The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) Bureau of FoodLaboratories has actively worked with Food Emergency Response Network since theearly planning days. As a current FERN laboratory (see Appendix 1- FERN AcceptanceLetter, 2004), the DACS Bureau of Food Laboratories is applying for the cooperativeagreement titled: FDA FERN Microbiological Cooperative Agreement ContinuationProgram (U18), announcement RFA-FD-12-018, with anticipation of funding for FiscalYear (FY) 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015.The DACS Bureau of Food Laboratories is willing and able to participate in the following3 project areas:1. Participation in FDA/FERN sample analysis2. Providing of analytical data for potential regulatory utilization3. Participation in small-scale method development, method validation, andmatrix extension work, as determined by FERN NPOThe Bureau of Food Laboratories desires to ensure the goal of ORA's cooperativeagreement program is fulfilled, enabling the analyses of foods and food products in theevent that laboratory surge capacity is needed by FERN and the FDA for analysesrelated to microbiological contamination, either through intentional or unintentionalmeans.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS), Division of Food Safety, Bureau of Food Laboratories achieved accreditation in 2007, and maintains A2LA accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for the specific tests listed in A2LA certificates 2534.01 and 2534.02. The Division of Food Safety is responsible for assuring the public of a safe, wholesome and properly represented food supply through permitting and inspection of food establishments, inspection of food products, and performance of specialized laboratory analyses on a variety of food products sold or produced in the State. The Division monitors food from farm gate through processing and distribution to the retail point of purchase. The DACS Bureau of Food Laboratories is willing and able to participate in the following 3 project areas: 1. Participation in FDA/FERN sample analysis 2. Providing of analytical data for potential regulatory utilization 3. Participation in small-scale method development, method validation, and matrix extension work, as determined by FERN NPO The DACS Bureau of Food Laboratories is willing and able to participate in this funding opportunity, and is fully committed to participate in FDA/FERN sample analysis, surveillance assignments, food emergency outbreak testing, and large-scale food emergency event surge capacity. In addition, we agree to provide analytical data for potential regulatory utilization. This in turn will lead to advancement of a nationally integrated food safety system, and thereby enhance efforts to protect the food supply and work toward ensuring the public's health.
