Florida Dept. of Agriculture Flexible Funding Food Chemistry/Microbiology

LFFM Overall Component - Project Abstract
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety, through
this cooperative agreement intends to enhance the capacity and capabilities of state human
testing laboratories in support of an integrated food safety system. Specifically, through sample
testing in the areas of microbiology, and chemistry, and the development of special projects that
would support and expand that testing. This project will strengthen and improve the collaboration
of surveillance testing activities between the FDA and our state laboratory partners to continue
building a nationally integrated laboratory science system.
Specifically, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of
Food Safety is responsible for the inspection of permitted food entities, collection of human food
samples, and laboratory testing services in the areas of microbiology and chemistry for both food
defense and food testing within the state of Florida. Participation in special projects as supported
through this funding opportunity will support and expand that testing. The Division of Food Safety
within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services includes both the sampling
organization (Bureau of Inspections) and the laboratories with responsibility for the collection and
testing of human food products including the state manufactured food regulatory program.
By strengthening and improving collaboration with the FDA, sample testing completed under this
project will play a greater role in helping FDACS and FDA prevent contaminated products from
reaching consumers, understand risks, and assess the value of strategies to control those risks.