Accredited Laboratory Program (ALP)

The Accredited Laboratory Program (ALP) accredits nonfederal analytical chemistry laboratories to analyze meat and poultry food products for moisture, protein, fat, and salt (MPFS) content and/or certain classes of chemical residues. Currently the specific chemical residues are chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), sulfonamides, nitrosamines, and arsenic.

List of Laboratories Currently Accredited by FSIS (PDF Only)
A list of accredited laboratories is available from this Web page. It is updated monthly.

FSIS Issues Final Rule Revising the Accredited Laboratory Program (Sep 11, 2008)
The final rule | PDF announced revised and consolidated standards and procedures for the accreditation of non-Federal analytical chemistry laboratories.

ALP Authority
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ALP is authorized by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 9, Parts 318, 381, and 391.

Requirements for Accreditation
The requirements for accreditation are contained in 9 CFR, Part 318, 281, 391. In addition, there are operational instructions and procedures that need to be followed. Some of the requirements are:

Submission of FSIS Form 10,110-2, Application for Accreditation
Payment of Accreditation Fees
Adequate Facilities and Equipment
Personnel Qualifications
Sample Control, Sample Integrity
Records Management
Test Report Content and Format
Use of Official and Approved Analytical Methods
Good Laboratory Practices/International Standards Organization (ISO) Guide 17025
Random on-site Review and Audit of Facilities
Participation in Proficiency Testing Programs

Additional Information About ALP

Testing: Accreditation is limited to chemical testing of meat and poultry food products. When accredited, the analytical laboratory may be used in lieu of an FSIS laboratory for analyzing official regulatory samples.
Availability: The Accredited Laboratory Program is voluntary and there is a non-refundable accreditation fee. Currently, the annual fee is $4,500 per accreditation.
Accreditation Frequency: Accreditation is continuous. However, accreditation will be withdrawn if the laboratory fails to meet the requirements of the rules in 9 CFR or if the required accreditation fees are not paid.
Proficiency Testing Program: Participation in the FSIS check sample program is required for both the initial and continued accreditation.
- Minimum Proficiency Levels (MPLs): Current ALP MPLs are published in 9 CFR 318.21(a) and 9 CFR 381.153(a). FSIS has published a proposal that would permit the ALP to use MPLs for currently validated FSIS methods. Current FSIS MPLs are published in Appendix III of the FSIS "Red Book" of National Residue Program Data (https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090115231929/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/
  2003_Red_Book_Appendix3-4.pdf, PDF Only). MPLs for arsenicals, sulfonamides, and CHCs/PCBs are on pages 3, 4, and 5-6, respectively.
- QA/QC Recoveries: Current ALP recoveries are published in 9 CFR 318.21(a) and 9 CFR 381.153(a). FSIS has published a proposal that would permit the ALP to use recoveries for currently validated FSIS methods. Information on current FSIS QA/QC recovery ranges is available from the ALP staff at the telephone number and address below.
Logo: There are no logos. However, the accredited laboratory may claim that it is USDA-FSIS Accredited for specific analysis of meat and poultry products.
Recognition: ALP is recognized by all Federal and State Government agencies dealing with meat and poultry inspection. Some foreign countries also recognize it.

Accrediting Body/Address for Correspondence
ALP is administered by the Accredited Laboratory Program Staff, Office of Public Health and Science, FSIS (202) 690-6582. Mail should be addressed to: Accredited Laboratory Program, Box 17, Aerospace Center, Room 377, 901 D Street SW, Washington, DC 20024.

Last Modified: January 9, 2009


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