The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) and AOAC International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which establishes a strategic framework for developing, validating, and recognizing methods used by FSIS labs and regulated establishments for the verification of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based food safety systems.

The MOU outlines how AOAC and FSIS will cooperate on work related to mutual interests, including:

• Collaboration on scientific method training and other educational initiatives
• Development of Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPRs) documents, validation guidance, and/or method validation protocols
• Development of proficiency testing programs
• Adoption or certification of methods for specific regulations or monitoring programs, such as Salmonella quantification.

The validation of methods through AOAC Official Methods of Analysis (OMA) or Performance Tested Methods (PTM) programs will provide confidence that methods are fit-for-purpose and can be used by FSIS laboratories and constituents for applicable testing needs.