-3-

The sample should consist of a minimm of 15 heads, regardless (12)
of the size of the load. There is no objectioi. to increasing the
size of the sample when time will permit. In fact, your supervisor
may set higher minimums when the conditions justify increasing the
size of the sample.

It is absolutely necessary that the sample shall be representative (13)
of the quality and condition of the whole load in so far as this can be
AssuREd by your best judgement and knowledge.

Grading Samples Selected by Other Parties. In some cases, growers (14)
bring in loads after the inspection platform has closed and you have
gone for the day, and one of the processor's employees draws the sam-
pe to be graded the following day. It is obvious that youshould not
grade and certify to the quality of such a sample as being “sample of
lot herein described", when you have never seen the lot and the quality
may have materially changed during the night. However, you inspect
and certify to the grade of sample drawn by other parties and it is up
to the processor and grower whether settlement for the load will be
made on the hasis of inspection of the sample. In all such gases, you
should show the number of contai ners you inspected in the blank marked
"Number of Containers" and not the number of containers reported to be
in the load from which they supposedly were drawn. In addition, you
should make the following statement under "Remarks": "This certificate
restricted to erates (or other containers); not official sample."

irregularity in Loads. If the quality of the cauliflower in the (15)
load or lot appears to be irregular, you may take additional samples,
averaging the results of all samples together. The resulting average
grade is the grade reported on the inspection certificate.

The Inspection Service should have a definite understanding with (16)
the processor to the effect that he may send back a load for regrading
if in the process. of unloading it is shown that there is a material
difference between the upper and lower portions of the load. The same
privilege should also be extended to a grower if he feels that he has
better cauliflower in the bottom of his load. Thus, in some instances
the load may be sent back to the inspection platform for the examina-
tion of portions not accessible for sampling at the time of the first
inspection. If the portion of the load returned for re-sampling,is to
be weighed, a new certificate should be issued on this portion of the
load, and treated as a new inspection without reference to the first
inspection.

Some processors may stipulate in their contracts with growers (17)
that loads showing a material difference in quality of the cauliflower
in the lower portion of the load from that in the upper portion may be

reweighed and sent back to the grading platform for a grading of the
lower portion.


(42)

(43)

(4h)

(45)

(46)

(47)

-8-

APPEAL INSPECTIONS

Either the grower or the processor may appeal your findings.
The appeal may be based on either (1) the sampling, or (2) the
grading of the sample.

(1) Appeal on Sampling. A grower or processor may question
the accuracy of the sampling... owing to the irregularity of quality
in the various containers. In such cases » it is the sample obtained
rather than the grade interpretation that is in question. Regardless
of how careful you are in sampling loads, there may be an occasional
load in which the samples will not accurately represent its true
quality. For this reason, it is necessary to admit the possibility
of error in sampling loads of irregular quality.

When the grower or processor questions the accuracy of the
inspection, it will be permissible for you to draw another sample
for analysis. jThis sample should be inspected, and the results
of the two inspections combined into a weighted average on a new
certificate. The first certificate. should be voided if all copies
are on hand. (See paragraph

(2) Appeal on Grading. If either the processor or grower
questions the acturagy of your report because of grade interpretation,
he may request an appeal inspection. Such a request usually cannot
be granted immediately at outlying plants or receiving stations where
only you are located, unless a keyman or your supervising inspector:
happens to be in the immediate vicinity. If neither is available,
you should endeavor to adjust the difficulty, perhaps by taking
adgitional samples and giving a detailed explanation of the reasons
for your scoring. If a processor or grower still insists on having
an appeai inspection, you should try to arrange by telephone for
your supervisor or keyman to come as soon as possible to make the
inspection. Meanwhile, the lot of cauliflower will have to be held
aside until the appeal inspection can be made. If you are in doubt
as to whether some of your grade interpretations are correct, you
should so notify your supervisor and request an early check-up of
your grade interpretations.

The certificate issued on an appeal inspection by your supervisor
or keyman upon request of either @ grower or processor should include
only the results of the appeal examination. In other words, results
of the appeal inspection should never be averaged with those obtamed
from the first inspection reported on the first certificate.

When Second Inspection Not an Appeal. If a considerable period
of time has elapsed since the first inspection was made, or the load
has been out of the inspection yard, a second inspection should be
treated as a new inspection, and no reference should be made to the
first certificate. This policy is necessary in the inspection of
cauliflower for processing, as it wilts very rapidly after harvesting,
particulerly during periods of hot weather.


-5-
GRADE INTERPRETATION

Bruising. Bruising can be associated with discoloration; there- (2h)
fore it was not specifically mentioned in the standards. As a guide,
bruising should be scored when causing appreciable discoloration or
when materially detracting from the appearance, or the processing
quality.

Fuzziness. Fuzziness is caused by the lengthening of the floral (2h)
stems of the bud or flower giving the surface of the segment a velvety
or hairy appearance. Fuzziness frequently develops around the edges
of the curd before appearing on other portions. Fuzziness should be
scored when materially detracting from the appearance, or the pro-
cessing quality of any individual segment or head.

Smell White Bracts. The name "bracts" applies to cauliflower (26)
leaves growing through the head. Some lots may show numerous small
white bracts, usually about 1/8 to 1/2 inch in length, extending up
through the segments of the head. When these occur and detract from
the appearance to a greater extent than either of the examples under
"Englarged Leaf Bracts" in the standards, the head shall be scored as
damaged.

Dirt or Other Foreign Material. There is no intent to be tech- (27)
nical in judging whether heads are damaged by these factors. However,
if the dirt or foreign material is imbedded and it will not wash out
in normal plant operation, it shall. be scored as damage.

Insect Injury. When more than 5 Aphids are plainly visible on (28)
@ segment 2 inches in diameter, the segment shall be scored as damaged.

Tf worm excreta is present in more than small amounts and it (29)
will not wash off in normal plant operation without staining, the
affected segment shall be scored as damaged.

INSPECTION CERTIFICATES

Care of Certificates. Yourshould take necessary precautions to (30)
prevent blank certificates from falling into hands of persons who have
no right to use them. You will be held responsible for the return of
all unused certificates to your supervising inspector or inspection
office at the close of thé season or deal. ~

You will receive specific. instructions from your supervising (31)
inspector with reference to mailing the copy of the certificate to the
Inspection Office. Some States desire these mailed daily, while others
follow different procedures.


(28)

(1g)

(20)

(21)

(22)

(23)

-he
INSPECTION PROCEDURE

Adherence to Contract Specifications. Your supervisor will obtain
or arrange for you to be provided with a copy of the processor's con-
tract with the growers. This will indicate the basis for inspection,
with which you mst be familiar before inspection is started.

Quite frequently processors will deviate from their contract speci-
fications. Some processors my even request you to notify the growers
of the deviation from the contract specifications. In no case should
you or the Inspection Service assume the processor's responsibility of
notifying the growers of the variation from or return to the contract
specifications. However, the Inspection Service should always insist
that the processor notify the central Inspection Office in the State,
in writing, of any deviation from the contract, or of a subsequent
return to the contract specifications. Such changes in specifications
should also be posted at the grading platform. Your supervisor should
instruct you in the methods of handling such changes and inform you
regarding the proper notation to be placed on the certificate to cover
any deviations from the grades.

Inspection Under Artificial Light. In some processing plants,
in order to handie the volume, it may be necessary to inspect cauli-

flower under artificial light. The Inspection Service should insist
on proper lighting facilities for both the grading table and the place
where the loads are to be sampled. You should consult with your
supervising inspector regarding proper lighting facilities.

Sorting the Sample. The procedure in grading the sample my
vary from axea te area depending upon equipment at hand and local con-
ditions, but the following general procedure should be followed:

After the 15 head (or larger) sample has been drawn, the sample is
weighed to determine the total gross weight. After weighing, the
sample is placed on the grading table. You will then remove all jacket
lesves, core each head, and then quarter and inspect each head indi-
vidually. Heads which are defective as a unit and defective segments
removed from other heads shall be sorted out and weighad together.

The U. S. No. 1 or usable cauliflower shall be placed in another
container and weighed.

Weighing and Dumping Containers. As a rule, to eliminate errors
in weighing and weights, the containers should not be dumped until all
Ree cauliflower from the sample has been sorted. However, if containers
will not hold the segregated portions, a second weighing may be nec-
essary. It will be helpful to have extra weighing containers for use in
such cases to avoid the need for transferring cauliflower from one
container to another.



-7T-

When computing percentages from the percentage chart or slide (37)

rule, it may be necessary to add to or subtract from the percentage .
of one of the classifications in order to make the percentage totals

exactly 100. Such changes should always be made in the percentage
of culls.

Signing of Inspection Certificates. You will sign the certi- (38)
ficate with your full name, or the initials of your given names,
and your last name in full. This werning is given because $<
new inspectors may be tempted to either initial the certificate or
sign his last name only. Legally either of such signatures would
be worthless. . i”

Issuing Restricted Certificates on large Loads. Certificates (39)
restricting the inspection to certain portions of loads my be issued

on large losds only at receiving stations located at considerable
distances from the processing plant where the processor is unwilling
to make the load accessible. When inspections are mde at outlying
receiving stations, it is usually not practicable to break down

large loads for sampling. In such instances, you may issue certifi-
cates restricting the inspection to the accessible portion of the load
and stating clearly what portion of the load has been inspected. When
you are located at processing plants, you should not issue restricted
inspection certificates because it is always possible for you to obtain
representative samples even though some must be taken during the process
of unloading.

Correcting Inspection Certificates. If the corrections are not (40)
too conspicuous, minor mistakes which will not affect the ma&dihapi tity
of the eertificate if presented in court, may be changed by crossing
out the part in error, and inserting the correct information. Wo
corrections should be made on any certificate unless you have all
copies so that all may be corrected at the same time. No attempt
should be made to erase errors on certificates. All corrections
should be initialed to show the authority for the correction. When
an error has been discovered, and you do not have all copies of the
certificate, a new certificate should be issued upon which the follow-
ing statement should be made:

: ‘ "This certificate supersedes Certificate No.”
» which is in error.” ~

Distribution of Certificate Copies» The distribution of the (41)
original certificate and one copy will depend on the arrangements
made by the party requesting the inspection. In most cases, this
party will be the processor. In all probability, he will request
that the imspector give the originel and one copy to the grower,
who will then present these documents to the processor with the load.
The processor usually keeps the original and gives the copy to the
grower for his files. The second, carbon copy is retained by you
for the Inspection Service file.



UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE DIVISION

FRESH PRODUCTS STANDARDIZATION AND INSPECTION BRANCH

SHIPPING POINT INSPECTION
OF

CAULIFLOWER FOR PROCESSING

Washington, D. C.

“ October 1959°

For Use of USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Inspectors

Agriculture - Washington




-9-

Number of Containers Sampled: The number of containers to be (48)
sampled in case of an appeal or second inspection will depend upon the
uniformity of the lot in question and the character of the defects.

If the load shows considerable irregularity, double the usual number
should be sampled. If the quality is relatively uniform in the dif-
ferent containers, and it is only a question of proper interpretation
of certain quality factors, it may not be necessary to increase the
size of the original sample.



-6.

(32) Care in Recording. The certificate mst be easily legible.
All date recorded during the process of inspection should be complete,
neat in appearance, and clear. All computations should be checked
carefully for errors. You will be held responsible for figures being
legible on all copies of the certificate. The original certificate
is sometimes lost, and it then becomes necessary to use the carbon
copies.

(33) Number of Containers or Weight of Load. Most of the processors
furnish the growers with a book of forms which are to be filled in by
the growers on each load delivered. These forms give the name of
grower, date, and number of packages or weight in the individual load.
You will copy this information from this form to the certificate. There
is no excuse for failure to record this information correctly on the
certificate.

(34) Place, Date, Time and Namese The name of the place where the
inspection is made, name of processor and grower, time of inspection
and date should be filled in on the certificate just before starting
the inspection, or immediately after the inspection is made. Where
the processor has obtained authority from Washington to print a supply
of inspection certificates to be used in their inspections, it will not
‘be necessary to write in the name of the processor since it appears on
the face of each certificate.

(35), Recording Weights and Percentages. The weight of the sample to
be graded mst be recorded, because it is impossible to calculate the
percentages of No. 1 cauliflower and other percentages without it.
The form outlined below illustrates the part of the certificate on
which you record weights and percentages. After the cauliflower in
each designation has been weighed, the results should be recorded on
the certificate as shown below:

:__WSIGHT LBS.: PERCENT:
U. S. No, 1; 25 Ye:
: Culls : 6 wo}
Cull i i
 Vaterial ! 29 WB
i Totals : 60 : 100 ?
(36) The weight of the total sample graded shall be recorded to the

nearest whole pound. For example: 60 lbs., 7 oz. as 60; 60 lbs.,

8 oz. as 61. The weight of U. S. No. 1 caithiflower or Culls shall be
recorded to the nearest half pound. For example: 25 lbs., 3 oz. as
25 3 25:Ubs 4) iow. 08 05.555 Ubb21 oz. as 5.5; 5 lbs., 13 oz. as
6. If less than one-quarter pound of Gulls are found, the figure
entered should be zero.


(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(20)

(a1)

-2-
INSPECTION EQUIPMENT

Inspection Certificates

Grading Table a
Three suitable containers for sampling
One set direct reading table scales
One set portable platform scales
Equipment essential to blanch specimens
Sizing gauge

Slide rule

Water bucket for washing hands

Towels for drying hands

SAMPLING

| Representative Sample. Obtaining representative samples is of
first and basic importance. You may be able to grade cauliflower
perfectly, but unless the sample is representative of the load the
inspection report is not correct. It should be kept in mind at all
times that the grade reported in the certificate determines the amount
of moneysthe grower will receive and the processor will pay for the
load. The#éfore,; if the sample is not representative, settlement
carinot bé equitable. oe wk

Some processors may furnish helpers to obtain samples from the

conveyance, place cauliflower on the grading table and other related
duties. Such assistance from helpers is often necessary if you are
to keep up with the deliveries. Although these helpers are expected
to do the manual labor, it is your responsibility to select repres-
entative samples.

You should always remember that you, and not the helper, sign
the inspection certificate. Regardless of how competent the helper
may be, you must not allow him to draw a sample from the load without
sufficient supervision to assure that the sample draw is representa-
tive of the load. .

Since helpers assigned to assist you are employed by the proces-
sor, some growers may get the impression that these men are working
primarily for the interests of the processor, unless you, by your
actions, let it be kmown that you are fully supervising the drawing
of the samples. You should not hesitate to tell helpers to draw
additional samples from different containers or from more containers.

You must necessarily be guided by the type of loading in setting
up @ procedure for sampling. Cauliflower is normally bulk loaded onto
trucks for delivery to the plant or receiving station » although large
wooden boxes or bins are sometimes used in field loading.


UNTIED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE DIVISION
FRESH PRODUCTS STANDARDIZATION AND INSPECTION BRANCH

SHIPPING POINT INSFECTION HANDBOOK
FOR
CAULIFLOWER FOR PROCESSING

INTRODUCTION

In 1958, 33,251,370 pounds of cauliflower were processed in (1)
frozen form. The volume canned is insignificant and separate pro-
duction figures are not available. California, New York and Texas
are the three largest producing States.

Buying and selling on the basis of uniform standards encourages (2)
better production and better handling methods. Growers showld pro-
perly be paid a suitable premium for cauliflower which will make a
manufactured product of highest quality. They should also logically
expect to be penalized in price for the delivery of low quality caul-
iflower.

INSPECTOR 'S RESPONSIBILITY

Contracts may stipulate a certain price per ton for U. S. No. 1, (3)
and no payment for culls or cull material. Therefore, it is your duty
to determine the grade of cauliflower for all loads or lots delivered
to receiving stations or processing plants and to report each classi-
fication on the inspection certificate. These classifications furnish
the basis of payment for each load.

Processors may reserve the right, by contract, to reject all © fk)
loads of caulifiower that do not contain a certain percentage of
U. S. No. 1 quality or those which contain more than a specified
percentage of culls or cull material. The Inspection Service has
no authority to reject loads that fail to meet contract specifications.
You should report such loads to the processors representative. It is
then the processor's responsibility to accept or reject.

You are to be guided by the instructions in this handbook and (5)
by any additional instructions which may be given to you by your
supervisor either verbally or in writing. In the conduct of your
work, however, you may encounter problems which are not fully covered
by such instructions. In such instances, you should contact your
supervisor by telephone for further instructions. If it is necessary
to take immediate action, you must use your best judgement and immed-
iately advise your supervisor of the action taken in order that correct-
ive measures can be taken if the proper course was not followed.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraph
Hunbers

oy

INTRODUCTION » 6 se eee ee eee wee eee ee wee et Lee
INSFECTOR'S RESPONSIBILTIY . 6 6 se ee ee eee eee ee BHS5
INSPECTION EQUIPMENT 2 6 eee eee eee eee ee ewe te 6
SAMPLING 6 6 ye eee ee eee cee eee wee eee ee ee THT

Representative Sample... 6 ee ee eee er ee ee ce FH

Grading Sample Selected by Other Parties. ....... > uy
Irregularity in Loads». 1 6 ee eee ee eee eee ol HIP

°

INSPECTION PROCEDURE’s ee ee eee ee eee ee ee ee 1H
oe tye te :

‘Adherence to Contract Specifications. 18 - 19

Inspection Under Artificial Light ..... oeee 20
Sorting the Sample... ees e eee ee oe ee B- 22
Weighing and Dumping Containers ...... es eee 23
GRADE INTERPRETATIONS 0... eee ket ee ee eee Oe 29
Bruising. «2+ ee soe eee ree nee en vreane ak
Fuzziness » 6 se eee ee ee wee re ew ew wwe 25
Small White Bracts. . 4.6 eee eee eee ee nne 26
Dirt or Other Foreign Material. ....-2-.20-20-000- 27
Insect Injury ss oe eee ee eee ee ee ee ee BH 9
oe ee 30-49

INSPECTION CERTIFICATES «2 6.2 ee ee see ene

Care of Certificates 2... ee ee ee ee eee ee 30-31
Care isi Recording. ..+2.+ +220

Number of Containers or Weight of Load. . 2... «6 33
Place, Date, Time and Names .. 1 2 ee ee tw ee ee 3h
R. cording Weights and Percentages . 1... ee eee oe 35 - 37
Signing of Inspection Certificates. .....+-2e+¢- 38
Tesuing Restrictedcertificates on.Large loads. .... 39
Correcting Inspection Certificates. ... 2 see eee ho
Distribution of Certificate Copies. .. 2. +e ee ee hy

APPEAL INSPECTIONS » os eee ee eee eee rece ens WO a MB

(1) Appeal on Sampling. . 2... ee 43 - dh

(2) Appeal on Grading se ee eee eee eee ee ee WG AMG
When Second Inspection Not an Appeal... 2s ee eee 47
Number of Containers Sampled... 2 eevee eevee 48