- HUMAN FOOD PROJECT FDA LFFM: Discipline-Chemistry; Analytical Track-Human Food Product Testing at CT AES Project Summary- This proposal is being submitted in response to RFA-PAR-20-105 Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM)(U19). The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CT AES) has a 145-year history of food safety research, including 15 years as a member of the FDA Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) Chemistry Cooperative Agreement Program (cCAP), and 8 years of funding under 4 different FDA ISO food safety CAPs. In addition to being the sole laboratory in CT providing chemical testing for the MFRPS program, the CT AES participates a broader surveillance and monitoring program to ensure the safety of food in the state. The primary goal of the proposed Human Food Project is to acquire the necessary funding to improve food testing surveillance programs through the chemical analysis of food products. CT AES was an awardee under three previous FDA CAP awards focused on human food. Our current Scope, which includes methods for the chemical analysis of human food, is valid until February 2021. The Research Strategy associated with this Project highlights CT AES past activities with regard to human food product testing, and details our plan to meet the 15 Aims that cross all Projects, as detailed in the RFA, as well as the Human Food Product project-specific goals of improving food testing surveillance programs through the chemical analysis of food products. The Research Strategy also includes a specific description of the sample type/number, commodity pairs and analytical methods pursued under this Project. We will analyze 510 samples per year that will be collected by our state regulatory agency for food; the CT Department of Consumer Protection. Of these, 200 samples will be part of our ongoing ISO 17025 accredited MFRPS work; 100 for pesticide analysis and 100 for arsenic analysis. Another 200 samples will be part of a commodity/hazard pair; year one will be juices and toxic elements. The last 110 samples will be spices for heavy metals and consumer complaint samples for filth/foreign material. The CT AES has demonstrated the expertise, capability, and adaptability to fully meet the objectives of this RFA through our successful participation in a number of FDA CAPs, including several specifically targeting human food product testing. Receipt of this new award from FDA will significantly enhance the ability of the CT AES specifically, and CT in general, to meet the program goals laid out in the RFA, and as described by the President?s Food Safety Working Group, the Partnership for Food Protection and the Food Safety Modernization Act. 1
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station 123 HUNTINGTON STREET, P.O. BOX 1106, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT 06504 Putting Science to Work for Society Protecting Agriculture, Public Health, and the Environment Founded 1875 RFA-PAR-20-105 Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM)(U19) The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CT AES) has a 145-year history of food safety research, including 15 years as a member of the FDA Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) Chemistry Cooperative Agreement Program (cCAP), and 8 years of funding under 4 different FDA ISO food safety CAPs. In addition to being the sole laboratory in Connecticut providing chemical testing for the MFRPS program, the CT AES participates a broader surveillance and monitoring program to ensure the safety of food in the state. The primary goal of the proposed Human Food Project is to acquire the necessary funding to improve food testing surveillance programs through the chemical analysis of food products. Phone: (203) 974-8500 Fax: (203) 974-8502 Toll Free: 1-(877) 855-2237 WWW.CT.GOV/CAES An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
