Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Specifications & U.S. Grade Standards

This page provides links to the USDA Foods Fact Sheets/Product Information Sheets, USDA Foods specifications, Commercial Item descriptions, and U.S. Grade Standards for products purchased by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service for distribution to eligible recipient agencies and individuals participating in the Food and Nutrition Service's USDA Foods Programs.

USDA Foods Facts Sheets/Product Information Sheets

USDA Foods Fact Sheets/Product Information Sheets provide a summary of the USDA Foods product description, nutrition information, pack size, storage information, and recipe ideas.

USDA Foods Specifications

USDA Foods specifications provide the detailed standards of quality and wholesomeness by which USDA Foods products must be produced and processed.

Commercial Item descriptions

The Commercial Item descriptions (CIDs) are product descriptions that concisely describe the most important characteristics of a commercial product. CIDs are official U.S. Government procurement documents that are used across multiple federal agencies.

U.S. Grade Standards

The USDA grade shields, official seals and labels are reputable symbols of the quality and integrity of American agricultural products. The USDA shields and labels assure consumers that the products they buy have gone through a rigorous review process by highly-skilled graders & auditors that follow the official grade standards and process standards developed, maintained and interpreted by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

Page updated: April 07, 2023