VDH Laboratory Food Testing Capability and Capacity Enhancement Project

Project Abstract SummaryThe Vermont Department of Health Laboratory (VDHL) is located at 359 South Park Drive inColchester, VT. The mission of VDHL is to promote health and prevent disease by providingquality analytical services, leadership in laboratory science and support to public health andenvironmental activities. VDHL, as the primary servicing laboratory, is committed tostrengthening the food safety system in Vermont by supporting the regulatory and surveillanceactivities of the Vermont Department of Health Food and Lodging Program (VDHFL), whichholds the State Manufactured Food Regulatory Program contract with FDA. To support theseactivities, VDHL must maintain and enhance its ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, obtained inSeptember 2016, to ensure all test data generated is valid and defensible. VDHL is requestingfunds in the amount of $1,884,472 to be used from July 2020 through June 2025 to maintainand enhance its ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, increase its food sampling and testing capacity,develop a validated method for gamma emitting radionuclides in human food, and report allcollected surveillance data to FDA. Some specific uses of the funds include hiring two newPublic Health Laboratory Scientists, buying key equipment, traveling to face-to-face meetings toshare cutting edge ideas, and verifying new methods through special projects. Through thispartnership, an increase in the number and type of laboratory analyses conducted will lead toenhanced protection of the food supply through an integrated food safety system.