{"data":{"id":"us/7-cfr-42.112","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"7 CFR 42.112","heading":"Defects of containers: Tables IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X.","body":"Table IV—Metal Containers\n[Rigid and semi-rigid]\nDefects Categories\nCritical Major Minor\nType or size of container or component parts not as specified None permitted\nClosure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly:\n(a) Heat processed primary container 1\n(b) Non-heat processed primary container 101\n(c) Other than primary container 201\nDirty, stained, or smeared container 202\nKey opening metal containers (when required):\n(a) Key missing 102\n(b) Key does not fit tab 103\n(c) Tab of opening band insufficient to provide accessibility to key 104\n(d) Improper scoring (band would not be removed in one continuous strip) 105\nMetal pop-top:\n(a) Missing or broken pull tab 106\n(b) Missing or incomplete score line (not conforming to a relevant product specification) 107\nFlexible pop-top:\n(a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) 108\n(b) Short pull tab (not conforming to a relevant product specification) 203\n(c) Missing pull tab 109\n(d) Torn pull tab 204\nOpen top with plastic overcap (when required):\n(a) Plastic overcap missing 110\n(b) Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication difficult) 111\nOutside tinplate or coating (when required):\n(a) Missing or incomplete 205\n(b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled 206\n(c) Scratched or scored 207\n(d) Fine cracks 208\nRust (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):\n(a) Rust stain 209\n(b) Pitted rust 112\nWet cans (excluding refrigerated containers) 210\nDent:\n(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability 211\n(b) Materially affecting usability 113\nBuckle:\n(a) Not involving end seam 212\n(b) Extending into the end seam 114\nCollapsed container 115\nPaneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability 213\nSolder missing when required 116\nCable cut exposing seam 117\nImproper side seam 118\nSwell, springer, or flipper (not applicable to gas or pressure packed product nor frozen products) 2\nLeaker or blown container 3\nFrozen products only:\n(a) Bulging ends 3⁄16-inch to 1⁄4-inch beyond lip 214\n(b) Bulging ends more than 1⁄4-inch beyond lip 119\nMetal drums: leaking filling seal (bung) swell 1 4 120\n1 Defect classification depends on the severity of the defect.\nTable V—Composite Containers\n[Fiberboard body with metal lids or metal bottoms, plastic or foil top with cap]\nDefects Categories\nCritical Major Minor\nType or size of container or component parts not as specified None permitted\nClosure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly 1\nDirty, stained, or smeared container 201\nEasy open closure:\n(a) Pull tab:\n1. Missing or broken pull tab 101\n2. Missing or incomplete score line 102\n(b) Membrane top:\n1. Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) 103\n2. Short pull tab 104\n3. Missing pull tab 105\n4. Torn pull tab 106\n(c) Open top with plastic overcap (when required):\n1. Plastic overcap missing 107\n2. Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication difficult) 108\nOutside tinplate or coating on ends (when required):\n(a) Missing or incomplete 202\n(b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled 203\n(c) Scratched or scored 204\n(d) Fine cracks 205\nCollapsed container 109\nPaneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability 206\nLeaker 2\nWet or damp:\n(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability 207\n(b) Materially affecting usability 110\nCrushed or torn area:\n(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability 208\n(b) Materially affecting usability 111\nTable VI—Glass Containers\n[Bottles, Jars]\nDefects Categories\nCritical Major Minor\nType or size of container or component parts not as specified None permitted\nClosure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly:\n(a) Heat processed 1\n(b) Non-heat processed 101\nDirty, stained, or smeared container 201\nChip in glass 202\nStone (unmelted material) in glass 203\nPits in surface of glass 204\nSagging surface 205\nBead (bubble within glass):\n(a) 1⁄8-inch to 1⁄16-inch in diameter 206\n(b) Exceeding 1⁄8-inch in diameter 102\nChecked 103\nThin spot in glass 104\nBlister (structural defect) 105\nBird swing (glass appendage inside container) 2\nBroken or leaking container 3\nCap (nonheat processed):\n(a) Cross-threaded 207\n(b) Loose but not leaking 208\n(c) Pitted rust 106\nCap (heat processed):\n(a) Cross-threaded or loose 4\n(b) Pitted rust 107\nSealing tape or cello band (when required):\n(a) Improperly placed 209\n(b) Not covering juncture of cap and glass 108\n(c) Ends overlap by less than 1⁄2-inch 109\n(d) Loose or deteriorating 110\nMissing or torn outer safety seal 111\nInner safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal 112\nTable VII—Plastic Containers\n[Rigid and Semi-Rigid, Bottles, Jars, Tubs, Trays, Pails, etc.]\nDefects Categories\nCritical Major Minor\nType or size of container or component parts not as specified None permitted\nClosure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly:\n(a) Heat processed 1\n(b) Non-heat processed 101\nDirty, stained, or smeared container 201\nChip in plastic 202\nUn-melted gels in plastic 203\nPits in surface of plastic 204\nSagging surface 205\nAir bubble within plastic:\n(a) 1⁄8-inch to 1⁄16-inch in diameter 206\n(b) Exceeding 1⁄8-inch in diameter 102\nChecked 103\nThin spot in plastic 104\nBlister (structural defect) 105\nBroken or leaking container 2\nCap (non-heat processed):\n(a) Cross-threaded 207\n(b) Loose but not leaking 208\nCap (heat processed), cross-threaded or loose 3\nSecurity seals:\n(a) Closure ring missing 106\n(b) Missing or torn outer safety seal 107\n(c) Inner safety seal—missing, torn, or poor seal 108\n(d) Sealing tape or cello band (when required):\n1. Improperly placed 209\n2. Not covering juncture of cap and plastic 109\n3. Ends overlap by less than 1⁄2-inch 110\n4. Loose or deteriorating 111\nTable VIII—Rigid and Semi-Rigid Containers—Corrugated or Solid Fiberboard, Chipboard, Wood, Paperboard Aseptic Cartons, Polymeric Trays, etc.\n[Excluding metal, glass, and plastic]\nDefects Categories\nCritical Major Minor\nType or size of container or component parts not as specified None permitted\nComponent part missing 101\nClosure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly:\n(a) Primary container 1\n(b) Other than primary container 201\nDirty, stained, or smeared container 202\nWet or damp (excluding ice packs):\n(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability 203\n(b) Materially affecting usability 102\nMoldy area 2\nCrushed or torn area:\n(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability 204\n(b) Materially affecting usability 103\nSeparation of lamination (corrugated fiberboard):\n(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability 205\n(b) Materially affecting usability 104\nProduct sifting or leaking 105\nNails or staples (when required):\n(a) Not as required, insufficient number or improperly positioned 206\n(b) Nails or staples protruding 106\nGlue or adhesive (when required); not holding properly, not covering area specified, or not covering sufficient area to hold properly:\n(a) Primary container 107\n(b) Other than primary container 207\nFlap:\n(a) Projects beyond edge of container more than 1⁄4-inch 208\n(b) Does not meet properly, allowing space of more than 1⁄4-inch 209\nSealing tape or strapping (when required):\n(a) Missing 108\n(b) Improperly placed or applied 210\nMissing component (straw, etc.) 211\nPaperboard Aseptic Cartons:\n(a) Missing re-sealable cap or tab 109\n(b) Inner or outer safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal 3\nThermostabilized polymeric trays:\nTray body:\n(a) Swollen container 4\n(b) Tear, crack, hole, abrasion through more than one layer of multi-layer laminate for the tray 5\n(c) Presence of delamination in multi-layered laminate 212\n(d) Presence of any permanent deformation, such that deformed area is discolored or roughened in texture 213\nLid material:\n(a) Closure seal not continuous along tray flange surface 6\n(b) Foldover wrinkle in seal area extends into the closure seal such that the closure seal is reduced to less than 1⁄8-inch 7\n(c) Any impression or design on the seal surfaces which conceals or impairs visual detection of seal defects 110\n(d) Areas of “wave-like” striations or wrinkles along the seal area that spans the entire width of seal 214\n(e) Abrasion of lid material:\n1. Within 1⁄16-inch of food product edge of seal such that barrier layer is exposed 8\n2. Greater than 1⁄16-inch from food product edge of seal that barrier layer is exposed 215\n(f) Presence of entrapped matter within 1⁄16-inch of the food product edge of seal or entrapped moisture or vapor with 1⁄16-inch of the food product edge of seal that results in less than 1⁄16-inch of defect free seal width at the outside edge 9\n(g) Presence of any seal defect or anomaly (for example, entrapped moisture, gases, etc.) within 1⁄16-inch of food product edge of seal 111\n(h) Closure seal width less than 1⁄8-inch 216\nTable IX—Flexible Containers\n[Plastic, Cellophane, Paper, Textile, Laminated Multi-Layer Pouch, Bag, etc.]\nDefects Categories\nCritical Major Minor\nType or size of container or component parts not as specified None permitted\nClosure not sealed, crimped, stitched, or fitted properly:\n(a) Heat processed primary container 1\n(b) Non-heat processed primary container 101\n(c) Other than primary container 201\nDirty, stained, or smeared container 202\nUnmelted gels in plastic 203\nTorn or cut container or abrasion (non-leaker):\n(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability 204\n(b) Materially affecting usability 102\nMoldy area 2\nIndividual packages sticking together or to shipping case (tear when separated) 103\nNot fully covering product 104\nWet or damp (excluding ice packs):\n(a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability 205\n(b) Materially affecting usability 105\nOver wrap (when required):\n(a) Missing 106\n(b) Loose, not sealed, or closed 206\n(c) Improperly applied 207\nSealing tape, strapping, or adhesives (when required):\n(a) Missing 107\n(b) Improperly placed, applied, torn, or wrinkled 208\nTape over bottom and top closures (when required):\n(a) Not covering stitching 108\n(b) Torn (exposing stitching) 109\n(c) Wrinkled (exposing stitching) 110\n(d) Not adhering to bag:\n1. Exposing stitching 111\n2. Not exposing stitching 209\n(e) Improper placement 210\nProduct sifting or leaking:\n(a) Non-heat processed 112\n(b) Heat processed 3\nFlexible pop-top:\n(a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch 4\n(b) Short pull tab (materially affecting usability) 212\n(c) Missing pull tab 113\n(d) Torn pull tab (materially affecting usability) 213\nMissing component (straw, etc.) 214\nTwo part container (poly lined box or bag in box):\n(a) Outer case torn 215\n(b) Poly liner:\n1. Missing 5\n2. Improper closure 114\nMissing “zip lock” (re-sealable containers) 216\nLoss of vacuum (in vacuum-packed) 115\nPre-formed containers:\n(a) Dented or crushed area 217\n(b) Deformed container 218\nMissing re-sealable cap 116\nInner or outer safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal 6\nAir bubble in plastic 117\nThermostabilized products (includes but not limited to tubes, pouches, etc.):\nFoldover wrinkle in seal area (thermostabilized pouches):\n(a) Extends through all plies across seal area or reduces seal less than 1⁄16-inch 7\n(b) Does not extend through all plies and effective seal is 1⁄16-inch or greater 219\nIncomplete seal (thermostabilized pouches) 8\nNon-bonding seal (thermostabilized pouches) 9\nLaminate separation in body of pouch or in seal within 1⁄16-inch of food product edge:\n(a) If food contact layer is exposed 10\n(b) If food contact surface is exposed after manipulation or laminate separation expands after manipulation 118\n(c) If lamination separation is limited to isolated spots that do not propagate with manipulation or is outer ply separation in seal within 1⁄16-inch of food product edge of seal 220\nFlex cracks (cracks in foil layer only) 221\nSwollen container 11\nBlister (in seal) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch 12\nCompressed seal (overheated to bubble or expose inner layer) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch 13\nStringy seal (excessive plastic threads showing at edge of seal area) 222\nContaminated seal (entrapped matter) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch 14\nSeal creep (product in pouch “creeping” into seal) reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16 inch 15\nMisaligned or crooked seal reducing intact seal to less than 1⁄16-inch 16\nSeal formed greater than 1-inch from edge of pouch (unclosed edge flaps) 223\nWaffling (embossing on surface from retort racks; not scorable unless severe) 224\nPoor or missing tear notch (when required) 225\nTable X—Unitizing\n[Plastic or other type of casing/unitizing]\nDefects Categories\nMajor Minor\nNot specified method 101\nMissing tray (when required) 102\nMissing shrink wrap (when required) 103\nLoose or improperly applied wrap 201\nTorn or mutilated 202\nOff-center wrap (does not overlap both ends) 203","path":["Title 7—Agriculture","Subtitle B—Regulations of the Department of Agriculture","CHAPTER I—AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (STANDARDS, INSPECTIONS, MARKETING PRACTICES), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE","SUBCHAPTER A—COMMODITY STANDARDS AND CONTAINER REQUIREMENTS","PART 42—STANDARDS FOR CONDITION OF FOOD CONTAINERS","Subpart B—Procedures for Stationary Lot Sampling and Inspection"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-7.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:24:01Z","sha256":"ed27a19c0835530f2fe7314a04a6ce0acfe8f5f2cd912239868d70d2d4d43822","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/7-cfr-42.111","next":"us/7-cfr-42.113"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}