FDA Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM) - Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety

LFFM Overall Component - Project Summary/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 (IFSS). 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 Food Inspection) 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.