Product Specifications & Requirements

USDA Foods meet high standards for quality and wholesomeness and must be produced and processed according to detailed USDA specifications.  

Specifications by Product:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Juice
• Nuts, Beans, Peas & Lentils
• Beef
• Pork
• Fish and Other Seafood Products 
• Other Red Meat and Poultry Products
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Eggs
• Grain & Oilseed Products
• Dairy Products
• Soups
• Packaged Commodities
• International Commodity Requirements
• Archived International Commodity Requirements
• Additional Resources
• Archived Specifications
• Draft Specifications
• Bulk International Products:
  • QASP (pdf)
  • Bulk Grain Standards

Fruits

Canned Fruit

• Commodity Specification for Canned Fruit, June 2023 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Canned Fruit, August 2021 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Canned Fruit - May 2021 (pdf), Amendment 1, June 2021 (pdf)
• Commodity Specifications for Canned Fruit - March 2020 (pdf)
• Commodity Specifications for Canned Fruit - March 2019 (pdf)

Frozen Fruit

• Commodity Specification for Frozen Fruit - February 2022 (pdf)
• Commodity Specifications for Frozen Fruit – April 2020 (pdf)

Fresh Citrus Fruit

• Section 32 Specification for Mandarin Oranges and Tangerines - November 2022 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Fresh Citrus – August 2019 (pdf)

Fresh Fruit

• Commodity Specification for Table Grapes – February 2020 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Fresh Fruit – July 2019 (pdf), Section 32 Specification for Stone Fruits, April 2022 (pdf)

Dried Fruit

• Commodity Specification for Dried Fruit, January 2021 (pdf), Section 32 Specification for Dried Sweet Cherries February 2021 (pdf), Amendment 2, June 2021 (pdf)
• Commodity Specifications for Dried Fruit – April 2020 (pdf)

Vegetables

Canned Vegetables

• Commodity Specification for Canned Vegetables, January 2023 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Canned Vegetables, April 2021 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Canned Vegetables, March 2020 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Canned Vegetables, January 2020 (pdf), Amendment 1 February 2020 (pdf)

Frozen Vegetables

• Commodity Specification for Frozen Vegetables, March 2022 (pdf), Commodity Specification for Frozen Stir Fry Vegetable Blend, September 2023 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Frozen Vegetables, March 2020 (pdf)

Fresh Vegetables

• Commodity Specification for Fresh Vegetables – May 2019, Section 32 Purchase Specification for Fresh Tomatoes, March 2024 (pdf)

Dehydrated Potato Products

• Commodity Specification for Dehydrated Potato Products, July 2021, (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Dehydrated Potato Products, May 2019 (pdf), Amendment 1, July 2020 (pdf)

Frozen Potato Products

• Commodity Specification for Frozen Potato Products, December 2021 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Frozen Potato Products, June 2020 (pdf)

Miscellaneous Fruit and Vegetables Products
Bulk Products for Further Processing (Miscellaneous Products)

• Commodity Specification for Bulk Products for Further Processing - June 2022 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Bulk Products for Further Processing – April 2020 (pdf)

Soups

• Commodity Specification for Canned Soups, July 2021
• Commodity Specification for Canned Soups, March 2020 (pdf)

Juices

Frozen Fruit Juices

• Commodity Specification for Frozen Fruit Juices November 2024 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Frozen Fruit Juices - December 2021 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Frozen Fruit Juices – April 2020 (pdf)

Bottled Fruit Juices

• Commodity Specification for Bottled Juices - December 2021 (pdf)
• Commodity Specifications for Bottled Juices – April 2020 (pdf)

Concentrated Fruit Juice for Manufacturing

• Commodity Specification for Concentrated Fruit Juices for Manufacturing, April 2019 (pdf)

Nuts, Beans, Peas & Lentils

Canned Dried Beans

• Commodity Specification for Canned Dried Beans, August 2021 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Canned Dried Beans - May 2021 (pdf)
• Commodity Specifications for Canned Dried Beans - March 2020 (pdf)

Dry Edible Beans, Peas, and Lentils

• Commodity Specification for Dry Edible Beans, Peas, and Lentils, July 2023 (pdf)
• Commodity Specification for Dry Edible Beans, Peas, and Lentils, August 2021(pdf)

In Shell and Shelled Nuts

• Commodity Specification for Shelled Tree Nuts – April 2020 (pdf), Section 32 Specification for Whole Shelled Almonds - August 2022 (pdf)
• TM Specification for Filbert (Hazelnut) Kernels – June (2019 (pdf)
• TM Specification for In-Shell Pistachios and Shelled Pecans December 2018 (pdf)

Beef

Technical Requirements (Specifications) for these commodity products are incorporated into the following Supplements to the AMS Master Solicitation. View more information about technical requirements.

ADLs must still meet all of the technical requirements described including data transmission. Learn more about approved ADLs and the process to become an ADL.

Miscellaneous Beef Products

Supplement 210, July 2024 (pdf)

• FPPS – Beef Round Roasts (July 2024)
• FPPS – Diced Beef Frozen (July 2024)
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (July 2024)

Supplement 210, October 2022 (pdf)

• FPPS – Beef Round Roasts (October 2022)
• FPPS – Diced Beef frozen (October 2022)
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (March 2021)

Frozen Ground Beef Products

Supplement 211, March 2023 (pdf)

• FPPS – Course Ground Beef Items frozen (March 2023)
• FPPS – Ground Beef Items frozen (March 2023)
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (March 2021)

Supplement 211, July 2022 (pdf)

• FPPS – Course Ground Beef Items frozen (July 2022)
• FPPS – Ground Beef Items frozen (July 2022)
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (March 2021)

Fresh Boneless Beef Products

Supplement 212, March 2023 (pdf)

• FPPS – Fresh, Chilled Boneless Beef for Further Processing (March 2023)                                      
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (March 2021)

Supplement 212, July 2022 (pdf)

• FPPS – Fresh, Chilled Boneless Beef for Further Processing (July 2022)                                      
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (March 2021)

Beef Special Trim

Supplement 213, July 2022 (pdf)

• FPPS – Beef Special Trim (July 2022)
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (March 2021)

Pork

Frozen Pork Picnics and Leg Roast Items

Supplement 302, August 2017 (pdf)

• FPPS – Pork Leg Roasts, Boneless, Frozen; Pork Leg, Bulk, Boneless, Frozen; Pork Shoulder, Picnics, Bulk, Boneless, Frozen (March 2015)
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (August 2017)

Ham, Boneless, Fully-Cooked, Water-Added

Supplement 303, October 2022 (pdf)

• FPPS – Ham Products, Cured, Boneless, Fully Cooked (October 2022)
• FPPS – Smoked Pit Ham, Cured, Boneless, Water Added, Frozen (October 2022)
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (March 2021)

Supplement 303, July 2021 (pdf)

Pork Loin and Pork Loin Chops, Center Cut, Boneless, Frozen

Supplement 304, August 2017 (pdf)

• FPPS – Pork Loin Chops, Center Cut, Boneless, Frozen (July 2017)
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (August 2017)

FPPS - Pork Loin Roasts, Boneless, Frozen, November 2018 (pdf)

Fish and Other Seafood Products

Technical Requirements (Specifications) for these commodity products are incorporated into the following Supplements to the AMS Master Solicitation. View more information about technical requirements.

Fish and Fishery Products

Supplement 512, October 2024 (pdf)

• FPPS – Pacific Seafood Items, Frozen (October 2024)
• FPPS - Pacific Seafood Items, Frozen, July 2022 (pdf)
• FPPS – Shrimp, Frozen, Wild-Caught (October 2024)
• FPPS – Wild Shrimp, Frozen, November 2022 (pdf)
• FPPS - Atlantic Fish Fillet Portions, Frozen (October 2024)
• FPPS – Atlantic Groundfish Fillet Portions, Frozen, July 2020 (pdf)
• FPPS – Walleye Fillets, Frozen (October 2024)
• FPPS – Walleye Fillets, December 2020 (pdf)

Tuna Product

Supplement 500, August 2024 (pdf)

• FPPS – Canned/Pouched Tuna (August 2024)

Salmon Products 

Supplement 507, November 2024 (pdf)

• FPPS – Canned Pink Salmon (November 2024)
• FPPS – Canned Red Salmon (November 2024)
• FPPS – Salmon Fillet Portions, Frozen (November 2024)

Supplement 507, June 2021 (pdf)

• FPPS – Canned Pink Salmon (June 2021)
• FPPS – Canned Red Salmon (June 2021)
• FPPS – Salmon Fillet Portions, Frozen (June 2021)

Alaska Pollock

Supplement 509, November 2024 (pdf)

• FPPS- Once-Frozen Alaska Pollock Blocks (November 2024)
• FPPS – Alaska Pollock Fillet Portions, Unbreaded, Raw, Frozen (November 2024)
• FPPS – Alaska Pollock, Oven Ready (breaded) Fish Sticks and Nuggets, Frozen (November 2024) 

Supplement 509, April 2024 (pdf)

• FPPS – Once-Frozen Alaska Pollock Blocks (April 2024)
• FPPS – Alaska Pollock Fillet Portions, Unbreaded, Raw, Frozen (April 2024)
• FPPS – Alaska Pollock, Oven Ready (Breaded) Fish Sticks and Nuggets, Frozen (April 2024)

Catfish Products

Supplement 511, July 2024 (pdf)

• FPPS – Farm-Raised Catfish Fillets, Unbreaded, Raw, Frozen (July 2024)
• FPPS – Farm-Raised Catfish Strips, Breaded, Frozen (July 2024)                                      
• FPPS – Farm-Raised Catfish Strips, Breaded, Oven Ready, Frozen (July 2024)                                      
• FPPS – Wild-Caught Catfish Fillets, Unbreaded, Raw, Frozen (July 2024)

Other Products

Technical Requirements (Specifications) for these commodity products are incorporated into the following Supplements to the AMS Master Solicitation.  View more information about technical requirements.

Cooked Beef and Pork Products

Supplement 404, August 2022 (pdf)

• FPPS – Cooked Beef Items (August 2022)
• FPPS – Cooked Pork Items (August 2022)
• FPPS – Fully Cooked Pulled Pork Frozen (August 2022)

Frozen Lamb Products

Supplement 602, November 2022 (pdf)

• FPPS – Lamb Products, Frozen (November 2022)
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (March 2021)
• Monitoring and Evaluation Protocol for Conformity Assessment (July 2022)

Bison Products

Supplement 603, March 2023 (pdf)

• FPPS – Ground Bison and Bison Stew Meat, frozen (March 2023)
• FPPS – Bison Handling and Welfare (March 2022)

Supplement 603, March 2022 (pdf)

• FPPS – Ground Bison and Bison Stew Meat, frozen (March 2021)
• FPPS – Bison Handling and Welfare (March 2022)

Canned Meat

Supplement 704, August 2022 (pdf)

• FPPS – Canned/Pouched Beef w/ Juices & Canned/ Pouched Pork w/ Juices (August 2022)
• FPPS – Canned/Pouched Beef Stew (August 2022)
• FPPS – Canned/Pouched Chili w/ Beans (August 2022)
• FPPS – Canned/Pouched Chili w/out Beans (August 2022)
• FPPS – Animal Handling and Welfare (March 2021)

Chicken

View AMS certification options and technical proposal requirements for these chicken products (pdf)

Consumer Pack Chicken

• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Consumer Pack Chicken, August 2024 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Consumer Pack Chicken, April 2023 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Consumer Pack Chicken, July 2018 (pdf)

Fresh Bulk Chicken and Chicken Legs

• FPPS – Bulk Pack Chicken and Chicken Legs, December 2022 (pdf)
• FPPS Bulk Chicken and Chicken Parts, October 2020 (pdf)

Frozen Chicken Parts

• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Frozen Chicken Parts, March 2024 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Frozen Chicken Parts, February 2021 (pdf)

Cooked Chicken Products

• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Frozen Cooked Chicken Strips, June 2023 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Frozen Cooked Chicken Strips, March 2017 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Chicken Fillet-Style, November 2023 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Chicken Fillet, September 2019 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Oven Roasted Chicken April 2024 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Oven Roasted Chicken, July 2017 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Diced Chicken, August 2022 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Diced Chicken, August 2017 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Cooked Chicken Fajita Strips, March, 2023 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Cooked Chicken Fajita Strips, April, 2016 (pdf)

Shelf Stable Chicken

• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Canned/Pouch Boned Chicken White Meat, August 2022 (pdf)

Turkey

AMS certification options and technical requirements are outlined in the Supplement for Turkey Products.  View more information about technical requirements (pdf).

Fresh Bulk Turkey and Parts

• Commodity Specification for Bulk Boneless Skinless Turkey Thigh, September 2018 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Turkey and Turkey Products, July 2018 (pdf)

Cooked Turkey Products

• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Turkey Taco Filling, November 2021
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Smoked Turkey Ham Products, August 2024 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Smoked Turkey Ham Products, April 2020 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Deli Style Turkey Breast, April 2020 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Cooked Whole Muscle Turkey Breast, September 2022 (pdf)

Eggs

Fresh Shell Eggs

• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Shell Eggs, April 2017 (pdf)

Egg Products

View AMS certification options and technical proposal requirements for these egg products (pdf)

• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Hard Cooked Eggs April 2023 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Egg Patty, January 2024 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Egg Patty, December 2017 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Whole Eggs, January 2022 (pdf)
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for All Purpose Egg Mix, January 2022 (pdf)

Grain and Oilseed Products

• Bakery Flour Mix (BFM4) (pdf) effective April 1, 2016
• Corn Products (pdf) effective June 2021
• Cracker Products (pdf) effective March 2020
• Fortified R-T-E- Cereal Products (FC11) (pdf) effective February 22, 2019
• Frozen Pancakes (PAN2) (pdf) effective April 15, 2016
• Frozen Tortillas (TOR2) (pdf) effective April 15, 2016
• Macaroni and Cheese (MC11) (pdf) effective October 2019
• Pasta Products and Egg Noodles (PA13) (pdf) effective January 13, 2016
• Processed Cereals (pdf) effective November 2023
• Processed Cereals (PC14) (pdf) effective September 14, 2018
• Peanut Products (PP16) (pdf) effective October 2019
• Rice Products (RP6) (pdf) effective October 2019
• Sunflower Seed Butter (SSB7) (pdf) effective April 7, 2017
• Vegetable Oil Products (VP10) (pdf) effective July 2023, Commodity Specification for Extra Virgin Olive Oil March 2024 (pdf)
• Wheat Flour and Bakery Flour Products (pdf) effective September 2023
• Wheat Flour and Bakery Flour Products (pdf) effective July 2021
• Wild Rice (WR2) (pdf) effective July 28, 2016

Dairy

Dairy Products Purchase Specs:

• Evaporated Milk (EVD4) (pdf) effective Jul 29, 2013
• Instant Nonfat Dry Milk (IMD4) (pdf) effective Aug 8, 2013
• Fluid Milk (DFM2) (pdf) effective November 15, 2018
• Mozzarella Cheese CRD (pdf) August 2024
• Mozzarella Cheese (DMOZ7) (pdf) September 2019
• Natural American Cheese (DNAC6) (pdf) effective September 2019
• Natural Pepper Jack Cheese (pdf) effective January 2020
• Packaged Butter (pdf) effective March 2022
• Pasteurized Process American Cheese and Kosher Certified Process Cheese Product (pdf) effective May 2023
• Pasteurized Process American Cheese (DPPC5) (pdf) effective September 2019
• Natural Swiss Cheese (pdf) effective August 2022
• Natural Swiss Cheese (pdf) effective August 2020
• Ultra-High Temperature Milk (pdf) effective February 2021
• Yogurt Products (pdf) effective November 2024
• Yogurt Products (pdf) effective October 2020

Additional Resources

• Domestic Origin of Meat Produced for Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs
• Federal Purchase Program Specification for Animal Handling and Welfare (pdf)
• Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs) - a set of industry standards for fruits, vegetables and specialty crops.
• Institutional Meat Specifications (IMPS) - a series of meat product specifications used by Federal, State, and Local Government agencies, schools, restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities to procure products.
• Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York (BJENY) Kosher Certified Requirements (pdf) - Outlines the requirements specified for Kosher certified production for USDA Foods purchased for BJENY schools