(GIPSA) FUMONISINS TESTING OF CORN AND CORN PRODUCTS Under the U.S. Grain Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) will provide fumonisins testing of corn and corn products. Fumonisins are structurally related mycotoxins produced by Fusarium moniliforme, F. proliferatum, and related fusaria. Although several fumonisins have been isolated, fumonisins B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2), and B3 (FB3) are most commonly found in corn. This notice announces that GIPSA intends to approve quantitative fumonisins test kits through issuance of GIPSA Certificates of Conformance. The fumonisins test kits must be capable of analyzing FB1, FB2, and FB3 in corn and corn products. A Fumonisins Performance Specifications Protocol for evaluating fumonisins test kits will be used for a GIPSA Certificate of Conformance. Manufacturers must provide documentation that their test kit meets or exceeds the criteria in this document. A copy of the Fumonisins Performance Specifications Protocol may be obtained from Dr. Aarion Johnson, (816) 891-0468. All required data supporting the request for a Certificate of Conformance will be submitted to: Dr. Aarion C. Johnson, Chemist Analytical, Reference, and Testing Services Branch (ARTS) USDA-GIPSA Technical Services Division 10383 N. Executive Hills Blvd Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1394 Data from the AOAC Research Institute Test Kit Performance Testing Program or a similar program may be submitted as evidence of performance for applicable specifications and evaluation factors. E-MAIL: </snote>, Ajohnson@gipsakc.usda.gov. Posted 05/05/00 (W-SN451968).

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