Micro A: Track 1 Project Abstract/Summary Application Title: Enhancement of California's Integrated Food Safety and Security System Project title: Maintenance of California's Food Defense Capability and Capacity The California Department of Health, Food and Drug Laboratory Branch (FDLB) is the State reference laboratory for food testing. FDLB is an active member of the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), California Food Emergency Response Team (CalFERT), and Laboratory Response Network for Biological agents (LRN-B) for foodborne pathogens. We participate in annual emergency response exercises through the State Emergency Preparedness Office (EPO), California Food Emergency Response Team (CalFERT) and the State of California statewide medical and health exercise. FDLB provides annual training for food microbiology to California’s Public Health Microbiologists and have invited the 95th Civil Support Team (CST) members to the training in the past. The goal of this proposal is to maintain and enhance the Food Defense capacity and capability in the State of California with the following specific aims: 1. Participate in FDA-requested exercises, and/or surveillance activities to support and maintain readiness. 2. Participate in national special security event exercises, as available. 3. Maintain preparedness to rapidly respond to a suspected or confirmed intentional contamination event involving human or animal food. This includes ensuring that BSL2+ and/or BSL3 facilities are certified, if necessary, and fully functional, analysts are trained and have passed competency exercises, equipment is in working order, and reagents and supplies are available. 4. Participate in testing associated with suspected or credible threats to the food supply where a microbiological agent is suspected, as requested by FDA. Increased activity through this cooperative agreement would increase analytical capacity for the FDA and advance a nationally integrated food safety system which enhances food safety and allow rapid response to food- related emergencies.