(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

9. Satisfactory lighting.
10. Fresh water and towels.
11. Trash can.
12. Any other equipment or materials necessary to enable the inspector
to conduct his work in the proper manner.

REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE

In inspecting mushrooms, or any other commodity, selection of the
sample is of primary importance. If the sample drawn is not truly
representative of the lot, the result cannot be correct regardless
of the care and precision used in the actual inspection.

It may prove impossible for the inspector to select ali of his own
samples. When this is the case, it will be permissible, to have a
specifically desiganted and properly instructed assistant select the
samples.

However, it is the licensed Federal-State inspector's responsibility to
see that representative samples are selected. Therefore, he must take
whatever steps are necessary to insure that samples are properly drawn.
The inspector should supervise and observe the sampling process, and if
he has any reason to believe that representative samples are not being
drawn he should correct the helper or assistant immediately.

Type of Inspection Service Performed

The three types of inspection which may be performed are:
A. Determine the weight and percentage of Cull Material only.
B. Determine the weight and percentage of:

1. Cull Material
2. Cullis

C,. Determine the weight and percentage of:

1. Cull Material 3. No. 1 Stock
2. Cullis W, No. 2 Stock

NOTE: For each type of inspection the inspector will use the
"Suggested U. S. Standards for Fresh Mushrooms for Processing",
dated Sept. 6, 1962.

LOT SAMPLING PROCEDURE

Generally mushrooms are delivered to the processing plant in twelve
quart climax baskets. The baskets arrive on skids, or put on skids
at time of delivery to the plant. To obtain the number of baskets to
pe sampled determine the total number of baskets on the skid and refer
to the following sampling rate.


-7T-

Scoring Caps and Stems. It will be Permissible to score the cap and (36)
the stem separately according to the circumstances encountered, The

following examples will be followed whenever they apply.

1. A mushroom which has a defective stem and the cap is No. 1 quality (37)
Remove the stem, grade the cap as No, 1 and the stem as either
No. 2 or as a Cull.

2. Caps with stems "broken" out, can grade No. 1, provided the gilis (38)
are pink and not discdlored or dirty and it is apparent that the
stem was torn out in the plant.


(17)

(18)

(19)

(20)

-4-

contains approximately nine pounds the quarter sample selected should
consist of approximately 2 pounds. This is the sample which is used
to determine the Cull Mater” in a lot, (A on page 3).

Qualified plant personnel, working under close superivsion of the
inspector, will cut this sample to remove all cull material. Cutting
shall be in conformity with good commercial practice. NOTE: The Cull
Material is then weighed and the amount recorded in the following
manner.

DETERMINATION OF CULL MATERIAL

Date No. of Baskets Total Sample cull Material /
Weight
OZS. OZS.
10:00 A.M. 50 176 7
12:30 P.M. 37 144 9
3:40 P.M. 15 80 6
1o2 300 32

Percent Cull Material = 32 x 100 = 10.7%
300
NOTE: Inspection for Cull Material is entirely separate from the
inspection to determine grade and non-grade percentages and
should always be reported separately.

SUB-SAMPLING PROCEDURE

A sub-sample is used to determine the amount of Culls, No. 1 and No. 2
stock. This sub-sample is taken from that portion of the original
sample which remains after all Cull Material is removed. The amounts
of No. 1, No. 2 and Culls are related to the weight of this sub-sample,
not to the weight of the original sample. The sub-sample for grade
determination shall be not less than one-sixth (1/6), by weight, or
not less than 1 pound of the cut mushrooms remaining after the cull
material has been removed.

These represent minimum sample sizes. It is permissible to increase

the sample size when circumstances warrant, providing, the increased
sample size is maintained throughout the entire day for all lots delivered
by the same grower.

VY Practically all of the dirt which drops on the grading table and
cutting machine should be added to the cull material for each lot
sampled. All mushrooms which drop on cutting machine, floor or grading
table should be placed in proper container.


- 3 ~
SAMPLING RATE FOR EACH SKID (11)

Total number of baskets on skid Number of baskets selected
1} or less
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75-84
85-94
95-104 10

105-114 il
115-124 12
125-134 13

LO WH NAY FW +

After determining the number of baskets to be included in the sample, (12)
select these baskets at randcm througnout the skid, if the mushrooms

in each basket are predominantly one size (fairly uniform) with no

extreme variation in size of mushrooms from basket to basket.

If a skid contains baskets of large and/or extra large mushrooms , (13)
baskets of small mushrooms, and/or baskets of medium-sized mushrooms ,
obtain a rough estimate of the proportion of baskets on the skid for

each size group, Then draw a sample in which each size group is represented
in the sample as closely as possible in the same proportion as on the skid,
For example, assume a skid has 100 baskets; 10 baskets each contain
predominately large mushrooms 50 contain predominately medium size,

and 40 contain predominately small. For the sample select at random
lbasket from the 10 large; 5 baskets from the-50 medium and 4 baskets

from the 40 small. The same sampling procedure will apply to all
mushrooms, However, if a& time of delivery white, cream and brow are

mixed on the same truck they should be placed on separate skids when
unloaded because each type should be graded as a separate sample.

After the sample baskets have been selected they are dumped over a (14)
Sample divider which consists of four equal sections. Each of the four
containers into which the mushrooms fall should contain approximately

1/4 of the total.

The inspector will use a uniform procedure of selecting the proper (15)
1/4 sample to be used. The sections of the divider are marked 1 thru 4

from left to right. Beginning with the first lot each day use the

first quarter sample. For the second lot use the second and so on and
repeat in this order for the entire day. It makes no difference which
quarter sample was the last selected at the end of a workday. For the

first lot the next day again start with quarter sample number one.

The total weight of this sample will deperid upon the number of baskets (16)
selected. For example, if six baskets are taken from a skid and each


(26)

(27)

(28)

(29)

(30)

(31)

(32)

(33)

(34)

(35)

-6-

This is the p-ocedure which the inspection service has always followed.
It is necessa y to follow this procedure because interested parties
are entitled o request a reinspection. The right of reinspection is
defined in SF. ~ AMS ~ 93.

Certificatior of results from lot or daily inspections may be
accumilated snd reported on a pay period basis, usually a week, provided
all parties concerned throughly understand this type of reporting

and all agree to abide by it.

GRADE INTERPRETATIONS

Firm. The veil is contracted and the mushroom gives very litt when
moderate pressure is applied to the shoulder or edge of the cap. The

eap is that portion of the mushroom not including the stem. To apply
this pressure hold the cap between the thumb and forefinger. Occasionally
the center of the cap may be slightly concave. This is a condition which
may indicate over maturity. However, this should be ignored if the

cap is firm and the veil is intact.

If upon casual observation an opening in the veil is observed a mushroom
is not firm. Any mushroom with a weak or stretched veil which will

open during the normal blanching process shall not be considered firm.
{Equipment necessary to blanch borderline specimens should be provided).

Well Shaped. Individual mushrooms may not be more than moderately
misshapen. Normally mushrooms with flat shoulders are not scoreable
as this will occur after the mushrooms are processed and placed in cans
or jars, even if they are perfectly round when inspected. However,
mushrooms which are materially scalloped or misshapen are scoreable.

Spot or Disease. This is usually associated with Brown Spot (Verticillium)
or Trichoderma. Discolored spots occur on the surface of the cap.

These will be of different shades of brown and various sizes, some sunken
with underlying flesh discolored. If any one spot or any combination

of spots exceeds an area one-eighth inch in diameter the mushroom is

a cull.

Discoloration. Scoreable when white or cream mushrooms are darker than
dark tan or light brown in color. Surface discoloration should not be
confused with discoloration which is associated with mechanical damage.

Mechanical Damage. Score the individual mushroom when the flesh of the
cap is penetrated and imbedded dirt will not be removed in the normal
washing process.

Cull Material. Although not stated in the standards, cull material will
include mushrooms or pieces of mushrooms which would not under any
circumstances be considered as usable material.

Diameter. Refers to the size of the cap only and means the greatest
dimension of the cap when measured at right angle to the stem.


A>» United States

@ mee Mushrooms
aoa for
Fruit and

I Processing

si

Fresh Products

wean Inspection
fashington, DC. .
November, 1962 Instructions



-~5-

After grading this sub~sample the weights and percent are recorded (21)
as follows, when only the amount of culls has been requested.

DETERMINATION OF CULLS

Date No. of Baskets Weight of Weight of Cullis
Oct. 10 Sub-Sample
ozs. ozs,
10:00 A.M. 50 ay 1
12:30 P.M. 37 36 i
3:40 PLM. 15 20 1
102 100 3

Percent Culls = 3 . i499 = 3%

100

When the processor requésts that the inspection be made to determine (22)
the amount of No. 1's, No. 2's and Culls the weights and percentages
will be recorded as follows:

DETERMINATION OF
NO, 1's, NO. 2's AND CULLS

Date No. of Baskets Weight of Weight of Weight of Weight of
Oct. 10 Sub-Sample No. l's No. 2's Culls
ozs. ozs. Ozs. ozs.
10:00 A.M. 50 4b 25 18 1
12:30 P.M. 37 36 23 12 1
3:40 P.M. 15 20 9 10 1
102 100 57 To 3
Percent # 1's = 57 = =
2 x 100 = 57% Percent #2's m x 100 = 40%
Percent Culls — x 100 = 3%
Established inspection procedures require that inspection of all (23)

fruit and vegetables be determined on an individual lot"or "daily" basis.

"Lot" means inspection of each delivery by a grower, ,regardless of the (2)
number of containers in a lot.

"Daily" means the inspection of a composite sample drawn from several (25)
lots delivered, the same day, by one grower.


UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
Fruit and Vegetable Division

INSPECTION INSTRUCTIONS
MUSHROOMS FOR PROCESSING V/

Revised Nov. 12, 1962
INTRODUCTION

The inspector will be guided by these instructions and by such addi- (1)
tional instructions as may be given him either orally or in writing by his
supervisor. When in doubt in any matter, he should consult his supervisor.
If it is necessary to take immediate action, he must use his best judgement
and advise his supervisor of the action taken as soon as possible so that
corrective steps can be taken, in case the procedure followed was not
proper.

These instructions cover methods of inspection which must be learned (2)
in detail before any attempt is made to inspect mushrooms. The

inspector must know the complete detailis of the specifications of the
suggested U. S. Standards for Fresh Mushrooms for Processing.

Buying and sélling on the basis of uniform standards encourages better (3)
production and better handling methods. The practice of paying a flat
price for all mushrooms which are accepted discriminates against the
better growers. The grower should be paid a suitable premium for mushrooms
which will make a high quality manufactured product.

The Inspection Service has no authority to reject loads that do not (4)
meet contract specifications. The duty of the inspector is to perform

the inspection for the processor according to the agreement between the
processor and the Inspection Service, and to issue a certificate showing
the facts. It is then the processor's responsibility to reject or accept
a load.

Necessary Equipment (5)

Inspection certificates.

Suitable grading table.

Sample divider.

Approximately 10 suitable identical containers.

One direct reading table scale, in ounces or tenths of a pound.
Equipment essential to blanch specimens.

Slide Rule.

Sizing gauge.

CON AWN FUN

1/ These instructions supersede "Inspection Instructions for Mushrooms
for Processing" issued October 1961.


INSPECTION INSTRUCTIONS

HANDBOOK CONTROL RECORD

DIVISION LETTERS OR OTHER REFERENCES

Page and
Reference Date Paragraph

Delete Insert,

Page Paragraph Dated Page Paragraph Dated



CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION «6 pe ee eee sees eee ee
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT

ee eee ee oe eevee

REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE . 15 5 ee ee ce eee
TYPE OF INSPECTION SERVICE PERFORMED . se ees
LOT SAMPLING PROCEDURE... 600 0 ee eee
DETERMINATION OF CULL MATERIAL . . 2. 2 ot ee
SUB-SAMPLING PROCEDURE . . 2 2 ee se ee eae
LOT, DAILY AND WEEKLY REPORTING . ,. 4 ee ee
GRADE INTERPRETATIONS . . ese ses ceees

Firm i.e oe

rr
Well shaped... ce eee eee ec ceee
Spot or disease . 2. se ees eee cee
Discoloration , . 2. esse cc ee ces
Mechanical damage... 2 1 ee ee eee s
Cull Material . 2 5 we ee ee eee eee
Diameter . 4 ee 2 ce cee ee ee eae
Scoring caps and stems .....2.2eseee

Ree ERK

eee ee eos

es

eee ee ewe

oo ee sw wo

eee ee eww

a oe eo we oe

eee ep we ewe

PARAGRAPHS

1

10

19

28
28

36

4