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Skip Navigation HomeHelpResourcesContact Us Advanced Search Start of Main Content United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers This Rule document was issued by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) For related information, Open Docket Folder Show agency attachment(s) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Doc. No. AMS-FV-08-0027; FV-05-332]
SummaryThe Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the regulations governing the United States (U.S.) Standards for Condition of Food Containers. The revisions to existing tables, removal of operating characteristic (OC) curves and updating language in the standards would enable the standards to be applicable to most types of food containers and align the standards to reflect current industry practices.
Dates Effective Date: October 17, 2013.
For Further Information ContactLynne Yedinak, Specialty Crops Inspection Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 1536, South Building, Stop 0240, Washington, DC 20250-0240; Telephone: (202) 720-5021, FAX: (202) 690-1527; or email CIDS@ams.usda.gov.
Supplementary InformationExecutive Order 12866This final rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866 and therefore, has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.Regulatory Flexibility Act and Paperwork Reduction ActPursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612), AMS has considered the economic impact of this action on small entities. Accordingly, AMS has prepared this final regulatory flexibility analysis.
There are approximately 22,058 establishments identified in the 2007 Economic Census as belonging to the North American Industry Classification System under the classification of “food manufacturing” and any number of these establishments could request their product containers be inspected under the provisions of the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers. Only 402 of these establishments would qualify assmall businesses under the definition provided by the Small Business Administration.
The revisions made herein enable the standards to be applicable to most types of food containers and align the standards to reflect current industry practices. With regard to alternatives, this action reflects revisions proposed to the standards as a result of the second proposed rule published in theFederal Register, January 18, 2012 [77 FR 2481].
AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3601-3606; 3541-3549), to promote the use of the Internet and other information technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes.Executive Order 12988This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This action is not retroactive. There are no administrative procedures which must be exhausted prior to any judicial challenge to the provisions of this rule.BackgroundThe U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers (Standards) currently provides sampling procedures and acceptance criteria for the inspection of stationary lots of filled food containers, which includes skip lot sampling and inspection procedures. It also provides on-line sampling and inspection procedures for food containers during production.
Skip lot sampling is a special procedure for inspecting stationary lots in which only a fraction of the submitted lots are inspected. Skip lot inspection can only be instituted when a certain number of lots of essentiallythe same quality have been consecutively accepted.
OC curves found in §§ 42.140, 42.141, 42.142, and 42.143 from Subpart E—Miscellaneous, are removed. This final rule reflects the amendatory language removing these provisions that first appeared in the proposed rule published in the November 19, 2009,Federal Register. While these curves show the ability of the various sampling plans to distinguish between accepted and rejected lots, it is our experience that the inclusion of these curves is not critical to use of the standards. Furthermore, they are readily available in literature and on the Internet. Also, Standards for sampling plans including OC Curves are currently available in 7 CFR Part 43.CommentsAMS published two proposed rules in theFederal Registerin which six comments were received. The first proposed rule was published in theFederal Registeron November 19, 2009 [74 FR 59920], with a sixty-day comment period which closed on January 19, 2010. Two comments were received. One commenter provided a comment that was determined to be outside the scope of the rule. Therefore, no changes were made based on this comment. The other commenter supported the proposed rule revision and provided statements regarding § 42.112—Defects of Containers. The commenter stated that while Table IV of § 42.112 has defects for composite cans listed as a subset of the metal can defects, composite cans also exhibit defects listed in Table VI—Rigid and Semi-rigid containers. The commenter proposed a separate table be added for composite cans extracting the composite can defects from Table IV and Table VI. Based on this comment, AMS added a new Table V that contained the information for composite can defects from Table IV and Table VI and removed the composite information in Table IV. The proposed rule was then reissued.
The second proposed rule was published in theFederal Registeron January 18, 2012 [77 FR 2481] and provided a comment period of sixty days which closed on March 19, 2012. Four comments were received. Two commenters provided comments that were determined to be outside the scope of the rule. Therefore, no changes were made based on those comments.
The third commenter supported the revision of the proposed rule with several changes. Comments were received regarding: (1) the new proposed paragraph § 42.114—Procedures for Evaluating Interior Container Defects and Table XII—Interior Container Defects, and (2) the proposed modifications to two defects in Table IV—Metal Containers (Rigid and Semi-rigid). Comments received regarding Procedures for Evaluating Interior Container Defects stated that the last four defects in Table XII were vague and not defined. AMS determined the comment had merit and removed major defect 104 and minor defect 204, and revised major defect 105 and minor defect 205 to provide examples of what “other anomaly(ies)” are. The defects were then renumbered. In subsequent discussions, the commenter requested AMS change “Enamel cracked in metal container material not affecting usability” in minor defect 203, Table XII, to “Enamel breakdown in metal affecting usability” as the terms “cracked” and “breakdown” mean the same thing. AMS determined that this had merit and made the change. The commenter also provided comments on § 42.112—Defects of Containers, Table IV—Rigid and Semi-Rigid Containers. The comment concerned major defect 107 for “Metal pop-top: (b) Missing or incomplete score line:” and minor defect 203 for “Flexible pop-top: (b) Short pull tab.” The commenter stated that sometimes product design standards request a partial score for a metal pop-top or a shortened pull tab for a flexible pop-top. The commenter requested that AMS revise the defect descriptions to specify that these will not be considered defects when they are requested in a product specification. AMS determined the comment had merit and, to account for this exception, added the phrase “(not conforming to a relevant product specification)” to major defect 107 and minor defect 203.
The fourth commenter stated that using “Tetra Pak” is a reference to a company and not the actual type of packaging. The commenter recommended that AMS use one of the specific package trademarks or use the term “Tetra Pak cartons.” AMS determined the comment had merit.AMS has revised the package identification from “Tetra Pak” to “Paperboard Aseptic Cartons” to accurately identify all packaging made in a similar manner.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 42Food packaging, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 42 is amended as follows:Regulatory TextPart 42 Amended
Authority:Secs. 203, 205, 60 Stat. 1087, as amended, 1090, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624).
a. Removing the definitions “Lot”, “Operating Characteristic Curve (OC Curve)” and “ Probability of acceptance”.
§ 42.102 Definitions, general.
§ 42.106 [Amended]
3. In § 42.106, paragraph (a)(1), remove the word “attributed” and add in its place the word “attributed”.
4. Revise § 42.109, to read as follows:
§ 42.109 Sampling plans for normal condition of container inspection, Tables I and I-A.
CodeLot size ranges—Number of containersin lotType of PlanAcceptable quality levelsOrigin InspectionSample size0.25AcRe1.5AcRe6.5AcReOther Than Origin Inspection0.25AcRe2.5AcRe10.0AcRe
CA6,000 or lessSingle84013491001451314
CB6,001-12,000Single1681256161712782324
CC12,001-36,000Single315238928292313144142
CDOver 36,000Single50034121342433418196263
CESingle80045181964654527289596
5. Revise § 42.110 to read as follows:
§ 42.110 Sampling plans for tightened condition of container inspection; Tables II and II-A.
CB6,000 or lessSingle1680145111201561617
CC6,001-12,000Single3151267192012892829
CD12,001-36,000Single5002391028292312134243
CEOver 36,000Single80034131442433418196465
CFSingle1,25045192063644526279697
6. Revise § 42.111 to read as follows:
§ 42.111 Sampling plans for reduced condition of container inspection, Tables III and III-A; and limit number for reduced inspection, Table III-B.
CAA6,000 or lessSingle29121245122356
CA6,001-36,000Single84123491012451314
CBOver 36,000Single1681256161712782324
CCSingle315238928292313144142
Number of sample units from last 10 lots inspected within 6 monthsAcceptable quality level0.251.52.56.510.0
320-499(*)141424
500-799(*)372540
800-1,24907144268
1,250-1,9990132469110
2,000-3,14922240115181
3,150-4,99943867186293
5,000-7,999763110302472
8,000-12,49914105181491765
12,500-19,999241692907771207
7. Section § 42.112 is revised to read as follows:
§ 42.112 Defects of containers: Tables IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X.
DefectsCategoriesCriticalMajorMinor
Type or size of container or component parts not as specifiedNone permitted Closure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: (a) Heat processed primary container1
(b) Non-heat processed primary container101
(c) Other than primary container201
Dirty, stained, or smeared container202
Key opening metal containers (when required): (a) Key missing102
(b) Key does not fit tab103
(c) Tab of opening band insufficient to provide accessibility to key104
(d) Improper scoring (band would not be removed in one continuous strip)105
Metal pop-top: (a) Missing or broken pull tab106
(b) Missing or incomplete score line (not conforming to a relevant product specification)107
Flexible pop-top: (a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.)108
(b) Short pull tab (not conforming to a relevant product specification)203
(c) Missing pull tab109
(d) Torn pull tab204
Open top with plastic overcap (when required): (a) Plastic overcap missing110
(b) Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication difficult)111
Outside tinplate or coating (when required): (a) Missing or incomplete205
(b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled206
(c) Scratched or scored207
(d) Fine cracks208
Rust (rust stain confined to the top or bottom double seam or rust that can be removed with a soft cloth is not scored a defect): (a) Rust stain209
(b) Pitted rust112
Wet cans (excluding refrigerated containers)210
Dent: (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability211
(b) Materially affecting usability113
Buckle: (a) Not involving end seam212
(b) Extending into the end seam114
Collapsed container115
Paneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability213
Solder missing when required116
Cable cut exposing seam117
Improper side seam118
Swell, springer, or flipper (not applicable to gas or pressure packed product nor frozen products)2
Leaker or blown container3
Frozen products only: (a) Bulging ends 3/16-inch to 1/4-inch beyond lip214
(b) Bulging ends more than 1/4-inch beyond lip119
Metal drums: leaking filling seal (bung) swell 1 4120
Type or size of container or component parts not as specifiedNone permitted Closure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly1
Dirty, stained, or smeared container201
Easy open closure: (a) Pull tab:
1. Missing or broken pull tab101
2. Missing or incomplete score line102
1. Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.)103
2. Short pull tab104
3. Missing pull tab105
4. Torn pull tab106
1. Plastic overcap missing107
2. Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication difficult)108
Outside tinplate or coating on ends (when required): (a) Missing or incomplete202
(b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled203
(c) Scratched or scored204
(d) Fine cracks205
Collapsed container109
Paneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability206
Wet or damp: (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability207
(b) Materially affecting usability110
Crushed or torn area: (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability208
(b) Materially affecting usability111
Type or size of container or component parts not as specifiedNone permitted Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: (a) Heat processed1
(b) Non-heat processed101 Dirty, stained, or smeared container201
Chip in glass202
Stone (unmelted material) in glass203
Pits in surface of glass204
Sagging surface205
Bead (bubble within glass): (a)1/8-inch to1/16-inch in diameter206
(b) Exceeding1/8-inch in diameter102
Checked103
Thin spot in glass104
Blister (structural defect)105
Bird swing (glass appendage inside container)2
Broken or leaking container3
Cap (nonheat processed): (a) Cross-threaded207
(b) Loose but not leaking208
(c) Pitted rust106
Cap (heat processed): (a) Cross-threaded or loose4
(b) Pitted rust107
Sealing tape or cello band (when required): (a) Improperly placed209
(b) Not covering juncture of cap and glass108
(c) Ends overlap by less than1/2-inch109
(d) Loose or deteriorating110
Missing or torn outer safety seal111
Inner safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal112
(b) Non-heat processed101
Chip in plastic202
Un-melted gels in plastic203
Pits in surface of plastic204
Air bubble within plastic: (a)1/8-inch to1/16-inch in diameter206
Thin spot in plastic104
Broken or leaking container2
Cap (non-heat processed): (a) Cross-threaded207
Cap (heat processed), cross-threaded or loose3
Security seals: (a) Closure ring missing106
(b) Missing or torn outer safety seal107
(c) Inner safety seal—missing, torn, or poor seal108
(d) Sealing tape or cello band (when required): 1. Improperly placed209
2. Not covering juncture of cap and plastic109
3. Ends overlap by less than1/2-inch110
4. Loose or deteriorating111
Type or size of container or component parts not as specifiedNone permitted Component part missing101
Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: (a) Primary container1
(b) Other than primary container201
Wet or damp (excluding ice packs): (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability203
(b) Materially affecting usability102
Moldy area2
Crushed or torn area: (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability204
(b) Materially affecting usability103
Separation of lamination (corrugated fiberboard): (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability205
(b) Materially affecting usability104
Product sifting or leaking105
Nails or staples (when required): (a) Not as required, insufficient number or improperly positioned206
(b) Nails or staples protruding106
Glue or adhesive (when required); not holding properly, not covering area specified, or not covering sufficient area to hold properly: (a) Primary container107
(b) Other than primary container207
Flap: (a) Projects beyond edge of container more than 1/4-inch208
(b) Does not meet properly, allowing space of more than 1/4-inch209
Sealing tape or strapping (when required): (a) Missing108
(b) Improperly placed or applied210
Missing component (straw, etc.)211
Paperboard Aseptic Cartons: (a) Missing re-sealable cap or tab109
(b) Inner or outer safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal3
Thermostabilized polymeric trays: Tray body: (a) Swollen container4
(b) Tear, crack, hole, abrasion through more than one layer of multi-layer laminate for the tray5
(c) Presence of delamination in multi-layered laminate212
(d) Presence of any permanent deformation, such that deformed area is discolored or roughened in texture213
Lid material: (a) Closure seal not continuous along tray flange surface6
(b) Foldover wrinkle in seal area extends into the closure seal such that the closure seal is reduced to less than 1/8-inch7
(c) Any impression or design on the seal surfaces which conceals or impairs visual detection of seal defects110
(d) Areas of “wave-like” striations or wrinkles along the seal area that spans the entire width of seal214
(e) Abrasion of lid material: 1. Within 1/16-inch of food product edge of seal such that barrier layer is exposed8
2. Greater than 1/16-inch from food product edge of seal that barrier layer is exposed215
(f) Presence of entrapped matter within 1/16-inch of the food product edge of seal or entrapped moisture or vapor with 1/16-inch of the food product edge of seal that results in less than 1/16-inch of defect free seal width at the outside edge9
(g) Presence of any seal defect or anomaly (for example, entrapped moisture, gases, etc.) within 1/16-inch of food product edge of seal111
(h) Closure seal width less than 1/8-inch216
Type or size of container or component parts not as specifiedNone permitted Closure not sealed, crimped, stitched, or fitted properly: (a) Heat processed primary container1
Unmelted gels in plastic203
Torn or cut container or abrasion (non-leaker): (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability204
Individual packages sticking together or to shipping case (tear when separated)103
Not fully covering product104
Wet or damp (excluding ice packs): (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability205
(b) Materially affecting usability105
Over wrap (when required): (a) Missing106
(b) Loose, not sealed, or closed206
(c) Improperly applied207
Sealing tape, strapping, or adhesives (when required): (a) Missing107
(b) Improperly placed, applied, torn, or wrinkled208
Tape over bottom and top closures (when required): (a) Not covering stitching108
(b) Torn (exposing stitching)109
(c) Wrinkled (exposing stitching)110
1. Exposing stitching111
2. Not exposing stitching209
(e) Improper placement210
Product sifting or leaking: (a) Non-heat processed112
(b) Heat processed3
Flexible pop-top: (a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) reducing intact seal to less than 1/16-inch4
(b) Short pull tab (materially affecting usability)212
(c) Missing pull tab113
(d) Torn pull tab (materially affecting usability)213
Missing component (straw, etc.)214
Two part container (poly lined box or bag in box): (a) Outer case torn215
1. Missing5
2. Improper closure114
Missing “zip lock” (re-sealable containers)216
Loss of vacuum (in vacuum-packed)115
Pre-formed containers: (a) Dented or crushed area217
(b) Deformed container218
Missing re-sealable cap116
Inner or outer safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal6
Air bubble in plastic117
Thermostabilized products (includes but not limited to tubes, pouches, etc.): Foldover wrinkle in seal area (thermostabilized pouches): (a) Extends through all plies across seal area or reduces seal less than 1/16-inch7
(b) Does not extend through all plies and effective seal is 1/16-inch or greater219
Incomplete seal (thermostabilized pouches)8
Non-bonding seal (thermostabilized pouches)9
Laminate separation in body of pouch or in seal within 1/16-inch of food product edge: (a) If food contact layer is exposed10
(b) If food contact surface is exposed after manipulation or laminate separation expands after manipulation118
(c) If lamination separation is limited to isolated spots that do not propagate with manipulation or is outer ply separation in seal within 1/16-inch of food product edge of seal220
Flex cracks (cracks in foil layer only)221
Swollen container11
Blister (in seal) reducing intact seal to less than 1/16-inch12
Compressed seal (overheated to bubble or expose inner layer) reducing intact seal to less than 1/16-inch13
Stringy seal (excessive plastic threads showing at edge of seal area)222
Contaminated seal (entrapped matter) reducing intact seal to less than 1/16-inch14
Seal creep (product in pouch “creeping” into seal) reducing intact seal to less than 1/16 inch15
Misaligned or crooked seal reducing intact seal to less than 1/16-inch16
Seal formed greater than 1-inch from edge of pouch (unclosed edge flaps)223
Waffling (embossing on surface from retort racks; not scorable unless severe)224
Poor or missing tear notch (when required)225
DefectsCategoriesMajorMinor
Not specified method101
Missing tray (when required)102
Missing shrink wrap (when required)103
Loose or improperly applied wrap201
Torn or mutilated202
Off-center wrap (does not overlap both ends)203
§ 42.113 Defects of label, marking, or code.
Missing (when required)102
Loose or improperly applied201
Torn or scratched, obliterating any markings on the label103
Text illegible or incomplete203
Incorrect104
In wrong location204
9. Add § 42.114 to subpart B to read as follows:
§ 42.114 Procedures for evaluating interior container defects.
De-tinning in metal container materially affecting usability101
De-tinning in metal container not materially affecting usability201
Black spots in metal container202
Enamel missing (when required) in metal container102
Enamel breakdown in metal container material affecting usability103
Enamel breakdown in metal container material not affecting usability203
Other defect(s) of the interior of the container (metal, plastic, paper, rigid, etc.) e.g., interior damage, tear, delamination, missing layer, off-odor, interior blisters, etc. that materially affects usability104
Defect(s) of the interior of the container (metal, plastic, paper, rigid, etc.) e.g., interior damage, tear, delamination, missing layer, off-odor, interior blisters, etc. that materially affects appearance but not usability204
Sample Size (n = number of containers)MajorInterior DefectsAcReTotalInterior DefectsAcRe
n—130123
n—211234
n—291245
n—382356
n—482367
n—602378
[FR Doc. 2013-22574 Filed 9-16-13; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
Attachments View All (0) View document: No documents available. Attachments View All (0) Comment Now! Comment Period Closed ID: AMS-FV-08-0027-0010 Tracking Number: View original printed format: Document Information Date Posted: Sep 17, 2013RIN: Not AssignedFederal Register Number: 2013-22574 Show More Details Submitter Information Comments0 Comments Received* Docket Information This document is contained in AMS-FV-08-0027 Related Dockets: NoneRelated RINs: NoneRelated Documents: United States Standards for Condition of Food ContainersUnited States Standards for Condition of Food Containers Related Comments: View all * This count refers to the total comment/submissions received on this document, as of 11:59 PM yesterday. Note: Agencies review all submissions, however some agencies may choose to redact, or withhold, certain submissions (or portions thereof) such as those containing private or proprietary information, inappropriate language, or duplicate/near duplicate examples of a mass-mail campaign. This can result in discrepancies between this count and those displayed when conducting searches on the Public Submission document type. For specific information about an agency’s public submission policy, refer to its website or the Federal Register document. Document text and images courtesy of the Federal Register Home Search Advanced Search Browse By Category Learn About Us eRulemaking Program Media Toolkit Agencies Awards & Recognition Enhancements & Fixes Resources Site Data Regulatory Agenda Agency Reports Required by Statute API Overview Developers Help How to use Regulations.gov FAQs Glossary Connect With Contact Us Privacy and Security Notice User Notice Accessibility Statement Partner Sites We the People Federal Register Reginfo Congress.gov USA.gov E-Gov Opengov Participate Today!