Final Commodity Specification for Frozen Black Bean Burgers
ID: 12-3J14-Notice-25-013Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OFAGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICEUSDA AMS 3J14WASHINGTON, DC, 20250, USA

NAICS

All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing (311999)

PSC

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES (8915)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), has issued a special notice regarding the procurement of Frozen Black Bean Burger Patties, which will be available for USDA Foods in Schools for the school year 2025-26. The final commodity specification outlines stringent requirements for this plant-based product, including that all ingredients must be sourced from 100% domestic origins, with specific nutritional content and size parameters, while prohibiting non-vegan components. This initiative is crucial for enhancing the nutritional offerings in federal nutrition programs, particularly in school lunch settings, ensuring quality and compliance with USDA guidelines. Interested vendors can reach out to Richard Peterson at Richard.Peterson@usda.gov for further details on the procurement process.

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    Posted
    The Agricultural Marketing Service's Commodity Specification for Frozen Black Bean Burger Patties focuses on procurement standards for a plant-based food product intended for federal nutrition programs. All ingredients must originate from 100% domestic sources in accordance with USDA guidelines. The specifications detail product characteristics including size (approximately 2.9 - 3.5 oz. per patty), nutritional content (with sodium limitations), and acceptable ingredients such as black beans and vegetable proteins while prohibiting non-vegan components like dairy and eggs. Furthermore, the patties must be Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) to ensure proper quality and integrity during mass serving conditions, particularly in school lunch settings. The document outlines strict product testing and quality assurance requirements, including the necessity for a Certificate of Conformance (COC) and detailed compliance in labeling and packaging to meet FDA and USDA standards. This structure promotes transparency, traceability, and compliance with federal nutrition programs, ensuring product quality for consumers.
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