FDA Issues Final Rule for Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule establishing the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program as required by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

This LAAF program recognizes accreditation bodies that accredit food testing laboratories to standards set in the final rule. Eligibility requirements for both accreditation bodies and the laboratories are outlined to participate as are procedures for how the FDA will manage and oversee the LAAF program. Once the LAAF program is fully implemented, only LAAF-accredited laboratories will be able to conduct food testing in certain circumstances that are defined in the final rule.

Does your testing partner make the grade?

The LAAF program will cover food testing:

• to support removal of a food from an import alert through successful consecutive testing requirements;
• to support admission of an imported food detained at the border because it is or appears to be in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;