FDA confirms sufficient mycotoxin testing capacity

Action required 

This notice refers an update of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program, which covers testing of food imported into the U.S. 

Owners and consignees of food that fall under the LAAF regulation need to use LAAF-accredited laboratories for certain food tests. The FDA announced that sufficient laboratory testing capacity has been achieved for mycotoxin analysis to implement this regulation for this particular analyte. 

Affected customers 

Owners and consignees of food imported to the U.S., LAAF-accreditation bodies and accreditation bodies responsible for accrediting LAAF laboratories. 

Background  

The FDA created the LAAF program to strengthen food testing and FDA oversight of participating laboratories. This program requires owners and consignees of certain foods to use LAAF-accredited laboratories for specific tests. However, this requirement would come to effect only when the FDA determines there are enough approved laboratories to carry out the tests. 

Now, the FDA has determined that there is sufficient laboratory testing capacity for mycotoxins analyses. It has not made a capacity determination for other food testing under the LAAF regulation. 

The LAAF Dashboard will provide updated information when the FDA determines there are enough approved laboratories to carry out other food testing circumstances. 

New requirements

None

Deadline

LAAF-accredited laboratories need to conduct certain import-related food testing within 6 months from the date a specific substance is posted on the LAAF Dashboard. The compliance deadline for testing mycotoxins is December 1, 2024. 

Questions?  

Please contact Vivekananthan Kulasingham, Manager, Compliance and Assessment Services, at vivekananthan.kulasingham@scc-ccn.ca or +1 613-238-3222 for more information.