# Microbiology Discipline Human Food Product Testing

> **NIH FDA U19** · SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH · 2020 · $96,825

## Abstract

SC-DHEC PHL-Human Food Product Testing 
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC-DHEC), Public Health 
Laboratory (PHL), serves as the state public health laboratory working towards improving the quality of 
life for South Carolinians by protecting and promoting the health of the public and environment. The 
PHL Food Microbiology Laboratory has maintained the ability to test for foodborne pathogens and food 
quality indicator organisms for over 40 years and in 2016 achieved ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and has 
remained accredited since that time. During this cooperative agreement, the Food Microbiology 
Laboratory will maintain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation by remaining compliant with requirements set 
forth by our accrediting body and by maintaining a quality management system that addresses and 
conforms to all elements of ISO/IEC 17025 standards by performing internal audits, management 
reviews, proficiency testing, and quality system improvements. Through a partnership with the state 
Manufactured Food Retail Program Standards (MFRPS) programs, the Food Microbiology Laboratory will 
participate in a sample collection and analysis project. At least 250 human food product samples will be 
collected and tested; 200 will be leafy greens and tested for shiga toxin producing E. coli and 50 will be 
frozen dairy products that will be screened for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. This partnership 
between state agencies strengthens the food safety network locally by encouraging communication and 
the development of effective processes for food collection and testing. The electronic sharing of data 
generated through routine surveillance activities will allow the Food and Drug Administration access to 
our data for enforcement activities. The fact that this data will be generated in an ISO/IEC 17025 
accredited laboratory will streamline analytical review and allow the FDA to rapidly respond and enforce 
regulatory compliance. The overall goal of this project is the support and development at the national 
level of an integrated food safety system.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10175724
- **Project number:** 1U19FD007111-01
- **Recipient organization:** SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Megan Davis
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $96,825
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10175724

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10175724, Microbiology Discipline Human Food Product Testing (1U19FD007111-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10175724. Licensed CC0.

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