LDAF/ LSU AgCenter Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory Enhancement of Capabilities to Support an Integrated Food Safety System Through Testing Activities in Areas of Microbiology & Chemistry

OVERALL ABSTARCT
The Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory is interested in testing animal food products for both
microbiological and chemical constituents to help bolster the integrated food safety system
established by the FDA. The proposed multifaceted project will help strengthen and improve
FDA’s efforts to prevent foodborne illnesses and minimize foodborne exposures by adding our
laboratory capabilities to a nationally integrated laboratory science system. The funding from
this cooperative agreement will help to equip the Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory with
additional resources that can be used to build and increase sample throughput capacity and
capability for our state. Currently, our connection to the LDAF Feed program and organizational
infrastructure as the statutorily mandated state laboratory for Louisiana makes the Agricultural
Chemistry Laboratory well suited to receive and analyze food samples collected statewide.
Additionally, the Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory (ISO 17025-2017 accredited) houses all
pertinent analytical equipment as well as experienced and competent personnel needed to
maintain quality data for this nationally integrated laboratory science system. Funding from this
cooperative agreement would increase our capacity and capability to help strengthen the FDA’s
integrated food safety system.