Effective May 23, 2022, A2LA is recognized to accredit laboratories under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) final rule on Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program. Under the LAAF program, LAAF-recognized Accrediting Bodies (AB) may accredit testing laboratories to the LAAF program specification associated with each standard and test method included in the LAAF Program. The establishment of the LAAF program is intended to improve the accuracy and reliability of certain food testing through the uniformity of standards and enhanced FDA oversight of participating laboratories.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule on December 2021 establishing the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program as required by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The final rule went into effect February 1st, 2022. This rule applies to food testing conducted under specific testing requirements in the FD&C Act and implementing regulations that “address an identified or suspected food safety problem”
The goal of A2LA’s LAAF program is to promote the safety of public health, protecting consumers from unsafe foods through the accreditation of food and environmental testing laboratories.
The current program now has sufficient laboratory capacity for mycotoxin testing.
The program also includes analyses of food product samples or environmental samples including but not limited to:
- Microbiological contaminants (bacteria, yeast, mold, etc.)
- Pesticides/herbicides
- GMO
- Water Activity
Who it applies to:
This voluntary program is covered by the A2LA chemical and biological fields of testing to certain laboratories performing tests on food and environmental samples such as shell eggs, sprouts, bottled drinking water, as well as import related food tests.
FDA LAAF Requirements/Program Requirements
- ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
- A2LA R258 – Specific Requirements – FDA Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) Accreditation Program
Additional Resources
The final rule outlines eligibility requirements that laboratories will need to fulfill to participate in the program, as well as procedures for how the FDA will manage and oversee the program.
Additional requirements for LAAF accredited laboratories including FDA guidance on reporting, method validation, etc.
For information regarding the FDA FSMA LAAF program, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
*These requirements are also in the 2024 AOAC International Guidelines for Laboratories Performing Microbiological and Chemical Analyses of Food, Dietary Supplements, Pharmaceuticals, and Cannabis. Please refer to A2LA’s AOAC Laboratory Accreditation Program for further information.