Dairy product quality specifications establish minimum acceptable requirements for products not covered by a grade standard. They serve as a guide to quality for consumers, and may also be used in government procurement activities. The Dairy Grading Branch may use these specifications to evaluate products, and those meeting the requirement of the specification may bear an official quality shield.
Butter and Related Products
- Light Butter Effective March 1995 (pdf)
- Margarine/Butter Blend, effective June 1993 (pdf)
- Vegetable Oil Margarine, effective August 1996 (pdf)
- Ghee, effective October 1993 (pdf)
Cheeses
- USDA Specifications for Mozzarella Cheeses, effective September 24, 2012 (pdf)
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese, effective March 1, 2001 (pdf)
- Loaf, Sliced, Shredded, and Diced Muenster Cheese, effective March 1, 2001(pdf)
- Cottage Cheese and Dry Curd Cottage Cheese, effective February 13, 2001 (pdf)
- Cream Cheese, Cream Cheese with other Foods, and Related Products, effective August 1994 (pdf)
- Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese, effective September 1993 (pdf)
- Ricotta Cheeses, effective January 1981 (pdf)
Cultured/Acidified Products
- Yogurt, Lowfat Yogurt and Nonfat Yogurt, effective January 19, 2001 (pdf)
- Sour Cream and Acidified Sour Cream, effective June 5, 2000 (pdf)
Dry Ingredients