UHL is one of eight state laboratories providing the testing as an FDA Chemical Cooperative Agreement Program (CAP) participant.

"There are no indications at this time that any human foods have been contaminated," explains Dr. John Vargo, UHL environmental program manager. "The FDA is taking a proactive approach and will begin extensive testing of additional food commodities to ensure that the contamination is not present in products intended for human consumption. The UHL will be an active participant in this surveillance exercise, receiving samples for testing each week from locations throughout the Midwest.

"The CAP labs provide laboratory support to the FDA in the event of a wide-spread food contamination incident that overwhelms the capacity of FDA laboratories," John adds. "We also participate in periodic food surveillance exercises and assist the FDA laboratories in the development, refinement, and extension of analytical methodologies used for testing for contaminants in foods."

UHL has participated in the FERN Cap program since 2005. Other state laboratories that share the distinction are Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Virginia.

"This is just another example of the UHL staff rising to the occasion of a national health investigation just as we did during the incidents involving peanut butter and spinach," says Dr. Mike Wichman, interim associate director, environmental services. "Once again, our work takes us to the front lines of public and environmental health response."

Additional information about the pet food recall is available on the FDA website.