A-A-20120F 

May 5, 2016 

 SUPERSEDING 

 A-A-20120E 

 April 16, 2010 

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

VEGETABLES, MIXED, CANNED 

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

the use of this Commercial Item Description (CID). 

1. SCOPE. This CID covers canned mixed vegetables, packed in commercially acceptable 

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

as a component of operational rations. Please note: This document does not guarantee 

purchase of this item by USDA.1

2. PURCHASER NOTES.

2.1 Purchasers must specify the following:

 - Type(s), style(s), and container size(s) of mixed vegetables required. 

 - Manufacturer’s/distributor’s certification (Sec. 9.3) or USDA certification (Sec. 9.4). 

2.2 Purchasers may specify the following:

 - Food Defense (Sec. 9.1) and Manufacturer’s Quality Assurance (Sec. 9.2). Purchaser may 

specify one of the following combinations: Sec. 9.1.1 with 9.2.1 or 9.1.2 with 9.2.2. 

 - Packaging requirements other than commercial (Sec. 10). 

3. CLASSIFICATION. The mixed vegetables must conform to the following list which must 

be specified in the solicitation, contract or purchase order. 

Types, styles, and container sizes.2

Type I - 7-way mix - carrots, potatoes, peas, green beans, corn, lima beans, and celery 

Type II - 5-way mix - carrots, green beans, peas, corn, and lima beans

 

1

 USDA purchase specifications are available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/product-specs. 2

 Not all options are available from every manufacturer. Check with the manufacturer/distributor for availability. 

AMSC N/A FSC 8915 

 METRIC 
A-A-20120F 

2

Style A - With salt 

 Style B - With salt and onion flavoring 

 Style C - No salt added ((21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 101.61)) 

 Style D - Low sodium (21 CFR § 101.61) 

Style E - Other 

 Container size 1 - 234 g (8.25 oz) 8Z Tall can 

 Container size 2 - 425 g (15.0 oz) No. 300 can 

 Container size 3 - 822 g (29.0 oz) No. 2-1⁄2 can 

 Container size 4 - 2.95 kg (104.0 oz) No. 10 can 

 Container size 5 - Other 

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

products must meet the requirements of the:

 - Processing guidelines (Sec. 5. 

 - Salient characteristics (Sec. 6). 

 - Manufacturer’s/distributor’s product assurance (Sec. 7). 

 - Regulatory requirements (Sec. 8). 

 - Quality assurance provisions: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 9). 

 - Packaging requirements other than commercial: as specified by the purchaser (Sec. 10). 

5. PROCESSING GUIDELINES. 

5.1 Processing. The mixed vegetables must be processed in accordance with current Good 

Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR Part 110). 

5.2 Food defense. The mixed vegetables must be processed and transported in accordance with 

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

Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance.3

 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 defense 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 post-production finished 

product. 

 

3 http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/FoodDefense/ucm083075.htm. 
A-A-20120F 

3 

6. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS. 

6.1 Ingredients. 

6.1.1 In-process ingredients. The mixed vegetables must be prepared from clean, sound, 

properly-matured vegetables, which are fresh or frozen prior to processing. Rehydrated lima 

beans may be used. The quality for each individual vegetable must be equivalent to U.S. Grade 

A, if frozen, or U.S. No. 1 or better, if fresh, except that sweet peas and yellow corn, if frozen, 

must be equivalent to U.S. Grade B or better for maturity. Rehydrated lima beans must be 

equivalent to U.S. Grade A, except for color with not less than 50 percent of beans green in 

color. The percentages of each vegetable must be in accordance with Sec. 6.2.8 and Sec. 6.2.9.

6.1.2 Additional ingredients. In addition to the ingredients specified in Sections 6.2.8 and 

6.2.9 of this CID, the mixed vegetables may contain added ingredient(s) as a garnish (such as 

small pieces of onion, sweet red peppers, or green peppers) in an amount less than two percent of 

the total drained weight. Style B may contain onion powder for flavoring. 

6.1.3 Liquid packing media. The liquid packing media must consist of water and may contain 

additives such as calcium salts. When used, additives must meet the FDA regulations on Food 

Additives (21 CFR Part 170) or Direct Food Substances Affirmed as Generally Recognized As 

Safe (GRAS) requirements (21 CFR Part 184). 

6.2 Finished product.

6.2.1 Color. Each type of vegetable must have good color, characteristic of that vegetable. 

6.2.2 Flavor and odor. The mixed vegetables must have a flavor and odor associated with 

good/normal quality associated with each type of vegetable. 

6.2.3 Texture/Maturity. Each type of vegetable must have texture/maturity associated with 

good quality of the vegetable, except peas and corn must be reasonably tender or better in 

maturity. 

6.2.4 Defects. Each type of vegetable must be reasonably free from, but not limited to peels, 

stems, pods, eyes, discoloration, fibrous, woody and cob material. 

6.2.5 Liquid packing media. The liquid packing media must be clear and free of sediment. 

 

6.2.6 Foreign material. The mixed vegetables must be free of foreign material such as, but not 

limited to dirt, insect parts, hair, wood, glass, metal, and plastic. 

 
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4

6.2.7 Drained weight. The average drained weight must not be less than 149 g (5.25 oz) for 8Z 

Tall cans; 255 g (9.0 oz) for No. 300 cans; 530 g (18.7 oz) for No. 2-1⁄2 cans and 1.84 kg (65.0 

oz) for No. 10 cans. 

6.2.8 The Type I mixed vegetables must consist of the following types and percentages of 

the total drained weight of the vegetables: 

Total average drained weight 

(Minimum (Maximum

Type of vegetable4 percent) percent)

Carrots (Peeled & diced)5

 33.0 48.0 

Potatoes (Peeled & diced)5

 17.0 41.0 

Lima beans, thin seeded 1.0 12.0 

Peas, sweet 3.0 12.0 

Beans, green (Short cut, cut, or mixed) 3.0 12.0 

Corn, yellow (Whole kernel) 3.0 9.0 

Celery (Cut, 1.25 cm [1⁄2 in] maximum in length) 2.0 9.0 

6.2.9 The Type II mixed vegetables must consist of the following types and percentages of 

the total drained weight of the vegetables: 

Total average drained weight 

(Minimum (Maximum

Type of vegetable percent) percent)

Carrots (Peeled & diced)6

 27.0 37.0 

Lima beans, thin seeded 4.0 10.0 

Peas, sweet 12.0 20.0 

Beans, green (Short cut, cut, or mixed) 26.0 36.0 

Corn, yellow (Whole kernel) 12.0 18.0 

6.2.10 Drained weight determination. Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, contract, 

or purchase order, the method used to analyze drained weight must be consistent with the current 

USDA, AMS, Specialty Crops Program (SCP), Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division 

Inspection Series General Procedures Manual Method. 

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

distributor must certify that the mixed vegetables provided meets the salient characteristics of 

 

4

 The combined weight of the carrots and potatoes must not be more than 72 percent of the average net drained weight. 5

 Not larger than 0.95 x 0.95 x 1.91 cm (3/8 x 3/8 x 3⁄4 in) or smaller than 0.95 x 0.95 x 0.95 cm (3/8 x 3/8 x 3/8 in). 6 Not larger than 0.95 x 0.95 x 0.95 cm (3

/8 x 3/8 x 3/8 in). 
A-A-20120F 

5 

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

the same mixed vegetables offered for sale in the commercial market. The purchaser reserves 

the right to require proof of conformance. 

8. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. The delivered mixed vegetables must comply with 

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

preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sale of mixed vegetables within the 

commercial marketplace. Delivered mixed vegetables must comply with all applicable 

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

and regulations promulgated thereunder. 

9. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS. Purchaser must specify 9.3 or 9.4. Purchaser 

may specify one of the following combinations: 9.1.1 with 9.2.1, or 9.1.2 with 9.2.2. 

9.1 Food defense. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a Food 

Defense System Survey (FDSS) must be conducted by USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division. 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 preproduction raw materials and other ingredients and post-production finished product. The plan 

must 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.

9.1.1 FDSS. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a FDSS must be 

conducted by USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division. 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.3 

9.1.2 Food defense section of the Plant Systems Audit (PSA). When required in the 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order, a food defense audit will be conducted as part of the 

PSA. The audit will be conducted by USDA, AMS, SCP, SCI Division 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, PSA 

verifies the participating company’s adherence to the FDA’s Guidance for Industry - Food 

Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance.3 

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

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

3

 See footnote 3 on page 2.
A-A-20120F 

6

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 the 

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

may result in the contract being terminated for cause. 

9.2.1 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 Current Good 

Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food (21 CFR Part 

110). 

9.2.2 PSA. A PSA conducted by USDA, AMS, or other audit performed by a third party 

auditing service 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 Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, 

Packing, or Holding Human Food (21 CFR Part 110), and verifies that the manufacturer has in 

place an internal quality assurance program. 

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

purchase order, the manufacturer/distributor must certify that the mixed vegetables distributed 

meets or exceeds the requirements of this CID. The manufacturer/distributor must certify via a 

Certificate of Conformance or other adequate documentation (as specified by the purchaser) that 

the mixed vegetables meet the requirements specified in Sec. 6 of this CID. 

9.4 USDA certification. When required in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order that 

product quality and acceptability or both be determined, the SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, 

must be the certifying program. SCI Division inspectors must certify the quality and 

acceptability of the mixed vegetables in accordance with SCI Division procedures, which include 

selecting random samples of the mixed vegetables, evaluating the samples for conformance with 

the salient characteristics of this CID and other contractual requirements, and documenting the 

findings on official SCI Division score sheets and/or certificates. In addition, when required in 

the solicitation, contract, or purchase order, SCI Division inspectors will examine the mixed 

vegetables for conformance to the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 CFR Part 

42) in effect on the date of the solicitation. 

10. PACKAGING. Preservation, packaging, packing, labeling, and case marking must be 

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

11. USDA INSPECTION NOTES. When Section 9.4 is specified in the solicitation, 

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

condition of samples of packaged mixed vegetables, and compliance with requirements in 

the following areas:
A-A-20120F 

7 

 - Processing guidelines (Sec. 5). 

 - Salient characteristics (Sec. 6). 

 - Packaging requirements (Sec.10 or as specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order). 

12. REFERENCE NOTES. 

12.1 USDA services. 

12.1.1 USDA certification and Plant Survey. For a USDA certification and plant survey 

contact the Associate Director, Inspection Operations, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, 

Room 1536 South Building, STOP 0247, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 

20250-0247, telephone (202) 720-2482, fax (202) 720-0393, or via E-mail: 

Nathaniel.Taylor@ams.usda.gov.

12.1.2 USDA FDSS and PSA. For a USDA FDSS and PSA contact the Chief, Auditing 

Services Branch, Inspection Operations, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Room 1536 

South Building, STOP 0240, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0240, 

telephone (202) 720-5021, fax (202) 260-8927, or via E-mail: fvaudits@ams.usda.gov. 

12.2 Sources of information for governmental documents are as follows: 

Applicable provisions of the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers are contained in 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 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/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation

/FoodDefense/ucm083075.htm. 

Copies of the United States Standards for Grades of fresh vegetables are available from: 

Director, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0247, 

Washington, D.C. 20250-0247, or on the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/gradesstandards.
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Copies of the United States Standards for Grades of processed vegetables are available from: 

Director, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0247, 

Washington, D.C. 20250-0247, or on the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/gradesstandards. 

Copies of the SCI Division Inspection Series General Procedures Manual are available online at: 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AIMGeneralProceduresManual.pdf. 

Copies of this CID and the United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers are 

available from: Director, SCI Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

STOP 0247, Washington, D.C. 20250-0247, via E-mail: CIDS@ams.usda.gov or on the 

Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/cids and 

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2015-title7-vol2/pdf/CFR-2015-title7-vol2-part42.pdf.

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

ASSIST Quick Search (http://quicksearch.dla.mil) 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: DLAFTSA, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092 or via E-mail: 

dscpsubsweb@dla.mil. 

 
A-A-20120F 

9 

MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES:

Custodians DOJ - BOP 

 HHS - FDA 

 Army - GL USDA - SCP 

 Navy - SA VA - OSS 

 Air Force - 35 

 PREPARING ACTIVITY: 

Review Activities

 DLA - SS 

 Army - MD, QM (Project No. 8915-2016-001)

 Navy - MC 

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. 

Non-Discrimination Policy: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions 

participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national 

origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, 

family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation 

for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all 

programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, 

large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET 

Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 

Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter 

addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the 

complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an 

equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.