Sample Schedule 3 - PESTICIDE SAMPLES

(includes 702(b) portion)

DO NOT FUMIGATE PESTICIDE SAMPLES

INTRODUCTION
The objectives of FDA's pesticide monitoring program are to gather information on levels and incidence of pesticide residues in the nation's food supply and to initiate enforcement action against shipments of food and feed found to contain illegal pesticide residues. To meet both objectives, it is necessary to collect samples of food and feed for pesticide residue analysis. These instructions describe procedures for collecting samples of raw agricultural commodities and processed commodities. The procedures apply to domestic and import shipments. The instructions include a separate set of procedures for collecting samples for special investigations such as determining levels of pesticide residues in soil, water, and growing crops.

For pesticide samples, the laboratory will maintain a portion of the composited sample as the 702(b) [21U.S.C.372(b)] portion.

Pesticide sample sizes no longer differentiate between Surveillance and Compliance Samples. All pesticide samples will be collected as directed below. Remember to include the state and county or country of origin in the Flag. See IOM 4.4.10.1.8.

For appraisal purposes, you must Flag each Domestic as to the basis for sampling in accordance with the definitions below.
Pesticide Compliance Sample. Collected on a selective basis as a result of inspectional or other evidence of suspected misuse of a pesticide on a food or feed commodity or as a follow-up to a "Pesticide Surveillance Sample" that was found to contain actionable levels of pesticide residues. Flag "Pesticide Compliance".
Pesticide Surveillance Sample. Collected on an objective basis where there is no evidence or suspicion of pesticide misuse on a food or feed commodity. Flag "Pesticide Surveillance".

Districts have the option to collect 1 intact shipping case of fresh produce from packing sheds or large produce warehouses. The one case must meet the minimum sample size specified below. This "one case" option may be used on any import sample or on domestic Pesticide Surveillance Samples, if the collector can be assured that the "one case" collected is representative of the lot or field. If the collector is not assured of this, collect the samples according to the instructions below. This "one case" sampling does not apply to large items such as melons.

NOTE:

If "one case" option is used for surveillance samples of domestic produce, describe in the Remarks Section of the CR, the basis for determining that the sample is representative of the lot or field.

Plant products: description of primary samples and minimum size of laboratory samples (total weight of all subs or units collected).

See IOM Sample Schedule Chart 4, Wheat Carload Sampling for guidance in the collection of samples by trier from railcars and trucks.

* A smaller laboratory sample may be taken from a product of exceptionally high value but the reason for doing so should be noted in the collection report.

9. GRAPES FOR SULFITES

Collect approximately 900 - 1800 g (2 - 4 lbs) of grapes [10/100 - 200 g (1/4 to 1/2 lb) subs]. Each subsample will consist of individual grapes, not bunches, and will be collected from different lugs (cases) on as many different pallets in the lot as possible. No grapes that are damaged during the sampling procedure should be included in the sample. However, grapes with damage prior to sampling may be included in the sample.

If sulfiting pads are present, grapes sampled should be selected from areas closest to and directly under the pad.

Monitoring activities should be focused upon lots of grapes with the highest potential for violative sulfite residues.

Direct efforts to lots of grapes sulfited through fumigation or to lots with multiple fumigations especially towards the end of the harvesting season and also to lots with significant numbers of damaged grapes (split, crushed, or unusually wet, if such damage is apparent).

Sample lots of grapes sulfited through use of sulfiting pads, with or without additional fumigation. If at all possible, sample lots subjected to the following conditions, which could cause high sulfite residues:

Special Sample Handling

Place sample in tightly closed airtight glass mason jar(s) or sealed plastic bag(s). Although no effort should be made to commingle subsamples, more than one subsample may be placed in the same container for shipping convenience.
Appropriate cooling procedures are:

10. FISH AND SHELLFISH PRODUCTS
NOTE: THIS SAMPLE SIZE FURNISHES SUFFICIENT FISH FOR HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS.

Packaged Fish, fresh, frozen, smoked, cured, or shellfish (except oysters)
Collect 12 subs - minimum sub size is 453 g (1 lb)

Bulk Fish - .453 - 1.35 kg (1 - 3 lb)/fish
Collect 12 subs, each sub to consist of 453 g (1 lb) of edible fish

Bulk Shellfish (except oysters)
Collect 12 - 453 g (1 lb) subs

Canned Fish and Shellfish Products (except oysters)
Collect 12 subs - 5 cans per sub

Other Fish and Shellfish Products
Oysters - Collect 12 1 pint subs

Fish Flour and Meal
Follow the guidance in section 5 above.

SWORDFISH FOR HEAVY METALS
These sample sizes must be used whenever sampling swordfish, either for audit, surveillance, or compliance purposes.

Whole Fish (dressed, head removed)
Characterize lot in terms of fish sizes, i.e., small, medium, and large. The following dressed weight ranges are used for classification:
Small Fish - Weighs less than 36.4 kg (80 lbs)
Medium Fish - Weighs 36.4 - 54.5 kg (80 - 120 lbs)
Large Fish - Weighs more than 54.5 kg (120 lbs)

For lots consisting of 12 or more fish, the representative sample to be collected will be determined by the following formula:

TOTAL SAMPLE: 11 sub samples

Usually, the total sample will consist of 12 subsamples. However, due to rounding numbers of subsamples determined by the formula may be 11 or 13 in some instances. The total sample should consist of the specific number of sub samples determined by the formula in all cases.

Each sub sample should consist of approximately a 0.5 kg (1 lb) steak cut from just below the nape of the fish. Care should be taken to avoid mutilation of fish. The sub must consist of edible flesh. If a private laboratory is conducting the analysis, individual fish from which the sub sample is taken should be identified with a tag or other suitable method. This will permit FDA to take audit samples from the same fish sampled by the private laboratories.

For lots consisting of 12 or less fish, collect 1 sub from each fish.

Swordfish Loins (slabs or sides cut from dressed whole fish which has been boned or trimmed).
Use the same formula stipulated for whole fish, with the exception that the following weight ranges should be used to characterize the lot:

Small fish loins = weighs 9.1 - 18.2 kg (20 - 40 lbs)

Medium fish loins) = weighs 18.2 - 36.4 kg
(40 - 80 lbs)

Large fish loins = weighs over 36.4 kg (80 lbs)

Swordfish Steaks
Collect 12 sub samples, i.e., 12 steaks, at random from different containers in the lot (as many as possible)

Canned Swordfish
Collect 12/453 g (1 lb) sub samples at random

11. RETAIL CONTAINERS CANNED, FROZEN AND DRIED FOODS

Collect retail containers equal to the number of primary units specified above.

12. SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS

Growing Crops
Superimpose an imaginary grid on the field dividing it into approximately 100 areas. Randomly select 10 areas to form a representative sample of the field. Collect one pound subs from each area. Combine to form a composite. If a sample is being collected to document drift, etc. DO NOT composite subs. In addition, diagram the field in the Remarks Section of the C/R and indicate sub number where each sub was collected.

For leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, cabbage, etc. INV Samples collected in the growing field should be representative of local commercial harvesting practices If the local practice is to strip outer leaves at the time of harvest, this practice should be followed when collecting field samples. In head lettuce, for example, the lettuce may be packed directly into shipping cartons in the field, in which case 6 or 8 outer leaves are left on the head to be removed at the retail outlet. In other instances, each head is stripped of 2 or 3 outer leaves and individually wrapped in plastic, placed in shipping cartons, and the consumer receives the produce in this condition. Describe sampling method on C/R and describe how packing shed handles produce prior to shipping (e.g., washing, waxing, stripping, etc.).

Soil Samples

Collect soil samples from fields according to the following 3x3 grid diagram:

Sample at the 9 locations indicated by the "o". If the field being sampled is very large, you may have to sample it using a 4x4, 5x5, or even larger grid pattern.

Subs are to be placed in clean quart glass jars, which have been washed in water, rinsed in methanol, and air dried. If methanol is not available, use washed, air dried jars and submit an empty jar as a control. Note on CR that jars were or were not rinsed with methanol.

Obtain two "6 in" deep plugs (1-2 in. in diameter from each sampling location. Place two plugs from each location in cleaned glass jars, place clean aluminum foil over top of jar and seal with screw cap.

Soil samples should be submitted to the lab at 4 degrees C (39 degrees F) or below.

Water Samples - Collect 3 quarts of water from the same sampling source (e.g., faucet, stream, lake, etc.) and place in cleaned, washed and methanol rinsed jars as described under "Soil Samples".

Submit water samples to lab at 4 degrees C (39 degrees F) or below.

GENERAL

Official Samples shall be collected whenever feasible unless they are not required to accomplish the objective of the assignment. Investigational Samples shall be collected only when Official Samples are not readily available.

Consult with your supervisor in cases of doubt as to sample cost, size, or collection technique.

When collecting samples in glass jars, line the lids with aluminum foil which has been certified by the laboratory as contaminant free or use teflon lined lids.

If shipment of shell eggs is required and breakage may result during transit, subs may be broken, shells discarded, and liquid magma collected in clean glass jars. Each sub jar should be properly identified.

Samples collected at Packing Sheds should be representative of the produce as shipped in commerce. DO NOT strip outer leaves from subs collected at packing sheds from bulk lots, shipping cartons ready for shipment, in-transit lots or at final destination. If the packing shed practice is to strip outer leaves prior to shipment, follow this practice when collecting the samples. Describe the sampling method on the C/R.

DO NOT USE magic markers, etc. to identify sub bags, because the ink may affect assay results. Use stick on labels to identify sub bags.

Collect samples in the container in which the dealer is packaging the product. If the dealer is packaging the product in plastic bags, collect sample in these bags. If the firm is not packing the product, collect the samples in paper bags, cardboard cartons, etc. Do not use plastic bags as this may interfere with the analysis, unless the bags are certified as contaminant free by your district laboratory.

Samples must be delivered as promptly as possible to the laboratory if regulatory action is to be taken against actionable lots.

Hold samples in cold storage until ready to be shipped or delivered to the laboratory. If the sample is of a hard fruit or vegetable (such as apples, pears, butternut squash), and is shipped overnight delivery, it can be shipped to the laboratory unrefrigerated, but the FDA 525 should direct refrigeration upon receipt.

Use aseptic technique, where applicable, when collecting samples of finished products from bulk containers.