Laboratory Food Surveillance, Maintenance and Capacity Enhancement - 5 Year

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NEVADA STATE PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY OVERALL ABSTRACT SUMMARY The Nevada State Public Health Laboratory (NSPHL) is the only public food-testing laboratory in Nevada. Analytical food testing is provided to Nevada’s regulatory agencies and health authorities assessing foods for regulatory compliance, emergency response and foodborne outbreak investigations. The NSPHL is the primary testing laboratory for Nevada’s Manufactured Food Regulatory Program (MFRP) testing submitted foods monthly. In addition, the NSPHL has been a CDC PulseNet Laboratory providing PFGE analyses, and more recently whole genome sequencing testing, for foodborne related pathogens statewide. The NSPHL is the designated FERN laboratory in Nevada as well as a Tier I Laboratory Response Network (LRN-B) Biological and LRN-C Level II Chemical Laboratory performing Select Agent/Hazard testing on a variety of matrices. Over the past few years, the NSPHL has been working toward ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accreditation. The initial onsite A2LA Assessment is scheduled for July 23-24, 2020. The NSPHL is seeking to maintain the existing food testing capacities under the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 scope while supporting the MFRP. In addition, enhancement of the testing scope to include whole genome sequencing methodologies, radiochemistry analyses as well as other methods to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) to heighten food safety with a prevention focus. Nevada is unique in that it not only provides public health laboratory services to Nevada citizens but also to millions of tourists. As a destination state, there is an abundance of food related establishments and buffet venues that could be a source of concern. The 24/7 food service options in Nevada provide a beneficial and conscious surveillance opportunity to assure protection of visitors and citizens’ health in Nevada using a risk-based model with prevention being the focus. Page 1 of 1