Project Summary Discipline A Microbiology Track 3 Animal Food Product Testing The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Microbiology (MDARD) Laboratory annual tests over 250 dry pet food surveillance samples, for the foodborne pathogens Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC). The 250 samples are collected by MDARD Plant and Plant Pest Management (PPPM) inspectors at retail establishments. MDARD trained laboratory staff will also collect and additional 250 dry pet foods for surveillance testing. The pet food samples are tested for the pathogenic organisms by the four food microbiologists of MDARD using validated and verified methods. The Laboratory is accredited to the ISO17025:2017 standard. Pet food samples found to be contaminated with a foodborne pathogen are reported to MDARD PPPM Division for regulatory action, primarily to remove the contaminated product from commerce.