A sequential analytical method for the howard mould count test of tomato products

The Howard Mould Count of tomato products, as generally performed, was considered, and an approach was sought which would give greater reliability while reducing the number of fields which need to be examined. A sequential analytical method was developed and applied. The equations of the sequential acceptance/rejection lines were converted to graphical form for direct laboratory use, at various maximum Mould Count limits. The procedure is explained and illustrated. For screening purposes, reliable results will often be obtained even when the number of fields examined is below the minimum (50) required by the official procedure; for regulatory purposes, a test may require more than 50 fields to be examined in order to give a reliable result, but less than an arbitrary set number (say, 100) from every sample.