# Radionuclides in Food - Food Defense and Emergency Analysis

> **NIH FDA U19** · NEW JERSEY STATE DEPT/HEALTH/SENIOR SRVS · 2020 · $31,761

## Abstract

Project Summary – Discipline C: Radiochemistry, Track 1 
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) is 
pursuing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Laboratory Flexible Funding Model cooperative 
agreement focused on improving the capability and capacity of NJ to maintain food safety and security. The 
Radioanalytical Laboratory at NJDOH will prepare for triage exercises to support and maintain State and network 
readiness. 
Semi-quantitative instruments, such as portable field survey meters, will be used to scan potentially 
contaminated food samples. The semi-quantitative results will determine if contamination is “well above” or “well 
below” regulatory limits. To process samples in a timely and effective manner, the following analytical process 
flows will be followed: a) general screening based on total radiation emitted from the sample. b) screening based 
on type of radiation emitted (i.e., alpha, beta, or gamma). c) using radionuclide-specific analytical techniques to 
indicate the most significant activities or when the radionuclides have been identified. 
Additionally, the laboratory will support the network by participating in national security events and other 
emergency exercises as requested by FDA, maintaining surge capacity to analyze human food samples for the 
detection of gamma emitters, including but not limited to Cs-137, Cs-134, Co-60, Mn-54, Ru-103 and I-131, alpha 
emitters (U, Am, Pu, Th), and beta emitters (Sr-90). Laboratory staff will apply their experience working with 
vegetation, juices, grain products, seafood, dairy products, baby foods, water, other beverages, and other 
matrices to support the testing needs of the FDA. 
By conducting the work detailed in this proposal and managing an integrated food safety system, NJDOH will be 
able to expand its food defense and safety activities while further safeguarding public health. Importantly, the 
work conducted by PHEL will supplement the national efforts of the FDA and other states while providing our 
federal and State partners with critical radiological contaminant data they can use to enhance their food defense 
activities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10175320
- **Project number:** 1U19FD007119-01
- **Recipient organization:** NEW JERSEY STATE DEPT/HEALTH/SENIOR SRVS
- **Principal Investigator:** PEIXUE MA
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $31,761
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10175320

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10175320, Radionuclides in Food - Food Defense and Emergency Analysis (1U19FD007119-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10175320. Licensed CC0.

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