The Food and Drug Laboratory Branch (FDLB) provides services and leadership as a public health reference and research laboratory. To ensure the safety of Californians, FDLB provides the necessary analytical support to screen for, identify, and quantify chemical and microbiological contaminants in food, drugs, and cosmetics. FDLB also provides regulatory services for substances of abuse laboratories. All activities implement and support legislatively mandated programs. FDLB also works closely with federal and local governments for real time surveillance, consumer complaints, emergency responses, and outbreaks.
Abused Substances Analysis Section (ASAS) operates a regulatory program that
establishes and maintains the competency of laboratories determining blood
alcohol levels for the enforcement of drunk driving laws and approves breath
alcohol testing procedures used in the State. ASAS also operates a regulatory
program that determines and maintains the competency of laboratories providing
urine drug screening services to the narcotic treatment programs in the
State.
Chemistry Section analyzes food, drugs, cosmetics, and other consumer products for chemical adulterations. Common analytes include toxic metals, seafood toxins, carcinogens, prescription drugs ingredients, food additives and preservatives.
Microbiology Section analyzes food, drugs, cosmetics, and environmental samples for
microbial contamination. Generic tests for microbial load, sterility, or
contamination are available. In addition, tests for specific agents, such as
E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio
vulnificus, and Listeria monocytogenes can be conducted. Rapid
testing for protein biotoxins that cause food poisoning, such as the botulism
toxins, staphylococcal enterotoxins and ricin, is available.
Our
Cannabis Testing Section (CTS) has moved to the new Department of Cannabis
Control which has launched a new state cannabis website with expanded
resources for cannabis businesses, consumers and the public.