1. USDA Food Aid Quality Study

2. Improving and ensuring Food Aid quality, safety, nutrient delivery and shelf-life
USDA Part I:
Standardizing Existing Commodity Specifications.
USDA Part II: Commodity Sampling &Testing Protocol.
USAID Part III:
Enrichment and fortification formulas commodities.

3. USDA Food Aid Quality Study objectives:
Review and revision of existing 29 commodity specifications.
Achieve maximum standardization and harmonization of commodity specifications.
Commodity sampling and testing protocol regime based on sound scientific standards and commercial practices.

4. SUSTAIN Recommendation:
Commodity Specification Template Outline:
Commercial Products.
Whole or Partially Processed Grains.
Template for Blended and Fortified Foods.
Template for Vegetable Oils and Fats.

5. SUSTAIN Recommendation:
Standardized Format for Certificate of Analysis reporting.

6. SUSTAIN Recommendation:
Lot sizes for blended and fortified foods, whole or partially processed grains, commercial products and vegetable oil/fats

7. SUSTAIN Recommendation:
Lot sizes for blended and fortified foods, whole or partially processed grains, commercial products and vegetable oil/fats

8. Recommendation Highlights:
Sampling plans based on the theoretical basis with those presented in the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s CAC/GL
Implementation of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan for the manufacturing process for delivering food aid commodities.
Dry Edible Beans maximum moisture: 14.0%
Currently at: 16%

9. Action plan for review and implement SUSTAIN recommendations
USDA and USAID will determine which recommendations will present to FACG for stakeholders review and input.
Risk analysis of implementing sampling protocol recommendations.
Review of commercial practices on quality assurance.
Request public comment through public venues.
Must assure that changes comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Approval by program agencies followed by announcement.