AMS’ National Science Laboratories (NSL) provides objective, timely, and cost‐effective testing services with accurate and unbiased results to facilitate marketing of agriculture and food products. Located in Gastonia, NC, and Blakely, GA, NSL offers a wide range of analytical testing services on a fee-for-service basis.
NSL is proficient in food and residue chemistry, mycotoxin analysis, microbiology, and molecular biology. Examples of commodities tested by NSL include citrus, hemp, tobacco, olive oil, peanuts, eggs, poultry, honey, bee hive matrices, military rations, and numerous other ingredients, commodities and finished products.
- NSL has the experience and flexibility to service a large client base and their diverse testing needs. NSL provides testing service for AMS commodity programs, other USDA agencies, Federal and State agencies, US Military, academia and other research institutions, and private sector food and agricultural industries.
- The customer is NSL’s core focus. NSL’s services are tailored for the customers to help them meet their needs.
- NSL’s well-trained, experienced, and conscientious staff members provide excellent, personalized customer service.
To assist you in your testing needs, here are the testing services offered at each NSL location.
Gastonia, NC
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited
| Testing Services | Analyses |
|---|---|
| Food Chemistry (Quality, Composition, Nutritional) | Fat, salt, protein, moisture, vitamins, metals |
| Residue Chemistry | Pesticides, antibiotics, mycotoxins, cannabinoids, terpenes, heavy metals |
| Food Adulteration, Authenticity | Individual and panel tests |
| Microbiology | Pathogens, generic organisms, yeast, mold |
| Molecular Biology | GMO screening (broad-spectrum), targeted GMO detection, microsatellite analysis |
Blakely, GA
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited
| Testing Services | Analyses |
|---|---|
| Aflatoxin Analysis | Fluorometry and chromatography |
| Peanut Oil Quality | Foreign matter, peroxide value, free fatty acid, percent oil, moisture, ammonia |
Test Fees
Effective October 1, 2022, the NSL hourly rate is $110/hour.
- The hourly rate is published annually by AMS in the Federal Register.
Laboratory customers track results by sample; therefore, NSL charges customers by the test. Test fees are based on the hours required to perform the test.
- Test fees = $110/hour x hour(s)
- Hours range from 0.05 to 4.75
NSL performs over 150 tests.
- Fees are based on the test specifications requested by the customer.
- The hours required to perform the test reflects the labor required for the test.
- Factors that can impact hours include sample type, packaging, preparation, and volume; method adjustments; extraction and clean-up; number of analytes; data acquisition and analyses; and variations in reporting.
Test fees are communicated to the customer upfront and documented through an agreement prior to testing.
More Information
If you would like to discuss your testing needs or request a specific test fee, please contact us at NationalScienceLaboratories@usda.gov.
For more information, contact:
National Science Laboratories
Laboratory Approval and Testing Division
Science & Technology Program
801 Summit Crossing Place, Suite B
Gastonia, NC 28054
Phone: (704) 867-3873 (Main)
Email: NationalScienceLaboratories@usda.gov
Feedback
NSL welcomes feedback from current and prospective customers. Let us know how we are doing or provide input on future services. In addition to the email above, you may also contact any of the NSL supervisors.