Press Releases
GIPSA Renews VICAM AflaTest® Test Kit to Detect Aflatoxin in Corn
WASHINGTON, DC (August 1, 2006) — The USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) today announced that the VICAM AflaTest® aflatoxin test kit, a quantitative monoclonal affinity chromatography kit, has been approved for official testing of aflatoxin in the national grain inspection system.
Aflatoxins are a toxin produced by a mold and can be present in corn, sorghum, and other grains. A Group 1 carcinogen, aflatoxin has been proven to cause cancer in humans and its presents in food and feed is strictly monitored throughout the world. The US federal government action level for aflatoxin is 20 ppb (parts per billion). Using monoclonal affinity chromatography, AflaTest isolates aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 from feeds, foods, and grains. It can be performed in less than 10 minutes and requires no special skills.
According to GIPSA administrator James Link, renewal of this test expands the choice of aflatoxin test kits available to the national inspection system. GIPSA has now approved the official use of AflaTest to determine total aflatoxin levels in corn, condensed distillers solubles, corn bran, corn flour, corn germ meal, corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal, corn meal, corn soy blend, distillers dried grains, distiller dried grains with solubles, flaking corn grits, milled rice, popcorn, rough rice, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat in levels ranging from 5 – 100 ppb.
About GIPSA
The USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) facilitates the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products, and promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture. The Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) establishes the Official Standards for Grain, which are used each and every day by sellers and buyers to communicate the type and quality of grain bought and sold. FGIS also establishes standard testing methodologies to accurately and consistently measure grain quality. Finally, the program provides for the impartial application of these grades and standards through a network of Federal, State, and private inspection agencies known as the official system. For more information contact: Lynn Polston, GIPSA Technical Services Division, 816-891-0444, or by e-mail at Lynn.A.Polston@usda.gov.
About VICAM
VICAM is a world leader in providing mycotoxin and microbiological testing solutions. Since 1985, VICAM has been dedicated to developing USDA- and AOAC-approved rapid tests for mycotoxins and foodborne pathogens. VICAM's mycotoxin test kits provide reliable quantitative detection of particular mycotoxins through the choice of HPLC or fluorometric detection methods. Around the world, VICAM products are used with confidence, and our commitment to our customers goes beyond providing the best products available. We guarantee satisfaction with expert technical assistance and top-of-the-line customer service, providing support to our products and customers through a global scientific and distribution network which develops, markets, sells, and services our products in over 100 countries For more information, please visit http://www.vicam.com or contact Jennifer Smith at VICAM, 313 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 USA. Tel.: +1.617.926.7045; Fax: +1.617.923.8055.