United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Directive FGIS 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Distribution: FGIS, OSP, Industry Originating Office: TSD ACB

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, 

national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited 

bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program 

information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 

TDD).

To file a complaint, write to the USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity 

employer.

DETECTION OF FECAL MATTER

Contents

DETECTION OF FECAL MATTER �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

1. PURPOSE �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

2. BACKGROUND �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

3. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

4. RESPONSIBILITIES ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

5. PREPARING AND FORWARDING SAMPLES �����������������������������������������������������������������

6. INSTRUCTIONS FOR REQUESTING SERVICE ��������������������������������������������������������

7. CERTIFICATION �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

8. FEES �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

9. ATTACHMENT ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

Attachment 1 ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11
FGIS Directive 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Page 2

1. PURPOSE

This directive provides instructions for obtaining qualitative determination for the 

presence of fecal matter in grain under the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGS

2. BACKGROUND

Large Animal Excreta (LGANX) (e.g., deer, elk, cattle) when found in a grain sample

is considered Distinctly Low Quality (DLQ) and graded as Sample Grade. Further,

LGANX is typically in pellet form and is actionable on officially sampled lots under the 

Memorandum of Understanding between FGIS and the Food and Drug Administration

(see FGIS Program Directive 9060.2 Implementation of the FGIS-FDA Memorandum of

Understanding located on the link below)

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FGIS9060_2.pdf

LGANX is visually determined and is considered separately from the factor animal filth. 

LGANX are distinctly larger than rodent pellets or bird droppings, and accordingly one 

or more would make the sample distinctly low quality. Stakeholders in the grain export

sector requested a more objective determination than the visual method

Upon request, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural 

Marketing Service (AMS) Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) will provide testing 

service to confirm whether a suspected sample is LGANX and is provided through the 

review/appeal process. The fecal matter detection method is only available at the Board

appeal level and is the default determination method

The fecal matter detection method service will be provided by FGIS’ Technology and 

Science Division (TSD) in Kansas City, Missouri

3. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This directive supersedes FGIS Program Directive 9180.88 Detection of Fecal Matter,

dated December 13, 2022. This directive updates responsibilities for Applicants for

Service, Official Agencies and Field Offices, and the Technology and Science Division; 

updates the Sample Forwarding instructions; adds instructions for requesting service; 

and updates Certification instructions.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Applicant for Service. For an officially sampled lot at the Board appeal level, th

applicant must complete a Fecal Matter Testing Transmittal Sheet (Attachment 1).

The applicant may request service through the MyFGIS Service Request Portal 

and attach the transmittal sheet. If the applicant does not have access to the

MyFGIS Service Request Portal the FGIS Field office (FO) may enter the request 

on their behalf, upon receipt of the Fecal Matter Transmittal Sheet (Attachment 1)

Instructions for the MyFGIS Service Request Portal are given in Section 7
FGIS Directive 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Page 3

The applicant for service must provide payment in advance through Pay.gov unless

they have a current USDA revolving credit account

The applicant must provide the FO with their own shipping account information

The applicant pays for the shipping

For more information about MyFGIS, please see the customer guide found at 

https://fgisonline.ams.usda.

b. Official Agencies and Field Office.  Federal appeals are conducted by t

supervising Field Office and Board appeals are conducted by TSD. The OA/FO 

must include the original sample, the LGANX separation, and the Fecal Matter 

Testing Transmittal Sheet (Attachment 1) filled out by the applicant, with shipments 

of Federal and Board appeals.

Official agencies: The applicant will make the Federal appeal request to their 

supervising Field Office. The supervising FO reviews the sample, issues the 

Federal appeal certificate, then forwards the Board appeal sample, if requested, to 

TSD

The applicant is responsible for all shipping expenses. The OA/FO must maintain

custody of the sample(s) until delivery to the courier

On the shipping label, include instructions stating that after-hour deliveries are to 

be deposited in the black drop box located at the south entrance to the building 

near the flagpole.

Upon shipping the sample, the official agency must transfer the request for service 

from the applicant to their supervising field office in MyFGIS.

Upon shipping the sample, the field office must transfer the request for service 

from the applicant to TSD in MyFGIS

c. Technology Science Division (TSD). For official sample service TSD is responsib

for performing the requested test, maintaining a file sample, and issuing the 

board appeal certificate to the applicant and OA/FO as soon as practicable after 

completing the test. TSD will bill the applicant for the testing services and other

applicable hourly fees

5. PREPARING AND FORWARDING SAMPLES

a. Sample Preparatio.  Provide all suspected LGANX. To prevent comingling

pellets, place only one pellet in a plastic bag or glass vial and label appropriately.

Place the plastic bag(s) in a sturdy cardboard box or padded envelope for 

shipping

For samples containing LGANX:
FGIS Directive 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Page 4

(1) If LGANX was determined on the basis of the lot as a whole during time

of sampling (barge, truck, railcar, container), send only the LGANX

(2) If LGANX was determined on the basis of a component sample, send 

only the LGANX

(3) If LGANX was determined on the basis of an officially graded sample, 

send the LGANX and the official file sample (packaged separately).

b. Sample Forwardi

1. For an official agency: send the sample by overnight transport to your 

supervising field office using the information below. Include the Fecal Matter 

Testing Transmittal Sheet (Attachment 1). Immediately following shipment,

document the shipping method and tracking number on the MyFGIS service 

request and transfer it to the supervising field office in the system.

2. For a field office: Send the sample by overnight transport to TSD using the 

information below. Include the Fecal Matter Testing Transmittal Sheet

(Attachment 1). Immediately following shipment, document the shipping

method and tracking number on the MyFGIS service request and transfer it to 

TSD in the system

Note: All sample submissions received after 2 pm CST Friday will be 

considered weekend testing and will be billed according to Program 

Directive 9180.74 provided on the link below:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FGISDirective9180_74.pdf

Send samples to:

USDA, AMS, FGIS

ATTN.: Biotechnology Lab/ FM

Technology and Science Division 

10383 North Ambassador Drive 

Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1394

On the shipping label, include instructions stating that after-hour deliveries are to 

be deposited in the black drop box located at the south entrance to the building 

near the flagpole. 

6. INSTRUCTIONS FOR REQUESTING SERVICE

a. For Applicant entering a request directly

After logging into MyFGIS:

1. Open 'New Service Reques

• Organization Requesting Service: MyFGIS profile of the requesting party

• Service Request Name: Include ‘FMA’, along with other sample 

identification.

• Service Date: Date requested
FGIS Directive 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Page 5

• Service Time: Time requested

• Provider: [OSP with the current samples]

• Type of Account: Select the FMMI revolving account or COD account as 

applicable

o For COD accounts, FGIS staff will complete billing documents for your 

review in MyFGIS and payment through Pay.Go

• Service Category: Other Services

• Contact: Identify whom has requested the service

• Click 'Next'

2. Identify the location where the commodity was sampled

• Select the location from the dropdown

• If not present, add the location (this will become part of the MyFGIS 

profile of the applicant)

• click Next

3. Review the ca

• Review name / location / contact / accounting

• Attach the fecal matter transmittal sheet (Attachment 1) using ‘Add 

Document.

• Submit Service Request

4. The request will now appear here: Service Requests – Submitt

5. All contacts noted in step 1 will be notified when the service is scheduled.

b. For OSP working on behalf of the applicant to enter the request

1. Open 'New Service Reques

o Organization Requesting Service: Use the MyFGIS # provided to select 

the requesting party

o Service Request Name: Include ‘FMA’, along with other sample 

identification. 

o Service Date: Date requested

o Service Time: Time requested

o Provider: [OSP entering request] 

o Type of Account: Select the active FMMI or COD account according to 

the instructions of the applicant

o Service Category: Other Services

o Purchase Order / Contract Number: Optional

o Contact: 

Click the box to select whom has requested the service

If not found, add the person

o Click 'Next' 
FGIS Directive 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Page 6

2. Identify the location where the commodity was sample

o Select the location from the dropdown.

o If not present, add the location (this will become part of the MyFGIS 

profile of the applicant)

o click ‘Next’

3. Review the car

o Review name / location / contact / account number

o Attach the fecal matter transmittal sheet (Attachment 1) using ‘Add 

Document.

4. Submit Service Reque

5. The request will now appear here: Service Requests – Receiv

c. For Official Agency holding an official sample to be sent for analysis:

1. Staff holding the “Assigner” role will receive an email that the request was 

submitted

2. Log into MyFGIS and open: “Service Requests – Received”

3. Open the request by clicking on the request number to revi

a. Prepare the samples for shipment and sh

b. Enter a comment identifying the shipping method and tracking numb

4. Return to the li

a. Select the checkbox next to the entered reque

i. If you need to establish a billing document for your OSP (

sampling, shipping),

1. Select the ‘Action:’ of “Create Bill.”

a. Note the created Billing Document (BD) numb

b. Navigate to the Billing Dashboard/GBA to perform billi

ii. Select the ‘Assign To:’ action and choose “Other OSP.”

iii. Choose your supervising field office from the dropdown and Assign.

b. The request will be moved from the ‘Open’ source to the ‘Transferred

source

5. Once transferred, you can access the request in the ‘Transferred’ sour

d. For Field Office holding the official sample to be sent for analysis:

1. Staff holding the “Assigner” role will receive an email that the request was 

submitted

2. Log into MyFGIS and open: “Service Requests – Received”
FGIS Directive 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Page 7

3. Open the request by clicking on the request number to revi

a. Prepare the samples for shipment and sh

b. Enter a comment identifying the shipping method and tracking numb

4. Return to the li

a. Select the checkbox next to the entered reque

i. If you need to establish a billing document for your OSP (

sampling, shipping),

(1) Select the ‘Action:’ of “Create Bill.”

(a) Note the created Billing Document (BD) number

(b) Navigate to the Billing Dashboard/GBA to perform billing

ii. Select the ‘Assign To:’ action, and choose “Other OSP.”

iii. Choose “FGIS – Technology and Science Division” from the

dropdown and Assign

b. The request will be moved from the ‘Open’ source to the ‘Transferred

source

5. Once transferred, you can access the request in the ‘Transferred’ sour

e. For FGIS – Technology and Science Divisio

1. Staff holding the “Assigner” role will receive an email that the request was 

transferred or submitted

2. Log into MyFGIS and open: “Service Requests – Received.”

3. Open the request by clicking on the request number to revi

a. Review request for completene

4. Create a billing document by selecting the checkbox by the service reques

and selecting the ‘Action:’ of “Create Bill.”

a. Note the created Billing Document (BD) numb

b. Open the Billing Dashboard and then open this new 

c. Add the appropriate billing lines to the billing docume

i. Use G2FMA for the te

d. If the account Type is CO

i. Notify the applicant that the estimate is available in MyFG

ii. They need to pay via Pay.Gov and provide the amount paid a

tracking number

iii. After payment is received, record the Pay.Gov tracking number 

amount in the bill comments

e. Submit the bi

f. Return to MyFGIS: “Service Requests – Received”

5. Upon receipt of the sampl

a. Schedule the test by entering the date/time for the request on the gr

b. Accept the service request document by selecting the checkbox by th

service request and selecting the ‘Action:’ of ‘Accept.

i. The contacts identified in the service request will be notified that the

request was received and scheduled

c. Conduct the tes

6. After testing is complete

a. If additional costs are incurr
FGIS Directive 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Page 8

i. Create an additional billing document by selecting th

checkbox by the service request and selecting the ‘Action:’ of 

“Create Bill.”

ii. Add the appropriate billing lines to the billing docume

iii. If the account type is COD, the additional amount must be collecte

and the subsequent Pay.Gov tracking number and amount

documented in bill comments before releasing results

iv. Submit the bi

b. Issue the certificates.

i. Supersede the appeal certificate.

ii. Ensure that the MyFGIS number and Applicant Name match th

service request

iii. The certificates are available to the applicant in CRT.

c. Complete the service request document by selecting the checkbox b

the service request and selecting the action ‘Complete.

d. The request will be moved from the ‘Open’ source to the ‘History’ source

and no further actions are available

7. CERTIFICATION

a. If LGANX was determined on the basis of the lot as a whole (barge, truck, railcar

container), the identification on the certificate must represent the entire lot (e.g. 

carrier id)

1. The original provider shall issue an original official sample-lot inspection 

certificate or commodity inspection certificate with the count of “Large Animal 

Excreta” and “Distinctly Low Quality: Fecal Matter” shown in the Results 

section of the certificate.

2. If an appeal is requested, after inspection, an appeal certificate shall be 

issued by the field office with the count of “Large Animal Excreta” and if 

confirmed, “Distinctly Low Quality: Fecal Matter” in the Results section of the 

certificate.

3. If a board appeal is requested, a board appeal certificate shall be issued

by TSD that supersedes the appeal certificate.

a. If visual determination is requested, a board appeal certificate shall be

issued with the count of “Large Animal Excreta” and if confirmed, 

“Distinctly Low Quality: Fecal Matter” in the Results section of the 

certificate.

b. If fecal matter determination test is request

i. If fecal matter is confirmed, show “Fecal Matter” as ‘Detected’, 

along with the count of “Large Animal Excreta” and “Distinctly Low 

Quality: Fecal Matter” in the Results section of the certificate.

ii. If fecal matter is not found, show “Fecal Matter” as ‘Not Detected’

and set the count of “Large Animal Excreta” as 0 in the Results 

section of the certificate. Do not show the factor ‘Distinctly Low 

Quality’ in results
FGIS Directive 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Page 9

b. If LGANX was determined on the basis of a component sample that has not be

composited and has become a material portion, the material portion must be 

marked on the inspection log as transferred out of the lot to a new lot. This

component may not be rejoined to the initial lot. The identification of the component 

on the certificate must be noted as follows:

• Name of Material Portion at the time of inspection (MP-1, MP-4, etc)

• Load Start DateTime of the material portion 01/26/2023 1530

• Bin(s) / Rail Car(s) / Location of Commodity after elevation and 

sampling

• Example: “MP-4 Start: 01/26/2023 1530 Bin 63,79”

1. The original provider shall issue an original official sample-lot inspection

certificate or commodity inspection certificate with local movement and with 

the count of “Large Animal Excreta” and “Distinctly Low Quality: Fecal Matter” 

shown in the Results section of the certificate.

2. If an appeal is requested, after inspection, an appeal certificate shall 

be issued by the field office with the count of “Large Animal Excreta” and if 

confirmed, “Distinctly Low Quality: Fecal Matter” in the Results section of the 

certificate.

3. If a board appeal is requested, a board appeal certificate shall be issued by 

TSD that supersedes the appeal certificate.

a. If visual determination is requested, show the count of “Large 

Animal Excreta” and if confirmed, “Distinctly Low Quality: Fecal Matter” 

in the results section of the certificate.

b. If fecal matter determination test is request

i. If fecal matter is confirmed, show “Fecal Matter” as ‘Detected’, 

along with the count of “Large Animal Excreta” and “Distinctly Low 

Quality: Fecal Matter” in the results section of the certificate.

ii. If fecal matter is not found, show “Fecal Matter” as ‘Not 

Detected’, and set the count of “Large Animal Excreta” as 0 in the 

results section of the certificate. Do not show the factor ‘Distinctly 

Low Quality’ in results

c. If LGANX was determined on the basis of an officially graded sublot that has 

become a material portion. The identification of the sublot on the certificate must 

be noted as follows:

• Name of Material Portion at the time of inspection (MP-1, MP-4, etc)

• Load Start DateTime of the material portion 01/26/2023 1530

• Bin(s) / Rail Car(s) / Location of Commodity after elevation and 

sampling

• Example: “MP-4 Start: 01/26/2023 1530 Bin 63,79”
FGIS Directive 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Page 10

1. The original provider shall issue an original official sample-lot 

inspection certificate or commodity inspection certificate with local movement 

and with the count of “Large Animal Excreta” and “Distinctly Low Quality: 

Fecal Matter” shown in the Results section of the certificate.

2. If an appeal is requested, after inspection, an appeal certificate shall be 

issued by the field office with the count of “Large Animal Excreta” and if 

confirmed, “Distinctly Low Quality: Fecal Matter” in the Results section of the 

certificate.

i. The inspection log shall be updated to include an appeal sublot result o

the count of LGANX shown on the appeal certificate.

3. If a board appeal is requested, a board appeal certificate shall be issued by 

TSD that supersedes the appeal certificate.

a. If visual determination is requested, a board appeal certificate 

shall be issued with the count of “Large Animal Excreta” and if 

confirmed, “Distinctly Low Quality: Fecal Matter” in the Results section of 

the certificate.

b. If fecal matter determination test is request

i. If fecal matter is confirmed, show “Fecal Matter” as ‘Detected’,

along with the count of “Large Animal Excreta” and “Distinctly Low 

Quality: Fecal Matter” in the Results section of the certificate.

ii. If fecal matter is not found, show “Fecal Matter” as ‘Not 

Detected’ and set the count of “Large Animal Excreta” as 0 in the 

Results section of the certificate. Do not show the factor ‘Distinctly 

Low Quality’ in results

c. The inspection log shall be updated to include a board appea

sublot result of the count of LGANX shown on the board appeal 

certificate. If fecal matter was not detected and the material portion was 

eliminated, the inspection log sublot name shall be updated accordingly

Note: Because LGANX is actionable on officially sampled lots under the 

Memorandum of Understanding between FGIS and the Food and Drug 

Administration, FGIS Program Directive 9060.2 Implementation of the FGISFDA Memorandum of Understanding is incorporated by reference. A final 

determination that a suspected sample is confirmed fecal matter (LGANX) 

requires notification to FDA according to the directive.

8. FEES

FGIS will use the billing code G2FMA (Fecal Matter Assay) to bill for the Board Appeal 

fecal matter determination service, as stated in FGIS Program Directive 9180.74 found

on the AMS FGIS website at

https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/fgis-program-directi

9. ATTACHMENT

Attachment 1 – Fecal Matter Testing Transmittal Sheet
FGIS Directive 9180.88 June 12, 2023

Page 11

Attachment 1

Fecal Matter Testing Transmittal Sheet

Applicant’s Name

MyFGIS Number

Carrier ID

Date Sampled

Sampling Location

Sample Identification 

(e.g. MP-4 Start: 01/26/2023 1530 Bin 63,79)

Original Certificate Number

Appeal Certificate Number

Point of Contact Name

Point of Contact Email