# Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 of 28 March 2007 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the control of the levels of trace elements and processing contaminants in foodstuffs (Text with EEA relevance), Division B.2.2: Number of incremental samples

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

The aggregate sample shall be at least 1 kg or 1 litre except where it is not possible, e.g. when the sample consists of 1 package or unit.
The minimum number of incremental samples to be taken from the lot or sublot shall be as given in Table 3.
In the case of bulk liquid products the lot or sublot shall be thoroughly mixed in so far as possible and in so far it does not affect the quality of the product, by either manual or mechanical means immediately prior to sampling. In this case, a homogeneous distribution of contaminants is assumed within a given lot or sublot. It is therefore sufficient to take three incremental samples from a lot or sublot to form the aggregate sample.
The incremental samples shall be of similar weight/volume. The weight/volume of an incremental sample shall be at least 100 grams or 100 millilitres, resulting in an aggregate sample of at least about 1 kg or 1 litre. Departure from this method shall be recorded in the record provided for under point B.1.8 of this Annex.
Table 1
Subdivision of lots into sublots for products traded in bulk consignments
Lot weight (ton)
Weight or number of sublots
≥ 1 500
500 tonnes
> 300 and < 1 500
3 sublots
≥ 100 and ≤ 300
100 tonnes
< 100
—
Table 2
Subdivision of lots into sublots for other products
Lot weight (ton)
Weight or number of sublots
≥ 15
15-30 tonnes
< 15
—
Table 3
Minimum number of incremental samples to be taken from the lot or sublot
Weight or volume of lot/sublot (in kg or litre)
Minimum number of incremental samples to be taken
< 50
3
≥ 50 and ≤ 500
5
> 500
10
If the lot or sublot consists of individual packages or units, then the number of packages or units which shall be taken to form the aggregate sample is given in Table 4.
Table 4
Number of packages or units (incremental samples) which shall be taken to form the aggregate sample if the lot or sublot consists of individual packages or units
Number of packages or units in the lot/sublot
Number of packages or units to be taken
≤ 25
at least 1 package or unit
26-100
about 5 %, at least 2 packages or units
> 100
about 5 %, at maximum 10 packages or units
The maximum levels for inorganic tin apply to the contents of each can, but for practical reasons it is necessary to use an aggregate sampling approach. If the result of the test for an aggregate sample of cans is less than but close to the maximum level of inorganic tin and if it is suspected that individual cans might exceed the maximum level, then it might be necessary to conduct further investigations.
Where it is not possible to carry out the method of sampling set out in this chapter because of the unacceptable commercial consequences (e.g. because of packaging forms, damage to the lot, etc.) or where it is practically impossible to apply the abovementioned method of sampling, an alternative method of sampling may be applied provided that it is sufficiently representative for the sampled lot or sublot and is fully documented.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2007/333/annex/part/B/division/B.2/division/B.2.2 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2007-333/annex/part-B/division-B.2/division-B.2.2
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.