56036 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Parts 91, 93, and 96

[Docket Number S&TD–97–001]

Revision of Laboratory Service Fees

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing

Service (AMS) proposes to amend

current fees and to add new fees for

laboratory testing services for

agricultural commodities. This

proposed rule includes additional tests

for various commodity products. This

document reflects increased program

costs including the cost-of-living

adjustments since the last fee changes.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before November 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are

invited to submit comments concerning

this proposed rule. Comments should be

sent in triplicate to James V. Falk,

Docket Manager, USDA, AMS, Science

and Technology, P.O. Box 96456, Room

3517-South, Washington, DC 20090–

6456 and should refer to the docket title

and number located in the heading of

this document. Comments received will

be available for public inspection in

Room 3507, South Agriculture Building,

1400 Independence Avenue, SW,

between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and

4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday

through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.

Alan R. Post, (202) 720–3322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This

proposed rule has been determined to

be not significant for purposes of

Executive Order 12866 and has not been

reviewed by the Office of Management

and Budget (OMB).

This proposal has been reviewed

under Executive Order 12988, Civil

Justice Reform. This action is not

intended to have retroactive effect. This

rule will not preempt any State or local

laws, regulation, or policies, unless they

present an irreconcilable conflict with

this rule. There are no administrative

procedures which must be exhausted

prior to any judicial challenge to this

rule or the application of its provisions.

Regulatory Impact Analysis

Pursuant to requirements set forth in

the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5

U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Administrator of

the Agricultural Marketing Service

(AMS) has considered the economic

impact of this action on small entities.

There are more than 300 users of the

Science and Technology Division’s

(S&TD) laboratory testing services.

Many of these users are small entities

under the criteria established by the

Small Business Administration (13 CFR

121.601). The Administrator of AMS

determined that this action would not

have a significant economic impact on

a substantial number of these small

businesses because only minimal

increases to user fees for laboratory tests

for commodities are recommended.

Laboratory tests and services of S&TD

are provided to these businesses on a

voluntary basis and any decision on

their part to discontinue the use of the

services and obtain new contracts with

other governmental agency or private

laboratories would not hinder the food

processors from marketing their

products. In fiscal year 1996, the S&TD

Laboratory Program revenues exceeded

obligatory costs by only $101,000. The

decline in revenue from the fiscal year

1995 level of $907,000 was due to a

decrease in the requested dairy product

testing at the S&TD Midwestern

Laboratory in Chicago, Illinois. For

fiscal year 1997 the Science and

Technology Division expects to report a

$332,000 deficit at the current fee level

because there were additional revenue

declines with the analyzing of all other

commodities at our laboratories. In 1997

the S&TD expects to incur revenue

losses from 1996 levels of $216,000 and

$449,000 respectively from poultry and

tobacco product testing. In addition, the

aflatoxin testing program net

governmental receipts available to cover

administrative costs and authorized

appropriation outlays are projected to

decline from $79,000 in 1996 to $14,000

in 1997. This is a consequence of the

increased number of Peanut

Administrative Committee (PAC)

approved private laboratories that

handle required aflatoxin analyses of

peanuts. In recent years S&TD has

voluntarily closed aflatoxin testing

facilities at Camilla and Ashburn,

Georgia. This was a streamlining

measure to reduce Federal program

costs and to restructure the Division to

improve efficiency of operations and

responsiveness of services. We expect

the Laboratory Program to end fiscal

year 1997 with an operating reserve of

$3,261,000 which will provide a reserve

balance below the 6 month reserve

appropriate under normal operating

conditions. The AMS estimates that

overall this rule would yield additional

laboratory testing program revenues of

$694,000 during fiscal year (FY) 1998.

Without the fee increase, anticipated

revenue would not cover program costs.

Projected FY 1998 laboratory revenues

are $5,616,000 with obligatory costs

projected at $6,276,000. Trust fund

balances would be below the required 4

month reserve levels. With a fee

increase, projected FY 1998 revenues

would be $6,310,000 with obligatory

costs projected at $6,276,000. The

laboratory fees in the general schedules

would increase by approximately 6

percent. These fees are competitive to

the fees found in price lists distributed

by private laboratories. Furthermore,

users of S&TD testing services are under

no obligation to use them. This

proposed action updates lists of

laboratory tests and services contained

in certain sections of the regulations. In

addition, the fees for the specialized and

required aflatoxin testing of nuts and

their products would have increases

ranging from 6 to 21 percent.

Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the provisions of

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980,

as amended on May 22, 1995 (44 U.S.C.

Chapter 35; Pub. L. 104–13 § 2), the

information collection requirements

contained in the provisions to be

updated have been previously approved

by the Office of Management and

Budget.

No additional recordkeeping

requirements are imposed as a result of

this rule.

Background

On August 9, 1993, AMS published a

rule in the Federal Register (58 FR

42408—42448) to combine all AMS

regulations concerning laboratory

services. The goal was to consolidate

and to transfer existing laboratory

testing programs operating

independently under the various

commodity divisions (Cotton, Poultry,

Fruit and Vegetable, Tobacco, Dairy,

and Livestock and Seed) to its S&TD,

formerly the Science Division. The rule

included fees charged for testing and

related services under the diversified

S&TD programs and set the hourly

analytical testing rate at $34.20 per

hour. On May 10, 1994, an interim final

rule was published in the Federal

Register (59 FR 24318—24325) which

was finalized on September 30, 1994 (59

FR 50120—50122) and which reduced

S&TD laboratory testing fees for certain

dairy products and established

additional tests with fees for dairy

products for incorporation into existing

schedules.

The S&TD laboratory testing programs

are mainly voluntary, user fee services,

conducted under the authority of the

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as

amended. However under certain
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules 56037

programs such as those involving

peanuts, aflatoxin testing is required.

The Act authorizes the Secretary of

Agriculture to provide Federal

analytical testing services that facilitate

marketing and allow products to obtain

grade designations or meet marketing

standards. In addition, the laboratory

tests establish quality standards for

agricultural commodities. The Act also

requires that reasonable fees be

collected from the users of the services

to cover as nearly as possible the costs

of maintaining the programs.

There is a need to revise the list of

testing services available due to changes

in analytical methodologies and

customer service needs. Under this

proposed rule, new laboratory tests are

added to the tables in Part 91 as follows:

(1) Heavy metal screen, (2) niacin, (3)

odor, (4) vitamin B–1 (thiamin), (5)

vitamin B–2 (riboflavin), (6) capsaicin

(hot sauce), (7) color (apparent-visual),

(8) extractable color in spices, (9)

hydroxymethylfurfural (honey), (10)

linolenic acid, (11) overrun for

whipping topping, (12) pH—

quinhydrone (cheese), (13) serum

drainage for whipped topping, (14) rate

of wetting (nondairy creamer), (15)

reducing sugars, (16) Bacillus cereus,

(17) Lactobacillus count, (18)

Salmonella enumeration (complete test),

(19) Salmonella typhi (meat products),

and (20) parasite identification. The

direct microscopic clump count (DMCC)

test is removed from Table 5 in Part 91

because it is analogous to the bacterial

direct microscopic count test. Certain

other laboratory tests are removed from

the tables in Part 91 because there have

been few, if any, requests for these tests

in recent years. These outmoded

laboratory tests are fat (cheese and

related products), fat by specific gravity,

moisture by Karl Fischer, and

proteolytic count (dairy products). Four

existing laboratory test fees in the tables

of Part 91 are reduced corresponding to

reduced analysis time and lowered

equipment cost associated with utilizing

revised methodology. The cholesterol

test fee is lowered from $171.00 to

$90.65. The available carbon dioxide

test fee is reduced from $136.80 to

$54.39. The jelly strength (bloom) test

fee is reduced from $85.50 to $54.39.

The water activity test is changed from

$136.80 to $27.20.

In its analysis of projected costs for

fiscal years 1997 and 1998, AMS has

identified increases in the costs of

providing laboratory testing services

despite declining revenues. The total

Laboratory Program obligations in FY

1996 were $5,963,000 while the

program operating costs are projected to

be $6,032,000 in FY 1997 with current

fees. These cost increases are

attributable mainly (65 percent of total

operating budget or $3,684,000 in 1997)

to national and locality pay raises and

increased benefit costs for Federal

employees. A general and locality salary

increase for Federal employees, ranging

from 3.09 to 6.25 percent depending on

locality, effective January 1995, a

general and locality salary increase for

Federal employees, ranging from 2.39 to

2.89 percent depending on locality,

effective January 1996, and an

additional salary increase, ranging from

3.30 to 6.26 percent depending on

localities, effective January 1997, has

materially affected the costs of

laboratory programs. Current and

estimated demand for the laboratory

services are also factored in the fee

revisions. Since S&TD’s last fee increase

in August 1993 (58 FR 42408) total

annual revenue of the S&TD’s

laboratories has decreased from $6.2

million to $5.6 million. Major factors

affecting these revenue losses include

industry’s implementation of plant and

in-house testing, cutbacks in dairy

support and procurement programs, and

reduction in USDA food assistance

programs due to re-engineering

involving State and local governments.

It is anticipated that in FY 1998, at the

current fee levels, the S&TD will not

have sufficient revenue to sustain

present staffing levels, to cover

equipment and material cost increases,

and to still maintain an adequate reserve

balance of $2.7 million or a minimum

4 months reserve called for by Agency

policy and prudent financial

management.

The AMS laboratory testing programs

are voluntary, user fee services,

conducted under the authority of the

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as

amended. The Act requires that

reasonable fees be collected from the

users of these services to cover, as

nearly as practicable, the costs of

maintaining the programs. A recent

review of the current fee schedules,

effective since September 30, 1994 (59

FR 50120—50122), revealed that

anticipated revenue would not

adequately cover increasing program

costs. Without a fee increase, projected

FY 1998 revenues for laboratory services

are $5,616,000 with obligatory costs

projected at $6,276,000. Accordingly,

S&TD is proposing to increase by 6

percent the currently listed laboratory

fees in Tables 1 through 5 and in Tables

7 through 8 in Part 91. The standard

hourly rate would be increased from

$34.20 to $36.26 (6 percent). In

addition, the laboratory rate for appeals,

holiday and overtime service would be

raised from $51.30 to $54.39 per

analysis hour.

The fees and charges in Part 96

involved with the official grading of any

lot of cottonseed would also increase by

6 percent. These fee increases are

needed because of a statistical based

cottonseed lot size study by S&TD in

1992 and the consequential revision of

rule 135, section 5 of the Trading Rules

of the National Cottonseed Products

Association. The trade association’s rule

allows licensed cottonseed samplers

under AMS’s supervision to increase the

maximum cottonseed lot size from 150

to 300 tons to obtain a representative

official cottonseed sample when

prevailing environmental conditions

during a period of 3 consecutive days do

not compromise the quality of graded

cottonseed. This resulted in a

corresponding yearly reduction of the

total number of official cottonseed

samples subject to analytical chemical

methods to derive a composite official

grade designation. Even though the

cottonseed chemist licensing program

costs have been lowered in recent years,

the loss of revenue resulting from the

decreased issuance of the official

cottonseed grading certificates has been

substantial. Therefore, the Agency

proposes to revise the certificate fee

charged for official analysis and

cottonseed grade determination from

$3.00 per certificate, issued by the

chemist, to $3.18. The application fee

for a chemist’s license would be raised

from $1,100.00 to $1,166.00 for the

examination, while the fee for renewal

of the license would be increased from

$275.00 to $292.00.

The laboratory fees for aflatoxin

analyses in Table 6 in Part 91 would be

increased or decreased depending on

the commodity type or analytical

method utilized. The cost of analyzing

shelled peanuts by high performance

liquid chromatography (HPLC) would

be decreased from $50.00 to $31.00 per

single analysis because automated HPLC

equipment is being used now in the

laboratory. Other aflatoxin test fees

would increase by 6 to 21 percent

because there are corresponding

increased costs of the expendable

supplies and materials to perform these

analyses.

The rule would remove the time

allotments for single tests in Tables 1

through 7 in Part 91. The time

allotments stated in the prior rules and

regulations of the S&TD (58 FR 42415,

August 9, 1993 and 59 FR 50121,

September 30, 1994) are no longer

applicable because of the recent

approval of automated equipment and

rapid procedures for many of the listed

tests. This new technology comes with
56038 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules

increased expenses in specialized

supplies and materials required to

perform the requested analyses.

This proposal provides for a 30-day

comment period. This period is deemed

appropriate in view of the need to make

revisions to the current fee schedules

without delay if approved.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 91

Administrative practice and

procedure, Science and Technology

Division Laboratories, Fees and charges

7 CFR Part 93

Citrus fruits, Fruit juices, Fruits,

Laboratories, Nuts, Vegetables

7 CFR Part 96

Cottonseeds, Chemist’s licensure,

Cottonseed quality analysis, Official

grade.

For the reasons set forth in the

preamble, Title 7, chapter I is proposed

to be amended as follows:

PART 91—SERVICES AND GENERAL

INFORMATION

1. The authority citation part 91

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624.

Subpart I—Fees and Charges

2. In § 91.37, Tables 1 through 8 and

paragraph (b) are revised and a new

paragraph (d) is added to read as

follows:

§ 91.37 Fees for laboratory testing,

analysis, and other services.

* * * * *

TABLE 1.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR PROXIMATE ANALYSES

Type of analysis List fee

Ammonia, Ion Selective Electrode ........................................................................................................................................................... $81.59

Ash, Total ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 36.26

Ash, Acid Insoluble .................................................................................................................................................................................. 54.39

Chloride, Salt Titration (Dairy) ................................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

Fat, Acid Hydrolysis ................................................................................................................................................................................. 36.26

Fat (Dairy Products) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

Fat, Ether Extraction ................................................................................................................................................................................ 36.26

Fat, Microwave—Solvent Extraction ........................................................................................................................................................ 36.26

Fiber, Crude ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 72.52

Moisture, Distillation ................................................................................................................................................................................. 36.26

Moisture, Oven ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 18.13

Protein, Kjeldahl ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Salt, Back Titration ................................................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

Salt, Potentiometric .................................................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

TABLE 2.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR LIPID RELATED ANALYSES

Type of analysis List fee

Acid Degree Value (Dairy) ....................................................................................................................................................................... $36.26

Acidity, Titratable ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 9.07

Carotene, Spectrophotometric ................................................................................................................................................................. 90.65

Catalase Test ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Cholesterol 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 90.65

Color (Honey) ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Color, NEPA (Eggs) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 36.26

Consistency, Bostwick (Cooked) ............................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

Consistency, Bostwick (Uncooked) ......................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Density (Specific Gravity) ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9.07

Dispersibility (Moates-Dabbah Method) ................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Fat Stability,2 AOM .................................................................................................................................................................................. 36.26

Fatty Acid Profile (AOAC–GC method) ................................................................................................................................................... 145.04

Flash Point Test only ............................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Free Fatty Acids ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Meltability (Process Cheese) ................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Peroxidase Test ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Peroxide Value ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 27.20

Smoke Point Test only ............................................................................................................................................................................. 72.52

Smoke Point and Flash Point .................................................................................................................................................................. 126.91

Solids, Total (Oven Drying) ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Soluble Solids, Refractometer ................................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

1 Moisture and fat analyses are required to be analyzed at an additional cost as prerequisites to the cholesterol test.

2Peroxide value analysis is required as a prerequisite to the fat stability test at the additional fee.

TABLE 3.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR FOOD ADDITIVES

(DIRECT AND INDIRECT)

Type of analysis List fee

Aflatoxin, (Dairy, Eggs) ............................................................................................................................................................................ $126.91

Alar or Daminozide Residue .................................................................................................................................................................... 217.56

Amitraz Residue, GLC ............................................................................................................................................................................. 217.56
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules 56039

TABLE 3.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR FOOD ADDITIVES—Continued

(DIRECT AND INDIRECT)

Type of analysis List fee

Alcohol (Qualitative) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 72.52

Alkalinity of Ash ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 54.39

Antibiotic, Qualitative (Dairy) ................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Antibiotic, Quantitative 1 ........................................................................................................................................................................... 398.86

Ascorbates (Qualitative—Meats) ............................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

Ascorbic Acid, Titration ............................................................................................................................................................................ 36.26

Ascorbic Acid, Spectrophotometric .......................................................................................................................................................... 36.26

Benzene, Residual ................................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Brix, Direct Percent Sucrose ................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Brix, Dilution ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) ............................................................................................................................................................. 54.39

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) ............................................................................................................................................................. 54.39

Caffeine, Micro Bailey-Andrew ................................................................................................................................................................ 54.39

Caffeine, Spectrophotometric .................................................................................................................................................................. 36.26

Calcium .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 54.39

Citric Acid, GLC or HPLC ........................................................................................................................................................................ 54.39

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons:

Pesticides and Industrial Chemicals:

Initial Screen .............................................................................................................................................................................. 145.04

Second Column Confirmation of Analyte .................................................................................................................................. 36.26

3Confirmation on Mass Spectrometer ....................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Dextrin (Qualitative) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

Dextrin (Quantitative) ............................................................................................................................................................................... 108.78

Filth, Heavy (Dairy) .................................................................................................................................................................................. 90.65

Filth, Heavy (Eggs) .................................................................................................................................................................................. 145.04

Filth, Light (Eggs) ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 90.65

Filth, Light & Heavy (Eggs Extraneous) .................................................................................................................................................. 217.56

Flavor (Dairy) ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 9.07

Flavor (Products except Dairy) ................................................................................................................................................................ 27.20

Fumigants:

Initial Screen:

Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) ................................................................................................................................................. 36.26

Ethylene Dibromide ................................................................................................................................................................... 36.26

Methyl Bromide .......................................................................................................................................................................... 36.26

Confirmation on Mass Spectrometer:

Each individual fumigant residue .............................................................................................................................................. 72.52

Glucose (Qualitative) ............................................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

Glucose (Quantitative) ............................................................................................................................................................................. 63.46

Glycerol (Quantitative) ............................................................................................................................................................................. 108.78

Gums ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 108.78

Heavy Metal Screen 2 .............................................................................................................................................................................. 317.28

High Sucrose Content or Avasucrol:

Percent Sucrose (Holland Eggs) ...................................................................................................................................................... 145.04

Hydrogen Ion Activity, pH ........................................................................................................................................................................ 18.13

Mercury, Cold Vapor AA .......................................................................................................................................................................... 90.65

Metals—Other Than Heavy, Each Metal ................................................................................................................................................. 72.52

Monosodium Dihydrogen Phosphate ....................................................................................................................................................... 145.04

Monosodium Glutamate ........................................................................................................................................................................... 145.04

Niacin ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Nitrites (Qualitative) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

Nitrites (Quantitative) ............................................................................................................................................................................... 108.78

Oxygen ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Odor ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9.07

Palatability and Odor:

First Sample ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

Each Additional Sample ................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Phosphatase, Residual ............................................................................................................................................................................ 36.26

Phosphorus .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 72.52

Propylene Glycol, Codistillation:

(Qualitative) ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Pyrethrin Residue (Dairy) ........................................................................................................................................................................ 145.04

Scorched Particles ................................................................................................................................................................................... 9.07

Sodium, Potentiometric ............................................................................................................................................................................ 36.26

Sodium Benzoate, HPLC ......................................................................................................................................................................... 54.39

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) ................................................................................................................................................................... 290.08

Sodium Silicoaluminate (Zeolex) ............................................................................................................................................................. 72.52

Solubility Index ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Starch, Direct Acid Hydrolysis ................................................................................................................................................................. 108.78

Sugar, Polarimetric Methods ................................................................................................................................................................... 36.26

Sugar Profile, HPLC: 3

One type sugar from HPLC profile ................................................................................................................................................... 108.78
56040 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules

TABLE 3.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR FOOD ADDITIVES—Continued

(DIRECT AND INDIRECT)

Type of analysis List fee

Each additional type sugar ............................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Sugars, Non-Reducing ............................................................................................................................................................................ 108.78

Sugars, Total as Invert ............................................................................................................................................................................ 72.52

Sulfites (Qualitative) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 27.20

Sulfur Dioxide, Direct Titration ................................................................................................................................................................. 36.26

Sulfur Dioxide, Monier-Williams ............................................................................................................................................................... 54.39

Toluene, Residual .................................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Triethyl Citrate, GC (Quantitative) ........................................................................................................................................................... 36.26

Vitamin A ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 90.65

Vitamin A, Carr-Price (Dry Milk) .............................................................................................................................................................. 45.33

Vitamin B–1 (Thiamin) ............................................................................................................................................................................. 72.52

Vitamin B–2 (Riboflavin) .......................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Vitamin D, HPLC (Vitamins D 2 and D 3) ................................................................................................................................................. 308.21

Whey Protein Nitrogen ............................................................................................................................................................................. 27.20

Xanthydrol Test For Urea ........................................................................................................................................................................ 54.39

This is an optional test to the extraneous materials isolation test.

1Antibiotic testing includes tests for chlorotetracycline, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline.

2 Heavy metal screen includes tests for cadmium, lead, and mercury.

3This profile includes the following components: Dextrose, Fructose, Lactose, Maltose and Sucrose.

TABLE 4.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR OTHER CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL COMPONENT ANALYSES

Type of analysis List fee

Available Carbon Dioxide (Baking Powders) ........................................................................................................................................... $54.39

Capsaicin (Hot Sauce) ............................................................................................................................................................................. 72.52

Color, Apparent-Visual ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9.07

Complete Kohman Analysis (Dairy) ......................................................................................................................................................... 36.26

Extractable Color in Spices ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Grape Juice Absorbency Ratio ................................................................................................................................................................ 18.13

Hydroxymethylfurfural (Honey) ................................................................................................................................................................ 36.26

Jelly Strength (Bloom) ............................................................................................................................................................................. 54.39

Linolenic Acid ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Methyl Anthranilate .................................................................................................................................................................................. 36.26

Net Weight (Per Can) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 9.07

Non-Volatile Methylene Chloride Extract ................................................................................................................................................. 90.65

Overrun for Whipped Topping ................................................................................................................................................................. 27.20

Particle Size (Ether Wash) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

pH—Quinhydrone (Cheese) .................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Potassium Iodide (Table Salt) ................................................................................................................................................................. 54.39

Quinic Acid (Cranberry Juice) .................................................................................................................................................................. 63.46

Serum Drainage for Whipped Topping .................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Sieve or Particle Size .............................................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

Rate of Wetting (Nondairy Creamer) ....................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Reducing Sugars ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Water Activity ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

Water Insoluble Inorganic: Residues (WIIR) ........................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Yellow Onion Test .................................................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

TABLE 5.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSES

Type of analysis List fee

Aerobic (Standard) Plate Count ............................................................................................................................................................... $18.13

Anaerobic Bacterial Plate Count .............................................................................................................................................................. 27.20

Bacillus cereus ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Bacterial Direct Microscopic Count .......................................................................................................................................................... 36.26

Campylobacter jejuni ............................................................................................................................................................................... 145.04

Coliform Plate Count (Dairy Products) .................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Coliform Plate Count, Violet Red Bile Agar (Presumptive Coliform Plate Count) .................................................................................. 27.20

Coliforms, Most Probable Number (MPN): 1

Step 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

Step 2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

E coli, Presumptive MPN (Additional) 2 ................................................................................................................................................... 54.39

Enterococci Count ................................................................................................................................................................................... 108.78

Lactobacillus Count 3 ............................................................................................................................................................................... 45.33

Listeria monocytogenes Confirmation Analysis: 4

Step 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 54.39

Step 2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 54.39
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules 56041

TABLE 5.—SINGLE TEST LABORATORY FEES FOR MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSES—Continued

Type of analysis List fee

Step 3 (Confirmation) ....................................................................................................................................................................... 90.65

Parasite Identification .............................................................................................................................................................................. 145.04

Psychrotrophic Bacterial Plate Count ...................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

Salmonella (USDA Culture Method): 5

Step 1 (Dairy Products) .................................................................................................................................................................... 36.26

Step 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 54.39

Step 2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

Step 3 (Confirmation) ....................................................................................................................................................................... 54.39

Serological Typing (Optional) ........................................................................................................................................................... 90.65

Salmonella Enumeration (Complete Test) ............................................................................................................................................... 108.78

Salmonella (Rapid Methods): 6

Step 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 72.52

Step 2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

Step 3 (Confirmation) ....................................................................................................................................................................... 54.39

Salmonella typhi (Meat Products) 7 .......................................................................................................................................................... 36.26

Staphylococcus aureus, MPN:

With Coagulase Positive Confirmation ............................................................................................................................................. 63.46

Thermoduric Bacterial Plate Count .......................................................................................................................................................... 27.20

Yeast and Mold Count ............................................................................................................................................................................. 18.13

Yeast and Mold Differential Plate Count ................................................................................................................................................. 27.20

1 Coliform MPN analysis may be in two steps as follows: Step 1—presumptive test through lauryl sulfate tryptose broth; Step 2—confirmatory

test through brilliant green lactose bile broth. 2Step 1 of the coliform MPN analysis is a prerequistite for the performance of the presumptive E. coli test. Prior enrichment in lauryl sulfate

tryptose broth is required for optimal recovery of E. coli from inoculated and incubated EC broth (Escherichia coli broth). The E. coli test is performed through growth on eosin methylene blue agar. The fee stated for E. coli analysis is a supplementary charge to step 1 of coliform test. 3 Determination of bacterial plate count of different species of Lactobacillus. 4Listeria monocytogenes test using the USDA method may be in three steps as follows: Step 1—isolation by University of Vermont modified

(UVM) broth and Fraser’s broth enrichments and selective plating with Modified Oxford (MOX) agar; Presumptive Step 2—typical colonies inoculated from Horse Blood into brain heart infusive (BHI) broth and check for characteristic motility; Confirmatory Step 3—culture from BHI broth

with typical motility is inoculated into the seven biochemical medias, BHI agar for oxidase and catalase tests, Motility test medium, and ChristieAtkins-Munch-Peterson (CAMP) test. Listeria monocytogenes test using the FDA method may be in three steps as follows: Step 1—isolation by

trypticase soy broth with 0.6% yeast extract (TSB–YE) broth enrichment and selective plating with Modified McBrides agar and Lithium chloride

Phenylethanol Moxalactam (LPM) agar; Presumptive Step 2—typical colonies inoculated to trypticase soy agar with yeast extract (TSA–YE) with

sheep blood plates to check for hemolysis followed by inoculations to BHI broth and TSA–YE plates to check for characteristic motility, gram

stain and catalase test; Confirmatory Step 3—culture from BHI broth with typical motility for wet mount is inoculated into the required 10 biochemical medias, Sulfide-Indole-Motility (SIM) medium, and the CAMP test. Serology is checked using growth from TSA–YE plates. Both methods for Listeria determination have the equivalent time needed for each step. 5Salmonella test may be in three steps as follows: Step 1—growth through differential agars; Step 2—growth and testing through triple sugar

iron and lysine iron agars; Step—3 confirmatory test through biochemicals, and polyvalent serological testing with Poly ‘‘O’’ and Poly ‘‘H’’

antiserums. The serological typing of Salmonella is requested on occasion. 6Salmonella test may be in three steps as follows: Step 1—growth in enrichment broths and ELISA test or DNA hybridization system assay;

Step 2—growth and testing through triple sugar iron and lysine iron agars; Step 3—confirmatory test through biochemicals, and polyvalent serological testing with Poly ‘‘O’’ and Poly ‘‘H’’ antiserums. 7Salmonella typhi determination in mechanically deboned meat.

TABLE 6.—LABORATORY FEES FOR AFLATOXIN ANALYSES

Aflatoxin test by commodity Fee per single analysis

Fee per

pair analyses 1

Peanut Butter (TLC—CB—Affinity Column) .................................................................................................................... $36.26 NA2

Corn (TLC—CB—Affinity Column) ................................................................................................................................... 36.26 NA

Roasted Peanuts (TLC—BF) ........................................................................................................................................... 36.26 NA

Brazil Nuts (TLC—BF) ..................................................................................................................................................... 72.52 NA

Pistachio Nuts (TLC—BF) ................................................................................................................................................ 72.52 NA

Shelled Peanuts (TLC—Affinity Column) ......................................................................................................................... 17 34

Shelled Peanuts (HPLC) .................................................................................................................................................. 31 62

Tree Nuts (TLC) ............................................................................................................................................................... 36.26 NA

Oilseed Meals (TLC) ........................................................................................................................................................ 36.26 NA

Edible Seeds (TLC) .......................................................................................................................................................... 36.26 NA

Dried Fruit (TLC) .............................................................................................................................................................. 36.26 NA

Small Grains (TLC) .......................................................................................................................................................... 36.26 NA

In-Shell Peanuts (TLC) .................................................................................................................................................... 17 34

Silage; Other Grains (TLC) .............................................................................................................................................. 36.26 NA

Submitted Samples (TLC—Affinity Column) .................................................................................................................... 36.26 NA

1Aflatoxin testing of raw peanuts under Peanut Marketing Agreement for subsamples 1–AB, 2–AB, 3–AB, and 1–CD is $34.00 per pair of analyses using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Best Foods (BF) extraction or immunoaffinity column chromatography method. The BF method has been modified to incorporate a water slurry extraction procedure. The Contaminants Branch (CB) method is used on occasion as an alternative method for peanuts and peanut meal when doubt exists as to the effectiveness of the Best Foods method in extracting aflatoxin from

the sample or when background interferences exist that might mask TLC quantitation of aflatoxin. The cost per single or pair of analyses using

High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is $31.00 and $62.00, respectively. Other aflatoxin analyses for fruits and vegetables are listed at

Science and Technology Division’s current hourly rate of $36.26. 2 NA denotes not applicable.
56042 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules

TABLE 7.—MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIVISION’S LABORATORY

ANALYSIS FEES

Laboratory service description List fee

Sample Grinding Raw Peanuts by Vertical Cutter Mixer (VCM) ............................................................................................................. $18.13

Sample Grinding Canned Boned Poultry (VCM) ..................................................................................................................................... 36.26

Sample Grinding (Meats, Meat Products, Meals, Ready-to-Eat):

per pouch or raw sample .................................................................................................................................................................. 9.07

per tray pack ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 18.13

Compositing Multiple Subsamples for an Individual Test Sample Unit per subsample ......................................................................... 9.07

TABLE 8.—ADDITIONAL CHARGES APPLICABLE TO THE SAMPLE RECEIPT AND ANALYSIS REPORT

Service description List charge

Established Courier Expense at Albany, Georgia S&TD Laboratory .............................................................................. $2.15

Courier Expense at Other AMS Laboratories:

Mileage Charge Set at $0.31 Per Mile Roundtrip from Laboratory to Delivery Site ............................................... Varies

Facsimile Charge (Per Analysis Report) ......................................................................................................................... $3.20 minimum up to first

3 pages, then $1.10 per

page

Additional Analysis Report or Extra Certificate (1⁄2 hour charge) ................................................................................... $18.13 per report or certificate reissued

(b) The fee charge for any laboratory

analysis not listed in paragraph (a) of

this section, or for any other applicable

services rendered in the laboratory,

shall be based on the time required to

perform such analysis or render such

service. The standard hourly rate shall

be $36.26.

* * * * *

(d) When Science and Technology

Division provides applied and

developmental research and training

activities for microbiological and

chemical analyses on agricultural

commodities the applicant will be

charged a fee on a reimbursable cost

basis.

3. Section 91.38 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 91.38 Additional fees for appeal of

analysis.

(a) The appellant will be charged an

additional fee at a rate of 1.5 times the

standard rate stated in § 91.37(a) if, as a

result of an authorized appeal analysis,

it is determined that the original test

results are correct. The appeal

laboratory rate is $54.39 per analysis

hour.

(b) The appeal fee will be waived if

the appeal laboratory test discloses that

an inadvertent error was made in the

original analysis.

4. In § 91.39, paragraph (a) is revised

to read as follows:

§ 91.39 Special request fees for overtime

and legal holiday service.

(a) Laboratory analyses initiated at the

special request of the applicant to be

rendered on Saturdays, Sundays,

Federal holidays, and on an overtime

basis will be charged at a rate of 1.5

times the standard rate stated in

§ 91.37(a). The premium laboratory rate

for holiday and overtime service will be

$54.39 per analysis hour.

* * * * *

5. In § 91.40, paragraph (a) is revised

to read as follows:

§ 91.40 Fees for courier service and

fasimile of the analysis report.

(a) The AMS peanut aflatoxin

laboratory at Albany, Georgia, has a set

courier charge of $2.15 per trip to

retrieve the sample package. The

mileage charge specified in Table 8 of

this part for courier service at other

AMS laboratories is based on the

shortest roundtrip route from laboratory

to sample retrieval site.

* * * * *

PART 93—PROCESSED FRUITS AND

VEGETABLES

1. The authority citation part 93

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624.

Subpart B—Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Corn

and Other Oilseeds

2. In § 93.11, the definition for

‘‘aflatoxin’’ is revised to read as follows:

Aflatoxin. A toxic metabolite

produced by the molds Aspergillus

flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and

Aspergillus nomius. The aflatoxin

compounds fluoresce when viewed

under UV light as follows: aflatoxin B1

and derivatives with a blue

fluorescence, aflatoxin B2 with a blueviolet fluorescence, aflatoxin G1 with a

green fluorescence, aflatoxin G2 with a

green-blue fluorescence, aflatoxin M1

with a blue-violet fluorescence, and

aflatoxin M2 with a violet fluorescence.

These closely related molecular

structures are referred to as aflatoxin B1,

B2, G1, G2, M1, M2, GM1, B2a, G2a, R0, B3,

1–OCH3B2, and 1–CH3G2.

3. In § 93.12, paragraph (b)(1) is

revised to read as follows:

§ 93.12 Analyses available and locations

of laboratories.

* * * * *

(b) * * * (1) The Science and

Technology Division Aflatoxin

Laboratories at Albany and Blakely,

Georgia will perform other analyses for

peanuts, peanut products, and a variety

of oilseeds. The analyses for oilseeds

include testing for free fatty acids,

ammonia, nitrogen or protein, moisture

and volatile matter, foreign matter, and

oil (fat) content.

* * * * *

PART 96—COTTONSEED SOLD OR

OFFERED FOR SALE FOR CRUSHING

PURPOSES (CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

AND UNITED STATES OFFICIAL

GRADE CERTIFICATION)

1. The authority citation part 96

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624.

2. Section 96.20 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 96.20 Fee for chemist’s license.

(a) The fee for the examination of an

applicant for a license as a chemist to

analyze and certify the grade of

cottonseed shall be $1,166.00.

(b) The examination fee shall be paid

at the time the application is filed or at

a time prior to the administration of the
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules 56043

examinations. This fee shall be paid

regardless of the outcome of the

licensing examinations. The

examination fee shall be nonrefundable

to the applicant; however, in the evident

of death of the applicant prior to the

examination, full payment of the fee

may be returned to the applicant’s

beneficiary. If an application is filed

with an insufficient fee, the application

and fee submitted will be returned to

the applicant.

(c) For each renewal of a chemist’s

license, the fee shall be $292.00.

3. In § 96.21, paragraph (a) is revised

to read as follows:

§ 96.21 Fee for certificates to be paid by

licensee to Service.

(a) To cover the cost of administering

the regulations in this part, each

licensed cottonseed chemist shall pay to

the Service $3.18 for each certificate of

the grade of cottonseed issued by the

licensee.

* * * * *

Dated: October 17, 1997.

Lon Hatamiya,

Administrator, Agricultural Marketing

Service.

[FR Doc. 97–28454 Filed 10–27–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–02–U