The plant survey is based on the Food 

 and Drug Administration's good manu- 

 facturing practices sanitation guidelines 

 and regulations issued under the Federal 

 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. When a 

 plant passes a survey, processors — and 

 their customers — can be assured that it 

 meets rigid sanitary requirements for 

 facilities, equipment, and operating 

 methods. 



The grader making the plant survey 

 reports the results, in writing, to a 

 designated plant official. When the plant 

 meets the required sanitary and other 

 standards, in-plant grading services may 

 begin. 



under which the product is being 

 prepared, processed, and packed. The 

 grader makes frequent line checks of 

 the quality of the product as it is proc- 

 essed and examines samples of the 

 finished product to determine whether it 

 meets U.S. grade standards or other 

 specifications. 



The grader gives the processor daily 

 reports on the grade of the product 

 being packed as well as plant sanitation 

 conditions. On the basis of these reports, 

 the processor can take immediate action 

 to correct problems before they become 



serious and impair the quality level of 

 the pack. 



After the grader finishes the examina- 

 tions and detailed analyses, he or she 

 issues certificates or other official 

 reports showing the results. 



Products packed in any plant operated 

 under the continuous inspection pro- 

 gram may be labeled with the official 

 USDA grade marks. The label may carry 

 the familiar shield with the statement 

 "Packed under continuous inspection of 

 the U.S. Department of Agriculture," the 

 official grade, such as "U.S. Grade A," 



Continuous Inspection 



For continuous in-plant grading services, 

 one or more USDA graders is assigned 

 to a processing plant at all times it is 

 operating to make continuous in-process 

 checks on preparation, processing, and 

 packing operations. 



The grader observes the preparation of 

 raw materials and the plant conditions 



