Supplement 509 Alaska Pollock

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service issued Final Supplement 509 for Alaska Pollock products effective June 2026, with a response deadline of December 31, 2026. The supplement revises procurement specifications for three frozen pollock product categories distributed through USDA food and nutrition assistance programs: once-frozen blocks (U.S. Grade A, approximately 16.5 pounds per block), fillet portions unbreaded and raw frozen (4.0-ounce target weight), and oven-ready breaded fish sticks and nuggets (1.0-ounce portions). All products must be derived from domestic Alaska Pollock caught in U.S. waters and processed in USDC/NOAA Seafood Inspection Program-approved establishments. Contractors must submit technical proposals detailing production steps, quality assurance methods, corrective actions, metal detection procedures, and food defense plans. The AMS Quality Assessment Division conducts pre-award onsite capability audits and post-award audits at minimum monthly for continuous contracts and once per contract for intermittent contractors. Key updates include requirements for contractors to provide documentation verifying raw material block compliance with fish flesh requirements, recording truck seal numbers and product temperature on shipping documentation, and performing metal detection validation with all three metals during each testing interval. Contractors must submit written proof of an approved USDC Product Management Plan supporting finished product grade requirements.