---
kind: "section"
citation: "21 C.F.R. § 130.12"
title: "21"
number: "130.12"
heading: "General methods for water capacity and fill of containers."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/21/130.12"
---

# §130.12. General methods for water capacity and fill of containers.


For the purposes of regulations promulgated under [section 401](/cfr/21/401.md) of the act:

- (a) The term general method for water capacity of containers means the following method:
  - (1) In the case of a container with lid attached by double seam, cut out the lid without removing or altering the height of the double seam.
  - (2) **Wash, dry, and weigh the empty container.**
  - (3) Fill the container with distilled water at 68 °F to 3/16 inch vertical distance below the top level of the container, and weigh the container thus filled.
  - (4) Subtract the weight found in [paragraph (a)(2)](#a-2) of this section from the weight found in [paragraph (a)(3)](#a-3) of this section. The difference shall be considered to be the weight of water required to fill the container.
- (b) The term general method for fill of containers means the following method:
  - (1) In the case of a container with lid attached by double seam, cut out the lid without removing or altering the height of the double seam.
  - (2) **Measure the vertical distance from the top level of the container to the top level of the food.**
  - (3) **Remove the food from the container; wash, dry, and weigh the container.**
  - (4) **Fill the container with water to 3/16 inch vertical distance below the top level of the container.** Record the temperature of the water, weigh the container thus filled, and determine the weight of the water by subtracting the weight of the container found in [paragraph (b)(3)](#b-3) of this section.
  - (5) Maintaining the water at the temperature recorded in [paragraph (b)(4)](#b-4) of this section, draw off water from the container as filled in [paragraph (b)(4)](#b-4) of this section to the level of the food found in [paragraph (b)(2)](#b-2) of this section, weigh the container with remaining water, and determine the weight of the remaining water by subtracting the weight of the container found in [paragraph (b)(3)](#b-3) of this section.
  - (6) Divide the weight of water found in [paragraph (b)(5)](#b-5) of this section by the weight of water found in [paragraph (b)(4)](#b-4) of this section, and multiply by 100. The result shall be considered to be the percent of the total capacity of the container occupied by the food.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321, 336, 341, 343, 371.