FERN is a joint effort between the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the DHHS’ Food and Drug Administration. Partnering Federal, State, and Local food testing laboratories, FERN has the capacity and capability to respond to food contamination events, both intentional and unintentional. FERN laboratories have testing capabilities that encompass the microbiology, chemistry and radiochemistry disciplines. Through the use of cooperative agreements and joint activities, the FERN has been instrumental in the development or verification of methods for the detection of threat agents in foods, responding to national and international events affecting food safety and food defense, as well as providing testing capability during unique situations. Speakers in this symposia will include Federal and State personnel relating the functions of FERN as well as specific examples of FERN activities including response to the Fukushima Daiichi Reactor meltdown, activities related to the National Political Conventions, and a laboratories experience with testing for unknowns in a food sample.

Presentations