QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON GOVERNMENT INSPECTION 13 



Of what benefit is inspection to the packer or processor? 



Routine inspections of the packer's daily production may reveal 

 some material changes in quality or some irregularity in the pack not 

 found by the packer's own employees, who may or may not be techni- 

 cally trained. Inspection after the products have been packed will 

 give the processor definite information as to the quality of his pack, 

 thus enabling him to maintain a clear-cut picture of his inventorial 

 position at all times. Official inspection certificates, indicating the 

 quality of the foods pledged for the purpose of obtaining loans, assist 

 the packer in securing funds for operational purposes. Inspection 

 certificates may be sent with invoices to buyers to assure them of the 

 grade of the product as officially determined. Inspection certificates 

 may be used instead of bid samples to acquaint an interested buyer with 

 the merchandise offered for sale. They afford the packer a definite 

 basis on which to label his products for the benefit of the consumer. 



How will inspection serve the banker or financier? 



Requests for huge loans are frequently supported by the official 

 inspection certificates to indicate the quality of the canned foods 

 covered by warehouse receipts. Inspection certificates give the banker 

 concrete evidence of the quality (and thus market value) and other 

 pertinent facts concerning the specific lots of foods used as collateral 

 for loans. 



Of what benefit is the inspection service to the food broker, wholesale 

 grocer, or chain-store buyer? 



Buyers may contract for processed foods on the basis of the United 

 States standards. If consignments do not meet the expectations of the 

 buyer on delivery, he may request an inspection at that time. The 

 inspection certificates afford a splendid basis for adjusting differences 

 if adjustments are in order. Distributors may wish their purchases 

 inspected at the plant before labeling prior to shipment as a basis for 

 accurate labeling. 

 How are other interests served? 



Other interests are served as follows : 



Public warehousemen frequently wish to know the grade or condi- 

 tion, often both, of merchandise offered for storage. Some warehouse 

 concerns advance money to canners or other processors on the basis of 

 grade certificates on foods stored with them. 



Transportation companies often apply for inspection for condition 

 and quality of processed goods offered for transportation or upon 

 receiDt from other lines or at destination. Buyers, sellers, or carriers 

 often request inspection of carloads of frozen foods immediately upon 

 arrival, especially if the consignment is in apparent poor or thawing 

 condition. Inspection certificates afford a basis for settlement of 

 claims. 

 Does the Department or its inspectors act as arbitrators if disputes 



arise : 



No. Inspectors' duties are to determine and officially certify within 

 their authority the quality and condition of the products. 

 What does the Department recommend to facilitate sales? 



The Department feels it is in the best interest of both buyer and 

 seller to specify definitely in sales contracts the quality in terms of 



