# Building an Integrated Laboratory System to Advance the Safety of Human and Animal Food

> **NIH FDA U18** · ASSOCIATION /PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES · 2020 · $500,000

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The purpose of this proposal from the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) is to support
and enhance the capabilities of state human and animal food (HAF) testing laboratories that engage
in surveillance and response activities associated with foodborne hazards, including foodborne
outbreak investigations.
APHL will:
 • Build a competent HAF Laboratory workforce by developing and delivering trainings,
 workshops, seminars and other educational materials
 • Plan and host high quality conferences and meetings related to the LFFM disciplines and the
 GenomeTrakr network
 • Manage support programs for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation by providing direct
 technical assistance to non-FDA funded HAF laboratories
 • Enhance and maximize HAF laboratory participation in the GenomeTrakr network
 • Promote information sharing between strategic partners, improve quality assurance efforts
 and build mutual reliance in an integrated food safety system.
Through these efforts, we will meet individual laboratory and broad-based training needs around
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 laboratory accreditation, laboratory procedures, data transfer (to NCBI and FDA
data systems), document control, quality management systems, continuous improvement, sample
collection, and risk assessment. We will plan and host forums for LFFM food testing laboratories
and GenomeTrakr laboratories. We will foster collaborations with the Partnership for Food
Protection around scientific and data sharing goals. Measurement of success will be against stated
metrics, refined in consultation with the funding agency.
As the non-profit association representing state and local laboratories that conduct HAF testing on
behalf of state regulatory programs, APHL can efficiently advance the goals of this Cooperative
Agreement. For over 50 years, we have met the responsibility to educate, train and provide
technical assistance to our members and put forth practice guidelines that define the field.
Leveraging our experience will better position FDA to work in partnership with state and local
authorities to build an Integrated Food Safety System and achieve national public health goals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10127884
- **Project number:** 1U18FD006937-01
- **Recipient organization:** ASSOCIATION /PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES
- **Principal Investigator:** Shari Shea
- **Activity code:** U18 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $500,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10127884

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10127884, Building an Integrated Laboratory System to Advance the Safety of Human and Animal Food (1U18FD006937-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10127884. Licensed CC0.

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