Check Sample Series

When a laboratory subscribes to an AACC International check sample series, it will receive specially prepared test samples from AACC International according to the frequency specified for that series. The subscribing laboratory performs specific analyses on the sample(s) and returns its results to AACC International. AACC International will then provide a statistical evaluation of the analytical results comparing on a confidential coded basis the subscribing laboratory's data with those of other laboratories. Thus, the subscriber is able to see how its results compare with those of other industrial and government laboratories in terms of accuracy.

Consider including AACC International's Proficiency Testing/Rating Service

As a subscriber to an AACC International check sample series, you may also be able to include our optional proficiency testing/rating service with that series. In addition to regularly comparing your check sample results with those of other laboratories or analysts on a confidential coded basis, as a proficiency subscriber you would receive periodic quantitative estimates of your accuracy via special reports that would accompany each monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly report of analytical results. If warranted, an annual certificate suitable for framing and display will be issued.

How it works

The proficiency testing/rating service makes use of all results from the series you select and is based on the internationally recognized z-value. This essentially represents the number of standard deviations by which a single result or a series of results differ from the true value or values, as represented by the respective mean or series of means after deleting outliers. Thus, standards of accuracy and precision are determined by the spread of actual analytical results rather than by any arbitrary committee or staff decision. Only series lending themselves to this approach are included, and within each series, only analyses with an adequate number of subscriber results and a relatively low coefficient of variation. An adjusted mean z-value of under 2.000 for a calendar year earns a rating of satisfactory accuracy and precision. An adjusted mean z-value of under 1.000 earns a rating of outstanding accuracy and precision.
To subscribe to the Proficiency Testing/Rating Service for one or more of the check sample series with which it is available, you must already be a subscriber to (or must initiate a subscription to) the underlying Check Sample series. (See the table of annual fees below for more information.)

Reference Materials

AACC International also provides reference food fiber sources in bulk quantities for experimental research studies. Certified wheat bran (in either soft white or hard red wheat) and certified oat bran are available in various quantities to accommodate both short and long term feeding studies. These products have been enzyme- deactivated and are held by AACC International in frozen storage to assure constancy of product over a period of years. A complete certificate of analysis is furnished with each order, although the products are not represented as analytical standards. Also available are a standard hard wheat flour sample with moisture, protein, ash, and falling number analytical values, a standard cereal-based product with vitamin and mineral analytical values, and analytical reference standards for beta-glucan and total, insoluble, and soluble dietary fiber.

ABOUT THE COST

Fees for check sample series vary depending on the specific nature of the analytical procedures involved, the frequency of service, the extent of statistical analyses to be provided, and location. See the table of annual fees below for more information.

AACC International Corporate Members qualify for special membership discounts. The rate for corporate membership depends on company size and includes subscriptions toCereal Foods World^®andCereal Chemistry^®along with discounts on annual meeting registration and exhibitor fees, continuing education course fees, and reference publications. If your company is not a corporate member, contact AACC International today for a brochure and application.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

Analytical Series

This group is primarily based on the chemical analyses for moisture, ash, protein, fats and fatty acids, fiber, sugars, minerals and vitamins.

• Hard Wheat Flour Analyses
  A  Monthly hard wheat flour sample for moisture, ash, protein (Kjeldahl or NIR or combustion), and falling number.
  B  Bimonthly hard wheat flour sample for moisture, ash, protein (Kjeldahl or NIR or combustion), diastatic power, gassing power, and falling number.
• Soft Wheat Flour Analysis
  C  Bimonthly soft wheat flour sample for moisture, ash, protein (Kjeldahl or NIR or combustion), pH, and falling number.
• Feed Analysis
  D  Bimonthly feed sample for moisture, ash, protein, crude fat (by ether extract and/or by acid hydrolysis/ether extract), crude fiber, calcium, and phosphorus.
• Bakery Mixes, Cereal-Based Product Analyses
  K  Bimonthly sample of bakery mixes or other cereal-based products for total or crude fat by various methods; saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids; total fat as triglycerides; fatty acid profile; and cholesterol.
  SEM  Bimonthly sample of durum semolina for moisture, protein, and ash by standard methods and optionally by NIR. Also included are speck count, Ro-tap granulation, mixograph data, and Minolta color.
• Dietary Fiber and Beta-Glucan Analyses
  DF  Bimonthly sample of ground breakfast cereals or other grain products for total, soluble, and insoluble dietary fiber and beta-glucan.
• Vitamin / Mineral Analyses
  VMP Bimonthly cereal-based sample for analyses of vitamins (A, B1, B2, niacin, B6, B12, C, E, biotin, folic acid, and pantothenic acid), minerals (calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, chromium, and selenium), and proximates (moisture, crude fat by ether extract and/or by acid hydrolysis/ether extract, protein, and ash).
• Sugar Analyses
  SA   Monthly sample for HPLC analysis of sugars including glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose. Samples represent a variety of foods such as presweetened breakfast cereals, cake mixes, and honey/sugar blends.

Physical Testing Series

This physical testing series analyses employ laboratory instruments specific for testing physical properties of flour and doughs.

• Alveograph Test
  ALV   Bimonthly samples, alternately of hard and soft wheat flour for alveograph testing, including P, L, G, W, and Ie (P200/P) values.
• Farinograph Tests
  HS   Bimonthly flour sample for farinograph (small bowl).
  HL   Bimonthly flour sample for farinograph (large bowl).
• Amylograph Test
  I   Bimonthly flour sample for amylograph.
• Mixograph Test
  J   Bimonthly flour sample for mixograph.
• RVA Analysis
  RF Bimonthly sample of flour for RVA analyses, including stirring number (3-minute test) and general pasting data (13-minute test).

Food Safety Series

All series in this group relate to various aspects of food safety.

• Microbiological
  MBA Quarterly flour samples for Salmonellae, coagulase-positive Staphylococci, yeasts and molds, coliforms, and E. coli (using MPN or direct plating) and aerobic plate count (APC). Two different samples are sent each time.
  MBB Same as MBA except bimonthly samples, without Salmonellae or Staphylococci.
• Sanitation Analyses
  E Quarterly flour sample for extraneous material analysis with individual review and critique of each sample by a leading authority.
  G Quarterly spice sample for extraneous material analysis with individual review and critique of each sample by a leading authority.
  L Quarterly sample of ground whole grain or other food or feed materials with varying levels of mycotoxins including aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin), or fumonisins.

Standard Reference Samples

Charges for these services are based on analytical, storage, and administrative costs involved.

• CFW Certified wheat brans (soft white and hard red wheat) in quantities of 5 lb or more.
• CFO Certified oat bran in quantities of 5 lb or more.
• VMA Cereal-based standard sample with analytical values for eight vitamins and eight minerals.
• BG Analytical reference standard for beta-glucan.
• HFW Hard wheat flour with analytical values for ash, protein, moisture, and falling number.
• TDF Analytical reference standard for total, insoluble, and soluble dietary fiber.

ANNUAL FEES FOR ALL CHECK SAMPLE SERIES
(with proficiency option where available) 

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* MBA series is not available outside of the United States and Canada. Canada residents add postage fee for MBA series.