Rhode Island Laboratory Flexible Funding Model

Laboratory Flexible Funding Model RFA-FD-25-007 RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Project Summary/Abstract: WHAT ARE THE MAJOR GOALS OF THE PROJECT? The Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) will expand and enhance its food microbiology and chemistry testing capabilities over the next five years as part of its participation in the LFFM initiative. The primary aim of this project is to support and strengthen the integrated food safety system by providing a broader range of testing services in response to emerging food safety threats and national concerns regarding the food supply. RISHL’s laboratory staff, including the Chief Environmental Laboratory Scientist and the Chief Biological Laboratory Scientist, will lead the project. They will be supported by a skilled team of microbiology and chemistry experts, as well as quality assurance officers. The project will ensure RISHL’s continued ability to monitor and address chemical and microbiological contamination in food, providing essential data to safeguard public health. RISHL’s ISO/IEC 17025-certified laboratory, specializing in food Microbiology and chemistry, will collaborate with the Rhode Island Department of Health's Center for Food Protection (CFP), which collects and analyzes food products produced within the state. Based on the results of testing, CFP may initiate public health responses, and RISHL will facilitate follow-up testing as necessary. This project aligns with the broader health mission of enhancing food safety and preventing contamination, ultimately contributing to the national effort to maintain a safe and secure food supply. The research design includes rigorous testing methodologies and collaboration with state and federal food safety networks to achieve the outlined objectives. The focus will be on increasing laboratory testing capacity and responsiveness to emerging food safety concerns. Please refer to the individual grant components’ Project Summaries for more information. A1-Human Food Micro B1- Human Food Chem A2- NARMS B4- Chem MD/MV A7- Micro MD/MV B5- Chem C/CD A8 – Micro C/CD