AMSC N/A FSC 8930

A-A-20079D

September 11, 2015

SUPERSEDING

A-A-20079C

July 8, 2009

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

PRESERVES (OR JAMS), FRUIT

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

the use of this Commercial Item Description (CID).

1. SCOPE. This CID covers fruit preserves (or jams) packed in commercially acceptable 

containers, suitable for use by Federal, State, local governments, 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), group(s), style(s), and finished product quality of fruit preserves (or jams) 

required (Sec. 3).

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

2.2 Purchasers may specify the following:

- Agricultural practice(s) of fruit preserves (or jams) desired (Sec. 3).

- 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 fruit preserves (or jams) must conform to the following list which 

must be specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order.

Types, groups, styles, agricultural practices and finished product quality.

2

Type I - Fruit preserves (or jams) that are prepared from a single fruit (except apple) 

listed in Group I or Group II

 

1 For USDA purchase specifications please visit the following websites: Commodity Purchase Specifications for Agricultural Marketing Service 

(AMS) and Commodity Purchase Specifications for Farm Service Agency (FSA). 2 Not all options are available from every manufacturer. Check with the manufacturer/distributor for availability.

METRIC
A-A-20079D

2

Type II - Fruit preserves (or jams) that are prepared from more than a single fruit listed in

Group I or Group II

Type III - Fruit preserves (or jams) that are prepared from fruits not listed in Group I or 

Group II, use CODEX STAN 2963

GROUP I

Any one singly or in combination with not more than four of the following: 4

A. Blackberry (other than dewberry) K. Huckleberry

B. Black raspberry L. Loganberry

C. Blueberry M. Orange

D. Boysenberry N. Pineapple

E. Cherry O. Raspberry, red raspberry

F. Crabapple P. Rhubarb

G. Dewberry (other than boysenberry, Q. Strawberry

loganberry and youngberry) R. Tangerine

H. Elderberry S. Tomato

I. Grape T. Yellow tomato

J. Grapefruit U. Youngberry

GROUP II

Any one singly or in combination with not more than four of the following fruits in 

Group I: 4

A. Apple (Type II only) I. Nectarine

B. Apricot J. Peach (clingstone and freestone)

C. Cranberry K. Pear

D. Damson, damson plum L. Plum (other than greengage plum and

E. Fig damson plum)

F. Gooseberry M. Quince

G. Greengage, greengage plum N. Red currant, currant (other than black

H. Guava currant)

Style 1 - Regular (Must comply with 21 Code Federal Regulations (CFR) § 150.160)

Style 2 - Reduced sugar (Must comply with 21 CFR § 101.60, 21 CFR § 130.10)

Style 3 - Sugar free (Must comply with 21 CFR § 101.60, 21 CFR § 130.10)

Agricultural practice (A) - Conventional

Agricultural practice (B) - Organic

 

3 Type III fruit preserves (or jams) must be in accordance with CODEX STAN 296 http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/index_en.jsp.. 4 In accordance with the limits specified in the definitions and Standards of Identity for Preserves and Jams (21 CFR § 150.160).
A-A-20079D

3

Finished product quality a - U.S. Grade A (See Sec. 6.3.4.1)

Finished product quality b - Equivalent to U.S. Grade A (See Sec. 6.3.4.2)

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 fruit preserves (or jams) must be processed in accordance with Current 

Good Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR Part 110).

5.2 Food defense. The fruit preserves (or jams) 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.5 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 postproduction finished product.

5.3 Organic ingredients. When organic fruit preserves (or jams) are specified in the 

solicitation, contract, or purchase order, the fruit preserves (or jams) must be produced, handled, 

and labeled in accordance with the USDA organic regulations by an operation that is certified 

organic in accordance with the requirements of the National Organic Program (7 CFR Part 205). 

A Certificate of Organic Production or Handling must be provided to verify that the product was 

processed and handled in accordance with the USDA organic regulations.

6. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS.

6.1 Ingredients. All ingredients must be declared by their common or usual name in 

descending order of predominance by weight (21 CFR § 101.4(a)) unless exempted by 21 CFR §

101.100.

 

5 http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/FoodDefense/ucm083075.htm.
A-A-20079D

4

6.2 Sweetening ingredients.

6.2.1 Style 1, Regular. Sweetening ingredients may be any of those permitted in quantities 

permitted by the FDA Standards of Identity for Fruit Preserves and Jams (21 CFR § 150.160).

6.2.2 Style 2, Reduced sugar and Style 3, Sugar free. Fruit preserves (or jams) sweetened 

with nonnutritive sweeteners must comply with 21 CFR § 130.10, Requirements for foods 

named by use of a nutrient content claim and a standardized term. The nonnutritive sweeteners 

must be approved by the FDA for food use.

6.3 Finished product.

6.3.1 Consistency. The fruit preserves (or jams) fruit or fruit particles shall be dispersed 

uniformly throughout the product. The product shall have a tender gel or may have a very slight 

tendency to flow, except that a slightly less viscous consistency may be present when the fruit is 

in the form of whole or almost whole units.

6.3.2 Color. The fruit preserves (or jams) color shall be bright, practically uniform throughout, 

and characteristic of the variety or varieties of the fruit ingredients.

6.3.3 Flavor. The fruit preserves (or jams) shall possess a distinct flavor that is characteristic of 

the fruit or fruits.

6.3.4 Finished product quality.

6.3.4.1 USDA certification. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase order that 

U.S. Grade A be provided, the fruit preserves (or jams) shall be graded and certified by 

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA in accordance with the United States Standards 

for Grades of Fruit Preserves (or Jams).

6.3.4.2 Manufacturer’s certification. When specified in the solicitation, contract, or purchase 

order that the fruit preserves (or jams) shall be equivalent in quality to U.S. Grade A of the 

United States Standards for Grades of Fruit Preserves (or Jams), the manufacturer shall provide a 

certificate as evidence of product conformance.

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

and free from evidence of rodent or insect infestation.

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

distributor must certify that the fruit preserves (or jams) provided meets the salient 

characteristics of this CID, conform to their own specifications, standards, and quality assurance 

practices, and be the same fruit preserves (or jams) offered for sale in the commercial market. 

The purchaser reserves the right to require proof of conformance.
A-A-20079D

5

8. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. The delivered fruit preserves (or jams) must comply 

with all applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the 

preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sale of the fruit preserves (or jams) in 

the commercial marketplace. Delivered fruit preserves (or jams) must comply with all applicable 

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

and regulations promulgated thereunder. When a known allergen is included in the fruit 

preserves (or jams), the fruit preserves (or jams) must comply with the allergen labeling 

requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. When the fruit preserves (or jams)

are used for the National School Lunch Program, the fruit preserves (or jams) must comply with 

all applicable provisions of the Child Nutrition (CN) Program.

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, Agricultural Marketing Service 

(AMS), Fruit and Vegetable Program (FV), Specialty Crops Inspection (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 postproduction 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, FV, 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.

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, FV, 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. The food defense 

section of the PSA verifies the participating company’s adherence to the FDA’s Guidance for 

Industry - Food Producers, Processors, and Transporters: Food Security Preventive Measures 

Guidance.

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, 
A-A-20079D

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 fruit preserves (or jams)

distributed meets or exceeds the requirements 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, FV, AMS, USDA, 

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

acceptability of the fruit preserves (or jams) in accordance with SCI Division procedures, which 

include selecting random samples of the fruit preserves (or jams), 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 fruit preserves (or jams) 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 fruit preserves (or jams) and compliance with requirements in the 

following areas:
A-A-20079D

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, FV, AMS, USDA, 

Room 1536 South Building, 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.

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

Services Branch, Inspection Operations, SCI Division, FV, 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 documents.

12.2.1 Source of information for nongovernmental documents are as follows:

Copies of the Food Chemicals Codex and U.S. Pharmacopeia may be purchased from: United 

States Pharmacopeia Convention, 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20877, 

telephone (800) 227-8772 or (301) 881-0666, Fax (301) 816-8148 or on the Internet at: 

http://www.usp.org. 

Copies of the Codex Alimentarius standards may be downloaded free from: Codex 

Alimentarius, U.S. Codex Office, Room 4861 South Building, Food Safety and Inspection 

Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-3700, telephone 

(202) 205-7760 or (202) 720-2057, Fax (202) 720-3157. Internet address: 

http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/index_en.jsp.

12.2.2 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 
A-A-20079D

8

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 online 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 FDA Compliance Policy Guide Section 550.475 are available from: FDA, Center 

for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) on the Internet at:

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm0

74533.htm.

Copies of the United States Standards for Grades of Fruit Preserves (or jams) are available on the 

Internet at: 

http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Canned_Fruit_Preserves_%28Jams%29

_Standard%5B1%5D.pdf

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

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

STOP 0240, Washington, DC 20250, via E-mail: CIDS@ams.usda.gov or on the Internet 

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

http://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/condition-food-container-manual.

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-20079D

9

MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES:

Custodians DOJ - BOP

HHS - 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. 8930-2015-0002)

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: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and 

applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where 

applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from 

any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the 

Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) To File an Employment Complaint: If you 

wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your agency's EEO Counselor (PDF) within 45 days of the date of the alleged 

discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a personnel action. Additional information can be found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html. To File a Program Complaint: If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of 

discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a 

letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email 

at program.intake@usda.gov. Persons with Disabilities: Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities and you wish to 

file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in 

Spanish). Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or 

by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact 

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