The USDA has updated the Commodity Specification for Frozen Vegetables.
The update includes minor formatting adjustments, incorporates Amendments 1 and 2, clarifies existing labeling and packaging requirements, and specifies material codes for household sized packages of onions.
The frozen onion section reads:
Frozen, Onions
1. Style – Strips (width, approximately 3/8 inch, for length see uniformity below)
2. Additional Quality Factors
a. Color: Good color. The onions have a good characteristic bright color typical of the varieties.
b. Appearance: The product is reasonably free flowing, reasonably bright, and has reasonably uniform units. The overall appearance or edibility of the frozen onions is slightly but not seriously affected by markedly variable units, small specks, or other factors.
c. Uniformity: The aggregate weight of all strips less than 1-1/4 inches in length does not exceed 30 percent, by weight, of all the units.
d. Defects: The onions are practically free of defects such as but not limited to, dark green units, blemishes, peel, mechanical damage, sprouts, root crown, and core material.
e. Character: Good character. The onions are uniformly firm and tender, and practically free of soft and spongy units.
f. Flavor and odor: the frozen onions, before and after cooking, have a flavor and odor that is normal and typical for the variety and is free from objectionable flavors and odors.
3. The frozen onions have no grit or dirt present that affects the appearance or edibility of the product.
4. Net weight –
a. 30 pounds per case (1/30 pound case).
b. 30 pounds per case (6/5 pound bags).
c. 30 pounds per case (12/2.5 pound bags).
The full Specification can be see here:
