Peanut Inspector Certification Practice Exam

What is the minimum percentage of sacks that must be sampled from medium to large loads?

1. 5%

2. 10%

3. 15%

4. 20%

The correct answer is: 10%

The correct answer is based on standard practices in quality control and sampling procedures for agricultural products like peanuts. For medium to large loads, the guideline established requires that a minimum of 10% of the total number of sacks be sampled. This percentage is crucial because it ensures that the sample size is statistically adequate to represent the entire shipment's quality accurately. By sampling 10%, inspectors can obtain a more reliable assessment of the load's overall condition, including aspects like contamination and quality standards. Sampling too few sacks might not accurately reflect the load's overall quality, potentially leading to dangerous situations or poor quality peanuts entering the market. Conversely, exceeding 10% would still provide a reliable sample but may be unnecessary and inefficient, as it could lead to increased time and labor without a significant gain in information about the load. Therefore, the adherence to the 10% guideline strikes a balance between thoroughness and efficiency in the inspection process.