[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 17, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57033-57047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22574]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 57033]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 42

[Doc. No. AMS-FV-08-0027; FV-05-332]
RIN 0581-AC52


United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The 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 CONTACT: Lynne 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 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This 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 Act

    Pursuant 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.
    The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory action to the scale of 
business subject to such actions so that small businesses will not be 
unduly or disproportionately burdened. Food manufacturers are 
determined to be small businesses in accordance with the Small Business 
Size Standards by North American Industry Classification Systems 
(NAICS) codes in Title 13, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 13 CFR 
part 121. These businesses may have fewer than 500, 750, or 1,000 
employees depending on their NAICS code.
    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 as small businesses under the definition 
provided by the Small Business Administration.
    Under the final rule, utilization of the U.S. Standards for 
Condition of Food Containers continues to be voluntary. We have 
examined the economic implications of this final rule on small 
entities. Small entities would only incur direct costs when purchasers 
of their packaged food products stipulate in their procurement 
documents that the food containers should conform to the requirements 
of the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers.
    Since the standards were last amended in May 1983, innovations in 
packaging technologies have provided an increasingly wide variety of 
acceptable new food containers. Accordingly, we believe that the 
economic impact of this final rule will be minimal because the 
revisions are necessary in order to provide standards that reflect 
current industry practices. The changes concerning removal of OC curves 
and other non-substantive changes will have no adverse impact on small 
or large entities.
    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 the Federal Register, January 18, 2012 [77 
FR 2481].
    This rule will not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping 
requirements on either small or large establishments under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act, (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). The Department has not 
identified any relevant Federal rules that duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with the Standards.
    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 12988

    This 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.

Background

    The 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.
    Stationary lot sampling is the process of randomly selecting sample 
units from a lot whose production has been completed. This type of lot 
is usually stored in a warehouse or in some other storage facility and 
is offered for inspection.
    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 
essentially

[[Page 57034]]

the same quality have been consecutively accepted.
    To be acceptable under the examination criteria in the standards, 
lots may contain only a limited number of defects classified as minor, 
major, or critical. Acceptance criteria are based on sampling plans for 
different lot sizes and levels of inspection such as normal, reduced, 
or tightened. Defect tables classify the severity of defects.
    On-line sampling and inspection is a procedure in which subgroups 
of sample units or individual containers are selected randomly from 
pre-designated portions of production. The acceptability of these 
portions of production is determined by inspecting, at the time of 
sampling, the subgroups which represent these portions. For this type 
of sampling, only portions of a lot, rather than a whole lot, may be 
rejected. This helps to identify trouble spots in a production cycle 
quickly, and enables the producer to make timely corrections. This can 
reduce the corrective action costs and the amount of product destroyed 
as a result of packaging problems.
    These standards were developed for use by Government agencies when 
requested to certify filled primary containers or shipping cases, or 
both, for condition. The standards are permissive, and they may be used 
in their entirety or in part by private parties.
    Revision of the Standards includes:
    (1) separating Tables I, I-A, II, II-A, III, III-A, and III-B of 
sampling plans for normal, tightened, and reduced inspection by the 
type of sampling plan used (single or double), as well as updating the 
Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs) for these tables
    (2) updating Table IV--Metal Containers, (Rigid and Semi-Rigid), 
Table VI--Glass Containers, Table VIII--Rigid and Semi-Rigid Containers 
(Corrugated or Solid Fiberboard, Chipboard, Wood, Paperboard Aseptic 
Cartons, Polymeric Trays, etc.), Table IX--Flexible Containers (Plastic 
Bags, Cello, Paper, Textile, Laminated Multi-Layer Pouch, Bag, etc.), 
and Table XI--Defects of Label, Marking, or Code to incorporate new 
defects and revise existing defects to reflect new packaging 
technologies such as aseptic packaging, metal cans with easy open lids, 
and plastic rings that hold several containers together
    (3) adding new defect tables, Table V--Composite Containers (Semi-
Rigid Laminated or Multi-Layer Paperboard Body with Metal, Plastic, or 
Combination of Metal and Plastic Ends and a Safety Seal Inside the 
Cap), Table VII--Plastic Containers (Rigid and Semi-Rigid Bottles, 
Jars, Tubs, Trays, Pails, etc.), and Table XII--Interior Can Defects (a 
new section 42.114 is added to provide for procedures for evaluating 
interior container defects)
    (4) removing the OC curves
    (5) other minor non-substantive changes to clarify the text.
    These revisions to existing tables, addition of new tables, removal 
of OC curves, and updating language in the U.S. Standards for Condition 
of Food Containers enables the standards to be applicable to most types 
of food containers and align the standards to reflect current industry 
practices.
    OC curves found in Sec. Sec.  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.

Comments

    AMS published two proposed rules in the Federal Register in which 
six comments were received. The first proposed rule was published in 
the Federal Register on 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 Sec.  42.112--Defects of Containers. 
The commenter stated that while Table IV of Sec.  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 the Federal Register on 
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 Sec.  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 Sec.  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.

[[Page 57035]]

AMS has revised the package identification from ``Tetra Pak'' to 
``Paperboard Aseptic Cartons'' to accurately identify all packaging 
made in a similar manner.
    Based on the comments received and information gathered, AMS 
believes that revising these standards will bring the Standards inline 
to reflect current industry practices.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 42

    Food packaging, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 42 is amended 
as follows:

PART 42--[Amended]

0
1. The authority citation for part 42 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  Secs. 203, 205, 60 Stat. 1087, as amended, 1090, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624).


0
2. Section 42.102 is amended by:
0
a. Removing the definitions ``Lot'', ``Operating Characteristic Curve 
(OC Curve)'' and ``Probability of acceptance''.
0
b. Revising the definitions ``Administrator,'' ``Sample size (n),'' and 
``Stationary lot sampling''
0
c. Adding the definition ``Lot or inspection lot'' in alphabetical 
order.
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  42.102  Definitions, general.

* * * * *
    Administrator. The Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS) of the Department or any other officer or employee of the 
Agency who is delegated, or who may be delegated the authority to act 
in the Administrator's stead.
* * * * *
    Lot or inspection lot. A collection of filled food containers of 
the same size, type, and style. The term shall mean ``inspection lot,'' 
i.e., a collection of units of product from which a sample is to be 
drawn and inspected to determine conformance with the applicable 
acceptance criteria. An inspection lot may differ from a collection of 
units designated as a lot for other purposes (e.g., production lot, 
shipping lot, etc.).
* * * * *
    Sample size (n). The number of sample units included in the sample.
* * * * *
    Stationary lot sampling. The process of randomly selecting sample 
units from a lot whose production has been completed. This type of lot 
is usually stored in a warehouse or in some other storage facility and 
is offered in its entirety for inspection.
* * * * *

Sec.  42.106  [Amended]

0
3. In Sec.  42.106, paragraph (a)(1), remove the word ``attributed'' 
and add in its place the word ``attributed''.


0
4. Revise Sec.  42.109, to read as follows:


Sec.  42.109  Sampling plans for normal condition of container 
inspection, Tables I and I-A.

                                       Table I--Single Sampling Plans for Normal Condition of Container Inspection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Acceptable quality levels
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Lot size ranges--                                        Origin Inspection                              Other Than Origin Inspection
   Code        Number of        Type of Plan   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             containers  in                                    0.25             1.5             6.5            0.25             2.5            10.0
                  lot                            Sample  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  size      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA.......  6,000 or less....  Single..........        84       0       1       3       4       9      10       0       1       4       5      13      14
CB.......  6,001-12,000.....  Single..........       168       1       2       5       6      16      17       1       2       7       8      23      24
CC.......  12,001-36,000....  Single..........       315       2       3       8       9      28      29       2       3      13      14      41      42
CD.......  Over 36,000......  Single..........       500       3       4      12      13      42      43       3       4      18      19      62      63
CE.......  .................  Single..........       800       4       5      18      19      64      65       4       5      27      28      95      96
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ac = Acceptance number.
Re = Rejection number.


[[Page 57036]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17SE13.004


[[Page 57037]]


0
5. Revise Sec.  42.110 to read as follows:


Sec.  42.110  Sampling plans for tightened condition of container 
inspection; Tables II and II-A.

                                     Table II--Single Sampling Plans for Tightened Condition of Container Inspection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Acceptable quality levels
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Lot size ranges--                                        Origin Inspection                              Other Than Origin Inspection
   Code        Number of        Type of Plan   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             containers  in                                    0.25             1.5             6.5            0.25             2.5            10.0
                  lot                            Sample  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Size      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CB.......  6,000 or less....  Single..........       168       0       1       4       5      11      12       0       1       5       6      16      17
CC.......  6,001-12,000.....  Single..........       315       1       2       6       7      19      20       1       2       8       9      28      29
CD.......  12,001-36,000....  Single..........       500       2       3       9      10      28      29       2       3      12      13      42      43
CE.......  Over 36,000......  Single..........       800       3       4      13      14      42      43       3       4      18      19      64      65
CF.......  .................  Single..........     1,250       4       5      19      20      63      64       4       5      26      27      96      97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 57038]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17SE13.005


[[Page 57039]]


0
6. Revise Sec.  42.111 to read as follows:


Sec.  42.111  Sampling plans for reduced condition of container 
inspection, Tables III and III-A; and limit number for reduced 
inspection, Table III-B.

                                     Table III--Single Sampling Plans for Reduced Condition of Container Inspection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Acceptable quality levels
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Lot size ranges--                                        Origin inspection                              Other Than Origin Inspection
   Code        Number of        Type of Plan   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             containers  in                                    0.25             1.5             6.5            0.25             2.5            10.0
                  lot                            Sample  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Size      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re      Ac      Re
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAA......  6,000 or less....  Single..........        29       1       2       1       2       4       5       1       2       2       3       5       6
CA.......  6,001-36,000.....  Single..........        84       1       2       3       4       9      10       1       2       4       5      13      14
CB.......  Over 36,000......  Single..........       168       1       2       5       6      16      17       1       2       7       8      23      24
CC.......  .................  Single..........       315       2       3       8       9      28      29       2       3      13      14      41      42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 57040]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17SE13.006


[[Page 57041]]


                                Table III-B--Limit Numbers for Reduced Inspection
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of sample units from last                             Acceptable quality level
   10 lots inspected within 6    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             months                    0.25             1.5             2.5             6.5            10.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
320-499.........................             (*)               1               4              14              24
500-799.........................             (*)               3               7              25              40
800-1,249.......................               0               7              14              42              68
1,250-1,999.....................               0              13              24              69             110
2,000-3,149.....................               2              22              40             115             181
3,150-4,999.....................               4              38              67             186             293
5,000-7,999.....................               7              63             110             302             472
8,000-12,499....................              14             105             181             491             765
12,500-19,999...................              24             169             290             777            1207
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Denotes that the number of sample units from the last 10 inspection lots is not sufficient for reduced
  inspection for this AQL. In this instance more than 10 inspection lots may be used for the calculations if;
  the inspection lots used are the most recent ones in sequence within the last 6 months, they have all been on
  normal inspection, and none has been rejected on original inspection.


0
7. Section Sec.  42.112 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  42.112  Defects of containers: Tables IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, 
and X.

                                           Table IV--Metal Containers
                                             [Rigid and semi-rigid]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Categories
                             Defects                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                                     Critical          Major           Minor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type or size of container or component parts not as specified...                  None permitted
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Closure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed,
 crimped, or fitted properly:
    (a) Heat processed primary container........................               1  ..............  ..............
    (b) Non-heat processed primary container....................  ..............             101  ..............
    (c) Other than primary container............................  ..............  ..............             201
Dirty, stained, or smeared container............................  ..............  ..............             202
Key opening metal containers (when required):
    (a) Key missing.............................................  ..............             102  ..............
    (b) Key does not fit tab....................................  ..............             103  ..............
    (c) Tab of opening band insufficient to provide               ..............             104  ..............
     accessibility to key.......................................
    (d) Improper scoring (band would not be removed in one        ..............             105  ..............
     continuous strip)..........................................
Metal pop-top:
    (a) Missing or broken pull tab..............................  ..............             106  ..............
    (b) Missing or incomplete score line (not conforming to a     ..............             107  ..............
     relevant product specification)............................
Flexible pop-top:
    (a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.).............  ..............             108  ..............
    (b) Short pull tab (not conforming to a relevant product      ..............  ..............             203
     specification).............................................
    (c) Missing pull tab........................................  ..............             109  ..............
    (d) Torn pull tab...........................................  ..............  ..............             204
Open top with plastic overcap (when required):
    (a) Plastic overcap missing.................................  ..............             110  ..............
    (b) Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication   ..............             111  ..............
     difficult).................................................
Outside tinplate or coating (when required):
    (a) Missing or incomplete...................................  ..............  ..............             205
    (b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled..................  ..............  ..............             206
    (c) Scratched or scored.....................................  ..............  ..............             207
    (d) Fine cracks.............................................  ..............  ..............             208
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 stain..............................................  ..............  ..............             209
    (b) Pitted rust.............................................  ..............             112  ..............
Wet cans (excluding refrigerated containers)....................  ..............  ..............             210
Dent:
    (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability.......  ..............  ..............             211
    (b) Materially affecting usability..........................  ..............             113  ..............
Buckle:
    (a) Not involving end seam..................................  ..............  ..............             212
    (b) Extending into the end seam.............................  ..............             114  ..............
Collapsed container.............................................  ..............             115  ..............
Paneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability..  ..............  ..............             213
Solder missing when required....................................  ..............             116  ..............
Cable cut exposing seam.........................................  ..............             117  ..............
Improper side seam..............................................  ..............             118  ..............
Swell, springer, or flipper (not applicable to gas or pressure                 2  ..............  ..............
 packed product nor frozen products)............................

[[Page 57042]]

 
Leaker or blown container.......................................               3  ..............  ..............
Frozen products only:
    (a) Bulging ends \3/16\-inch to \1/4\-inch beyond lip.......  ..............  ..............             214
    (b) Bulging ends more than \1/4\-inch beyond lip............  ..............             119  ..............
Metal drums: leaking filling seal (bung) swell \1\..............               4             120  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Defect classification depends on the severity of the defect.


                                          Table V--Composite Containers
                [Fiberboard body with metal lids or metal bottoms, plastic or foil top with cap]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Categories
                             Defects                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                                     Critical          Major           Minor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type or size of container or component parts not as specified...                  None permitted
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Closure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed,                       1  ..............  ..............
 crimped, or fitted properly....................................
Dirty, stained, or smeared container............................  ..............  ..............             201
Easy open closure:
    (a) Pull tab:                                                 ..............  ..............  ..............
        1. Missing or broken pull tab...........................  ..............             101  ..............
        2. Missing or incomplete score line.....................  ..............             102  ..............
    (b) Membrane top:                                             ..............  ..............  ..............
        1. Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.)..........  ..............             103  ..............
        2. Short pull tab.......................................  ..............             104  ..............
        3. Missing pull tab.....................................  ..............             105  ..............
        4. Torn pull tab........................................  ..............             106  ..............
    (c) Open top with plastic overcap (when required):            ..............  ..............  ..............
        1. Plastic overcap missing..............................  ..............             107  ..............
        2. Plastic overcap warped (making opening or              ..............             108  ..............
         reapplication difficult)...............................
Outside tinplate or coating on ends (when required):
    (a) Missing or incomplete...................................  ..............  ..............             202
    (b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled..................  ..............  ..............             203
    (c) Scratched or scored.....................................  ..............  ..............             204
    (d) Fine cracks.............................................  ..............  ..............             205
Collapsed container.............................................  ..............             109  ..............
Paneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability..  ..............  ..............             206
Leaker..........................................................               2  ..............  ..............
Wet or damp:
    (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability.......  ..............  ..............             207
    (b) Materially affecting usability..........................  ..............             110  ..............
Crushed or torn area:
    (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability.......  ..............  ..............             208
    (b) Materially affecting usability..........................  ..............             111  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                           Table VI--Glass Containers
                                                 [Bottles, Jars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Categories
                             Defects                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                                     Critical          Major           Minor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type or size of container or component parts not as specified...                  None permitted
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly:
    (a) Heat processed..........................................               1  ..............  ..............
    (b) Non-heat processed......................................  ..............             101
Dirty, stained, or smeared container............................  ..............  ..............             201
Chip in glass...................................................  ..............  ..............             202
Stone (unmelted material) in glass..............................  ..............  ..............             203
Pits in surface of glass........................................  ..............  ..............             204
Sagging surface.................................................  ..............  ..............             205
Bead (bubble within glass):
    (a) \1/8\-inch to \1/16\-inch in diameter...................  ..............  ..............             206
    (b) Exceeding \1/8\-inch in diameter........................  ..............             102  ..............
Checked.........................................................  ..............             103  ..............
Thin spot in glass..............................................  ..............             104  ..............

[[Page 57043]]

 
Blister (structural defect).....................................  ..............             105  ..............
Bird swing (glass appendage inside container)...................               2  ..............  ..............
Broken or leaking container.....................................               3  ..............  ..............
Cap (nonheat processed):
    (a) Cross-threaded..........................................  ..............  ..............             207
    (b) Loose but not leaking...................................  ..............  ..............             208
    (c) Pitted rust.............................................  ..............             106  ..............
Cap (heat processed):
    (a) Cross-threaded or loose.................................               4  ..............  ..............
    (b) Pitted rust.............................................  ..............             107  ..............
Sealing tape or cello band (when required):
    (a) Improperly placed.......................................  ..............  ..............             209
    (b) Not covering juncture of cap and glass..................  ..............             108  ..............
    (c) Ends overlap by less than \1/2\-inch....................  ..............             109  ..............
    (d) Loose or deteriorating..................................  ..............             110  ..............
Missing or torn outer safety seal...............................  ..............             111  ..............
Inner safety seal--missing, torn, poor seal.....................  ..............             112  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                          Table VII--Plastic Containers
                         [Rigid and Semi-Rigid, Bottles, Jars, Tubs, Trays, Pails, etc.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Categories
                             Defects                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                                     Critical          Major           Minor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type or size of container or component parts not as specified...                  None permitted
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly:
    (a) Heat processed..........................................               1  ..............  ..............
    (b) Non-heat processed......................................  ..............             101  ..............
Dirty, stained, or smeared container............................  ..............  ..............             201
Chip in plastic.................................................  ..............  ..............             202
Un-melted gels in plastic.......................................  ..............  ..............             203
Pits in surface of plastic......................................  ..............  ..............             204
Sagging surface.................................................  ..............  ..............             205
Air bubble within plastic:
    (a) \1/8\-inch to \1/16\-inch in diameter...................  ..............  ..............             206
    (b) Exceeding \1/8\-inch in diameter........................  ..............             102  ..............
Checked.........................................................  ..............             103  ..............
Thin spot in plastic............................................  ..............             104  ..............
Blister (structural defect).....................................  ..............             105  ..............
Broken or leaking container.....................................               2  ..............  ..............
Cap (non-heat processed):
    (a) Cross-threaded..........................................  ..............  ..............             207
    (b) Loose but not leaking...................................  ..............  ..............             208
Cap (heat processed), cross-threaded or loose...................               3  ..............  ..............
Security seals:
    (a) Closure ring missing....................................  ..............             106  ..............
    (b) Missing or torn outer safety seal.......................  ..............             107  ..............
(c) Inner safety seal--missing, torn, or poor seal..............  ..............             108  ..............
    (d) Sealing tape or cello band (when required):
        1. Improperly placed....................................  ..............  ..............             209
        2. Not covering juncture of cap and plastic.............  ..............             109  ..............
        3. Ends overlap by less than \1/2\-inch.................  ..............             110  ..............
        4. Loose or deteriorating...............................  ..............             111  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 57044]]


Table VIII--Rigid and Semi-Rigid Containers--Corrugated or Solid Fiberboard, Chipboard, Wood, Paperboard Aseptic
                                         Cartons, Polymeric Trays, etc.
                                      [Excluding metal, glass, and plastic]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Categories
                             Defects                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                                     Critical          Major           Minor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type or size of container or component parts not as specified...                  None permitted
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Component part missing..........................................  ..............             101  ..............
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly:
    (a) Primary container.......................................               1  ..............  ..............
    (b) Other than primary container............................  ..............  ..............             201
Dirty, stained, or smeared container............................  ..............  ..............             202
Wet or damp (excluding ice packs):
    (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability.......  ..............  ..............             203
    (b) Materially affecting usability..........................  ..............             102  ..............
Moldy area......................................................               2  ..............  ..............
Crushed or torn area:
    (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability.......  ..............  ..............             204
    (b) Materially affecting usability..........................  ..............             103  ..............
Separation of lamination (corrugated fiberboard):
    (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability.......  ..............  ..............             205
    (b) Materially affecting usability..........................  ..............             104  ..............
Product sifting or leaking......................................  ..............             105  ..............
Nails or staples (when required):
    (a) Not as required, insufficient number or improperly        ..............  ..............             206
     positioned.................................................
    (b) Nails or staples protruding.............................  ..............             106  ..............
Glue or adhesive (when required); not holding properly, not
 covering area specified, or not covering sufficient area to
 hold properly:
    (a) Primary container.......................................  ..............             107  ..............
    (b) Other than primary container............................  ..............  ..............             207
Flap:
    (a) Projects beyond edge of container more than \1/4\-inch..  ..............  ..............             208
    (b) Does not meet properly, allowing space of more than \1/   ..............  ..............             209
     4\-inch....................................................
Sealing tape or strapping (when required):
    (a) Missing.................................................  ..............             108  ..............
    (b) Improperly placed or applied............................  ..............  ..............             210
Missing component (straw, etc.).................................  ..............  ..............             211
Paperboard Aseptic Cartons:
    (a) Missing re-sealable cap or tab..........................  ..............             109  ..............
    (b) Inner or outer safety seal--missing, torn, poor seal....               3  ..............  ..............
Thermostabilized polymeric trays:
Tray body:
    (a) Swollen container.......................................               4  ..............  ..............
    (b) Tear, crack, hole, abrasion through more than one layer                5  ..............  ..............
     of multi-layer laminate for the tray.......................
    (c) Presence of delamination in multi-layered laminate......  ..............  ..............             212
    (d) Presence of any permanent deformation, such that          ..............  ..............             213
     deformed area is discolored or roughened in texture........
Lid material:
    (a) Closure seal not continuous along tray flange surface...               6  ..............  ..............
    (b) Foldover wrinkle in seal area extends into the closure                 7  ..............  ..............
     seal such that the closure seal is reduced to less than \1/
     8\-inch....................................................
    (c) Any impression or design on the seal surfaces which       ..............             110  ..............
     conceals or impairs visual detection of seal defects.......
    (d) Areas of ``wave-like'' striations or wrinkles along the   ..............  ..............             214
     seal area that spans the entire width of seal..............
    (e) Abrasion of lid material:
        1. Within \1/16\-inch of food product edge of seal such                8  ..............  ..............
         that barrier layer is exposed..........................
        2. Greater than \1/16\-inch from food product edge of     ..............  ..............             215
         seal that barrier layer is exposed.....................
    (f) Presence of entrapped matter within \1/16\-inch of the                 9  ..............  ..............
     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 edge........................................
    (g) Presence of any seal defect or anomaly (for example,      ..............             111  ..............
     entrapped moisture, gases, etc.) within \1/16\-inch of food
     product edge of seal.......................................
    (h) Closure seal width less than \1/8\-inch.................  ..............  ..............             216
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 57045]]


                                          Table IX--Flexible Containers
                  [Plastic, Cellophane, Paper, Textile, Laminated Multi-Layer Pouch, Bag, etc.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Categories
                             Defects                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                                     Critical          Major           Minor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type or size of container or component parts not as specified...                  None permitted
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
Closure not sealed, crimped, stitched, or fitted properly:
    (a) Heat processed primary container........................               1  ..............  ..............
    (b) Non-heat processed primary container....................  ..............             101  ..............
    (c) Other than primary container............................  ..............  ..............             201
Dirty, stained, or smeared container............................  ..............  ..............             202
Unmelted gels in plastic........................................  ..............  ..............             203
Torn or cut container or abrasion (non-leaker):
    (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability.......  ..............  ..............             204
    (b) Materially affecting usability..........................  ..............             102  ..............
Moldy area......................................................               2  ..............  ..............
Individual packages sticking together or to shipping case (tear   ..............             103  ..............
 when separated)................................................
Not fully covering product......................................  ..............             104  ..............
Wet or damp (excluding ice packs):
    (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability.......  ..............  ..............             205
    (b) Materially affecting usability..........................  ..............             105  ..............
Over wrap (when required):
    (a) Missing.................................................  ..............             106  ..............
    (b) Loose, not sealed, or closed............................  ..............  ..............             206
    (c) Improperly applied......................................  ..............  ..............             207
Sealing tape, strapping, or adhesives (when required):
    (a) Missing.................................................  ..............             107  ..............
    (b) Improperly placed, applied, torn, or wrinkled...........  ..............  ..............             208
Tape over bottom and top closures (when required):
    (a) Not covering stitching..................................  ..............             108  ..............
    (b) Torn (exposing stitching)...............................  ..............             109  ..............
    (c) Wrinkled (exposing stitching)...........................  ..............             110  ..............
    (d) Not adhering to bag:                                      ..............  ..............  ..............
        1. Exposing stitching...................................  ..............             111  ..............
        2. Not exposing stitching...............................  ..............  ..............             209
    (e) Improper placement......................................  ..............  ..............             210
Product sifting or leaking:
    (a) Non-heat processed......................................  ..............             112  ..............
    (b) Heat processed..........................................               3  ..............  ..............
Flexible pop-top:
    (a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) reducing                   4  ..............  ..............
     intact seal to less than \1/16\-inch.......................
    (b) Short pull tab (materially affecting usability).........  ..............  ..............             212
    (c) Missing pull tab........................................  ..............             113  ..............
    (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 torn.........................................  ..............  ..............             215
    (b) Poly liner:                                               ..............  ..............  ..............
        1. Missing..............................................               5  ..............  ..............
        2. Improper closure.....................................  ..............             114  ..............
Missing ``zip lock'' (re-sealable containers)...................  ..............  ..............             216
Loss of vacuum (in vacuum-packed)...............................  ..............             115  ..............
Pre-formed containers:
    (a) Dented or crushed area..................................  ..............  ..............             217
    (b) Deformed container......................................  ..............  ..............             218
Missing re-sealable cap.........................................  ..............             116  ..............
Inner or outer safety seal--missing, torn, poor seal............               6  ..............  ..............
Air bubble in plastic...........................................  ..............             117  ..............
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                  7  ..............  ..............
     seal less than \1/16\-inch.................................
    (b) Does not extend through all plies and effective seal is   ..............  ..............             219
     \1/16\-inch or greater.....................................
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 exposed........................              10  ..............  ..............
    (b) If food contact surface is exposed after manipulation or  ..............             118  ..............
     laminate separation expands after manipulation.............
    (c) If lamination separation is limited to isolated spots     ..............  ..............             220
     that do not propagate with manipulation or is outer ply
     separation in seal within \1/16\-inch of food product edge
     of seal....................................................
Flex cracks (cracks in foil layer only).........................  ..............  ..............             221
Swollen container...............................................              11  ..............  ..............
Blister (in seal) reducing intact seal to less than \1/16\-inch.              12  ..............  ..............

[[Page 57046]]

 
Compressed seal (overheated to bubble or expose inner layer)                  13  ..............  ..............
 reducing intact seal to less than \1/16\-inch..................
Stringy seal (excessive plastic threads showing at edge of seal   ..............  ..............             222
 area)..........................................................
Contaminated seal (entrapped matter) reducing intact seal to                  14  ..............  ..............
 less than \1/16\-inch..........................................
Seal creep (product in pouch ``creeping'' into seal) reducing                 15  ..............  ..............
 intact seal to less than \1/16\ inch...........................
Misaligned or crooked seal reducing intact seal to less than \1/              16  ..............  ..............
 16\-inch.......................................................
Seal formed greater than 1-inch from edge of pouch (unclosed      ..............  ..............             223
 edge flaps)....................................................
Waffling (embossing on surface from retort racks; not scorable    ..............  ..............             224
 unless severe).................................................
Poor or missing tear notch (when required)......................  ..............  ..............             225
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                           Table X--Unitizing
               [Plastic or other type of casing/unitizing]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Categories
                 Defects                 -------------------------------
                                               Major           Minor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not specified method....................             101  ..............
Missing tray (when required)............             102  ..............
Missing shrink wrap (when required).....             103  ..............
Loose or improperly applied wrap........  ..............             201
Torn or mutilated.......................  ..............             202
Off-center wrap (does not overlap both    ..............             203
 ends)..................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


0
8. Section 42.113 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  42.113  Defects of label, marking, or code.

                    Table XI--Label, Marking, or Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Categories
                 Defects                 -------------------------------
                                               Major           Minor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not specified method....................             101  ..............
Missing (when required).................             102  ..............
Loose or improperly applied.............  ..............             201
Torn or mutilated.......................  ..............             202
Torn or scratched, obliterating any                  103  ..............
 markings on the label..................
Text illegible or incomplete............  ..............             203
Incorrect...............................             104  ..............
In wrong location.......................  ..............             204
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
9. Add Sec.  42.114 to subpart B to read as follows:


Sec.  42.114  Procedures for evaluating interior container defects.

    (a) Sections 42.101-42.136 provide procedures for determining lot 
conformance with the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers. 
This determination is based on the examination of the external 
characteristics of the food containers.
    (b) As an option, if a user of the inspection service requests to 
have the interior characteristics of containers examined, and apply 
these results in the determination of lot acceptability, the defects 
listed in Table XII may be used.
    (c) The determination of lot acceptability based on internal 
container defects shall be independent of the determination of lot 
acceptability for U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers. A 
user of the inspection service may choose to require inspection for 
internal can defects as well as inspection for U.S. Standards for 
Condition of Food Containers.
    (d) If a user of the inspection service requests an examination for 
internal container defects in addition to an official USDA/USDC 
inspection for product quality and/or U.S. grade, the containers opened 
by the official inspection service for inspection of product quality 
and/or U.S. grade will be used for examination of interior container 
defects. The minimum sample size for evaluation of interior container 
defects will be 13 containers. As a result, additional containers will 
be required if the inspection for quality or U.S. grade calls for fewer 
than 13 containers. Table XIII provides acceptance numbers for internal 
container defects for selected sample sizes.

[[Page 57047]]



                  Table XII--Interior Container Defects
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Categories
                 Defects                 -------------------------------
                                               Major           Minor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
De-tinning in metal container materially             101  ..............
 affecting usability....................
De-tinning in metal container not         ..............             201
 materially affecting usability.........
Black spots in metal container..........  ..............             202
Enamel missing (when required) in metal              102  ..............
 container..............................
Enamel breakdown in metal container                  103  ..............
 material affecting usability...........
Enamel breakdown in metal container       ..............             203
 material not affecting usability.......
Other defect(s) of the interior of the               104  ..............
 container (metal, plastic, paper,
 rigid, etc.) e.g., interior damage,
 tear, delamination, missing layer, off-
 odor, interior blisters, etc. that
 materially affects usability...........
Defect(s) of the interior of the          ..............             204
 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
 usability..............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                          Table XIII--Acceptance Numbers for Internal Container Defects
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Major                           Total
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Sample Size (n = number of containers)              Interior Defects                Interior Defects
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Ac              Re              Ac              Re
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
n--13...........................................               0               1               2               3
n--21...........................................               1               2               3               4
n--29...........................................               1               2               4               5
n--38...........................................               2               3               5               6
n--48...........................................               2               3               6               7
n--60...........................................               2               3               7               8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated: September 11, 2013.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22574 Filed 9-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P