Regulation 3. Collection of Samples.
(Section 4.)
Samples of unbroken packages shall be collected only by authorized agents of the Department of Agriculture; or by the health, food, or drug officer of any State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, when commissioned by the Secretary of Agriculture for this purpose.
Samples may be purchased in the open market, and if in bulk the marks, brands, or tags upon the package, carton, container, wrapper, or accompanying printed or written matter shall be noted. The collector shall also note the names of the vendor and agent through whom the sale was actually made, together with the date of purchase. The collector shall purchase representative samples.
A sample shall be divided into three parts, and each part shall be labeled with the identifying marks. All samples shall be sealed by the collector with a seal provided for the purpose. If the package be less than 4 pounds, or in volume less than 2 quarts, three packages of approximately the same size shall be purchased and the marks and tags upon each noted as above. One sample shall be delivered to the party from whom purchased or to the party guaranteeing such merchandise. One sample shall be sent to the Bureau of Chemistry, or to such chemist or examiner as may be designated by the Secretary of Agriculture, and the third sample shall be held under seal by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Regulation 4. Methods of Analysis.
(Section 4.)
Unless otherwise directed by the Secretary of Agriculture, the methods of analysis employed shall be those prescribed by the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists and the United States Pharmacopœia.
Regulation 5. Hearings.
(Section 4.)
(a) When the examination or analysis shows that the provisions of the food and drugs act, June 30, 1906, have been violated, notice of that fact, together with a copy of the findings, shall be furnished to the party or parties from whom the sample was obtained or who executed the guaranty as provided in the food and drugs act, June 30, 1906, and a date shall be fixed at which such party or parties may be heard before the Secretary of Agriculture, or such other official connected with the food and drug inspection service as may be commissioned by him for that purpose. The hearings shall be had at a place, to be designated by the Secretary of Agriculture, most convenient for all parties concerned. These hearings shall be private and confined to questions of fact. The parties interested therein may appear in person or by attorney and may propound proper interrogatories and submit oral or written evidence to show any fault or error in the findings of the analyst or examiner. The Secretary of Agriculture may order a re-examination of the sample or have new samples drawn for further examination.
(b) If the examination or analysis be found correct the Secretary of Agriculture shall give notice to the United States District Attorney as prescribed.
(c) Any health, food, or drug officer or agent of any State, Territory, or the District of Columbia who shall obtain satisfactory evidence of any violation of the food and drugs act, June 30, 1906, as provided in section 5 thereof, shall first submit the same to the Secretary of Agriculture, in order that the latter may cause notice to be given to the guarantor or to the party from whom the sample was obtained.
