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Grading, Certification, and Verification
 
Plant Survey  
A Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division plant survey consists of an on-site evaluation of a food processing facility to assess the facility’s compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s).

 
The results of a plant survey can serve several purposes including:

 
  • to determine whether a food processing facility is adequate and acceptable for food production on a contract basis;

 
  • to determine whether a facility qualifies for SCI Division in-plant inspection; and

 
  • a source of objective information about a facility’s operations which can be of interest to plant management and/or to the firm’s trading partner(s).

 
Plant surveys include assessment of the following:

 
  • Plant construction and design;
  • Processing area, equipment, and facilities;
  • Sanitation;
  • Warehouse and storage facilities;
  • Receiving area;
  • Premises (parking lot and yard area);
  • Water supply;
  • Waste disposal;
  • Personnel policies;
  • Laboratory facilities; and
  • Toilet facilities.

 
Plant surveys and related inspection services are available on a fee basis from USDA’s Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division.

 
Apply for services or obtain additional information.

 
 
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Resources
 
  Plant Survey Checklist (PDF)  
 
  Plant Survey Flyer (PDF)  
 
See Also
 
  Food Defense System Survey  
 
  Plant Systems Audit  
 
Media Help
 
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  Last Modified Date: 09/25/2013