USDA COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS 

ICSM3 

INSTANT CORN SOY MILK 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Effective Date: 07/15/08
USDA COMMODITIY REQUIREMENTS 

ICSM3 

INSTANT CORN SOY MILK 

FOR USE IN EXPORT PROGRAMS 

Table of Contents

Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS ________________________________________ 1

Section 1.1 INSTANT CORN SOY MILK REQUIREMENTS___________________________ 1

Section 1.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE _______________________________________________ 9

Section 1.4 QUALITY DISCOUNTS _______________________________________________ 10

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS________________________ 10

Section 2.1 GENERAL __________________________________________________________ 10

Section 2.2 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS______________________________________ 10

Section 2.3 25-KILOGRAM MULTIWALL PAPER BAGS____________________________ 11

Section 2.4 25-KILOGRAM HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGING CONSTRUCTIONS _ 12

Section 2.5 OUTER CLOSURE AND SEALS _______________________________________ 13

Section 2.6 PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURES_________________________________ 13

Section 2.7 SEAL PEEL TEST____________________________________________________ 14

PART 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS_________________________________________ 14

Section 3.1 MARKINGS _________________________________________________________ 14

Section 3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS___________________________________________ 16

Section 3.3 EMPTY BAG DIMENSIONS ___________________________________________ 18

Section 3.4 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS ________________________ 18

Marking Exhibits __________________________________________________________________ 19

 
Part 1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS 

Section 1.1 INSTANT CORN SOY MILK REQUIREMENTS 

A. Instant Quality of Corn Soy Milk 

(1) The commodity delivered shall meet the requirements as specified in the 

Commercial Item Descriptions (CID) for salad oils (vegetable), A-A-20091D, 

dated May 7, 2002, which is available at 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/fqa/aa20091d.htm. 

(2) Corn shall be tested for aflatoxin in accordance with procedures approved by 

Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). If the aflatoxin test proves positive, 

a quantitative test shall be performed. If the result of the quantitative test 

exceeds 20 p.p.b., the corn shall not be used in the production of the 

commodity. 

(3) The product shall be essentially free from foreign material and shall have a good 

characteristic taste and odor, free from rancid, bitter, musty, sour, and other 

undesirable or foreign tastes and odors. It shall be identical to or lighter in yellow 

color than the Munsell Color Standard #13649, and that which is darker in color 

shall be rejected. Color plate #13649 may be purchased from: Macbeth Division 

of Kollmogran Corporation, Little Britain Road, Drawer 950, Newburgh, New 

York 12550. 

(4) The product shall be of small particle size suitable for use as a dietary supplement 

for infants and children for serving as porridge, gruel, or an extender to other 

foods and shall meet the following requirements: 

Instant Corn-Soy-Milk

Requirements 

1 2

Item Minimum Maximum

Moisture --- 9.5%

Protein (Nx6.25) 19.0% --- 

Fat 3 6.0% ---

Crude Fiber --- 2.0% 

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 40 

Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve 97.0% ---

Material that will pass through a U.S. Standard No. 100 

woven-wire-cloth sieve --- 46.0%

Consistency (Bostwick Value) uncooked 9.0 --- 

Total Bacteria Count per gram --- 50,000 

 

1

 Unless otherwise specified analyses are expressed on a moisture-free basis. 

2

 For method of analyses see Section 1.2.B.

3

 See Section 1.1.D. 

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Dispersity shall be essentially free from lumping or balling Salmonella and E. Coli shall 

be negative 

B. Methods of Analyses 

Special tests are included in the specification given herein. 

(1) Consistency (Bostwick value) for uncooked product for corn soy milk. 

a. Apparatus 

(ii) 1 400 ml. glass beaker 

(iii) 1 wooden-handled spatula with 3 inch stainless steel 

blade 

(iv) 1 consistometer, Cenco-Bostwick Central Scientific 

Stock No. 24925 

b. Method 

Place 160 ml. water at 25 ̊ C in the 400 ml. glass beaker. 

Gradually add 42.0 grams of instant corn-soy milk blend being 

tested while stirring vigorously with the spatula. Then stir 

gently for 3 minutes using the spatula to smooth any lumps that 

may form. Allow the slurry to stand an additional 2 minutes to 

complete hydration. Then stir gently for about 15 seconds with 

the spatula. Pour into the reservoir of the Bostwick 

consistometer until it is filled higher than its top level. Strike

off the excess with a straight-edge. Allow the slurry to rest for 

30 seconds, trip the release lever of the consistometer and read 

the Bostwick value after exactly 1 minute. 

(2) Dispersibility 

The instant corn-soy-milk shall be dispersable and essentially free 

from lumping or balling when 30 grams is gradually added to 60 

grams water (75 ̊ - 80 ̊ F) in a 400 ml. beaker held with a clamp to 

keep from turning during 1 minute constant stirring (about 200 

strokes) with a 3 inch stainless steel spatula. A smooth paste is 

prepared by additional stirring for 1⁄2 minute (about 100 strokes), 

followed by 1⁄2 minute rest and an additional 1⁄2 minute stirring

(about 100 strokes). The paste is then diluted with 150 grams

water (75 ̊ - 80 ̊ F) which is gradually added along with stirring 

necessary during 1 1⁄2 minutes to produce a homogenous 

suspension. (If the paste seems too thick or too thin, the initial 

water may be increased or decreased by 10 grams, but the total 

water should be 210 grams.) 

(3) Consistency (Bostwick Value) for ingredient specification cornmeal, 

processed (gelatinized). 

c. Apparatus 

(i) 1 400 ml. Pyrex beaker 

(ii) 1 wooden-handled spatula with a 3 inch stainless steel 

ICSM3 Page 2 
blade 

(iii) 1 consistometer, Cenco-Bostwick Central Scientific 

Stock No. 24925 

d. Method 

Place 180 ml. of water at 25 ̊ C - 30 ̊ C in the 400 ml. glass 

beaker. Gradually add 20.0 g. of the processed cornmeal while 

stirring vigorously with the spatula. Then stir gently for 3 

minutes using the spatula to smooth any lumps that may form. 

Allow the slurry to stand an additional 2 minutes for hydration. 

Then stir gently for about 15 seconds with the spatula. Pour 

into the reservoir of the Bostwick consistometer until it is filled 

higher than its top level. Strike off the excess with a straight 

edge. Allow the slurry to rest for 30 seconds, trip the release 

lever of the consistometer and read the Bostwick value after 

exactly 1 minute. 

(4) Water Solubility Index for ingredient specification cornmeal, processed 

(gelantinized) 

Grind a well mixed representative sample of the processed cornmeal to 

pass a U.S. Standard No. 60 Woven Wire Cloth sieve. Weigh 2.5 grams 

of the as-is ground sample into a 50 ml. centrifuge tube. Add 30 ml. 

distilled water at 25 ̊ - 30 ̊ C and mix thoroughly to a uniform suspension 

with stirring rod. Mix with stirring rod every 5 minutes for 30 minutes. 

Remove stirring rod and wash adhering residue into centrifuge tube with 

about 5 ml. of water. Centrifuge mixture at 3,000 x G for 10 minutes. 

Pour off the supernatant liquor and carefully evaporate to dryness. The 

dried solids are weighed. Express the water solubility index as the 

percentage of bone dry sample in supernatant liquor. 

D. Proportions 

The ingredients of the product shall be in the following proportions: 

Ingredients Pounds per 2,000 lb. Batch 

Cornmeal, processed (low viscosity, 

completely gelatinized) 4 1,178

Soy flour, defatted (toasted) 5 350

Nonfat dry milk, spray process 300 

 

4

 A corn germ fraction in amount not over 10 percent of the weight of the mixed product may be added to the

cornmeal before processing and the amount added oil contained therein omitted from the soy oil added to the soy

flour fraction or to the final mix, provided the blend contains a minimum of 17.5 percent of fat free soy flour. The 

weight of processed cornmeal plus soy oil specified shall include the weight of any corn germ fraction added 

thereto. 

5

 The stabilized oil may be added to this soy flour fraction or full-fat soy flour may be used in place of all or part of the 

defatted soy flour plus soy oil, as specified, provided the blend contains a minimum of 17.5 percent fat-free soy flour.

ICSM3 Page 3 
Minerals 60

Vitamin Premix 2

Soybean oil, refined, deodorized, stabilized6 110

F. Ingredient Specifications 

(1) Cornmeal, Processed (low-viscosity, completely gelatinized) 

a. Material and Processing 

The cornmeal processed (low-viscosity, completely gelatinized) 

shall be prepared from shelled yellow corn that has been 

dehulled and degermed. The corn used shall be clean, sound, 

and essentially free from other grains, weed seeds, and other 

foreign material. It shall be free of rancid, bitter, musty, sour, 

and other undesirable or foreign tastes and odors. The 

processed cornmeal shall be produced from yellow corn, as 

defined in the "Official United States Standards for Grain," 

found at: 

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

in effect at the time the applicable solicitation for offers is 

issued, using the conventional corn dry-milling process. The 

cornmeal shall be processed by completely gelantizing the 

starch in continuous extrusion cookers under conditions which 

produce high water solubility and minimum viscosity, drying, 

and grinding, or by any other process that yields a product 

meeting the requirements for the processed cornmeal, and for 

the instant corn-soy-milk. 

b. Analysis 

The cornmeal, processed (low viscosity) shall conform to the 

following detailed requirements: 

Cornmeal, Processed 

Requirements7 

Item Min. Max.

Moisture ---- 10.0%

Protein (Nx6.25) 8 7.0% ---

Ash 8 ---- 0.8%

Crude Fiber 8 ---- 0.8%

Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 20

Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve 

95.0% ---

 

6

 The stabilized oil may be added to the mix in order to obtain the required minimum fat level of 6.0 percent in the blend.

Any combination of footnotes may be used to obtain desired result. 

7

 For methods of analyses see Section 1.1.B.

8

 Moisture-free basis. 

ICSM3 Page 4 
Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 40

Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve 

70.0% ----

Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 60

Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve --- 40.0%

Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 100 

Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve --- 15.0%

Consistency (Bostwick Value) 15.0 --- 

Water solubility index 25.0 --- 

(2) Soy Flour, Defatted (Toasted) 

a. Material and Processing 

Soy flour, defatted (toasted) shall be the screened, finely 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. 

b. Analysis 

The soy flour, defatted (toasted) shall conform to the following

detailed requirements: 

Soy Flour Defatted (Toasted) 

Requirements9

Item Min. Max.

Moisture ---- 10.0%

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

Fat 10 11 0.6% ----

Fiber ---- 3.5%

Ash ---- 6.5%

Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 100 

Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve 

95.0% ----

Nitrogen Solubility, increase in pH 10.0 30.0

Urease activity, increase in pH 0.05 0.15 

Total bacteria count, per gram ---- 50,000

Color Light yellow to golden buff 

Odor Neutral to nutty

Taste Pleasant, neutral to slightly nutty 

Texture A homogeneous flour

(3) Soy Flour, Full Fat 

a. Material and Processing 

Soy flour, full fat shall be the screened, finely-ground product 

 

9

 For methods of analysis see Section 1.1.B.

10 Moisture-free basis. 

11 See Section 1.1.D. 

ICSM3 Page 5 
obtained from selected soybeans by cleaning, cracking, 

(optional) dehulling, tempering, cooking (full cook with color 

change to light yellow or golden buff), and cooling. 

b. Analysis 

The soy flour, full fat shall conform to the following detailed 

requirements: 

SOY FLOUR, FULL FAT 

Requirements12 

Item Min. Max.

Moisture ---- 10.0%

Protein (Nx6.25) 13 44.0%

Fat 14 22.0% ----

Fiber ---- 3.0%

Ash ---- 6.0%

Material Through a U.S. Standard No. 100 

Woven-Wire-Cloth Sieve 

95.0% ----

Nitrogen Solubility Index 10.0 45.0

Urease activity, increase in pH 0.05 0.50 

Total bacteria count, per gram ---- 50,000

Color Light yellow to golden buff 

Odor Neutral to nutty

Taste Pleasant, neutral to slightly nutty 

Texture A homogeneous flour

(4) Soybean Oil 

a Soy oil, refined, deodorized, and stabilized, shall contain 0.005 

percent citric acid added on the cooling side of deodorization. 

The soy oil shall comply with the requirements of the latest 

revisions and amendments for Commercial Item Description 

A-A-20091D (May 7, 2002), 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/fqa/aa20091d.htm; type IV not 

winterized salad oil.15

b Before addition to the product, the oil may be stabilized by the 

addition of butylated hydroxy anisole and butylated hydroxy 

toluene, each at a level of 2.5 mg. per 100 grams of formulated 

 

12 For methods of analyses see Section 1.1.B.

13 Moisture-free basis. 

14 See Section 1.1.D. 

15 Analytical Data for type IV Salad Oil in Commercial Item Description A-A-20091D as follows: 

(i) Stability, active oxygen method (AOM), PV not greater than 100 meg/kg (hours) maximum: 15

hours 

ICSM3 Page 6 
product. Caution: Antioxidant may be added to either the soy 

oil or to the vitamin antioxidant premix, but it shall not be added 

to both. 

(5) Nonfat Dry Milk 

a. Nonfat dry milk (spray process) is to be furnished by the 

Government or contractor (as specified in the solicitation) and

shall be U.S. Standard Grade or better as defined in Section 

58.2528 of U.S. Standard for grades of nonfat dry milk (spray 

process). Grading certificates shall be dated not more than 180 

days prior to the date of manufacture of the corn-soy-milk. 

b. If the Government is supplying the milk, the Government shall 

deliver the nonfat dry milk (spray process) for its account, f.o.b. 

cars or trucks, at the option of the Government at the contractor’s 

plant. If the contractor’s plant is not served by a railroad and the 

Government does not choose to deliver the nonfat dry milk (spray 

process) f.o.b. trucks, then the Government shall make delivery 

f.o.b. cars at the railroad delivery point customarily used by the 

contractor. The cost of unloading the nonfat dry milk (spray 

process) and any transportation from unloading point to plant shall 

be at the expense of the contractor. It shall be the responsibility of 

the contractor to unload cars within the free time period allowed by 

the railroad. The nonfat dry milk (spray process) shall be delivered 

in sufficient time for the contractor to begin processing the finished 

product so as to meet the contract shipping schedule. 

c. Since the title to the nonfat dry milk (spray process) delivered by 

the Government is at all times vested in the Government while 

such commodity is in the custody of the contractor, the contractor 

shall not substitute any commodity owned by the Government. 

d. The contractor shall be liable for loss, damage, destruction, or 

deterioration from any cause whatsoever of the nonfat dry milk 

(spray process) received from the Government until the finished 

product has been delivered to the Government in accordance with 

the provisions of the contract. Any quantity of the finished product 

which is ultimately rejected to the contractor, the nonfat dry milk 

(spray process) portion of the quantity shall be for the contractor’s 

account and the Government shall deduct from any amount due the 

contractor or hold the contractor liable for an amount equal to the 

value of the nonfat dry milk (spray process) as determined by the 

Government. 

Nonfat Dry Milk 

Requirements Item Min. Max.

ICSM3 Page 7 
Protein (Nx6.38) 29.0% ----

Moisture ---- 4.0%

Fat ---- 3.0%

Ash ---- 12.0% 

Standard Plate Count per gram ---- 50,000

Coliform Count per gram ---- 10 

Scorched Particles ---- 15 mg. 

pH (1:9 dilution at 20 ̊ C) 6.6 ---- 

e. The product shall be a free flowing powder, cream to light yellow 

in color and bland in flavor. Compliance of modified whey 

product with these specifications shall be evidenced by an 

inspection certificate issued by Dairy Division, Agricultural 

Marketing Service. 

(6) Minerals 

Formulation Ingredients Per 2,000 lbs. of Product

1 2% Tri-Calcium Phosphate 40.0 lbs 

2 1.8% Calcium Carbonate + 

1.6% Monobasic Sodium Phosphate 

36.0 lbs 

32.0 lbs 

3 1.8% Calcium Carbonate + 

1.6% Monobasic Potassium Phosphate 

36.0 lbs 

32.0 lbs 

4 1.3% Tri-Calcium Phosphate + 

0.6% Dibasic Calcium Phosphate 

26.0 lbs 

12.0 lbs 

5 

0.9% Tri-Calcium Phosphate + 

0.6% Calcium Carbonate + 

0.8% Monobasic Sodium Phosphate 

18.0 lbs 

12.0 lbs 

16.0 lbs 

6 

0.9% Tri-Calcium Phosphate + 

0.6% Calcium Carbonate + 

0.8% Monobasic Potassium Phosphate 

18.0 lbs 

12.0 lbs 

16.0 lbs 

7 1.7% Di-Calcium Phosphate Anhydrous + 

0.5% Calcium Carbonate

34.0 lbs 

10.0 lbs 

8 2.2% Di-Calcium Phosphate + 

0.5% Calcium Carbonate

44.0 lbs 

10.0 lbs 

9 

Zinc Sulfate, Monohydrate 

(ZnSO4 7H2O)

16 0.25 lbs (113.45 g) 

10 Ferrous Fumarate, FCC grade, purified 0.92 lbs (418 g)

11 Magnesium Oxide (MgO) 2.75 lbs 

12 Iodized Salt (0.007% 12) 17 16.25 lbs 

(7) Vitamin Antioxidant Premix

Ingredients 

Per 2,000 lbs. of Final 

Product 

 

16 The amount of zinc sulfate monohydrate shown is equivalent to 0.4 pound zinc sulfate heptahydrate 

17 The increase in iodized salt content represents a 25 percent increase in iodine content from previous specifications 

as recommended. 

ICSM3 Page 8 
Thiamin monoitrate 2.5 grams 

Riboflavin 3.5 grams

Pyridoxine hydrochloride 1.5 grams 

Niacin 45.0 grams

Ca D-pantothenate 25.0 grams 

Folic acid 1.8 grams 

Vitamin B1218 12.0 milligrams

Vitamin A Palmitate (stabilized)19 21.0 million IU 

Vitamin D (stabilized) 1.8 million IU 

Alpha tocopherol acetate 68,000 IU 

Butylated hydroxy anisole20 20.0 grams 

Butylated hydroxy tolueneError! Bookmark not 

defined. 20.0 grams 

Ascorbic acid (stabilized), ethylcellulose (coated), 

Soy flour, defatted (toasted) or starch to

reach total weight; 

(additional soy flour may be added as a 

carrier, if desired) 

364.0 grams

Total 2.0 lbs. 

(8) The minerals and vitamin premix shall not be combined and shall be 

added to the formulation separately. 

Section 1.3 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 

 

18 Represents a reduction of 67 percent from previous specifications. 

19 Vitamin A Palmitate (stabilized) shall be added in encapsulated form containing 250,000 IU Vitamin A 

Palmitate/g. Particle size shall comply with the requirement that at least 98 percent shall 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 be not 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 shall be lost when stored for 21 days at 45 ̊ C in a sealed container at a level of 10,000 to

12,000 IU per pound in cornmeal having a moisture content in the range of 13.5 to 14.5 percent. 

20 If antioxidant is added in soy oil, omit from this premix. 

ICSM3 Page 9 
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 

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 1.4 QUALITY DISCOUNTS 

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

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

but the purchase price shall be reduced in accordance with the following schedules of

discounts for each 100 pounds of commodity delivered: 

Instant Corn-Soy-Milk

Excess Moisture Deficient Protein

9.6% or 9.7% $0.10 18.9% thru 18.6% $0.10 

9.8% or 9.9% $0.20 18.5% thru 18.3% $0.20 

10.0% $0.35 18.2% or 18.1% $0.35 

Deficient Fat Excess Crude Fiber

5.9% or 5.8% $0.10 2.1% thru 2.2% $0.10 

5.7% or 5.6% $0.20 2.3% thru 2.4% $0.20 

5.5% $0.35 2.5% $0.35

Deficient Granulation Through No. 40 WovenWire-Cloth SieveExcess Granulation Through No. 100 WovenWire-Cloth

96% or 95% $0.10 47% or 48% $0.10 

94% or 93% $0.20 49% or 50% $0.20 

Deficient Consistency (Uncooked)

8.5% or 8.0% $0.10 

7.5% or 7.0% $0.20 

6.5% or 6.0% $0.35 

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. 

ICSM3 Page 10 
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 

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 

ICSM3 Page 11 
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. The top of the 

liner shall be heat-sealed by the packer once the bag has been filled 

with product. 

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. The top of the liner shall be heatsealed by the packer once the bag has been filled with products. 

(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; 

ICSM3 Page 12 
(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 

http://packaging.msu.edu/

Lansmont Corporation 

1287 Reamwood 

Sunnyvale, CA 94089 

(408) 734-9724 

Lansmont Corporation 

6539 Westland Way, Suite 24 

Lansing, MI 48917 

(888) 526-7666 

ICSM3 Page 13 
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. 

(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. 

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. 

ICSM3 Page 14 
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 front and 

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 shall 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. 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.

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. The letters “USAID” shall be 1 

3/4 inches high and the tagline “FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE” shall be 3/8 

inch high, as shown in the applicable exhibits. 

ICSM3 Page 15 
L. Gussets. The letters USA shall be 3 inches high and printed in both gussets, as 

shown in the applicable exhibits. 

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. 

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)

ICSM3 Page 16 
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. 

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. 

ICSM3 Page 17 
ICSM3 Page 18 

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 

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. 
ICSM2 

Marking Exhibits 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL
ICSM2 

INSTANT

CORN SOY MILK

INSTANT

CORN SOY MIL