7 CFR §868.31
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)General. The inspection of commodities shall be according to the—
- (1)Standards of class, grade, other quality designation, quantity, or condition for such commodities promulgated by the Administrator; or
- (2)Specifications prescribed by Federal agencies; or
- (3)Specifications of trade associations or organizations; or
- (4)Other specifications as requested by applicant; or
- (5)The instructions.
- (b)Quality inspection service. This service consists of official personnel—
- (c)Submitted sample inspection service. This service consists of official personnel grading or testing a sample submitted by the applicant and certifying the results.
- (d)Examination service. This service consists of official personnel examining supplies without the use of special laboratory equipment or procedures to determine conformance to requirements requested by the applicant and certifying the results.
- (e)Checkweighing service (container). This service consists of official personnel—
- (f)Bulk weighing service. This service consists of official personnel—
- (g)Checkloading service. This service consists of official personnel—
- (h)Checkcounting service. This service consists of official personnel determining the total number of filled outer containers in a lot to determine that the number of containers shown by the applicant is correct and certifying the results.
- (i)Condition inspection service. This service consists of official personnel determining the physical condition of the commodity by determining whether an identifiable commodity lot is water damaged, fire damaged, or has rodent or bird contamination, insect infestation, or any other deteriorating condition and certifying the results.
- (j)Condition of food containers service. This service consists of official personnel determining the degree of acceptability of the containers with respect to absence of defects which affect the serviceability, including appearance as well as usability, of the container for its intended purpose and certifying the results.
- (k)Observation of loading service. This service consists of official personnel determining that an identified lot has been moved from a warehouse or carrier and loaded into another warehouse or carrier and certifying the results.
- (l)Plant approval service. 1 This service consists of official personnel performing a plant survey to determine if the plant premises, facilities, sanitary conditions, and operating methods are suitable to begin or continue inspection service.
- (m)Stowage examination service. This service consists of official personnel visually determining if an identified carrier or container is clean; dry; free of infestation, rodents, toxic substances and foreign odor; and suitable to store or carry commodities and certifying the results.