Federal regulations · Through 2026-08-25 · Newer source version available

7 CFR 52.38c: c Statistical sampling procedures for lot inspection of processed fruits and vegetables by attributes.

(a) General. Single sampling plans shall be used as the lot sampling plan for attributes standards under either of the following conditions:
(1) Sampling of the product shall be made during the production period. No grade will be assigned to individual sample units. One grade determination only will be made at the end of the production period for the inspection lot.
(2) Sampling of the product shall be made when the inspection lot is located in a warehouse, truck, railroad car, or other similar conveyance.
(b) Sample size. Samples shall be randomly selected from each inspection lot in the exact number of sample units indicated for the lot size in tables XI through XIV as applicable for canned, frozen, dried, or dehydrated fruits and vegetables.
Table XI—Canned or Similarly Processed Fruits, Vegetables, and Products Containing Units of Such Size and Character as To Be Readily Separable
[Lot sample size]
Container size group Lot size (number of containers)
Group 1: Any type container of a volume not exceeding that of a No. 303 size can 12,000 or less 12,001-39,000 39,001-84,000 84,001-145,000
Group 2: Any type of container of a volume exceeding that of a No. 303 size can but not exceeding that of a No. 3 cylinder size can 6,000 or less 6,001-19,500 19,501-42,000 42,001-72,500
Group 3: Any type of container of a volume exceeding that of a No. 3 cylinder size can, but not exceeding that of a No. 12 size can 3,000 or less 3,001-9,750 9,751-21,000 21,001-36,250
Group 4: Any type of container of a
volume exceeding that of a No. 12
Convert to equivalent number of 6-lb. net weight containers and use group 3
size can.
Lot inspection: Sample size (number of sample units) 6 13 21 29
Table XII—Frozen or Similarly Processed Fruits, Vegetables, and Products Containing Units of Such Size and Character as To Be Readily Separable
[Lot sample size]
Container size group Lot size (number of containers)
Group 1: Any type of container of 1 lb or less net weight 9,600 or less 9,601-31,200 31,201-67,200 67,201-116,000
Group 2: Any type of container over 1 lb but not over 21⁄2 lb net weight 4,800 or less 4,801-15,600 15,601-33,600 33,601-58,000
Group 3: Any type of container over
Convert to equivalent number of 21⁄2-lb. containers and use group 2
21⁄2 lbs.
Lot inspection: Sample size (number of sample units) 6 13 21 29
Table XIII—Canned, Frozen, or Otherwise Processed Fruits, Vegetables, Related Products of a Comminuted, Fluid or Homogeneous State
[Lot sample size]
Container size group Lot size (number of containers)
Group 1: Any type of container of 1 lb or less 18,000 or less 18,001-58,500 58,501-126,000 126,001-217,000
Group 2: Any type of container exceeding 1 lb. but not exceeding 60 oz 12,000 or less 12,001-39,000 39,001-84,000 84,001-145,000
Group 3: Any type of container exceeding 60 oz but not exceeding 10 lb 6,000 or less 6,001-19,500 19,501-42,000 42,001-72,500
Group 4: Any type of container
Convert to equivalent number of 6-lb. containers and use group 3.
exceeding 10 lbs.
Lot inspection: Sample size (number of sample units) 6 13 21 29
Table XIV—Dehydrated (Low-Moisture) Fruits, and Vegetables
[Lot sample size]
Container size group Lot size (number of containers)
Group 1: Any type of container of 1 lb or less net weight 7,200 or less 7,201-23,400 23,401-50,400 50,401-87,000
Group 2: Any type of container over 1 lb but not over 6 lb net weight 2,400 or less 2,401-7,800 7,801-16,800 16,801-29,000
Group 3: Any type of container over 6
Convert to equivalent number of 5-lb. containers and use group 2.
lbs.
Lot inspection: Sample size (number of sample units) 6 13 21 29
(c) Determining compliance. (1) An inspection lot meets the requirements of a quality grade if the number of defects (or defectives) is equal to or less than the acceptance numbers of all classes of defects.
(2) An inspection lot fails the requirements of a quality grade if the number of defects (or defectives) exceeds the acceptance number for one or more classes of defects.
(d) Lot single sampling plans for processed fruits and vegetables. (1) Tables XV through XIX contain the lot single sampling plans for each of five different standard sample unit sizes. The plans within each table are listed according to increasing values of Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL's).
(2) AQL values of 10.0 or less may be expressed either in “defects per hundred units” or in “percent defective units.” The same sampling plans are used for both. Separate sampling plans must be used for AQL values greater than 10.0.
(3) A separate lot single sampling plan is chosen for each class of defects (or defectives) by first specifying the desired AQL, the appropriate standard sample unit size, and the number of sample units as specified in § 52.38c (b) of this subpart. The quality levels associated with the Pa=50% and Pa=10% levels are given in the instructional manual.
Table XV—Lot Single Sampling Plans
[Standard sample unit size=6]
Number of sample units
6 13 21 29
Acceptance numbers—quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units or percent defective—AQL
1.0 1 2 3 4
1.5 1 3 4 5
2.5 3 4 6 8
4.0 4 6 9 11
5.0 4 7 11 14
6.5 5 9 13 17
8.5 6 11 16 21
10.0 7 12 19 24
Quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units only
12.5 8 15 22 29
15.0 9 17 26 35
20.0 12 22 33 44
25.0 14 27 41 54
33.0 18 34 52 70
40.0 21 40 62 83
50.0 25 49 76 102
65.0 31 62 97 131
85.0 40 80 124 168
100.0 46 92 144 196
150.0 66 135 212 288
250.0 105 218 344 469
Quality levels expressed as percent defective only
12.5 8 15 22 29
15.0 9 17 25 34
20.0 11 21 33 43
25.0 13 26 39 53
33.0 16 32 50 67
40.0 19 38 59 80
50.0 23 46 72 98
Table XVI—Lot Single Sampling Plans
[Standard sample unit size=13]
Number of sample units
6 13 21 29
Acceptance numbers—quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units or percent defective—AQL
0.65 1 3 4 5
1.0 2 4 6 7
1.5 3 5 8 10
2.5 4 8 11 15
4.0 6 11 16 22
5.0 7 13 20 26
6.5 9 17 25 33
8.5 11 21 31 41
10.0 12 24 36 48
Quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units only
12.5 15 29 44 58
15.0 17 34 51 69
20.0 22 43 67 90
25.0 27 53 82 110
33.0 34 68 106 143
40.0 40 81 126 171
50.0 49 99 156 211
65.0 62 127 199 271
85.0 80 163 257 350
100.0 92 190 300 409
Quality levels expressed as percent defective only
12.5 15 28 43 58
15.0 17 33 51 68
20.0 21 42 65 88
25.0 26 51 80 108
33.0 32 66 103 139
40.0 38 78 123 166
50.0 46 95 150 204
Table XVII—Lot Single Sampling Plans
[Standard sample unit size=25]
Number of sample units
6 13 21 29
Acceptance numbers—quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units or percent defective—AQL
0.4 2 3 5 6
0.65 3 5 7 8
1.0 4 6 9 12
1.5 5 9 13 16
2.5 7 13 19 25
4.0 10 19 29 38
5.0 12 23 35 46
6.5 15 29 44 58
8.5 19 36 56 74
10.0 21 42 64 86
Quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units only
12.5 26 51 79 106
15.0 30 60 93 126
20.0 39 78 122 165
25.0 48 96 150 203
33.0 61 124 195 265
40.0 73 149 234 318
50.0 89 183 289 394
65.0 114 235 372 507
Quality levels expressed as percent defective only
12.5 25 50 78 105
15.0 30 59 92 125
20.0 38 77 120 163
25.0 46 94 148 200
33.0 59 121 191 260
40.0 70 145 228 312
50.0 85 177 281 385
Table XVIII—Lot Single Sampling Plans
[Standard sample unit size=50]
Number of sample units
6 13 21 29
Acceptance numbers—quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units or percent defective—AQL
0.15 1 3 4 5
0.25 2 4 5 7
0.4 3 5 8 10
0.65 4 8 11 15
1.0 6 11 16 21
1.5 8 15 22 29
2.5 12 23 35 46
4.0 18 34 53 70
5.0 21 42 64 86
6.5 27 53 82 110
8.5 34 67 105 142
10.0 39 78 122 165
Quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units only
12.5 48 96 150 203
15.0 56 114 178 242
20.0 73 149 234 318
25.0 89 183 289 394
33.0 115 239 377 514
40.0 138 287 454 620
50.0 170 355 563 769
Quality levels expressed as percent defective only
12.5 47 95 149 202
15.0 55 112 177 240
20.0 71 147 231 315
25.0 87 181 286 390
33.0 112 234 372 508
40.0 134 281 446 611
50.0 164 346 552 756
Table XIX—Lot Single Sampling Plans
[Standard sample unit size=100]
Number of sample units
6 13 21 29
Acceptance numbers—quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units or percent defective—AQL
0.1 2 3 5 6
0.15 3 4 6 8
0.25 4 6 9 12
0.4 5 9 13 17
0.65 7 13 20 26
1.0 10 19 29 38
1.5 14 27 41 54
2.5 21 42 64 86
4.0 32 64 99 134
5.0 39 78 122 165
6.5 49 99 156 211
8.5 63 128 200 272
10.0 73 149 234 318
12.5 89 183 289 394
15.0 105 218 344 469
20.0 138 287 454 620
25.0 170 355 563 769
33.0 221 463 736 1,008
40.0 266 558 888 1,216
50.0 329 692 1,103 1,513
Quality levels expressed as percent defective only
12.5 88 182 287 392
15.0 104 216 342 467
20.0 136 284 450 615
25.0 167 351 558 763
33.0 217 457 728 999
40.0 260 549 877 1,203
50.0 320 680 1,088 1,494

Where this section sits in the code

Title 7—Agriculture
Subtitle B—Regulations of the Department of Agriculture
CHAPTER I—AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (STANDARDS, INSPECTIONS, MARKETING PRACTICES), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SUBCHAPTER C—REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946 AND THE EGG PRODUCTS INSPECTION ACT
PART 52—PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, PROCESSED PRODUCTS THEREOF, AND CERTAIN OTHER PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS
Subpart A—Requirements Governing Inspection and Certification

(a) General. Single sampling plans shall be used as the lot sampling plan for attributes standards under either of the following conditions:

(1) Sampling of the product shall be made during the production period. No grade will be assigned to individual sample units. One grade determination only will be made at the end of the production period for the inspection lot.

(2) Sampling of the product shall be made when the inspection lot is located in a warehouse, truck, railroad car, or other similar conveyance.

(b) Sample size. Samples shall be randomly selected from each inspection lot in the exact number of sample units indicated for the lot size in tables XI through XIV as applicable for canned, frozen, dried, or dehydrated fruits and vegetables.

Table XI—Canned or Similarly Processed Fruits, Vegetables, and Products Containing Units of Such Size and Character as To Be Readily Separable

[Lot sample size]

Container size group Lot size (number of containers)

Group 1: Any type container of a volume not exceeding that of a No. 303 size can 12,000 or less 12,001-39,000 39,001-84,000 84,001-145,000

Group 2: Any type of container of a volume exceeding that of a No. 303 size can but not exceeding that of a No. 3 cylinder size can 6,000 or less 6,001-19,500 19,501-42,000 42,001-72,500

Group 3: Any type of container of a volume exceeding that of a No. 3 cylinder size can, but not exceeding that of a No. 12 size can 3,000 or less 3,001-9,750 9,751-21,000 21,001-36,250

Group 4: Any type of container of a

volume exceeding that of a No. 12

Convert to equivalent number of 6-lb. net weight containers and use group 3

size can.

Lot inspection: Sample size (number of sample units) 6 13 21 29

Table XII—Frozen or Similarly Processed Fruits, Vegetables, and Products Containing Units of Such Size and Character as To Be Readily Separable

[Lot sample size]

Container size group Lot size (number of containers)

Group 1: Any type of container of 1 lb or less net weight 9,600 or less 9,601-31,200 31,201-67,200 67,201-116,000

Group 2: Any type of container over 1 lb but not over 21⁄2 lb net weight 4,800 or less 4,801-15,600 15,601-33,600 33,601-58,000

Group 3: Any type of container over

Convert to equivalent number of 21⁄2-lb. containers and use group 2

21⁄2 lbs.

Lot inspection: Sample size (number of sample units) 6 13 21 29

Table XIII—Canned, Frozen, or Otherwise Processed Fruits, Vegetables, Related Products of a Comminuted, Fluid or Homogeneous State

[Lot sample size]

Container size group Lot size (number of containers)

Group 1: Any type of container of 1 lb or less 18,000 or less 18,001-58,500 58,501-126,000 126,001-217,000

Group 2: Any type of container exceeding 1 lb. but not exceeding 60 oz 12,000 or less 12,001-39,000 39,001-84,000 84,001-145,000

Group 3: Any type of container exceeding 60 oz but not exceeding 10 lb 6,000 or less 6,001-19,500 19,501-42,000 42,001-72,500

Group 4: Any type of container

Convert to equivalent number of 6-lb. containers and use group 3.

exceeding 10 lbs.

Lot inspection: Sample size (number of sample units) 6 13 21 29

Table XIV—Dehydrated (Low-Moisture) Fruits, and Vegetables

[Lot sample size]

Container size group Lot size (number of containers)

Group 1: Any type of container of 1 lb or less net weight 7,200 or less 7,201-23,400 23,401-50,400 50,401-87,000

Group 2: Any type of container over 1 lb but not over 6 lb net weight 2,400 or less 2,401-7,800 7,801-16,800 16,801-29,000

Group 3: Any type of container over 6

Convert to equivalent number of 5-lb. containers and use group 2.

lbs.

Lot inspection: Sample size (number of sample units) 6 13 21 29

(c) Determining compliance. (1) An inspection lot meets the requirements of a quality grade if the number of defects (or defectives) is equal to or less than the acceptance numbers of all classes of defects.

(2) An inspection lot fails the requirements of a quality grade if the number of defects (or defectives) exceeds the acceptance number for one or more classes of defects.

(d) Lot single sampling plans for processed fruits and vegetables. (1) Tables XV through XIX contain the lot single sampling plans for each of five different standard sample unit sizes. The plans within each table are listed according to increasing values of Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL's).

(2) AQL values of 10.0 or less may be expressed either in “defects per hundred units” or in “percent defective units.” The same sampling plans are used for both. Separate sampling plans must be used for AQL values greater than 10.0.

(3) A separate lot single sampling plan is chosen for each class of defects (or defectives) by first specifying the desired AQL, the appropriate standard sample unit size, and the number of sample units as specified in § 52.38c (b) of this subpart. The quality levels associated with the Pa=50% and Pa=10% levels are given in the instructional manual.

Table XV—Lot Single Sampling Plans

[Standard sample unit size=6]

Number of sample units

6 13 21 29

Acceptance numbers—quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units or percent defective—AQL

1.0 1 2 3 4

1.5 1 3 4 5

2.5 3 4 6 8

4.0 4 6 9 11

5.0 4 7 11 14

6.5 5 9 13 17

8.5 6 11 16 21

10.0 7 12 19 24

Quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units only

12.5 8 15 22 29

15.0 9 17 26 35

20.0 12 22 33 44

25.0 14 27 41 54

33.0 18 34 52 70

40.0 21 40 62 83

50.0 25 49 76 102

65.0 31 62 97 131

85.0 40 80 124 168

100.0 46 92 144 196

150.0 66 135 212 288

250.0 105 218 344 469

Quality levels expressed as percent defective only

12.5 8 15 22 29

15.0 9 17 25 34

20.0 11 21 33 43

25.0 13 26 39 53

33.0 16 32 50 67

40.0 19 38 59 80

50.0 23 46 72 98

Table XVI—Lot Single Sampling Plans

[Standard sample unit size=13]

Number of sample units

6 13 21 29

Acceptance numbers—quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units or percent defective—AQL

0.65 1 3 4 5

1.0 2 4 6 7

1.5 3 5 8 10

2.5 4 8 11 15

4.0 6 11 16 22

5.0 7 13 20 26

6.5 9 17 25 33

8.5 11 21 31 41

10.0 12 24 36 48

Quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units only

12.5 15 29 44 58

15.0 17 34 51 69

20.0 22 43 67 90

25.0 27 53 82 110

33.0 34 68 106 143

40.0 40 81 126 171

50.0 49 99 156 211

65.0 62 127 199 271

85.0 80 163 257 350

100.0 92 190 300 409

Quality levels expressed as percent defective only

12.5 15 28 43 58

15.0 17 33 51 68

20.0 21 42 65 88

25.0 26 51 80 108

33.0 32 66 103 139

40.0 38 78 123 166

50.0 46 95 150 204

Table XVII—Lot Single Sampling Plans

[Standard sample unit size=25]

Number of sample units

6 13 21 29

Acceptance numbers—quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units or percent defective—AQL

0.4 2 3 5 6

0.65 3 5 7 8

1.0 4 6 9 12

1.5 5 9 13 16

2.5 7 13 19 25

4.0 10 19 29 38

5.0 12 23 35 46

6.5 15 29 44 58

8.5 19 36 56 74

10.0 21 42 64 86

Quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units only

12.5 26 51 79 106

15.0 30 60 93 126

20.0 39 78 122 165

25.0 48 96 150 203

33.0 61 124 195 265

40.0 73 149 234 318

50.0 89 183 289 394

65.0 114 235 372 507

Quality levels expressed as percent defective only

12.5 25 50 78 105

15.0 30 59 92 125

20.0 38 77 120 163

25.0 46 94 148 200

33.0 59 121 191 260

40.0 70 145 228 312

50.0 85 177 281 385

Table XVIII—Lot Single Sampling Plans

[Standard sample unit size=50]

Number of sample units

6 13 21 29

Acceptance numbers—quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units or percent defective—AQL

0.15 1 3 4 5

0.25 2 4 5 7

0.4 3 5 8 10

0.65 4 8 11 15

1.0 6 11 16 21

1.5 8 15 22 29

2.5 12 23 35 46

4.0 18 34 53 70

5.0 21 42 64 86

6.5 27 53 82 110

8.5 34 67 105 142

10.0 39 78 122 165

Quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units only

12.5 48 96 150 203

15.0 56 114 178 242

20.0 73 149 234 318

25.0 89 183 289 394

33.0 115 239 377 514

40.0 138 287 454 620

50.0 170 355 563 769

Quality levels expressed as percent defective only

12.5 47 95 149 202

15.0 55 112 177 240

20.0 71 147 231 315

25.0 87 181 286 390

33.0 112 234 372 508

40.0 134 281 446 611

50.0 164 346 552 756

Table XIX—Lot Single Sampling Plans

[Standard sample unit size=100]

Number of sample units

6 13 21 29

Acceptance numbers—quality levels expressed as defects per 100 units or percent defective—AQL

0.1 2 3 5 6

0.15 3 4 6 8

0.25 4 6 9 12

0.4 5 9 13 17

0.65 7 13 20 26

1.0 10 19 29 38

1.5 14 27 41 54

2.5 21 42 64 86

4.0 32 64 99 134

5.0 39 78 122 165

6.5 49 99 156 211

8.5 63 128 200 272

10.0 73 149 234 318

12.5 89 183 289 394

15.0 105 218 344 469

20.0 138 287 454 620

25.0 170 355 563 769

33.0 221 463 736 1,008

40.0 266 558 888 1,216

50.0 329 692 1,103 1,513

Quality levels expressed as percent defective only

12.5 88 182 287 392

15.0 104 216 342 467

20.0 136 284 450 615

25.0 167 351 558 763

33.0 217 457 728 999

40.0 260 549 877 1,203

50.0 320 680 1,088 1,494

Collected 2026-08-27T02:24:01Z. Source file · JSON

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