Florida Microbiology and Chemistry Fda Fern Program, 2015-2020

Florida Proposal for the FDA FERN Cooperative Agreement Continuation Program, RFA-FD-15-019Project Summary/AbstractFlorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Food Safety has twoLaboratories Bureaus, the Chemical Residues Laboratories and the Food Laboratories which are jointlylocated in the same laboratory complex and have worked closely together on FERN cooperative agreementprojects since 2005. Our staff currently works on many committees and workgroups to ensure the viability ofFERN, and is committed to the concept and structure of FERN to ensure the food safety of our nation. TheFDACS Food Laboratories are applying for the cooperative agreement titled: FDA FERN CooperativeAgreement Continuation Program (U18), announcement RFA-FD-15-019, with anticipation of funding for FiscalYears (FY) 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20.The FDACS Bureau of Food Laboratories (Track 1 - Microbiology) is willing and able to participate in thefollowing 3 project areas: (1) The use of various standardized cultural and biochemical analytical methods forthe detection and identification of pathogens in food; (2) the use of various standardized serological analyticalmethods for the detection and identification of pathogens in food; and (3) the use of various standardizedmolecular analytical methods for the detection and identification of pathogens in food.The FDACS Bureau of Chemical Residues Laboratories (Track 2 - Chemistry) is willing and able to participatein the following 4 project areas: (1) The use of Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis forthe screening and identification of poisons, toxic substances, and unknown compounds in foods; (2) The use ofLiquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis for the screening and identification of poisons,toxic substances, and unknown compounds in foods; (3) The use of Inductively Coupled Plasma/MassSpectrometry (ICP/MS) analysis for the screening and identification of heavy metals and toxic elements infoods; and, (4) The use of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and other antibody-based analysesfor the screening and identification of unknown toxins in foods.The FDACS Division of Food Safety Laboratories desire to ensure the goal of ORA's cooperative agreementprogram is fulfilled, enabling the analyses of foods and food products in the event that laboratory surgecapacity is needed by FERN and the FDA for analyses related to chemical and microbiological contamination,either through intentional or unintentional means.