Independent Food Testing Laboratories

Overview
Choosing an Independent Laboratory
References
Table: Selected Independent Laboratories

Overview

At present, commercial food testing laboratories cannot identify or rule out bioterrorism agents in food products. Requests for such testing should be directed instead to state public health laboratories. (For a contact list, see the links provided by the Association of Public Health Laboratories.) These laboratories are part of the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN), a multilevel system designed to link state and local laboratories with advanced-capacity biosafety facilities and to provide surge capacity in the event of a bioterrorism incident (see References: CDC 2002, Nulens 2002, Robinson 2002).

State public health laboratories are also linked to the newly organized Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), which coordinates methodologies, training programs, and facilities for identifying biological, chemical, and radiological contaminants specifically in food products. As a collaborative development between federal agencies (primarily the Food and Drug Administration [FDA]), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ([CDC]), and the US Department of Agriculture [USDA]) and the states, FERN is designed to enhance capabilities for assessing and responding to potential food biosecurity incidents. Participating facilities include:

National and regional government laboratories under the jurisdiction of FDA, USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy
State public health, agriculture, and veterinary diagnostic laboratories
County public health laboratories
University laboratories

With 63 laboratories participating (as of November 2003), the FERN system is subdivided into three specialized networks according to the types of agents analyzed: biological (comprising 38 state and federal laboratories); chemical (with 8 federal laboratories participating), and radiological (comprising 17 state, federal, and university laboratories) (see References: FDA: Counter-terrorism food emergency response network; FDA 2003: Progress report). A secure, Web-based data communication system, eLEXNET, is used to coordinate findings among the laboratories and to provide an alert system for food biosecurity emergencies. To help integrate additional state food laboratories into FERN, CDC and FDA recently announced the availability of continuation funds for cooperative agreements between CDC and state health departments to purchase specialized equipment and reagents and to provide additional training for laboratory personnel (see References: FDA 2003: Fact sheet; Crawford 2003).

Choosing an Independent Laboratory

For routine microbiological or chemical testing of food products, company officials can access commercial food testing laboratories; a selection of these is listed in the table below.

In choosing a laboratory, company officials should ask for information on the laboratory's credentials, especially major accreditations (such as ISO 17025) and certifications for specific activities (such as the FDA Interstate Milk Shippers Program), as well as their participation in proficiency testing programs (such as those of the Association of Analytical Communities).

References

CDC. Summary on the laboratory response network. Apr 17, 2002 [Full text]

Crawford, LM. Statement before the US Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, Nov 19, 2003. [Full text]

FDA. Counter-terrorism food emergency response network [Full text]

FDA. Fact sheet: HHS announces new funding opportunity for state food labs. May 8, 2003 [Full text]

FDA. Progress report to Secretary Tommy G. Thompson: Ensuring the safety and security of the nation’s food supply. Jul 23, 2003 [Full text]

Nulens E, Voss A. Laboratory diagnosis and biosafety issue of biological warfare agents. Clin Microbiol Infect 2002 Aug;8(8):455-66 [Abstract]

Robinson-Dunn B. The microbiology laboratory's role in response to bioterrorism. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2002;126(3):291-4 [Full text]

Selected Independ ent Food Testing Laboratories
Name of Laboratory	Contact information	Summary of Microbiology and Analytical Chemistry Services
ABC Research Corporation (American Bacteriological & Chemical Research Corporation)	3437 SW 24th Ave Gainesville, FL 32607 352-372-0436 Fax: 352-378-6483	Full microbiology (routine testing, pathogen analysis, spoilage analysis) and analytic chemistry capabilities; ISO 17025–accredited
Alteca Ltd	731 McCall Rd Manhattan, KS 66502 785-537-9773 Fax: 785-537-1800	Forensic food microscopy, object identification, feed microscopy, and microchemical analyses
Analytical Food Laboratories	865 Greenview Dr Grand Prairie, TX 75050-2439 972-336-0336 800-242-6494 Fax: 972-623-0055	Microbiological, chemical, nutritional, and physical analyses; product analysis and development, trouble-shooting, quality assurance, and compliance issues
Anresco Laboratory Inc	1370 Van Dyke Ave San Francisco, CA 94124 415-822-1100 800-359-0920 Fax: 415-822-6615 Regional Labs: 2233 Jesse St Los Angeles, CA 90023 323-266-3960 Fax: 323-266-3986 2310 NW 55th Ct #123 & #124 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 954-486-2233 Fax: 954-486-2886	Microbiological and element (minerals and trace metals) analyses; pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide residue testing; analyses of imported food products to satisfy FDA automatic detention (extraneous matter, methyl mercury, nonpermitted additives, seafood testing, aflatoxins); multilingual information available on Web site
Bio Research Laboratories	2897 152nd Av NE Redmond, WA 98052 425-869-4224 800-886-3479 Fax: 425-869-4231	Microbiological (including screens for foodborne pathogens) and chemical testing; technical assistance and consultation
BioVir Laboratories Inc	685 Stone Road, Unit 6 Benicia, CA 94510-1126 800-442-7342 707-747-5906 Fax: 707-747-1751	Specializes in environmental microbiology; microbial analyses from environmental samples, especially water supplies; developed a Laboratory Waterborne Bioterrorism Response Plan
Central Analytical Laboratories Inc	2315 N Causeway Blvd, Suite 150 Metairie, LA 70001 504-297-3400 Fax: 504-297-3410	Chemical and microbiological analyses of food and agricultural commodities; analyses of imported products (aflatoxins, pesticide residues, heavy metals)
Central Hudson Laboratory	118 Barnes Rd Washingtonville, NY 10992-0580 845-496-7584 800-506-BUGS Fax: 845-496-2469	Specializes in testing for physical contamination (extraneous matter and filth analysis of food products)
Certified Laboratories Inc	200 Express St Plainview, NY 11803 516-576-1400 800-CERT-LAB Fax: 516-576-1410 1156 N Fountain Way Unit D Anaheim, CA 92806 714-630-7612 888-FOOD-LAB Fax: 714-630-5747	Full range of services for food processing at all stages of production, including analytical chemistry and instrumentation, microbiology (indicator organisms, pathogens, and toxins), analyses of imported products for FDA detention, light filth; particular expertise with dairy products, juices, meat, seafood, spices, and refrigerated foods; approved public health laboratory; Interstate Milk Shippers Program–certified
Coffey Laboratories Inc	12423 NE Whitaker Way Portland, OR 97230 503-254-1794 Fax: 503-254-1452	Chemical and microbiological analyses; Interstate Milk Shippers Program–certified
Environmental Systems Service	218 N Main St Culpeper, VA 22701 540-825-6660 Fax: 540-825-4961 3917 Westpoint Blvd Suite E Winston-Salem, NC 27103 336-659-3378 Fax: 336-659-3379 8321 Leishear Rd Laurel, MD 20723 301-617-9582 Fax: 301-617-3426 500 Stone St Bedford, VA 24523 540-586-5413 Fax: 540-586-5530	Listeria and Salmonella environmental swab programs for food, poultry, seafood, and dairy industry; certified testing for the Interstate Milk Shippers program; chemical and bacteriological analyses on water and wastewater; aflatoxin screening
Eurofins Scientific Group (Woodson-Tenent Laboratories)	Corporate Headquarters: 1331 Union Ave, Suite 1500 Memphis, TN 38104 901-272-7511 Fax: 901-272-2926 Multiple US and European locations	Analytical chemistry and microbiology for assays of food and animal feeds; BSE testing of meat
Food Products Laboratory Inc	12003 NE Ainsworth Cir Suite 105 Portland, OR 97220 503-253-9136 800-FPL-9555 Fax: 503-253-9019	Microbiological and chemical testing for food, dairy, and agricultural industries
Garden State Laboratories Inc	410 Hillside Ave Hillside, NJ 07205 800-273-8901 Fax: 908-688-8966	Bacteriological and chemical testing for food and dairy products
Great Lakes Scientific Inc	2847 Lawrence St Stevensville, MI 49127 269-429-1000 Fax: 269-429-1550	Microbiological and chemical analyses for food manufacturers and processors
Idexx Laboratories	IDEXX Veterinary Services, Inc. 2300 Congress St Portland, ME 04102 207-856-0929 888-433-9987 Fax: 207-856-8191 US facilities in CA, AZ, OR, CO, IL, TX, NJ, and MA; international locations	Clinical diagnostic veterinary services and veterinary information systems; detection of antibiotic contaminants in dairy foods; ISO 9002–certified
Krueger Food Laboratories Inc	711 Concord Ave Cambridge, MA 02138-1002 617-876-9118 Fax: 617-876-0572	Microbiological analyses and food sanitation services; pesticide residue analysis; analysis of fruit juices and beverages; flavor, fragrance, and spice analysis
Marshfield Laboratories	1000 North Oak Marshfield, WI 54449-5790 715-387-5835 800-222-5835 Fax: 715-387-7121	Testing for foodborne pathogens; veterinary diagnostic analyses
Microbac	Corporate headquarters: Franklin Corporate Center Suite #350 2000 Corporate Dr Wexford, PA 15090-7605 724-934-5030 Fax: 724-934-5088 Food testing labs in several states: FL, IN, KY, ME, NJ, NY, NC, PA, SC	Microbiological testing, chemistry, field services, sanitation programs, consulting
Michelson Laboratories Inc	6280 Chalet Dr Commerce, CA 90040-3761 562-928-0553 888-941-5050 Fax: 562-927-6625	Full microbiology, analytical chemistry, export services, and consulting for meat processing, seafood, poultry, dairy (Interstate Milk Shippers Program–certified), produce, bakery, and spices and seasonings
Midwest Laboratories	13611 B St Omaha, NE 68144 402-334-7770	Agricultural testing (analyses of feed, fertilizer and lime, seeds); chemical and microbiological testing in foods
MVTL Laboratories Inc (Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratories)	1126 N Front St New Ulm, MN 56073 507-354-8517 800-782-3557 Fax: 507-359-2890	Agricultural (animal and crop sciences) testing services; chemical and microbiological analyses of foods, meats, and dairy products; ISO/IEC 17025–accredited through A2LA
National Food Laboratory Inc	6363 Clark Ave Dublin, CA 94568-3097 925-828-1440 Fax: 925-833-9239	Food chemistry and microbiology services for manufacturers and processors of food, food ingredients, agricultural chemicals, and food-related packaging; pesticide residue testing; technical consultation
Northeast Laboratories Inc	129 Mill St Berlin, CT 06037 860-828-9787 Fax: 860-829-1050	Microbiologic testing, pharmaceutical testing/R&D, indoor air quality studies, food and dairy testing (nutritional analysis, fat and oils testing, toxic residue testing, vitamin analysis, additives), plant sanitation inspections and consultation, microbiology testing including microbial challenge tests, swab testing, and shelf-life testing
Northland Laboratories	1818 Skokie Blvd Northbrook, IL 60062 847-272-8700 Fax: 847-272-2348 1044 Parkview Rd Green Bay, WI 54304-5512 920-336-7465 Fax 920-336-0647	Full service analytical chemistry, microbiology, and dairy testing
OMIC-USA Inc (part of Overseas Merchandise Inspection Co Ltd)	1200 NW Naito Pkwy Suite 100 Portland, OR 97209 503-223-1497 Fax: 503-223-9436	Chemistry, microbiology, and pesticide residue analyses, specializing in wheat and grain products. ISO 17025– and 9001-accredited
PSI (Professional Service Industries)	1178 Corporate Dr W Arlington, TX 76006 817-640-4162	Analytical services (microbiological, chemical); product sampling; consultation
Q Laboratories Inc	1400 Harrison Ave Cincinnati, OH 45214 513-471-1300 Fax: 513-471-5600	Microbiological (pathogen testing, food samples, consultation) and food chemistry services
Rtech Laboratories (unit of Land O'Lakes)	1150 W Cty Rd F Arden Hills, MN 55112 651-481-2207 800-328-9687 Fax: 651-486-0837	Analytical chemistry and quantitative microbiology, pathogen testing, and bacterial identification; ISO 17025 and 9002 accredited
Sani-Pure Food Laboratories	178-182 Saddle River Rd Saddle Brook, NJ 07663-4619 201-843-2525 Fax: 201-843-4934	Analytical microbiology and chemistry testing of foods
Silliker, Inc	Corporate headquarters: 900 Maple Rd Homewood, IL 60430 708-957-7878 Fax: 708-957-8449 US locations in CA, GA, IL, IA, MN, NJ, OH, PA, TX, and WI International facilities in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia	Array of routine and special analyses for microbiology, chemistry, physical testing, meat traceability, and extraneous matter testing; safety and quality auditing; consulting; on-site training; ISO 17025–accredited
Southern Testing & Research Laboratories, Inc (division of Microbac Laboratories Inc)	3809 Airport Dr Wilson, NC 27896 252-237-4175 Fax: 252-237-9341	Chemical and microbiological testing in agrochemicals, food, and feed
Strasburger & Siegel, Inc	7249 National Dr Hanover, MD 21076 888-726-3753	Microbiological testing, residue chemistry, filth and extraneous content analysis, consulting
Trilogy Analytical Laboratory	111 W 4th St Washington, MO 63090 636-239-1521 Fax: 636-239-1531	Analytical services for food, beverages, feed, and grain products
University of Guelph Laboratory Services Division	PO Box 3650, 95 Stone Rd W Guelph, Ontario N1H 8J7 Canada 519-767-6299	Forensic food testing to identify extraneous materials, microbial and chemical contamination, ingredient adulteration, and sensory defects; ISO 9002–accredited
Warren Analytical Laboratory	650 O St Greeley, CO 80631 970-351-6344 800-945-6669 Fax: 970-351-6648	Food chemistry and microbiology. ISO 17025–accredited
Abbreviations: BSE, bovine spongiform encephalopathy; FDA, Food and Drug Administration. Information derived in part from the Institute of Food Technologists, the American Council of Independent Laboratories, and the National Food Safety Database.


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