[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR52.38]

[Page 534-537]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
                        DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 52--PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, PROCESSED PRODUCTS THEREOF, AND CERTAIN OTHER PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS \1\--Table of Contents
 
       Subpart--Regulations Governing Inspection and Certification
 
Sec. 52.38  Sampling plans and procedures for determining lot compliance.

    (a) Except as otherwise provided for in this section in connection 
with in-plant inspection and unless otherwise approved by the 
Administrator, samples shall be selected from each lot in the exact 
number of sample units indicated for the lot size in the applicable 
sampling plans. The lot size is to correspond to a sample size with a 
maximum of 29 sample units: Provided, that at the discretion of the 
inspection service, the number of sample units selected may be increased 
to the exact number of sample units indicated for any one of the larger 
sample sizes provided for in the appropriate plans. The samples size may 
be increased beyond 29 sample units in accordance with the following 
sampling plan:

Sample Size.....................................      38      48      60
Acceptance Number...............................       5       6       7


    (b) Under the sampling plans with respect to any specified 
requirement:
    (1) If the number of deviants (as defined in connection with the 
specific requirement) in the sample does not exceed the acceptance 
number prescribed for the sample size, the lot meets the requirement;
    (2) If the number of deviants (as defined in connection with the 
specific requirement) in the sample exceeds the acceptance number 
prescribed for the

[[Page 535]]

sample size, the lot fails the requirement.
    (c) If in the conduct of on-line in-plant inspection of a product 
covered by a grade standard which does not contain sampling plans, the 
sample is examined before the lot size is known and the number of sample 
units exceeds the prescribed sample size for such lot, but does not 
equal any of the prescribed larger sample sizes, the lot may be deemed 
to meet or fail a specific requirement in accordance with the following 
procedure:
    (1) If the number of deviants (as defined in connection with the 
specific requirement) in the nonprescribed sample does not exceed the 
acceptance number of the next smaller sample size, the lot meets the 
requirement;
    (2) If the number of deviants (as defined in connection with the 
specific requirement) in the nonprescribed sample equals the acceptance 
number prescribed for the next larger sample size, additional sample 
units shall be selected to increase the sample to the next larger 
prescribed sample size;
    (3) If the number of deviants (as defined in connection with the 
specific requirement) in the nonprescribed sample exceeds the acceptance 
number prescribed for the next larger sample size, the lot fails the 
requirement.
    (d) In the conduct of on-line in-plant inspection, sampling may be 
performed on a time interval basis. The sampling frequency shall be 
specified in an applicable grade standard or other procedural 
instruction approved by the Administrator.
    (e) In the event that the lot compliance determination provisions of 
a standard or specification are based on the number of specified 
deviations instead of deviants the procedures set forth in this section 
may be applied by substituting the word ``deviation'' for the word 
``deviant'' wherever it appears.
    (f) Sampling plans referred to in this section are those contained 
in Tables I, II, III, IV, and V and (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this section 
which follow or any other plans which are applicable. For processed 
products not included in these tables, the minimum sample size shall be 
the exact number of sample units prescribed in the table, container 
group, and lot size that, as determined by the inspector, most closely 
resembles the product, type, container, size and amount of product to be 
sampled. The maximum sample size in tables I, II, III, IV, V, (g)(1), 
(g)(2) and processed products not included in these tables is 29 sample 
units.
    (g)(1) Sampling plan for dried figs. For each 10,000 pounds (or 
fraction of 10,000 pounds) of product--6 sample units of approximately 
35 figs each accumulated into 1 composite (at least 200 figs). Each 
composite will be examined separately, and all must meet the requirement 
for the U.S. Grade.
    (2) Sampling plan for dried fruits other than dates and figs. For 
each 15,000 pounds (or fraction of 15,000 pounds) of product--sample 
units of approximately 16 ounces each accumulated into 1 composite (at 
least 100 ounces) Each composite will be examined separately and all 
must meet the requirements for the U.S. Grade.

    Table I--Canned or Similarly Processed Fruits, Vegetables, and Products Containing Units of Such Size and
                                      Character as To Be Readily Separable
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Lot size
                Container size group                    (number of
                                                     containers) \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 1: Any type container of a volume not              3,000 or      3,001 to  12,001 to  39,001 to  84,001 to
 exceeding that of a No. 303 size can..............          less        12,000     39,000     84,000    145,000
Group 2: Any type of container of a volume               1,500 or      1,501 to   6,001 to  19,501 to  42,001 to
 exceeding that of a No. 303 size can but not                less         6,000     19,500     42,000     72,500
 exceeding that of a No. 3 cylinder size can.......
Group 3: Any type of container of a volume                 750 or        751 to   3,001 to   9,751 to  21,001 to
 exceeding that of a No. 3 cylinder size can, but            less         3,000      9,750     21,000     36,250
 not exceeding that of a No. 12 size can...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 4: Any type of container of a volume
 exceeding that of a...............................
No. 12 size can....................................

[[Page 536]]


                                                     Convert to equivalent number of 6-lb. net weight containers
                                                                           and use group 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lot inspection sample size (no. of sample units)                3             6         13         21         29
 \2\...............................................
Acceptance number..................................             0             1          2          3          4
On-line in-plant inspection sample size (no. of                 3             6          6         13         21
 sample units) \2\.................................
Acceptance number..................................             0             1          1          2         3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Under on-line in-plant inspection, a 5% overrun in number of containers may be permitted by the inspector
  before going to the next larger sample size.
\2\ When a standard sample size is not specified in the U.S. grade standards, the sample units for the various
  container size groups are as follows: Groups 1, 2, and 3--1 container and its entire contents. Group 4 that
  approximately 2 pounds of product. When determined by the inspector that a 2-pound sample unit is inadequate,
  a larger sample unit may be substituted.


   Table II--Frozen or Similarly Processed Fruits, Vegetables, and Products Containing Units of Such Size and
                                      Character as To Be Readily Separable
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Lot size
                Container size group                    (number of
                                                     containers) \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 1: Any type of container of 1 lb. or less....      2,400 or      2,401 to   9,601 to  31,201 to  67,201 to
                                                             less         9,600     31,200     67,200    116,000
Group 2: Any type of container over 1 lb. but not        1,200 or      1,201 to   4,801 to  15,601 to  33,601 to
 over 2-\1/2\ lbs. net weight......................          less         4,800     15,600     33,600     58,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 3: Any type of container over 2-\1/2\ lbs....
                                                      Convert to equivalent number of 2-\1/2\ lb. containers and
                                                                             use group 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lot inspection sample size (no. of sample units)                3             6         13         21         29
 \2\...............................................
Acceptance number..................................             0             1          2          3          4
On-line in-plant inspection sample size (no. of                 3             6          6         13         21
 sample units) \2\.................................
Acceptance number..................................             0             1          1          2         3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Under on-line in-plant inspection, a 5% overrun in number of containers may be permitted by the inspector
  before going to the next larger sample size.
\2\ When a standard sample unit size is not specified in the U.S. grade standards, the sample units for the
  various container size groups are as follows: Groups 1 and 2--1 container and its entire contents. Group 3
  containers up to 10 lbs.--approximately 3 pounds of product. When determined by the inspector that a 3-pound
  sample unit is inadequate, a larger sample unit or 1 or more containers and their entire contents may be
  substituted for 1 or more sample units of 3 lbs.


Table III--Canned, Frozen, or Otherwise Processed Fruits, Vegetables, Related Products of a Comminuted, Fluid or
                                                Homogeneous State
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Lot size
                Container size group                    (number of
                                                     containers) \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 1: Any type of container of 1 lb. or less....      4,500 or      4,501 to  18,001 to  58,501 to    126,001
                                                             less        18,000     56,000    126,000         to
                                                                                                         217,000
Group 2: Any type of container exceeding 1 lb. but       3,000 or      3,001 to  12,001 to  39,001 to  84,001 to
 not exceeding 60 ounces...........................          less        12,000     39,000     84,000    145,000
Group 3: Any type of container exceeding 60 ounces       1,500 or      1,501 to   6,001 to  19,501 to  42,001 to
 but not exceeding 10 lbs..........................          less         6,000     19,500     42,000     72,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 4: Any type of container of a volume
 exceeding 10 lbs..................................
                                                       Convert to equivalent number of 6-lb. containers and use
                                                                               group 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lot inspection sample size (no. of sample units)               3             6         13         21         29
 \2\...............................................
Acceptance number..................................             0             1          2          3          4
On-line in-plant inspection sample size (no. of                 3             6          6         13         21
 sample units) \2\.................................
Acceptance number..................................             0             1          1          2         3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Under on-line in-plant inspection, a 5% overrun in number of containers may be permitted by the inspector
  before going to the next larger sample size.

[[Page 537]]


\2\ When a standard sample size is not specified in the U.S. grade standards, the sample units for the various
  container size groups are as follows: Groups 1, 2, and 3--1 container and its entire contents. A smaller
  sample unit may be substituted in Group 3 at the inspector's discretion. Group 4--approximately 16 ounces of
  product. When determined by the inspector that a 16 ounce sample unit is inadequate, a larger sample unit may
  be substituted.


                           Table IV--Dehydrated (Low-Moisture) Fruits, and Vegetables
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Lot size
                Container size group                    (number of
                                                     containers) \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 1: Any type of container of 1 lb. or less....      1,800 or      1,801 to   7,201 to  23,401 to  50,401 to
                                                             less         7,200     23,400     50,400     87,000
Group 2: Any type of container over 1 lb. but not          600 or        601 to   2,401 to   7,801 to  16,801 to
 over 6 lbs. net weight............................          less         2,400      7,800     16,800     29,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 3: Any type of container over 6 lbs..........
                                                       Convert to equivalent number of 5 lb. containers and use
                                                                               group 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lot inspection sample size (no. of sample units)                3             6         13         21         29
 \2\...............................................
Acceptance number..................................             0             1          2          3          4
On-line in-plant inspection sample size (no. of                 3             6          6         13         21
 sample units) \2\.................................
Acceptance number..................................             0             1          1          2         3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Under on-line in-plant inspection, a 5% overrun in number of containers may be permitted by the inspector
  before going to the next larger sample size.
\2\ When a standard sample unit size is not specified in the U.S. grade standards, the sample units for the
  various container size groups are as follows: Group 1--1 container and its entire contents. Groups 2 and 3--1
  container and its entire contents or a smaller sample unit when determined by the inspector to be adequate.


                                                 Table V--Dates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Lot size
                Container size group                    (number of
                                                     containers) \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 1: Any type of container of 1 lb. or less net      2,400 or      2,401 to   9,601 to  31,201 to  67,201 to
 weight............................................          less         9,600     31,200     67,000    116,000
Group 2: Any type of container over 1 lb. but not          800 or        801 to   3,201 to  10,401 to  22,401 to
 over 5 lbs. net weight............................          less         3,200     10,400     22,400     33,667
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 3: Any type of container over 5 lbs..........
                                                       Convert to equivalent number of 5 lb. containers and use
                                                                               group 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lot inspection sample size (no. of sample units)                3             6         13         21         29
 \2\...............................................
Acceptance number..................................             0             1          2          3          4
On-line in-plant inspection sample size (no. of                 3             6          6         13         21
 sample units) \2\.................................
Acceptance number..................................             0             1          1          2         3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Under on-line in-plant inspection, a 5% overrun in number of containers may be permitted by the inspector
  before going to the next larger sample size.
\2\ When a standard sample size is not specified in the U.S. grade standards, the sample units for the various
  container size groups are as follows: Groups 1 and 2--1 container and its entire contents. Group 3 containers
  up to 10 pounds--1 container and its entire contents. Group 3 containers over 10 pounds--approximately three
  pounds of product. When determined by the inspector that a 3-pound sample unit is inadequate, a larger sample
  unit or 1 or more containers and their entire contents may be substituted for 1 or more sample units of 3
  pounds.


[38 FR 25166, Sept. 12, 1973; 38 FR 26903, Sept. 27, 1973. Redesignated 
at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977 and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, 
Dec. 31, 1981, and amended at 51 FR 20439, June 5, 1986; 63 FR 50747, 
Sept. 23, 1998]