g. STEP 7 - Determine compliance with the requirements for gross product
identity.
(1) Inspection for identity determines if the product is actually what is
specified in the contract, and, when inspected at origin, that it is the same product
previously inspected. The country of origin must be clearly marked on the box.
Inspection for identity may be accomplished by survey of inspection stamps, inspection
reports, can codes, case codes, car numbers, invoices, manifests, and labels. (For
example, the country of origin can be found in the export document and also is stamped
on each box of product.) Cans or other primary containers may be opened for
examination of the product.
(2) Next, the inspector opens sample cases to determine if product is that
required by the contract. For example, if the contract requires fillets, do cases contain
fillets?
(3) Origin Inspection. Origin inspection is performed on troop-issue items
by the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration of the United States Department of Commerce (USDC). (It is not
performed by the Veterinary Service.) This inspection is performed on each lot
produced by a processor to determine if it meets contractual requirements. When found
to be conforming, it is certified and a certificate is issued. A USDC Certificate of
Inspection that provides certain information accompanies each shipment received at
destination. This information consists of: (See Figure 1-6.)
(a) Product description, e.g., Fish Portion, Raw, Breaded, Frozen.
(b) Lot numbers and code numbers and date for each lot produced.
(c) Number of containers and pounds produced for each lot.
(d) Stamp number for each lot.
(e) Total cases and pounds for the shipment.
(f) Date of shipment.
(g) Official stamp impression that will be placed on each case.
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