal

This product in not to be sold or exchanged.

Ce produit ne peut être ni vendu ni échangé.

Fabricant:

Date de fabrication: À consommer de

préférence avant:

N ̊ lot:

Vendor Contract no.: (Code No.)

Date of Manufacture: (month, year)

Best used by date: (month, year)

Lot no.: (xxxxx)

(n ̊ code)

(mois, année)

(mois, année)

(xxxxx)

Exhibit G  A-29 Secondary Package Box Pattern

EFP1 17
A-28

Contains (X) Boxes of 

500 Grams Daily Ration

Total Weight: (X) Kg, (X) Lbs. 

Net Weight: (X)Kg, (X) Lbs.

Vendor Contract No.: 

Date of Manufacture:

Best If Used By Date: 

Lot No.:

This Product is Not to be Sold or Exchanged

A-28

Exhibit H



A-28 Tertiary Package Markings (Corrugated Fiberboard Shipping Container)

EFP1 18
Contains (X) Boxes of

500 Grams Daily Ration

Total Weight: (X) Kg, (X) Lbs.

Net Weight: (X)Kg, (X) Lbs.

Vendor Contract No.:

Date of Manufacture:

Best If Used By Date:

Lot No.:

This Product is Not to be Sold or Exchanged

A-29

Exhibit I



A-29 Tertiary Package Markings (Corrugated Fiberboard Shipping Container)

EFP1 19