(GIPSA) APPROVAL AND PROCUREMENT OF RAPID TESTS OF FALLING NUMBER Under the U.S. Grain Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), formerly known as the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), will provide falling number testing of wheat and wheat flour products. Shortly before sprouting can be seen, there is a dramatic increase in the alpha-amylase enzyme activity of wheat kernels. Falling number determination indirectly measures the alpha-amylase activity in wheat flour. This notice announces that GIPSA intends to approve quantitative falling number rapid tests through issuance of GIPSA Certificates of Conformance. The falling number rapid tests must be capable of analyzing falling number in wheat and wheat flour. A Falling Number Performance Specifications Protocol for evaluating falling number rapid tests has been prepared, and to receive a GIPSA Certificate of Conformance, manufacturers must provide documentation their rapid test meets or exceeds the criteria in this document. A copy of the Falling Number Performance Specifications Protocol may be obtained from Lynn Polston, (816) 891-0464. All required data supporting the request for a Certificate of Conformance will be submitted to Lynn Polston, Supervisory Chemist; Analytical, Reference, and Testing Services Branch (ARTS); USDA-GIPSA Technical Services Division; 10383 N. Executive Hills Blvd.; Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1394. E-MAIL: lpolston@gipsakc.usda.gov, lpolston@gipsakc.usda.gov. Posted 07/11/00 (W-SN473326).

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