Since 1999, the Food Safety Laboratory (FSL), Center for Animal Health, Food Safety, and Bio-Security (The Center) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) has worked closely with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Field Science on a variety of food safety and defense assignments. We are tasked by FDA to evaluate, analyze and validate rapid test methods. We have improved many Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) methods and provided validation data for rapid methods that have been implemented by FDA Regional Laboratories. FDA has also distributed improvements in analytical methods to Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) member laboratories. We are directly involved in many of the FERN mission objectives. We provide laboratory outreach with New Mexico State University agricultural programs to growers and food processors. We have demonstrated experience in method development and validation. Through the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service Programs, we provide training to growers and food processors in food safety and defense. We perform regular proficiency testing and validation with BAM and new rapid test methods. When requested, we participate in surveillance activities. We are a member of the Electronic Laboratory Exchange Network (eLEXNET) Program for electronic communications. We believe by being selected as a FERN Microbiology Cooperative Agreement Program (CAP) laboratory our skills and activities would serve the FERN program in detecting and identifying threat agents in food at the local, state, and federal levels and would be a service to the nation. . As a FERN CAP lab, we intend to: 1) Develop proficiency in the equipment received from the CAP 2) Hire two additional microbiologists to conduct analytical work alongside the existing laboratory staff 3) Obtain appropriate training for laboratory staff 4) Participate in all FDA/FERN activities as requested by the FERN National Program Office (NPO)
NMSU has demonstrated experience in Sample Analysis Program and Surveillance Assignments - we propose using Food Safety Laboratory (FSL) resources provided by the Cooperative Agreement Program (CAP) to conduct surveillance assignments during foodborne disease outbreaks and provide surge capacity for the FERN in the event of a large-scale food emergency event Providing Analytical Data - we will provide analytical data for potential regulatory utilization through the use of standardized methods, equipment platforms, and reporting methods (standardized analytical work sheets and electronic results reporting). We will participate in proficiency testing and method training provided by FERN NPO. The FSL will implement a standardized quality management system as determined by FERN NPO. The FSL is a member of the Electronic Laboratory Exchange Network (eLEXNET) Program. Since 1999, FSL has provided analytical data to the FDA for a methods development program. Small-scale Method Development - we will participate in small-scale method development, method validation and matrix extension work as determined by FERN NPO. Since 1999, the FSL has developed, analyzed and validated rapid test methods for the FDA Office of Field Science used to detect microbial pathogens and chemical toxins in foods and other FDA regulated commodities. FSL's work has helped the agency update the BAM and has deployed enhanced test methods to the FDA Regional Laboratories. This work has direct applicability to the FERN program and for both domestic food safety and food defense/bioterrorism. FDA Regional Laboratories and the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) have used the improvements developed at the FSL.
