United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers, 59920-59932 [E9-27430]
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59920
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 74, No. 222
Thursday, November 19, 2009
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 42
[Doc. No. AMS–FV–08–0027; FV–05–332]
United States Standards for Condition
of Food Containers
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AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) proposes to amend the
regulations governing the United States
(U.S.) Standards for Condition of Food
Containers. AMS regularly reviews
standards to determine if they meet
current industry practices. Based on our
most recent review, we believe that the
U.S. Standards for Condition of Food
Containers needs to be revised. The
revisions are necessary in order to
provide standards that reflect current
industry practices. Revisions to the U.S.
Standards for Condition of Food
Containers include simplifying Tables I,
I–A, II, II–A, III, III–A, and III–B for
sampling plans for normal, tightened,
and reduced condition of container
inspection to reflect the type of
sampling plan used (single or double).
It also includes updating the Acceptable
Quality Levels (AQLs), Tables IV—
Metal Containers, V—Glass Containers,
VI—Rigid and Semirigid Containers,
VII—Flexible Containers (Plastic, Cello,
Paper, Textile, etc.), and X—Defects of
Label, Marking, or Code (currently Table
VIII) to incorporate new defects and
updating current defects to include
defects that would correspond to new
packaging technologies such as aseptic
packaging, metal cans with easy open
lids, and plastic rings that hold several
containers together. This revision also
proposes adding new defect tables
entitled Table VIII—Unitizing (Plastic or
other type of casing/unitizing) and
Table IX—Interior Can Defects. Finally,
removing the Operating Characteristic
(OC) curves for on-line sampling and
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inspection. Other minor non-substantive
changes are also proposed.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before January 19, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit written comments or
comments on the Internet. Comments
must be sent to Lynne Yedinak,
Processed Products Branch, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, Agricultural
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Stop 0247, Washington,
DC 20250–0247; Telephone: (202) 720–
9939; FAX: (202) 690–1527; or Internet:
https://www.regulations.gov. The current
U.S. Standards for Condition of Food
Containers is available through the
address cited below or by accessing the
Internet at: https://www.access.gpo.gov/
nara/cfr/waisidx_00/7cfr42_00.html. All
comments received will be posed
without change, including any personal
information provided. All comments
should make reference to the date and
page number of this issue of the Federal
Register and will be made available for
public inspection in the above office
during regular business hours or can be
viewed at: https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lynne Yedinak at the above address,
Telephone: (202) 720–9939, Fax: (202)
690–1527, or e-mail
FQAStaff@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Order 12866 Regulatory
Flexibility Act
This proposed 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.
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 initial regulatory
flexibility analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit
regulatory action to the scale of business
subject to such actions in order that
small businesses will not be unduly or
disproportionately burdened.
There are approximately 26,361
establishments identified in the 1997
Economic Census as belonging to the
North American Industry Classification
System under the classification of ‘‘food
manufacturing’’ and any number of
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these establishments could request their
product containers be inspected under
the provisions of the U.S. Standards for
Condition of Food Containers for a
number of AMS Program areas. The vast
majority of these establishments would
qualify as small businesses under the
definition provided by the Small
Business Administration.
We have examined the economic
implications of this proposed rule on
small entities. Under the proposed rule,
utilization of the U.S. Standards for
Condition of Food Containers is
voluntary. 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 previously amended in
May 1983, innovations in packaging
technologies have provided an
increasingly wide variety of acceptable
new food containers. These new food
containers are not represented by the
current standards. According, we
believe that this impact will be minimal
because the revisions are necessary in
order to provide standards that reflect
current industry practices. Finally, the
changes concerning removal of OC
curves and other non-substantive
changes will have no adverse impact on
small or large entities.
This rule would not impose any
additional reporting or recordkeeping
requirements on either small or large
establishments. In addition, 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, 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
The rule has been reviewed under
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice
Reform. 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
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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 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
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, and 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 the defect.
On-line sampling and inspection is a
procedure in which subgroups of
sample units or individual containers
are selected randomly from predesignated 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 quickly pinpoint trouble
spots in a production cycle, enabling the
producer to make timely corrections,
thus reducing the monetary value and
total amount of product destroyed as a
result of packaging problems.
These standards were developed for
the use of Government agencies when
requested to certify that filled primary
containers or shipping cases, or both, be
certified for condition. The standards
are permissive, and they may be used in
their entirety, or in part, by private
parties as well.
AMS proposes to revise the Standards
to include: (1) separating Tables I, I–A,
II, II–A, III, III–A, and III–B of sampling
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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); (2) updating
Tables IV—Metal Containers, V—Glass
Containers, VI—Rigid and Semirigid
Containers, VII—Flexible Containers
(Plastic, Cello, Paper, Textile, etc.), and
X—Defects of Label, Marking, or Code
(currently Table VIII) to incorporate new
defects and revising current defects to
reflect the 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 VIII—
Unitizing (Plastic or other type of
casing/unitizing) and Table IX—Interior
Can Defects; (4) removing the Operating
Characteristic (OC) curves; and (5) other
minor non-substantive changes to
clarify and to determine non-substantive
changes.
These revisions to existing tables,
addition of new tables, removal of OC
curves, and updating language in the
container standards would enable the
standards to be applicable to most types
of food containers and align the
standards to reflect current industry
practices.
OC Curves found in §§ 42.140, 42.141,
42.142, and 42.143 from Subpart E—
Miscellaneous, are proposed to be
completely removed. While these curves
show the ability of the various sampling
plans to distinguish between good and
bad lots, it is our experience that the
inclusion of these curves are not critical
to use of the standards. Furthermore,
they are readily available in literature,
on the Internet and Standards for
sampling plans are also currently
available in 7 CFR Part 43.
A sixty-day comment period is
provided for all interested persons to
comment on this proposal. All written
comment received will be considered
before a final determination is made on
this matter.
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 proposed to
be amended as follows:
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59921
PART 42—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 42
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624.
2. § 42.102 is amended by:
a. Removing the terms Operating
Characteristic Curve (OC Curve) and
Probability of acceptance, which
includes (a) For stationary lot sampling
and (b) For On-line Sampling; and
b. Revising the terms Administrator,
Lot or inspection lot, Sample size (n),
and Stationary lot sampling to read as
follows:
§ 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 his 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.
*
*
*
*
*
§ 42.106
[Amended]
3. In § 42.106, paragraph (a)(1) the
word ‘‘atributed’’ is revised to read
‘‘attributed’’.
4. Revise § 42.109 to read as follows:
§ 42.109 Sampling plans for normal
condition of container inspection, Tables I
and I–A.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE I—SINGLE SAMPLING PLANS FOR NORMAL CONDITION OF CONTAINER INSPECTION
Acceptable quality levels
Code
CA
CB
CC
CD
CE
........
........
........
........
........
Lot size
ranges—number
of containers in
lot
6,000 or less .....
6,001–12,000 ...
12,001–36,000
Over 36,000 ......
...........................
Origin Inspection
Other than origin inspection
Type of plan
Sample
Size
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
84
168
315
500
800
0.25
Ac
1.5
Re
0
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
5
Ac
6.5
Re
3
5
8
12
18
4
6
9
13
19
Ac
9
16
28
42
64
0.25
Re
10
17
29
43
65
Ac
2.5
Re
0
1
2
3
4
Ac = Acceptance number.
Re = Rejection number.
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BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
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1
2
3
4
5
Ac
4
7
13
18
27
10.0
Re
5
8
14
19
28
Ac
13
23
41
62
95
Re
14
24
42
63
96
5. Revise § 42.110 to read as follows:
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59923
§ 42.110 Sampling plans for tightened
condition of container inspection; Tables II
and II–A.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / Proposed Rules
59924
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE II—SINGLE SAMPLING PLANS FOR TIGHTENED CONDITION OF CONTAINER INSPECTION
Acceptable quality levels
Code
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CB
CC
CD
CE
CF
........
........
........
........
........
Lot size
ranges—number
of containers in
lot
6,000 or less .....
6,001–12,000 ...
12,001–36,000
Over 36,000 ......
...........................
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Origin inspection
Other than origin inspection
Type of plan
Sample
size
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
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..........
..........
..........
..........
..........
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168
315
500
800
1,250
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0.25
Ac
1.5
Re
0
1
2
3
4
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1
2
3
4
5
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Ac
6.5
Re
4
6
9
13
19
Sfmt 4702
5
7
10
14
20
Ac
11
19
28
42
63
0.25
Re
12
20
29
43
64
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Ac
2.5
Re
0
1
2
3
4
19NOP1
1
2
3
4
5
Ac
5
8
12
18
26
10.0
Re
6
9
13
19
27
Ac
16
28
42
64
96
Re
17
29
43
65
97
6. Revise § 42.111 to read as follow:
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59925
§ 42.111 Sampling plans for reduced
condition of container inspection, Tables III
and III–A; and limit number for reduced
inspection, Table III–B.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / Proposed Rules
59926
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE III—SINGLE SAMPLING PLANS FOR REDUCED CONDITION OF CONTAINER INSPECTION
Acceptable quality levels
Code
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CAA ......
CA ........
CB ........
CC ........
Lot size
ranges—number
of containers in
lot
6,000 or less .....
6,001–36,000 ...
Over 36,000 ......
...........................
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Origin inspection
Other than origin inspection
Type of plan
Sample
size
Single
Single
Single
Single
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..........
..........
..........
..........
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29
84
168
315
0.25
Ac
1.5
Re
1
1
1
2
Frm 00007
2
2
2
3
Fmt 4702
Ac
6.5
Re
1
3
5
8
Sfmt 4702
2
4
6
9
Ac
4
9
16
28
0.25
Re
5
10
17
29
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Ac
2.5
Re
1
1
1
2
19NOP1
2
2
2
3
Ac
2
4
7
13
10.0
Re
3
5
8
14
Ac
5
13
23
41
Re
6
14
24
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / Proposed Rules
59927
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BILLING CODE 3410–02–C
59928
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE III–B—LIMIT NUMBERS FOR REDUCED INSPECTION
Acceptable quality level
Number of sample units from last 10 lots inspected within 6 months
0.25
320–499 .....................................................................................................................................................
500–799 .....................................................................................................................................................
800–1,249 ..................................................................................................................................................
1,250–1,999 ...............................................................................................................................................
2,000–3,149 ...............................................................................................................................................
3,150–4,999 ...............................................................................................................................................
5,000–7,999 ...............................................................................................................................................
8,000–12,499 .............................................................................................................................................
12,500–19,999 ...........................................................................................................................................
1.5
*
*
0
0
2
4
7
14
24
2.5
1
3
7
13
22
38
63
105
169
6.5
4
7
14
24
40
67
110
181
290
10.0
14
25
42
69
115
186
302
491
777
24
40
68
110
181
293
472
765
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.
7. Revise § 42.112 to read as follows:
§ 42.112 Defects of containers: Tables IV,
V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX.
TABLE IV—METAL CONTAINERS
Categories
Defects
Critical
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Type or size of container or component parts not as specified ..............................................................
Closure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly .............................
Dirty, stained or smeared container ........................................................................................................
Key opening metal containers (when required):
(a) Key missing .................................................................................................................................
(b) Key does not fit tab .....................................................................................................................
(c) Tab of opening band insufficient to provide accessibility to key ................................................
(d) Improper scoring (band would not be removed in one continuous strip) ..................................
Metal pop-top:
(a) Missing or broken pull tab ..........................................................................................................
(b) Missing or incomplete score line ................................................................................................
Flexible pop-top:
(a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) ................................................................................
(b) Short pull tab ...............................................................................................................................
(c) Missing pull tab ...........................................................................................................................
(d) Torn pull tab ................................................................................................................................
Open top with plastic overcap (when required):
(a) Plastic overcap missing ..............................................................................................................
(b) Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication difficult) ...........................................
Outside tinplate or coating (when required):
(a) Missing or incomplete .................................................................................................................
(b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled .........................................................................................
(c) Scratched or scored ....................................................................................................................
(d) Fine cracks ..................................................................................................................................
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 ....................................................................................................................................
(b) Pitted rust ....................................................................................................................................
Wet cans (excluding refrigerated containers) ..................................................................................
Dent:
(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability .......................................................................
(b) Materially affecting usability ........................................................................................................
Buckle:
(a) Not involving end seam ..............................................................................................................
(b) Extending into the end seam ......................................................................................................
Collapsed container .................................................................................................................................
Paneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability ..............................................................
Solder missing when required .................................................................................................................
Cable cut exposing seam ........................................................................................................................
Improper side seam .................................................................................................................................
Swell, springer, or flipper (not applicable to gas or pressure packed product nor frozen products)
Leaker or blown container .......................................................................................................................
Frozen products only:
(a) Bulging ends 3⁄16″ to 1⁄4″ beyond lip ...........................................................................................
(b) Bulging ends more than 1⁄4″ beyond lip .....................................................................................
Metal drums: leaking filling seal (bung) swell .........................................................................................
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Major
Minor
None permitted.
1
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201
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101
102
103
104
....................
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105
106
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107
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108
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202
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203
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109
110
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204
205
206
207
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111
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208
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209
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112
210
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2
3
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113
114
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115
116
117
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211
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212
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118
119
213
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59929
TABLE IV—METAL CONTAINERS—Continued
Categories
Defects
Critical
Composite can (fiberboard body with metal lids):
(a) Torn:
(1) Materially affecting appearance but not usability ................................................................
(2) Materially affecting usability .................................................................................................
(b) Crushed:
(1) Materially affecting appearance but not usability ................................................................
(2) Materially affecting usability .................................................................................................
Major
Minor
....................
....................
....................
120
214
....................
....................
....................
....................
121
215
....................
TABLE V—GLASS CONTAINERS
Categories
Defects
Critical
Type or size of container or component parts not as specified ..............................................................
Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly .......................................................................................
Dirty, stained, or smeared container .......................................................................................................
Chip in glass ............................................................................................................................................
Stone (unmelted material) in glass ..........................................................................................................
Pits in surface of glass ............................................................................................................................
Sagging surface .......................................................................................................................................
Bead (bubble within glass):
(a) 1⁄8″ to 1⁄16″ in diameter ................................................................................................................
(b) Exceeding 1⁄8″ in diameter ..........................................................................................................
Checked ...................................................................................................................................................
Thin spot in glass ....................................................................................................................................
Blister (structural defect) ..........................................................................................................................
Bird swing (glass appendage inside container) ......................................................................................
Broken or leaking container .....................................................................................................................
Cap (nonheat processed):
(a) Cross-threaded ...........................................................................................................................
(b) Loose but not leaking .................................................................................................................
(c) Pitted rust ....................................................................................................................................
Cap (heat processed):
(a) Cross-threaded or loose .............................................................................................................
(b) Pitted rust ....................................................................................................................................
Sealing tape or cello band (when required):
(a) Improperly placed .......................................................................................................................
(b) Not covering juncture of cap and glass ......................................................................................
(c) Ends overlap by less than 1⁄2’’ ....................................................................................................
(d) Loose or deteriorating .................................................................................................................
Missing or torn outer safety seal .............................................................................................................
Inner safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal .............................................................................................
Major
Minor
None permitted.
1
....................
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201
202
203
204
205
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2
3
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101
102
103
104
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206
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105
207
208
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4
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106
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107
108
109
110
111
209
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TABLE VI—RIGID AND SEMIRIGID CONTAINERS—CORRUGATED OR SOLID FIBERBOARD, CHIPBOARD, WOOD, ETC.
[Excluding glass and metal]
Categories
Defects
Critical
erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
Type or size of container or component parts not as specified ..............................................................
Component part missing ..........................................................................................................................
Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly:
(a) Primary container ........................................................................................................................
(b) Other than primary container ......................................................................................................
Dirty, stained, or smeared container .......................................................................................................
Wet or damp (excluding ice packs):
(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability .......................................................................
(b) Materially affecting usability ........................................................................................................
Moldy area ...............................................................................................................................................
Crushed or torn area:
(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability .......................................................................
(b) Materially affecting usability ........................................................................................................
Separation of lamination (corrugated fiberboard):
(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability .......................................................................
(b) Materially affecting usability ........................................................................................................
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE VI—RIGID AND SEMIRIGID CONTAINERS—CORRUGATED OR SOLID FIBERBOARD, CHIPBOARD, WOOD, ETC.—
Continued
[Excluding glass and metal]
Categories
Defects
Critical
Product sifting or leaking .........................................................................................................................
Nails or staples (when required):
(a) Not as required, insufficient number or improperly positioned ...................................................
(b) Nails or staples protruding ..........................................................................................................
Glue or adhesive (when required); not holding properly not covering area specified, or not covering
sufficient area to hold properly:
(a) Primary container ........................................................................................................................
(b) Other than primary container .............................................................................................................
Flap:
(a) Projects beyond edge of container more than 1⁄4-inch ...............................................................
(b) Does not meet properly, allowing space of more than 1⁄4-inch ..................................................
Sealing tape or strapping (when required):
(a) Missing ........................................................................................................................................
(b) Improperly placed or applied ......................................................................................................
Major
Minor
....................
105
....................
....................
....................
....................
106
206
....................
....................
....................
107
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207
....................
....................
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....................
208
209
....................
....................
108
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....................
210
TABLE VII—FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS (PLASTIC, CELLO, PAPER, TEXTILE, ETC.)
Categories
Defects
Critical
erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
Type or size of container or component parts not as specified ..............................................................
Closure not sealed, crimped, stitched, or fitted properly:
(a) Primary container ........................................................................................................................
(b) Other than primary container ......................................................................................................
Dirty, stained, or smeared container .......................................................................................................
Unmelted gels in plastic ..........................................................................................................................
Torn or cut container or Abrasion (non-leaker):
(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability .......................................................................
(b) Materially affecting usability ........................................................................................................
Moldy area ...............................................................................................................................................
Individual packages sticking together or to shipping case (tear when separated) .................................
Not fully covering product ........................................................................................................................
Wet or damp (excluding ice packs):
(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability .......................................................................
(b) Materially affecting usability ........................................................................................................
Over wrap (when required):
(a) Missing ........................................................................................................................................
(b) Loose, not sealed or closed .......................................................................................................
(c) Improperly applied .......................................................................................................................
Sealing tape, strapping or adhesives (when required):
(a) Missing ........................................................................................................................................
(b) Improperly placed, applied, torn, or wrinkled .............................................................................
Tape over bottom and top closures (when required):
(a) Not covering stitching .................................................................................................................
(b) Torn (exposing stitching) ............................................................................................................
(c) Wrinkled (exposing stitching) ......................................................................................................
(d) Not adhering to bag:
1. Exposing stitching .................................................................................................................
2. Not exposing stitching ...........................................................................................................
(e) Improper placement ....................................................................................................................
Product sifting or leaking .........................................................................................................................
(a) Non-heat processed ....................................................................................................................
(b) Heat processed ...........................................................................................................................
Fold or wrinkle in seal area (thermo stabilized pouches) .......................................................................
(a) Extends through all plies across seal area or reduces seal to less than 1⁄16-inch ....................
(b) Does not extend through all plies and effective seal to is 1/16-inch or greater ........................
Incomplete seal (thermo stabilized pouches) ..........................................................................................
Non-bonding seal (thermo stabilized pouches) .......................................................................................
Laminate separation ................................................................................................................................
Flex cracks (cracks in foil layer only) ......................................................................................................
Swollen container ....................................................................................................................................
Blister (in seal) .........................................................................................................................................
(a) Intact seal reduced to less than 1⁄16-inch ...................................................................................
(b) Intact seal 1⁄16-inch or greater ....................................................................................................
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E:\FR\FM\19NOP1.SGM
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59931
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE VII—FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS (PLASTIC, CELLO, PAPER, TEXTILE, ETC.)—Continued
Categories
Defects
Critical
Compressed seal (overheated to bubble or expose inner layer) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16inch .......................................................................................................................................................
Stringy seal (excessive plastic threads showing at edge of seal area) ..................................................
Contaminated seal (entrapped matter) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch .................................
Seal creep (product in pouch ‘‘creeping’’ into seal).
(a) Intact seal reduced to less than 1⁄16-inch ...................................................................................
(b) Intact seal 1⁄16-inch or greater ....................................................................................................
Misaligned or crooked seal reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch ...................................................
Seal formed greater than 1-inch from edge of pouch (unclosed edge flaps) .........................................
Waffling (embossing on surface from retort racks) .................................................................................
Poor or missing tear notch ......................................................................................................................
Missing ‘‘zip lock’’ (re-sealable containers) .............................................................................................
Loss of vacuum (vac pack) .....................................................................................................................
Pre-formed containers:
(a) Dented or crushed area ..............................................................................................................
(b) Deformed container ....................................................................................................................
Missing resealable cap ............................................................................................................................
Inner or outer safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal ...............................................................................
Air bubble in plastic .................................................................................................................................
Flexible pop-top:
(a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.):
(1) Intact seal reduced to less than 1⁄16-inch ............................................................................
(2) Intact seal 1⁄16-inch or greater .............................................................................................
(b) Short pull tab (materially affecting usability) ...............................................................................
(c) Missing pull tab ...........................................................................................................................
(d) Torn pull tab (materially affecting usability) ................................................................................
Missing component (straw, etc.) ..............................................................................................................
Two part container (poly lined box or bag in box):
(a) Outer case torn ...........................................................................................................................
(b) Poly liner:
1. Missing ..................................................................................................................................
2. Improper closure ...................................................................................................................
Major
Minor
10
....................
11
....................
....................
....................
....................
214
....................
12
....................
13
....................
....................
....................
....................
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....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
112
....................
215
....................
216
217
218
219
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....................
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14
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113
....................
114
220
221
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15
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115
....................
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222
223
....................
224
225
....................
....................
226
16
....................
....................
116
....................
....................
TABLE VIII—UNITIZING (PLASTIC OR OTHER TYPE OF CASING/UNITIZING)
Categories
Defects
Major
Not specified method .......................................................................................................................................................
Missing tray (when required) ...........................................................................................................................................
Missing shrink wrap (when required) ..............................................................................................................................
Loose or improperly applied wrap ...................................................................................................................................
Torn or mutilated .............................................................................................................................................................
Off-center wrap (does not overlap both ends) ................................................................................................................
Minor
101
102
103
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
201
202
203
TABLE IX—INTERIOR CAN DEFECTS
Categories
Defects
Major
erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
De-tinning .........................................................................................................................................................................
Black spots ......................................................................................................................................................................
Enamel missing (when required) .....................................................................................................................................
Enamel breakdown ..........................................................................................................................................................
Enamel cracked ...............................................................................................................................................................
8. Section 42.113 is revised to read as
follows:
VerDate Nov<24>2008
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59932
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 / Proposed Rules
TABLE X—LABEL, MARKING, OR CODE
Categories
Defects
Major
Not specified method .......................................................................................................................................................
Missing (when required) ..................................................................................................................................................
Loose or improperly applied ............................................................................................................................................
Torn or mutilated .............................................................................................................................................................
Torn or scratched, obliterating any markings on the label ..............................................................................................
Text illegible or incomplete ..............................................................................................................................................
Incorrect ...........................................................................................................................................................................
In wrong location .............................................................................................................................................................
Subpart E—[Removed]
9. In part 42, Subpart E—
Miscellaneous, consisting of §§ 42.140,
42.141, 42.142, and 42.143, is removed.
Dated: November 9, 2009.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. E9–27430 Filed 11–18–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
8 CFR Parts 103 and 235
[USCBP–2008–0097]
RIN 1651–AA73
Establishment of Global Entry Program
erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border
Protection; DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 7208(k) of
the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism
Prevention Act of 2004, as amended,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) proposes to establish an
international trusted traveler program,
called Global Entry. This voluntary
program would allow CBP to expedite
clearance of pre-approved, low-risk air
travelers into the United States. CBP has
been operating the Global Entry program
as a pilot at several airports since June
6, 2008. Based on the successful
operation of the pilot, CBP now
proposes to establish Global Entry as a
permanent voluntary regulatory
program.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before January 19, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by docket number USCBP–
2008–0097, by one of the following
methods:
VerDate Nov<24>2008
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• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Border Security Regulations
Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office
of International Trade, Customs and
Border Protection, 799 9th Street, NW.,
5th Floor, Washington, DC 20001–4501.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name and
docket title for this rulemaking, and
must reference docket number USCBP–
2008–0097. All comments received will
be posted without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. For
detailed instructions on submitting
comments and additional information
on the rulemaking process, see the
‘‘Public Participation’’ heading of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov. Submitted
comments may also be inspected during
regular business days between the hours
of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Office of
Regulations and Rulings, Customs and
Border Protection, 799 9th Street, NW.,
5th Floor, Washington, DC.
Arrangements to inspect submitted
comments should be made in advance
by calling Mr. Joseph Clark at (202) 325–
0118.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Fiorella Michelucci, Office of Field
Operations, 202–344–1220 or Daniel
Tanciar, Office of Field Operations,
202–344–2818.
explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include data,
information, or authority that support
such recommended change.
I. Public Participation
Interested persons are invited to
participate in this rulemaking by
submitting written data, views, or
arguments on all aspects of the
proposed rule. CBP also invites
comments that relate to the economic,
environmental, or federalism effects that
might result from this proposed rule.
Comments that will provide the most
assistance to CBP will reference a
specific portion of the proposed rule,
A. Existing Trusted Traveler Programs
CBP currently operates several
regulatory and non-regulatory
international trusted traveler programs.
These programs provide expedited
travel for pre-screened populations and
operate under the Port Passenger
Accelerated Service System
(PORTPASS), a legacy system of the
former Immigration and Naturalization
Service, described in 8 CFR 235.7. CBP
currently operates three PORTPASS
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
II. Background and Purpose
Section 7208(k) of the Intelligence
Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of
2004 (IRTPA), 118 Stat. 3638, as
amended by section 565 of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008,
121 Stat. 1844, codified at 8 U.S.C.
1365b, requires the Secretary of
Homeland Security (Secretary) to create
a program to expedite the screening and
processing of pre-approved, low-risk air
travelers into the United States. Under
the IRTPA, the Secretary shall ensure
that the international trusted traveler
program includes as many participants
as practicable by establishing a
reasonable cost of enrollment, making
program enrollment convenient and
easily accessible, and providing
applicants with clear and consistent
eligibility guidelines.
See 8 U.S.C. 1365b(k)(3). The program
shall also incorporate available
technologies, such as biometrics and
e-passports, and security threat
assessments.
Section 7208(k) of the IRTPA requires
DHS to initiate a rulemaking action to
establish the criteria to participate in the
program and to set the appropriate fee
for such participation. This rule meets
that requirement by proposing, among
other things, the criteria for
participation in this voluntary program
and the fee necessary to cover the costs
of the program.
E:\FR\FM\19NOP1.SGM
19NOP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 222 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59920-59932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27430]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 222 / Thursday, November 19, 2009 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 59920]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 42
[Doc. No. AMS-FV-08-0027; FV-05-332]
United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposes to amend the
regulations governing the United States (U.S.) Standards for Condition
of Food Containers. AMS regularly reviews standards to determine if
they meet current industry practices. Based on our most recent review,
we believe that the U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers
needs to be revised. The revisions are necessary in order to provide
standards that reflect current industry practices. Revisions to the
U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers include simplifying
Tables I, I-A, II, II-A, III, III-A, and III-B for sampling plans for
normal, tightened, and reduced condition of container inspection to
reflect the type of sampling plan used (single or double). It also
includes updating the Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs), Tables IV--
Metal Containers, V--Glass Containers, VI--Rigid and Semirigid
Containers, VII--Flexible Containers (Plastic, Cello, Paper, Textile,
etc.), and X--Defects of Label, Marking, or Code (currently Table VIII)
to incorporate new defects and updating current defects to include
defects that would correspond to new packaging technologies such as
aseptic packaging, metal cans with easy open lids, and plastic rings
that hold several containers together. This revision also proposes
adding new defect tables entitled Table VIII--Unitizing (Plastic or
other type of casing/unitizing) and Table IX--Interior Can Defects.
Finally, removing the Operating Characteristic (OC) curves for on-line
sampling and inspection. Other minor non-substantive changes are also
proposed.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 19, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments or
comments on the Internet. Comments must be sent to Lynne Yedinak,
Processed Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Stop 0247, Washington, DC 20250-0247; Telephone: (202)
720-9939; FAX: (202) 690-1527; or Internet: https://www.regulations.gov.
The current U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers is
available through the address cited below or by accessing the Internet
at: https://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_00/7cfr42_00.html. All
comments received will be posed without change, including any personal
information provided. All comments should make reference to the date
and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made
available for public inspection in the above office during regular
business hours or can be viewed at: https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Yedinak at the above address,
Telephone: (202) 720-9939, Fax: (202) 690-1527, or e-mail
FQAStaff@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Order 12866 Regulatory Flexibility Act
This proposed 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.
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
initial regulatory flexibility analysis.
The purpose of the RFA is to fit regulatory action to the scale of
business subject to such actions in order that small businesses will
not be unduly or disproportionately burdened.
There are approximately 26,361 establishments identified in the
1997 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 for a number of AMS Program
areas. The vast majority of these establishments would qualify as small
businesses under the definition provided by the Small Business
Administration.
We have examined the economic implications of this proposed rule on
small entities. Under the proposed rule, utilization of the U.S.
Standards for Condition of Food Containers is voluntary. 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 previously
amended in May 1983, innovations in packaging technologies have
provided an increasingly wide variety of acceptable new food
containers. These new food containers are not represented by the
current standards. According, we believe that this impact will be
minimal because the revisions are necessary in order to provide
standards that reflect current industry practices. Finally, the changes
concerning removal of OC curves and other non-substantive changes will
have no adverse impact on small or large entities.
This rule would not impose any additional reporting or
recordkeeping requirements on either small or large establishments. In
addition, 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, 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
The rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. 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
[[Page 59921]]
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
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 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,
and 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 the defect.
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 quickly pinpoint trouble spots in a production
cycle, enabling the producer to make timely corrections, thus reducing
the monetary value and total amount of product destroyed as a result of
packaging problems.
These standards were developed for the use of Government agencies
when requested to certify that filled primary containers or shipping
cases, or both, be certified for condition. The standards are
permissive, and they may be used in their entirety, or in part, by
private parties as well.
AMS proposes to revise the Standards to include: (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); (2) updating Tables IV--Metal Containers, V--Glass
Containers, VI--Rigid and Semirigid Containers, VII--Flexible
Containers (Plastic, Cello, Paper, Textile, etc.), and X--Defects of
Label, Marking, or Code (currently Table VIII) to incorporate new
defects and revising current defects to reflect the 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 VIII--Unitizing (Plastic or other type of casing/
unitizing) and Table IX--Interior Can Defects; (4) removing the
Operating Characteristic (OC) curves; and (5) other minor non-
substantive changes to clarify and to determine non-substantive
changes.
These revisions to existing tables, addition of new tables, removal
of OC curves, and updating language in the container standards would
enable 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 proposed to be completely removed.
While these curves show the ability of the various sampling plans to
distinguish between good and bad lots, it is our experience that the
inclusion of these curves are not critical to use of the standards.
Furthermore, they are readily available in literature, on the Internet
and Standards for sampling plans are also currently available in 7 CFR
Part 43.
A sixty-day comment period is provided for all interested persons
to comment on this proposal. All written comment received will be
considered before a final determination is made on this matter.
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
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 42--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 42 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624.
2. Sec. 42.102 is amended by:
a. Removing the terms Operating Characteristic Curve (OC Curve) and
Probability of acceptance, which includes (a) For stationary lot
sampling and (b) For On-line Sampling; and
b. Revising the terms Administrator, Lot or inspection lot, Sample
size (n), and Stationary lot sampling to 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 his 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]
3. In Sec. 42.106, paragraph (a)(1) the word ``atributed'' is
revised to read ``attributed''.
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.
[[Page 59922]]
Table I--Single Sampling Plans for Normal Condition of Container Inspection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acceptable quality levels
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin Inspection Other than origin inspection
Code Lot size ranges--number of Type of plan ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
containers in lot 0.25 1.5 6.5 0.25 2.5 10.0
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.
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
[[Page 59923]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19NO09.003
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.
[[Page 59924]]
Table II--Single Sampling Plans for Tightened Condition of Container Inspection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acceptable quality levels
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin inspection Other than origin inspection
Code Lot size ranges--number of Type of plan ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
containers in lot 0.25 1.5 6.5 0.25 2.5 10.0
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 59925]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19NO09.004
6. Revise Sec. 42.111 to read as follow:
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.
[[Page 59926]]
Table III--Single Sampling Plans for Reduced Condition of Container Inspection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acceptable quality levels
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin inspection Other than origin inspection
Code Lot size ranges--number of Type of plan ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
containers in lot 0.25 1.5 6.5 0.25 2.5 10.0
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 59927]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19NO09.005
BILLING CODE 3410-02-C
[[Page 59928]]
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.
7. Revise Sec. 42.112 to read as follows:
Sec. 42.112 Defects of containers: Tables IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and
IX.
Table IV--Metal Containers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Categories
Defects --------------------------------------
Critical Major Minor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type or size of container or
component parts not as specified None permitted.
--------------------------------------
Closure incomplete, not located 1 ........... ...........
correctly or not sealed,
crimped, or fitted properly.....
Dirty, stained or smeared ........... ........... 201
container.......................
Key opening metal containers
(when required):
(a) Key missing.............. ........... 101 ...........
(b) Key does not fit tab..... ........... 102 ...........
(c) Tab of opening band ........... 103 ...........
insufficient to provide
accessibility to key........
(d) Improper scoring (band ........... 104 ...........
would not be removed in one
continuous strip)...........
Metal pop-top:
(a) Missing or broken pull ........... 105 ...........
tab.........................
(b) Missing or incomplete ........... 106 ...........
score line..................
Flexible pop-top:
(a) Poor seal (wrinkle, ........... 107 ...........
entrapped matter, etc.).....
(b) Short pull tab........... ........... ........... 202
(c) Missing pull tab......... ........... 108 ...........
(d) Torn pull tab............ ........... ........... 203
Open top with plastic overcap
(when required):
(a) Plastic overcap missing.. ........... 109 ...........
(b) Plastic overcap warped ........... 110 ...........
(making opening or
reapplication difficult)....
Outside tinplate or coating (when
required):
(a) Missing or incomplete.... ........... ........... 204
(b) Blistered, flaked, ........... ........... 205
sagged, or wrinkled.........
(c) Scratched or scored...... ........... ........... 206
(d) Fine cracks.............. ........... ........... 207
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............... ........... ........... 208
(b) Pitted rust.............. ........... 111 ...........
Wet cans (excluding ........... ........... 209
refrigerated containers)....
Dent:
(a) Materially affecting ........... ........... 210
appearance but not usability
(b) Materially affecting ........... 112 ...........
usability...................
Buckle:
(a) Not involving end seam... ........... ........... 211
(b) Extending into the end ........... 113 ...........
seam........................
Collapsed container.............. ........... 114 ...........
Paneled side materially affecting ........... ........... 212
appearance but not usability....
Solder missing when required..... ........... 115 ...........
Cable cut exposing seam.......... ........... 116 ...........
Improper side seam............... ........... 117 ...........
Swell, springer, or flipper 2 ........... ...........
(not applicable to gas or
pressure packed product nor
frozen products)............
Leaker or blown container........ 3 ........... ...........
Frozen products only:
(a) Bulging ends \3/16\'' to ........... ........... 213
\1/4\'' beyond lip..........
(b) Bulging ends more than \1/ ........... 118 ...........
4\'' beyond lip.............
Metal drums: leaking filling seal ........... 119 ...........
(bung) swell....................
[[Page 59929]]
Composite can (fiberboard body
with metal lids):
(a) Torn:
(1) Materially affecting ........... ........... 214
appearance but not
usability...............
(2) Materially affecting ........... 120 ...........
usability...............
(b) Crushed:
(1) Materially affecting ........... ........... 215
appearance but not
usability...............
(2) Materially affecting ........... 121 ...........
usability...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table V--Glass Containers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Categories
Defects --------------------------------------
Critical Major Minor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type or size of container or
component parts not as specified None permitted.
--------------------------------------
Closure not sealed, crimped, or 1 ........... ...........
fitted properly.................
Dirty, stained, or smeared ........... ........... 201
container.......................
Chip in glass.................... ........... ........... 202
Stone (unmelted material) in ........... ........... 203
glass...........................
Pits in surface of glass......... ........... ........... 204
Sagging surface.................. ........... ........... 205
Bead (bubble within glass):
(a) \1/8\'' to \1/16\'' in ........... ........... 206
diameter....................
(b) Exceeding \1/8\'' in ........... 101 ...........
diameter....................
Checked.......................... ........... 102 ...........
Thin spot in glass............... ........... 103 ...........
Blister (structural defect)...... ........... 104 ...........
Bird swing (glass appendage 2 ........... ...........
inside container)...............
Broken or leaking container...... 3 ........... ...........
Cap (nonheat processed):
(a) Cross-threaded........... ........... ........... 207
(b) Loose but not leaking.... ........... ........... 208
(c) Pitted rust.............. ........... 105 ...........
Cap (heat processed):
(a) Cross-threaded or loose.. 4 ........... ...........
(b) Pitted rust.............. ........... 106 ...........
Sealing tape or cello band (when
required):
(a) Improperly placed........ ........... ........... 209
(b) Not covering juncture of ........... 107 ...........
cap and glass...............
(c) Ends overlap by less than ........... 108 ...........
\1/2\''.....................
(d) Loose or deteriorating... ........... 109 ...........
Missing or torn outer safety seal ........... 110 ...........
Inner safety seal--missing, torn, ........... 111 ...........
poor seal.......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table VI--Rigid and Semirigid Containers--Corrugated or Solid
Fiberboard, Chipboard, Wood, etc.
[Excluding glass and metal]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 ........... ........... 201
container...................
Dirty, stained, or smeared ........... ........... 202
container.......................
Wet or damp (excluding ice
packs):
(a) Materially affecting ........... ........... 203
appearance but not usability
(b) Materially affecting ........... 102 ...........
usability...................
Moldy area....................... 2 ........... ...........
Crushed or torn area:
(a) Materially affecting ........... ........... 204
appearance but not usability
(b) Materially affecting ........... 103 ...........
usability...................
Separation of lamination
(corrugated fiberboard):
(a) Materially affecting ........... ........... 205
appearance but not usability
(b) Materially affecting ........... 104 ...........
usability...................
[[Page 59930]]
Product sifting or leaking....... ........... 105 ...........
Nails or staples (when required):
(a) Not as required, ........... ........... 206
insufficient number or
improperly positioned.......
(b) Nails or staples ........... 106 ...........
protruding..................
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 ........... ........... 208
container more than \1/4\-
inch........................
(b) Does not meet properly, ........... ........... 209
allowing space of more than
\1/4\-inch..................
Sealing tape or strapping (when
required):
(a) Missing.................. ........... 108 ...........
(b) Improperly placed or ........... ........... 210
applied.....................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table VII--Flexible Containers (Plastic, Cello, Paper, Textile, 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) Primary container....... 1 ........... ...........
(b) Other than primary ........... ........... 201
container...................
Dirty, stained, or smeared ........... ........... 202
container.......................
Unmelted gels in plastic......... ........... ........... 203
Torn or cut container or Abrasion
(non-leaker):
(a) Materially affecting ........... ........... 204
appearance but not usability
(b) Materially affecting ........... 101 ...........
usability...................
Moldy area....................... 2 ........... ...........
Individual packages sticking ........... 102 ...........
together or to shipping case
(tear when separated)...........
Not fully covering product....... ........... 103 ...........
Wet or damp (excluding ice
packs):
(a) Materially affecting ........... ........... 205
appearance but not usability
(b) Materially affecting ........... 104 ...........
usability...................
Over wrap (when required):
(a) Missing................. ........... 105 ...........
(b) Loose, not sealed or ........... ........... 206
closed......................
(c) Improperly applied...... ........... ........... 207
Sealing tape, strapping or
adhesives (when required):
(a) Missing................. ........... 106 ...........
(b) Improperly placed, ........... ........... 208
applied, torn, or wrinkled..
Tape over bottom and top closures
(when required):
(a) Not covering stitching.. ........... 107 ...........
(b) Torn (exposing ........... 108 ...........
stitching)..................
(c) Wrinkled (exposing ........... 109 ...........
stitching)..................
(d) Not adhering to bag:
1. Exposing stitching.... ........... 110 ...........
2. Not exposing stitching ........... ........... 209
(e) Improper placement...... ........... ........... 210
Product sifting or leaking....... ........... ........... ...........
(a) Non-heat processed...... ........... 111 ...........
(b) Heat processed.......... 3 ........... ...........
Fold or wrinkle in seal area ........... ........... ...........
(thermo stabilized pouches).....
(a) Extends through all 4 ........... ...........
plies across seal area or
reduces seal to less than \1/
16\-inch....................
(b) Does not extend through ........... ........... 211
all plies and effective seal
to is 1/16-inch or greater..
Incomplete seal (thermo 5 ........... ...........
stabilized pouches).............
Non-bonding seal (thermo 6 ........... ...........
stabilized pouches).............
Laminate separation.............. 7 ........... ...........
Flex cracks (cracks in foil layer ........... ........... 212
only)...........................
Swollen container................ 8 ........... ...........
Blister (in seal)................ ........... ........... ...........
(a) Intact seal reduced to 9 ........... ...........
less than \1/16\-inch.......
(b) Intact seal \1/16\-inch ........... ........... 213
or greater..................
[[Page 59931]]
Compressed seal (overheated to 10 ........... ...........
bubble or expose inner layer)
reducing intact seal to less
than \1/16\-inch................
Stringy seal (excessive plastic ........... ........... 214
threads showing at edge of seal
area)...........................
Contaminated seal (entrapped 11 ........... ...........
matter) reducing intact seal to
less than \1/16\-inch...........
Seal creep (product in pouch
``creeping'' into seal).........
(a) Intact seal reduced to 12 ........... ...........
less than \1/16\-inch.......
(b) Intact seal \1/16\-inch ........... ........... 215
or greater..................
Misaligned or crooked seal 13 ........... ...........
reducing intact seal to less
than \1/16\-inch................
Seal formed greater than 1-inch ........... ........... 216
from edge of pouch (unclosed
edge flaps).....................
Waffling (embossing on surface ........... ........... 217
from retort racks)..............
Poor or missing tear notch....... ........... ........... 218
Missing ``zip lock'' (re-sealable ........... ........... 219
containers).....................
Loss of vacuum (vac pack)........ ........... 112 ...........
Pre-formed containers:
(a) Dented or crushed area.. ........... ........... 220
(b) Deformed container...... ........... ........... 221
Missing resealable cap........... ........... 113 ...........
Inner or outer safety seal-- 14 ........... ...........
missing, torn, poor seal........
Air bubble in plastic............ ........... 114 ...........
Flexible pop-top:
(a) Poor seal (wrinkle,
entrapped matter, etc.):
(1) Intact seal reduced 15 ........... ...........
to less than \1/16\-inch
(2) Intact seal \1/16\- ........... ........... 222
inch or greater.........
(b) Short pull tab ........... ........... 223
(materially affecting
usability)..................
(c) Missing pull tab........ ........... 115 ...........
(d) Torn pull tab ........... ........... 224
(materially affecting
usability)..................
Missing component (straw, etc.).. ........... ........... 225
Two part container (poly lined
box or bag in box):
(a) Outer case torn......... ........... ........... 226
(b) Poly liner:
1. Missing............... 16 ........... ...........
2. Improper closure...... ........... 116 ...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table VIII--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 ends).. ........... 203
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table IX--Interior Can Defects
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Categories
Defects -------------------------
Major Minor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
De-tinning.................................... 101 201
Black spots................................... ........... 202
Enamel missing (when required)................ 102 ...........
Enamel breakdown.............................. 103 203
Enamel cracked................................ 104 204
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Section 42.113 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 42.113 Defects of label, marking, or code: Table X.
[[Page 59932]]
Table X--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 markings 103 ...........
on the label.................................
Text illegible or incomplete.................. ........... 203
Incorrect..................................... 104 ...........
In wrong location............................. ........... 204
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart E--[Removed]
9. In part 42, Subpart E--Miscellaneous, consisting of Sec. Sec.
42.140, 42.141, 42.142, and 42.143, is removed.
Dated: November 9, 2009.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E9-27430 Filed 11-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
