FDA readies to begin tests for pesticides in food products

FOSTER CITY, Calif. The Food and Drug Administration has purchased seven machines that test for harmful pesticides in the food supply, the company that makes the machines announced Monday.

Applied Biosystems said the FDA had purchased its 4000 QTRAP systems, specialized mass spectrometers that detect trace levels of contaminants by analyzing compounds based in their molecular composition.

“The government’s efforts to increase food safety are directly impacted by the accuracy and reproducibility of the scientific information used to conduct the critical analysis that determines whether food is contaminated and a threat to the health of the general public,” said Laura Lauman, president of Applied Biosystems’ proteomics and small molecule division.

The machines will be installed at FDA field offices in Jefferson, Ark., Irvine, Calif., Lenexa, Kan., Jamaica, N.Y., College Park, Md., Bothell, Wash., and Atlanta.