Peanut Inspector Certification Practice Exam

What is the primary use of the Foreign Material Machine in peanut inspection?

1. To measure moisture content

2. To package peanuts for sale

3. To separate foreign materials and loose shelled kernels

4. To create smaller peanut samples

The correct answer is: To separate foreign materials and loose shelled kernels

The primary use of the Foreign Material Machine in peanut inspection is to separate foreign materials and loose shelled kernels from the peanuts. This process is essential to ensure the quality and safety of the peanuts intended for consumption. The presence of foreign materials, such as dirt, debris, or other types of nuts and grains, can significantly affect the quality and marketability of peanuts. By effectively removing these unwanted elements, the machine helps maintain product integrity, meets regulatory requirements, and enhances consumer safety. The other options do not accurately reflect the machine's main functionality. Measuring moisture content is typically accomplished using specific moisture meters, which are different from the Foreign Material Machine's role of separation. Packaging peanuts is a separate process often handled after inspection, while creating smaller peanut samples is not a primary function of this equipment and is usually related to sampling for testing purposes, rather than sorting or cleaning.