Special Projects: Method Development and Method Validation

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Discipline D: Special Projects Analytical Track 3: Method Development and Method Validation Project Summary/Abstract: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Food Safety Laboratories achieved accreditation in 2007 and maintains A2LA accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for the specific tests listed in A2LA certificates 2534.01, 2534.02 and 2534.03 (available at www.A2LA.org). The Division has the responsibility for carrying out its duties or support functions as directed by the following Florida Statutes Chapters: 500, 502, 583, 586, and 601. The Division of Food Safety is responsible for assuring the public of a safe, wholesome and properly represented food supply. This is accomplished through the permitting and inspection of food establishments; inspection and evaluation of food and dairy products; and the performance of biological and chemical laboratory testing on a variety of food and dairy products. The Division of Food Safety Laboratories are applying for the Funding Opportunity titled: Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM), announcement number PAR-20-105, with anticipation of funding from 2020 through 2025 for enhancing the capacity and capabilities of method development and method validation in the areas of Microbiology and Chemistry. The Laboratories are currently funded under the Florida Microbiology and Chemistry FDA FERN Program, 2015 – 2020 (5U18FD005506-05). The DFS-Bio Microbiology program has been an active funded laboratory since the inception on FERN microbiology program in 2004 and has participated in microbiology method development and method validation for FERN and the FDA. DFS-Bio has undertaken large-scale method development projects including the development of a Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) real-time PCR testing method for both O157 and non- O157 “Big Six” E. coli, and the development of a new method to test for Cyclospora cayetanensis in fresh herbs. Method development and method validation has been targeted to best suit the food testing needs of both the State of Florida and the nation through FDA and FERN direction. The Division of Food Safety Laboratories are willing and able to participate in this opportunity and are fully committed to increase the analytical capability and capacity of our nation’s food testing laboratories so as to protect the nation’s food supply through food defense and food safety surveillance activities, and thereby enhance efforts to protect the food supply and work toward ensuring the public’s health.