AMSC N/A FSC 8950

A-A-20087D

A-A-20335B

November 21, 2012

SUPERSEDING

A-A-20335A

May 7, 2007

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

BARBECUE SAUCE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has authorized the

use of this Commercial Item Description (CID).

1. SCOPE. This CID covers barbecue sauce, packed in commercially acceptable containers, 

suitable for use by Federal, State, local governments, and other interested parties; and as a 

component of operational rations.

2. PURCHASER NOTES.

2.1 Purchasers shall specify the following:

- Flavor(s) and type(s) of barbecue sauce required (Sec. 3).

- When analytical requirements are different than specified (Sec. 7.1).

- When analytical requirements need to be verified (Sec. 7.2).

- Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification (Sec. 10.3) or USDA certification (Sec. 10.4).

2.2 Purchasers may specify the following:

- Food Defense Section 10.1: Food Defense System Survey (FDSS) (Sec. 10.1.1), or Food

Defense Addendum to Plant Systems Audit (PSA) (Sec. 10.1.2), or (Sec. 10.1.2 with 

10.2.1).

- Manufacturer’s quality assurance (Sec. 10.2 with 10.2.1) or (Sec. 10.2 with 10.2.2).

- Packaging requirements other than commercial (Sec. 11).

3. CLASSIFICATION. The barbecue sauce shall conform to the following list which shall be 

specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order.

Flavors and types.

Flavor I - Plain/Regular

Flavor II - Honey

METRIC
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Flavor III - Hickory smoke

Flavor IV - Honey mustard

Flavor V - Hickory and brown sugar

Flavor VI - Hot and spicy

Flavor VII - Other

Type A - With fruit purees added (i.e.: fig, date, plum, cranberry, etc.)

Type B - Without fruit purees added

4. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S NOTES. Manufacturer’s/distributor’s 

products shall meet the requirements of the:

- Processing guidelines (Sec. 5).

- Salient characteristics (Sec. 6).

- Analytical requirements: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 7).

- Manufacturer’s/distributor’s product assurance (Sec. 8).

- Regulatory requirements (Sec. 9).

- Quality assurance provisions: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 10).

- Packaging requirements other than commercial: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 11).

5. PROCESSING GUIDELINES.

5.1 Processing. The barbecue sauce shall be prepared and packaged in accordance with current

Good Manufacturing Practices (21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 110).

5.2 Food security. The barbecue sauce shall be processed and transported in accordance to the 

Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Guidance for Industry: Food Producers, Processors, 

and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance.1 This guidance identifies the 

kinds of preventive measures food manufacturers, processors, or handlers may take to minimize 

the risk that food under their control will be subject to tampering or other malicious, criminal, or 

terrorist actions. The implementation of enhanced food security preventive measures provides 

for the security of a plant’s production processes and includes the storage and transportation of 

pre-production raw materials, other ingredients, and postproduction finished product.

6. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS.

6.1 Ingredients. The barbecue sauce may contain ingredients such as, but not limited to, high 

fructose corn syrup or other sweeteners, water, tomato concentrate (water and tomato paste) 

1

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/FoodDefenseandEmergencyRespons

e/ucm083075.htm.
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(tomato concentrates shall comply with the Standard of Identity in 21 CFR § 155.191), vinegar, 

distilled vinegar, molasses, fruit purees, spices, salt, modified food starch, natural flavors, 

caramel color and other ingredients characteristic of each flavor. Type A barbecue sauce shall 

have a minimum of 20 percent fruit puree.

6.2 Finished product. The barbecue sauce shall be smooth and possess a consistency such that 

not more than a slight separation of free liquid occurs. The barbecue sauce may have small 

pieces of vegetable particulates, bacon bits, and spices.

6.2.1 Flavor and odor. The barbecue sauce shall have a spicy, smoky, sweet/sour tomato 

flavor and odor characteristic of the flavor specified. There shall be no foreign flavors or odors.

6.2.2 Appearance. The barbecue sauce shall be a deep reddish brown to dark brown and shall 

be smooth, glossy, moderately thick and may contain small pieces of vegetable particulates, 

bacon bits, and specks of spices.

6.3 Foreign material. All ingredients and finished product shall be clean, sound, wholesome, 

and free from evidence of rodent or insect infestation.

7. ANALYTICAL REQUIREMENTS.

7.1 Analytical requirements. Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, the analytical requirements for the barbecue sauce shall be as follows:

TABLE I. Analytical requirements (percent by weight)

Soluble solids pH

(maximum)

Titratable acidity

(as acetic)

Salt

23.0 - 56.0 4.0 0.87 - 2.30 1.50 - 3.80

7.2 Product verification sampling. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order, analytical testing shall be performed on a composite sample. The composite sample shall 

be at least a 226.8 g (8 oz) sample derived from eight filled and sealed pouches, which have been 

selected at random from the lot. Subsamples may be used to obtain the minimum sample size 

and each subsample shall contain equal amounts of product to yield at least 226.8 g (8 oz) 

sample.

7.3 Analytical testing. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, the 

analyses shall be made in accordance with the following methods of the AOAC International

Official Methods of Analysis (OMA):
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Test Method

Soluble solids 970.59 or 932.14

pH 981.12

Titratable acidity (as acetic) 942.15 or 920.174

Salt 941.13

7.4 Test results. The test results for soluble solids shall be reported to the nearest 0.1 percent. 

The test result for titratable acidity and salt shall be reported to the nearest 0.01 percent. The test 

result for the pH shall be reported to the nearest 0.1 value. Any result not conforming to the 

analytical requirements shall be cause for rejection of the lot.

8. MANUFACTURER’S/DISTRIBUTOR’S PRODUCT ASSURANCE. The manufacturer/

distributor shall certify that the barbecue sauce provided shall meet the salient characteristics of 

this CID, conform to their own specifications, standards, and quality assurance practices, and be 

the same barbecue sauce offered for sale in the commercial market. The purchaser reserves the 

right to require proof of conformance.

9. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. The delivered barbecue sauce shall comply with all 

applicable Federal, State, and local mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the 

preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sale of barbecue sauce within the 

commercial marketplace. Delivered barbecue sauce shall comply with all applicable provisions 

of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act; and 

regulations promulgated thereunder. The barbecue sauce shall comply with the allergen labeling 

requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

10. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS. Purchaser shall specify 10.3 or 10.4; 

purchaser may specify 10.1 with 10.1.1, or 10.1 with 10.1.2, or 10.2 with 10.2.1, or 10.2 with 

10.2.2.

10.1 Food Defense. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a FDSS shall 

be conducted by USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Inspection

Division (SCI). Food Defense requirements include a documented and operational food defense 

plan that provides for the security of a plant’s production processes and includes the storage and 

transportation of pre-production raw materials and other ingredients and postproduction finished 

product. The plan shall address the following areas: (1) food security plan management; (2) 

outside and inside security of the production and storage facilities; (3) slaughter, when 

applicable, and processing, including all raw material sources; (4) shipping and receiving; (5) 

storage; (6) water and ice supply; (7) mail handling; (8) personnel security; and (9) 

transportation, shipping, and receiving.
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10.1.1 FDSS. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a FDSS shall be 

conducted by USDA, AMS, SCI. The FDSS verifies that operators of food establishments have 

implemented measures to minimize the risk of tampering or other criminal actions against the 

food under their control. (An AMS, FDSS verifies the participating company’s adherence to the 

FDA’s “Guidance for Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security 

Preventive Measures Guidance.”) For further information, see section 13.1 and 13.3.2.

10.1.2 Food Defense Addendum to Plant Systems Audit (PSA). When required in the 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a Food Defense addendum shall be conducted by 

USDA, AMS, SCI auditors. This verifies that operators of food establishments have 

implemented measures to minimize the risk of tampering or other criminal actions against the 

food under their control. (An AMS, FDSS verifies the participating company’s adherence to the 

FDA’s “Guidance for Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security 

Preventive Measures Guidance.”) For further information, see section 13.1 and 13.3.2.

10.2 Manufacturer’s quality assurance. When required in the solicitation, contract, or 

purchase order, the product manufacturer shall be required to provide evidence, by certificate, 

that the manufacturing plant has undertaken one of the following quality assurance measures 

within 12 months prior to providing a bid, or no later than 10 business days from the date of 

awarding of the contract. Failure to provide this documentation within the proper time frame 

may result in the contract being terminated for cause.

10.2.1 Plant systems audit. A PSA conducted by USDA, AMS, or another audit performed by 

a third party auditing service and is required within 12 months prior to the date of the awarding 

of the contract. (An AMS PSA verifies the manufacturer's capability to produce products in a 

clean, sanitary environment in accordance with 21 CFR Part 110 - Current Good Manufacturing 

Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food, and verifies that the 

manufacturer has in place an internal quality assurance program. (Perform with Food Defense 

addendum when required).

10.2.2 Plant survey. A plant survey conducted by USDA, AMS, or other survey performed by 

a third party auditing service is required within 12 months prior to the date of the awarding of the 

contract. (An AMS plant survey audit verifies that at the time of the survey, the manufacturer 

produces products in a clean, sanitary environment in accordance with 21 CFR Part 110 -

Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food.)

10.3 Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, 

or purchase order, the manufacturer/distributor will certify that the finished barbecue sauce 

distributed meets or exceeds the requirements of this CID.
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10.4 USDA certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order that 

product quality, or acceptability or both be determined, the SCI, FV, AMS, USDA shall be the 

certifying program. SCI inspectors shall certify the quality and acceptability of the barbecue

sauce in accordance with SCI procedures which include selecting random samples of the 

barbecue sauce, evaluating the samples for conformance with the salient characteristics of this 

CID and other contractual requirements, and documenting the findings on official SCI score 

sheets and/or certificates. In addition, when required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order, SCI inspectors will examine the barbecue sauce for conformance to the U.S. Standards of 

Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR Part 43) in effect on the date of the solicitation.

11. PACKAGING. Preservation, packaging, packing, labeling, and case marking shall be 

commercial unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order.

12. USDA INSPECTION NOTES. When Section 10.4 is specified in the solicitation, 

contract, or purchase order, USDA certification shall include evaluation of the quality and 

condition of samples of packaged barbecue sauce, and compliance with requirements in the 

following areas:

- Processing guidelines (Sec. 5).

- Salient characteristics (Sec. 6).

- Analytical requirements when specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order 

(Sec. 7.1). When USDA analytical testing is specified, SCI inspection personnel shall 

select samples and submit them to the USDA, Science and Technology Programs (S&TP) 

laboratory for analysis.

- Packaging requirements (Sec. 11 or as specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order).

13. REFERENCE NOTES.

13.1 USDA certification contact, Plant Survey, PSA, and FDSS. For USDA certification, 

Plant Survey, PSA, and FDSS contact the Chief, Inspection Branch, SCI, FV, AMS, USDA, 

STOP 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0240, telephone 

(202) 720-2482, Fax (202) 720-0393, or via E-mail: Nathaniel.Taylor@ams.usda.gov.

13.2 Analytical testing and technical information contact. For USDA technical information 

on analytical testing, contact the Director, USDA, AMS, S&TP, Laboratory Division, 801 

Summit Crossing Place, Suite B, Gastonia, NC 28054, telephone (704) 867-3873, Fax (704) 

853-2800, or via E-mail: AMSLaboratoryDivision@ams.usda.gov.

13.3 Sources of documents.
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13.3.1 Source of information for nongovernmental document is as follows:
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Copies of the AOAC International OMA may be obtained from: AOAC International, 481 

North Frederick Avenue, Suite 500, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-2471, telephone (301) 924-

7077. Internet address: http://www.aoac.org for non-members and 

http://www.eoma.aoac.org for members and AOAC OMA subscribers.

13.3.2 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows:

Applicable provisions of the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers are contained 7 

CFR Part 42, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act are contained in 16 CFR Parts 500 to 503,

and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act are contained in 21 CFR Parts 1 to 199. These 

documents may be purchased from: Superintendent of Documents, New Orders, P.O. Box 

979050, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover/NOVUS, and 

American Express) purchases may be made by calling the Superintendent of Documents on 

(866) 512-1800, (202) 512-1800. These documents may also be obtained free of charge on the 

Internet at: 

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR.

Copies of FDA’s Guidance for Industry: Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food 

Security Preventive Measures Guidance is available from: FDA, Center for Food Safety and 

Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) on the Internet at: 

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocument

s/FoodDefenseandEmergencyResponse/ucm083075.htm.

Copies of this CID and the U.S. Standards for Condition for Food Containers (7 CFR Part 42)

are available from: Chief, Standardization Branch, SCI, FV, AMS, USDA, STOP 0240, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0240, telephone (202) 720-5021, Fax 

(202) 690-1527, or on the Internet at: 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/CommercialItemDescription.

Copies of this CID are also available online at: ASSIST Online (https://assist.dla.mil) or 

ASSIST Quick Search (https://assist.dla.mil/quicksearch) or from the Standardization 

Documents Order Desk, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services, Building 4D, 

700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094. 

Beneficial comments, recommendations, additions, deletions, clarifications, etc., and any data 

which may improve this document should be sent to: DLA Troop Support, ATTN: DLA -

FTSA, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092 or Fax (215) 737-2963, or via Email: dscpsubsweb@dla.mil.
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MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES:

Custodians DOJ - BOP

HHS - NIH, FDA

Army - GL USDA - FV

Navy - SA VA - OSS

Air Force - 35

DLA - SS

Review Activities PREPARING ACTIVITY:

Army - MD, QM DLA - SS

Navy - MC (Project No. 8950-2012-001)

NOTE: The activities listed above were interested in this document as of the date of this 

document. Since organizations and responsibilities can change, you should verify the currency 

of the information above using the ASSIST Online database at https://assist.dla.mil.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and 

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex 

(including gender identity and expression), marital status, familial status, parental status, 

religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part 

of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited 

bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 

communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 

USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, 

Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 

(TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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FOR DLA TROOP SUPPORT WEB POSTING

DSCP-FTSA September 14, 2021

MEMORANDUM FOR: SEE DISTRIBUTION

SUBJECT: Document Changes to Commercial Item Description A-A-20335B, Barbecue Sauce. 

The following changes are made to subject document for all current, pending, and future 

procurements until the document is formally revised or amended:

Section 7.3. Analytical testing - 

Line 9, under Method for Salt insert “971.27”

Should additional information be required please contact (215) 737-0519 or DSN 444-0519.