Application Title: New Jersey Food Testing Program - Food Safety and Defense (2020-2025) Project Title: Surveillance of Metals and Pesticides in Fruit- and Vegetable-Based Beverages from Retail in New Jersey Project Summary – Discipline B: Chemistry, Analytical Track 2: Human Food Product Testing The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is pursuing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Laboratory Flexible Funding Model cooperative agreement focused on improving the capability and capacity of NJ to maintain food safety and security. The Metals Laboratory and Chemical Terrorism, Biomonitoring, Medicinal Marijuana, and Food Testing Laboratory (CT Laboratory) are housed within NJDOH’s Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Services (ECLS). For this project, Metals and CT Laboratories will participate in the Chemistry Discipline Human Food Product Testing Track conducting surveillance testing of fruit- and vegetable- based beverages available for retail in NJ for toxic metals and pesticides. 500 samples will be collected annually and tested for toxic metals; a subset of 100 samples will be selected for further pesticides testing. The test results will be shared publicly with the FDA and other appropriate State agencies to initiate investigations and remove potentially harmful products from retail to protect consumers. In addition to the routine testing of fruit- and vegetable-based beverages available for purchase in New Jersey, ECLS will 1) participate in FDA-requested activities including triage exercises and national security events, 2) provide rapid response preparedness for contamination events and threats to the food supply, 3) participate in and pass proficiency tests, 4) report results through appropriate channels, 5) attend trainings and conferences, 6) host site visits, 7) provide status reports, and 8) participate in network teleconferences. By conducting the work detailed in this proposal and managing an integrated food safety system, ECLS will be able to expand its food defense and safety activities while further safeguarding public health. The food testing conducted by the CT and Metals Laboratories will enhance the national efforts of the FDA and other states as well as provide our federal and state partners with chemical contaminant data they can use to enhance their own food defense practices. This project will support the FDA’s goal of having a strong and capable integrated laboratory network to ensure food safety for consumers in the United States.