FDA FERN Microbiological Cooperative Agreement Program: Enhanced Food Safetyand Security Testing ProgramAbstract: The stated goal of the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA)'scooperative agreement program is 'to complement, develop, and improveState, local, and Indian tribal food safety and security testing programs.' Alsostated is the desire to establish additional reliable laboratory sample analysiscapacity, participation in method enhancement activities to extend currentanalytical capability, and analysis of surveillance samples and emergencyoutbreak samples. The Colorado laboratory has the necessary highly skilledand experienced staff to support both levels of testing assignments and staffhave demonstrated an ability to identify and isolate microbiologicalcontaminants present in foods and food products affecting a large population.The participation of the CDPHE Laboratory Services Division would enhancethe Federal food safety and security program in the areas of surveillance ofthe fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meats, salsa, bottled water, beer, wine,jellies and jams, candy, and juice. The Laboratory Services Division hasresponded in emergency situations to local, regional and national cases of foodcontamination and produced positive findings within a short analytical turn-aroundtime. Colorado is a FERN chemistry, microbiological and radiological memberlaboratory and has a solid working relationship with the Ute and Navajo Indian tribesthrough the CDPHE Office of Preparedness and Emergency Response andDepartment liaison. The Department has cooperative agreements with Federalagencies and surrounding States for Laboratory Preparedness and EmergencyResponse and supports a state-of-the-art, centrally located, responsive State PublicHealth and Environmental Laboratory that is part of both the Laboratory ResponseNetwork (LRN), Environmental Laboratory Response Network (eLRN) and FERNwith a commitment to protecting the public's health and the environment. Thelaboratory is eager, experienced and well qualified to undertake this project.
The Laboratory Services Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to surveillance of food and food products for the presence of pathogenic microorganisms that have the potential to cause widespread disease or outbreaks of foodborne illness. Laboratory scientists are well trained in food microbiology and molecular detection of foodborne agents making Colorado a significant participant in the testing and investigation of national outbreaks of foodborne illness.
