Peanut Inspector Certification Practice Exam

If a sample is drawn from a load of 100 sacks, how many should be sampled at minimum?

1. 5

2. 8

3. 10

4. 15

The correct answer is: 10

In the context of peanut inspection and quality control, the minimum number of sacks to sample from a load of 100 is determined by established statistical guidelines to ensure that the sample is representative of the whole load. Sampling helps in assessing the overall quality while minimizing the risk of making decisions based on insufficient data. Sampling guidelines often suggest that for a load of 100 units, a minimum of 10% should be inspected. In this case, 10 sacks represent 10% of the total load, which provides a statistically valid sample size for evaluation. By sampling this number, inspectors can draw reasonable conclusions regarding the quality and safety of the load. A smaller sample size, such as 5 or 8, would not adequately represent the variability that could exist within the entire load. Thus, choosing 10 is not only methodologically sound but also aligns with best practices in inspection standards that prioritize thoroughness and accuracy in assessments. This approach ensures that any potential issues are likely to be detected, safeguarding both the quality of the product and consumer health.