The AOCS recommended practice Cc 17-79 measures titratable alkalinity (soaps) at the low parts per million level in fresh, alkalirefined vegetable oils. This method indicated that titratable alkalinity is present at levels equivalent to many parts per million of "soap" in used frying oils. A colorimetric quick test was developed to show the presence and semi-quantitative concentration of alkaline contaminant materials (ACM), such as soap, in two types of fresh and used frying oils. The quick test works with fresh and used vegetable and animal/vegetable oil blends where it is not possible to use Cc 17-79.