DRAFT_VO_16.pdf

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

Below is an Abbreviations Key to the numerous specialized acronyms and abbreviations used in this reference material.

AMS Agricultural Marketing Service

AOAC Association of Official Agricultural Chemists

CID Commercial Item Descriptions

COA Certificate of Analysis

DACO Deputy Administrator for Commodity Operations

F Fahrenheit

FAS Foreign Agricultural Service

FDA Food and Drug Administration

FPAC Farm Production and Conservation

FSA Farm Service Agency

Ft Feet

G Gram

IPD International Procurement Division

IU International Units

KCCO Kansas City Commodity Office

Kg Kilogram

LMR Language Marking Requirement

Meq Milliequivalent

PMS Pantone Matching System

SMR Standard Marking Requirement

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

VO Vegetable Oil Products

WBSCM Web Based Supply Chain Management System

CONTACT INFORMATION

Kansas City Commodity Office (KCCO), International Procurement Division (IPD) Telephone:

816-926-6707 (During Normal Business Hours)

Mailing Address:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: KCCO/IPD MAILSTOP 8738 P.O. Box 419205 Kansas City, MO 64141-3011

Express Delivery:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Attention: KCCO/IPD

MAILSTOP 8738

2312 East Bannister Road Kansas City, MO 64131-3011

Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) Helpdesk Level 1-Technical Issues Phone: 877-WBSCM-4U or 877-927-2648 (During Normal Business Hours) UG-MOKANSASC2-FSAWBSCMServiceRequest@kcc.usda.gov

USDA Website:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome

Registered Users Only:

Service Desk email address is WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com.

On the Log-in prompt enter your email address for both the User ID and Password (all lower case for password) fields, and then change your password when prompted.

If you have any questions, please contact the WBSCM Service Desk at:

Phone: 877-WBSCM-4U or 877-927-2648 or Email: WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com mailto:UG-MOKANSASC2-FSAWBSCMServiceRequest@kcc.usda.gov http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome mailto:WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com mailto:WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com

Part 1 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Fortified Vegetable Oil is made from refined, bleached, deodorized, filtered, and purified oils, including canola (rapeseed), corn (maize), cottonseed, olive, safflower, soybean, sesame, and sunflower oil with added Vitamins A and D. Fortified Vegetable Oil is packaged in containers suitable for use by the United States (U.S.) Government, humanitarian agencies, and non-governmental organizations. Fortified Vegetable oil may be used in climatic extremes from the arctic to tropical zones in development and emergency food assistance programs.

Section 1.1 COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS

A. The commodity delivered shall meet the requirements as specified in the Commercial Item Descriptions (CID) for salad oils (vegetable), A-A-20091D, and dated May 7, 2002, which is available at:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CID%20Salad%20Oils%20Vegetable .pdf

B. Salad oil shall be Type I for all contracts unless otherwise specified in the solicitation.

C. The Fortified Vegetable Oil shall be clear and brilliant when held at 21.1˚ to 29.4˚C (70˚ to 85˚F). Heavy metal scavengers, antifoaming agents, and antioxidants shall be added, provided levels of use are in accordance with appropriate Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulations.

D. The Fortified Vegetable Oil shall have a light viscosity and a clean, fresh flavor without a heavy oily mouth-feel and shall be free from rancid, beany, paint, sour, or other objectionable flavors and/or odors.

Section 1.2 FORTIFICATION

A. Vegetable oil shall be fortified with a premix containing Vitamin A and Vitamin D. The amount of premix to be added should be sufficient so that Vitamin A (retinol palmitate) will be added at the rate of 24 - 36 IU/g and Vitamin D (D3 as cholecalciferol) added at the rate of 2.4 – 3.6 IU/g.

B. Antioxidants in the form of Butylated Hydroxansiole (BHA), Butylated Hydroxytoluene

(BHT), and Tertiary Butyl Hydroquinone (TBHQ) have a maximum use level shown in Table 1.

C. See CID A-A-20091D, referenced above, for test procedures.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CID%20Salad%20Oils%20Vegetable.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CID%20Salad%20Oils%20Vegetable.pdf

Table 1: Antioxidants and Maximum Use Level Antioxidant1 Maximum Level2

Butylated Hydroxansiole (BHA) 175 mg/kg Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 75 mg/kg

Tertiary Butyl Hydroquinone (TBHQ) 120 mg/kg

Section 1.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. The Contractor shall be responsible to implement preventive food safety and quality assurance measures, in compliance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) for processed foods, using a HACCP-based approach. Applicable food safety and quality standards include, but are not limited to:

(1) Compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulations and the

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

(2) Compliance with FSSC 22000 a recognized Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)

Auditing Standard, which can be accomplished by using the audit services of the Contract Services Branch of the USDA/AMS.3

(3) Compliance with Commercial Item Descriptions CODEX Standard for Named Vegetable Oils, CODEX STAN 210-1999

(4) General principles for addition of essential nutrients to foods: CAC/GL 09-1987 (amended 1991), of the Codex Alimentarius

(5) Recommended International Code of Practice. General Principles of Food Hygiene CAC/RCP 1-1969, Rev. 4-2003

(6) Code of Hygienic Practices for low-moisture Foods. CAC/RCP 75-2015. Adopted in 2015.

B. The Contractor shall perform the product testing and quality analysis to ensure that the product meets the commodity specifications, including analysis of the micronutrient premix for Vitamin A and Vitamin D content and analysis of the vegetable oil for Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Antioxidant Content.

(1) The methods for analysis of Vitamin A and Vitamin D shall be the official methods of the AOAC.

(2) The results shall be evidenced by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for the micronutrient premix and a COA for the Fortified Vegetable Oil. The COAs shall provide the results of all tests specified. Copies of the original COAs shall be submitted as part of the invoice package.

1 As an intentional additive to the oil, used antioxidants should appear in the label in accordance to Codex Standard http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/Y2770E/y2770e02.htm 2 The maximum use levels for antioxidants are derived from the CODEX Alimentarius, CODEX STAN 210-1999 http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/sh-proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252FStandards%252FCODEX%2BS T AN%2B210-1999%252FCXS_210e.pdf

3 USDA/AMS Contract Services Branch https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/sci-contacts http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/sh-http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/sh-

C. Compliance and Auditing

(1) The U.S. Government will perform audits in processing facilities to verify compliance with the above systems4. The Contractor shall perform continuous product monitoring, net weight compliance5, testing, food safety and quality analysis to ensure that the product meets the commodity specifications. The results shall be evidenced by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from the supplier and/or U.S.

Government Agency. The COA shall provide the results of all tests specified in this specification. Copies of the original COA shall be submitted as part of the invoice package. If quality discounts are provided in the contract, and the product to be delivered by the contractor falls within the quality discount table, those factors shall be identified by an asterisk on the copies of the COA.

(2) The U.S. Government usually carries out annual comprehensive audits as well as unannounced routine inspections. Suppliers are expected to have and use a system for ensuring delivery of conforming product.

(3) Contractors shall notify the U.S. Government immediately of lots that fail to meet contract requirements.

(4) Unless otherwise specified, test methods for the finished product, and any ingredients therein, shall be those of the AOAC INTERNATIONAL, the American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC), or the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS), as applicable and in effect on the date of issuance of the solicitation, or in accordance with methods that give equivalent results.

D. Contaminants

(1) Fortified Vegetable Oil shall comply with the maximum levels of the General

Standards for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (CODEX STAN 193- 1995), as well as comply with the requirements listed in Table 2.

4 For information about AMS Inspection and Auditing Services: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing 5 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2002-title48-vol2/pdf/CFR-2002-title48-vol2-sec52-212-4.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing

Table 2: Analytical Requirements and Reference Methods

Analytical Test Required Level Reference Method6

Organoleptic Clean, fresh flavor, and absent of foreign flavors and orders

Free fatty acids as oleic, by weight 0.05% maximum AOCS-Ca 5a-40

Peroxide Value 2.0 milliequivalents maximum per kg AOCS-Cd 8-53 Color (Lovibond) 2 red & 20 yellow (maximum) AOCS-Cc 13e-92

Stability (Oil Stability Index) 5 hours at 110˚C minimum AOCS-Cd 12b-92 Moisture and Volatile Matter 0.06% maximum AOCS-Ca 2d-25

Soap Content 0.005% maximum AOCS Cc 15-60

E. Shelf Life. Considering the lengthy handling through supply chain of fortified vegetable oil intended to be used in international nutrition programs, the expected best used by date is an average of eighteen (18) months from the date of packaging.7

Part 2 CONTAINER AND PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS This part provides the container specifications and packaging materials requirements used under this contract.

Section 2.1 CONTAINERS AND MATERIALS

A. All containers and packaging shall be constructed to meet the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safe contact with the packaged product. The contractor shall obtain and maintain documentation from the container or packaging material manufacturer to verify that the containers and packaging materials used in this contract were in compliance with the Government’s regulatory requirements for safe contact with food products as required in the Master Solicitation, Part 3, Section A, Number 3.

B. If the contractor purchases packaging and container ingredients from a foreign country and/or the package and container is manufactured in a foreign country, the package and container SHALL NOT display country of origin labeling. Phrases such as, but not limited to, “Made in [Name of Foreign Country]” or “Product of [Name of Foreign Country]” are strictly prohibited.

6 Or equivalent 7 The shelf life reference in this specification (18 months) is based on the food safety and overall quality of the Fortified Vegetable Oil, not the shelf-life of added micronutrients. Micronutrient payload in the fortified vegetable oil must take into account any corresponding dosage of micronutrients to offset any losses throughout the supply chain.

Ongoing effort/evidence regarding packaging and micronutrient stability is being gathered to more accurately quantify shelf life of micronutrients.

C. All containers shall meet applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) and United Nations (UN) performance standards.

Questions concerning the containers and materials should be directed to: Agricultural Marketing Service International Commodity Procurement P.O. Box 419205, Mailstop 8738 Kansas City, MO 64141-6205

Section 2.2 PACK SIZES All containers shall be clean, sanitary and suitable for Fortified Vegetable Oil.

A. One Gallon Metal Containers

(1) One-Gallon containers shall accommodate 7.6lbs or 3.45 kilograms (depending on temperature) of fortified vegetable oil. The explicit type of containers, whether rectangular or cylindrical, shall be specified within the solicitation.

(2) One-Gallon cans shall have an exterior coating, or similar technology, to prevent corrosion in high humidity environments.

(3) The interior of the One-Gallon cans shall be covered with a lacquer along the vertical seal, or any comparable technology, to prevent corrosion by the oil.

(4) The closure of the One-Gallon can must ensure re-closure upon first opening to avoid situations in which Fortified Vegetable Oil and micronutrients (i.e., Vitamin A and Vitamin D) can undergo accelerated oxidation or cross contamination with the surrounding environment.

(5) Closure shall contain a tamper-proof mechanism, such as a membrane that the user would have to puncture, which will also prevent leaks, or similar mechanism approved by the contracting agency.

(6) The closure shall be placed at the end of the lid in rectangular cans, or at the edge in cylindrical cans, to facilitate dispensing the oil upon opening and to avoid the need for other openings on the lid by end users.

B. One-Gallon Plastic Containers

(1) One-Gallon plastic containers shall be sized to accommodate 3.5 kilograms of vegetable oil.

(2) Plastic containers shall be securely closed to prevent product tampering, and to protect the product from leaking during long periods of stacking in the warehouses and ocean going vessels.

(3) Plastic containers shall be light blue in color, as close as possible to PMS 291.

(4) The utilization of plastic containers is limited. Plastic containers shall be specified within the solicitation.

C. Five-Gallon Pails

(1) Five-Gallon round tight-head steel pails shall be sized to accommodate

(2) 17.4 kilograms of oil.

(3) The interior of the pails shall be coated with a rust inhibitor which meets FDA guidelines for safe contact with vegetable oil.

(4) Five-Gallon pails shall have an exterior coating to prevent corrosion in high humidity environments.

(5) A collapsible handle shall be fixed to the top of the pail for ease in handling.

D. 55-Gallon Drums

(1) 191.5 kilograms of vegetable oil shall be packed in new, sanitary, tight head steel drums.

(2) The interior of the drums shall be coated with a rust inhibitor, which meets FDA guidelines for safe contact with vegetable oil.

Section 2.3 SECONDARY CONTAINERS

A. One-gallon primary containers shall be packaged in corrugated fiberboard shipping containers.

B. The shipping container shall conform to Rule 41, as amended, of the Uniform Freight Classification Rules and Regulations, and shall be sized to minimize headspace between the top of the containers and the closed flaps of the shipping container.

C. All shipping containers filled with either cans or bottles must, at a minimum, accommodate 670 cases per 20-foot common intermodal container based on external container measurements of 20 ft (6.1m) long, 8 feet (2.4m) wide, and 8.5 ft (2.6m) high.

Optimization of container space must be sought, including using at least 90% of total container space.

D. Secondary container flaps shall be securely closed with suitable adhesive to prevent lifting of free edges or corners of outer flaps during transport, international distribution, stacking and storage.

E. The secondary containers shall be marked to show the maximum safe stacking height.

This shall be expressed as follows: “Do not stack above__________tiers per pallet, _______________pallets high.” It is the responsibility of the contractor in cooperation with the shipping container and primary container manufacturer to determine the safe stacking height.

F. The palletized secondary containers must be wrapped accordingly using plastic stretch wraps, applied first around the pallet and continued upward around the load. Wraps shall overlap by 50% to make sure it is tight to prevent shifting during transportation and unloading in ports and warehouses.

Section 2.4 PALLET REQUIREMENTS For contractors choosing to palletize shipments for their convenience:

A. Pallets shall be:

(1) Constructed to facilitate the safe handling, transportation and storage of the packaged product, as a unit, without loss or damage.

(2) A Number 2, four-way, reversible flush stringer with no broken runners or slats.

(3) Suitable for use in the shipment of food products.

(4) Heat treated.

B. Pallet loads shall be:

(1) Stacked in such a way as to minimize the amount that shipping containers overhang the edges of pallets.

(2) Blocked and braced or otherwise loaded into the conveyance in a manner that prevents shifting during transit.

Section 2.5 Material and Performance Requirements

A. All primary and secondary containers shall be durable enough to withstand long periods of stacking in warehouses and ocean-going vessels.

B. One-gallon cans and plastic containers

(1) Individual One-gallon rectangular-style steel cans and plastic containers shall have a minimum top-to-bottom compression strength load of 1200 pounds (per Test Method

ASTM D642-90).

(2) The containers shall survive a single drop test from three (3) feet high without fracturing or leakage of product contained within when tested in accordance with Test Method ASTM D5276.

C. Five-gallon pails shall meet the UN1A/Y1.4/250, as a minimum.

D. All containers (primary and secondary) shall accept and retain printing ink, including barcode, lot code and best used by date, that will not rub or flake off to a degree where legibility is impaired.

E. Closures may be accomplished in any commercially acceptable manner that assures a sound, leak-proof, tamper-resistant seal, capable of withstanding temperature extremes of at least 150 degrees F without product leakage.

F. The Contractor shall use any independent or private laboratory that is capable of conducting the tests described above.

Section 2.6 Test Frequency A. All specified testing shall be performed and documented every time a change in the formulation/design of the container is being made.

B. All supporting test and quality control documentation shall be retained and made available for review by the U.S. Government for a minimum of three years after final payment under the contract.

Part 3 MARKING REQUIREMENTS

Section 3.1 Markings

A. One-Gallon Metal Cans

(1) Standard marking and color requirements for use in U.S. Agency for International

Development (USAID) programs are referred to as “SMR-1” and are shown in Exhibit A. The USAID logo shall be printed in the same style as shown in Exhibits A and I.

(2) Standard marking requirements for use in Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) programs are referred to as SMR-2 and are shown in Exhibit B. For standard marking requirements for use in FAS programs, “SMR-2”, contractor shall use Exhibit A and omit the flag and the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People and replace the flag with three stripes and “USA” as depicted in Exhibit B.

The letters USA shall be in Univers black (75) obique or Helevetica extra bold with 70% scaling and 70 tracking or equivalent as depicted in Exhibit B. The stripes shall be 7/16 inches high, and shall extend around the can. The “USA” logo shall be 2 inches high and 1 ½ inches in width.

(3) The natural background of the tin-plated can shall be used. Pressure sensitive or other labels are not acceptable. Any markings not shown in the Exhibits shall be marked in blue or black.

(4) All dimensions are approximate. All printing shall be lithographed in indelible ink directly on the can. Unless otherwise specified all characters shall be in normal block print.

(5) The applicable contract number shall be printed on each can.

B. One-Gallon Plastic Bottles

(1) Standard marking and color requirements for use in USAID programs are referred to as “SMR-1” and are shown in Exhibit C.

(2) For standard marking requirements for use in FAS programs, contractor shall use Exhibit C and omit the flag and the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People.”) The letters USA and stripes should replace the flag as depicted in Exhibit B. The USA letters should be 1.0” high and 4.0” wide. The stripes shall also be 1.0” high and extend to the edge of the label.

(3) Pressure-sensitive labels are acceptable. Any markings not shown on the Exhibit C shall be marked in blue or black. When printed on the plastic container, the colors blue and red shall match the PMS chart numbers 280 and 200, respectively, to the extent practicable.

(4) All dimensions are approximate. The size of graphics and markings are shown in the Exhibits as actual sizes.

(5) The applicable contract number shall be printed on each bottle.

C. Secondary Containers for All One-Gallon Containers

(1) Standard marking and color requirements for shipping containers for use in USAID programs are provided in Exhibits D and E. The USAID logo shall be printed in the same style as shown in the Exhibits.

(2) For standard marking and color requirements for shipping containers for use in FAS programs, contractor shall use Exhibit D and omit the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People”), and replace the flag with three stripes and “USA” as depicted in Exhibit B. The letters USA shall be in Univers black (75) Oblique or Helevetica extra bold with 70% scaling and 70 tracking or equivalent and be 3 inches high and 6 inches in total width. The stripes shall be each 5/8 inches high, shall begin ¼ inch from the letters USA and extend to ½ inch from the edge of the box panel.

(3) The contract number, net weight and gross weight shall be printed on alternate panels of each shipping carton in the size and font required in Exhibit D. Arrows shall not be printed on the top of shipping cartons. Additional identifying markings shall be printed on the top of shipping cartons including agency branding and U.S. Flag graphics.

(4) The corrugated fiberboard shipping containers shall be marked in the color as specified in the Exhibits D, or E. The natural background of the brown corrugated box shall be used. Pressure-sensitive or other labels are not acceptable. Any markings not shown on the Exhibits shall be marked in blue or black.

(5) All dimensions are approximate. All printing shall be printed in indelible ink directly on the box. Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall be in normal block print.

(6) The arrows above “THIS END UP” shall be ½ inches high.

(7) If H-style Bliss box is used, markings shall conform to the requirements of this section, Exhibit D and the end panels shown in Exhibit E. For standard FAS “SMR-2” markings, omit the USAID logo and replace with the letters “USA,” and omit the flag and replace with three red stripes. The stripes shall be each 5/8 inches high.

D. Five-Gallon Pails

(1) Standard marking requirements for use in USAID programs are referred to as “SMR-

1” and are shown in Exhibit F.

(2) For standard marking requirements for use in FAS programs, “SMR-2”, contractor shall use Exhibit F and omit the flag and the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People and replace the flag with three stripes and “USA” as depicted in Exhibit B. The letters USA shall be Univers black (75) oblique or Helvetica extra bold with 70% scaling and -70 tracking or equivalent at 3-½ inches high and 7 inches in total width. The stripes shall be each 11/16 inches high, shall begin ½ inch from the letters USA and extend around the pail.

(3) The color of the pail itself shall be white for SMR-1 and a light blue pail, as close to PMS 291 as possible, shall be used for all other markings. Any markings not shown on the Exhibit shall be marked in blue. When printed on the pail, the colors blue and red shall match the PMS chart numbers 280 and 200, respectively, to the extent practicable.

(4) All dimensions are approximate. All printing shall be lithographed in indelible ink directly on the box. Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall be in normal block print.

(5) The contract number shall be placed on the top of the pail or on the back panel of the pail.

E. 55 Gallon Drums

(1) Standard marking and color requirements for use in USAID programs are referred to as “SMR-1” and are shown in Exhibit G.

(2) The color of the drum shall be light blue, as close to PMS 291 or RAL 5024 as possible. Any marking not shown on the Exhibit shall be marked in blue. When printed on the drum, the colors blue and red shall match the PMS chart numbers 280 and 200, respectively, to the extent practicable. All markings shall be legible and of sufficient size to stand out prominently.

(3) For standard marking requirements for use in FAS programs, “SMR-2”, contractor shall use Exhibit G and omit the flag and the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People) and replace the flag with three stripes and “USA” as depicted in Exhibit B, except the stripes shall be Blue PMS 280. The letters USA shall be Universal black (75) oblique or Helvetica extra bold with 70% scaling and -70 tracking or equivalent to match the style as shown in the Exhibit. The letters USA shall be 6 inches high and 12 inches in total width. The stripes shall be each 1-⅛ inches high, and shall extend around the drum as far as possible.

(4) All dimensions are approximate and may be adjusted to fit on each panel. All printing shall be in indelible ink. Unless otherwise specified, all characters shall be in normal block print.

(5) The USAID logo shall be printed in the same style as shown in the Exhibits.

Section 3.2 MARKING DESCRIPTIONS

A. The Government shall furnish required markings within two business days after the date of the contract award. Procurement of containers shall be deferred for at least two business days after the date of the contract.

B. The following standard marking requirements for USAID may be requested under the contract (USDA has similar requirements):

Special Marking Requirements

(1) Markings for monetization are shown in Exhibits H, I, J, K, L, M, and N.

(2) All 1-gallon, cans, 1-gallon plastic bottles, corrugated fiberboard cartons, and 5-gallon pails used for monetizing programs will be printed with a white band as shown in the Exhibits. The white band shall extend completely around the container.

SMR-1 Monetized One-Gallon Can (monetized – white band product) Omit the flag, the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People”), and the words “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED.” Retain all other markings.

See Exhibit H.

SMR-3 Special Marking Requirement (monetized – white band product) Omit the words “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED”. Retain all other markings in blue. See Exhibits I, J, K, L, and M.

SMR-4 Special Marking Requirement (monetized – white band product) Omit the USAID brand (logo and “USAID From the American People”), the words “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” and the red stripes. Retain all other markings. See Exhibit N.

(3) For 55-Gallon drums, a white band is not required but all other markings are to be retained in blue. See Exhibit M.

C. Fiberboard Shipping Container (Exhibit K)

(1) A 3-inch solid white band shall be printed on all four side panels of all fiberboard containers used for 1-gallon vegetable oil procured for monetization programs. The band shall extend completely around the container to the extent that the box type/style will permit.

(2) The 3-inch band shall be printed level with the flag as shown in Exhibit.

(3) At no time will the white band and the phrase, “NOT TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED” appear on the same shipping container.

(4) If H-style Bliss box is used, markings shall conform to the requirements of this section, Exhibit D and the end panels shown in Exhibit E. Omit the U.S. Flag or the three red stripes and replace with a white band.

Note: All other required markings on the 1-gallon cans, corrugated fiberboard cartons and 5-Gallon pails “white band product” used for monetization programs shall be printed in blue.

Section 3.3 LOT CODES Lot codes unique to each lot offered for inspection shall be legibly marked on each individual primary container and shipping container. Commodity suppliers may use any type of lot coding system provided a unique code is used to identify each lot offered for inspection under contract.

Commodity suppliers shall provide the contracting officer with an explanation of the lot coding system used.

Section 3.4 CONTAINERS WITH INCORRECT MARKINGS

A. Any labels, bags, cans, can lids, cases, or any other type of packaging (hereinafter referred to as "containers") displaying incorrect markings may be used under a Government contract provided that the incorrect markings are obliterated and correct markings are applied in a permanent manner with approval of the contracting officer.

B. The appearance of containers in commercial or other channels either filled or unfilled bearing markings identifying the containers as part of a Government contract may cause the Government expense in determining whether commodities have been diverted from authorized use and in answering inquiries. The contractor shall take all necessary action to prevent the appearance in commercial or other channels of containers and container materials bearing any markings required under a Government contract, including those held by the contractor or others; e.g., overruns misprints, etc. The contractor shall ensure that any container from a Government contract that appears in commercial or other channels shall have all markings required under this contract permanently obliterate.