United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Directive 9100.2 May 1, 1997

Distribution: FGIS, OSP, Industry Originating Office: FMD PPMAB

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, 

national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited 

bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program 

information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 

TDD).

To file a complaint, write to the USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity 

employer.

PREINSPECTION PLANT VISITS

Contents

PREINSPECTION PLANT VISITS �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

1. PURPOSE����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

3. GENERAL INFORMATION���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

4. PLANT VISITS����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
FGIS Directive 9100.2 May 1, 1997

Page 2

1. PURPOSE

This directive transmits the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) policy regarding

preinspection visits of facilities requesting or planning to request FGIS service under the

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This directive supersedes FGIS Program Directive 910.2, dated 7-10-90  This directiv

is updated to reflect organizational changes, new numbering system, and new format 

but does not revise policy.

3. GENERAL INFORMATION

Government contracts for products assigned to FGIS often require official inspection at

origin. Field office managers (FOM’s) and cooperator managers must determine in

advance of inspection services the sanitary condition of the plant, number of inspection

personnel required, location and safety of the inspection point within the plant, and any

other equipment or operational needs to promote efficient and effective service.

4. PLANT VISITS

a. FOM’s or cooperator managers shall arrange to have inspection personnel visit all

plants that:

(1) Are “new” insofar as our services are concerned;

(2) Have not been visited or had inspection service within the last 3 months;

(3) May have been renovated or otherwise altered significantly since the last 

inspection; and 

(4) Are planning to produce a significantly different type of product than the type 

they normally produce

b. During these visits official personnel shall:

(1) Determine the capability of the plant to produce a sound, wholesome product 

of consistent quality and quantity (e.g., conduct a sanitation inspection

determine the plant’s quality control points, etc.);

(2) Establish or maintain contact with appropriate plant personnel so that good 

relations and communications may be effected;

(3) Determine the most efficient, reliable, and economical means of conducting

official inspection services;

(4) Ensure that the plant understands the contractual requirements; and

(5) Ensure that the plant understands FGIS procedures (i.e., inspection, reques

for service, billing, subsequent inspections, etc.).
FGIS Directive 9100.2 May 1, 1997

Page 3

c. If it is impractical to visit a plant prior to performing inspection services, FOM’s 

or cooperator managers shall contact the appropriate plant personnel by telephone 

to determine as much of the above information as possible. In this situation, visit 

the plant as soon as possible after inspection begins.

d. Unresolved differences or difficulties should be reported to the Office of the 

Director for assistance