The inspector making the plant sur- 

 vey reports the results of the survey 

 in writing to a designated plant official, 

 and, when the plant meets the re- 

 quired sanitary and other standards, in- 

 plant inspection services may begin. 



Continuous Inspection 



For continuous inspection, one or 

 more USDA inspectors will be assigned 

 to a processing plant at all times it is 

 operating to make continuous in- 

 process checks on preparation, proc- 

 essing, and packing operations. 



The inspector observes the prepara- 

 tion ot raw materials and the plant 

 conditions under which the product is 

 being prepared, processed, and packed. 

 The inspector makes frequent line 

 checks of the quality of the product as 

 it is processed. And he examines 

 samples of the finished product to 

 determine whether they meet U.S. 

 grade standards or other specifications. 



The inspector gives the processor 

 daily reports on the grade of the prod- 



uct being packed as well as plant sani- 

 tation conditions. On the basis of these 

 reports, the processor can take im- 

 mediate action to correct problems 

 before they become serious and im- 

 pair the quality level of the pack. 



After the inspector finishes his ex- 

 aminations and detailed analyses, he 

 issues inspection certificates or other 

 official reports showing the results of 

 the product inspection. 



Products packed in any plant oper- 

 ated under the continuous inspection 

 program may be labeled with the offi- 

 cial USDA grade marks. The label may 

 carry the familiar shield with the 

 statement "Packed under continuous 

 inspection of the U.S. Department of 

 Agriculture," an official grade designa- 



tion like "U.S. Grade A," or both. The 

 packer may also refer to continuous 

 inspection in his advertising and sales 

 programs. 



Pack Certification 



This type of inspection service is 

 similar to continuous inspection ex- 

 cept that the inspector need not be 

 present continuously during all operat- 

 ing shifts of the plant. While he is on 

 duty, however, the inspector may per- 

 form the same functions as he would 

 under continuous inspection. His re- 

 sponsibilities vary, depending on the 

 needs of the processor. He may certify 

 the entire production through a co- 

 operative quality assurance program. 



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