INSPECTION AND GRADING SERVICES 



FOR PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 



Whether you are a processor, a 

 buyer, or a seller of canned, frozen, 

 dried, or dehydrated fruits and vege- 

 tables, there is an inspection service to 

 meet your needs. The U.S. Department 

 of Agriculture provides official inspec- 

 tion and grading of these and related 

 products like jams, jellies, peanut but- 

 ter, tea, and coffee for anyone who 

 has a financial interest in any of these 

 products. Administered by the Fruit 

 and Vegetable Division of USDA's 

 Agricultural Marketing Service, the 

 services are available on request and 

 for a fee to cover the cost of the 

 service. 



USDA's inspection services can be 

 based on official U.S. standards or on 

 your own quality or condition specifi- 

 cations. 



If inspection is based on U.S. grade 

 standards, each of your shipments can 



be covered by an official certificate 

 showing that the product meets a 

 USDA grade. 



If there are no U.S. standards for 

 your product or if you request a quality 

 or condition inspection based on your 

 own specifications, the certificate will 

 state the product's quality or condition 

 on that basis. 



By the same token, buyers can use 

 USDA inspection to determine whether 

 the terms of their contracts or pur- 

 chase orders have been met. Volume 

 food buyers can order food by U.S. 

 grade and require USDA inspection 

 before accepting delivery. USDA in- 

 spectors will certify that the product 

 meets the order specifications and is 

 in good condition. USDA will also 

 check the condition of the food con- 

 tainers. 



USDA inspection can provide official 



quality and condition certification to 

 help settle claims for damage incurred 

 in transit or storage. It can complement 

 a processor's quality control program 

 from the preparation of the raw ma- 

 terial to the warehousing of the fin- 

 ished product. And bankers can ask 

 USDA to certify the quality, quantity, 

 and condition of products posted as 

 collateral in support of loans. 



There are four basic inspection 

 services available. Users can choose 

 the type of service that is tailored to 

 their needs. 



Continuous Inspection-One or more 

 inspectors can be assigned to a plant 

 at all times it is operating. The inspec- 

 tor makes continuous in-process 

 checks of preparation, processing, and 

 packing operations and certifies the 

 grade (or quality) and condition of the 

 finished product. 



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