Food Safety

Food Safety Microbiology - Services

Established in 1999, the ADRDL Food Safety Microbiology (FSM) Laboratory section screens samples of ground beef, ready-to-eat meats, tissue, carcass swabs, and food contact surface swabs from small meat production lockers and slaughter houses in both North and South Dakota for a variety of pathogens and adulterants, including Salmonella, Genus Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) and Campylobacter. The FSM Laboratory also provides microbiological testing services to the state canned food processing authority, conducting pH and water activity testing.  The FSM laboratory is fully AAVLD accredited and is currently seeking ISO 17025 Accreditation. 

Food Safety Microbiology- Research

FERN

The Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) was established as a collaborative effort between the USDA and the FDA to provide an integrated laboratory network capable of responding to national emergencies involving biological, chemical and radiological agents in food. The Food Safety Microbiology lab was selected to join the FERN Cooperative Agreement Program in 2005, and has since been involved in a wide range of validation projects, training courses, surveillance, and proficiency tests.

NARMS

The Food Safety Microbiology lab has been selected to participate in the FDA National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS).  Retail meats from SD and ND are randomly sampled and bacterial isolates present are screened for antimicrobial resistance.  The data from this program is used by the USDA, FDA, and CDC to make nationwide decisions on policies regarding antimicrobial stewardship.

Custom Research Testing

Staff have experience with a diverse panel of methods and techniques, including ELISA, PCR, Electrochemiluminescence, Immunomagnetic Separation, Traditional Culture, and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry.  Contact sdsu.foodsafety@sdstate.edu for more information about special project development options for you! 

Food Safety Microbiology - Testing Information

Use the links below to find information about testing, prices, and access our submission form: 

Food Safety Submission Form

Test Turn Around Times