Tobacco | SAM-119

Sampling tools must not alter the physical characteristics: leaf dimension, particle size distribution, etc. and must not affect any subsequent determinations.

• Sampling trowel (S03-01)
• Sample dividing equipment (D01-01)

• Plastic bags, different designs and sizes (P00)
• Paper bags, different sizes (R00)
• Plastic bottles, wide mouth opening, size 500-1 000 ml (P03, P04), preferably not transparent.
• Cardboard boxes, cartons (R01)
• Air-tight bottles for moisture content determination.

P00	R00	P03	P04	R01

Tobacco or pressed tobacco in bales, wood, paper or cardboard boxes, baskets, and jute pouches: you must ensure that the goods being checked consist of a single consignment. If there are several consignments, they should be identified separately. An aggregate sample may be formed only from packages from the same lot contained in the same consignment.

Equal quantities of incremental samples are taken from different transport packages found at different positions in the transport vehicle or in the storage facility by random selection or systematically.

Three „hands“ are taken from different positions throughout the consignment by random selection or systematically. One ‘hand’ may be about 80 cm long, about 25 cm in diameter at the bottom and about 8 cm at the place where the ‘hand’ is held. The weight of one „hand“ is approx. 0,2 kg.

In case of single tobacco leaves, one aggregate samples is created by at least about 15 pieces of tobacco leaves

A suitable number of units must be chosen entirely at random from the consignment.

For more information please refer to the sampling card Retail packages and finished articles.

• Sampling equipment and sample containers must be clean (without any dust) and dry and must not change the sample characteristics, such as the dimensions of the goods, the particle size distribution or the organoleptic properties.
• The sampling procedure must not affect any subsequent laboratory testing.
• Each incremental samples is drawn at random from the consignment in such a manner that each incremental sample has the same probability of being selected.
• If the tobacco is damaged and therefore unsuitable for an assessment of its characteristics, samples are not to be taken from that particular sampling unit.
• If heterogeneity is of interest as well as mean values it may be preferable not to mix incremental samples.
• Dividing the sample: If the size of an aggregated sample is too large, it must be reduced to obtain the final samples. Please refer to the sample division scheme. The homogenisation of an aggregate sample must be carried out carefully in order to guarantee the integrity and characteristics of the sample. The procedure of placing of incremental samples on plastic sheet with the subsequent raising of sheet corners and careful shaking; or placement of sample into plastic bags and careful shaking, can be used.
• Packing the samples: Final samples must be packed securely with adequate protection against damage (mechanical damage, severe changes in humidity, temperature, etc.). Containers must be fully filled. Samples which are to be tested for the moisture content must be packed in moisture-tight containers or bags with an air-tight closure.

• Fill in the sampling form. One copy should be attached to the samples and one copy should be kept for the record.

• Ensure quick carriage, samples are prone to mould.
• Make sure that the transport conditions guarantee the integrity and characteristics of the sample transported.
• Ensure that appropriate transport conditions for the goods are maintained to protect the product from humidity, mechanical damage, contamination, microbial growth, infestation or other situations which would affect the organoleptic properties of the samples (e.g. odour).
• Samples of food and chemical products must be transported separately (cargo holds, packing boxes, etc.) on the transport vehicle in order to prevent any possibility of cross-contamination.

• Samples must be stored in a clean, dry, dark, cool, sufficiently ventilated and odour-free place.
• Ensure that the appropriate storage conditions for the goods are maintained to protect them from humidity, contamination, microbial growth, infestation or other situations which would affect the organoleptic properties of the samples (e.g. odour).
• If samples are stored for more than 3 months, it is recommended to freeze them and store bellow -16 °C. Products can contain larvae of tobacco beetle (Lasioderma serricorne), which are eliminated by low temperature. Infested tobacco must be disposed by incineration and storages where such tobacco was placed must be decontaminated chemically (by gas treatment).