Food and Beverage Analysis

Poisons in food and beverages.

Chemistry

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Samples are collected and submitted by an official of the local public health agency or state district health office. Sample collection and submission must be coordinated through the District's Epidemiology Specialist.

Food samples must contain at least 25 grams of food material collected in a leak-proof container.

Beverage samples must have at least 50 milliliters of beverage collected in a leak-proof container.

Shipping and collection procedures are available by contacting the MSPHL.

Any food sample.

Contact the MSPHL.

Chemicals which are amenable to analysis by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.  Results are qualitative.

Insufficient quantity.

N/A

10 working days after receipt of sample.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Food Emergency Response - MSPHL partners with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) to respond to public health emergencies after chemical or radiological events. This partnership augments the ability of MSPHL to analyze food/beverage samples chemical and radiological contaminants.

Food Surveillance - To monitor food and beverage products for chemical contaminants, MSPHL conducts food surveillance programs in conjunction with the USDA and FDA. These programs were established to routinely analyze food/beverage products for substances with potential for toxicity that could affect the public health of Missourians.