Question

In the sampling plan for microbiological analysis of fermented milk products by FSSAI, __________ represents an acceptable level and values above it are marginally acceptable in terms of the sampling plan.

• A. N
• B. c
• C. M
• D. m

Hint:

Remember the simple rule for three-class sampling plans:
- \( \le m \) = Satisfactory/Acceptable.
- \( > m \) and \( \le M \) = Marginally acceptable (up to limit \( c \)).
- \( > M \) = Unsatisfactory/Rejected.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) implements a three-class sampling plan to assess the microbiological safety and hygiene of food products, including fermented milks.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us define the parameters of a three-class microbiological sampling plan:
- \( n \) (or N): The number of sample units to be chosen randomly from the batch for analysis.
- \( c \): The maximum allowable number of sample units yielding values between the limits \( m \) and \( M \).
- \( m \): The lower threshold limit. It represents an acceptable level of microbiological count.
Values equal to or below \( m \) are considered fully satisfactory.
Values above \( m \) but below or equal to \( M \) are considered marginally acceptable, provided they do not exceed the count \( c \).
- \( M \): The upper threshold limit above which any count is completely unacceptable and causes the entire batch to be rejected.
Therefore, \( m \) represents the acceptable level, above which values are only marginally acceptable.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The parameter representing the acceptable level is \( m \).