(This program is available to packers 

 who have a quality control program 

 meeting USDA requirements.) Or, if 

 the packer prefers, the inspector may 

 certify only designated production lots. 



Processors may use this in-plant in- 

 spection service— like continuous in- 

 spection-as part of their quality con- 

 trol programs as well as to facilitate 

 sales. 



Products inspected under this serv- 

 ice can carry the official grade names 

 within the official shield but no refer- 

 ence to continuous inspection may be 

 used. 



Lot Inspection 



Anyone with a financial interest can 

 request inspection of specific lots of 

 processed fruits or vegetables. The lots 

 can be of any size and located in proc- 



U. S. GRADE A 

 U. S. CHOICE 



essing plants, warehouses, or cold 

 storage plants — in producing areas, in 

 transit, or terminal markets. 



The inspector will check the condi- 

 tion of the containers, draw a pre- 

 scribed number of sample containers 

 from the lot, and examine the contents 

 to determine the quality and condition 

 of the product. The results of the in- 

 spection are reported to you on an 

 official certificate. 



Official grade names, such as U.S. 

 Grade A or U.S. Choice— but not the 

 shield-may be used on products that 

 have been graded and certified on a 

 lot basis if the plant in which the 

 products were processed was approved 

 in a plant survey. 



Unofficial 



Sample Inspection 



Under this program, a processor can 

 select his own samples and submit 

 them to the nearest inspection office 

 for examination. 



This type of inspection is most 



helpful as an aid to a plant's quality 

 control program. However, it is not 

 recommended for negotiating sales 

 because the certificate shows only the 

 grade of the submitted sample-no 

 reference is made to the lot from 

 which the sample was drawn. 



No official grade names may be used 

 on products inspected under this pro- 

 gram. 



Service for 



Volume Food Buyers 



In addition to providing quality, 

 quantity, and condition certification, 

 USDA will also help volume buyers 

 translate their needs into exact pur- 

 chase specifications. These specifica- 

 tions can be based on official USDA 

 grade standards as well as a buyer's 

 own specific requirements. Buyers can 

 use these specifications for letting a 

 contract and for calling for bids from 

 suppliers. In the contract with his 

 supplier, a buyer can specify that all 

 purchases must be certified by USDA. 



7 



