AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs learned on June 14, 2022 that it is now recognized to accredit laboratories under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) final rule on the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program. Under the FDA program, LAAF-recognized Accrediting Bodies (AB) may accredit food testing laboratories to LAAF program specifications. FDA is expected to publish a Federal Register notice announcing when it has established sufficient accreditation body capacity allowing AIHA LAP and other approved accreditation bodies to officially accredit labs to LAAF requirements. The FDA Program is being established to support accredited laboratory testing when called for by FDA as it responds to food safety-related issues. LAAF accredited labs (those accredited by FDA approved accreditation bodies) will be allowed to test food under these circumstances.

Under its Food Laboratory Accreditation Program (FoodLAP), AIHA LAP already gives laboratories the option to be accredited to FoodLAP and/or the AOAC International Guidelines for Laboratories Performing Microbiological and Chemical Analyses of Food, Dietary Supplements, and Pharmaceuticals. Once FDA issues LAAF requirements and announces its full plans for LAAF accreditation, AIHA LAP will set up the LAAF program under FoodLAP and immediately begin accepting applications for those labs that want to be accredited to LAAF so that they can conduct food testing on behalf of FDA. Those laboratories already accredited under FoodLAP, will simply need to add LAAF to their scopes and may not need another onsite assessment.

Whether you work at a food testing laboratory or you are a customer in need of food testing, you can contact Cheryl O. Morton at cmorton@aiha.org should you have questions or need additional information AIHA LAP’s current and planned food testing programs.

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