[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 50, Volume 7]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 50CFR260.61]

[Page 663-669]
 
                    TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
 
  CHAPTER II--NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 
           ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
 
PART 260_INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION--Table of Contents
 
  Subpart A_Inspection and Certification of Establishments and Fishery 
                     Products for Human Consumption
 
Sec. 260.61  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 Secretary, 
samples shall be selected from each lot in the exact number of sample 
units indicated for the lot size in the applicable single sampling plan 
or, at the discretion of the inspection service, any comparable multiple 
sampling plan: 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.
    (b) Under the single sampling plans with respect to any specified 
requirement:

[[Page 664]]

    (1) If the number of deviants (as defined in connection with the 
specific requirements) 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 sample size the lot fails the requirement.
    (c) Under the multiple sampling plans inspection commences with the 
smallest sample size indicated under the appropriate plan and with 
respect to any specified requirement:
    (1) If the number of deviants (as defined in connection with the 
specific requirement) in the sample being considered does not exceed the 
acceptance number prescribed for that sample size the lot meets the 
requirement;
    (2) If the number of deviants (as defined in connection with the 
specific requirement) in the sample being considered equals or exceeds 
the rejection number prescribed for that sample size the lot fails the 
requirement; or
    (3) If the number of deviants (as defined in connection with the 
specific requirement) in the sample being considered falls between the 
acceptance and rejection numbers of the plan, additional sample units 
are added to the sample so that the sample thus cumulated equals the 
next larger cumulative sample size in the plan. It may then be 
determined that the lot meets or fails the specific requirement by 
considering the cumulative sample and applying the procedures outlined 
in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section or by considering 
successively larger samples cumulated in the same manner until the lot 
meets or fails the specific requirement.
    (d) If in the conduct of any type of in-plant inspection 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 
requirements;
    (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.
    (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, V, and VI 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 samples.

[[Page 665]]



                                                                           Single Sampling Plans and Acceptance Levels
                      Table I--Canned or Similarly Processed Fishery Products, and Products Thereof Containing Units of Such Size and Character as to be Readily Separable
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                                                                                                      Lot size (number of containers)
           Container size group           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 group 1
 
Any type of container of less volume than   3,600 or less    3,601-14,400   14,401-48,000   48,001-96,000  156,001-228,000   228,001-300,000   300,001-420,000      Over 420,000
 that of a No. 300 size can (300x407)....                                                  96,001-156,000
 
                 group 2
 
Any type of container of a volume equal     2,400 or less    2,401-12,000   12,001-24,000   24,001-48,000   72,001-108,000   108,001-168,000   168,001-240,000      Over 240,000
 to or exceeding that of a No. 300 size                                                     48,001-72,000
 can, but not exceeding that of a No. 3
 cylinder size can (404x700).............
 
                 group 3
 
Any type of container of a volume           1,200 or less     1,201-7,200    7,201-15,000   15,001-24,000    24,001-36,000     36,001-60,000     60,001-84,000    84,001-120,000    Over 120,000
 exceeding that of a No. 3 cylinder size
 can, but not exceeding that of a No. 12
 size can (603x812)......................
 
                 group 4
 
Any type of container of a volume             200 or less         201-800       801-1,600     1,601-2,400      2,401-3,600       3,601-8,000      8,001-16,000     16,001-28,000
 exceeding that of a No. 12 size can, but                                                                                                                            Over 28,000
 not exceeding that of a 5-gallon
 container...............................
 
                 group 5
 
Any type of container of a volume              25 or less           26-80          81-200         201-400          401-800         801-1,200       1,201-2,000       2,001-3,200      Over 3,200
 exceeding that of a 5-gallon container..
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[[Page 666]]

 
                                                                                    Single sampling plans \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample size (number of sample units) \2\.               3               6              13              21               29                38                48                60              72
Acceptance number........................               0               1               2               3                4                 5                 6                 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For extension of the single sample sizes beyond 72 sample units, refer to table V of this section; for multiple sampling plans comparable to the various single sampling plans refer to
  table VI of this section.
\2\ The sample units for the various container size groups are as follows: Groups 1, 2, and 3--1 container and its entire contents. Groups 4 and 5--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 Fishery Products, and Products Thereof Containing Units of Such Size and Character as to be Readily Separable
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Lot size (number of containers)
           Container size group           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 group 1
 
Any type of container of 1 pound or less    2,400 or less    2,401-12,000   12,001-24,000   24,001-48,000    48,001-72,000    72,001-108,000   108,001-168,000   168,001-240,000    Over 240,000
 net weight..............................
 
                 group 2
 
Any type of container over 1 pound but      1,800 or less     1,801-8,400    8,401-18,000   18,001-36,000    36,001-60,000     60,001-96,000    96,001-132,000   132,001-168,000    Over 168,000
 not over 4 pounds net weight............
 
                 group 3
 
Any type of container over 4 pounds but       900 or less       901-3,600    3,601-10,800   10,801-18,000    18,001-36,000     36,001-60,000     60,001-84,000    84,001-120,000    Over 120,000
 not over 10 pounds net weight...........
 
                 group 4
 
Any type of container over 10 pounds but      200 or less         201-800       801-1,600     1,601-2,400      2,401-3,600       3,601-8,000      8,001-16,000     16,001-28,000     Over 28,000
 not over 100 pounds net weight..........
 

[[Page 667]]

 
                 group 5
 
Any type of container over 100 pounds net      25 or less           26-80          81-200         201-400          401-800         801-1,200       1,201-2,000       2,001-3,200      Over 3,200
 weight..................................
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                                                                                    Single sampling plans \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample size (number of sample units) \2\.               3               6              13              21               29                38                48                60              72
Acceptance number........................               0               1               2               3                4                 5                 6                 7               8
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For extension of the single sample sizes beyond 72 sample units, refer to table V of this section; for multiple sampling plans comparable to the various single sampling plans refer to
  table VI of this section.
\2\ The sample units for the various container size groups are as follows: Groups 1, 2, and 3--1 container and its entire contents. Groups 4 and 5--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 pounds.


                        Table III--Canned, Frozen, or Otherwise Processed Fishery and Related Products, and Products Thereof of a Comminuted, Fluid, or Homogeneous State
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                                                                                                        Lot size (number of containers)
           Container size group \1\           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   group 1
 
Any type of container of 12 ounces or less...      5,400 or  5,401-21,600   21,601-62,400   62,401-112,000   112,001-174,000   174,001-240,000   240,001-360,000   360,001-480,000  Over 480,000
                                                       less
 
                   group 2
 
Any type of container over 12 ounces but not       3,600 or  3,601-14,400   14,401-48,000    48,001-96,000    96,001-156,000   156,001-228,000   228,001-300,000   300,001-420,000  Over 420,000
 over 60 ounces..............................          less
 
                   group 3
 
Any type of container over 60 ounces but not       1,800 or   1,801-8,400    8,401-18,000    18,001-60,000     36,001-60,000     60,001-96,000    96,001-132,000   132,001-168,000  Over 168,000
 over 160 ounces.............................          less
 
                   group 4
 
Any type of container over 160 ounces but not   200 or less       201-800       801-1,600      1,601-3,200       3,201-8,000      8,001-16,000     16,001-24,000     24,001-32,000   Over 32,000
 over 10 gallons or 100 pounds whichever is
 applicable..................................
 
                   group 5
 
Any type of container over 10 gallons or 100     25 or less         26-80          81-200          201-400           401-800         801-1,200       1,201-2,000       2,001-3,200    Over 3,200
 pounds whichever is applicable..............
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[[Page 668]]

 
                                                                                    Single sampling plans \2\
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Sample size (number of sample units) \3\.....             3             6              13               21                29                38                48                60            72
Acceptance number............................             0             1               2                3                 4                 5                 6                 7             8
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Ounces pertain to either fluid ounces of volume or avoirdupois ounces of net weight whichever is applicable for the product involved.
\2\ For extension of the single sample sizes beyond 72 sample units, refer to table V of this section; for multiple sampling plans comparable to the various single sampling plans refer to
  table VI of this section.
\3\ 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. Groups 4, 5, and 6--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 Fishery and Related Products
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Lot size (number of containers)
          Container size group           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 group 1
 
Any type of container of 1 pound or less   1,800 or less     1,801-8,400    8,401-18,000   18,001-36,000     36,001-60,000     60,001-96,000    96,001-132,000   132,001-168,000    Over 168,000
 net weight.............................
 
                 group 2
 
Any type of container over 1 pound but       900 or less       901-3,600    3,601-10,800   10,801-18,000     18,001-36,000     36,001-60,000     60,001-84,000    84,001-120,000    Over 120,000
 not over 6 pounds net weight...........
 
                 group 3
 
Any type of container over 6 pounds but      200 or less         201-800       801-1,600     1,601-3,200       3,201-8,000      8,001-16,000     16,001-24,000     24,001-32,000     Over 32,000
 not over 20 pounds net weight..........
 
                 group 4
 
Any type of container over 20 pounds but      48 or less          49-400       401-1,200     1,201-2,000       2,001-2,800       2,801-6,000       6,001-9,600      9,601-15,000     Over 15,000
 not over 100 pounds net weight.........
 

[[Page 669]]

 
                 group 5
 
Any type of container over 100 pounds         16 or less           17-80          81-200         201-400           401-800         801-1,200       1,201-2,000       2,001-3,200      Over 3,200
 net weight.............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Single sampling plans \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample size (number of sample units) \2\               3               6              13              21                29                38                48                60              72
Acceptance number.......................               0               1               2               3                 4                 5                 6                 7               8
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For extension of the single sample sizes beyond 72 sample units, refer to table V of this section; for multiple sampling plans comparable to the various single sampling plans refer to
  table VI of this section.
\2\ The sample units for the various container size groups are as follows: Group 1--1 container and its entire contents. Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5--1 container and its entire contents or a smaller
  sample unit when determined by the inspector to be adequate.


                                                     Table V--Single Sampling Plans for Use in Increasing Sample Size Beyond 72 Sample Units
Sample size, n.....................................................   84   96  108  120  132  144  156  168  180  192  204  216  230  244  258  272  286  300  314  328  342  356  370  384  400
Acceptance numbers, c..............................................    9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33
 


                                                               Multiple Sampling Plans \1\
                                   Table VI--Multiple Sampling Plans Comparable to the Indicated Single Sampling Plans
Indicated single sampling plan:
  Single sample size, n.........  ...    6  ...  ...   13  ...  ...   21  ...  ...   29  ...  ...   38  ...  ...   48  ...  ...   60  ...  ...   72
                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Acceptance numbers, c.........  ...    1  ...  ...    2  ...  ...    3  ...  ...    4  ...  ...    5  ...  ...    6  ...  ...    7  ...  ...    8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative sample sizes, nc, and   nc    c    r   nc    c    r   nc    c    r   nc    c    r   nc    c    r   nc    c    r   nc    c    r   nc    c    r
 acceptance numbers, c,
    and rejection numbers, r,       4    0    2    8    0    3   10    0    3   12    0    4   14    0    4   16    0    4   18    0    5   22    0    5
     for multiple sampling.
                                    6    0    2   10    0    3   14    1    4   16    0    4   20    0    5   24    1    5   28    1    6   32    1    7
                                    8    1    2   12    1    3   18    1    4   20    1    5   26    1    6   32    2    6   38    2    7   42    2    8
                                  ...  ...  ...   14    2    3   22    2    5   24    2    5   32    2    6   40    3    8   48    3    8   52    3    9
                                  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...   26    4    5   28    3    6   38    3    7   48    4    8   58    4    8   62    5   10
                                  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...   32    3    6   44    6    7   56    7    8   68    8    9   72    6   10
                                  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...   36    5    6  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...   82    9   10
\1\ These multiple sampling plans may be used in lieu of the single sampling plans listed at the heading of each column.


[[Page 670]]