The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a notice in the Federal Register on Nov. 10, 2022, responding to comments on proposed changes to mycotoxin test kit performance criteria. The notice summarizes proposed changes, public comments and AMS decisions.
Based on support from public comments, AMS Federal Grain Inspection Service will make two changes. The use of three test kit readers will be required for the performance verification to account for variability in readers. Additionally, up to two analysts from the test kit manufacturer will be allowed to participate in the performance verification to promote transparency in the verification process. The rest of the mycotoxin test kit performance criteria remain unchanged.
Proposed changes to mycotoxin test kit performance criteria published in the Federal Register under Docket AMS-FGIS-20-0061 on December 18, 2020.
Under the authority of the United States Grains Standards Act and the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, AMS provides official mycotoxin testing services throughout the United States for domestic and export grains, oilseeds, and processed-grain commodities using rapid test kits.
Official testing services are currently provided for aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone. AMS establishes test kit performance criteria and periodically updates them to improve accuracy and meet operational needs. Only test kits that meet criteria are approved for official testing.
For more information contact Thomas Weber, Branch Chief, Technology and Science Division, at (816) 891-0449 or Thomas.A.Weber@usda.gov.
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