The ISO Accredited Laboratory is composed of five sections that analyze various goods and commodities:
- Seed Laboratory: Garden seeds, crop seeds, grass seeds, and grain seeds
- Animal Feed Laboratory: Animal feeds, pet foods, pet treats, and grains
- Dairy & Milk Laboratory: Pasteurized milk and raw cow, goat, and sheep milk
- Petroleum Laboratory: Gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, home heating fuel, and anti-freeze
- Residue Laboratory: Chemical residues in animal feed, commodities, produce, industrial hemp, and food products
Seed Lab
The Seed Lab conducts germination and purity testing for citizens, farmers, businesses, and wholesalers as prescribed by the South Carolina Seed Law, Seed Regulations, and the Noxious Weed Act. The South Carolina Seed Law requires seed to be tested and meet specific standards before it can be sold. The law also requires anyone wishing to sell seed in South Carolina to be licensed through SCDA Consumer Protection Division. Information regarding the sale of seed can be found in the South Carolina Seed Law and application for sale of seed can be found at South Carolina Seed License Application.
Special testing such as Round-up Ready, Seed Count per Pound, and Accelerated Aging are also offered.
The lab does germination and purity testing for the SC Seed Certification Program, which falls under the Department of Plant Industry at Clemson University. Seed lots are required to meet strict standards for germination and purity based on laboratory analyses conducted by the SCDA Seed Laboratory.
The Seed Lab analysts are a member of the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) and the Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO).
Animal Feed Lab
The Animal Feed Lab performs chemical and microscopic analyses to ensure feed products are safe and effective for their intended purposes.
- Animal feed products are analyzed to determine the nutritional value and ensure it reflects what is on the label guarantee
- Samples are collected by Feed Safety Inspectors from various manufacturers and stores throughout the state and submitted to the Feed Lab for testing
- Testing includes, but not limited to:
- Crude Fat
- Crude Fiber
- Protein
- Minerals
- Moisture
- Mycotoxins including Aflatoxin, Fumonisin, & DON
Dairy and Milk Lab
The Dairy & Milk Lab performs various analyses are performed to ensure the safety and quality of Pasteurized and Raw Milk and Milk products. The lab is accredited by FDA and analysts are certified.
- Samples are collected by SCDA Milk Safety Officers from state milk plants and independent dairy farms, then submitted to the laboratory for testing
- FDA-approved test methods are used to confirm pasteurized milk, as well as raw cow, sheep and goat milk, meet Grade “A” standards
- Testing includes, but not limited to:
- Bacterial Count
- Coliform Count
- Somatic Cell Count
- Beta Lactam Screening
- Alkaline Phosphatase
Petroleum Lab
The Petroleum Lab analyzes petroleum products to ensure quality and safety for consumers in South Carolina. These products include Gasoline, Diesel, Ethanol Flex Fuel, Kerosene, and Fuel Oil.
- Samples are collected at random from gas pumps across the state during routine inspections and submitted to the Petroleum Lab for testing
- Testing is performed according to ASTM methods
- Testing includes, but not limited to:
- Water and Sediment
- Octane
- Ethanol Content
- Flashpoint
- Sulfur Content
- Biodiesel
Residue Lab
The Residue Lab is tasked with detecting and quantifying chemical residues in animal feed, commodities, produce, industrial hemp, and food products.
Detection of these residues ensures that compounds deemed to be adulterants in these matrices are diverted from use.
Some compounds that are quantified in the Residue Laboratory include:
- Total THC potency in hemp
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
- Amino Acids
- Mycotoxins
