Category Archives: Laboratory Method

USA – FSMA Final Rule on Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF)

FDA

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) final rule on Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) establishes a laboratory accreditation program for the testing of food in certain circumstances. Under the LAAF program, FDA will recognize accreditation bodies (ABs) that will accredit laboratories to the standards established in the final rule (referred to as LAAF-accredited laboratories).

The final rule specifies eligibility requirements that ABs and laboratories wishing to participate in the program will need to satisfy, as well as procedures for how the FDA will manage and oversee the program. In certain circumstances, owners and consignees will be required to use a LAAF-accredited laboratory for food testing. FDA will maintain an online public registry listing recognized accredited bodies and LAAF-accredited laboratories.

The establishment of the LAAF program is intended to improve the accuracy and reliability of certain food testing through the uniformity of standards and enhanced FDA oversight of participating laboratories.

Structures of the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) Program

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USA – Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods Program

FDA

About the Program

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) final rule on Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) establishes a laboratory accreditation program for the testing of food in certain circumstances. Under the LAAF program, FDA will recognize accreditation bodies (ABs) that will accredit laboratories to the standards established in the final rule (referred to as LAAF-Accredited Laboratories).

For additional information and guidance, see FSMA Final Rule on Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF).

FDA recognizes LAAF accreditation bodies which assess LAAF accredited laboratories.

Tables in the link above identify accreditation bodies that have been recognized and laboratories that have been accredited under the LAAF program. One recognized accreditation body (AB) may LAAF-accredit many laboratories. A recognized accreditation body may issue one or many certificates of accreditation for any LAAF-accredited laboratory (AL) location covering one or multiple laboratory scopes (LS). Separate laboratory locations under common ownership may be LAAF-accredited by different recognized accreditation bodies.

USA – Updated Campylobacter Method

USDA

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook Update

Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. This method has recently been updated: