TABLE VII
Time Sampling Acceptance Numbers For Nuggets Style -- 100 Plan

GRADE B

Rate/ Blem | Tot Blem | Fuzzy Ricey Soft Col Def | Tot Col Core Frag Mech Loose
Grams (Major) | (Mj+Mn) | Char Char Char (Major) | (Mj+Mn) | Material Damg | Leaves
product

(AQLs) 8.2 13.0 6.4 13.0 2.9 6.4 13.8 2.17 3.8 17.6 6.4
1x100 13 18 10 18 6 10 19 4 7 24 10
2x100 23 34 18 34 10 18 35 8 12 44 18
3x100 33 48 26 48 13 26 51 W 17 63 26
4x100 42 63 34 63 17 34 66 13 21 83 34
5x100 31 77 at 77 21 41 81 16 26 102 41
6x100 61 91 48 oO 24 48 96 19 31 121 48
7x100 70 105 56 105 28 56 14 21 35 139 56
8x100 79 119 63 119 31 63 126 24 39 158 63
9x100 88 133, 70 133, 34 70 141 27 44 177 79
10x100 97 147 77 147 38 77 156 29 48 196 77
11x100 106 161 84 161 41 84 170 32 52 214 84
12x100 115 175 o 175 44 o1 185 34 57 233 91
13x100 123 189 98 189 48 98 200 37 61 251 98
14x100 132 202 105 202 51 105 214 39 65 270 105
15x100 144 216 112 216 54 112 229 42 69 288 112
16x100 150 230 119 230 57 119 243 44 73 306 119
17x100 159 244 126 244 61 126 258 47 78 325 126
18x100 167 257 133, 257 64 133, 272 49 82 343 133
19x100 176 271 140 271 67 140 287 52 86 361 140
20x100 185 284 146 284 70 146 301 54 90 380 746
21x100 194 298 183 298 74 153 316 56 94 398 153
22x100 202 312 160 312 7 160 330 59 98 4at7 160
23x100 ant 325 167 325 80 167 344 61 103 435 167
24x100 220 339 174 339 83 174 359 64 107 453 174
25x100 228 352 181 352 86 181 372 66 abel 471 181
26x100 237 366 187 366 89 187 387 69 115 490 187
27x100 246 379 194 379 93 194 402 74 119 508 194
28x100 254 393, 201 393, 96 201 4i7 73 123 526 201
29x100 263 407 208 407 99 208 430 76 127 544 208

16



If during the production period, a sample unit(s) is encountered for one or more
specified defects that falls more than one grade below the indicated grade
for the production period, certify the production period to the lowest grade.
For the next period of production, the inspector must use the lot inspection rate
in the Regulations. After grading one production period at the lot inspection
rate and finding no pockets of low quality, the inspector may again use time
sampling procedures and make note of each encounter of pockets of low
quality product in the Daily Inspection Report under "Remarks".

SEGREGATION PROCEDURES

If at any time during production, a portion of production falls into the next lower
grade, the entire production fails at that point unless the offending portion can
be segregated by codes. Plant management has two options--(1) to request
segregation of the offending portion or, (2) to continue.production without
segregation anticipating better quality product will offset the offending portion. If
plant management requests that a portion of failing production be segregated,
all defects found that are associated with the failing portion shall be excluded
from the tally of the remaining portion. The failing portion may be re-inspected
as a new lot only under appeal inspection or after the product has been
reworked in an effort to eliminate or reduce the defects from the failing portion.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The following are separate but equally important requirements that must be
followed when using time sampling for frozen cauliflower:

Inspectors cannot switch back and forth between on-line single sampling rates
and time sampling unless an occurrance of mixed quality sample units are
encountered within a production period. When this happens inspectors
can switch from time sampling to on-line single sampling due to the
processing operation’s inability to pack product at a consistent quality
level. Inspectors should notify their supervisors when this occurs.

The inspector must indicate that "time sampling" is being used on each tally
sheet.


SAMPLING PROCEDURES

Follow the general procedures and instructions as outlined in File Codes 109-A-1 and
120-A-1.

Follow the procedures in Condition of Container File Code 125 when a formal
condition of container is required.

Follow Table | and Table I! Minimum Sampling Rates Frozen Cauliflower when
sampling this product.

Follow the thawing and cooking procedures in File Codes 130-A-34 and 130-A-38,
and File Code 130-A-32 when a drained weight determination is required.

When additional containers are required, draw and separately identify (mark) all of
the containers. For example, using Table Il - less than 16 02z., if the sampling rate
specifies six (6) containers, and the total number of containers needed is 12, draw
one (1) adjacent containers per sample unit. Identify the containers as 1a, 1b; 2a,

2b; 3a, 3b; ete.
Table |
Minimum Sampling Rates for Frozen Cauliflower
Group 1 - Up to 1 Ib. Group 2 - Over 1 Ib. to
No. of Sampie Units 2-1/2 Ibs. Any container over 2-1/2 ibs.
use total Ibs.
24 per case 12percase | 16 percase
Lot (cases) (cases) (cases)
3 100 or less | 100 or less | 75 or iess | 3000 or less
6 101 - 400 | 101 - 400 | 76 - 300 | 3001 to 12000
13 401 - 1300 | 401 - 1300 | 301 - 975 | 12001 to 39000
21 1301 - 2800 | 1301 - 2800 | 976 - 2100 | 39001 to 84000
29 2801 - 4833 | 2801 - 4833 | 2101 - 3625 | 84001 to 145000
Note: THE SAMPLING RATES IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE ARE DESIGNED TO INSURE THAT
SUFFICIENT PRODUCT IS DRAWN FOR GRADING PURPOSES.
Table Il
Sampling Rates for Containers of Frozen Cauliflower
Container Size Less than 16 oz. 16 oz or greater.
Sampling Rate 3 [6 13 24 29 3 | 6 13 21 | 29
Minimum Units of Product Needed 50 units 50 units
Total Number of Containers Needed 8 18 30 46 63 4 7 18 23 3
1 extra
Action: Draw and Separately Identify (Mark) All extra containers through out the lot. container 2 extra containers
through out throughout the lot
the lot. _|



TABLE VI
Time Sampling Acceptance Numbers For Frozen Cauliflower -- 50 Plan

GRADE B
Rate/ Biem Tot Fuzzy Ricey Soft Col Def Tot Col Core Frag Mech Loose
Units of |] (Major) | Blem Char Char Char (Major) | (Mj+Mn) | Material Damg | Leaves
Product (Mj+Mn)

(AQLs) 8.2 13.0 6.4 13.0 2.9 3.8 13.8 3.8 8.2 17.6 6.4
1x50 7 10 6 10 3 4 4 4 7 13 6
2x50 13 18 10 18 6 7 19 7 13 24 10
3x50 18 26 15 26 8 9 27 9 18 34 15
4x50 23 34 18 34 10 12 35 12 23 44 18
5x50 28 41 22 41 W 14 43 14 28 54 22
6x50 33 48 26 48 13 17 51 17 33 63 26
7x80 7 56 30 56 15 19 59 19 37 73 30
8x50 42 63 34 63 17 21 66 2t 42 83 34
9x50 47 70 38 70 19 24 74 24 47 92 38
10x50 51 77 41 77 21 26 81 26 51 102 41
11x50 56 84 45 84 22 28 89 28 56 abal 45
12x50 61 91 48 91 24 ov 96 31 61 121 48
13x50 65 98 52 98 26 33 104 33 65 130 52
14x50 70 105 56 105 28 35 qt 35 70 139 56
15x50 74 112 59 112 29 7 119 37 74 149 59
16x50 79 119 63 119 i) 39 126 3g 79 158 63
17x50 83 126 66 126 33 42 134 42 83 168 66
18x50 88 133, 70 133, 34 44 144 44 88 177 70
19x50 92 140 73 140 36 46 148 46 92 186 73
20x50 97 147 77 147 38 48 156 48 97 196 7
, 21x50 101 154 80 154 39 50 163 50 101 205 80
22x50 106 161 84 161 4t 52 170 52 106 214 84
23x50 110 168 88 168 43 54 178 54 110 223 88
24x50 115 175 o1 175 44 57 185 57 115 233 91
25x50 119 182 95 182 46 59 192 59 419 242 95
26x50 123 189 98 189 48 61 200 61 123 251 98
27x50 128 196 101 196 49 63 207 63 128 260 101
28x50 132 202 105 202 54 65 214 65 132 270 105
29x50 137 209 108 209 53 67 221 67 137 279 108



SUGGESTED ORDER OF GRADING

b. Minor blemishes - units having a dark blemish(s), which in the
aggregate, exceeds the area of a circle 4 mm (0.16 in) in
diameter but not 6 mm (0.25 in) in diameter or a light blemish(s),
which in the aggregate, exceeds the area of a circle 6 mm (0.25
in) in diameter.

c. Total blemishes - increments or number of units with major and
minor blemishes.

4. Evaluate each cauliflower unit for fuzzy, ricey and soft character.
Count and record the increments or number of each character defect on
the tally sheet.

a. Fuzzy character - units with sections of head that have elongated
individual flowers (or pedicels) that result in a very fuzzy
appearance.

b. Ricey character - units with sections of head on which the

ultimate branches have become elongated, causing the flower
clusters to separate and present a loose or open and sometimes
granular appearance.

c. Soft character - units that are limp and flabby and the flesh yields
readily when handled.

5. Evaluate the cauliflower units for core material, fragments and
mechanical damage. Count and record the increments or number of
each defect on the tally sheet.

a. Core material - loose or attached center portion of the cauliflower
head which is tough or fibrous.

b. Fragments - stem or other cauliflower material without head
material (excluding tough or fibrous core material, loose leaves,
and small pieces).

c. Mechanical damage - units where the appearance is affected by
trimming, or the unit is crushed or broken to the extent that the
appearance is materially affected.

d. Loose leaves - leaf material, exclusive of small tender leaves,
that are detached from the stem.


SUGGESTED ORDER OF GRADING

Empty the contents of the container on an individual grading tray and
measure each unit at the greatest dimension across the top of the head
to determine if the units meet the following requirements:

a. For Clusters style - a maximum of 10 percent, by weight, of
clusters less than 20 mm (0.75 in) in the greatest dimension
across the top of the unit are allowed.

b. For Nuggets style - a maximum of 20 percent, by weight, of
clusters, 20 mm (0.75 in) or greater and a maximum of 10
percent, by weight, of clusters are less than 6 mm (0.25 in) in the
greatest dimension across the top of the unit.

Another method to determine if the style criteria has been met is to
empty units of clusters style into a sieve with 0.75 inch square openings
and gently shake the sieve 7 or 8 times or until the units have completely
separated.

For nuggets style, empty the units into a sieve with 0.25 inch square
openings and gently shake the sieve 7 or 8 times or until the units have
completely separated.

Weigh the separated units and determine if the criteria for clusters or
nuggets have been met. If individual sample units do not meet these
requirements, indicate "mixed styles" in the appropriate block on the
"style" row on the tally sheet.

B. Prerequisite Quality Factors.

1.

Evaluate and grade, on a container-by-container basis, the following
prerequisites. Recording the letter grade, as applicable, in the
appropriate place on the tally sheet.

a. Varietal characteristics.

(1) | Grade A should be assigned to those sample units
containing cauliflower of similar varietal characteristics.

(2) | Substandard should be assigned to those sample units
containing cauliflower of dissimilar varietal characteristics.


SUGGESTED ORDER OF GRADING

A.

Non-quality Factors.

1.

NOTE:

Note:

Record the following applicable information on the tally sheet.

a. Name and address of applicant.
b. Intended Receiver.

c. Size and kind of container.

d. No. of cases in lot (page 1 only).

e. Contract (Cont. No.) or Purchase Order (P.O. No.).
f. Label -- or attach a copy -- (page 1 only).

Select the containers to be used for non-quality and prerequisite
evaluation.

FOR SMALL CONTAINERS (EX. 10 0Z.), SELECT THE CONTAINERS
MARKED 1A, 2A, 3A, ETC.

Arrange the containers on the grading table in chronological order by
code. :

Record the codes, on the tally sheet, including case codes if available.

THE FINAL/AVG COLUMN (COLUMN 8) ON PAGE 1 OF THE TALLY
SHEET SHALL BE USED FOR THE SUMMATION OF THE GRADING
RESULTS OF THE LOT. COLUMN 8 MAY BE USED FOR RECORDING
INDIVIDUAL CONTAINER DATA ON SUCCEEDING PAGES. IF THERE IS
INSUFFICIENT SPACE IN THE CODE SECTION OF THE TALLY SHEET FOR
SINGLE LINE INK JET CODES, RECORD THEM AS A DOUBLE LINE CODE.
REFER TO THE BACK OF THE TALLY SHEET AND SHOW AN EXAMPLE
OF THE ACTUAL CODE THERE.

Determine and record the net weight of each container using Branch
procedures for determination of tares and reading of scales.

Thaw the product according to Branch thawing procedures.

After thawing, determine the style of the lot. The lot should be graded
for the style it has been offered. If no style has been designated, the lot
shall be designated as "clusters" style and graded as such. Place a
check (/) mark in the applicable style box on the tally sheet.

2


TABLE VI
Time Sampling Acceptance Numbers For Nuggets Style -- 100 Plan

GRADE A
Rate/ Blem Tot Fuzzy Ricey Soft Col Def Tot Col Core Frag Mech Loose
Grams (Major) Bilem Char Char Char (Major) (Mj+Mn) Material Damg Leaves
of (Mj+Mn)
Product _|
(AQLs) 3.8 8.2 1.3 8.2 0.612 2.17 8.2 217 3.8 8.2 3.8
1x100 7 13 3 13 2 4 13 4 7 13 7
2x100 12 23 5 23 3 8 23 8 12 23 12
3x100 17 33 7 33 4 aa 33 4 17 33 17
4x100 21 42 9 42 5 13 42 13 21 42 21
5x100 26 51 1 51 6 16 51 16 26 51 26
6x100 3 61 12 61 7 19 61 19 3 61 3
7x100 35 70 14 70 8 21 70 21 35 70 35
8x100 39 79 16 79 8 24 79 24 39 79 39
- 9x100 44 88 17 88 9 27 88 27 44 88 44
10x100 48 97 19 97 10 29 97 29 48 97 48
11x100 52 106 20 106 11 32 106 32 52 106 52
12x100 57 115 22 115 12 34 115 34 57 115, 57
13x100 61 123 23 123 12 37 123 37 61 123 61
14x100 65 132 25 132 13 39 132 39 65 132 65
15x100 69 141 27 141 14 42 141 42 69 141 69
16x100 73 150 28 150 15 44 150 44 73 150 73
17x100 78 159 30 159 16 47 159 47 78 159 78
18x100 82 167 31 167 16 49 167 49 82 167 82
19x100 86 176 33 176 17 52 176 52 86 176 86
20x100 90 185 34 185 18 54 185 54 90 185 90
21x100 94 194 36 194 19 56 194 56 94 194 94
22x100 98 202 37 202 19 59 202 59 98 202 98
23x100 103 211 39 211 20 61 att 61 103 211 103
24x100 107 220 40 220 21 64 220 64 107 220 107
25x100 qt 228 42 228 22 66 228 66 ibal 228 WwW
26x100 415 237 43 237 22 69 237 69 115 237 WS
27x100 119 246 45 246 23 7 246 71 119 246 119
28x100 123 254 46 254 24 73 254 73 123 254 123
29x100 127 263 48 263 24 76 263 76 127 263 127

15



SUGGESTED ORDER OF GRADING

a. For Clusters style - 50 units of product are needed from each
sample unit to grade for blemishes, character, color defect, core
material, fragments, mechanical damage and loose leaves.

b. For Nuggets style - 100 grams of product are needed from each
sample unit to grade for blemishes, character, color defects, core
material, fragments, mechanical damage and loose leaves.

If there is not enough product available in the primary container, obtain
more product from the adjacent extra containers.

NOTE: UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, CLUSTERS STYLE DEFECTS
ARE RECORDED BY COUNT AND NUGGETS STYLE DEFECTS ARE
RECORDED BY WEIGHT.

2. Evaluate each cauliflower unit for major and total color defects. Cook
the cauliflower units that have suspected color defects and/or a portion of
the sample unit according to Branch (File Code 130-A-38) or label
instructions. Count and record the increments or number of color
defects on the tally sheet.

NoTE: WHILE THE CAULIFLOWER UNITS ARE COOKING, ANY SUSPECT
FLAVOR AND ODOR SAMPLE UNITS MAY ALSO BE COOKED. IF
THERE ARE NO SUSPECT SAMPLE UNITS, THE CAULIFLOWER
COOKED FOR COLOR MAY BE USED FOR FLAVOR AND ODOR
EVALUATION.

a. Major color defects - units that possess a color that is seriously
darkened or discolored, after cooking.

b. Minor color defects - units that possess a color that is more than
slightly darker than light cream to dark cream, after cooking.

c. Total color defects - increments or number of units with major
and minor color defects.

3. Evaluate each cauliflower unit for major and total blemishes. Count
and record the increments or number of blemishes on the tally sheet.

a. Major blemished - units having a dark blemish(s), which in the
aggregate, exceed the area of a circle 6 mm (0.25 in) in
diameter.


United States
Department of
Agriculture

Agricultural

Grading Manual for
Frozen Cauliflower

Effective September 1996


Note: IF THE APPLICANT REQUESTS CERTIFICATION OF JUST THE
“NONSUSPECT" PORTION OF THE SAMPLE, RE-SAMPLE THE LOT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH TABLES I OR II OF THIS MANUAL.

PROCEDURES FOR SINGLE SAMPLE UNITS (UNOFFICIAL SAMPLES)

Branch regulations provide for grading of samples submitted by an applicant. These
samples are "unofficial samples" and do not represent a lot. When requested to
perform grading on unofficial samples, use the following guidelines:

1. Each unofficial sample must stand on its own;

2. Each unofficial sample must contain 50 cauliflower units for "Clusters"
style and 100 grams for "Nuggets or Small Clusters" style;

3. Grade the sample as outlined in this manual. Apply the acceptance
numbers from Table Ill in the manual for clusters style and Table IV for
nuggets or small clusters style.

TIME SAMPLING AND SEGREGATION PROCEDURES
AUTHORIZATION TO USE TIME SAMPLING

The Officer-in-Charge or area supervisor shall determine whether a plant can
qualify to use the time sampling procedures outlined below. This determination
shall be based on a review of the plant’s quality control records and the ability
of the plant to pack product consistently within a desired quality level. The
supervisor shall not authorize time sampling for a plant which historically
produces product which is determined to have erratic quality levels during a
production period.

SOURCE OF SAMPLES

All sample units must be officially drawn from "finished product." Finished
product means product that has been processed, and taken from the
container(s) to be graded. Line checks shall not be used in lieu of finished
product.

TIME SAMPLING RATES PER INSPECTION PERIOD

Sample units are to be selected on a random time basis averaging within the
parameters outlined below so that each sample unit has an equal chance of
being selected.


SUGGESTED ORDER OF GRADING

NoTE:

NoTE:

Note:

NOTE:

LOOSE LEAVES ARE RECORDED AS NUMBER OF LEAVES PER
CONTAINER IN CLUSTERS AND NUGGETS STYLE.

Determine the total number of defects found in each category of
specified defects and enter these figures in the "Final/Average column
on page 1 of the tally sheet.

ALSO ENTER THE FINAL GRADES FOR THE PREREQUISITE QUALITY
FACTORS ON PAGE 1.

Compare the number or weight of specified defects found with the
acceptance numbers from the applicable tables in the standards or this
grading manual.

SEE "PROCEDURES FOR MIXED QUALITY LOTS" -- BELOW IN THIS
MANUAL -- ON LOTS THAT MEET THE ACCEPTANCE NUMBERS BUT YET
HAVE POCKETS OF OBVIOUSLY LOWER QUALITY.

Enter the "Lot Grade" on the tally sheet based on the lowest grade
assigned to any prerequisite or specified quality factor.

THE FINAL GRADE FOR VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS, FLAVOR AND
ODOR, APPEARANCE AND SPECIFIED QUALITY FACTOR CAN BE NO
HIGHER THAN THE LOWEST GRADE ASSIGNED TO ANY SAMPLE UNIT
FOR THOSE FACTORS.

PROCEDURES FOR GRADING MIXED QUALITY LOTS

If an inspection lot is encountered with individual (suspect) sample units in the sample
which seem to be of lower quality that the sample as a whole, take the following

action:

A. Assemble 50 units of "Clusters" style or 100 grams of "Nuggets" style (if
available) cauliflower from the "suspect" container(s) regardless of code.

B. Compare the number or weight of defects found, as applicable to the style, with
the acceptance numbers from “Unofficial Samples" column in Tables III and IV
of this manual. Determine the grade of the suspect sample units.

Cc. Compare the grade of the suspect sample units to the grade of the sample as
a whole. If the grade of the suspect sample is more than one grade below the

grade
to the

of the sample as a whole, certify to the lowest grade. Otherwise certify
grade of the original inspection results.


SUGGESTED ORDER OF GRADING

b. Normal flavor and odor.

(1)

(2)

Grade A should be assigned to those sample units
containing cauliflower that have normal flavor and odor.

Substandard should be assigned to those sample units
containing cauliflower that do not have normal flavor and
odor.

NoTE: ALSO EVALUATE FOR FLAVOR AND ODOR AFTER
COOKING.

c. Appearance.

Separate any chaff from the units or grams of cauliflower. A sieve with
0.25 inch square openings can be used. Place all contents of the
sample unit into the sieve and gently shake it 7 or 8 times or until the
units have completely separated. Weigh and record the number of
grams of chaff in the applicable space on the tally sheet.

(1)

(2)

Grade A should be assigned to each sample unit of
clusters style where the overall appearance is not materially
affected and which contain a maximum of 5 percent, by
weight, of chaff. For nuggets style, a maximum of 10
percent, by weight, of chaff is allowed for the sample unit.

NoTE: THE AMOUNT OF CHAFF CAN BE DETERMINED AT
THE SAME TIME THE STYLE IS DETERMINED.

Chaff means individual segments of trimmed and cored
cauliflower material, with and without head material, which
measures less than 6 mm (0.25 in) in its greatest
dimension.

Substandard should be assigned to those sample units
containing cauliflower that do not meet the Grade A
requirements.

Cc. Grading for Specified Defects.

1. Separate the units or grams of product needed to grade for specified
defects and record this number in the applicable space on the tally

sheet.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No
SAMPLING PROCEDURES .......... 0.0... cece n eee eee eee 1
SUGGESTED ORDER OF GRADING ............ 0.0.00 cece eee eee 2
Non-quality Factors 6.6... eee eee eee 2
Prerequisite Quality Factors .. 2.2... eee 3
Grading of Specified Defects ................ Skee cece eae 4
PROCEDURES FOR GRADING MIXED QUALITY LOTS ................. 7
PROCEDURES FOR SINGLE SAMPLE UNITS
(UNOFFICIAL SAMPLES) ..........0..000 0000 ccc cece eee ence eens 7
TIME SAMPLING AND SEGREGATION PROCEDURES ................. 8
TABLES
Table |, Minimum Sampling Rates ......... 0.0.00 cc eee eee eee 1
Table II, Sampling Rates for Specified Container Sizes .............. 1
ACCEPTANCE NUMBERS TABLES
Table lil, Lot Acceptance Numbers for Style,
Clusters Style, (50 Units)... 0... eee ani
Table IV, Lot Acceptance Numbers for Style,
Nuggets Style, (100 Grams) ...... 0.0... cc eee eee 12
Table V, Time Sampling Acceptance Numbers,
Clusters Style, Grade "A", 50 Units... 0.00.00... 0.000000. 13
Table VI, Time Sampling Acceptance Numbers,
Clusters Style, Grade "B", 50 Units..................0000. 14
Table VII, Time Sampling Acceptance Numbers,
Nuggets Style, Grade "A", 100 Grams .........-......000, 15

Table VIII, Time Sampling Acceptance Numbers,
Nuggets Style, Grade "B", 100 Grams ...........-. 2.000005 16


TABLE I

AQL’s AND TOLERANCES (TOL.) FOR DEFECTS IN CLUSTERS STYLE
BASED ON 50 UNITS OF PRODUCT FOR 13 SAMPLE UNITS, 50x13 = 650 UNITS

Sample Units x Sample unit Size 1x50 3x50 6x50 13x50 | 21x50 | 29x50
Units of Product 50 150 300 650 1050 1450
Defects AQL TOL
GRADE A .CCEPTANCE NUMBERS
Major Blemished 38 5.0 4 9 7 33 30 67
Total Blemished 8.2 10.0 7 18 33 65 101 137
(Major&Minor)
Fuzzy Character 13 2.0 2 4 7 13 20 26
Ricey Character 8.2 10.0 7 18 33 65 101 137
Soft Character 0.612 10 1 2 4 7 10 14
Major Color Defect 0.612 10 1 2 4 7 10 14
Total Color Defect 64 8.0 6 15 26 52 80 108
(Major&Minor)
Core Material 217 3.0 3 6 20 31 41
Fragments 3.8 5.0 4 9 17 33 50 67
Mechanical Damage 8.2 10.0 7 18 33 65 101 137
Loose Leaves 247 3.0 3 6 ul 20 31 41
(each piece)
GRADE B CCEPTANCE NUMBERS
Major Blemished 8.2 10.0 7 18 33 65 101 137
Total Blemished 13.0 15.0 10 26 48 98 154 209
(Major&Minor)
Fuzzy Character 64 8.0 6 15 26 52 80 108
Ricey Character 13.0 15.0 10 26 48 98 154 209
Soft Character 29 4.0 3 8 3 26 39 33
Major Color Defect 38 5.0 4 9 7 33 30 67
Total Color Defect 13.8 16.0 u 27 Si 104 163 221
(Major&Minor)
Core Material 38 3.0 4 9 7 33 50 67
Fragments 8.2 10.0 7 ig 33 65 101 137
Mechanical Damage 176 20.0 3 34 63 130 205 279
Loose Leaves 64 8.0 6 15 26 52 80 108
(each piece)

1



TABLE V |
Time Sampling Acceptance Numbers For Clusters Style -- 50 Plan

GRADE A
Rate/ Biem Tot Fuzzy | Ricey Soft | ColDef | TotCol | Core Frag Mech | Loose
Units of | (Major) | Blem Char Char Char | (Major) | (Mj+Mn) | Material Damg | Leave
Product (Mj+Mn)
(AQLs) 3.8 8.2 1.3 82 0.612 0.612 6.4 217 3.8 8.2 247
1x50 4 7 2 7 1 1 6 3 4 7 3
2x50 7 13 3 13 2 2 10 4 7 13 4
3x50 9 18 4 18 2 2 15 6 9 18 6
4x50 12 23 5 23 3 3 18 8 12 23 8
5x50 14 28 6 28 3 3 22 9g 14 28 9
6x50 17 33 7 33 4 4 26 W 17 33 W
7x50 19 37 8 37 4 4 30 12 19 37 12
8x50 21 42 9 42 5 5 34 13 21 42 13
9x50 24 47 10 47 5 5 38 15 24 47 18
10x50 26 51 W 51 6 6 41 16 26 51 16
11x50 28 56 1 56 6 6 45 17 28 56 17
12x50 31 61 12 61 7 7 48 19 31 61 19
13x50 33 65 13 65 7 7 52 20 33 65 20
14x50 35 70 14 70 8 8 56 21 35 70 21
15x50 37 74 15 74 8 8 59 23 37 74 23
16x50 39 79 16 79 8 8 63 24 39 79 24
17x50 42 83 16 83 9 9 66 25 42 83 25
18x50 44 88 17 88 9 9 70 27 44 88 27
19x50 46 92 18 92 10 10 73 28 46 92 28
20x50 48 97 19 97 10 10 77 29 48 97 29
21x50 50 101 20 101 10 16 80 3t 50 101 3
22x50 52 106 20 106 "1 11 84 32 52 106 32
23x50 54 110 21 110 W W 88 33 54 110 33
24x50 57 415 22 115 12 12 1 a4 57 415 34
25x50 59 119 23 119 12 12 95 36 59 419 36
26x50 61 123 23 123 12 12 98 37 61 123 ed
27x50 63 128 24 128 13 13 101 38 63 128 38
28x50 65 132 25 132 13 13 105 39 65 132 39
29x50 67 137 26 137 14 14 108 41 67 137 41

13


This manual is designed for Processed Products Branch Personnel of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Its purpose is to give background information and
guidelines to assist in the uniform application and interpretation of U.S. grade
standards, other similar specifications and special procedures.

The citation of any data, criteria, techniques, illustrations, copyrighted material, or
pictorial representation accredited to private authorship is used with the permission
of the individuals or sources cited. Unless a specific reference is cited, the
information in this manual has been compiled or developed from sources available
to the public as well as from technical knowledge of personnel in the Department.

Following the suggested guidelines in this manual does not excuse failure to
comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or any other applicable
Federal or State laws or regulations.

Except for official USDA inspection aids or devices and color guides (or standards)
produced under license of the Department, the mention of any supplier, patented
device, product, brand name or equipment does not imply endorsement by the
Department over any other similar, or equally effective material.

Address inquires to:

Chief, Processed Products Branch
Fruit and Vegetable Division, AMS
U.S. Department of Agriculture
STOP 0247, P.O. Box 96456
Washington, DC 20090-6456




Time Sampling

The time sampling rate used is based on knowledge of previous
production volume for the product per basic inspection period. Refer to
the attached acceptance numbers tables (Tables V, VI, VII, Vill) for time
sampling in this manual, and select the Units or Grams of Product row
that will use the maximum amount of product available.

On-line Sampling

The sampling rate for the product graded is to be predetermined, based
on knowledge of previous production volume for the product per basic
inspection period and the on-line sampling plans in the "Regulations."
Sampling rates and frequencies for frozen cauliflower are based on the

following table:

Predetermined Sampling Frequency Deviants Allowed
Production Rate (units for clusters; grams for
nuggets)

50 units or 100 grams per 60

Low Volume min. (per 90 min., optional) (0)
Medium Volume 50 units or 100 grams per 45 0
min.

50 units or 100 grams per 30
High Volume min. (per 15 min., optional) te)

MINIMUM SAMPLE SIZE TO CERTIFY A PORTION OF PRODUCTION

For specified defects, 150 units or 300 grams of product from three (3) sample

units is the minimum sample size under time sampling. For grading small
portions of production or small containers, inspectors may need to draw a few
extra containers to assure that the minimum sample sizes are met.

PROCEDURES FOR GRADING MIXED QUALITY WITHIN THE
PRODUCTION PERIOD

As provided for lot inspection under individual attributes, there is a similar
provision to address pockets of low quality within a production period under
time sampling.


TABLE IV
AQL’s AND TOLERANCES (TOL.) FOR DEFECTS IN NUGGETS OR SMALL CLUSTERS STYLE
BASED ON 100 GRAMS OF PRODUCT FOR 13 SAMPLE UNITS, 100x13 = 1300 UNITS

Sample Units x Sample Unit Size 1x100 3x100 6x100 13x100 21x100 | 29x100
Grams of Product 100 300 600 1300 2100 2900
Defects AQL TOL
GRADE A ACCEPTANCE NUMBERS (GRAMS)
Major Blemished 3.8 5.0 7 17 31 61 94 127
Total Blemished 8.2 10.0 13 33 6L 123 194 263

(Major&Minor)

Fuzzy Character 13 2.0 3 7 12 23 36 48
Ricey Character 8.2 10.0 13 33 61 123 194 263
Soft Character 0.612 10 2 4 7 12 19 4
Major Color Defect 2.17 3.0 4 IL 19 37 56 76
Total Color Defect 8.2 10.0 13 33 61 123 194 263

(Major&Minor)

Core Material 217 3.0 4 il 19 37 56 76
Fragments 3.8 5.0 7 17 31 61 94 127
Mechanical Damage 8.2 10.0 13 33 6L 123 194 263
Loose Leaves 38 5.0 7 17 31 61 94 127

(each piece)

GRADE B ACCEPTANCE NUMBERS (GRAMS)
Major Blemished 82 10.0 13 33 61 123 194 263
Total Blemished 13.0 15.0 18 48 9 189 298 407
(Major&Minor)
Fuzzy Character 64 8.0 10 6 48 98 153 208
Ricey Character 13.0 15.0 18 48 91 139 298 407
Soft Character 29 40 6 3 24 48 74 99
Major Color Defect 64 8.0 10 26 48 8 153 208
Totat Color Defect 138 16.0 19 31 96 200 316 430
(Major&Minor)
Core Material 217 3.0 4 i 19 37 56 76
Fragments 3.8 5.0 7 7 31 61 94 127
Mechanical Damage 17.6 20.0 24 63 121 251 398 S44
Loose Leaves 64 8.0 10 26 48 98 153 208

(each piece)

12