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
- Additional Resources
- Archived Specifications
- Draft Specifications
Fruits
Canned Fruit
- 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)
- Commodity Specification for Frozen Fruit - September 2019 (pdf)
Fresh Citrus Fruit
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)
- Trade Mitigation Specification for Fresh Plums – June 2019 (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)
- Commodity Specifications for Dried Fruit, August 2019 (pdf)
Vegetables
Canned Vegetables
- 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)
- Commodity Specifications for Canned Vegetables, March 2019 (pdf)
Frozen Vegetables
- Commodity Specification for Frozen Vegetables, March 2022 (pdf)
- Commodity Specification for Frozen Vegetables, March 2020 (pdf)
Fresh Vegetables
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)
- Commodity Specification for Bulk Products for Further Processing – May 2019 (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 - December 2021 (pdf)
- Commodity Specification for Frozen Fruit Juices – April 2020 (pdf)
- Commodity Specification for Frozen Fruit Juices – April 2019 (pdf)
Bottled Fruit Juices
- Commodity Specification for Bottled Juices - December 2021 (pdf)
- Commodity Specifications for Bottled Juices – April 2020 (pdf)
- Commodity Specifications for Bottled Juices, April 2019 (pdf)
Concentrated Fruit Juice for Manufacturing
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)
- Commodity Specification for Canned Dried Beans - March 2019 (pdf)
Dry Edible Beans, Peas, and Lentils
- Commodity Specification for Dry Edible Beans, Peas, and Lentils, August 2021
- Commodity Specification for Dry Edible Beans, Peas and Lentils, June 2014 (pdf), Amendment 1, October 2015 (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)
- Commodity Specification for Shelled Tree Nuts, April 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 (Frozen Beef Roasts, Diced Beef)
- Supplement 210 – Beef Roast-Diced Beef, October 2022 (pdf)
- Supplement 210 - Frozen Beef Roasts and Diced Beef, August 2017 (pdf)
- FPPS – Beef Round Roasts Frozen- February 2019 (pdf)
Frozen Ground Beef Products
Fresh Boneless Beef Products
Beef Special Trim
Frozen Cooked Beef and Pork Products
- Federal Purchase Program Specification for Frozen Fully Cooked Pulled Pork, October 2019 (pdf)
- Supplement 404 – Cooked Frozen Beef and Pork Products, August 2022 (pdf)
- Supplement 404 – Frozen, Cooked Beef and Pork Products, October 2019 (pdf)
Pork
Technical Requirements (Specifications) for these commodity products are incorporated into the following Supplements to the AMS Master Solicitation. View more information about technical requirements.
Frozen Pork Chops and Loin Roasts
Frozen Pork Picnics and Leg Roast
Ham, Boneless, Fully-Cooked, Water-Added
- Supplement 303 – Ham Products, October 2022 (pdf)
- Supplement 303 - Ham Products, July 2021 (pdf)
- Supplement 303 - Ham, Boneless, Fully-cooked, Water-added, All Types, August 2017 (pdf)
Frozen Cooked Beef and Pork Products
- Federal Purchase Program Specification for Frozen Fully Cooked Pulled Pork, October 2019 (pdf)
- Supplement 404 – Frozen, Cooked Beef and Pork Products, October 2019 (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.
Frozen Pacific Seafood
Frozen Wild Shrimp
Frozen Atlantic Groundfish
Salmon Products
Tuna Products (Canned/Pouched)
Frozen Catfish
- Supplement 511 – Catfish Products, July 2022 (pdf)
- Supplement 511 Frozen Catfish Products, April 2016 (pdf); Amendment 1, March 2018 (pdf)
Frozen, Alaska Pollock
- Supplement 509 for Alaska Pollock Products, August 2021 (pdf)
- Supplement 509 Alaska Pollock Products, June 2020 (pdf)
- Supplement 509 for Alaska Pollock Products, July 2021 (pdf)
Frozen Walleye
Other Red Meat and Poultry Products
Other Red Meat 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.
Canned Meat and Canned Stew Products
- Supplement 704 – Canned Beef and Pork Items, August 2022 (pdf)
- Supplement 704 – Canned Meat and Poultry, March 2020 (pdf)
Frozen Bison and Buffalo Products
Frozen Lamb Products
- Supplement 602 – Lamb Products, July 2022 (pdf)
- Supplement 602 – Frozen Lamb Products, August 2020 (pdf)
Chicken
Consumer Pack Chicken
Fresh Bulk Chicken and Parts
Frozen Chicken Parts
Cooked Chicken Products
- Federal Purchase Program Specification for Chicken Fillet, September 2019 (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, April, 2016 (pdf)
Shelf Stable Chicken
Turkey
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, 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)
- Supplement for Turkey Products, September 2022 (pdf)
Eggs
Fresh Shell Eggs
Egg Products
View AMS certification options and technical proposal requirements for these egg products (pdf)
- Federal Purchase Program Specification for Hard Cooked Eggs April 2021 (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 (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 September 2019
- Wheat Flour and Bakery Flour Products (pdf) effective July 2021
- Wild Rice (WR2) (pdf) effective July 28, 2016
Dairy
Dairy Products Purchase Specs:
- Instant Nonfat Dry Milk (IMD4) (pdf) effective Aug 8, 2013
- Fluid Milk (DFM2) (pdf) effective November 15, 2018
- 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 (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 October 2020
Additional Resources
- 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.