The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) Bureau of Food Laboratories has actively worked with Food Emergency Response Network since the early planning days. As a current FERN laboratory (see Appendix 1- FERN Acceptance Letter, 2004), the DACS Bureau of Food Laboratories is applying for the cooperative agreement titled: FDA FERN Microbiological Cooperative Agreement Continuation Program (U18), announcement RFA-FD-12-018, with anticipation of funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015. 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 Bureau of Food Laboratories desires to ensure the goal of ORA's cooperative agreement program is fulfilled, enabling the analyses of foods and food products in the event that laboratory surge capacity is needed by FERN and the FDA for analyses related to microbiological contamination, either through intentional or unintentional means.
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.
