On Track: The FDA-TRACK Monthly Newsletter

Learn More: Food Environmental Sampling

Environmental sampling is a qualitative technique used by the FDA to gain additional information on possible routes of product contamination and is often a preventative measure critical to stopping contamination and reducing foodborne outbreaks.

The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the environment of a food facility can indicate poor sanitation or microbial niches. Once established in a food processing plant, microorganisms can contaminate food contact surfaces through transfer from humans, equipment or aerosols. It is important that food facilities that are vulnerable to microbiological contamination maintain a food processing environment that is not colonized by pathogenic microorganisms. Niche environments may be difficult to inspect or access and therefore can protect microorganisms during routine cleaning and sanitizing. Environmental sampling is a preventive food safety concept that contributes to awareness and thus protects public health. To learn more, check out CFSAN’s FDA-TRACK Dashboard and view the center’s environmental sampling measures.

Most Popular

Most Popular Quarterly Content: Visit this page for the most viewed content in FY15 Q4.

What’s New in October 2015

New performance data are available for the dashboards below.

Cross Agency

Advisory Committees Dashboard: The FDA advisory committee vacancy rate reached 11% in May 2015, only 1% shy of the 10% vacancy target.

Office of Special Medical Programs (OSMP)

OSMP Dashboard: As of FY15 Q3, the Office of Combination Products has issued 100% of its requests for designation decisions within 60 days.

November 2015 Upcoming Performance Data Updates

FDA-TRACK is an agency-wide performance management system that monitors FDA programs through key performance measures and projects. These measures and projects are updated quarterly.