United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Directive 9180.56 November 23, 2009

Distribution: FGIS, OSP, Industry Originating Office: FMD PPMAB

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.

TESTING CORN GLUTEN FEED FOR STARCH, FAT, AND PROTEIN

Contents

TESTING CORN GLUTEN FEED FOR STARCH, FAT, AND PROTEIN ��������������������������������1

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

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

3. BACKGROUND��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

4. POLICY ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

5. REQUEST FOR SERVICE���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

6. SAMPLE SIZE����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

7. CERTIFYING RESULTS ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

8. REVIEW INSPECTIONS������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

9. FEES������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

10. QUESTIONS ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Attachment �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������6
FGIS Directive 9180.56 November 23, 2009

Page 2

1. PURPOSE

This directive establishes guidelines for testing corn gluten feed for starch, fat, protein, 

and moisture content

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This directive supersedes FGIS Program Directive 9180.56, dated 5-1-97. This directiv

is being revised to update the Fees section, along with minor editorial changes, but 

does not revise policy

3. BACKGROUND

Corn gluten feed is that part of the corn remaining after the extraction of starch, gluten, 

and germ through a wet milling process. Corn gluten feed is a medium protein, medium

energy ingredient and is usually presented in the form of pellets. It is widely used in

complete feeds or concentrates for dairy and beef cattle, poultry (layers and turkey 

breeders), swine, and as a carrier for added micro nutrients. The product has become

one of the major agricultural exports of the United States

An agreement between the Corn Refiners Association and the European Community 

specifies that corn gluten feed imported from the United States must conform to the 

following maximum limits on a dry matter basis:

Factor Maximum Limits

Starch..........

Fat..........

Protein..........

In addition, each certificate must report the moisture level since other specifications are 

stated on a dry matter basis

4. POLICY

The Technical Services Division (TSD), Quality Systems and Services Unit (QSS) will 

test samples of corn gluten feed for starch, fat, protein, and moisture content under 

the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (AMA). In order

to facilitate the marketing of corn gluten feed in domestic and foreign commerce, the 

Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) will provide testing services to interested 

parties upon request
FGIS Directive 9180.56 November 23, 2009

Page 3

5. REQUEST FOR SERVICE

Persons interested in corn gluten feed testing may contact QSS, a local FGIS field 

office, or an authorized cooperator to arrange for service. Applicants may request 

a separate test for starch, fat, protein, moisture content, or any combination. When

requesting official sampling services, the applicant must ensure that the lot is accessible 

and indicate the location of the product and the kind of test needed. The following

service options are available:

a. Lot Inspection Service. This service involves FGIS or an authorized cooperator

obtaining a representative sample from an identified lot using approved procedures 

for processed commodities and forwarding the sample to QSS for testing

b. Submitted Sample Inspection Service. This service consists of an applican

obtaining and forwarding a sample to QSS. QSS is responsible for performing the

requested test, maintaining a file sample, issuing the certificate, and billing the 

applicant for the services

6. SAMPLE SIZE

A minimum of 500 grams of corn gluten feed is needed to complete an analysis for 

starch, fat, protein, and moisture. For submitted samples sent to QSS by the applicant, if

a smaller sample size is submitted, QSS will only provide quality information on specific 

factors (i.e., starch, fat, moisture, etc.) for which the sample size is large enough.

When official sampling services are provided, FGIS/cooperators will forward samples for 

testing to QSS and maintain representative file samples.

7. CERTIFYING RESULTS

a. When an applicant requests conformance certification to specific maximum limits 

(i.e., 28 percent starch, 4.5 percent fat, and 40 percent protein) and the test resul

indicate that the product meets these requirements, FGIS will certify results using 

the following statement:

“This lot/sample of corn gluten feed conforms to a maximum 28 percent starch, 4.5 

percent fat, and 40 percent protein on a dry matter basis. Moisture percent

However, if the results are greater than the contract limits on any constituent (i.e.

starch, fat, protein, etc.), certify results as follows

“This lot/sample of corn gluten feed does not conform to a maximum 28 percent 

starch, 4.5 percent fat, and 40 percent protein on a dry matter basis. Moistur

percent.
FGIS Directive 9180.56 November 23, 2009

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FGIS Certificate (CRT) users should enter inspection results as follows in order to 

report actual results on the data record:

Factor Factor Result Unit of Measure Factor Remarks Include in 

Certificate

Starch 25.3 % dry matter basis Non

Fat 4.2 % dry matter basis Non

Protein 28.6 % dry matter basis Non

Moisture 8.4 % Non

See Attachment for a certificate example.

b. When the applicant requests individual tests (i.e., starch, fat, moisture, etc.) cert

results as follows:

“(Factor with result percent) on a dry matter basis. Moisture percent

Example:

“Starch 27 percent and fat 3.0 percent on a dry matter basis. Moisture percen

c. The following certificates are used to report quality information:

(1) Form FGIS-993, Commodity Inspection Certificate. Use this certificate to report

results when samples are obtained by FGIS or authorized cooperator; or

(2) Form FGIS-994, Commodity Certificate - Submitted Sample Inspection Use 

this certificate to report results for submitted samples.

8. REVIEW INSPECTIONS

Applicants may request a retest or appeal inspection service on samples of corn 

gluten feed based on official file samples or new samples. Submitted sample review 

inspections are limited to the file sample. Only one retest is permitted on any original 

result and one appeal is allowed on any original or retest result

9. FEES

FGIS will assess a fee for testing corn gluten feed for fat, protein, and moisture in 

accordance with Title 7, Part 868, Section 868.90, of the Code of Federal Regulation

Note: Starch will be performed at the laboratory hourly rate based upon approximately 

one hour per sample

Authorized cooperator’s fees for sampling services may vary. Consequently, applicants 

must contact their respective cooperators, as applicable, for service costs
FGIS Directive 9180.56 November 23, 2009

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10. QUESTIONS

Direct any questions concerning this directive to the Policies, Procedures, and Market 

Analysis Branch (PPMAB) at (202) 720-0228

Attachment
FGIS Directive 9180.56 November 23, 2009

Page 6

Attachment