Today's food laboratories remain largely free of regulatory oversight. That is about to change with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) issuance of a final rule establishing a program for the testing of food, in certain circumstances, by accredited laboratories. Not only does this final rule provide specific quality standards and assurances to a segment of food testing, but it also opens the door for all laboratories to adhere to these essential elements.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule for its program for laboratory accreditation, as required by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).