USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS 

SFSO6 

REFINED SUNFLOWER SEED OIL 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Effective Date: 12/31/09
USDA COMMODITIY REQUIREMENTS 

SFSO6 

REFINED SUNFLOWER SEED OIL 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Table Of Contents

Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS ______________________________________ 1

Section 1.1 COMMODITIES ____________________________________________________ 1

Section 1.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE _____________________________________________ 2

Section 1.3 QUALITY DISCOUNTS ______________________________________________ 2

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS_______________________ 3

Section 2.1 GENERAL _________________________________________________________ 3

Section 2.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS_____________________________________ 3

Section 2.3 PACK SIZES _______________________________________________________ 3

Section 2.4 SHIPPING CONTAINERS ____________________________________________ 5

Section 2.5 PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS __________________________________ 5

Part 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS__________________________________________ 5

Section 3.1 4-LITER CYLINDRICAL-STYLE CANS _______________________________ 5

Section 3.2 4-LITER PLASTIC CONTAINERS ____________________________________ 6

Section 3.3 SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR ALL 4-LITER CONTAINERS ____________ 6

Section 3.4 20-LITER PAILS ____________________________________________________ 7

Section 3.5 208-LITER DRUMS__________________________________________________ 8

Section 3.6 SPECIAL MARKINGS FOR MONETIZATION PROGRAMS _____________ 8

Section 3.7 LOT CODES_______________________________________________________ 10

Section 3.8 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS ______________________ 10

Exhibits A through J _____________________________________________________________ 11
Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS 

Section 1.1 COMMODITIES 

A. Types of Sunflower Seed Oil 

(1) Mid-Oleic Oil (NuSun) shall be fully refined, bleached, deodorized, and 

pure. It shall be produced from fair average quality crude mid-oleic 

sunflower seed oil from which essentially all of the free fatty acids and 

non-oil substances have been removed by chemical treatments and by 

mechanical or physical separation. 

B. Other Requirements

(1) Sunflower seed oil shall be fortified with vitamin A (retinol palimtate) at 

the rate of 60-75 IU/g. 

(2) Sunflower seed oil shall be clear and brilliant when held at 70° to 85° F 

(21.1° to 29.4°C). The oil shall be free from sediment, such as metal, 

wood, dirt, glass, paint, insects, insect parts, or any other foreign material. 

The oil shall have a bland odor and flavor and shall be free from beany, 

rancid, painty, musty, metallic, fishy, putrid, or any other undesirable odor 

and/or flavor. The oil shall have a light viscosity and shall not have a 

heavy oily mouth feel. Heavy metal scavengers, antifoaming agents, and 

antioxidants can be added provided levels of use are in accordance with 

appropriate Food and Drug Administration regulations. 

(2) The finished sunflower seed oil shall conform to the analytical 

requirements as specified in the following table. Analyses shall be made 

in accordance with Methods of the American Oil Chemists' Society 

(AOCS), for refined, bleached, and deodorized sunflower seed oil. 

MID-OLEIC SUNFLOWER SEED OIL (NUSUN) 

Requirements 

Item Minimum Maximum 

Free Fatty Acid (as Oleic) 0.05% 

Moisture and Impurities --- 0.10% 

Peroxide Value --- 2.0% 

Color Lovibond Scale --- 2.5 Red 

Iodine Value 88.0 115.0 

Oleic 55.0% 75.0% 

Saponification (SAP) Value 186 194 

Unsaponifiable --- 1.5% 

Specific Gravity by 20 Degree Centigrade 0.917 0.924 

Flavor shall be pleasing 

Appearances (waxes not separated) shall be cloudy at room temperature 

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Section 1.2 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. 

Section 1.3 QUALITY DISCOUNTS 

A. The government will accept product subject to the following schedules of 

discounts for each 100 pounds (net weight) of product delivered: 

Excess Peroxide Value Meg/Kg. 

2.1 thru 2.3 $.35 

2.4 thru 2.5 $.50 

Excess Free Fatty Acid, Percent

.06 or .07 $0.10 

.08 or .09 $0.20 

.10 or .11 $0.30 

B. No individual container shall weigh less than the under-fill limits shown below. 

Lots found to have any containers weighing less than the under-fill limit will be 

rejected. 

Net Weight Under-Fill Limit 

Pack Size (Liters) Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds

4 3.7 8.1 3.6 7.9 

20 18.5 40.7 18.2 40.1 

208 194.5 429.0 193.0 425.0 

208 Nitrogen Sparged 193.0 425.0 191.0 420.0 

C. If there is a shortage of more than 1⁄2 pound per 208 liter drum between the 

invoice weight and the weight per drum specified in the contract, the purchase 

price shall be discounted by the difference between required and actual net 

weights multiplied by $0.15. 

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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 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 0553 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, DC 20250-0553 

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 PACK SIZES 

A. 4-Liter Cylindrical-Style Cans 

(1) Cylindrical-style steel cans shall be clean, sanitary, and suitable for 

vegetable oil. The cylindrical-style can shall: 

(a) Be sized to accommodate 4 liters of vegetable oil 

(2) The steel utilized in the construction of the cylindrical-style can shall: 

(1) Meet all FDA guidelines for safe contact with food for human 

consumption 

(2) Be durable enough to withstand long periods of stacking in 

warehouse and ocean going vessels without the aid of container 

shipment 

(3) Sunflower seed Oil Can Size 

All oil in 6/4 liter cylindrical-style cans shall be packaged in only one 

can size per contract. 

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(4) Closures 

(a) The closure of cylindrical-style cans after filling may be 

accomplished in any commercially acceptable manner that 

assures a sound, leak-proof, tamper-resistant seal capable of 

withstanding temperature extremes in excess of 150 degrees F 

without product leakage. 

(b) Full compliance with these performance requirements include, 

but is not limited to: full documentation of closure procedures, 

consistent performance of documented procedures, completion 

and retention of all applicable records for three years after 

production. 

B. 4-Liter Plastic Containers 

(1) Plastic containers shall be clean, sanitary, and suitable for vegetable oil. 

(2) Plastic containers shall be sized to accommodate 4 liters of vegetable oil. 

(3) Plastic containers shall be securely closed to prevent product tampering, 

and to protect the product from leaking during long periods of 

international distribution. 

(4) Plastic containers shall be light blue in color, as close to PMS 291 as 

possible. 

(5) The utilization of plastic containers is limited. Plastic containers shall be 

specified within the solicitation. 

C. 20-Liter Pails 

(1) 18.5 kilograms (40.7 pounds) of oil shall be packed in clean, sanitary, 

2.0 liter round, tight-head pails using the UN1A/Y1.4/250, as a 

minimum. 

(2) The interior of the pails shall be coated with a rust inhibitor which meets 

FDA guidelines for safe contact with vegetable oil. 

(3) A collapsible handle shall be fixed to the top of the pail for ease in 

handling. 

D. 208-Liter Drums 

(1) 194.5 kilograms (429 pounds) of vegetable oil shall be packed in new, 

sanitary, tight-head steel drums. 

(2) The interior of the drums shall be coated with a rust inhibitor, which meets 

FDA guidelines for safe contact with vegetable oil. 

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Section 2.4 SHIPPING CONTAINERS 

A. Cylindrical Style Cans 

(1) Shipping containers shall be packed with 6/4 liter cylindrical-style cans. 

(2) Shipping container flaps shall be securely closed with suitable 

adhesive to prevent lifting of free edges or corners of outer flaps 

during international distribution, stacking and storage. 

B. Plastic Containers 

(1) 6/4 liter bottles shall be packed in a corrugated fiberboard shipping 

container. The shipping container shall conform to Rule 41, as 

amended, of the Uniform Freight Classification Rules and 

Regulations, and shall be sized to minimize headspace between the top 

of the bottles and the closed flaps of the shipping container. 

(2) The 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 shipping container and plastic container 

manufacturer to determine the safe stacking height. 

C. All shipping containers filled with either cans or bottles must, at a minimum, 

accommodate 670 cases per 20 foot common intermodal container based on 

external container measurements of 20 ft (6.1M) long, 8 feet (2.4m) wide, and 

8.5 ft (2.6M) high. 

Section 2.5 PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS 

A. Cylindrical Style Cans shall be capable of withstanding the following 

performance testing. Individual cylindrical-style steel cans shall have a minimum 

top-to-bottom compression strength load of 1500 pounds. Compression strength 

shall be determined by ASTM D642-90, “Standard Test Method for Determining 

Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components and Unit Loads,” using a 

compression testing machine with a swivel platen, and conducted without 

contents, closures, or shipping containers. 

B. Plastic Containers shall meet applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) and 

United Nations (UN) performance standards. 

Part 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS 

Section 3.1 4-LITER CYLINDRICAL-STYLE CANS 

A. The 4-liter cans shall be marked in the color as specified in Exhibit A. The 

natural background of the tin-plated can shall be used. Pressure sensitive or other 

labels are not acceptable. Any markings not shown in Exhibit A shall be marked 

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B. All dimensions are approximate. All printing shall be lithographed in indelible 

ink directly on the can. Unless otherwise specified all characters shall be in 

normal block print. 

C. The letters USA shall be in Univers black (75) obique or Helevetica extra bold 

with 70% scaling and 70 tracking or equivalent to match the stlyle as shown in 

enclosed exhibits. The logo shall be 2 inches high and 1 1⁄2 inches in width. 

D. The USAID logo shall be printed in the same style as shown in Exhibit A. The 

logo shall be 2 inches high and 1-1⁄2 inches in width. 

E. “REFINED SUNFLOWER SEED OIL”, “VITAMIN A FORTIFIED”, shall be 

7/16 inch print and “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” shall be 1/4 to 7/16 

inch print. When specified in the solicitation insert the words “VITAMIN A 

FORTIFIED”, under the words “REFINED SUNFLOWER SEED OIL”. 

F. “4 LITERS – 3.7 kg” shall be in 1/4 inch print. 

G. The stripes shall be 7/16 inches high, and shall extend around the pail. 

H. The applicable contract number shall be printed on each can. 

Section 3.2 4-LITER PLASTIC CONTAINERS 

A. The 4-liter plastic containers shall be marked in the color as specified in Exhibit 

B. Pressure-sensitive are acceptable. Any markings not shown on the Exhibit B 

shall be marked in blue or black. When printed on the plastic container, the 

colors blue and red shall match the 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 size of graphics and markings are shown in the exhibit as actual sizes. 

Section 3.3 SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR ALL 4-LITER CONTAINERS 

A. The corrugated fiberboard shipping containers shall be marked in the color as 

specified in the Exhibit C through F. The natural background of the brown 

corrugated box shall be used. Pressure-sensitive or other labels are not 

acceptable. Any markings not shown on the exhibits shall be marked in blue or 

black. When printed on the box, the colors blue and red shall match the PMS 

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

B. All dimensions are approximate. All printing shall be printed in indelible ink 

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C. 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 3 inches high and 6 inches in total width. The 

stripes shall be each 5/8 inches high, shall begin 1⁄4 inch from the letters USA and 

extend to 1⁄2 inch from the edge of the box panel. 

D. The USAID logo shall be printed in the same style as shown in the exhibits. The 

logo shall be 1-1⁄3 inches high and 1 inch in width. 

E. “REFINED SUNFLOWER SEED OIL”, and “VITAMIN A FORTIFIED”, shall 

be 5/8 inch print. “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” shall be 5/16 inch 

print. “6 CANS OR 4 LITERS EACH, CONTRACT NO., NET WEIGHT: 22.0 

kg, GROSS WEIGHT ___ kg, and CUBIC METERS: ___”, shall be 1⁄4 inch print. 

Insert the words “VITAMIN A FORTIFIED”, under the words “REFINED 

SUNFLOWER SEED OIL”. 

F. “THIS END UP” shall be 3/16 inch print and the arrow shall be 1⁄2 inches high. 

G. If an ‘H’ bliss style box is used, markings shall conform to the requirements 

of this section as well as the end panels shown in Exhibit J. 

Section 3.4 20-LITER PAILS 

A. The 20-liter pails shall be marked in the color as specified in Exhibit G. The 

color of the pail shall be light blue, as close to PMS 291 or RAL 5024 as 

possible. Any markings not shown on the exhibit shall be marked in blue. When 

printed on the pail, the colors blue and red shall match the PMS chart numbers 

280 and 200, respectively, to the extent practicable. 

B. All dimensions are approximate. All printing shall be lithographed in indelible 

ink directly on the box. Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall be in 

normal block print. 

C. 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 

exhibit. The letters USA shall be 3-1⁄2 inches high and 7 inches in total width. 

The stripes shall be each 11/16 inches high, shall begin 1⁄2 inch from the letters 

USA and extend around the pail. 

D. “REFINED SUNFLOWER SEED OIL”, “VITAMIN A FORTIFIED”, and “NOT 

TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” shall be in 3⁄4 inch print. “20 LITERS, NET 

WEIGHT: 18.5 kg, GROSS WEIGHT: 20.5 kg, and CUBIC METERS: 0.03027” 

shall be in 3/8 inch print. Insert the words “VITAMIN A FORTIFIED”, under the 

words “REFINED SUNFLOWER SEED OIL”. 

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E. The contract no. shall be placed on the top of the pail or on the back panel of the 

pail. 

Section 3.5 208-LITER DRUMS 

A. The 208-liter drums shall be marked in the color specified in the Exhibit I. The 

color of the drum shall be light blue, as close to PMS 291 or RAL 5024 as 

possible. Any marking not shown on the exhibit shall be marked in blue. When 

printed on the drum, the colors blue and red shall match the PMS chart numbers 

280 and 200, respectively, to the extent practicable. All markings shall be legible 

and of sufficient size to stand out prominently. 

B. All dimensions are approximate and may be adjusted to fit on each panel. All 

printing shall be in indelible ink. Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall 

be in normal block print. 

C. 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 

exhibit. The letters USA shall be 6 inches high and 12 inches in total width. The 

stripes shall be each 1-1⁄8 inches high, and shall extend around the drum as far as 

possible. 

D. The USAID logo shall be printed in the same style as shown in the exhibits. The 

logo shall be 3 inches high and 2-1⁄8 inches in width. 

E. “REFINED SUNFLOWER SEED OIL”, “VITAMIN A FORTIFIED”, shall be in 

2 inch print and “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” shall be in 1-1⁄2 inch 

print. “CONTRACT NO., NET WEIGHT: 194.5 kg, GROSS WEIGHT: 214 kg, 

and CUBIC METERS:” shall be in 1 inch print. Insert the words “VITAMIN A 

FORTIFIED”, under the words “REFINED SUNFLOWER SEED OIL”. 

Section 3.6 SPECIAL MARKINGS FOR MONETIZATION PROGRAMS 

In order to make all product easily identifiable throughout the production and delivery 

process, all oil destined for use in export monetization program shall have the following 

special markings: 

A. 4-liter Cylindrical Style Cans and 20-liter Pails

(1) Will be printed with a white band, which shall be printed in the same 

location as the USA logo and the three red stripes as identified in exhibits. 

(2) The white band will be a minimum of 2 inches in height on the 4-liter 

cylindrical style cans and 3 inches in height on the 20-liter pails, and shall 

extend completely around the container. 

(3) All other required markings on the 4-liter cylindrical style cans and the 20-

liter pails shall be printed in blue. 

(4) At not time will the white band and the phrase “NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED” appear on the same can. 

(5) All monetized products will be designated as “white band” on all 

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B. Fiberboard Shipping Container

(1) A 3-inch solid white band shall be printed on all four side panels of all 

fiberboard containers used for 4-liter vegetable oil procured for 

monetization programs. The band shall extend completely around the 

container to the extent that the box type/style will permit. 

(2) The 3-inch band shall be printed in the same location as the USA logo and 

the three red stripes as identified in exhibit. 

(3) All other required markings shall be printed in blue. 

(4) At no time will the white band and the phrase, “NOT TO BE SOLD OR 

EXCHANGED” appear on the same shipping container. 

C. Special Marking Requirements (SMRs)

(1) All 4-liter, cylindrical style cans, corrugated fiberboard cartons, and 20-liter 

pails used for monetizing programs will be printed with a white band. The 

new band shall be printed in the same location as the USA logo and the three 

red stripes as identified in exhibit. The white band will be a minimum of 2 

inches in height of the 4-liter cylindrical style cans and corrugated fiberboard 

cartons, and 3 inches in height on the 20-liter pails, and shall extend 

completely around the container. 

(2) The only container markings affected by the SMRs are: 

a. “USA” 

b. “The red stripes” 

c. “The USAID logo” 

d. “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” 

SMR-1 Special Marking Requirement (monetized – white band product)

Omit the letters “USA”, the red stripes, the USAID logo, and the words “NOT 

TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED.” Retain all other markings. 

SMR-2 Special Marking Requirement

Omit the USAID logo. Retain all other markings. 

SMR-3 Special Marking Requirement (monetized – white band product)

Omit the words “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” and the red or blue

stripes. Retain all other markings. 

NOTE: For 208L drums, a white band is not required and all other 

markings are to be retained in blue. 

SMR-4 Special Marking Requirement (monetized – white band product)

Omit the USAID logo, the words “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” 

and the red or blue stripes. Retain all other markings. 

NOTE: For 208L drums, a white band is not required and all other 

markings are to be retained in blue. 

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Note: All other required markings on the 4-liter cylindrical style cans, 

corrugated fiberboard cartons and 20-liter pails “white band product” used for 

monetization programs shall be printed in blue. 

Section 3.7 LOT CODES 

Lot codes unique to each lot offered for inspection shall be legibly marked on each 

individual primary container and shipping container. Commodity suppliers may use 

any type of lot coding system provided a unique code is used to identify each lot 

offered for inspection under contract. Commodity suppliers shall provide the 

contracting officer with an explanation of the lot coding system used. 

Section 3.8 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS 

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

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

Government contract provided that the incorrect markings are obliterated and 

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

contracting officer. 

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

unfilled bearing markings identifying the containers as part of a Government 

contract may cause the Government expense in determining whether commodities 

have been diverted from authorized use and in answering inquiries. The 

contractor shall take all necessary action to prevent the appearance in commercial 

or other channels of containers and container 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.
Exhibits A through J 

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Exhibit J 

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