Food Emergency Response Network (FERN)
A sample of tomato-based hot sauce is spooned from the
container in preparation to test it for pesticide contamination.
The FERN section validated and implemented an FDA procedure to test for total arsenic and arsenic species in fruit juice and rice.
The Food Emergency Response Network provides national surveillance to help detect threats to the American food supply. The State Hygienic Lab is a FERN member laboratory and provides testing support for all three disciplines (chemistry, microbiology and radiochemistry). Funding is received from the US Food and Drug Administration Chemistry Cooperative Agreement Program (cCAP) for chemical response. The US Department of Agriculture provides funding for microbiological food surveillance and response.
- Implementation of new testing procedures that permit screening of large numbers of pesticides in food samples.
- Testing of food samples submitted by the Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals for pesticides, toxic metals and microbiological agents.
- Implementation of a proficiency testing program to assess current testing procedures for chemical and microbiological contaminants in food products.
- Participation in numerous proficiency testing challenges initiated by the FDA for determination of chemical contaminants in food products.
- Validation and implementation of an FDA procedure to test for total arsenic and arsenic species in fruit juice and rice.
- Participation in exercises with other state laboratories to evaluate and validate testing procedures developed by FDA laboratories.