USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS 

SFSG13 

SOY-FORTIFIED SORGHUM GRITS 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Effective Date: 02/25/2008
USDA COMMODITIY REQUIREMENTS 

SFSG13 

SOY-FORTIFIED SORGHUM GRITS 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Table of Contents

Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS ______________________________________ 1

Section 1.1 COMMODITIES ____________________________________________________ 1

Section 1.2 PRODUCT ENRICHMENT REQUIREMENTS __________________________ 2

Section 1.3 PROPORTIONS_____________________________________________________ 3

Section 1.4 INGREDIENT SPECIFICATIONS _____________________________________ 3

Section 1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE _____________________________________________ 5

Section 1.6 QUALITY DISCOUNTS ______________________________________________ 6

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS_______________________ 6

Section 2.1 GENERAL _________________________________________________________ 6

Section 2.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS_____________________________________ 6

Section 2.3 25-KILOGRAM MULTIWALL PAPER BAGS___________________________ 7

Section 2.4 25-KILOGRAM HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGING CONSTRUCTIONS 8

Section 2.5 OUTER CLOSURE AND SEALS ______________________________________ 9

Section 2.6 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES________________________________ 9

Section 2.7 SEAL PEEL TEST__________________________________________________ 10

PART 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS_______________________________________ 11

Section 3.1 MARKINGS _______________________________________________________ 11

Section 3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS_________________________________________ 12

Section 3.3 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS _________________________________________ 14

Section 3.4 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS ______________________ 14

Marking Exhibits ________________________________________________________________ 15 
Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS 

Section 1.1 COMMODITIES 

A. The soy fortified sorghum grits when cooked by mixing one part by volume of the 

product with two parts by volume water, bringing the mixture to a boil, and 

boiling gently for 15-20 minutes, will be distinctly particulate (individual particles 

which adhere together to some extent after cooking but shall not disintegrate or 

otherwise lose their identity) but tender and palatable. They shall not be ropy or 

gluey. 

B. The product shall have a good characteristic taste and odor free from rancid, 

bitter, musty, sour, and other undesirable or foreign tastes and odors. In 

conformance with the chemical and physical requirements set forth in the table 

below: 

Soy-Fortified Sorghum Grits1

Requirements Item Minimum Maximum

Moisture --- 13.5%

Protein (Nx6.25) 2 15.0% ---

Crude Fat 2 --- 2.0%

Crude Fiber2 --- 2.1%

Total bacterial count per gram 3 --- 50,000

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard 

No. 8 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve 90.0% ---

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard 

No. 14 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve --- 35.0%

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard 

No. 30 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve --- 5.0%

 

1

 All percentages are on the basis of weight. 

2

 These limiting values are on a moisture-free basis. 

3

 Bacterial plate count in excess of 50,000 per gram will constitute rejection. However, at contractor’s request only, 

the following additional requirements will apply: If the bacterial plate count is higher than 50,000 per gram but not

more than 500,000 per gram, product will be rejected, unless coliform count does not exceed 100 organisms per 

gram of product. If the bacterial plate count is higher than 500,000 per gram but not more than 1,000,000 per gram, 

product will be rejected, unless the product provided contains: 

(1) No more than 100 coliform per gram;

(2) No more than 10 staph aureus per gram; or 

(3) No salmonella in 20 grams of product. 

SFSG13 Page 1 
Maximum Ash Allowable Without Discount 

at Specified Calcium Levels 4

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Maximum

Ash Percent 

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Maximum

Ash Percent 

Calcium 

Mg/lb. 

Maximum

Ash Percent 

340-358 2.78 649-666 2.95 957-974 3.12

359-376 2.79 667-684 2.96 975-993 3.13

377-394 2.80 685-702 2.97 994-1011 3.14

395-412 2.81 703-720 2.98 1012-1029 3.15

413-430 2.82 721-739 2.99 1030-1047 3.16

431-448 2.83 740-757 3.00 1048-1065 3.17

449-466 2.84 758-775 3.01 1066-1083 3.18

467-485 2.85 776-793 3.02 1084-1101 3.19

486-503 2.86 794-811 3.03 1102-1120 3.20

504-521 2.87 812-829 3.04 1121-1138 3.21

522-539 2.88 830-847 3.05 1139-1156 3.22

540-557 2.89 848-866 3.06 1157-1174 3.23

558-575 2.90 867-884 3.07 1175-1192 3.24

576-593 2.91 885-902 3.08 1193-1210 3.25

594-612 2.92 903-920 3.09 1211-1228 3.26

613-630 2.93 921-938 3.10 1229-1247 3.47

631-648 2.94 939-956 3.11

C. Bacterial plate counts higher than 1,000,000 organisms per gram of product will 

be rejected. Cost of additional testing required for acceptance of product having 

plate counts in excess of 50,000 per gram will be for contractor’s account. 

Section 1.2 PRODUCT ENRICHMENT REQUIREMENTS 

A. The product shall be blended thoroughly and homogeneously mixed calcium and 

other listed enrichment ingredients (1/2 oz./cwt. feed rate) in the following

portions: 

Enrichment Ingredients 

Requirements 

Item Minimum Maximum

Thiamine 2.0 mg/lb. 3.0 mg/lb.

Riboflavin 1.2 mg/lb. 1.8 mg/lb.

Niacin or niacinamide 16.0 mg/lb. 24.0 mg/lb.

Iron (reduced iron, 325 mesh to be used as 

the iron source) 13.0 mg/lb. 26.0 mg/lb.

Vitamin A-Palmitate 5 8,800 IU/lb. --- 

 

4

 Soy-fortified sorghum grits prior to calcium enrichment should have an ash content not exceeding 2.60% on a

moisture –free basis. 

5

 Vitamin A-Palmitate (stabilized) shall be added in encapsulated form containing 250,000 IU Vitamin APalmitate/g. Particle size shall comply with the requirement that at least 98 percent will pass through a U.S. 

Standard No. 50 sieve, at least 90 percent through a U.S. Standard No. 60 sieve, and at least 45 percent through a

U.S. Standard No. 100 sieve. The product shall not be less than 95 percent of the all-trans isomer as determined by

the USP assay procedure. The Vitamin A-Palmitate shall have storage stability such that not more than 20 percent 

of its original activity will be lost when stored for 21 days at 45° C in a sealed container at a target level of 11,000

 SFSG13 Page 2 
Calcium (in harmless and assimilable 

form) 500 mg/lb. 750 mg/lb. 

B. Flavor Stability 

When used for fortifying soy-fortified sorghum grits at the level of 8,800 IU per 

pound, the Vitamin A-Palmitate preparation shall contribute no off-flavor or odor 

to the dry mix or to prepared cooked products. 

(1) The Vitamin A shall have been tested by the vitamin manufacturers in 

cornmeal or wheat flour having moisture content in the range of 13.5 to 

14.0 percent to assure stability of the vitamin. 

(2) If the cornmeal is used for the stability test, the cornmeal used shall be

enriched, degermed yellow cornmeal, fine granulation, conforming to 

requirements of Federal Specification N-C-521E for Type II, Class B, 

Granulation 2. The cornmeal shall be enriched to contain: 2.0 to 3.0 mg. 

thiamine per pound; 1.2 to 1.8 mg. riboflavin per pound; 16.0 to 24.0 mg. 

niacin or niacinamide per pound; 13.0 to 26 mg. iron per pound; and 500 

to 750 mg. calcium per pound. 

(3) If wheat flour is used for the stability test the flour shall be of 65 to 75 

percent extraction and shall be enriched to contain 2.0 to 2.5 mg. thiamine 

per pound; 1.2 to 1.5 mg. riboflavin per pound; 16.0 to 20.0 mg. niacin per 

pound; and 13.0 to 16.5 mg. iron per pound. 

Section 1.3 PROPORTIONS 

The ingredients contained in the blended product will be in the following proportions: 

Ingredients Pounds Per 2,000 lb. Batch 

Sorghum grits, dehulled and degermed 1,700 

Soy grits, defatted (toasted) or expeller 300 

Total 2,000

Section 1.4 INGREDIENT SPECIFICATIONS 

A. Sorghum Grits 

(1) Material Processing 

Sorghum grits will be milled from grain sorghum meeting the following 

requirements: 

a. Class: Yellow or white grain sorghum as defined by “Official 

United States Standards for Grain,” except that the grain shall 

contain no more than two percent of kernels having brown 

subcoats. The standards are available at: 

http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/GIPSA/webapp?area=home&subject=grpi&topic=sq-ous

b. Grade: U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2, or U.S. No. 3, if downgraded 

because of moisture only. 

c. The grain shall be thoroughly cleaned to remove stones, sticks, 

trash, weed seeds, and shriveled kernels; dehulled; degermed; and 

 IU per pound in cornmeal or wheat flour having moisture content in the range of 13.5 to 14.5 percent.

 SFSG13 Page 3 
reduced to grits. 

d. The sorghum shall be milled to remove seed coat so that the 

product color and general appearance will be that of typical 

sorghum grits which are reasonably well milled.

(2) Analysis 

In conformance with the chemical and physical requirements set forth in 

the table below:

Sorghum Grits 

Chemical and Physical Requirements6

Requirements Item Minimum Maximum

Moisture --- 13.5%

Protein (Nx6.25) 7 9.0% ---

Crude Fiber 7 --- 1.8%

Ash 7 --- 1.8%

Material that will pass through a U.S. 

Standard No. 8 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve 90.0% ---

Material that will pass through a U.S. 

Standard No. 14 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve --- 26.0%

Material that will pass through a U.S. 

Standard No. 30 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve --- 5.0%

Material other than sorghum grits 8 --- 0.05%

B. Soy Grits, Defatted (Toasted) or Expeller 

(1) Material and Processing 

Soy grits, defatted (toasted) will be screened, coarsely ground product 

obtained from selected soybeans by cleaning, cracking, dehulling, 

tempering, flaking, defatting with hexane, desolventizing, deodorizing, 

toasting (full cook with color change to light yellow or golden buff), and 

cooling. In addition to the usual biological changes brought about by 

cooking of soybean protein products, this process tends to remove 

undesirable flavor compounds and change the color of the soy grits to a 

buff. Soy grits, expeller, will be screened, coarsely ground product 

obtained from selected soybeans by cleaning, cracking, dehulling, heating, 

and expeller change to golden buff or tan, and cooling. 

(2) Analysis 

In conformance with the chemical and physical requirements set forth in 

the table below:

 

6

 All percentage are on the basis of weight. 

7

 These limiting values are on a moisture-free basis. 

8 Whole sorghum berries, weed seeds, etc. 

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Soy Grits – Defatted (Toasted) or Expeller 

Requirements9

Item Minimum Maximum

Moisture --- 12.0%

Protein (Nx6.25) 10 50.0% ---

Crude Fat, defatted, toasted grits --- 1.0%

Crude Fat, expeller grits 5.0% 6.5%

Ash --- 7.0%

Crude Fiber --- 3.5%

Material that will pass through a U.S. 

Standard No. 8 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve 90.0% ---

Material that will pass through a U.S. 

Standard No. 14 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve --- 75.0%

Material that will pass through a U.S. 

Standard No. 30 Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve --- 5.0%

Nitrogen Solubility Index 10.0% 30.0% 

Urease activity, increase in pH 0.05 0.15 

Total bacterial count --- 50,000/g 

Color, defatted, toasted grits Light yellow to golden 

Color, expeller grits Golden to tan 

Odor Neutral to nutty

Taste Pleasant, neutral to slightly nutty 

Texture A reasonably uniform grit 

Section 1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE 

A. The contractor shall perform the product testing and quality analysis to ensure 

that the product meets the commodity specifications. The results shall be

evidenced by a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Copies of the original COA 

must be submitted as part of the invoice package. The COA shall provide the 

results of all tests specified. If quality discounts are provided in the contract, 

and the product to be delivered by the contractor falls within the quality 

discount table, those factors shall be identified by an asterisk on the copies of 

the COA. 

B. Contractors shall notify the Government immediately of lots that fail to meet 

contract requirements. 

C. Unless otherwise specified, test methods for the finished product, and any 

ingredients therein, shall be those of the AOAC INTERNATIONAL, the 

American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC), or the American Oil 

 

9

 All percentages are on the basis of weight. 

10 These limiting values are on a moisture-free basis. 

 SFSG13 Page 5 
Chemists’ Society (AOCS), as applicable and in effect on the date of issuance 

of the solicitation, or in accordance with methods that give equivalent results. 

Section 1.6 QUALITY DISCOUNTS 

If the product to be delivered by the contractor does not meet the quality specifications 

required herein but falls within the discounts listed, the product may be delivered to the 

Government, but the purchase price will be reduced in accordance with the following

schedule of discounts for each 100 pounds of commodity delivered: 

Excess Moisture Deficient Protein 

13.6% or 13.7% $0.10 14.9% or 14.8% $0.10

13.8% or 13.9% $0.20 14.7% or 14.6% $0.20

14.0% $0.35 14.5% $0.35

Excess Crude Fat Excess Ash 

2.1% or 2.2% $0.10 2.7% or 2.8% $0.10

2.3% or 2.4% $0.20 2.9% or 3.0% $0.20

2.5% $0.35 3.1% $0.35

Excess Crude Fiber Deficient Granulation Through a No. 8 

Sieve 

2.2% or 2.3% $0.10 89% or 88% $0.10

2.4% or 2.5% $0.20 87% or 86% $0.20

2.6% $0.35 85% $0.35

Excess Granulation Through a No. 14 Sieve Excess Granulation Through a No. 30 

Sieve

36% or 37% $0.10 5.1% thru 5.4% $0.10

38% or 39% $0.20 5.5% thru 5.8% $0.20

40% or 41% $0.35

Discounts for Excess Ash, Deficient and Excess Calcium

Excess Ash Percentage 

Points Above Max. Deficient Calcium Excess Calcium 

.01% or .02% $0.10 499-440 mg/lb. $0.05 750-1247 mg/lb. $0.00

.03% or .04% $0.20 439-400 mg/lb. $0.10

.05% $0.35 399-340 mg/lb. $0.20

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS 

Section 2.1 GENERAL

This part provides the container specifications and packaging materials 

requirements used under this contract. 

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 

 SFSG13 Page 6 
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 similar 

to but not inclusive of, “Made in [Name of Foreign Country.]” or 

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

Section 2.3 25-KILOGRAM MULTIWALL PAPER BAGS 

A. Twenty-five kilograms of product shall be packed in Pinch Bottom Open 

Mouth (PBOM) style multiwall paper bags. The use of recycled materials is 

not required if performance or food safety is jeopardized. 

B. The bag shall have two inner walls of 50-pound nominal basis weight natural 

kraft paper and an outer third wall of 60-pound nominal basis weight wet 

strength paper in accordance with Uniform Freight Classification, Rule 40, 

Section 10, Tables A and B, as amended. 

C. The bag shall have a inner plastic liner constructed of linear low density 

polyethylene (LLDPE) film. The film liner shall: 

(1) Be a minimum thickness of 2.5 mil. with a density of 0.914 to 0.929 

g/cc and a minimum heat-seal coefficient of 0.60. The film shall have a 

minimum impact resistance of 265g when tested in accordance with 

ASTM D-1709 Method A, as amended, Falling Dart. 

(2) The film liner shall have 8 to 12 micro perforations in each gusset area 

to allow for the evacuation of air from the product after filling and 

sealing. 

(3) Have a sufficient amount of anti-block. It shall be free from any 

blocking at 50o

C and not subject to reblock at 70oC. 

(4) The film liner shall be loose for the full length of the bag except around 

the bottom and top closure areas. At the top and bottom closure areas, 

the liner shall adhere to the inner-most paper ply (time lamination). 

The laminating adhesive shall be machine direction applied in narrow 

strips no longer than 4 inches from each end. The use of gravure 

lamination to bond the liner to the inner-most paper ply for the entire 

 SFSG13 Page 7 
length of the bag is prohibited. 

(5) Be adhered to prevent product from getting between the inner film and 

the next outer paper ply. 

(6) Not exceed a maximum average water vapor permeability of 0.65 

grams per 100 square inches in 24 hours at 90 percent relative humidity 

and a temperature of 100o

F plus or minus 5 degrees. 

(7) Be manufactured to meet Food and Drug Administration requirements 

for food products (21 CFR 177.1520, as amended). 

(8) Be heat-sealed at the bottom by the bag manufacturer. However, as the 

top of the liner is not required to be heat-sealed, a non-heat sealed 

stepping pattern shall be used instead. 

D. Longitudinal seams of the outer wall of the bag shall be glued so that there is 

no more than 3/16-inch of unglued edge on the outer surface of the bag. The 

adhesives used in the longitudinal seams and pasted end closures shall be water 

resistant. Water resistant adhesive of outer ply longitudinal seams or pasted 

end closures shall be tested for resistance to water in accordance with TAPPI 

T456 (Wet Tensile Test), except as follows: 

Cut test specimens 1-inch wide so that the longitudinal seam or pasted end 

closure runs perpendicular to and is centered relative to the long dimension of 

the specimen. The test specimen shall encompass all adhesive bonded areas 

included in fabricating the seam or end closure. In the case of multi-ply end 

closures, clamp all plies in the jaws of the tester. Immerse the specimens in not 

less than 1-inch of the distilled water for 24 hours. Run a wet tensile test. A 

test specimen fails the test if failure occurs with the separation of the seam or 

closure and less than 25% of the separated adhesive area shows fiber tear. 

Failure of more than 10% of the specimens shall be reported as failure of the 

adhesive. 

Section 2.4 25-KILOGRAM HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGING 

CONSTRUCTIONS 

A. Contractors shall utilize one of the following constructions when the 

solicitation requires the use of high performance packaging: 

(1) Multiwall paper bag constructed of: One (1) ply inner film liner 

guaranteed 2.5 mil. minimum thickness linear low density 

polyethylene, four (4) plies of 50-pound natural multiwall kraft (NMK) 

paper, and one (1) outer ply of 60-pound wet strength natural multiwall 

kraft (WSNMK) paper; or 

(2) Multiwall paper bag constructed of: 3.1 mil.(70 grams per square 

meter) film consisting of two or more layers of co-extruded polyolefin 

film with alternating angles of orientation, laminated together and 

biaxially oriented, two (2) plies of 50-pound NMK paper, and one (1) 

outer ply of 60-pound WSNMK paper. The bag shall be heat-sealed at 

the bottom by the bag manufacturer. However, as the top of the liner is 

not required to be heat-sealed, a non-heat sealed stepping pattern shall 

 SFSG13 Page 8 
be used instead. 

(3) Both bag constructions shall: 

(a) be uniquely marked with a one (1) inch blue stripe located 

approximately three (3) inches above the letters “USA” and 

extending around the width of each bag; 

(b) meet the specifications and testing requirements outlined in 

these commodity requirements. 

Section 2.5 OUTER CLOSURE AND SEALS

A. The bottom and top of the 25-kilogram bag shall be closed to provide a tight 

seal using hot-melt or thermoplastic adhesive applied in a single band along the 

top edge of the long side of the bag and extending downward at least 3/4 

inches. The fold line on the manufacturer closure end shall be 1-3/4 inches 

plus or minus 1/4-inch. The fold line on the field closure end shall be 1-5/8 

inches plus or minus 1/4-inch. Refer to section 3.1.L. for bag closure guide 

location bars. 

B. The outer wall of the bag shall be stepped at the bottom and top fold over flap, 

beyond all inner walls, in order to provide a positive seal over the ends of the 

inner walls so that there is no more than 3/16 inches unbonded edge beyond the 

adhesive line. The inner polyethylene film may be heat-sealed. 

Section 2.6 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES 

A. All bags shall be capable of withstanding the following performance test for 

impact resistance: 

(1) 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 a shock duration of .002 seconds 

without loss of product. 

(2) Testing shall be conducted under standard temperature (73.4o

F plus or 

minus 1.8o

F) and relative humidity (50% plus or minus 2%) conditions. 

(3) Filled bags shall be placed in the conditioned atmosphere for sufficient 

time before the tests are conducted for the bag materials to reach 

equilibrium.

(4) Bags submitted under this performance specification shall conform to 

all other applicable material, construction, and performance 

specifications. 

B. Test Laboratories 

Independent or private laboratories known to be capable of conducting the 

shock machine test described above are as follows: 

Michigan State University 

School of Packaging 

East Lansing, MI 48824-1223 

(517) 355-9580 

Lansmont Corporation 

1287 Reamwood 

Sunnyvale, CA 94089 

(408) 734-9724 

 SFSG13 Page 9 
http://packaging.msu.edu/

Lansmont Corporation 

6539 Westland Way, Suite 24 

Lansing, MI 48917 

(888) 526-7666 

www.lansmont.com

Rutgers University 

Packaging Science and 

Engineering Dept. 

P.O. Box 909 

Piscataway, NJ 08854 

(201) 932-3679 

Ten-E Packaging Services, Inc. 

1666 County Road 74 

Newport, MN 55055 

(651) 459-0671 

www.ten-e.com

Section 2.7 SEAL PEEL TEST 

A. The contractor shall perform periodic seal peel tests on the filling end of 

multiwall paper bags to determine whether the paper plies are adequately

adhered. The seal peel test shall be performed at every start up and a minimum 

of every hour during commodity packing operations. The seal peel test shall 

demonstrate tear of paper fiber (fiber tear) for all paper plies. The contractor 

shall maintain records of seal peel test results for review by the Government. 

B. The seal peel test shall be performed as follows: 

(1) Run an empty bag through the sealing unit. 

(2) Cut bag approximately 3 to 8 inches below the seal. 

(3) Cut both gussets along the center crease to the top of the bag end. 

(4) Spread bag to expose poly liner. 

(5) Check inside plastic liner along the closure and gussets to determine 

that the liner is heat-sealed. Pinholes, no larger than 1/8 inch in 

diameter, are allowable in the closure. (NOTE: This step is not 

required when the top of the liners in bags is not heat-sealed.) 

(6) Grip inside fold at center of the bag end. 

(7) Pull apart sides of the bag end at the center, separating seals. (If the 

seal is good, fibers shall completely cover adhesive. If the seal is poor, 

glossy adhesive will show). 

C. The contractor's seal peel test records shall include the following information 

for each test: date, time, employee's name, product, contract number, railcar 

number, and result of the test. The result of the test shall be reported as either 

"good seal" or "poor seal”, “insufficient fiber tear”, as applicable. The 

contractor shall take corrective action if the seal peel test indicates a poor seal 

and shall retest until a good seal is achieved. 

 SFSG13 Page 10 
PART 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS 

Section 3.1 MARKINGS 

A. The bags shall be marked in the color specified in the markings exhibits. Any 

markings not shown on the exhibits shall be printed in blue. When printed on the 

bag, the colors blue and red shall match the Pantone Matching System (PMS) 

chart numbers 280 and 200, respectively, to the extent practicable. 

B. All dimensions are approximate. Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall 

be in normal block print. 

C. The US Flag shall be 5 inches high and 9 inches in total width, on the back of the 

applicable bag. See exhibits. 

D. The letters USA shall be Univers black (75) oblique, or Helvetica extra bold with 

70% scaling and -70 tracking or equivalent to match the style as shown in the 

exhibits. The letters USA shall be 4 3/4 inches high and 9 3/4 inches in total 

width. The three stripes adjacent USA shall be 1 inch high and must extend to the 

edge of the panel. 

E. The USAID vertical identity, including the logo, brandname, 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. The USAID logo shall be 4 1/4 

inches in diameter. The USAID brandname shall be 2 inches in height. The 

tagline “FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE” shall be 1/2 inch in height, see 

exhibits. The USAID vertical identity is available to download at 

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

F. The USDA logo shall be 4 1/2 inches high and 6 1/2 inches in total width. See 

exhibits. 

G. The commodity name shall be 1 1/4 inch print. Immediately below the 

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

description in 5/8 inch print, if applicable. 

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

shall be 3/4 inch print. 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. See exhibits. 

The contractor shall obtain a waiver, in writing, from the Government to print the 

contract number using on-line printing on filled bags. 

I. The letters or symbols used in the language markings for LMR-1, LMR-3 and 

LMR-4, LMR-5, LMR-7, and LMR-8 should be sized approximately 1 5/8 inches. 

The language markings for LMR-2 and LMR-6 should be sized to fit as shown in 

the exhibits.

 SFSG13 Page 11 
J. Lot numbers, production codes or any other means of identification required to 

meet the traceability requirement shall be printed as small as possible, yet legible. 

K. Gussets. The USAID identity shall be a total of 2 3/4 inches in height and 8 1/2 

inches in total width and printed in both gussets, see applicable exhibits. The 

letters “USAID” shall be 1 3/4 inches high and the tagline “FROM THE 

AMERICAN PEOPLE” shall be 3/8 inch high. 

L. Gussets. The letters USA shall be 3 inches high and printed in both gussets. 

M. Bag Closure Guide Location Bars (BCGL) shall be printed on the front panel of 

all multi-wall paper bags, as shown in the exhibits. The BCGL bars shall be 

plainly visible, approximately one inch in length, printed in blue in two parallel 

rows evenly spaced over the entire width of the bag. The BCGL bars are to be 

used as visual quality control verification. Visually identifying two bars or no bars 

on the bag would indicate a bag closure failure. Visually identifying one bar 

would indicate a proper bag closure. (Exhibits A & B) 

Section 3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS 

The Government shall furnish required markings within two business days after the date 

of the contract. The procurement of containers should be deferred for at least two 

business days after the date of the contract. 

The following standard marking requirements may be requested under the contract: 

Standard Marking Requirement #1 (SMR-1)

USAID – Distribution 

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, “SMR1”. See exhibit SMR-1, front. 

Back: Identical to front. See exhibit SMR-1, back. 

Standard Marking Requirement #2 (SMR-2)

FAS - Distribution 

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD 

OR EXCHANGED," USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, 

“SMR-2”. See exhibit SMR-2, front. 

Back: Identical. See exhibit SMR-2, back. 

Standard Marking Requirement #3 (SMR-3)

USAID – Monetization 

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, USAID logo, contract number, net weight, 

dimensions, “SMR-3”. See exhibit SMR-3, front. 

Back: Identical to front. See exhibit SMR-3, back. 

 SFSG13 Page 12 
Standard Marking Requirement #4 (SMR-4)

FAS or USAID - Monetization 

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, contract number, net weight, 

dimensions, “SMR-4”. See exhibit SMR-4, front. 

Back: Identical. See exhibit SMR-4, back. 

Language Marking Requirement #1 (LMR-1)

USAID – Distribution for North Korea

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-1.”. See exhibit LMR-1, front. 

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, North Korean language panel, and “LMR1” only. See exhibit LMR-1, back. 

Language Marking Requirement #2 (LMR-2)

USAID – Distribution for Afghanistan, with Pashtu and Dari 

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-2.” See exhibit LMR-2, front. 

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, Pashtu and Dari language panel, and 

“LMR-2” only. See exhibit LMR-2, back. 

Language Marking Requirement #3 (LMR-3)

USAID – Distribution for South Africa Region

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-3.” See exhibit LMR-3, front. 

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, English language panel, and “LMR-3” 

only. See exhibit LMR-3, back. 

Language Marking Requirement #4 (LMR-4)

USAID – Distribution for Iraq with Arabic 

Front: US Flag, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD OR

EXCHANGED,” USAID logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-4.” See exhibit LMR-4, front. 

Back: US Flag, the commodity name, Arabic language panel, and “LMR-4” only. 

See exhibit LMR-4, back. 

Language Marking Requirement #5 (LMR-5)

FAS – Distribution for North Korea 

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD 

OR EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-5.” See exhibit LMR-5, front. 

Back: USA with stripes, the commodity name, North Korean language panel, and 

“LMR-5” only. See exhibit LMR-5, back. 

 SFSG13 Page 13 
Language Marking Requirement #6 (LMR-6)

FAS – Distribution for Afghanistan, with Pashtu and Dari 

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD 

OR EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-6.” See exhibit LMR-6, front. 

Back: USA with stripes, the commodity name, Pashtu and Dari language panel, 

and “LMR-6” only. See exhibit LMR-6, back. 

Language Marking Requirement #7 (LMR-7)

FAS – Distribution for South Africa Region 

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD 

OR EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-7.” See exhibit LMR-7, front. 

Back: USA with stripes, the commodity name, English language panel, and 

“LMR-7” only. See exhibit LMR-7, back. 

 

Language Marking Requirement #8 (LMR-8)

FAS – Distribution for Iraq with Arabic 

Front: USA with stripes, the commodity name, the words "NOT TO BE SOLD 

OR EXCHANGED,” USDA logo, contract number, net weight, dimensions, and 

“LMR-8.” See exhibit LMR-8, front 

Back: USA with stripes, the commodity name, Arabic language panel, and 

“LMR-8” only. See exhibit LMR-8, back. 

Section 3.3 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 

B. The bag dimensions shall be centered at the bottom of the bag, as small as 

possible, yet legible. 

Section 3.4 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 

 SFSG13 Page 14 
 SFSG13 Page 15 

channels of containers and container 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. 
Marking Exhibits 

SFSG12 

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIE

SORGHUM GRIT
SOY FORTIFIE

SORGHUM GRIT

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SFSG12 
SFSG12 

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIE

SORGHUM GRIT
SFSG12 

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRIT
SFSG12 

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIE

SORGHUM GRIT
SFSG12 

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIE

SORGHUM GRI
SFSG12 

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIE

SORGHUM GRIT
SFSG12 

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRIT
SFSG12 

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRIT
SFSG12 

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRIT
SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRIT

SFSG12 
SOY FORTIFIED

SORGHUM GRITS

SOY FORTIFIE

SORGHUM GRIT

SFSG12 
Exhibit A 

Bag Closure Guide Location

Front of Bag

Pre-applied Hot Melt

SFSG12 
Exhibit B 

SFSG12