Case Study

USA FDA specifies Laboratory Accreditation for Food Analyses

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending its regulations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) to establish a program (LAAF) for the testing of food in certain circumstances by laboratories accredited by ILAC MRA signatories. This program will help FDA improve the safety of the U.S. food supply and protect U.S. consumers by ensuring certain food testing of importance to public health is conducted subject to appropriate oversight and in accordance with appropriate model standards to produce reliable and valid test results.

This program is relevant to accreditation bodies seeking recognition to accredit laboratories under this FDA rule, as well as laboratories seeking
accreditation to conduct food testing covered by the rule. The rule is effective 1 February 2022. Additional information on this rule as well as a list of FAQs is available from here.