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Food Safety Microbiology Lab

Food Safety Microbiology

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 and Campylobacter. The FSM Laboratory also provides microbiological testing services to the state canned food processing authority.

Food Emergency Response Network

The Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) was established as a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FERN exists to provide an integrated laboratory network capable of responding to national emergencies. Laboratories participating in FERN at the federal, state and local level are responsible for detecting and identifying biological, chemical and radiological agents in food. The ADRDL joined FERN in 2004, and 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.

Important Information and Forms

Contact Information

Laura Ruesch

Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory
South Dakota State University
1155 N Campus Drive
Brookings, SD 57007